Mindfulness and Reflection

This week I'll be using the Roots of Asia Tarot, created by Amnart Klanprachar with Thaworn Boonyawan and published by AGM Müller. I'll also be using the Mah Jongg Oracle, created by Derek Walters and published by Thunder Bay Press. Today's cards are the Nine of Pentacles and Peacock:

          This particular Nine of Pentacles has been given the name 'The Ripening of the Fruit of Life.' The elephants with the coins held in their trunks reminded me of something Eknath Easwaran wrote in his Mantram Handbook: "In the Hindu tradition, we often compare the mind to the trunk of an elephant - restless, inquisitive and always straying. But the wise mahout, if he knows his elephant well, will just give that trunk a short bamboo stick to hold on to before the procession starts." Any kind of success begins with the discipline of the mind to prevent distraction from what is important. Mah Jongg Peacock represents success, but there is also a seed of pride that can lead to vanity and arrogance. The woman in the card holds a mirror, a symbol of reflection and contemplation. If she is wise, she will recognize that having one's basic needs met and being able to live comfortably are reasons for gratitude rather than preening.

The world is a looking glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face.

~William Makepeace Thackeray