Life Preservers

From the Songs for the Journey Home Tarot, Wave Awakening (Knight of Cups); from the Raven Cards, 'Open up your heart:'

          Knights represent a highly charged enthusiasm for their particular suit, but unfortunately, the wisdom of how to use it is lacking. The Knight of Cups dives into the ocean of emotions over and over; he hasn't figured out the usefulness of a life jacket or that a flotation device to extend to others would be helpful. A large part of his worthiness is tied up into 'saving' others, though he can often need saving himself. He's got the first part of the Raven card down pat - 'Open up your heart' - but he needs to mature to understand what 'give your blessing' means. John O'Donohue writes that a blessing "suggests that no life is alone or unreachable" and that its purpose is to "embrace and elevate whatever is happening to someone." That means we compassionately commit to sit with someone's pain but not drown in it. Sinking in their sorrow would prevent us from 'elevating' the situation to a more positive, beneficial place. One day this Knight may learn most people don't need saving; they just need to know that there's someone who will hold their hand when life gets overwhelming.