Not Typical, But It Works

This week I'll be using two self-published decks: The Bonefire Tarot by Gabrielle Angus-West (now released by Schiffer) and the Day of the Dead Lenormand by Edmund Zebrowski. Today's draws are the Queen of Coins and Garden:

          The epitome of practicality meets creative genius in the form of the Queen of Coins. She nurtures people through physical forms. The Garden, a card of gathering and good times, should be right up her alley. But how does this happen in a pandemic, where park gatherings get dispersed by the police? This Queen would probably quote Einstein: "One should never impose one's views on a problem." In other words, stop trying to fit what you want in a box of how it should be and instead just open up to how it is. Expectations and preconceived ideas will always shrink possibilities down to thimble-size. My husband and I had our own garden party with his sister and husband in their driveway this weekend. We spaced our chairs apart and all wore masks, and I brought them a big vase of hydrangeas from our yard. The breeze was blowing and the conversation enjoyable. It wasn't typical, but it was still fun.

Saturation Sickness

From the Motherpeace Tarot, the Four of Cups; from the Toltec Oracle, Koyolshauki:

 Craving creates tunnel vision: we see only what we yearn for.

—Joan Duncan Oliver

          A moment of fear, anger, loss, or jealousy can be fed until it saturates our life, becoming a constant background of anxiety, a regurgitation of resentment, a heavy burden of grief, or an obsession of lack. The Four of Cups shows a woman trying to cleanse herself of such emotions; rather than continue to drink from the same jugs, she chooses a fresh stream. Koyolshauki - the Moon - warns us to carry the light of consciousness into the darkness as we cleanse our minds. There's work to do when it comes to emotional baggage. Our hands and minds fit those handles well after years of holding it, and familiarity can be a hard thing to let go of. Those emotions have gotten us through some tough times (or at least they seemed to help), but now they have become more like an addiction that keeps our lives tightly constricted. In the words of Gail Brenner: "It all boils down to a simple truth: resistance brings suffering; acceptance and openness bring ease."

This May Sting...

From the Motherpeace Tarot, the Seven of Wands; from the Toltec Oracle, Malinalli:

          Here in this Seven of Wands is what is supposed to be the celebration party after the victory of the Six of Wands. I'm guessing they can't agree on what happened to who and when. The victor may get to write the history book, but some will rightly question his or her motives. In today's world, those who have felt unheard or treated unfairly have social media to air their side of things. Malinalli literally means 'twisted herb' and refers to the ability of plants to heal or poison. It asks if I am regurgitating blind beliefs or following the trail of truth. Truth, like rubbing alcohol, may sting when first applied, but it can help wipe out infection and heal.

Enough

From the Motherpeace Tarot, the Four of Discs; from the Toltec Oracle, Tlawiskalpantekutli:

          Seeing this woman close herself up inside her hut made me think of the phrase "wouldn't give me the time of day." The booklet suggests this card is about putting up boundaries when it comes to our finances, time, and energy.  It's easy to get overwhelmed by the constant demands of the people around us. Yet the Lord of Light - referring not to the Sun but that which creates a spiritual awakening - implies that we should take a closer look. It's easy to point the finger at 'them,' but have I trained these folks to always expect my help? Have I secretly enjoyed being Wonder Woman? What was the motive for my generosity? When I find the root of my behavior, I will surely understand the fruits it has produced. Rather than become a miser, I can dig up that root and plant new seeds.

Coldheartedness and narrow-mindedness are not the kinds of habits we want to reinforce. They won’t predispose us to awakening; in fact, they will keep us stuck. ~Pema Chodron

Different Keys on the Ring

From the Motherpeace Tarot, the Six of Wands; from the Toltec Oracle, Koatl:

          Besides the usual meaning of victory, the booklet also suggests the Six of Wands is about becoming a leader. There have been more leaders in the history of the world than can be counted, but what defines a great leader? Jonathan Sacks wrote that while a good leader might create followers, a great leader creates leaders. Such a person has the humility and wisdom to know they won't live forever; if they want important principles and values to be carried on, they must prepare and educate the next generation, not subjugate them. Koatl (Snake) is akin to Jung's shadow self, especially the positive side. Normally, we consider certain traits to be weaknesses (like being shy, for instance), but Koatl (who must crawl rather than fly) is a reminder that even weaknesses can be turned into strengths. A good leader doesn't look for only a certain type of person to form his or her posse, but sees the advantages of diversity. A mixed group means a wider perspective, a variety of skills, and broad knowledge, which leads to a bigger keyring to unlock many doors.

Performance Props

From the Motherpeace Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the Toltec Oracle, Koskakuautli:

          My first impression of this Three of Swords was that it looked like a play being performed; indeed, the booklet describes the scene as 'emotional drama created by the mind.' My mind is excellent at creating stories. If I've been deceived or hurt by someone else, I become the righteous one, lily-white, innocent of any part of the wrong. The other person becomes the monster in the story, reeking of manipulation, self-centeredness, and cruelty. Yet somewhere locked in a mental closet is the thought that I too was an actor in this performance. It whispers that there was some payoff for me to keep pretending everything was fine. Koskakuautli, the Vulture and 'elegant cleaner of death,' suggests that there is a time to mourn but there is also a time to take in and recycle what is valuable. Perhaps in hindsight I will see the red flags I ignored, the behaviors I excused, and the enabling I contributed. Everything leans on something else, even if it is passive complicity.

Repetitive Tasks

This week I'll be using the Motherpeace Tarot, created by Karen Vogel and Vicki Noble and published by U.S. Games. I'll also be using Noble's companion booklet published separately by Harper Collins. The other deck I'll be drawing from is the Toltec Oracle, a deck and book set created by Victor Sanchez and published by Bear & Co. Today's draws are the Five of Discs and Tochtli:

          No crippled beggars or harsh weather is seen in this Five of Discs, but a woman kneading dough. The booklet suggests that anxious energy could be channeled into some sort of repetitive task so that it doesn't mushroom into an overwhelming, 'the-sky-is-falling' mindset. Neuroscientists have found that the mind without a focus will go into a default mode that follows the track of our day to day usual thoughts. If this mindstream is not a healthy, productive one, having a task will take it offline. Tochtli the Rabbit symbolizes a balance of joy/pleasure and service/awareness. We might think we need to stay abreast of world news, but too much information can steal our contentment. On the other hand, partying or sleeping all the time can keep us from being aware of things we could be proactive about. Balance in all things.

Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Skillful Response

From the Sacred India Tarot, the Seven of Arrows (Swords); from the Land Sky Oracle, Awaken:

          The Seven of Arrows is illustrated by a story filled with nepotism and conspiracy. It can be summed up in the words of the ringleader (Duryodhana): "Knowing the good, I ignore it. Recognizing the bad, I nevertheless follow it. My inherent nature is such." Really? He's going to justify his horrible behavior with the excuse that he can't fight his personality? Unbelievable, but such reasoning is rampant. Time is better spent distancing and protecting oneself than trying to argue with fools. The Awaken card shows a pair of tingshas or chimes. While it would be nice if we could awaken the ignorant, the booklet reads: "There is no frivolous way to end our suffering." The only option is to see the moment clearly and respond skillfully by doing what can be done rather than trying to control situations over which we're powerless.

It's natural to feel stressed and overwhelmed by it all. My suggestion at times like this is to make a clear list of what you can actually do each day, and focus on that. Take the steps you can. It’s classic advice for a reason: it’s profoundly true. ~Rick Hanson

Five Faces

From the Sacred India Tarot, the Ace of Lotuses (Cups); from the Land Sky Oracle, Refresh:

          The Ace of Cups is represented by the Five Faces of Shiva. Each face represents an action and a direction:

1. creation - west 
2. preservation - north 
3. dissolution - south 
4. concealing grace - east 
5. revealing grace - skyward 

It could be said that our relationships go through similar cycles: appearing, developing, dissolving, being misunderstood, and finding insight. Like everything else, they never stay the same. Refresh is illustrated with a howlite stone, a symbol of harmony. To keep our hearts open and in balance, we must allow the ebb and flow of any relationship, being willing to embrace, cultivate, let go, forgive, and receive its wisdom.

What?!!

From the Sacred India Tarot, Death; from the Land Sky Oracle, Avidya:

          Kali arrives to tell us to give it up - all our grasping and craving (severed hands) as well as our demands that life unfold according to our wishes (severed heads). The companion booklet describes this as a moment of psychological ripeness for maturity. Kali stands on Shiva, who illustrates acceptance and is rewarded by Kali's blessing of fearlessness. Avidya means spiritual ignorance - when we refuse to acknowledge the truth. It's that moment when we rage at reality: "What the f#%k is this?!" Followed by, "Hell no, this is unacceptable!" Yet Kali is content to stand on our chest and laugh while we thrash about and argue with what is. If we exhaust ourselves and lie still, we might see the moment clearly without all the dust we've thrown on it. Reality might not be what pleases us, but that doesn't mean we can't develop a new relationship with it.

Regret, Rewind, Regret

From the Sacred India Tarot, the Nine of Arrows (Swords); from the Land Sky Oracle, Pranayama:

          Bhisma (Bheeshma) was a mighty warrior and excellent archer in a battle against people he didn't want to fight. His king had already accused him of not fighting at his full strength, so Bhisma secretly told his opponents how to kill him and help end the conflict. He would refuse to fight anyone who was or had been born before as a woman. Faced with such a person, he allowed himself to be shot full of arrows by his opponents (who complied but were conflicted about this course of action). Pranayama is the control of the breath in yoga. These breathing exercises can increase breathing ability, relax or rejuvenate, and help one practice concentration. Life is full of situations that put us between a rock and a hard place but require a choice. Once decided and acted upon, there's no going back. But pranayama is an option to rein in the mind rather than getting hooked by overwhelming regret. In the words of Shantideva, “If you can solve your problem, then what is the use of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?”

Advice from a Cactus

From the Sacred India Tarot, the Queen of Lotuses (Cups); from the Sky Land Oracle, Grace:

          The goddess Rati, who symbolizes beauty and sensual pleasure, is depicted as the Queen of Cups. The consort of Kama, the god of love, her domain was desire and passion. She seems the opposite of the rather dour-looking RWS queen; Rati enthusiastically pursued and cultivated emotional connection. Grace is translated from the Sanskrit term adhisthana, which means blessings. Rather than a deity that bestows these gifts, they come from awakening to how things are without labels and preconceptions attached. The open heart and mind become tender, touched by the reality that we all suffer, that change and loss affect us all. Rather than creating mental separations of 'us' and 'them', we recognize our interconnection.

3/2/20 advice from an artichoke cactus

unfold the layers

that tighten and bind the heart

and your essence flies

—John Paul Lederach

The Lion's Roar

From the Sacred India Tarot, the Wheel; from the Land Sky Oracle, Ahimsa:

Can you imagine opening without resistance to the aliveness, change and loss that is inherent in this existence?  Can you imagine opening in this very moment to the pleasantness and pain, the changing flow of life?  ~Tara Brach 

          In Buddhism, the Lion's Roar is the confidence and faith to be with whatever comes next, knowing we can work with it. Rather than repeat our reactive patterns according to what pleases or displeases us, it gives us the equanimity to be okay with life as it unfolds. This is not something that can be purchased; it develops through an ongoing practice of moment-to-moment mindfulness. [The deer often symbolizes the Buddha's first teaching in Deer Park, and the elephant represents training the mind.] Ahimsa means non-harming, or in other words, to be tender and kind with oneself and others. As we attempt to cultivate equanimity, it will help our progress if we use gentleness and compassion as our guardrails rather than self-pity or self-hatred. As the oracle's guidebook encourages us, we can be reflective rather than reactive in difficult circumstances. 

Cheerfully Unattached

This week I'll be using the Sacred India Tarot, a deck and book set created by Rohit Arya with Jane Adams and published by Yogi Impressions. Along with it, I'll be using Theresa Hutch's Land Sky Oracle: A Journey Through Patanjali's 8 Limbs of Yoga, now published by U.S. Games. Today's draws are the Wild Card (Fool) and Aparigraha:

          The Fool is illustrated with Rudra, a Hindu god of wind, storms, and wild beasts. Known as the 'Howler,' he was indeed a force of nature. His lack of fear definitely feels like the Fool, who moves through life with the kind of trust that does not expect certainty. In the words of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, "Faith is what moves people to great achievement that defies probability and predictability. Faith is not certainty. It is the courage to live with uncertainty." Aparigraha, the 8th Limb of Yoga, means non-attachment. While this does not mean we shouldn't enjoy things, it is a caution that we can easily get caught in fear of lack, greed, or frustration when we don't get (or keep) what we want. The Fool is a good teacher of how to act without being attached to expectations.

One who is free from attachment, who does not support egoism, filled with fortitude and enthusiasm, unperturbed in success and failure, such a doer is called sattvic [cheerful, not easily disturbed].

~Bhagavad Gita 18:26

Mental Pot-Stirring

From the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, the Eight of Swords; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, Spoon:

Perhaps the most inescapable prison is the one constructed of all the things we adamantly believe to be true. ~ James Ricklef

          Things have gotten too sticky for this young lady to distinguish between fact and fiction. It's likely her feelings have made a mess of her thoughts, keeping her emotionally entangled and unable to clearly perceive the truth. I can relate to her predicament. My mother and cousins have decided to have cousin camp at my mom's house next month - normally a joyous, relaxing occasion, but not for me in a pandemic. We come from different cities, and though we have all tried to be careful, we still all must go out to get necessities. Have we all been careful all the time? We're expecting another virus surge since the governor let loose the hoards and opened businesses. I'm conflicted as to what I should do. The Spoon is a utensil designed to stir or to dip. My mind has done enough mental pot-stirring; perhaps now is the time to wait patiently, see what rises to the top, and dip it out.

Green Flags, Red Flags

From the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, the Seven of Coins; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, Mushroom:

          From the smile on her face, this woman appears to be very happy with her harvest. The Chinese poet Shih-Wu wrote that everything grows from old roots. If we want to see how we got to where we are now, we need only look to our actions and motives in the past. If we want to see where we're headed, we can consider the actions and motives that drive us now. The Mushroom is a message to look for tell-tale signs. The mushrooms we see are actually just the fruit of the plant, which grows underground. It's easy to distract ourselves or just ignore those signs because we don't want to change our opinions or behavior. But like the mushrooms, the fruit born from them will eventually appear. 

Red flags are moments of hesitation that determine our destination.

― Mandy Hale

Moving Forward

From the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, the Page of Wands; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, the Horse:

          I know this attention-seeking adventurer well in the form of my eldest grandson. He loves excitement but is too impulsive to consider what kind of chaos or destruction might be left in the wake of what he instigates. I'm sure he's wondering what would happen if he stuck the tip of that wand into an electrical outlet... The horse is a great partner for the Page of Wands mindset, indicating a movement at a fast speed. I see both of these operating in the world right now, as people rush into life again, wanting to create things as they were before the virus. But the past can't be changed to make it into something different or better; we must start where we are. Trying to pretend we're courageous by throwing caution to the wind won't be helpful. Move forward we must but with discernment and attention, please.

The Foundation for Happiness

From the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, the Ten of Cups; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, the Chair:

          Both cards seem to suggest rest today - not just the physical kind, but also the kind that allows the heart to relax and open rather than constrict. I've been reading a book by Devon and Craig Hase, and an excerpt from the introduction speaks to this longing for contentment:

Mindfulness is not enough to live a level-headed existence right in the middle of the storm that is contemporary life. When the Buddha taught mindfulness, he always taught it as part of a whole. He never said, “Pay attention to your breath and you will be free of suffering.” More like, “Pay attention to your breath as a way of steadying the mind, and then look at your life.” Look at your life. Closely. Notice your mind states. Notice your heart states. And, also, if you want to be happy, make sure you’re really taking care of things. Like goodness, and sweetness, and love, and compassion. In fact, the Buddha said, goodness, not mindfulness, is the foundation for a happy life.

All the Credit

From the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, the Six of Wands; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, Balloon:

          What a flamboyant display this seems to be for a parade of one. It's a wonder he ever got his ego up in that saddle - the perfect picture of the phrase 'a legend in his own mind.'  The Balloon suggests a celebration, but also a lot of hot air (as in this puffed-up fellow). If he wants an authentic party, he needs to let some of the air out of his ego and come down to earth. A cake is best when the icing is spread over all of it, not just one slice.

It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.

― Harry S. Truman 

Overflowing Mind

From the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, the Magician; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, Elephant:

Just as a fletcher straightens an arrow shaft,

even so the discerning man straightens his mind

— so fickle and unsteady, so difficult to guard.

As a fish when pulled out of water and cast on land throbs and quivers,

even so is this mind agitated.  

~Dhammapada 3:33-34

          Fleeting thoughts that are fed and watered soon bear fruit in our words and actions. Every behavior begins as a seed in the mind that manifests after it is cultivated with attention. The Elephant is known for the strength of its memory, but this power can be gentle (as when it strokes the bones of other elephants) or horrific (as when its territory is cut off by human encroachment and rampage ensues). Every day, thoughts and memories fill the buckets of the mind. What bucket is about to overflow?

The Right Choice

This week I'll be using the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, created and self-published by Ciro Marchetti. I'll pair with it the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, created and self-published by Karin Dalton-Smith. Today's draws are the Two of Swords and Cross:

          This masked person gives the impression that whatever decision is about to be made, someone won't be happy with it. It is impossible to make everyone happy, and that is really not the purpose of most hard decisions anyway. The Cross suggests a sacrifice, with wishes being put aside for needs and opinions taking a backseat to facts. A student once asked Zen master Yunmen what was the purpose or goal of practice. He replied, "An appropriate response." Perhaps that is the answer to discerning what is the best choice - the one most appropriate.

The right choice is hardly ever the easy choice.

― Rick Riordan

Starting Point

From the Gaian Tarot, the Seven of Earth (Pentacles); from the Goddess Oracle, Tara:

          In an area once heavily logged, a woman participates in a habitat restoration project by planting red cedar saplings. In the past few years, there have also been efforts to remove invasive, nonnative plants and replace them with native ones to keep the ecosystem healthy. It will take patience and persistence to heal and rejuvenate what has been harmed and overrun. Tara is known as "the mother of liberation" in Tibet  - she encourages freedom from self-absorption, replacing it with kindness for all. But it is interesting that in most depictions that show her sitting, she has one foot held close to her body (representing centeredness and balance) and one stretched outward (as a symbol of compassionate action). Regardless of whether we're trying to help the environment or the people around us, finding a center of calm and grounding ourselves would be a wise, beginning action.

Primary vs. Secondary

From the Gaian Tarot, the Five of Earth (Pentacles); from the Goddess Oracle, Amaterasu:

          When my body is sick or in pain, it's easy to feel angry, as if it has betrayed me in some way. My aches or illness can become my sole identity, constricting my world view into a dense ball of negativity. Such a defensive tactic only serves to add secondary pain to my primary pain, causing much more harm than help. What if I treated my body with the same compassion I would have for a sick or injured pet or child? I could pay attention to the pain without the storyline attached to it. Amaterasu, the Japanese goddess of the sun, represents illumination, order (night to day), and nourishment (photosynthesis). She might suggest I lighten my load by acknowledging what is good and beautiful in my world. In fact, being outside and paying attention to more than just my problems might be just the nourishment I need.

Primary pain arises from illness, injury, or damage to the body or nervous system. You could see it as the raw information sent by the body to the brain. Secondary pain is the mind’s reaction to primary pain but is often far more intense and long-lasting. Crucially, it is controlled by an "amplifier" in the brain that governs the overall intensity of suffering. ~Danny Penman

The Cost of Getting Along

From the Gaian Tarot, the Two of Water (Cups); from the Goddess Oracle, Artemis:

          The Two of Cups shows how we learn to soften our edges, temper our tempers, and practice compassion and kindness. For some of us, it may be through caring for a pet or elderly parent; for others, it may be our interactions with coworkers, clients, or friends. We cultivate emotional maturity when we practice finding joy or contentment without always having things go our way. But the goddess Artemis warns us not to cast aside our values in these relationships, perhaps 'going along to get along.' We need the ability to think for ourselves, even if it means risking the harmony of a relationship.

There is much to be said for a spirit of cooperation, and getting along – top-performing teams, for example, thrive on harmony. On the other hand, when this means turning a blind eye to major ethical wrongs, then avoiding action is unethical.  We need people willing to speak the truth, even to power.

~Daniel Goleman

Hiding in the Fabric

From the Gaian Tarot, the Child of Earth (Page of Pentacles); from the Goddess Oracle, Nut:

          The Page of Pentacles is the Student of Earth; there will always be something to draw his attention and make him curious, longing to know what, how, and why. Learning about his environment feeds his insatiable urge, and though it may be briefly satiated, there will always be more to discover and understand. From bugs to the Big Bang, it's all fascinating. Yet Nut, the Egyptian goddess of the skies and heavens, brings with her the keyword Mystery. As Anais Nin wrote, "The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery." Mystery and discovery are a joy often forgotten. Perhaps today I will carry Sue Monk Kidd's words with me: "there is nothing but mystery in the world, how it hides behind the fabric of our poor, browbeat days, shining brightly, and we don't even know it."