From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Ten of Swords; from the Cedar Runes, Mannaz:
A woman is in freefall, while birds swarm around her like vultures waiting for a meal. This Ten of Swords feels like the perfect draw after Trump won the presidential election last night. I am saddened and shocked that there is so much anger, fear and hatred that our country would elect such a man. Apathy also played a part; too many people did not like either candidate and so didn't vote. I did not feel warm and fuzzy toward Clinton, but at least she was sane and had experience. I recognize she's not without problems, but hers were more like drinking a glass of water to which a pinch of salt has been added; Trump's are like drinking a glass of salt with a pinch of water. My hope is that Congress will now have something (someone) to unite against. The rune Mannaz means 'mankind' and refers to the total experience of being human - both the good and the bad. It's a raw look at what it means to be alive, quite like the writer of Ecclesiastes describes. My spiritual philosophy advises me to embrace all of life - the highs and the lows - with equanimity rather than fear or anger. At this point all I can say is, "I'm trying."
Blaming is a way to protect your heart, trying to protect what is soft and open and tender in yourself. Rather than own that pain, we scramble to find some comfortable ground.
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Do I prefer to grow up and relate to life directly, or do I choose to live and die in fear?
~ Pema Chodron
I know just how you feel. I drew a card for the outcome of the election yesterday...it was the Fool. My state stayed blue so some consolation.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling that America is about to get a hard lesson in what happens when the concerns of the few overlook the needs of the many. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your feelings. :)
DeleteI keep thinking of the old adage that it is darkest before the dawn. The great spiral of Life has lead us back to reveal the dis-ease in our country that has to be brought to light so it can heal. Oh we have hard times ahead.
DeleteYes it is; perhaps this is America's Tower moment, a chance to wake-up.
Deletewe've had it too easy too long. a long siege of reactive with no chance to be proactive is my long view.
ReplyDeletePerhaps we as a country will learn to respond rather than react.
DeleteDrinking salt with a pinch of water excellent wordsmithing. I have been thinking about you today from the minute my learners flagged up the result (some very clever young Americans among them) I agree with Sharyn and Carolyn that the positive in this is that decent people will wake up from their slumber (I include myself in the slumbering lot that allowed brexit over here). I send you my best wishes perhaps in difficult times we find or activate strengths we didn't know we had.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind thoughts. I too hope that this will both wake people up and unite them. Perhaps the difficult times will produce creative, healthy solutions.
DeleteIt's pretty funny that I drew this card as my Daily Draw as well. I don't care very much about the election (I'm not American), but my courage failed me this morning when I was supposed to do something and then couldn't.
ReplyDeleteI think it's also important to keep in mind that 10's represent both endings, but also beginnings. At the start of something new, it's not set in stone yet; there's still a possibility of moulding what will come.
That's a good point, Xeni. :) Hopefully his election will start some much needed, respectful discussions among groups here. Thank you for stopping by!
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