Time Limit

From the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, the Four of Batons (Wands); from the Pages of Shustah, 'Death:'

          The Four of Batons shows four instruments of creation: a paintbrush, writing quill, sculptor's wire and flute. Each requires the fiery energy and passion of this suit to progress from aspiration to inspiration to perspiration. At this stage, we've been motivated enough to complete the groundwork or infrastructure of what we're doing. It is a time to celebrate the headway we've made; such a break gives us a chance to unwind and relax so that our minds and bodies are fresh for the next leg of our journey. And it never hurts to get an "Attah girl!" of encouragement from others to keep our enthusiasm high. Yet for some of us, it's easy for our pause button to get stuck. We get comfortable and keep up a steady prattle of procrastination instead of getting started again. Here Death steps in to put an end to our laziness, giving us a poke to get moving. She warns us, "Don't ignore limits and parameters" and might even use the words of Anna Nalick, "time's like an hourglass glued to the table." 

High Alert

From the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, the Nine of Batons (Wands); from the Pages of Shustah, 'Witch Hazel:'

           This green man is a balance of stability and alertness in a stressful situation. He may have a calm demeanor, but his senses and instincts are on high alert. How does he keep from freaking out when the heat is on? The vine that wraps around him is rooted in the ground.While he waits, he stays present to what is currently in front of him rather than getting lost in any 'what if' stories in his head. Witch Hazel has a long history of use because of its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. The Mohegan tribe taught English settlers how to use the saplings to dowse for water. This card implies healing and suggests one's 'thirst' will eventually be quenched. There is work to be done now, but rest and refreshment are just around the corner. As the Masai Proverb reminds us, "There is no hill that never ends."

Crossing the Bridge

From the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, the Eight of Cups; from the Pages of Shustah, 'Saggitarius:'

          Why do people stay in miserable marriages, unsatisfying jobs or places that seem to suck the soul from them even when there are other options? Fear of change can be a huge factor; it is easy to believe the devil we know is better than the devil we don't. Chogyam Trungpa suggests we lay fear in the cradle of loving-kindness. In this mindset, there is only tenderness without shame and unconditional friendliness without judgment. This is where we grow the courage to move forward toward emotional fulfillment rather than stagnating in misery. Saggitarius can teach this journeyer much about honesty and outspokenness - a likely cause of how he got and stayed stuck for so long. This sign is also known as the Archer. Hopefully, he'll do a little research before he shoots that arrow into the great unknown. At least he has a firm idea of what he doesn't want; now he just has to explore and find what he does. 

Fluctuation and Flow

From the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, the Two of Coins; from the Pages of Shustah, the 'Candle:'

          Fluctuation and flow are two words that describe the human experience. If we are to look after our physical well-being, then we must be able to juggle and manage our resources (health, time, energy and finances). This young lass is adept at this task; notice how she keeps her eye on the coin in the air rather than the one firmly in her hand. It is tempting to second guess our decisions and actions rather than move our focus to something that actually needs our attention. "Keep your eye on the bird in the air, not the one in your hand," she encourages. The Candle represents illumination, and tied with the Two of Coins, suggests asking ourselves "How important is this?" The ship far out at sea may or may not dock at this gal's city. If she worries about it, she forgets to concentrate on carrying out what is necessary. As the saying goes, "Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you."

Commit to Sit

From the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, the Papess (High Priestess); from the Pages of Shustah, the 'Closed Gate:'

          Instead of sitting with a serene expression, this High Priestess is reading. She is often said to have inner, intuitive knowledge, but what does that mean? First, she knows how to meditate and find the spaciousness that lies beyond her ego's demands and judgments. Secondly, she studies. Her knowledge isn't channeled from a moonbeam or some other external source - it comes from within. The combination of the openness of her mind and her collection of knowledge allows her intuition to readily find beneficial information. The Closed Gate suggests a blockage of some type, but note that it is crudely constructed. Many people flatly state that they can't meditate, but what they usually mean is that they tried a few times, got frustrated or antsy, and gave up. There are many ways to calm the mind and find that spaciousness, but regardless it requires that a person 'commit to sit.' There's no easy, quick way to do it but through practice.

What's important is you're having a relationship with your mind. 

~Natalie Goldberg

Making Progress

From the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, the Chariot; from the Pages of Shustah, the 'Swamp:'

          This charioteer has his game face on, and it's no wonder. Look at how his two horses are attached to each other. What affects one will affect the other; their names are Thought and Emotion. If we have a small, niggling doubt about our progress, self-pity might step in and add its two cents. Then there is a visceral reaction and all kinds of thoughts (likely not based in reality) start churning around. Only if he is mindful of the theater in his head will he be able to rein those horses in. The Swamp is definitely not something he wants to drive through. Roots, alligators, and cottonmouths all lurk beneath the murky water. If he hasn't trained those horses, his impulses might tell him "to hell with it" and convince him to drive on. Progress is great, but prudence and patience are better.

If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress. ~Barack Obama

Harmonizing

This week I'll be using the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, created by David Sheridan and Alfred Douglas and published by Sheridan Douglas Press. The oracle deck I'll be using is Pages of Shustah, created by Ann Manser and Cecil North and published by Shustah Inc. Today's draws are the King of Cups and 'Harmonizing Page:'

          How is it that this King can look so happy when he has to deal with a variety of emotional drama that could rival the jumbo Crayola box? He knows how to detach, but not in a way that shuts down his heart. While he keeps his heart tender and compassionate, he detaches from clinging (preferences) and aversion (prejudices). He listens objectively and with openness, which allows him to see with clarity and offer kind-hearted judgment respectful of both parties. The Harmonizing Page recognizes differences but is able to blend them in a way that is healing rather than abrupt and disconcerting. Harmonizing isn't simply singing a predetermined part but is determined by listening to the other parts and determining on your own which notes to sing. It has nothing to do with being the center of attention, and everything to do with adding one's voice to make the song more interesting and beautiful. And perhaps that is what this King is trying to teach: unity in diversity. We don't have to all be alike to get along, but it will require deep listening and openness.

Recognizing Rhythms

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the King of Coins; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, 'Rainbow:'

          This Fool-King sits not on a throne but kneels on the earth. As much as he enjoys his wealth, he also knows his success is intricately tied to the rhythms of nature. A hailstorm or drought could wipe out crops for the winter; spring rains and mild weather will help the new seeds to sprout. However, he is so connected to the land, that the unexpected generally doesn't uproot him. He might not like loss, but he knows how to grow it again. But the Rainbow is a reminder that the same rhythms that unsettle us can also bring hope and good changes as well. I came across a quote by Kathleen Dean Moore that illustrates such comfort:

How could I have forgotten that the wild, damp world is an answer to stress? The expanse of the natural world, the infinity of the night sky, and the long reach of the winds dwarf human concerns. Here is where our minds can unclench, our hearts can break open, and we can step outside our narrowed lives into a world that is without limits in time or space or beauty. The universe itself breathes in and out—the trees inhaling, exhaling in the rhythm of day and night, and the Earth slowly rotating into and out of the light, the green leaves shining. 

Little Lumps of Sugar

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, Strength; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, 'Fantail:'

          The Fool lies astride a donkey's back with a hand at his mouth. I imagine him feeding the animal with an apple slice or sugar lump every mile or so to entice him to keep plodding along. People - even those exasperating ones - tend to be easier to deal with when we offer unconditional friendliness as well. It's not a matter of whether someone deserves it or not; a smile or a kind word given can help diffuse our own frustration, as well as let the person know they aren't just an obstacle to get past. The fantail often flies within a meter or two of people as they stroll through parks, gardens, and forests (it knows people will stir up insects for it to eat). This companionable bird's message is to "stand back from the little dramas we create in our lives and bring laughter to them." A perspective with a side of humor can help us be more objective and expose the core of the problem. Like the Fool on the donkey learned, we can change our behavior rather than waiting for others to change their actions.

Just a Conduit

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Ten of Coins; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, 'Eel:'

          When Moses left the Israelites to go get the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai, the people told Aaron to make them a physical representation of a god. Jewish scholars say the golden calf was probably intended as a conduit for YHVH (as Moses had been), but the Israelites ended up worshipping the idol instead. Humans constantly get confused about things, imagining the finger pointing at the moon to be the moon itself (meaning spiritual teachings are useful only in what they point us toward). The Ten of Coins relays the same message; abundance is nice, but getting attached to it (worthy of worship) can cause suffering. This Eel from New Zealand has a life cycle similar to the salmon but in reverse. It begins life in the ocean, then swims to freshwater rivers to live its life. If a river dries up, it will crawl on land to find another water source. As it nears the end of its life, it goes back out to the ocean to mate. Its message of determination can be applied to spiritual living. Instead of gathering books, prayer beads and attended seminars to try and make us feel secure and good about ourselves, we can do the practices and apply the teachings.

Views from Below and Above

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Five of Swords; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, 'Hawk:'

He who establishes his argument by noise and command, shows that his reason is weak. 

― Michel de Montaigne

          There is a good reason why this Fool stands alone in an alley. Either he's one of those folks who like to argue every minute detail about anything to death, or he dogmatically attempts to prove his opinions are always right (regardless of the facts). Bullheaded confidence may give him the illusion of control, but it proves absolutely nothing. He may gloat because he thinks he's won, but in truth, no one wants to be around him. The Hawk on the ground with its prey is impressive with its aggressiveness, tearing apart with beak and talons. In this regard, he's a bit like the argumentative Fool. But in the air, he sees both details and from a wide perspective. If relationships are important to him, the Fool needs to 'take to the air' and practice perceiving from more than his own viewpoint.

When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.

― Wayne Dyer

Discarded Ideas

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Ace of Staves/Wands; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, 'Owl:'

          If inspiration and innovation is the meaning of the Ace of Wands, why in the world would Williams choose to top his staff with a giant fool's hood? I am reminded of a quote in Through the Looking Glass from the White Queen who tells Alice: "Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." Original ideas sometimes require digging into the pile of impossibilities that many others have discarded. Yet those who are willing to entertain such are the ones who figure out how to land on the moon and create vaccines for measles and whooping cough. Owl sees in the darkness, which seems to parallel the Ace's thinking outside the box. Yet this bird doesn't spend its time circling the night sky but sitting patiently watching for movement. Its wisdom suggests all great ideas will take time to gestate in order for them to be built into something useful.

Be Filled with Wonder

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Stars; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, 'Kauri:'

          The Fool and a young man look up at a night sky full of stars. In the companion booklet, Williams hints that when we lose hope, we also lose our ability to be awed. With wonder comes mystery; with mystery comes the realization that we don't know everything. After going through (or in the middle of) a painful situation, it's easy to lose hope when we think we know how things are going to turn out. These quotes from Pema Chodron give some guidance in line with the message of the Stars:

We sow the seeds of our future hells or happiness by the way we open or close our minds right now.

All you need to know is that the future is wide open and you are about to create it by what you do.

The Kauri is a coniferous tree found in the northern part of New Zealand. When the tree is damaged, it exudes a sap to close the wound. This conifer also sheds a great amount of bark and lower limbs to protect itself from parasitic plants and vines. The combination of these cards suggests that often the worst parasites damaging our hope for change is our own thoughts. Why not shed them and open up to the spaciousness and wonder of the night sky? 

It's a Complicated Whole

This week I'll be using the Ship of Fools Tarot created by Brian Williams and published by Llewellyn. Paired with it will be the Wisdom of the Four Winds created by Barry Brailsford, illustrated by Cecilie Okada and published by StonePrint Press. Today's draws are Judgment and 'Antares:'

          The Judgment card shows Moses and Samuel sending a shower of frogs and locust down upon the Fool. Does he feel like he is being singled out for punishment by the Universe? Did his actions lead to his suffering? In either case, there is something to be learned - a wake-up call of sorts. As Vega 4 sings, "Life is beautiful, but it's complicated." Indeed, it is full of a measure of sorrow and joy for everyone. No one gets a pass, and to think otherwise just brings more suffering as we wallow in self-pity. On the other hand, intentional actions will cultivate seeds of sorrow or joy; we may try to hide our motives, but once those seeds grow, others will clearly see them for what they are. In Maori legend, Antares (the summer star) gave Tane (the life force) three baskets of knowledge for humankind. These baskets contained spiritual knowledge, knowledge about the natural world, and cultural knowledge. However, wisdom required using the three in balance in order to live harmoniously. Both these cards symbolize a need to see the greater whole and to act holistically, recognizing a connection between ourselves and all we encounter.

Charitable Assumption

From the Rosetta Tarot, the Empress; from the Ascension to Paradise deck, the 'Tropicbird:'

          The Empress is the Great Mother, representing unconditional love, sensuality, pure emotion (rather than intellect) and creative potential. Being connected to Nature, she also has a chaotic side too; she is both the tornado that destroys and the life force that renews the land afterward. She embodies all emotions - not just the sweet ones. Unlike her husband the Emperor, she has nothing that keeps her in bounds. The Tropicbird is found around warm, tropical oceans. This plunge-diver is a strong flier and easily recognized by its tail streamers. Yet because its webbed feet are located far back on its body, the tropicbird has difficulty walking on land. Combined with the Empress, this bird suggests that our attachments may interfere with our clarity (fundamental attribution error). Social psychologists Thomas Gilovich and Lee Ross believe wisdom is based on more than knowledge; it requires the ability to objectively consider what motivates others. Rather than simply judging others by their actions, they encourage each of us not to "rush to judgment about individuals until you know, and feel you truly appreciate, the situational forces and constraints that are making their influence felt." Sometimes it may be best to just make a charitable assumption. 

Two-Faced

From the Rosetta Tarot, the Five of Cups; from the Ascension to Paradise deck, the 'Honeyguide:'

          The five cups are cracked, the vines are flowerless and brown, and there is no water in sight. No wonder the Thoth keyword for this card is 'disappointment.' The cups are in a downward-pointing pentagram arrangement. The pentagram can symbolize humans (think of yoga's Five-pointed Star), but in this case, it is upside down. Emotionally, things have turned us on our heads. We can react by going into a rage, burying our heads in the sand, or by grieving our loss and learning from it. The Honeyguide is a bird with a dark side. In a positive light, it leads people to wild honey sources (as this bird enjoys eating the wax comb). But it is also a brutal brood parasite; hatched in another specie's nest, it kills its nest mates soon after it hatches. We humans also are a mix of both positive attributes and negative patterns of behavior (which invariably leads to the Five of Cups). Seeing our part in things - even if it is only the type of people or situations we are drawn to - can help us replace old habits with more beneficial ones.

Rest the Mind to Open It

From the Rosetta Tarot, the Four of Swords; from the Ascension to Paradise deck, the 'African Fish Eagle:'

          The exposed nerve endings on this Four of Swords suggest feeling as if one is walking around without skin - unprotected and overly sensitive to all the slings and arrows of day to day living. Thus this card emphasizes a need for a temporary respite from the chaotic mind. It isn't permanent, but a few moments strung together when all we do is concentrate on the breath (or some other focus that keeps us in the here and now). It opens us to spaciousness rather than staying in that familiar feeling of constriction. The African fish eagle swoops down to the water to catch its prey with sharp talons. If the fish is too heavy to lift back up into the air, it simply drags it across the water. When the weight is too great to get any lift for flight, the fish eagle will drop into the water and paddle to shore with its wings. This bird is a reminder not to get boxed in by a rigid way of doing things. Both cards suggest letting go of the 'right' way and allowing the mind to open to other possibilities. It may not look pretty or graceful, but if it gets the job done, it should still be worthy of consideration.

Clearing Out

From the Rosetta Tarot, the Aeon (Judgment); from the Ascension to Paradise deck, the 'Spoonbill:'

          In December of 1914, ten buildings that were part of Thomas Edison's plant caught fire. Fueled by chemicals, the fire was too powerful to put out quickly. Edison told his son, "Go get your mother and all her friends. They'll never see a fire like this again." When he objected, Edison said, "It's all right. We've just got rid of a lot of rubbish." The phoenix of the Aeon represents the same idea: the fire of liberation gets rid of what is dead and useless to allow transformation to occur. By releasing what was tightly held, we create space for a fresh perspective. The roseate spoonbill is often described as "gorgeous at a distance and bizarre up close." It uses its flattened, spoon-shaped bill to sift through the muck in shallow water to detect prey by feel. Its message is to sift and sort, keeping only what is worthwhile. In combination with the phoenix, there is a caution not to try to instantly fill the void with more stuff (material or otherwise). Instead, we should be prudent and selective about what we put in our newly cleared space.

Vibe Check

From the Rosetta Tarot, the Princess (Page) of Cups; from the Ascension to Paradise deck, the 'Cockatoo:'

          Tender and sensitive, it might be easy to dismiss this Page as too child-like to take seriously. Yet it is her emotional sensitivity that heightens her intuitive perception. She rarely misses subtle clues that others might not notice. She is a bit like the family pet who knows something is out of balance long before the human family members do. Cockatoos have been kept for their intelligence and engaging personalities. They are social birds and tend to live 30 to 70 years; if they are neglected or don't have enough to engage their curious natures, they can become very unhappy. As pets, they require a commitment for the long haul from their owners. This card combination suggests it is time to slow down and become aware of the emotional state of those around us. We may not be able to make someone else happy, but we can at least give them our compassionate attention and emotional support.

Probing the Mind

From the Rosetta Tarot, the Prince (Knight) of Tarot; from the Ascension to Paradise deck, 'Snipe:'

          This Prince/Knight has a chariot drawn by fairies, which offers a glimpse of what his mind looks like. Meleen suggests he has what the Buddhists call 'monkey mind,' with thoughts that never rest long in one place. Being Air of Air elementally, he is intelligent and has an inexhaustible supply of creative ideas. Unfortunately, these ideas aren't always valid, as they may not be grounded in the real world. Even when useful concepts or theories are produced, this Prince rarely follows through (because a new set of ideas has caught his attention). Yet anything he believes, he considers the truth. The Snipe is a wading bird with a long slender bill with which it probes marshy ground in search of food. The bill is so sensitive, the bird can tell immediately what it touches. It's up-and-down movements resemble a sewing machine needle, and thus it reflects the question, "What needs mending in your life?" Combined with the Prince, it suggests that certain beliefs need to be softened with a gentler, more compassionate approach.

Blindspot

This week I'll be using the Rosetta Tarot along with its companion book The Book of Seshet. This set was created by M.M. Meleen and published by Atu House. The oracle deck I'll be using is Ascension to Paradise, a book and deck set created by Jane Toerien and Joyce van Dobben and published by Binkey Kok. Today's draws are the Four of Cups and 'Loon:'

          Many people wish for a stable and secure relationship, but when it occurs, the relationship can easily be taken for granted. We forget what made us care about the other person and begin looking for excitement elsewhere. Infidelity can happen in many other ways besides just with another person. We may spend the weekends absorbed in Netflix or on the computer, or we may become obsessed with work or a creative project. All of our attention moves away from relating to the other person, because we assume our connection is rock solid and not in need of nurturing. While individuals in every relationship need time apart to allow each person to grow, there's a huge difference between a time-out and escapism. The Loon is a diving bird that nests around lakes in colder regions. It is known for its eerie, mournful call (that sounds like a wolf howl) and its looney-laughter call. This bird card represents a feeling of sadness and loss. Though the easy interpretation might be the loss of an unappreciated relationship, the root goes much deeper. People seem to think there is something wrong when life isn't constantly filled to the brim with fun and happiness, misunderstanding the natural ebbs and flows of life. A habit of chasing the next pleasure may develop, and a lot can get lost in that kind of ongoing chase.

Not About Owing

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Six of Coins; from the Elemental Dice, Light + Earth (Mountain):

          Earth supports our feet and grants us the resources to live in this physical world. Hands allow us to create, work, love and play. Just as we have a vertical relationship with the Earth, we also have a horizontal relationship with the other beings we share this planet with. What we do with these resources can create balance or imbalance, harmony or discord. Do we feel entitled to hoard or moved to share? Do we use resources prudently and with discernment? The Elemental Dice roll of Mountain suggests a healthy form of stability that grants us equanimity even in the most trying of circumstances. Yet it isn't the security of external things that provide this place of calm abiding; life is far too changeable. However, an open heart and an open mind can create a spacious outlook rather than a narrow view, relieving us of that feeling of constriction. Such a mindset reminds me of a poem by Daniel Ladinsky (inspired by the Sufi poet Hafiz):

Even

After

All this time

The Sun never says to the Earth,

"You owe me."

Look

What happens

With a love like that,

It lights the whole sky.

Drifting with Desires

From the Margarete Peterson Tarot, the Seven of Cups; from the Elemental Dice, Darkness + Darkness (Night):

          An elderly person imagines different versions of himself sailing in various boats. These aren't memories, but a stream of desires and fantasies that play through his mind. He may imagine winning the lottery and buying a large vessel with a captain included. The problem is not that he dreams, but that he feels like his present life is empty and meaningless without having his desires fulfilled. Petersen suggests watching these movies of the mind without getting attached to them. The Night roll of the dice suggests a darkness so impenetrable that we lose all sense of direction and balance. We can no longer see what is around us. Geshe Kelsang wrote, "Delusions are distorted ways of looking at ourselves, other people, and the world around us." Like being in complete darkness, it represents not being in touch with reality. Yet the mind has the potential to detach through the use of awareness.

Do everything with a mind that lets go... If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace. If you let go completely, you will know complete peace and freedom. ~Ajahn Chah

Making a Point

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Five of Feathers (Swords); from the Elemental Dice, Fire + Light (Sun):

 You don't always have to chop with the sword of truth. You can point with it too.

― Anne Lamott

          My husband and I were having a discussion about DNA yesterday, in particular about whether a person might know if they had a Jewish heritage. His point was that it couldn't since this was a cultural identity; my version was that if they had a database of other DNA to compare it to (such as on Ancestry.com), they would likely know through the ethnicity of their living relatives. My husband loves these types of discussions where each person must dance with the other's point of view. As I left our debate for a meeting he said with a grin, "I wasn't trying to start an argument, I was just trying to prove I'm right." If such humor (and candor) was used in heated discussions, there likely wouldn't be bloodied relationships left on the ground afterward. The dice roll that produced Sun emphasizes the need for clarity. So many people hold on to beliefs because they make them feel secure, and any challenge to them creates a feeling of groundlessness. Yet views that are 'truth' for today might not hold water later when changes come, so why create an enemy in defense of them? 

Making Time

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Eight of Flames (Wands); from the Elemental Dice, Water + Earth (Rain):

          Have you ever been so focused in the middle of a task, the boundaries of time and space simply fell away? In this 'nowness,' there is no 'other;' everything appears to be a seamless thread. This fellow with the bow has taken on the mind of the leopard as he readies to let loose his arrow. He has become the target, the bow, and the arrow. This Eight of Wands emphasizes the intensity of concentration as all the effort previously applied now is about to come to completion. The Rain dice roll suggests taking time to nurture and sustain something. It could possibly be the next step in the project, but likely it implies the relationships that have fallen by the wayside. If the majority of our attention went toward our goal, friends and family connections may be in the middle of a drought. It would seem a shame to reach our objective and have no one to celebrate it with.

It’s not about having enough time, it’s about making

enough time. ― Rachael Bermingham