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.