I use tarot and oracle cards as tools for reflection and contemplation. Rather than divining the future, they are a way for me to look more deeply at the "now."
"The goal isn't to arrive, but to meander, to saunter, to make your life a holy wandering." ~ Rami Shapiro

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

"No Biting!"

From the Gaian Tarot, Strength; from the Goddess Oracle, Oshun:
          "No biting!" was the phrase I heard when I pulled this card. When children are between the ages of 1 to 3, this is a defense to which they often resort. With three grandsons, we have used that admonition a lot. My exasperated husband even asked the vet for a couple of "will bite" stickers at one point. As adults we learn to use words instead of teeth to express our displeasure, but words can be used as weapons too. What is said can often leave more damage than an actual bite and take longer to heal. The lovely, serene woman on the Strength card cautions me to pause and take a breath instead of lashing out. Oshun, the Brazilian goddess of the waters, was known for her love of beauty. She seems to invite the woman and her lion to come enjoy the sensual side of life, letting their senses be given time to play. The five senses can be used to short-circuit my emotional brain when it becomes impatient, frustrated or angry. Take a moment to answer these questions:
  • What beauty or wonder makes me pause with appreciation (here now or elsewhere)?
  • What smell makes me close my eyes with enjoyment?
  • What feels delightful against my skin?
  • What makes me smile when I hear it?
  • What taste makes me sigh with pleasure?
If you mindfully went through those five questions, I bet there was a brief moment when your emotions were calmed like the resting lion. Oshun is right - focusing on the senses can bring me pleasure and serenity.


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8 comments:

  1. Sharyn Mallow WoerzAugust 10, 2016 at 9:45 AM

    from a support group member when mom was still here. "My mother is now biting". Believe it or not I laughed until the tears ran down. There was actually someone in the world who was worse than mother. It was such a relief... make what you will of this

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    1. thesycamoretreeAugust 10, 2016 at 9:56 AM

      I guess the mind reverts back in cases of dementia; the ability to communicate well is lost so the swiss cheese mind comes up with some interesting ways to show displeasure. My FIL was a pincher.

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  2. Carolyn TindorAugust 10, 2016 at 10:00 AM

    Very nice. Occasionally when I work with a skittish client, I will say "It's okay I don't bite" and they usually chuckle and relax.

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    1. thesycamoretreeAugust 10, 2016 at 11:09 AM

      I'm sure they appreciate you putting them at ease!

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  3. EllenAugust 10, 2016 at 10:09 AM

    I like the questions. To answer these makes a lot of sense. Maybe more than counting to ten because you actually have to redirect your thoughts to a more happy place.
    I will copy them in my journal to remember and to use as a prompt today

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    1. thesycamoretreeAugust 10, 2016 at 11:10 AM

      That's it exactly - you have to make an effort to redirect your thoughts from your "angry place" to your "happy place!"

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  4. ThistorianAugust 10, 2016 at 11:24 AM

    Those questions are helpful. I'm useless at mindfulness but with those tangible points of focus I can manage it. Q3 a good one - reminds me in my grumpy moments there may not be anything wrong in my world I just need to change my top.

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    1. thesycamoretreeAugust 10, 2016 at 12:23 PM

      I think that is the easiest type of meditation to do for me - to focus on some sensation, whether it is listening, feeling my muscles work in yoga or watching the curl of incense smoke. Glad the questions were helpful, Laylah, and I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment! :)

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