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

Monday, September 25, 2017

Clinging to Skeletons

From the Da Vinci Enigma Tarot, the Five of Earth (Pentacles); from the Insectorum Divinorum, the Housefly:
How is need shaping your destiny?
           Envy Rides a Skeleton is described in Leonardo's journal as a malignant thing that people "in their panic to avoid it, only succeed in increasing its limitless power." Fear of lack can drive people to think they need more than they do and hold tightly to what they have. We saw this with the arrival of Irma - people bought more water, bread etc. than they would require, leaving the shelves bare for others. It can be seen in the Trump administration's attitude toward refugees and immigrants (with the excuse that they'll take jobs that citizens need). But if we practice gratitude, available resources are acknowledged and prevent fear of not having enough from taking root. Sharing with others will no longer seem like a hardship. The darkness of the Housefly card illustrates the point that what seems insignificant and unimportant could actually be what is essential and integral to the situation as a whole. Just as these flies carry pathogens and contribute to the transfer of food-borne illnesses, so fear contaminates compassion towards others. But clinging tightly to what we have just puts us on the back of Leonardo's skeleton.

8 comments:

  1. Often people who have less are more inclined to share it with others than people who have everything they need and more. I guess I am guilty of this too.

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    1. That is true. I wonder if it is because they know how to live with less and still be happy?

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  2. That is a most excellent question, "how is need shaping your destiny?" That is a great journal question that I intend to explore.

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    1. The questions (dimmi) are what make me like this deck (most of the sketches on the cards are too simple to make them beautiful. But the questions can probe deeply...

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  3. Oh Bev, I desperately wanted this deck but by the time I got the money she wasn't selling it any more, so it's lovely to see you using it.

    I have always loved the Da Vinci Enigma.

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    1. Are you talking about the Insectorum one? I think she's on vacation from Etsy for a while, but I thought she still had some for sale.

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  4. 'Envy rides a skeleton'...what a great description.

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    1. Leonardo was not only talented with a pen and brush, he had a way with words too! :)

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