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, October 26, 2016

Dealing with Demons

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Devil; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Aleph:
          When I translated the first phrase from Dutch to English in the booklet for this card, it read "I commit myself." Now usually commitment is a good thing, but in this case not so much. These chained folks fear the truth, and their actions are focused on not seeing reality. Whatever distracts them from dealing with life on life's terms is what they are committed to. But these people wouldn't be so afraid if they realized what they think of as being the truth is likely only a half version of it. Fear has a way of distorting things. Aleph's form represents a joining of earth and heaven, of the physical with the spiritual. This Hebrew letter is a paradox of oneness that appears as diversity. It can be way too easy for me to think I have cornered the market when I'm dealing with life's difficulties. I can isolate myself, thinking I'm the only one who has to deal with such struggles. But the truth is that everyone has a daily dose of challenges, and no one is immune. Instead of covering myself in the ashes of self-pity, I should go ask how others constructively deal with their demons.

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9 comments:

  1. EllenOctober 26, 2016 at 8:25 AM

    I am very good at covering up what I don't want to know or deal with. Just yesterday I was writing about some issue in my journal and it felt more like a relief than something I should be afraid of. It is astonishing how we easy sell our soul to devil just to avoid facing our fears

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    1. thesycamoretreeOctober 26, 2016 at 8:56 AM

      It seems like ignoring things would be the best way to deal with them sometimes. But I know from experience that most problems just get worse instead of better unless I attend to them!

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  2. Carolyn TindorOctober 26, 2016 at 9:50 AM

    The first thing I saw were the man and woman in reversed places. They are a mirror image to the typical portrayal. Like your analogy that others are suffering or facing challenges just like you. The Devil remains the same, hardship is hardship but how we reflect ourselves to others when challenged...

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    1. thesycamoretreeOctober 26, 2016 at 10:09 AM

      Your comment about the couple made me think of how we can sometimes encourage each other to stay in the middle of misery (misery loves company).

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    2. Carolyn TindorOctober 26, 2016 at 10:21 AM

      True, so true. Misery does love company.

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  3. TriviumOctober 26, 2016 at 1:45 PM

    Does the woman's tail have a bunch of grapes on the end? Why?

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    1. thesycamoretreeOctober 26, 2016 at 3:32 PM

      I think it's a call back to the Lovers card where the man stands beside the Tree of Life and the woman by the Tree of Knowledge.

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  4. Inner WhispersOctober 27, 2016 at 2:23 AM

    That Aleph is beautiful. And I love what you say about the unity within seeming diversity. Yes, we all have our challenges, but seeing someone else's can be so helpful to dealing with our own, rather than hiding in our own pity party, as you say. Good luck with those challenges, Bev!

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    1. thesycamoretreeOctober 27, 2016 at 6:40 AM

      The cards for the Kabbalah deck are PLAIN - black letters on a white background. I found these illustrations on Adam's website, Hebrewart.com. He has some lovely drawings there!

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