Packed Bag

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Knight of Wands; from the Marseille Oracle, Hearth:

While it is well enough to leave footprints on the sands of time, it is even more important to make sure they point in a commendable direction. ~James Branch Cabell

          This young knight shields his eyes from the sand that blows in the wind. He didn't check to see if a sandstorm might be on the horizon because he's too focused on leaving home in search of exotic places and exciting new faces. Travel outside our comfort zones can be an educational experience that broadens our perspectives - unless our bags are packed full of expectations with no openmindedness to what we might find. The Hearth card shows a simple pot of stew cooking among embers. It represents a kind of contentment and satisfaction that comes from accepting even the simple as sacred. When we can find that in even humble circumstances, it's much easier to see with fresh eyes when we go on any adventure.

The Skill of Deceit

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Seven of Swords; from the Marseille Oracle, Constancy:

          People who are deceitful must become skillful at dishonesty. They will lie even when they don't need to and can become so adept at it that it becomes second nature. If questioned, they fall back on deflection (that's not what I meant, it's their fault not mine), distraction (this is what we need to be worried about!), or half-truths (part fact, part fiction). Engage with these folks long enough and you'll start questioning your own sanity. The water can card symbolizes constancy, steadfastness under duress. Rather than putting up with dishonesty, it means holding the other person accountable. As I told someone the other day, a relationship that is not built on telling the truth is neither functional nor healthy, and that's not something I want to be a part of anymore.

Lighting Another's Candle

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Two of Cups; from the Marseille Oracle, Inspiration:

          While this couple obviously is devoted to each other, they seem to be good friends on equal footing as well. There is no submission or power play between them, only a partnership based on deep respect. The Inspiration card shows a lantern with an unlit candle. Here is a reason not to base a relationship on having the exact same viewpoints about everything. Having someone who sees through a different lens can pull us from our mental rut. They offer a key to open an unused room in our mind that can help us see beyond our expectations and assumptions.

Wise Hope

This week I'll be using the Russian Lubok Tarot, created and self-published by Eugene Vinitski and Sergey Savchenko. I'll also be drawing from the Marseille Oracle, a deck created and published by Lo Scarabeo with a little booklet written by Isa Donelli. Today's draws are the Four of Cups and Fortune:

          The Four of Cups card shows a man lying in a puddle that he could easily get out of but doesn't. Sometimes it's easier to feed our apathy and melancholy with self-centered thoughts than it is to get moving. His friend in a boat keeps throwing life preservers at him - typical of people who want to help but just don't know how to do it. Eventually, he'll figure out that no one can help people who aren't ready to receive it. The Fortune card shows a barrel that could be full of anything. It is like waking up in the morning, not knowing what the day ahead brings. But one thing is for sure: whether we think the day ahead will be awful or will be good, we'll be sure to find it.

Wise hope is not seeing things unrealistically but rather seeing things as they are, including the truth of suffering—both its existence and our capacity to transform it. It’s when we realize we don’t know what will happen that this kind of hope comes alive; in that spaciousness of uncertainty is the very space we need to act. Yes, suffering is present. We cannot deny it. Wise hope doesn’t mean denying these realities. It means facing them, addressing them, and remembering what else is present... 

—Joan Sutherland

Limits of the Little Self

From the Nature Spirit Oracle, the Two of Swords; from the Australian Wildflower Reading Cards, Grey Spider Flower:

          A great egret, known for standing still in the water to allow prey to come within striking range, is nearly hidden by field bindweed. Both plant and animal suggest not making a move (or decision) but rather being patient until the muddy water of the mind clears. Waiting, especially when it feels like we're standing on the edge of a crumbling cliff, is not what we prefer to do. Yet the Grey Spider Flower suggests we have faith. Like the spider who patiently rebuilds its web when damaged by wind or animal, we are asked to not give in. Yet perhaps there is something to give up - our narrow viewpoint. In the words of Andrew Cooper, "Faith must ripen through uncertainty and doubt. It must open us to something larger than our concepts, for these arise from within the limits of the self."

To Suffer, To Endure, To Free Oneself

From the Nature Spirit Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the Australian Wildflower Reading Cards, Water Ribbons:

          The passionflower is so named for the Passion of Christ, the short final period of Jesus' life. The flower's corona is said to represent the crown of thorns and the three stigmas to symbolize the three nails. The word passion comes from the Latin verb patior/passus sum, which means "to suffer, bear, or endure." This definition might sound strange for fantasy romances, but it hits the nail on the head for real relationships. The Three of Swords asks me to look with logic at what has hurt my heart. Was the other person's words or actions intentional and self-serving? Or was this some small slight that I've built up into something larger? Either way, the freshwater plant Water Ribbons suggests freedom can be found. In the words of Ken McLeod, "What is freedom? It is the moment-by-moment experience of not being run by one’s own reactive mechanisms." And what are those reactive mechanisms? Rick Hanson explains: "If you can be with the pleasant without chasing after it, with the unpleasant without resisting it, and with the neutral without ignoring it."

What's Planted is What Grows

From the Nature Spirit Tarot, the Chariot; from the Australian Wildflower Reading Cards, Five Corners:

          In this chariot rides a belted kingfisher, a bird that sits on high tree branches and then fearlessly dives headfirst into the water when it sees its target. Its vehicle is pulled by two alligators, one being a rare albino (while one might enjoy the sun, the other definitely would not). These alligators are fitting symbols for the emotions and instincts of humans that so often thwart logic or the will. But self-discipline - rather than fight or flight - is what is needed to make progress toward the goal. Five Corners is named for the five lobes that turn back on each tubular bloom of this shrub. Flowers later turn into a  five-sided greenish-red drupe. The keyword 'development' for this card suggests that what we are nurturing now (the direction we're headed) is what will create the shape of our result. 

We are the fruit of our past and we are the architects of our future.

~Matthieu Ricard

Pass It On

From the Nature Spirit Tarot, the Six of Pentacles; from the Australian Wildflower Reading Cards, Crowea:

Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference.

~Helen James

          Moths (in this case, the Giant Silk Moth) are like butterflies in that they represent a type of transformation. In the Six of Pentacles, that radical change comes when an imbalance is recognized and there is a desire to correct it. Many people have graciously shared their knowledge and resources with me, and I need to do the same. This choice is not based in pity for the other but in gratitude and seeing them as equals. The flexibility of bamboo reminds me that what is freely given should have no strings attached. The receiver may do what they want with what is given. Crowea is an evergreen shrub that often produces flowers when many other shrubs are dormant - in the autumn and winter. It reminds me that what I can conceive of as a likely outcome is just a small speck in the realm of possibilities.

Backed by Facts

From the Nature Spirit Tarot, the Sun; from the Australian Wildflower Reading Cards, Geraldton Wax:

          The Sun, a star that illuminates and provides energy for our planet, is a symbol of confidence, clarity, and vigor. The golden eagle, a bird with powerful talons and agility, has long represented truth strength, and wisdom. The sunflower is heliotropic, meaning that it follows the sun until it has fully bloomed, then it continues to face east. It suggests an ability to look for the truth rather than running from it. This card implies discoveries that help open mind and heart, giving us the tools to live fearlessly. The world can become a joyful, beautiful place. The Geraldton Wax card shows a flowering shrub prized as a cut flower. Even when most flowers have wilted in the vase, this waxflower has staying power. Together with the Sun card (which provides clarity and truth), it encourages assertiveness. It's okay to be bold when backed by facts.

Waking Up Can Be Hard to Do

From the Nature Spirit Tarot, the Hanged Man; from the Australian Wildflower Reading Cards, Boronia:

Soon it will be autumn and we haven't the power to keep a single leaf from falling.

― Marty Rubin

          The salamander, used to inhabiting moist shady spots, certainly doesn't appreciate being caught by a morning glory vine and left hanging in the sun. Like the salamander, humans like to scurry about; we've been trained from an early age that we must do something about everything. But as the oak teaches, strength can often be found in such moments. Rather than making us feel powerful, this strength is the kind that shows us just how powerless we can be. Our greatest power may be in realizing there are some people or situations that just can't be changed. The Boronia is a shrub often grown for its small perfumed flowers, but crush its leaves and the aroma they give off is not pleasant at all. This shrub implies that what rouses our clarity might be enjoyable or horrible, but what's more important is to wake up and see reality as it is.

Coming in for a Landing

This week I'll be using the Nature Spirit Tarot, a book and deck set created and self-published by Jean Marie Herzel. I'll also be drawing from the Australian Wildflower Reading Cards, a set created by Cheralyn Darcey and published by Rockpool. Today's cards are the Eight of Wands and Sydney Rock Rose:

          The eight crystal-tipped wands are rooted in lavender plants and backed by common horsetail. Whatever effort has been applied and resources used are now producing some results that are coming in for a landing. The lavender suggests that I not run around like I have ants in my pants, but slow down and wait calmly. The horsetail comes from a prehistoric lineage; its rhizomes can pierce through the soil up to 6 feet in depth. This plant encourages me to stick to the wisdom of facts rather than spin off into speculation. Garden centers that sell the Sydney Rock Rose advertise it as a tough shrub that thrives on neglect. In other words, it embraces whatever conditions it finds itself in. It endorses acceptance, the ability to accept reality as it is and come to grips with what can be changed and what can't. As those eight wands make a landing, the end result might not look like I envisioned it. That doesn't necessarily mean it's a failure, just a bit different than expected. As chapter 2: 47 of the  Bhagavad Gita cautions, do the work but don't get attached to the outcome. 

Long Live Her Legacy

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Tower; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Enemies:

Tower - The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a woman who stood up for the rights of all people, not just a select few.

Enemies - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to replace her with one of Trump's picks.

Self-Service

 From the Cosmic Tarot, the Ace of Cups; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Interdictment:

Self-care isn’t being selfish, it’s a public service. When you fill your own cup,

you’ve got more to give to others. ~Melissa Goodwin

How do we keep our cup full to overflowing when we are in the middle of millions of acres burning, hurricanes, a national leader interested in only himself, and a pandemic? It's tempting to try to do it with the stuff we buy or the ways we seek to have others stroke our ego. But those small sparks of pleasure don't last and certainly don't fill the void in our hearts. Melissa Goodwin suggests six ideas:

1. Take time out - make it a priority to schedule some self-care time.
2. Question your standards of perfection - the world won't stop spinning if things aren't just 'so.'
3. Take care of your health - get enough sleep, eat good food, exercise (you know this already, but probably don't do it).
4. Feel good by looking good and finding what's wonderful  - get out of those PJs, take a shower, and find something beautiful to appreciate.
5. Use your spiritual tools - if you don't have any, now is the time to investigate some.
6. Connect with others - talk with others who make you laugh and make you feel like you belong.

Interdiction (the act of prohibiting movement) is a warning about how we often empty our cup without taking a sip of it ourselves - by trying to fix or save others. That is a Sisyphean task that will drain us dry every time.

Supporting Change

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Three of Wands; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Wisdom:

In the Two of Wands, this woman decided to do something different rather than stick with the usual. In her case, what she was had been doing was okay, but she felt compelled to change, expand, and develop herself further. In the Three of Wands, she has ventured out and seems to be blooming from the choice she made. The Wisdom card suggests that asking for input from others who are more experienced or knowledgeable is a good idea. No change is easy alone; it helps to have the support of other people who can help expand one's viewpoint and understanding. It doesn't mean I let go of what I've envisioned, but I might need to tweak it a bit.

Focus on the Solution

 From the Cosmic Tarot, the Seven of Pentacles; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Conflict:

Try again. Fail again. Fail better. —Samuel Beckett

          I've tried to grow an assortment of flowers, herbs, and vegetables over the years, so I understand the frustration and despair of this young man. All of his hard work has been for naught. So what does Beckett mean when he suggests we should 'fail better'? In my case, it means I need to investigate what went wrong and educate myself on how I might prevent it from happening again. Each time things go awry gives me an opportunity to learn. But the Conflict card brings up what often happens when a project or task involves others. Failure can create a trigger response of blaming the other for any unhappy result. But sometimes, even when people do their best, things don't work out. As Catherine Pulsifer explained, "Blaming does not solve a problem; it usually only makes people defensive." 

Changing Direction

 From the Cosmic Tarot, the Five of Cups; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Bewitchment:

Mindfulness allows us to watch our thoughts, see how one thought leads to the next, decide if we’re heading toward an unhealthy path, and if so, let go and change directions.

—Sharon Salzberg

          A woman, looking older than her years, stares at a withered rose. What she loved has been lost, but worse, her pain has created blinders. All she can see is her loss, not the other people who care about her or any resources or tools close at hand. The Bewitchment card shows the self-created prison that happens when we don't question the false beliefs we hold and instead mentally feed our feelings of despair. Yet if we can pull our gaze outward, we might see that life is full of change; what we feel so intensely at the moment will eventually ebb. Especially if we begin to change the directions of our thoughts. 

A More Perfect Union

From the Cosmic Tarot, the King of Pentacles; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Union:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity… ~Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

          The King of Pentacles combined with the Union card reminded me of these lines in the Preamble. The words 'more perfect' do not mean to be without any flaw, but to become more whole and encompassing. It is interesting to notice and reflect on the words our founders capitalized to bring attention to their importance. Their vision started imperfectly and has limped along trying to reach that wholeness ever since. This King offers part of what he has to another without pity or prejudice (which create separation rather than compassion). His only request is for the receiver to be a good steward of what he has been given, to make wise use of the gift. Creating 'a more perfect Union' is tough; it requires a lot of change in the mindsets and actions of all. Perfect may be a pipedream, but we can do better.

Stepping Back on Solid Ground

This week I'll be using the Cosmic Tarot, created by Norbert Losche and published by U.S. Games. I'll also be drawing from L'Oeil de Lotus (Eye of the Lotus), created by Colette and Gérard Lougarre and published by Vox Arkhana. Today's cards are the Prince (Knight) of Wands and Detachment:

          The Prince of Wands lives by T.S. Eliot's words: "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." He also likes a party, so he'll convince others to tag along on his adventures (and with his charisma, that's easy to do). The problem with the Prince is that he often has little discernment between a great cause worthy of risking one's neck and what is purely an adrenaline rush. The EMTs know him and his posse well. The Eye of the Lotus card shows a rope slipping off a dock cleat, indicating a need to untie oneself from a person or situation. Caring does not include enabling or supporting insanity; detachment means we let the responsible parties be responsible for a change. Disengaging from emotional entanglement helps us see objectively without creating resentment.

Detachment is profoundly honest, grounded firmly in the truth of what is.

~Sharon Salzberg

Don't Overlook the Other

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Ten of Stones (Pentacles); from the Rune Cards, Cen/Ken:

          In the words of L. Frank Baum, "There is no place like home." Home is a sacred place where we find refuge, where we feel most secure and loved. My heart hurts today for the thousands of people who have lost their homes and loved ones in the fires on the West Coast. Life has literally pulled the rug out from beneath their feet. May those who leave to find safety also find hospitality and compassion wherever they pause along the way. Cen, or literally 'torch', suggests a light in the darkness. Sometimes it is knowledge or leadership, but it can often be a light of hope. There's so much darkness in our country right now. Even though we have our own, let's not overlook the suffering of others.

Compassion allows us to use our own pain and the pain of others as a vehicle for connection. 

—Sharon Salzberg

Supporting Change

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Eight of Cups; from the Rune Cards, Gebo (Gift):

          While the RWS uses the illustration of a figure walking away for the Eight of Cups, Potter employs the cauldron of transformation. The Sheila-na-gig figure on the cauldron, symbolizing death and rebirth, suggests that something must be let go of in order for a metamorphosis to occur. As humans, we don't have to simply follow our base instincts; we can rationally choose to change. But as anyone who's tried to alter a pattern or adopt a new behavior knows, change isn't easy. There will likely be some backsliding and mistakes along the way. Which is why Gebo (gift) is especially important. Generosity, in the form of kindness, is always needed, but especially when someone is struggling to make a change for the better.

All things are difficult before they are easy.

~Thomas Fuller

The Bane of Over-confidence

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Eight of Wands; from the Rune Cards, Laguz:

          Potter uses a brightly burning hearth fire to illustrate her Eight of Wands, suggesting effort has been made to supply the fuel and light it. Now the result of that work is being seen and felt. Yet Laguz ('water') shows up to warn that this is not a 'go with the flow' moment. According to the rune poem, this "brine-stallion heeds not the bridle." Confidence can get things moving, but paying attention while adding knowledge and skills along the way can keep things from going belly-up. Time to power-up the Keurig and pop in a coffee pod to stay alert.

Don’t you know about the praying mantis that waved its arms angrily in front of an approaching carriage, unaware that it was incapable of stopping it? Such was the high opinion it had of its talents. —Zhuangzi

Tailored to Reality

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Two of Pentacles; from the Rune Cards, Raidho/Rad:

          The painting of the 'mad March hares' seems apt for those times when I have so much to do, I battle with myself about what deserves to be prioritized. Yet the Anglo-Saxon poem gives me a clue that might be of help: "Riding seems easy to every warrior while he is indoors and very courageous to him who traverses the high-roads on the back of a stout horse." As this verse implies, sometimes how I envision something in my mind doesn't fit the reality of it very well. This rune (rad/raidho) also suggests ordered movement. Before trying to arrange my tasks and duties, I need to check my assumptions: Is this actually true or has it been shaped by my feelings about it?

Just Passing Through

From the Greenwood Tarot, the World Tree; from the Rune Cards, Ansuz-ash*:

          Potter's World card shows a tree depicting all four seasons planted in the middle of a labyrinth. When walking a labyrinth, there are times when the lane seems close to the middle, then on the next turn, it moves further away. Eventually, perseverance will lead a person to the center. Life sends us on the same kind of twisty paths as we look for spiritual fulfillment. But even when we seem to have found what we've been searching for, we discover there are more labyrinths yet to be walked. Life doesn't stand still and neither should any spiritual path. Each moment unfolds with new joys and challenges we must meet. The sturdiness of the Ash requires that we pick up the spiritual warrior's shield and spear (wisdom and compassion) once more. There's more to see and learn along the Way.

*Ansuz was split into three runes with the Anglo-Saxon development of the vowel system: o/god, a/oak, and ae/ash.

A Better Way

 From the Greenwood Tarot, the Knight of Arrows (Wands); from the Rune Cards, Algiz:

          The hawk is a fitting symbol for the Knight of Wands, a person who is competitive, ambitious, and impetuous. The FedEx slogan - "When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight" - fits his mindset well. Yet Algiz (elk sedge) cautions not to be too impulsive about grasping what is wanted. As the Anglo-Saxon poem warns:

Elk sedge most often lives in fenland,

growing in water; it grimly wounds

and burns with blood

every man who grabs it.

In the words of Bill Wilson, "Perhaps there is a better way."

Fire Tender

This week I'll be using the Greenwood Tarot, created by Chesca Potter and published by Thorsons. The oracle I'll be using is the Rune Cards, created by Tony Linsell and Brian Partridge and published by Anglo-Saxon Books. Today's draws are the Ace of Wands and Ehwaz:

          Potter illustrates her Ace of Wands with a bow drill, a primitive way to start a fire by using friction to create heat. The heat produces an ember in the sawdust of the drill's small bowl which is then placed into a tinder bundle and coaxed into a flame. The friction of the bow drill is similar to the agitation and restlessness we often feel when inspired by an idea. But like the ember, we must nurture it to build a fire. Ehwaz (literally 'horse') is a rune that represents teamwork with a partner who can aid us in reaching a goal. Such a trusted companion - our 'fire tender' - can help us direct our enthusiasm so we don't get distracted by what is unimportant.

Rowing harder doesn’t help if the boat is headed in the wrong direction.

 ~ Keniche Ohmoe