Tool of Self-Reliance

From the Wild Unknown Tarot, the Ten of Wands; from the Pictish Oracle, 'Ogham:'

We were so far back in the woods, they almost had to pipe in sunlight.

~ Roy Rogers 

The tangled vegetation with only the barest hint of light makes the observer of this card feel lost in the deep woods. Being lost in an unknown forest with the threat of wildlife, weather or obstacles to stumble over is a good analogy for how life feels when we are overwhelmed and can't see a path out. Yet Bodhipaksa reminds us: "Once we know, understand, and accept that life is difficult, it becomes less difficult. This difficult thing of being human is made easier when we accept the inevitability of suffering." This dark place isn't abnormal; others have been disillusioned, overwrought and felt hopeless. The Ogham tile represents simple lettering, thus its meaning deals with communication. It reminds us that those who have been lost and found can help those of us who are still floundering blindly through the woods. But finding our way will require that we reach out, knowing that asking for guidance is also a tool of self-reliance.

Power and Responsibility

From the Wild Unknown Tarot, the Father of Pentacles; from the Pictish Oracle, the Arch:

          Antler growth in a deer depends on age, good nutrition and genetics. This buck looks like he's been blessed with all three. The Father of Pentacles is all about stability, whether it is providing for his family or keeping his community safe. He's a savvy entrepreneur who will investigate an opportunity and take a risk if the odds are good. Though he is known to be generous, he is no one's enabler.
          Eleven Pictish stones have been identified with an arch, each one slightly different than another. This symbol has been suggested to be a bridge, rainbow or torc (neck ring), but is likely not a horseshoe since there is no evidence that Pictish horses were shod. Two of the keywords give for this symbol are 'oath' and 'status' (associated with a torc). Together with the Father of Pentacles, it suggests a responsibility to help guide and nurture others who are less fortunate. In the words of Theodore Roosevelt, "I believe in power; but I believe that responsibility should go with power."

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the creative light of altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness.  This is the judgment.  Life’s persistent and most urgent question is “What are you doing for others?” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Shaping the Future

This week I'll be using the Wild Unknown Tarot, created and self-published by Kim Krans. I'll also be using the Pictish Oracle, created by myself and brought to life in 3-D form by Alaska Laser Maid on Etsy. Today's draws are the Wheel of Fortune and 'Mirror and Comb:'

          As Krans reminds us, the Wheel of Fortune is always in motion, though we don't automatically pay it any attention unless something really good or bad is happening. Change is simply the movement and flow of life. The twigs and the tangle of colorful thread make it appear random, yet there are intersections of causes and conditions which create our reality. The mirror and comb symbols on the stones have been identified through archaeological finds. The meanings assigned to them are 'reflection' and 'untangling.' When good things happen to us, we may feel that we deserve them, but not so with hardships. Yet both these draws suggest looking at patterns of behavior and habitual attitudes which may have influenced (though not necessarily caused) the outcomes. As Thanissaro Bhikkhu teaches, "We may be powerless to change the past, but we do have the power to shape the present and the future by what we do, moment to moment, right now."

Manipulated Hardships

From the Alchemical Tarot Renewed, the Ten of Wands; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, 'Jupiter in Scorpio:'

Friedrich Nietzsche said: "That which does not kill us makes us stronger;" Place's use of the phoenix suggests that hardships and challenges can strengthen us. Perhaps if we do these tasks without coercion and for a greater cause, our suffering can have merit. However, clinical psychologist Noam Shpancer states, "the bulk of psychological research on the topic shows that, as a rule, if you are stronger after hardship, it is probably despite, not because of the hardship." And as the Jupiter in Scorpio card shows, sometimes we can be fooled into doing more than our fair share. Words of encouragement ("You're doing great! Keep up the good work!) can manipulate us to continue to carry our burden without help until we stumble across the finish line. Of course, those same folks are the ones who will then say, "Look at what we can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit!"

Tender love and care toughen you up, because they nurture and

strengthen your capacity to learn and adapt... ~ Dr. Noam Shpancer

Keeping Your Cup Full

From the Alchemical Tarot Renewed, the King of Vessels; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, 'Saturn in Cancer:'

Taking care of yourself = keeping your cup full.  If you don’t do things to keep

your cup full, you have nothing left to give or share with others. ~Paige Burkes 

          This King of Cups is out cruising the ocean, protecting and serving others. But he's learned that in order to do this job, he needs his heart to be in it, and that means pausing to fill his own cup. When we are emotionally and physically drained, it is tempting to just sit in front of the television or lay in the bed all weekend. But this may not be what restores our energy; we need to do what we enjoy or spend time with what inspires us to refill ourselves.

          The Saturn in Cancer person feels a calling to engage in social responsibilities - helping to ensure the well-being of families and communities. Yet the King of Cups would offer some words of advice: "Make sure you are helping because you want to help, not because you are looking for recognition or anything in return. If that is your motive, you will likely be disappointed." Others will never be able to fill our cup. That is solely our responsibility.

Confusing History and Stories

From the Alchemical Tarot Renewed, the Hierophant; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, 'Sun in Cancer:'

When we cease to confuse history and stories, when we look at traditional stories outside the context of literal truth and sectarian debate, we are freer to appreciate the imaginative truths they convey.

—Rita Gross 

          An honest scientist will tell you that truth is never set in concrete - the atom was once thought to be the smallest particle in the physical world, for example. The Hierophant has his own set of symbolic truths, but over time these ideas can move from metaphorical to literal. Tradition becomes not a meaningful, passed-down way of doing things, but Truth. Yet as Iris Murdoch reminds us, "We live in a fantasy world, a world of illusion. The great task in life is to find reality."
          The Sun in Cancer represents the need for emotional connection and a desire to securely protect it. That connection may come in the form of things or people, and it may veer into attachment rather than sentiment or care because we see the object as a resource. We might need it so we don't want to let it go. Yet in order to avoid hoarding traditions, things or people, we need to take a closer look at the fearful 'why' behind the behavior. Do these things or people help us or hold us back from making beneficial progress? Perhaps true resourcefulness would be in letting go of what no longer is useful to make room for what could be.

Stoppered Vessels

From the Alchemical Tarot Renewed, the Four of Vessels; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, 'Sun in Virgo:'

 

Place describes his drawing of an elephant balanced on four vessels as the way we get comfortable with our emotional habits. They become our pillars, but they also make it hard to step off so we can develop and grow emotionally. We may conveniently stuff anger, grief, fear, and self-pity in those vessels and keep them firmly stoppered. But our lives pay a hefty price when we use this solution. The Sun in Virgo card suggests that it is time to attend to well-being; part of that self-care is taking care of one's health. While we may exercise and eat healthy foods, if we're standing on vessels of emotion we might as well be standing on a volcano about to explode. As my blogging buddies recently discussed, it's better to hark up those feelings (whether with a therapist, in a journal or on a blog) than to think we can keep them stoppered without consequences.

Maturation of Ideas

From the Alchemical Tarot, the Ace of Swords; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, 'Venus in Sagittarius:'

You can lead a person to truth, but you can’t make him think. 

~ James Ricklef

Just as the basilisk changes color as it begins to transform from serpent to eagle, so it takes time to develop from a person with a lot of thoughts to become a discerning individual. There is a difference between making a misstep and automatically thinking "I'm worthless" instead of realizing a mistake was made and restitution or amends need to be made. When the passion of Venus meets up with the adventure-loving Sagittarius, thinking can go in two directions as well - have fun and damn the consequences or have fun that won't cause blowback. It's like finding a new hobby you're passionate about and spending a bunch of money or being more judicious with your purchases until you see how long this love affair will last. A pause between thoughts with a long-range perspective can give ideas time to mature.

Job Choice

From the Alchemical Tarot, the Eight of Coins; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, 'Mars in Taurus:'

Stamping faces on coins can seem like a monotonous task, which is why Place describes this card as repetitive work that lacks creativity but offers wealth. Is it wrong to be employed in a position that pays the bills but isn't very fulfilling? I'd say that if it allows me to make money that can be used to do the things I love, then it's okay. The line in the sand would be whether it infringes on my principles or causes harm to myself or others. The 'Mars in Taurus' card suggests defending something that is valued. I've had jobs that some people thought were 'beneath me,' but they paid the bills and I enjoyed them. So strange that we define the worth of people by what they do. I imagine the guys who do garbage pick-up would be put on a pedestal if they all stopped doing it and piles of stinky trash started to accumulate.

Every job is good if you do your best and work hard. A man who works hard stinks

only to the ones that have nothing to do but smell. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Battlefield to Healing Field

This week I'll be using the Alchemical Tarot Renewed along with the book Alchemy and the Tarot, both created by Robert M. Place and published by Hermes Publications. Paired with it will be the Oracle of the Radiant Sun deck and book set, created by Caroline Smith and John Astrop and published through Eddison-Sadd Editions. The draws for today are the Four of Swords and 'Moon in Libra:'

I've been battling two fronts that I've not had much personal experience with - arthritis and depression. And I say 'battle' because it's as though I'm at war with my mind and body. As Susan Moon puts it, "Physical pain is hard to describe; psychic pain is even harder. I was in intense, moment-by-moment pain, and all I wanted was to get away from it." I would like to be more of a compassionate friend, accepting myself in the way Gina Greenlee expresses: "Embrace those parts of yourself that you've skillfully avoided until now. That's your true adventure." And so in an effort to accept rather than fight what is, I'll try to take some advice from wise teachers:

Look inward and become aware of the still­ness of the body, the silence of the inner speech, and the spaciousness of the mind. As we draw our attention to these three places, we discover the ground of being, or unbounded spaciousness, and the awareness that connects us to this ground, along with the warmth that genuinely arises from this connection. Remember that your true nature is open and clear like the sky and is only temporarily obscured by the clouds of anxiety and depression.
— Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

[A pyschotherapist] suggested that it’s good to practice with others at least three times a week. You don’t want to become isolated. She also explained that much of depression is brain chemistry, and that if you get your heart rate up for twenty minutes a day by brisk walk­ing, biking, swimming, or running, you will increase your serotonin and dopamine levels as well as produce endorphins. All of these, she says, will help undermine your depression.
She pointed out that it’s helpful to be mindful of what you are running in your head. If you are getting caught in negative loops, it’s good to pause when you notice it, then congratulate yourself for having noticed and find something (anything) that you can appreciate in your surroundings, even if it’s just a pleasing color. It’s helpful to continue this practice of appreciation whenever you think of it.
She notes that an experienced teacher will invite a student to accept what is happening as what is happening and not put a story on top of present experience. The teacher can offer this as a supportive step toward accepting a discouraging internal experience as it is—dis­couraging—while acknowledging that this is difficult for most of us because our common human tendency is to run away from pain.

— Zenkei Blanche Hartman

Sword Dance

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Prince (Knight) of Swords; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, 'Whale and Starfish:'

 Eloquence is the power to translate a truth into language perfectly

intelligible to the person to whom you speak. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

          This young man is learning how to do a demanding sword dance (notice the books on the floor). Like developing the eloquence of speech, knowledge and understanding is needed first, then comes practice. Words can cut and cause harm or healing; they can sever ties of injustice or bonds of friendship. They have power. The tale of Whale and Starfish involves a lie told for what the Starfish saw as the greater good. Yet as with most half-truths, physical and emotional damage was the end result. It was an effort to avoid conflict rather than an effort to resolve differences. As attorney Vibeke N. Martin explains, "Honesty and truthfulness are not the same thing. Being honest means not telling lies. Being truthful means actively making known all the full truth of a matter." Telling the whole truth requires eloquence, patience, and kindness. It is very much a sword dance. 

The Roots of Friendship

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Three of Cups; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, the Southern Cross:

          While the lotus buds arise from different areas of the lake, they are all rooted in the mud below. It reminds me of C.S. Lewis' quote: "The typical expression of opening friendship would be something like, 'What? You too? I thought I was the only one'." Sometimes we find each other in common challenges, other times in common interests or passions. There may be glaring differences in some areas, but usually there is at least one deeply shared principle. Yet the roots of relationships can be cut, such as when trust has been broken. But the Southern Cross card brings up another possibility. The first three humans believed God would provide food if they refrained from eating animals. When the available food sources ran out and they began dying of hunger, two of them killed an animal in order to survive. The third man refused to partake, parted ways with them and eventually died, becoming part of the constellation. Many friendships break apart because one friend tries to force their beliefs on another or denigrates the other person's beliefs. Our ideas are shaped by the causes and conditions that we've grown in.  Perhaps that acknowledgment could lead to more tolerance.

Derailed

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Eight of Swords; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Frog:

          I've noticed that people (including myself) who've experienced traumatic events can get trapped in the mindset of "it might happen again." Of course, it's possible that we may deal with another challenge, but there's no guarantee that it's right around the corner or even that it will happen at all. However, after our sense of control and ability to cope seem to disappear, we can be left feeling over-stimulated and on high alert. But these symptoms are the result of our thinking not reality; we are still living in the story of what happened and not in the present. The chamomile in this drawing is a reminder to calm down and take a break from the mental chatter.
          The Aboriginal tale of Frog explains that he was so thirsty, he drank up all the water everywhere and became huge. When the other animals became hot and thirsty and realized what happened, they decided to make Frog laugh to bring back the water. While most of the animals did funny things, Eel pitched a hissy fit that tickled Frog so much he unleashed all the water. The lesson from this story is that humor can lighten situations and change perspectives. It can also help us not take life so seriously, brightening our dark moods and derailing our mental habits.

Learning the Hard Way

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Princess (Page) of Disks; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Crow:

          According to Genetti, the Princess of Disks is a symbol of preparation who learns by doing. Each bit of knowledge and every practice applied is a step toward the goal. But what happens if she fails a test or one of her experiments is a flop? Hopefully her teachers will offer the same advice as James Joyce: "Mistakes are the portals of discovery." Failure is an important part of of the learning process, and in some cases has led to useful inventions and beneficial medicines.
          The Crow was originally not a bird; he tricked the Seven Sisters into giving him fire (which the humans did not have). Unfortunately, once he got it, he refused to share it with the humans. They gave him food to cook, and while he performed this task, he kept the choicest morsels for himself. The people finally got tired of this behavior and created a fire hazard that eventually ignited and burned him, turning him into Crow. The lesson of this legend is to look carefully and deeply at one's motivations. In the case of the Princess, hiding mistakes or blaming them on others doesn't help us develop maturity or responsibility. Neither does it help us learn.

Deep Connection, Disconnection

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Ace of Cups; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Koala:

          The Ace of Cups represents the deep connection, empathy and tenderness humans can feel for themselves and other living beings. As the Dalai Lama reminds us, "Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive." Yet the reversed, fiery cup at the bottom of the card emphasizes what happens when love for self or others gets twisted by obsessive self-interest, greed and control. Such toxic love is what destroys humanity.
          The story of Koala is one of greed; there was a drought and all the animals but Koala seemed to be thirsty. A bird followed him and found him secretly drinking from a water hole. The gum tree next to the water was set on fire, and Koala lost his tale. But how did such violence (other than punishing Koala) help the rest of the animals? The fire would surely dry up much of the water hole. As the Dhammapada expresses, "For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time: hatred ceases by love. This is an unalterable law."

Closed Parachutes

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Four of Swords; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Emu:

You have permission to surrender to what is, right here and right now. It is more than OK to surrender to the body’s true condition and its needs: the need for rest, sleep, and self-care. It is a practice. —Alex Tzelnic 

          Genetti writes that the sword is a symbol of the mind in action; yet it can become a stumbling block rather than an ally if we don't practice self-care. Discernment and openness is quickly replaced by delusion and narrow-mindedness when we are exhausted and not meeting our basic needs. When we meet new situations or challenges, the tired mind becomes like a parachute that doesn't open when we jump from the plane.

          The legend of Emu is one of competition between it and the wild turkey. The constant tricks and lies between the two birds ended up costing offspring their lives and the emu the ability to fly. When self-worth is tied to competition and comparison, disaster is sure to follow. Everyone else suddenly becomes the enemy instead of someone to work with in cooperative effort. I just finished reading Michelle Obama's book Becoming; the compassionate leadership of this husband and wife contrasts sharply with the narcissism of the present administration. Perhaps part of resting the mind means resting it on something other than our own interests.

Keen Awareness

This week I'll be using the Wheel of Change Tarot, a deck and book set created by Alexandra Genetti and published by Inner Traditions. The second deck I'll be drawing from is the Oracle of the Dreamtime, a compilation of Australian Aboriginal art and Dreamings by Donni Hakanson; this deck and book set was published by Journey Editions. Today's cards are the Six of Swords and 'Gray Owl:'

          A caribou lies dying in the snow while Canada geese begin their migration southward. Some of us would rather beat a dead caribou than change our minds about anything. Yet, as James Ricklef reminds us, "Changing your attitude and perspective is more effective than changing your circumstances." Why? Because usually the problem is not an external one but has its root in the way we think about the situation. When we widen our perspective, change seems to magically appear.
          According to Aboriginal legend, there was once a member of the tribe who didn't have the heart to hunt animals or be a warrior. Yet he had the most acute hearing of any human known, and he often alerted his people to danger in the middle of the night when they would have been killed otherwise. When he died, the people mourned. Yet his spirit was soon found in the gray owl that awakened them at night as before. This story suggests that it is our alertness that protects us. In adding its meaning to the Six of Swords, the combination implies that being aware of our mindset can help us determine when a beneficial change is needed.

In the beginning, meditation was an attempt to alleviate my suffering. In a regular dose, repeated again and again and again, it was an antidote to confusion and a troubled heart. I think it worked, but not like I expected. It didn’t take away the pain but taught me to sit quietly with it. It eliminated the unnecessary fretting and showed me the beauty of how things come and go—empty, as the masters would say. It showed me that there is more to life than my thoughts about it, that my feelings weren’t the full truth, and that existence is vast and interconnected, including far more than I imagined. 

—Diane Musho Hamilton

Maturation

From the Fey Tarot, the Eight of Pentacles; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Seven of Clubs:

We can't see what this fey is diligently working on, but judging by the paint supplies and spatters, she's quite focused. She knows what every artist knows - you have to keep adding to your knowledge and skill set to be successful. Today is my daughter's birthday, and I see myself in this fey as I continue to learn how to be a good mother. No longer do I parent a toddler or a teen, but a grown young woman. I too am diligently learning - how to offer advice only when it is asked for and how to let her fight her own battles. It seems a listening ear and emotional support are my roles now. The Seven of Clubs is translated as 'great consolation' and implies security after a time of instability. I would definitely say that describes our relationship; we've become close friends as we've both matured in our roles.

Dual Nature

From the Fey Tarot, the Seven of Swords; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Six of Spades:

The shore has a dual nature, changing with the swing of the tides,

belonging now to the land, now to the sea. ~Rachel Carson 

          Like this half solid, half translucent fey, we all have the same dual nature as Carson's shore. There's a part of us that thinks we are basically good, but there's also an often hidden part that thinks we're entitled to much more (like always being right, or sticking it to someone we consider an ass). We would do best to heed the words of Dwight Morrow: "Remember, that we are all inclined to judge ourselves by our ideals; others by their acts." If we had someone recording all of our thoughts, words and actions each day, would it be as easy to rationalize how we behaved when replayed each night? 

          The Six of Spades has been given the keyword 'sighs,' the kind caused by the anguish of waiting. Impatience is another way that can tempt our entitled self out of the closet. That kind of thinking means we believe we deserve to wait less than anyone else. Perhaps both fey and human would do well to sigh about what is beautiful instead of worrying about boxes to tick off.

Ask for Advice

From the Fey Tarot, the Ten of Wands; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Ace of Hearts:

          On the plus side, all that inspiration and effort this fey has put forth has paid off with a bumper citrus crop. But the abundance has created more work and more to manage, which seems to be weighing her down mightily. Yet before she gives up, she might take Pema Chodron's advice to start where she is and work openheartedly with life just as it is. No need to pre-plan worry, but taking stock of one's resources can be helpful. One often forgotten resource is the experience of friends and acquaintances. As the Ace of Hearts ('conversation') suggests, we shouldn't let pride keep us from tapping into the knowledge and advice of others. We might just find a new strategy to help us with the workload.

Connections with others loosens the bonds of self-concern and helps us find

our best course of action in the world. ~ Henry Shukman

Everything Leans

From the Fey Tarot, Justice; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Ten of Diamonds:

This being, that becomes;

From the arising of this, that arises.

This not being, that becomes not;

From the cessation of this, that ceases.

—the Buddha 

The Buddha's quote is often illustrated with two bundles of reeds that are upright and leaning against each other. Each bundle supports the other; if one is taken away, the other would fall. The point Buddha was trying to get across is that everything and everyone coexists in a relationship (everything is interdependent). As Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel explains, this has important repercussions:

• Nothing is self-defining. Everything leans. Everything depends on something else.
• Because everything is leaning, everything we do must matter.

Justice is all about protecting what matters. The Thief (Ten of Diamonds) is just the opposite. He (being completely self-centered) rationalizes what he does in order to deny any wrong-doing. Yet he creates for himself 'karmic propensities,' or reflexive habits that will create suffering. Karma is simply an activity (thoughts, words, or behavior) that will produce an effect - like a seed and the fruit (vipaka, the result of intentional action) that ultimately emerges from it. Buddhist psychotherapist Miles Neale states, "Karma is how we subjectively experience reality based on how we have acted in the past." What we do matters, not just because it may harm another, but because it causes us to suffer as well.

The Hurting Heart

From the Fey Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Ace of Spades:

Both of the cards drawn today speak of sorrow, but each person seems to take a different approach in dealing with it. The Fey is belly deep in his pain; his gaze is solely focused on the water (his suffering). The only story in his head is the one in which he got hurt. He tells it over and over to himself (or anyone else who hasn't got tired of hearing it), thinking that he is the only person in the world to feel such crushing pain. He is caught in the web of self-pity, an excessive and self-absorbed unhappiness over his troubles. The woman on the Ace stands near the water but not in it. She engages in life but does not try to hide from her grief. By maintaining her relationship with the rest of the world, she does not imagine that her sorrow, while very real, is unique. She intentionally moves the story-line in her head when it gets stuck to something else; walking outside often helps her. Self-compassion will be the path she takes to heal her heart.

Learning and Listening

From the Fey Tarot, the Knave (Page) of Pentacles; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, 'Two of Spades:'

          This Page of Pentacles seems to have created a new transportation device. She may be called 'the student,' but she doesn't just want to write journal articles about what she creates. She wants to test things out and use them herself. She's a very 'hands-on' kind of learner. This Page seems to be buzzing off in the direction of an elderly woman (who seems to be watching for her). While the Page knows her elder might not know what an iPhone and iPad are, she knows this woman is wise in deeper, more lasting ways. The woman has much to teach when it comes to inner strength, a wide and long perspective, and tenacity.

Coming from an Asian culture, I was always taught to respect my elders,

to be a better listener than a talker. ~Lisa Ling

New Starts, Lighter Loads

This week I'll be using the Fey Tarot, a book and deck set created by Riccardo Minetti and Mara Aghem. This set was published by Lo Scarabeo. The oracle deck I'll be using is the I Misteri della Sibilla, created by Ettore Maiotti and published by Dal Negro. Today's draws are the Fool and the Seven of Diamonds:

          The Fool represents the blank page or the empty container - there are no opinions or rigid beliefs, so an abundance of possibilities exists. On the other hand, there's little knowledge and experience, which means there's a chance of being gullible and undiscerning. The collection of keys he wears will eventually unlock his mind as he makes his way, some in good ways and some in not-so-good ways. Yet his potential is as wide as the sky, and he is willing to learn even if it brings some hard knocks.
          The Seven of Diamonds is illustrated with a small child and offers the same opportunity as the Fool - the chance for a new beginning with an emphasis on curiosity and simplicity. A child has no expectation of perfection and willingly engages in all sorts of exploratory activities without worrying about messes or mistakes. Sometimes the best new starts involve a lighter load.

Joyful, Peaceful Journey to You, Cat

It was a pleasure to meet you through blogging, and view life and art through your eyes.

Painting by Catherine Meyers

The Shape of Our Orbit

From the Tabula Mundi Tarot, the Princess of Swords; from the Universe Cards, 'Solar System:'

          This Princess seems to have an ear to the ground while she records the heartbeat of the land. She is curious, smart and perceptive, making her a keen observer and listener. Her attentiveness can bring clarity and insight to all she monitors. Being Earth of Air, she materializes her perceptions; knowledge gained is expressed regardless of the consequences. Her Queen would likely remind her that uncovering dishonesty and injustice is fine, but her own response needs to ethical and moral.
          The planets in our solar system are linked by their orbit around the sun. Stopforth gives this card the keyword 'family' because its members are also linked. However close or far apart we may feel from those we are connected to, they have shaped the orbit we travel in. Yet using the clarity and objectivity of the Princess, we can determine whether the tapes that play in our head need to be muted or not. Sometimes the injustice done is to our own self.

Trying to place blame on someone always seemed like an impossible task. Like trying to find the start of something that's actually an endless cycle. I just figured it was better to be hard on myself and to make sure that I was a better person to those I loved. That way I could break the cycle.

― Kent Anderson