Just My Way

From the New Era Elements Tarot, the Four of Fire (Wands); from the Tao Oracle, 'Standstill' (12):

          In the Four of Wands (illustrated with a fire juggler), discipline has brought about a level of completion and perfection. Right timing, right order, and the proper amount of energy have been found to keep things in balance and flowing smoothly. But Hexagram 12, Standstill, suggests the flow has suddenly been frozen. This lack of positive movement maybe because what works smoothly for me may not work that way for another person. Until I see that my way is simply a particular approach that works well for me, not necessarily the right way of doing things, there is likely to be little thaw in the situation.

What makes us miserable, what causes us to be in conflict with one another, is our insistence on our particular view of things: our view of what we deserve or want, our view of right and wrong, our view of self, our view of other, our view of life, our view of death. But views are just views. They are not ultimate truth.  —Norman Fischer

Not Always So

From the New Era Elements Tarot, the Two of Water (Cups); from the Tao Oracle, 'The Wanderer (56):

          Pieper uses seahorses to illustrate her Two of Cups, a card that reflects union and partnership. In the case of these marine fish, it is a more equal relationship than most among animals. The female meets the male in his territory, and they go through an elaborate dance of mirroring each other's movements and spiraling around objects. They may dance for several days until both are ready to mate. The female then deposits her eggs in the male's brood pouch where he will fertilize them internally and carry them until they hatch. The family Syngnathidae (pipefish, seahorses, and the leafy seadragon) is the only one in which males give birth. The Wanderer, hexagram 56, offers the advice to stay alert but make no assumptions when we're traveling or around people we don't know well. Their roles or ways of doing things may be different, but it doesn't make them wrong.

“Not always so” is a good little phrase to carry around when you’re sure. It gives you an opportunity to look again more carefully and see what other possibilities there might be in the situation.

—Zenkei Blanche Hartman

Advance, but Carefully

From the New Era Elements Tarot, the Daughter of Fire (Page of Wands); from the Tao Oracle, 'Treading' (10):

          The Daughter/Page of Fire is illustrated with a young Maasai girl, a people who still practice a semi-nomadic way of life regardless of pressure from the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments. She represents curiosity that is expressed through adventuresome activity, not simply learning. While enthusiasm and excitement can be positive traits, the 10th Hexagram warns against impulsivity. Advance, yes, but do it cautiously and mindfully. There is a wide gulf between following one's intuition and following one's impulses, but in the excitement of the moment, both sides can seem the same. Yet one operates on understanding and the other is simply a reaction.

Influencers

From the New Era Elements Tarot, the Sun; from the Tao Oracle, 'Influence' (31):

          Even with sepia tones, the radiant joy, energetic creativity and clarity shine in this Sun card. It suggests we turn our faces to the sun and see what is good and beautiful rather than focusing on what isn't. We all need to spend part of our days cultivating a 'big sky' mind that sees beyond the click-bait we are often drawn to. Our well-being depends on it. Hexagram 31 - Influence - brought to mind the 'influencer' of social media. This person has the power to affect the purchasing of others due to their knowledge and the ability to connect to their audience. Influence implies an attraction that can be stimulating and enriching or a magnetism bent toward self-gratification. Its positive slant hinges on whether mutual respect and consideration are a part of the equation. Most adults, when giving advice to children, would agree with the words of Jim Rohn, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." Who has been shaping our attitudes and behaviors?

Dance It Out

From the New Era Elements Tarot, the Mother of Air (Queen of Swords); from the Tao Oracle, Prosperity (14):

          This smiling Queen is represented by a Mongolian dancer in traditional costume. Biyelgee is done in a small area, so rather than using much movement of the feet, expressiveness comes from the movements of the upper body. This Queen suggests that there are ways to move emotional energy through us without allowing it to hijack our logic and intelligence. Walking, cleaning, singing, isometric exercises, or gardening are some other ways. Once the emotional surge has left, we can see a situation with clarity and respond wisely. Prosperity, the 14th hexagram, suggests that abundance will flow into our lives to the extent that we embrace challenges and adapt to changes. Emotional blockages can stop this flow if our focus is distracted by reacting rather than accepting and persevering. Dance it out, this Queen advises.

Beyond the Lines

From the New Era Elements Tarot, the Ten of Air (Swords); from the Tao Oracle, 'The Well' (48):

          Vultures have eaten a carcass down to its bare bones, a fitting analogy for hitting bottom and seeing reality without our prejudices and preferences attached. It can take some time for us to get to this point. As Lewis Hyde wrote, "Likes and dislikes are the lapdogs and guard dogs of the ego, busy all the time, panting and barking at the gates of attachment and aversion and thereby narrowing perception and experience." Hexagram 48, The Well, symbolizes what the Buddhists would call 'luminous mind,' a deep source of wisdom, compassion, and insight. It requires attention, patience, and the willingness to enter uncertainty rather than looking for confirmation. D.T. Suzuki once drew a huge circle to represent this spacious, open place, then drew two parallel lines close together in the middle of it. Between these lines were the ego's desires, a small constricted place of what the ego considered acceptable. Sometimes it takes getting down to the bare bones or reality to see beyond those lines.

In the End

This week I'll be using the New Era Elements Tarot, created by Eleonore Pieper and published by U.S. Games. I'll also be using the Tao Oracle, created by Ma Deva Padma and published by St. Martin's Press. Today's draws are Death and Resoluteness:

In the end

these things matter most:

How well did you love?

How fully did you live?

How deeply did you let go?”

― Jack Kornfield

          Birth, aging, sickness, and death are natural laws, not retributive justice. That which dies decomposes and fertilizes the soil to make way for new life. Instead of worrying about what may come, Kornfield reminds me to focus on the actions and attitude I have now, which are the patterns that will pave the road to my future. Hexagram 43 (Resoluteness) is illustrated with a painting of Bodhidharma, a sage who carried the teachings of Buddha from India across the Himalayas to China, arriving around 520 CE. His journey portrayed the tenacity and integrity that is possible when we are deeply rooted in something worthwhile. I often have days when I feel like a Roomba that is stuck bumping against a wall and then loses its charge.  Kornfield would likely tell me to let things be and focus on loving and living; things will change.

The Mind of Science

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Six of Swords; from the Master Tarot/oracle, 'Mustard Seed:'

          The Thoth title of the Six of Swords is 'Science,' indicating that emotion is not overwhelming the ability to think rationally. Clarity and objectivity allow for a wider perspective in order to see many possibilities instead of blindly holding on to pet assumptions. The parable of the Mustard Seed suggests that even a tiny amount of faith can grow into something much larger and useful. Faith might be compared to an open mind rather than a closed one. With more space, the more room there is for knowledge and understanding.

An open mind is also a humble mind because it realizes how little it actually knows.

― Russell Anthony Gibbs

Linear vs. Holistic

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Ten of Swords; from the Master Tarot/oracle, 'Grain of Wheat:'

          The Ten of Swords shows the power of the mind to burn everything to ashes rather than build. This mindset represents linear thinking that does not swerve from the goal no matter what. If someone is digging a hole looking for treasure and haven't found any after many years, he just keeps digging deeper. However, "My way or the highway" thinking will eventually lead to disaster. It is the opposite of lateral or holistic thinking which is the willingness to ask for additional information from others and the readiness to try digging in other spots. A verse in John explains how the wheat plant must die in order for its seeds to be buried and eventually produce an even greater harvest. The lesson it offers is to let old patterns of beliefs go so new ones can be planted and produce a healthy harvest.

Getting rid of a delusion makes us wiser than getting hold of a truth.     

~Ludwig Borne

To Feel Beloved

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Four of Cups; from the Master Tarot/oracle, 'The Beloved:'

And did you get what

you wanted from this life, even so?

I did.

And what did you want?

To call myself beloved, to feel myself

beloved on the earth.

~Raymond Carver

          The Four of Cups shows a swirl of apathy and depression. Perhaps it is ingratitude or preference that keeps us from seeing the love that surrounds us, or it may be that we've been conditioned not to trust that which appears as love. Either way, we stand in a pristine stream dying of thirst. The Beloved (John) represents those who remain present and ready to listen. They have no beliefs to impose, they just want us to know we are loved and to help us heal. For those of us who've had childhoods that didn't include this kind of love and belonging, a pet is often a good first step.

Give Rather Than Grab

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Lovers; from the Master Tarot/oracle, 'The Mother:'

 ...but as soon as you begin to love yourself, you stop asking whether or not someone else loves you. ~Krishnamurti

          Our relationships, especially when we're young, are often a reflection of our needs and insecurities to feel whole and worthy. We may think what we feel is love, but it is actually attachment, an intense craving to have someone devote themselves to us. Yet as Tenzin Palmo explains, "Attachment is the very opposite of love. Love says, 'I want you to be happy.' Attachment says, 'I want you to make me happy.'" The Mother (Mary) symbolizes a selfless love that reaches out to give rather than to grab. The kind of care and nurturing she represents is rooted in self-compassion, a trait that keeps our own cup full so we don't demand someone else fill it for us.

The Way Out

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Eight of Cups; from the Master Tarot/oracle, 'The Father:'

 Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away. 

—Philip K. Dick

          The emotional delusions of the Seven of Cups have lost their sway, but apathy and stagnation are left in their stead. Sometimes the hardest thing to do when we find ourselves in this place of desolation is to move forward, but that is exactly what needs to be done. The Father is not God, but the legal guardian of Jesus. Like most skilled and knowledgeable carpenters, Joseph knew how to find the root of a problem, tear away what has decayed or been broken, and rebuild with new wood. The booklet describes him as a guide who leads but never coerces, who evokes in us the power to do what has been done. As the saying goes, when we are ready to change, our teacher and guide will appear. 

High Cost of Delusion

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Seven of Cups; from the Master Tarot/oracle, 'The Children:'

          The poor flower, in an attempt to find water in a parched land, begins to lose its petals. Unlike the flower, we don't have to desperately stay rooted and attached to what is draining us - we have a choice. But sometimes we get stuck looking outward, at people or situations that we feel are the cause of our distress. Our mind gets caught in a neverending spin cycle that replays our pain but never moves on to the next step. The Seven of Cups is a warning not to get caught in this kind of emotional over-indulgence. The book of Mark describes the kingdom of heaven as being filled with open hearts and minds such as found in young children. There is joy and goodness in the world if we are willing to leave behind our expectations and demands to find it.

We have a choice. We can complacently watch life from the sidelines, or we can risk our pride, our ideas, and whatever else we use to separate ourselves from others and leap fully into our life.

—Michael Wenger

Beacon

This week I'll be using the Rohrig Tarot, created by Carl W. Rohrig and published by Sirio. I also have a companion book written by the artist and Francesca Marzano-Fritz and published by Bluestar Communications. The other deck I'll be drawing from is called a tarot, but I'll be using it as an oracle: the Master Tarot. It was created by Amerigo Folchi and Mario Montano and published by AG Muller. Today's cards are the Ace of Swords and The Wolves:

          The Ace of Swords shines like a beacon in the night, representing clarity and truth. The truth may be what can set us free, but we often don't want to hear or see it. We'd prefer something more in line with our desires or opinions - something that makes us feel calm and content. Enter the Wolves, a card based on the verse in Matthew that refers to wolves in sheep's clothing. They will tell us exactly what we prefer: "Want to lose weight without changing your diet or exercising? We have a pill for you!" "Want to shut yourself off from what's going on in the world and not concern yourself with anyone else's problems? Have a bottle of wine and subscribe to Netflix." The easy, quick solution is rarely a permanent or beneficial one. However tough it might be to swallow, it's probably better to open our ears and eyes to reality.

So how do I meet this moment without adequate training or a preexisting playbook that even comes close to the reality that’s unfolding? The answer, it seems, is one breath at a time.

—Tynette Deveaux 

Source of Joy

From the Tarot of Pagan Cats, the Queen of Swords; from the Brownies Oracle, 'Conceal Your Frowns:'

          The Queen of Swords is the opposite of a spin-doctor. She prefers to strip the polish and stain off of situations and people to see the true grain underneath. There the truth and true colors are found. What would she think of this Brownie who tells us to avoid frowning and smile more? She'd probably list the health and well-being studies associated with smiling. Smiling activates neuropeptides that release feel-good neurotransmitters, which relax the body and lower heart rate and blood pressure. The serotonin released when a person smiles also acts as a mood lifter, a gentle, no-prescription-required antidepressant. I bet the Queen (listening to drama and settling arguments so often) has lots of cute videos bookmarked on her computer.

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes

your smile can be the source of your joy. —Thich Nhat Hanh

Less is More

From the Tarot of Pagan Cats, Temperance; from the Brownies Oracle, 'Pleasure Bright:'

          Fish are often seen as a symbol of abundance (and in a cat's case, food), so it is interesting to see this feline release a goldfish instead of eating it. Yet as Robert Browning wrote and Temperance suggests, "less is more." Moderation in everything helps keep us balanced. Even the breath, which is necessary for life, can result in hyperventilation if we overdo it. The Brownie, holding a crescent moon, agrees with this philosophy. Focusing on what we have than what we lack (a full moon) can create a sense of contentment rather than frustration or envy.

If one oversteps the bounds of moderation, the greatest pleasures cease to please.

—Epictetus

Sown from Loss

From the Tarot of the Pagan Cats, Death; from the Brownies Oracle, 'Surest Climber:'

We get no choice. If we love, we grieve.

~Thomas Lynch

          Deep loss creates deep grief, a process that requires honesty, patience, and a willingness to feel our pain. But in that dark place, there is a seed of grace. In my opinion, the opposite of grief is grace - not the kind that comes from some supernatural being but from within. It is what allows us to remember the good and to see what is beautiful, inspiring, and joyful even as we deal with our loss. Grace is what helps us step back into life. The Brownie suggests that we not try to bypass the process, hard as it may be. In that harsh, challenging place, we learn a lot about what is essential and relevant. 

Never did I explore life as intensively in its beautifulness, as while hanging on two fingertips freely over the deep hollow. – Wolfgang Güllich

Seam Ripper

From the Tarot of Pagan Cats, the Ace of Cups; from the Brownies Oracle, 'Comes the Fray:'

We are all wired for instinctual empathy, compassion, and altruistic behaviors; it’s just that other factors sometimes get in our way. ~ Fleet Maull

          I had an unintended argument with my daughter yesterday about defunding the police. We were actually in the same book on the matter, but one of us was reading from the first page and the other from the last. And so the Brownie's warning about the tiny thread that can unravel everything reminds me to remember what is important, to be aware of my tone of voice, and be discerning with my words. Patience and kindness are more important than making sure someone gets my point. If I'm frustrated and arguing, I might as well have stuffed the other's ears with cotton. What motivates - either self-centeredness or compassion - can be a seam ripper or a needle and thread.

Legacies

From the Tarot of the Pagan Cats, the Ten of Pentacles; from the Brownies Oracle, 'Early Train:'

          Regardless of whether we have children or not, we will all leave a legacy behind. Even if our bank account is bulging, what will our lives relay about how we value other living beings and the Earth? Yet the Brownie brings up something even more important: nothing is acquired or sustained without effort.

The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.

 —William James

Hearts that Dare

From the Tarot of the Pagan Cats, the Five of Pentacles; from the Brownies Oracle, 'Hands and Hearts:'

          There is something about seeing an animal suffering and in distress that tears at my heart. Although all the pets I've ever had have been strays taken in or adopted, I do my best not to feed ferals that occasionally use my yard for shade or my low-seated birdbath for water. But for the past month, I've noticed a  young tomcat who sits in a chair on my front porch at night or when it's raining. He's thin, missing half an ear, and I believe hearing impaired. I've named him Seacaster after a DnD pirate character. The Brownie's message today assures me that the food I've been sneaking him in the morning and at night is quite alright. I don't have to add him to my indoor menagerie, but there's nothing wrong with helping those who are in dire need. Having boundaries doesn't mean I have to have a cold heart.

Shake It Off

This week I'll be using Lo Scarabeo's Tarot of Pagan Cats (mini) with booklet by Barbara Moore and art by Lola Airaghi. Paired with it will be Brownie Wisdom, the smaller deck included with The Brownies Oracle created and self-published by Doug Thornsjo. Today's draws are the Nine of Swords and 'Cheerful Heart:'

          The back leg shake of this cat reminds me of our youngest cat whose curiosity makes her paw at (and get stuck to) pieces of tape when I'm wrapping a gift. Worry and regret can be hard to shake, especially if the mind keeps replaying the experience over and over again. But history can't be erased or rewound, I can only do what I can in the present. The Brownie's wisdom points out that unfulfilled expectations can be a cause of regret or resentment. As the sage Shantideva teaches, "Whatever joy there is in this world all comes from desiring others to be happy. And whatever suffering there is in this world all comes from desiring myself to be happy." When it's all about me, there will always be something to be bothered about.

If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry. ~Dalai Lama

Well Used Resources

From the Bonefire Tarot, the  King of Coins; from the Day of the Dead Lenormand, Tree:

          This King has plenty of acorns to spare, and being the generous sort of King he is, he is willing to share. But be warned, he will be watching closely to see what is done with these resources - whether they are used wisely, hoarded, or wasted. The Tree represents a person's general health in all aspects. It pays to attend to any messages and signs before the ax of life takes a swing at us. How I spend my resources, whether time, money, or energy (including physical and mental health) is important, the King of Coins would remind me.

Attention is an important resource.

― Bell Hooks

Subtle Control

From the Bonefire Tarot, the Hanged Man; from the Day of the Dead Lenormand, Crossroads:

 Having all the answers makes it hard to be teachable. Often when we

say we are looking for solutions, what we are really seeking is control.

~from the NA book Living Clean

          Manipulation and micro-management are slightly more subtle when we're trying to control a person or situation. But as in the case of the Hanged Man, we generally make matters worse and find we have hamstrung ourselves. This card represents sacrifice, requiring us to check our ego at the door and acknowledge that we don't have all the answers or know the right way of handling things all the time. The Crossroads card shows different routes to take to different destinations; these multiple options are only available when our mind is open rather than set on a linear path.

Crossing Mental Monkey Bars

From the Bonefire Tarot, the Two of Coins; from the Day of the Dead Lenormand, Clouds:

          Everyone struggles with juggling duties and responsibilities at some point, trying to perform obligations while keeping our own needs met. But the Clouds add a setback, another weight to our shoulders. How do we cope then? If I'm really overwhelmed, taking a few relaxed breaths won't help me prudently release the emotional energy build-up. For that, I go for a walk, do some cleaning, or work in the yard. Once that energy has moved through and out, I climb on my mental monkey bars. Each rung has a question I must ask myself: Is this my responsibility? Do I have control over this situation or person? Is there a skillful, wise action I can take? Where does this fit in a priority list - how important is it, really? Hopefully, by the time I've reached the end of the rungs, I see with more clarity and can act responsibly.

Source of Suffering

From the Bonefire Tarot, the Eight of Swords; from the Day of the Dead Lenormand, Birds:

          Besides creating a mental prison for ourselves, neurotic thinking can prevent us from having a normal conversation with other people. We feel trapped and want a solution, but if someone shows up with suggestions for freedom, we don't listen. All we can talk about is our situation and how overwhelmed we are. We don't want to change anything about ourselves, we want everything outside of us to change. Perhaps when people stop trying to chat with her and she gets tired of sitting in the mud, the young woman in this Eight of Swords will pull off that blindfold and get moving.

The extreme self-centered attitude is the source of suffering.

—Dalai Lama

Anger is considered a poison when it’s self-motivated and self-centered. But take that attachment to the self out of anger and the same emotion becomes the fierce energy of determination, which is a very positive force …

—Roshi Bernie Glassman and Rick Fields