Petals and Thorns

This week I'll be using the Anna K. Tarot, created and self-published by Anna Klaffinger (though now published by Llewellyn). Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Meditation Cards, a deck created and self-published by Asha Greer. All the keywords and quotes for these cards have been added by me. Today's draws are the Knight of Cups and The Warrior's Heart:

          This young knight is not alert and watchful, but sniffing a rose and dreaming of a lady's love. Let's hope someone doesn't sneak up behind him and knock the stuffing out of him while he's in fantasy land. Each knight has a motivation for becoming a warrior: the Knight of Pentacles fights for land and home; the Knight of Wands fights for thrill and power; the Knight of Swords for truth and justice; and the Knight of Cups fights to keep the peace and protect the people he loves. This Knight also has a Warrior's Heart:

To open deeply, as genuine spiritual life requires, we need tremendous

courage and strength, a kind of warrior spirit. ~ Jack Kornfield

~~~

Real fearlessness is the product of tenderness. It comes from letting the world 

tickle your heart, your raw and beautiful heart. You are willing to open up,

without resistance  or shyness, and face the world. ~ Chögyam Trungpa

Life is full of suffering, and hearts get easily bruised or broken. Do we harden or close off our heart in an attempt not to feel pain? The spiritual warrior encourages us to keep our heart open no matter what comes. It is our pain that allows us to connect with compassion to others who also suffer, especially those who seem to have nothing in common with us.