Now is the Time

This week I'll be using the Wild Unknown Tarot, orignially created and self-published by Kim Krans, but now published by HarperOne. I'll also be using the Pictish Oracle, created by myself and brought to life in 3-D form by an Etsy craftswoman. Today's draws are the Devil and Wolf:

The quality of our life is determined by our mind’s response to the circumstances of our life. It is not determined directly by the circumstances.

—Yoshin David Radin

          What do we do when, metaphorically speaking, our feet are in the fire? How do we handle a tsunami-sized wave of stress and anxiety that is related to external situations beyond our control? Intense emotions often result in binges of some kind, whether food, sleep, shopping or alcohol. While these actions offer a temporary distraction, they are neither beneficial nor healthy for an extended period of time. For the Picts, the wolf represented a marauder who took their livestock and presented a danger to night travelers. It symbolizes a predator, especially to the unwary. Both these draws suggest a need for a consistent spiritual practice that can help ground us when circumstances pull the rug out from beneath us. Now is the time for starting, however. As Rick Hanson said, "When the storm comes, you're left with what's already inside you."

Higher Consciousness

From the Alchemical Renewed Tarot, the Star; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Practicality (Moon in Capricorn):

The fundamental division in our country seems to be between people who are comfortable with the changing face of America and those who are fearful of losing status. ~Suzette Hackney

          Place uses Melusine, the Siren of the Philosophers, for his Star card (who is also on the Starbucks logo). Alchemically, the siren’s two tails represent unity - of earth and water, body and soul. Rather than a mindset of ally and enemy, this siren encourages us to look at all the pieces together from a higher level of consciousness. How can they fit together? The Moon in Capricorn personality is innately responsible, pragmatic and measured in the ways that they respond. Yet being a cardinal sign, Capricorn is motivated to take action. But how do we unite what seems to be irreparably broken? Carey Nieuwhof suggests a starting point: "We’re all people trying to do our best with fears, hopes, dreams, insecurities, needs and people we love. That’s a LOT of common ground." Perhaps our commonalities can be the beginning of a discussion.

Wedding Bells

From the Alchemical Renewed Tarot, the Lovers; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Adaptability (Moon in Gemini):

The widened consciousness is no longer that touchy, egotistical bundle of personal wishes, fears, hopes, and ambitions which always has to be compensated or corrected by unconscious counter-tendencies;

–Carl G. Jung

          Place's Lovers card represents the Alchemical Wedding - a union of parts that take us beyond our personal desires and interests (creating gold from lead). Jung described this process of letting go of false images of ourselves created by others, letting go of the protective mask we wear to face the world, and owning those aspects of ourselves that we've projected onto other people. It requires that we navigate between ego inflation (seeing ourselves as more important and special) and ego deflation (seeing ourselves as damaged and inferior). Like a regular marriage, this union can be difficult, which is where Adaptability comes in. The Moon in Gemini represents a person who is curious and an information gatherer. Their openness to ideas is what makes them versatile and able to adapt to a such a union of diverse parts. Rather than trying to be an expert, they continue to learn and stay attentive.

Unconventional Joy

 From the Alchemical Renewed Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Eccentricity (Saturn in Aquarius):

We should not be afraid of suffering. We should be afraid of only one thing, and that is not knowing how to deal with our suffering.

—Thich Nhat Hanh

          This heart-shaped vessel has sprung a leak - likely the result of those swords crammed inside of it. Life is full of harsh words, events and situations that hurt our heart. What occurred is the original sword that causes our pain, but we continue to add thoughts that add to our suffering: "How could I have been so stupid? I will never find another friend like her. My life is empty now that he's gone." Those added thoughts and emotions - our mental story around the circumstances - create secondary pain that makes everything seem and feel so much worse. The taskmaster Saturn combines with the nontraditional altruism of Aquarius in the Radiant Sun card. It suggests meaningful change that might look weird or seem strange to others. But if it helps us move through our pain rather than add to it, why worry?

 We must be unconventional in our joys and find them wherever we can.

― Rose Tremain

Plug in the Jug

From the Alchemical Renewed Tarot, the Queen of Vessels; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Mars in Virgo (Criticism):

          The mermaid form of this queen shows just how comfortable she is with emotions, whether her own or someone else's. Unlike her husband (who likes to offer advice to quickly fix the other person), she easily listens to angry rants or a grieving heart without trying to slap on a band-aide. Rather than suggesting a person suppress or ignore their feelings, she knows that simply talking about them can lessen the power of emotional energy. Yet while she is compassionate, her sealed vessel suggests boundaries; she doesn't get entangled with the person, identifying so deeply that she takes on their feelings as her own. The Mars in Virgo personality is high-strung with a desire for perfection. They may demand that the Queen tell them what choice to make or what to do. However, the Queen knows that is not her responsibility (no matter how dramatically they complain). She is there to help the person see other viewpoints and options, not to make their decision for them. 

Not What I Thought

From the Alchemical Tarot Renewed, the High Priestess; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Escape (Mars in Pisces):

          Place's High Priestess puts a finger to her lips; unlike the Hierophant who seeks to impart knowledge through teaching, she knows wisdom isn't spoken but found within through direct experience. Most beginning meditators bring an agenda to the cushion or chair - a strong desire to find a solution or answers. They might as well bring shovels and metal detectors. Like the Escape card, they want a quick fix to get away from their worries. (The Buddha illustration acknowledges the part spiritual bypassing often plays.)  Yet what they need is open receptiveness, a willingness to be still, listen, and observe. Diane Musho Hamilton uses her personal experience to explain:

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. 

Thimbleful of Sky

From the Alchemical Tarot Renewed, the Five of Vessels; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Mars in Leo (Egotism):

Joy creates a spaciousness in the mind that allows us to hold the suffering we experience inside us and around us without becoming overwhelmed, without collapsing into helplessness or despair. It brings inspiration and vitality, dispelling confusion and fear while connecting us with life.

~James Baraz

          An earthquake has caused one vessel to spill its contents and another (possibly two) to shatter. Life shakes us all up at times, often with no fault of our own other than the consequence of being human. It's easy to focus on the sole event and forget all else, but reality is as spacious and all-encompassing as the sky. It contains a multitude of possibilities - millions more than the thimbleful of sky our mind can reduce it to. The Egotism card combines the passionate energy of Mars with the self-confidence of Leo. For those who put much stock in the results of their actions, life quakes can be a difficult pill to swallow. Pride can create a desire to blame, but in doing so, we miss the opportunity that flies away - connecting our hearts with others who have walked the same path. 

Prudent Forethought

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 Chariot and Vision:

Few things are brought to a successful issue by impetuous desire, but most by calm and prudent forethought. ~Thucydides

           Place illustrates this Chariot with Phaethon, son of Helios (the god who drove the Sun chariot across the sky). The boy managed to talk his dad into letting him take the reins one morning. Unfortunately Phaethon had more enthusiasm than skill or sense, and he ended up scorching fields and drying up rivers on his maiden voyage. Progress toward any goal requires more than just desire, but knowledge and self-discipline as well. We need to know what is worth paying attention to and what is simply a distraction. The card Vision shows the Sun in Pisces (good fortune paired with understanding and sacrifice). It seems to underscore the traits of a skilled charioteer who wants to reach his objective without leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. Abraham Lincoln nicely summed up the need for such preparation when he said: "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax."

Just saw on Amazon that the Oracle of the Radiant Sun (which has been out of print) was released again in 2019.

Affinity for Facts

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Lightning Man:

          Medieval bestiaries attributed an affinity for fire to salamanders, describing them as being born of and able to create fire. The truth is that these nocturnal and humidity-loving amphibians often hide and sleep in wood piles. When the logs are used for fire, they scurry out to save themselves. Yet the Two of Wands is similar; when we make a decision to move forward rather than stay in place, we effectively light the match that shifts our gears into drive. Lightning Man appeared during the rainy season with his fiery bolts and thundering clubs. He watched mankind to see who broke any tribal or spiritual laws and would send a bolt nearby as a warning to straighten up. His warning for the Two of Wands is not to be led by knowledge that is in line with our wishes but by information in line with concrete evidence. In the words of Alex Haley, "Either you deal with what is the reality, or you can be sure that the reality is going to deal with you."

Trail into a Rut

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Ten of Swords; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, the Whale and Starfish:

Habit is necessary; it is the habit of having habits, of turning a trail into a rut, that must be incessantly fought against if one is to remain alive. ―  Edith Wharton

          Genetti uses a garden shed to represent an individual's life. It is filled with tools needed to survive and thrive; the sharp tools are symbolic of the ideas and beliefs held. As we age, we may accumulate more tools that create a certain mindset. We become comfortable and complacent with what we think, ignoring the larger, changing world outside our door. Soon we develop an "us against them" mindset which cuts us off from others. Fear of of new developments led to selfishness and betrayal in the myth of the Whale and Starfish. The animals, living on a crowded island, heard of the land of Australia and wanted to use Whale's canoe to get there. When Whale refused, Starfish tricked him, giving the other animals time to sneak away. Holding tightly to what one has, whether ideas or material things, won't stop life from changing and transforming. It is much healthier to relax our grip and be curious than to try to set our preferences in concrete.

Growing Up

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, Judgment; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Uluru:

          A young boy arises from the soil of a flower garden. The two hills in the background represent a balance of head and heart wisdom - discipline and accountability mixed with mercy and compassion. Judgment represents true clarity and discernment; it is the moment-to-moment experience of perceiving free of our usual truckload of opinions. We see and hear only what is happening without any add-ons. That means the weight of hurt and resentments we've previously carried around have to be left in the ground. Uluru is a massive sandstone monolith in the heart of the Northern Territory’s arid "Red Centre." According to legend, it is the sacred center of spiritual pathways and the holder of sacred memories. Together with the Judgment card, it suggests that we ground ourselves before acting or speaking, making sure we are mentally in a place of safety, satisfaction and connection. Otherwise, what we do or say will come from a place of anger or fear.

Extremes and Excess

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Devil; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Seal:

          Genetti makes a comparison between the Emperor (who believes in the supreme, infallible leadership of the ruler) and the Devil (who believes in anarchy and complete individual freedom). The first loves rules and order and the second prefers the uninhibited pursuit of pleasure and chaos. It's easy to find oneself in one camp after being in the extremes of the other. Somewhere in the middle are the practices of use without abuse and enjoyment without attachment. Seal Rock was created, according to the Dreaming, as an island for the seals to live on in safety and contentment. But when white men arrived in their ships, all of them were killed. It's easy to see that both of these cards deal with the consequences of excess and greed. Can any solution be healthy for the long run if it involves an extreme?

Real liberty is neither found in despotism or the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments.

―Alexander Hamilton 

The Greatness of Humanity is...

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Queen of Disks; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Gymea Lily:

          The Queen of Disks is profoundly aware of the bounty that pours from the Earth. Yet rather than use this abundance wastefully, she is both creative and prudent with these resources. Having learned the art of simplicity, even small supplements make her family feel affluent. She realizes that having less means enjoying more fully what one has. In the Dreamtime story, a tribe was trapped in a cave after a great deluge and landslide. One warrior, though badly injured, managed to squeeze through a small hole he discovered after exploring the many dark tunnels of the cave. For weeks he fished and hunted for the people still trapped inside, lowering food into a small opening. Eventually he succumbed to his injuries, and a red lily grew where he died to mark the sacrifice he made for his people. Both the Queen and this warrior understood the importance of sacrificing wants for the needs of others. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in being humane."

Fine Print for Following the Heart

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Prince (Knight) of Cups; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, the Black Swan:

Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.

― Rumi

          Using his intuition as a guide, a young man follows his heart into unknown waters. There are sure to be some emotional ups and downs along the way, but hopefully they will foster a mature, deeper understanding of what it means to be fully human. His plentiful supplies suggest that while physical preparations are often made, emotional equanimity is a skill few folks are taught when they launch out into the world. The Black Swan is the story of a tribe of skilled boomerang craftswomen tricked by a greedy group of men who stole their weapons. White swans were used as a distraction, but ended up being collateral damage when attacked by eagles. Being left plucked in the desert, crows kindly offered some of their own feathers so the swans could cover themselves. In this story of envy and hatred, humans illustrated the damage emotions can do. Yet the crows took the higher road, not wasting time on who was right or wrong, but on helping the innocents caught up in the fray - a story this knight/prince and the rest of humanity could learn from. 

Personal Responsibility

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 Two of Disks and Frilled-neck Lizard:

          Genetti shows the orbital balance of Earth and Sun kept in check by gravity. What tethers us and keeps the many dimensions of our life from throwing the other parts out of line? A laser-like focus held for too long (on our life or someone else's) will create imbalance and be a detriment to our well-being. As the Dhammapada implores, "Let one not neglect one's own welfare for the sake of another, however great. Clearly understanding one's own welfare, let one be intent upon the good." The legend of the Frilled-neck Lizard is an example. The land was in a period of great drought and all the animals argued about what to do. No one listened to the lizard who just happened to be a rainmaker. Filled with frustration and self-righteous anger, he brought a storm that destroyed many living things. Yet what might have happened had he calmed himself instead of acting out rage? He might instead have sent a steady, gentle rain and become a hero rather than a brutal punisher.

Immense Treasure

From the Fey Tarot, the Ten of Pentacles; from the I Misteri Sibilla, Riunione (Eight of Clubs):

          A family of fey sit around a coin-shaped table topped by a single candle. No bags of gold or feasts are in evidence, yet they seem content. This past year has dramatically changed many people's priorities. I don't hear too many folks bragging about their new iPhone or luxury car these days. Most people feel blessed if they and their loved ones are healthy, and if they still have an income, a home, and food in the cupboard. To use the words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, it's been a stark reminder: "Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least." Riunione (reunion) shows a chance meeting of old friends. Good friends and family, though we've been physically separated, have kept me sane and on an even keel as I navigated the losses, heartaches and challenges of this past year. What an immense, undeserved treasure I've been given.

Keeping the Line Open

From the Fey Tarot, the Eight of Wands; from the I Misteri Sibilla, Conversazione (Ace of Hearts):

          Like a parkour practitioner, this fey leaps from branch to branch looking for the fastest and most efficient way possible to the top of the tree. Yet no matter how quickly things are moving, the Conversation card indicates that communication should not be sacrificed. Just as in an ER where doctors and nurses are constantly announcing blood pressure, oxygen levels and heart rates while looking for injuries, it helps to have an open line from various sources to keep us apprised of what we might miss as things move at a rapid pace. The best communicators are like great dancers, each letting the other take their turn at leading. 

The two words 'information' and 'communication' are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through. ~Sydney J. Harris

Web of Relationships

From the Fey Tarot, the Seven of Wands; from the I Misteri Sibilla, Allegria (Nine of Clubs):

          Our world is a web of relationships, a constant cooperative effort of creating, caring for, and repairing. But there are those in this web who would prefer to cut out certain strands simply because of greed or because they don't conform to their preferences. It is up to the rest of the web's strands to protect the integrity and well-being of the whole. Such a goal is not based on aggression and hatred but aimed toward defense and support of those in harm's way. In the words of Jan Chozen Bays, "We can only try to keep our minds as clear as possible and our hearts as open as possible to face each situation as it arises." We do not want to become the people we are defending against. To prevent this, all defenders and repairers need to refuel their spirits as Allegria (cheerfulness) implies. In the words of Daisaku Ikeda, "A truly warm human relationship—how much in the way of hope and courage and conviction it is capable of giving!"

Truth is not Belief

From the Fey Tarot, the Ten of Swords; from the I Misteri Sibilla, Falsehood (Four of Diamonds):

Truth is complete in itself. Truth has a strong foundation in itself. It is bold, it has no fears. It has no limit of space or time. It is a fearless, free bird in the sky. It does not care for status. It is wealth in itself. Truth stands even when there is no public support. ~Sivananda

          This Fey, under the emblem of Truth, finds herself disintegrating and her sword breaking. Reality can be harsh when we figure out that the beliefs we've clung to are not the same as truth. Those who are wise will acknowledge their error and accept what is authentic and factual. Yet there are others, as the Falsita card illustrates, who prefer to keep spinning lies and telling others what they want to hear. I've heard a number of acquaintances who were on Facebook are now moving to MeWe. Their reason is that they want free speech. What underlies the nice outer wrapping is that they prefer no one to moderate them, giving them a chance to spew all the hatred, falsehoods and divisiveness they want. I'm pretty sure they won't enjoy it for long. Trolls prefer to bait people and stir up trouble - if they're all on the same site, they'll be no one to hook. 

Solid Information

From the Fey Tarot, the Seven of Swords; from the I Misteri Sibilla, Messaggero (Jack of Diamonds):

          This translucent Fey is camouflaged to blend into her surroundings. She isn't interested in a heist but information; she's an undercover operative. Dealing with a big problem by meeting them head-on isn't always prudent or wise. There are times when we need to quietly and skillfully collect evidence. Messaggero (Messenger) is an intermediary who arrives with useful information. While his news is helpful in putting all the puzzle pieces together, the facts the Fey collects will be paramount in making a case. Hearsay should not be confused with certainty.

For any reputable person or organization to be successful, that person's or organization's actions must be based on solid information, not conspiracy theories, not hearsay, not rumors, and certainly not fear mongering. ― Mike Klepper

Quietly Facinating

From the Fey Tarot, the Six of Wands; from the I Misteri Sibilla, Thief (10 of Diamonds):

          Rather than riding on a richly draped steed with much fanfare, this fey makes his way on a tortoise holding a potted plant. His humble entry back to his city gets a quieter reception that he seems comfortable with. Ladro shows a thief picking another man's pocket. What is stolen may be more than coin, however. One of the Buddhist precepts reads, "I vow not to take what is not given, but to practice generosity." There will always be those who hijack conversations and crave attention, seeking a boost to their egos. What they don't realize is that attention will soon fizzle out, but respect is much longer lasting.

I find something fascinating about the quiet man in the background who has no desire to be the center of attention. ~Christian Bale

Manna

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 Six of Pentacles and Money (6 of Hearts):

          My first thought upon seeing this card was 'manna' - originally a biblical term that has also come to mean an unexpected or gratuitous benefit. This giant fey doesn't seem to be making judgments about who will or won't receive her goodwill. Her kind of generosity doesn't worry about worthiness, only need. Denaro shows a fellow deep in thought with a pile of gold on his table. Perhaps he is someone who has learned to live modestly and now wonders what in the world he should do with his good fortune. Surely there are repairs to make, bills to pay and a nest egg to add to, but what about the excess? He could wade into the sea of humanity and exercise goodwill when he encounters distress or destitution. In the words of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, "It takes generosity to discover the whole through others. If you realize you are only a violin, you can open yourself up to the world by playing your role in the concert."

No Vision, Only Strife

From the Tabula Mundi Tarot, the Five of Wands; from the Universe Cards, Satellite:

          Rather than the heated discussion suggested in RWS decks, this Five of Wands implies a destructive power of volcanic proportions that disrupts the current stability. While change may be needed, this aggressive action can seem over the top. I am reminded of those people who in their search for excitement often become 'rebels without a cause' (also known as shit-stirrers). They have no vision they want to work toward and no solutions to offer, only strife and hostility. The Satellite card describes the moons that orbit around the planets of the Solar System, kept in orbit by a planet's gravity. In the same way, these ricocheting rebels are attracted to anything they think can be stirred up and caused to boil over. They live to inflame and engage in battle. The best way to counter them is with facts, humor or silence rather than taking any bait they dangle. 

Anyone wanting to mug a troll would have to use a building on a stick.

― Terry Pratchett

Prosocial Benefits

From the Tabula Mundi Tarot, the Six of Disks; from the Universe Cards, Galaxy Collision:

          The Thoth meaning for the Six of Disks is material success. It arises after experiencing both gains and loss and leads to a wiser viewpoint when it comes to material concerns. Things aren't taken for granted, yet losses aren't perceived as a crushing defeat either. Galaxy Collision happens when a larger galaxy absorbs a smaller one or when two of similar size merge due to the gravitational attraction of both. The term 'collision' is a bit of a misnomer since stars and planets are spaced so far apart that an actual crash between them is rare. This process happens over the course of millions of years and changes the structure of both. Together, both of these cards reminded me of research published in The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology that showed prosocial people (those interested and engaged in the well-being of others) are more successful than selfish people and tend to have better psychological well-being, physical health, and relationships. It seems altruism does change us, but in wonderful ways. 

Uprooting

From the Tabula Mundi Tarot, the Ace of Disks; from the Universe Cards, Nova:

The desire of craving—the thirst, the fever of unsatisfied longing—is rooted in greed and attachment.

—Joseph Goldstein

          Meleen describes this Ace as "the birth of action in the world of matter and materiality." Everything that has developed has underground roots; everything begins from something sown. Nowhere was this more evident than yesterday when bullies and miscreants invaded the Capitol. Hatred, divisiveness and domination were planted by Trump and nurtured by his followers. Yet the world of matter plainly illustrates that change will happen, regardless of what puny humans desire. Nova shows the eruption on a star nearing the end of its life as a companion star's gravity pulls away matter from it. As one star dies, another grows. As America moves forward, may we remember the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt: ""We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization."