Inside Job

From the Neuzeit Tarot, the Hanged Man; from Rory's Story Cubes, Apple:

At the end of the day, you can't control the results; you can only control your effort level and your focus. ~Ben Zobrist

Hanging upside down, a man's plans and possessions pour out onto the ground. Sometimes it can feel like no matter what we do, nothing matters. But this would be oversimplifying things. The 'healthy' attitude that Apple implies suggests that we do have some input. Many external things we can't control, due to the fact that multiple causes and conditions come into play, including impermanence and change. Some things we do have influence over (though not complete control), like our physical and mental health. Yet our attitude and the choices we make are under our control and can make a huge difference in our outlook on life. Those moments of surrender and acceptance, like the egg in the bird's nest, hint at a rebirth in our perspective.

Move the Job Along

From the Neuzeit Tarot, the Ten of Wands; from Rory's Story Dice, Music:

A robin feathering his nest

Has very little time to rest

While gathering his bits of twine and twig

Though quite intent in his pursuit

He has a merry tune to toot

He knows a song will move the job along

~from Mary Poppins

I look at all those people lined up like candles on a birthday cake, waiting for me to do the million and one things on my need-to-do list. I went to bed in a blue funk, had a sleepless night, and still find myself in one this morning. My list of duties and obligations seems to grow by the hour, but I'm tired, achy and feel paralyzed to do any of it. Yet the Music die reminds me that staying in this negative head space will neither help me get things done nor feel better. I need a distraction to get unhooked from my thoughts (which will likely help my mood as well). Music might just be the ticket. 

Burn Baby Burn

This week I'll be using the Neuzeit Tarot created by Walter Wegmuller and published by AG Muller. The 'oracle' I'll be using is a combination of two sets of Rory's Story Cubes - the original and Voyages set. These dice were created by Rory O'Connor and produced by Gamewright. Today's card and die are Five of Wands and Fire:

Two flowers rise tall, while a third struggles to catch up and two younger ones are shadowed beneath. If you've ever been the new employee or member of a group, you know how hard it is to be noticed or heeded by the old guard. They want to do things the way they've always done them, and they don't look favorably on anyone who wants to try something new that might disrupt the status quo. While such intimidation might work for a while, voices will eventually demand to be heard. It might cause an uncomfortable disruption, but something beneficial for all could come from it. What's the harm in simply listening with an open mind? The Fire die warns what could happen if people are continually suppressed and their needs and ideas ignored. People will eventually take a stand in a more aggressive way. As Parker Palmer said, "Violence is what happens when we don’t know what else to do with our suffering." 

The hardest thing in life to learn is which bridge to cross and which to burn. 

~David Russell

Seeing Specks Instead of Planks

From the SKT Revelation, the Hierophant; from the Empty Cup Oracle, Hatchet:

Wen uses an image of Maitreya, a bodhisattva who will appear on Earth in the future, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma. Maitreya's arrival will come when most of the world will have forgotten the teachings. The name Maitreya is derived from the Sanskrit word maitrī, or "friendship," which means this bodhisattva won't arrive with a club but with an open heart. Maitreya comes to remind us of loving-kindness and compassion, spiritual principles that can keep our world healthy and whole. While there may still may be small pockets of resistance to the lure of money and power, nations and communities seem to have forgotten ethical guide posts. Hatchet is a smaller cutting tool than an ax; it seems more suited for anyone's use. It's message is that while I might like to point out the problems with the world and humanity, the only person I can change is me. It's time to start slicing away at my own egoic traits that prevent me from practicing loving-kindness and compassion.

How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? ~Luke 6:42

Diplomacy

From the SKT Revelation, the Three of Scepters (Wands); from the Empty Cup Oracle, Flying Fish:

In this illustration of three Babylonian magi, there is a coming together to work for a common goal. Wen suggests that diplomacy, tact, pragmatism and prudence are what enabled these three to cooperate. Their ability to be honest yet sensitive to the other's ideas has led to a collaborative effort that looks to be successful. The Flying Fish, though it cannot fly like a bird, is able to make self-propelled leaps out of the water where its long wing-like fins allow it to glide for considerable distances. It implies the ability to move and think outside our normal parameters, giving us a taste of the lives and perspectives of others. I can't imagine any group - whether allies, investors or co-creators - working well together without cultivating such an ability.

I do believe that in order to be a successful negotiator that as a diplomat, you have to be able to put yourself into the other person's shoes. Unless you can understand what is motivating them, you are never going to be able to figure out how to solve a particular problem. ~Madeleine Albright

On My Game

From the SKT Revelation, the Two of Orbs (Pentacles); from the Empty Cup Oracle, Concentric Circles: 

I once had a therapist tell me that stress is not always bad. A moderate amount of it can help us become more alert and perform well. It's only when it feels like we're trying to hold back a tsunami-sized wave of it that it becomes destructive. It helps to acknowledge that while I might be juggling some stressful situations, they are not overwhelming. Remembering this, that what I have is just human stuff, keeps me from blowing it out of proportion. Burrington suggests the Concentric Circles are like the circles inside a tree trunk - each one represents our experiences over the years. From them, we have knowledge from our young selves (play is important!), from our teen selves (just be you!), and our adult selves (mistakes are for learning not for shaming!). As I deal with juggling different challenges, the knowledge of the past can help me stay balanced in the present.

Grateful today for those who stop by to read my blog and for the friends I've made through it.

Impulsive Consequences

From the SKT Revelation, the Demon (Devil); from the Empty Cup Oracle, Stinging Nettle:

Wen's Demon/Devil is represented by Baphomet, a figure that both the Turks and Knights Templar were painted as heretics for worshiping (though scholars believe it was actually the prophet Muhammad). He made a useful scapegoat to legitimize attacks on those who didn't conform to the wishes of those in power. The serpent below is Typhon who fought Zeus for the control of the cosmos and lost horribly. Wen suggests this card symbolizes self-sabotage, a kind of self-bondage that occurs when we fail to connect with our reason and intuition. Stinging Nettle is an herb which can cause great pain if grasped with a bare hand, but handled correctly, can be nutritional and medicinal. There are times when I want something desperately. I jump in with both feet, paying no attention to the part of my brain that whispers that this is not the way to accomplish what I desire. Today I will attempt to pay attention to those nudges and soft voices of rationality and intuition, perhaps keeping myself from being stung by my own impulsiveness. Why run through a fire when I can walk around it?

Speak Out But Check Your Sources First

From the SKT Revelation, the Archangel Commander (King of Swords); from the Empty Cup Oracle, Telescope:

The Archangel Commander (King of Swords) encourages us to advocate for ourselves and others. It is a time for courage and confidence, to let our voice be heard. But before we start speaking out (especially for other people), the Telescope suggests we might want to step back and consider if we are seeing things clearly. Our discernment might be clouded by emotions, strong desires, or simply our opinions. Regardless of their strength, feelings and thoughts aren't necessarily a good judge of reality. Listening to other viewpoints - even if they oppose our own - may help fill in our blind spots. Better to speak from wisdom than have to print a retraction later. 

The weapon of the advocate is the sword of the soldier, not the dagger of the assassin. 

~Alexander Cockburn

Lollygagging Please

From the SKT: Revelation, the Waves of the Undine (Knight of Cups); from the Empty Cup Oracle, Broom:

The Knight of Cups (Waves of the Undine) invites us to kick off our shoes, walk along the water, and indulge our senses. While there is a time for learning, creating and doing, this Knight reminds me that there is also a time for the pleasures of beauty, the arts and love. Of course my mind immediately pipes up that this is absolutely no time for lollygagging. Thank goodness that Broom makes an appearance to sweep out some of my old ingrained beliefs (fun shows a lack of responsibility; leave no task unfinished, etc.). I can remember being told if I wanted to watch television, I'd better be shelling peas or pecans while I did. I'm sure there are some folks who have to be pulled away from pleasure to get anything done, but if you're like me, I hope you take some time to simply enjoy what or who you love today.

Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going to fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why. ~Eddie Cantor

Untying My Own Knots

This week I'll be using the SKT: Revelation, created and self-published by Benebell Wen. Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Empty Cup Oracle, created and self-published by Stasia Burrington. Today's draws are the Ten of Scepters (Wands) and Tangle:

Wen shows Atlas holding up the heavens as punishment for leading a rebellion against the Olympian gods. I want to ask him if it was worth it, but my guess is that he would say yes. Sometimes the beginning of change requires great sacrifice, but often it becomes a sacrifice for naught. The Burdened One suggests my willfulness in saying yes to everything wasn't taken with a dose of discernment. It's not that the tasks I've taken on aren't beneficial, but that I've taken on too much. There are others who could be responsible for many of these tasks. Yet Tangle illustrates the problem of being overly responsible for too long - people become habituated to someone always picking up the slack. It will take time to reeducate them on their obligations and duties, as the knots holding those burdens are slowly untied.

It is an art to know how much responsibility to take on yourself and how much to direct to each of the people you are working with so that each person feels challenged but not overwhelmed.

~Judy Lief

Another Day Completed

From the Idiosyncradeck, the World; from the Mixed Emotions deck, Vulnerable:

The sun is setting as a day is coming to completion. Did I learn something new today? Did I do something purposeful? Was I kind and compassionate toward others? Whatever my answer, if I have the chance to enjoy another morning, I can try again. 'Vulnerable' suggest being at the mercy of someone or something. Such an experience can leave me with a desire to stay in bed with the covers pulled over my head in an effort to protect myself. Yet when I suffer, it is only when I offer tenderness and openness to myself that I can appreciate and understand the rest of the world. As Pema Chodron explained, a heart without armor "is a heart that is willing to be touched by pain and remain present." Sounds like compassion to me.

Pause and Unplug

From the Idiosyncradeck, the Four of Stones (Pentacles); from the Mixed Emotions deck, Bored:

The four concentric circles around this stone feel protective, yet the lines leading in and out from them suggest that this is not a permanent state. The Fours suggest stability and a time to pause. Some of us are so busy taking care of family, neighbors, civic duties, and work that we rarely have time to take care of our own belongings and bodies. So when we never take time to check or change our oil and our car engine locks up, we have to depend on someone else for rides everywhere. Wouldn't it be smarter to occasionally practice self-care, maintenance and safekeeping? However, the Bored card made me laugh. We are so used to constant coming and going that we don't know how to just 'be.' To tarry for just a few moments can feel monotonous and irritating to some of us. It takes time and intention to appreciate caring for ourselves and practicing stewardship, yet the rewards are worth it.

Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.

— Anne Lamott

Blooming Even So

From the Idiosyncradeck, Strength; from the Mixed Emotions deck, Empowered:

None but himself can alter his condition.

― James Allen

A flower grows in less than optimal conditions, dealing with extra heat, less water and limited root space. This Strength card is symbolic for all of us at some time in our life; tough circumstances require courage and resilience to deal with where we find ourselves. As Maya Angelou so eloquently put it, "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." Or as the tee shirts say, "Bloom where you're planted." Easy to say, hard to do on a daily basis. The Empowered card suggests becoming strong and confident when it comes to controlling our life and claiming our rights. Such a trait does not come without practice: by doing the things that cause our fear. The words of Eve Ensler describe this practice perfectly:

Cherish your solitude. Take trains by yourself to places you have never been. Sleep out alone under the stars. Learn how to drive a stick shift. Go so far away that you stop being afraid of not coming back. Say no when you don’t want to do something. Say yes if your instincts are strong, even if everyone around you disagrees. Decide whether you want to be liked or admired. Decide if fitting in is more important than finding out what you’re doing here.

Faith Dehydrated

From the Idiosyncradeck, the Fool; from the Mixed Emotions deck, Depressed:

Somehow, in our time, we have boiled all the flavor out of faith and turned it into mere 'belief.' It is not a conviction tucked away in our intellect. ~Stan Litore

Norma Cowie, in her book Tarot for Successful Living, writes that the Fool completes all motion by faith. If she's talking about an intellectual assurance that everything will turn out just fine, I'd have to disagree with her. The Fool abandons certainty and comfort and embraces vulnerability. Real faith is a state of being; it keeps us afloat because we haven't anchored our 'okayness' to any specifics. Faith keeps us teachable - rather than trying to fit our situation into some preformed mold, we stay curious. Depression is a common but serious illness that negatively affects how a person feels, the way they think and how they act. It is based on biochemistry, genetics, personality and environmental factors. Treatment involves inside changes, through medicine, cognitive therapy, etc. Specific beliefs that we are tied to can keep us from being open to change. In the words of Rea Nolan Martin, "Release your beliefs for the time being, and do not labor at bringing them into congruity with the crisis. Have faith that whatever is happening to you now will be neither lost nor forgotten, but witnessed and acknowledged in the fullness of its truth."

Weathered Away

From the Idiosyncradeck, the Five of Stones (Pentacles); from the Mixed Emotions deck, Encouraged:

Beneath our clothes, our reputations, our pretensions, beneath our religion or lack of it, we are all vulnerable both to the storm without and to the storm within...  

— Frederick Buechner

A once massive stone has been worn away, weathered by wind and water. People can get worn away too in dealing with the challenges they face. I've noticed how easy it is to blame the person struggling with life, insisting it was their own unwise choices that got them to this place. But underneath that, perhaps even unconscious, is the fearful knowledge that that could just as well be us. Sometimes life opens a crevice beneath our feet and we fall in. 'Encouraged' suggests we look toward our resources - people or things that could support us and give us hope. I've found that an ongoing gratitude practice is helpful because it reminds me of the many things I have that might be useful. It also helps my confidence if I remember how I've met (or even survived) past challenges. But the best advice in these situations comes from John Wooden: "Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."

To Trust

This week I'll be using the Idiosyncradeck Tarot, created and self-published by Jessica Bott. Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Mixed Emotions Cards, created by Petra Martin with Kris Wiltse (Illustrator) and published by Heron Lake Press. Today's draws are the Queen of Swords and Trusting:

The Queen of Swords prefers truth that is grounded in the reality of hard evidence. She may come off as cool and uncaring, but she actually wants people to be able to come to grips with their life, however it may show up. Like the tree's star-shaped flowers, she shines a light on our fantasies, denials and delusions so that we can step out of them and begin acting with a purpose that can produce a beneficial result. But our fabrications and the figments of our imagination can be comforting, making it awfully hard to leave our cozy bubble. 'Trusting' brings to mind a quote by Nelson Mandela: "Problems can only be solved if one is part of a team." Finding a person or people we can trust and share our struggles with means the possibilities for a solution can become doubled or tripled. We also find the emotional support needed to deal with world rather than run from it. 

You won’t understand what I mean now, but someday you will: the only trick of friendship, I think, is to find people who are better than you are—not smarter, not cooler, but kinder, and more generous, and more forgiving—and then to appreciate them for what they can teach you, and to try to listen to them when they tell you something about yourself, no matter how bad—or good—it might be, and to trust them, which is the hardest thing of all. ―Hanya Yanagihara

In the Sunshine

From the Delta Enduring Tarot, the Sun; from the Southernisms Oracle, "Can't never could:"

A young man rides a painted horse through a sunflower field. He literally radiates energy and confidence because he can see clearly now. Aware of his assets and weaknesses that experience has shown him, he moves forward with new knowledge and a lighthearted sense of joy. He rides without any pack of 'what ifs' attached, allowing each moment to unfold. The Southernism of "Can't never could" means allowing negative thoughts to form a committee in our head that will defeat us before we ever get started. Those old mental tapes of invalidating and gloomy narratives need to be discarded every time they start playing if we want to enjoy our time in the Sun.  

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.

~Louisa May Alcott

The Pain of Learning

From the Delta Enduring Tarot, the Novice of Oysters (Page of Cups); from the Southernisms Oracle, "Pitch a hissy fit:"

Seasoned oyster shuckers know to always wear a heavy glove on the hand that holds the shell to prevent what has happened to this young man. As a metaphor, he represents folks who haven't learned that some relationships can be painful. The 'hissy fit' card suggests someone having a hysterical outburst. Such a tantrum is generally tied to entitlement - either feeling that one didn't get something deserved or feeling that one shouldn't have to deal with what one did get. I can just imagine someone lambasting this young boy for being stupid and careless with the knife. In the matters of the heart, he could get pummeled with "I told you she was trash." But the reality of it is that he is hurt (whether hand or heart), and what he needs most is compassionate help. He doesn't need a lecture to learn, as the pain will do that on its own.

Thinking back on it all, it must have been the most difficult part of mothering she ever had to do: knowing the outcome, yet feeling she had no right to keep me from charting my own path. I thank her for all her virtues, but mostly for never once having said, "I told you so."

~Erma Bombeck 

Begin Again

From the Delta Enduring Tarot, the Seven of Oaks (Wands); from the Southernisms Oracle, "You've got gumption:"

A young hunter, looking to bring home some venison for supper's stew, finds herself the hunted. She knows a wild boar (made huge through her fear) is an aggressive animal prone to viciously attack humans or other animals. Egan relates this Seven of Wands to those who were previously considered skilled in an area and now have some severe competition. It can be difficult to be good at a job or have talents in certain areas and then suddenly find that others with newer skills are more sought after. At my age, I find it easier to learn informative knowledge than to learn procedural knowledge (how to do something). Yet the Southernisms phrase seems to cheer us on with "You've got gumption." Gumption was a term borrowed from Scotland that in the South came to mean boldness, resourcefulness and having initiative. If we enough curiosity, courage and commitment, we can learn new skills, even if it takes us a little longer. As Rich Karlgaard, author of Late Bloomers wrote, "Our brains are constantly forming neural networks and pattern-recognition capabilities that we didn’t have in our youth when we had blazing synaptic horsepower."

Try recalling what it felt like to learn how to do something new when you didn’t really care what your performance of it said about your place in the world, when you didn’t know what you didn’t know. It might feel like a whole new beginning. ~Margaret Talbot

Willful Ignorance

From the Delta Enduring Tarot, the Empress; from the Southernisms Oracle, "Go off half-cocked:"

Egan's Empress is a crawmaid - part human, part crawfish. Crawfish are found in freshwater streams, rivers and ponds. Being very susceptible to water pollution, scientists monitor them in the wild as a warning system for pollutants in natural bodies of water. Emotion/water is the world in which the Empress lives, and she prefers that world to be pure - filled with beauty, kindness and the generosity of creating and giving. Unfortunately, humans are generally consumed with their own wants; dealing with such folks can make us want to "go off half-cocked." Half-cocked was a position on flintlock guns that was a sort of safety mechanism. But if they were dropped or bumped, it was easy for them to accidentally fire. This phrase means not to act prematurely, without the necessary knowledge that would be required in the circumstances. The Empress might give the self-centered a chance to redeem themselves, however, if their behavior is based on a lack of information and not simply willful ignorance.

There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true. ― Soren Kierkegaard

Not So Common Sense

From the Delta Enduring Tarot, the Seven of Oysters (Cups); from the Southernisms Oracle, "You could throw yourself on the ground and miss:"

Common sense is not so common. ~Voltaire

Everyone wants to find the pearl in their oyster - that magical thing that makes us feel happy and fulfilled. Yet we easily get distracted by what looks shiny and exciting that we jump at it the first chance we get. Soon we discover our prince charming can barely take care of himself, that money can bring Amazon boxes but not happiness, and that fame is as fleeting as the next newspaper headline. "You could throw yourself on the ground and miss" is a saying that indicates a person's common sense isn't being used. If it were employed, we'd soon realize that happiness and fulfillment is based internally rather than externally. We'd stop repeating the same patterns and realize that joy is found in our appreciation of the simple beauties, wonders, and kindnesses that each day brings.

Allow for Simple Contentment

From the Delta Enduring Tarot, the Sage of Cast Irons (King of Pentacles); from the Southernisms Oracle, "Don't kick the hornets' nest:"

Success is the sum of small efforts - repeated day in and day out. ~Robert Collier

Some folks might look at this King of Coins (Cast Irons) and feel sorry for him, wondering why he looks so happy and proud with a food truck. Such judgments do not come from the kind of people who survived their childhood and had to pull themselves out of poverty through hard work and resilience. This guy may not live in a multi-million dollar mansion and have a car for every day of the week, but he feels the pride of accomplishment; he is successful in his world, able to provide a home and food for his family. "Don't kick the hornets' nest" means to avoid antagonizing or annoying people. Hornets are aggressive and can sting repeatedly, and if we bother other people enough, we are likely to get a similar angry and harsh response. In the King's situation, some folks might imagine they are helping him when they offer unwanted advice, such as he should expand and buy more trucks. It's almost like people aren't comfortable with other folk's simple contentment and quiet joy. 

Just Watching the Cork Bob

This week I'll be using the Delta Enduring Tarot, created and self-published by Bridgette Egan. Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Southernisms Oracle (a deck I created based on sayings I grew up with). Today's draws are the Hermit and "Act like you've got some raisin':"

Rather than alone on a mountain top, this fellow sits on a deck off his elevated house surrounded by flood waters. Wise to the rhythms of the Mississippi floodplain, this is one of many storms he's weathered. He relaxes while waiting on a nibble from a fish, knowing that eventually the waters will recede. The Hermit relishes these times alone for self-reflection; the lack of busyness allows him to check and see whether he's following his own principles and values or just talking about them. If needed, he can change his thoughts and behavior and get back on course. "Act like you’ve got some raisin’ doesn’t have anything to do with a dried grape, but rather is a strong warning to be polite and use good manners. There is a time for solitary contemplation and a time for reaching out to help others. There's nothing spiritual about self-absorption.

The universe of his own feelings keeps crowding everyone else's out.

― Garth R. Hallberg

Outside the Porthole

From the Slow Tarot, the World; from the ROAR Oracle, Gertrude Ederle:

Bryant illustrates her World card with the World Tree surrounded by four planets. She reasons that once we've experienced life beyond our comfortable little porthole, we can't unsee or unhear that experience. Our perception and understanding of reality widens considerably, and we become accountable with this new knowledge. We can't pretend any longer that we don't know. But how do we deal with the hard, difficult parts of that reality? Gertrude Ederle was an Olympic swimming champion and became the first woman to swim across the English Channel. She explained, "To me the sea is like a person... when I swim in the sea I talk to it. I never feel alone when I'm out there." Ederle would encourage us to see that we have a relationship with every challenge we meet. We can treat it like a friend, an enemy, or someone we could get to know better. The nature of our relationship will determine how we deal with it - through anger and resentment or through curiosity and openness.

Steady On

From the Slow Tarot, the Three of Wands; from the ROAR Oracle, Estee Lauder:

Bryant describes the Threes as representing "the potential of unrelated forces coming together to create something new." In the case of the Three of Wands, it would be a cooperative effort that results in development and expansion. Managing a collaborative effort takes energy, attention, communication, and the ability to make sure everyone feels heard and appreciated. Though people might assume Estee Lauder had a privileged upbringing, she was actually born to a working-class, Jewish immigrant family. With the help of her uncle, a chemist, she began a home-based business of creating face creams and marketing them to friends and local salons. After years of selling products on her own, she officially formed Estée Lauder Cosmetics Inc. in 1946, eventually becoming the richest self-made woman in the world. She stated, "I've always believed that success comes from not letting your eyes stray from that target. Anyone who wants to achieve a dream must stay strong, focused and steady." Most often success comes through steady effort rather than attachment to constant excitement and immediate recognition.