This week I'll be using the Wheel of Change Tarot, a deck and book set created by Alexandra Genetti and published by Inner Traditions. The second deck I'll be drawing from is the Oracle of the Dreamtime, a compilation of Australian Aboriginal art and Dreamings by Donni Hakanson; this deck and book set was published by Journey Editions. Today's cards are the the Four of Cups and Whale and Starfish:
In this potter's studio is a bowl of clay, a bowl of water, an unfinished bowl on the wheel, and a glazed and fired bowl in the window. Mix the clay with the water and a temporary relationship forms. It is shaped by time and experience; the glaze symbolizes the joyful moments, and the heat of the kiln represents the hard ones. At any point of the process, the pottery can become misshapen or damaged. What can cripple a relationship? The indigenous story of Whale and Starfish tells of a great need caused by overcrowding. Whale had the only canoe that would allow the other creatures to spread out over the earth, but he refused. His friend Starfish distracted him while the others took off in the canoe. The friendship was doomed because of betrayal and selfishness. Sounds like the same reasons for a lot of emotionally damaged 'bowls' today.
The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them
to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.
~ Thomas Merton
This is such a gracefully written and wise post. I am looking forward to seeing more the oracle of dreamtime this week.
ReplyDeleteThank you. :) Both of these decks would make it into my "Top Ten" list (though the huge book for the Wheel deck is not very practical).
DeleteI like the symbolism of the Wheel of Change Tarot - interesting. Will be fascinating to see how non-traditional some of the other cards are, as there is nothing of apathy or boredom in that one.
ReplyDeleteAs for the quote, it kind of butts up against something else I read this week. Brene Brown talking about the elements that make up trust. Can someone just be themselves and be loved, even if they are untrustworthy? Is there some basic minimum that we need, or should need, for love? And if we don't, does that just mean that we will be hurt, though we will not twist the other to our own reflection...
I think I can love someone like that, but not necessarily trust them. Working with addicts and alcoholics has allowed me to learn how to be compassionate without being a doormat. But I have to check my expectations at the door first!😊
DeleteI think this is my favourite card from the deck. The Wheel of Change was one of my first decks and I love it, such a treasure.
ReplyDeleteGenetti has such an interesting take on each tarot card. Her deck is a firm favorite of mine too.
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