Helping, Helping Oneself

From the Sasuraibito Tarot, the King of Cups; from the Soul Cards, Take Shelter:

I get the feeling that if I hadn't just stopped by for coffee, this King of Cups would be about to put his pontoon boat in the water and cast a line. That weathered face looks like he's got plenty of stories to tell, but he's happy to hear to mine. Whatever I say, he will listen intently without getting caught in the net of emotional drama. He lets the words float through him as if on water; the drama will get washed out to sea, but the important information will sink to the bottom. This is what he will scoop up and attend to - the underlying issue. Take Shelter applies to all the helpers who offer aid in a variety of forms. In the card, a big wind is blowing things around. A woman has taken shelter in the hollow formed by the earth and tree roots. The deer tries to tempt her to come out, but she knows she needs this time for herself. Working with others is rewarding, but it also requires boundaries. No matter how big a person's heart, the body and mind still need some down time.