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

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Rationalizing the Irrational

From the Alchemical Tarot Removed, the Seven of Swords; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Extremism:
          Place suggests the willy-nilly pattern of swords this fox has stashed away represent communication designed to be obscure the truth. Words that mislead or confuse can be used to hide motives, 'prove' a theory (circular reasoning) or cover up dishonesty. Yet where there is miscommunication, there will be fear; where there is fear, there will be people who react poorly instead of responding logically. The Extremism card (Mercury in Scorpio) shows the result. Americans currently have a leader who is adept at misleading the people he is supposed to serve. He kicks the hornets' nest then blames someone else when people get stung. The recent shooting of congressional members at a baseball game is the perfect example. (However, I do not think the shooter was justified in what he did.) Misinformation and rationalizing the irrational will push people to the edges of extreme views. In the words of Voltaire:
Certainly any one who has the power to make you believe 
absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices.

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10 comments:

  1. EllenJune 17, 2017 at 7:54 AM

    I fear the fox might be just as fearful deep down as the ones he is trying yo deceive or manipulate.

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    Replies
    1. thesycamoretreeJune 17, 2017 at 8:03 AM

      Yes, he is walking a fence between looking ignorant on one side and being deceitful on the other. There's got to be a lot of fear generated by trying not to fall off.

      Delete
    2. Sharyn Mallow WoerzJune 17, 2017 at 11:02 AM

      my first thought is what is a fox doing with a sword?

      Delete
    3. thesycamoretreeJune 17, 2017 at 11:36 AM

      Cutting his gums and mouth probably. :)

      Delete
  2. UnknownJune 17, 2017 at 8:59 AM

    I love the simplicity of the illustration on this deck.

    A really interesting CBC The Current interview with Adam Kahane who is a world wide Canadian negotiator has some really good things to say about collaboration vs elimination. http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-june-16-2017-1.4162326/how-to-work-with-people-you-don-t-like-tips-from-this-canadian-negotiator-1.4162339
    Trump wants to eliminate anyone who disagrees with him, but tries to convince the populaces he's Mr. Popular. Truth is he has no interest or clue about collaboration.

    Have you heard about Naomi Klein's book, No Is Not Enough?

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    Replies
    1. thesycamoretreeJune 17, 2017 at 11:35 AM

      Collaboration or compromise sounds like a saner alternative than elimination (which reminds me of "the war on...."). One writer said we have a President driving the country with a learner's license. :)
      Will have to check out Klein's book!

      Delete
  3. Sharyn Mallow WoerzJune 17, 2017 at 11:01 AM

    I think rationalization is one of the most dangerous things we can do, in our smaller world and in the world at large.

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    Replies
    1. thesycamoretreeJune 17, 2017 at 11:37 AM

      I think it is one of the easiest ways to lose our morals and ethics.

      Delete
  4. Carolyn TindorJune 17, 2017 at 2:08 PM

    We have always had extremists. The problem is we have given a stage to act out their drama. When we quit looking they will slink back to the shadows like the wily fox.

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    Replies
    1. thesycamoretreeJune 17, 2017 at 4:15 PM

      I agree that having a stage simply encourages them. Unfortunately the media seems intent on keeping them supplied with one.

      Delete

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