A Bit of Yeast

From the Rosetta Tarot, the Six of Cups; from the Day of the Dead Lenormand, Stars:

It's a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.

― Germany Kent

The Six of Cups restores the harmony lost by the disappointment and disillusion of the Five of Cups. Yet as Meleen points out, the cups are full but not overflowing. This state is not a wallowing in pleasure, but the ease and satisfaction felt after recovering from our loss. It is reinforced by the Lenormand's Stars, which indicates hope, inspiration, and progress. Andy Boroveshengra writes that it can indicate the mind as a whole, reflecting how happy and clear-sighted we are. Recognizing and remembering the good in our life is like adding yeast to dough, making our contentment double in size. 

Hollow as Bamboo

This week I'll be using the Rosetta Tarot along with its companion book The Book of Seshet. This set was created by M.M. Meleen and published by Atu House. The oracle deck I'll be using is the Day of the Dead Lenormand, created and self-published by Edmund Zebrowski. Today's draws are the Nine of Wands and Book:

Meleen describes this card as a steady force that cannot be diverted, a strength supported by a purity of will. Such a force can be formidable, but that 'purity of will' might need to be balanced with evidence and discernment.  Our emotions and opinions may lead us to follow an ideal or a leader that looks impressive on the outside but is as hollow as bamboo on the inside. We may be so gung-ho that we cannot be distracted by what others might see as questionable ethics or methods. The Lenormand Book symbolizes hidden knowledge and secrets and suggests we don't have the full story. To borrow a question from President Joe Biden, are we willing to live not by the light of truth but in the shadow of lies? 

Bowing to the Worker Bees

From the Sheridan Douglas Tarot, the Six of Batons; from the Pages of Shustah cards, Celestial Bees:

It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.

– Harry Truman

Both these cards point to what creates success in groups or teams. In the Six of Batons, the laurel wreath surrounds all the wands, not just one. In the bee hierarchy, there are workers, drones and a queen; each division has different jobs, but they all work for a common goal. The best leader is one who is humble enough to give credit where credit is due. All the audacity, bravery and persistence won't lead to any lasting success if arrogant pride gets in the way. Those shoulders we lean on and backs we depend on need to feel they are an important part of something greater than any individual. I think the pandemic has been a wake-up call for some, as so many 'worker bees' who take care of the jobs no one thinks about have gotten sick, leaving a big hole in supplies and services. As Joni Mitchell sings, "you don't know what you've got til its gone." 

In your big mind, everything has the same value. ― Shunryu Suzuki

Practicing Patience

From the Sheridan Douglas Tarot, the Five of Cups; from the Pages of Shustah cards, Witch Hazel Tree:

This seems like an apt card to draw today. My daughter who works at the library got a call last night that a coworker has Covid, so we're all under quarantine while she waits for a Covid test on the 31st. I'm sad that we're still doing this over and over, but those two cups standing are reminders that we've all been vaccinated and boosted. Plus, our area will be dipping down into the twenties (F) the next couple of nights (temperatures for which folks here don't have the right clothes for), so staying in would be the sane thing to do anyway. The Witch Hazel Tree represents healing and pending improvements. I look forward to the day when this virus is treated like the flu with a yearly vaccination rather than viewed as such a deadly one that fills up our hospitals.

To lose patience is to lose the battle. — Mahatma Gandhi  

Not Letting Go

From  the Sheridan Douglas Tarot, the Nine of Batons; from the Pages of Shustah cards, Taurus (Card of the Bull):

Unlike most of the Nine of Wands card, this fellow doesn't appear worn out and battered. Whatever he's involved in is actively growing, judging by all the green. But there's still a piece that needs to be placed, a seed that needs to grow, before things will be complete. From his direct gaze, there seems to be no doubt that he's determined to see things through. Perhaps if all that had previously been planted had become dried up and shriveled, he wouldn't be so committed. But at this point, he knows its a go. The Taurus card suggests stability and a slow and steady approach. After getting so close to finish line, it would be a shame to rush the last half or feel like it will self-propel itself without any assistance. These cards encourage me to keep up a consistent pace and not to let go of the baton just yet. 

There are times in life when people must know when not to let go. Balloons are designed to teach small children this. ―Terry Pratchett

Sharing the Shine

From the Sheridan Douglas Tarot, the World; from the Pages of Shustah, the Lord of Benevolence:

As she steps through the wreath, the dancer of the World card signals that one cycle has ended and another begun. Her two fiery batons suggest creation based on dissolution and construction - sometimes things must be left behind down in order to make space for something to grow and develop. The fixed zodiac signs surrounding the dancer symbolize the focus, stamina and determination to see things through to completion. They give her a nod in recognition of her accomplishment but also a wink to remind her that there is more to come. The Lord of Benevolence reminds me not to pull any muscles patting myself on the back for what I've achieved because my success is often guided and supported (subtly or overtly) by many others. They too need to be honored for helping me shine in this moment.

Don't let the sun go down without saying thank you to someone, and without admitting to yourself that absolutely no one gets this far alone. ~Stephen King

New Seeds

From the Sheridan Douglas Tarot, the Ten of Cups; from the Pages of Shustah cards, the Angel of Spring:

This couple's dance under the sun reminds me of how unhappy I was when I first married. It would take a few years for me to understand the wisdom in the words of Martha Washington: "The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances. We carry the seeds of the one or the other about with us in our minds wherever we go." The Angel of Spring represents fresh starts and beginnings. She suggests that if I don't like what has grown in the garden of my life, I should plant some new seeds and uproot the others. Sure, there will be some seeds planted that didn't come from my hand, but I can still choose whether or not to water and feed them. 

Many people lose the small joys in the hope for the big happiness.

― Pearl S. Buck

Bitter or Better

From the Sheridan Douglas Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the Pages of Shustah cards, Scorpio (Card of the Scorpion):

The darkness of this Three of Swords emphasizes how pain and betrayal can be so unexpected that it seems to come out of nowhere. It leaves us hurting and wondering why someone lashed out in such a way and what we might have done to instigate it. The booklet that comes with this deck suggests this is necessary suffering in order to see the situation or people around us in a clearer context. Such an awakening can often roust us from our cocoon of denial so that we no longer ignore the truth. The Scorpio card represents high energy that can be channeled toward moody vindictiveness or can be used for investigative purposes. It would be a shame, however, to use all that energy on 'why' (which will never really give us any satisfaction). Instead, we might ask 'what now,' and focus on finding our footing, moving ahead and not making the same mistakes again.

You either get bitter or you get better. The choice does not belong to fate, it belongs to you.

— Josh Shipp 

A Projection of Reality

This week I'll be using the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, created by David Sheridan and Alfred Douglas and published by Sheridan Douglas Press. The oracle deck I'll be using is Pages of Shustah, created by Ann Manser and Cecil North and published by Shustah Inc. Today's draws are the King of Swords and the Pale Horse:

This King is not some youngster with bulging biceps, but an older gentleman who has seen and experienced much. Based on that long sword he holds, he's had to make a lot of hard decisions in his life. He seeks to objectively uncover the truth, find solutions, render justice and restore harmony. His judgments likely won't be met with cheers and hugs all around; the King recognizes his purpose is to look for what benefits the whole, not a select few. The Pale Horse symbolizes that moment of fear and panic when we run headlong into reality. Whether it is the truth we've been hiding from or the results we didn't want to hear, we buck and bolt, trying to outrun it. The problem with fear is that it projects a vision of the future. In the words of Norman Fischer, "the fear I experience now is not really present-moment based: I am afraid of what is going to happen." In reality, we just don't know what the future holds, and if we can keep reminding ourselves of this, we might find some space to breathe and the ability to live without constantly being in a fight or flight state.  

Tilting Toward the Good

From the Anima Mundi Tarot, the Nine of Wands; from the Nature's Pharmacy deck, St. John's Wort:

Keep a good thought. ~Irish adage

Nine torches have gone out but one burns brightly. The Nine of Wands is about persistence and resilience, and I find it easier to sustain both of these when I have at least one bright spot to focus on. It doesn't matter how simple it is, whether it's a new display board to work on, a hug from the hubby or a purring kitty 'making biscuits' in my lap. That bit of good held in my mind and heart can keep me going rather than giving up. St. John's Wort is well known as a treatment for mild to moderate depression. It's bright yellow flowers seem to underscore the need to seek a sunbeam when darkness threatens to overtake us. 

By tilting toward the good – “good” in the practical sense of that which brings more happiness to oneself and more helpfulness to others – you merely level the playing field. You’ll still see the tough parts of life. In fact, you’ll become more able to change them or bear them if you tilt toward the good, since that will help put challenges in perspective, lift your energy and spirits, highlight useful resources, and fill up your own cup so you have more to offer to others. ~Rick Hanson

Leave Them Be

From the Anima Mundi Tarot, Temperance; from the Nature's Pharmacy deck, Witch hazel:

You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can't control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone. ―Marcus Aurelius

Wyreweden uses an azalea to illustrate her Temperance card, a shrub that is seen in nearly every yard and park in the southeast. Its eye-catching blooms occur early in the spring in colors of white, pink, red and purple. This ornamental prefers dappled sunlight rather than the extremes of sun or shade. Symbolically, it represents emotional evenness or equanimity. Due to its astringent and antiseptic properties, Witch hazel has been used for centuries to soothe minor skin irritations. This plant encourages us to soothe our emotional irritations rather than continue to inflame them with nonstop opinions, assumptions and judgments. We may find when we do that we're more the cause of our disturbance rather than the situation itself.

It's a Practice

From the Anima Mundi Tarot, the Knight of Cups; from the Nature's Pharmacy deck, Comfrey:

Love isn't something natural. Rather it requires discipline, concentration, patience, faith, and the overcoming of narcissism. It isn't a feeling, it is a practice. ~Eric Fromm

I like the use of the dolphin for the Knight of Cups; it suggests something deeper than being "in love with love" (an idealistic fantasy). Dolphins are known for their many instances of altruistic behavior: surrounding humans to protect them from shark attacks, helping other dolphins who are injured to reach the surface to breathe, and guiding a whale and her calf back out to sea when stranded between a beach and a sandbar. Altruism is defined by researchers as an act in which an animal sacrifices its own safety and well-being for another’s benefit - something humans could use some work on. Comfrey has been used for hundreds of years to treat sprains, bruises, burns and joint inflammation. This herb contains allantoin, which boosts the growth of new cells, and rosmarinic acid, that can help relieve pain and inflammation. These cards ask me to be mindful of whether my words and actions are helping and healing, and consider whether I've gotten comfortable resting on some conceptual fallacy.  

A Brief But Enjoyable Reign

From the Anima Mundi Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the Nature's Pharmacy deck, Rosemary:

The Bengal tiger, one of the largest of the wild cats, tends to be solitary unless raising cubs. Its size and power keep it at the top of the food chain in the jungles of the Indian subcontinent. The Nine of Pentacles reflects the tiger's self-sufficiency and opportunity to relax after one's efforts. Rosemary's needle-like, fragrant leaves are evergreen and often used in foods such as stuffing and roast meats. The herb has been used as a symbol of remembrance in Europe and Australia during war commemorations and funerals. This shrub cautions that while we may be at the top of the heap, we're won't always stay there - just as the Bengal is currently threatened by human poaching and encroachment of habitat. Along the same line, we can enjoy and appreciate our success while understanding that at some point we will step down from the top tier and let others have their turn.

The Same Name

From the Anima Mundi Tarot, the Four of Pentacles; from the Nature's Pharmacy deck, Chili Pepper:

When someone steals another's clothes, we call them a thief. Should we not give the same name to one who could clothe the naked and does not? ―Basil the Great

We have a family of raccoons that live nearby who visit the homes in the area at dusk every evening. They check each porch for leftover pet food and dig in the mulch for such delicacies as slugs and geckos. They've learned how to unscrew the bolts on my squirrel-proof peanut feeder and liberate the nuts inside. They are curious and intelligent, yet unlike humans, they do not procure more than they need. Animals in the wild eat what is necessary and no more. Even when it seems they over-consume, it is simply an adaptation to survive and prepare for hibernation, migration, or lean times such as winter. The Chili Pepper's essential oil - capsaicin - is what makes its peppers spicy hot. This oil has been used in a variety of pharmaceutical products, from nasal spray to clear congestion to a cream for achy joints and muscles (it blocks pain messages to the nerves). But woe to the person who uses the cream then later takes a hot shower; you will think the water temperature is set to boiling. Having and saving is quite different than miserly hoarding, a behavior that hurts and helps no one. 

Get Some Sleep

From the Anima Mundi Tarot, the Nine of Swords; from the Nature's Pharmacy deck, Horseradish:

Wyreweden illustrates her Nine of Swords with a turkey vulture, a scavenger that feeds almost exclusively on recently dead carrion. Having a particularly large olfactory lobe, it is able to search high above the treetops by picking up the scent of ethyl mercaptan, a gas produced by the beginnings of decay in dead animals. Likewise, we humans have a tendency to sniff out trouble, even if it is irrelevant or imagined. Horseradish is known for its root, which makes is used to make pungent, eye-watering condiments. Its distinctive taste comes from allyl isothiocyanate (mustard oil), a compound released when the root is crushed. Yet once exposed to air or heat, grated or chopped horseradish loses its pungency. These cards imply that before I spin out about something, I should expose what I'm worried or angry about to a little air and heat (solid evidence). Is this something that actually has to do with me (is it even my business)? Is this in the future, something that may or may not happen, something that I don't have enough information on at present to make a wise judgment on? It would be smarter to let it go and get a good night's sleep.

Into the Proper Hands

This week I'll be using the Anima Mundi Tarot, created and self-published by Megan Wyreweden. Paired with it will be the Nature's Pharmacy deck, created by New York Botanical Garden and published by Chronicle Books. Today's draws are the Two of Swords and Garlic:

Swords pointed upward symbolize a readiness for battle (think of fencers about to duel), but crossed swords imply a fight has commenced because of cross purposes. For the Two of Swords, this battle is one waged within our mind between two opposing choices. Pressure from others to lean one way or another can cloud the matter further. Garlic's hot taste and strong smell are the result of phytochemicals evident when it is chopped, crushed or chewed. Its sulfur compounds are believed to have evolved as a defensive mechanism, deterring animals from eating the plant. When metabolized, the compounds form allyl methyl sulfide which cannot be digested and must be excreted through the lungs and skin. Garlic's deterrent properties recommend that we distance ourselves from others who may manipulate or persuade us to follow their wishes. It might be helpful to remember the words of Thomas Sowell:

 It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong.

Permission to Play

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Three of Cups; from the Elemental Dice, Volcano (Earth + Water):

The child-like drawings of people in this Three of Cups alludes to the playfulness and lightheartedness it symbolizes. Petersen suggests that sometimes it is hard to join a group because we have become comfortable in a partnership or our solitude. We forget that just as work can give us purpose, a celebratory group can give us the freedom to relax and set aside what weighs us down for a while. Volcano represents a dormant chamber that still has molten rock flowing within its chamber. It implies a gestating potential that may lead to expansion. One thing that 'letting down our hair' can do is allow inspirations and new perspectives to bubble up that a rigid 'got to solve this' mindset can keep us from. Concrete beliefs give way to possibility or acceptance. Nancy Collier describes it this way:

Surrendering to living in the questions feels like dropping through a trap door. Suddenly we are deposited into the present moment; we have permission to be here, to experience what life is like—now. We have permission to get interested in the experience of this reality and allow the answers to reveal themselves on their own timeline. Just for now, we don’t have to do it all ourselves, don’t have to push our way through with our mind, as we’ve been taught.

A Different Pen

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Chariotess; from the Elemental Dice, Ocean (Water + Water):

In her booklet, Petersen writes "Don't get stuck in indissoluble knots." The Ocean roll, suggests incredible depths, and in this case alludes to emotions. All emotions are valid and natural, but when we overfeed or attempt to suppress them they can become something abnormal and unhealthy. Rage, shame, obsession, depression, terror, and self-pity keep us stuck and unable to move forward. Our chariot wheels find no traction and simply spin in place. All the energy we expend regurgitating and replaying our thoughts can make us feel like we are getting something done when we are actually creating a deeper rut. Any progress will require that we stop watering those unwholesome seeds and plant some that are are more skillful.

If you get stuck, draw with a different pen. Change your tools; it may free your thinking.

~Paul Arden

The Unforeseen

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Four of Flames (Wands); from the Elemental Dice, Earthquake (Darkness + Earth):

Petersen calls the Four of Flames/Wands the 'fire of shaping.' In my imagination, her description creates an image of a heated blacksmith's forge with tools and raw metal ready to be used. The resources and tools have been gathered and plans are underway. It is a time of excitement, of seeing something that has been longed for finally begin to unfold and take form. Yet Earthquake signals disruption and upheaval rather than a smooth progression. Such challenges often create frustration and a feeling of unfairness, but truthfully, don't most projects have hiccups or unforeseen challenges? Instead of setting myself up with expectations of the finish line, perhaps I could focus on what can be done along each step of the way. That would be a better way to channel any frustration instead of allowing it to erupt into unproductive anger.

Unforeseen surprises are the rule in science, not the exception. Remember: Stuff happens. 

~Leonard Susskind

Desires and Delusions

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Seven of Cups; from the Elemental Dice, Rain (Earth + Water):

Petersen suggests the Seven of Cups is about our fantasy life - both our desires and delusions. Look closely and you will see an older man dreaming of sailing in her painting. Is he dreaming of being in the Volvo, a sailing race around the world that puts crew members through extreme trials of endurance and pushes their skills to the limit? We all have dreams, but sometimes they're just not very realistic or feasible. It's not that he can't enjoy sailing, but his age and physical abilities will create some limits. Rain symbolizes both cleansing and nurturing. It suggests we wash away those thoughts that 'only this will bring me happiness' and look for opportunities that we can engage in and enjoy beyond the voyages of our mind. 

Don't focus on what was taken away. Find something to replace it,

and acknowledge the blessing you have. ~Drew Barrymore

Flapping Thoughts

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Two of Feathers: from the Elemental Dice, Steam:

Ordinarily, our minds are like flags in the wind, fluttering this way and that, depending on which way the wind blows. ~ Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

If we had to be a stenographer for every thought and feeling that flowed through the mind, we'd be exhausted by mid-morning. It's no wonder that we often find ourselves distraught over making a decision, getting even more stressed as our thoughts flutter and flap. Steam suggests that this limbo can be like a build-up of pressure, such as when water is heated and its volume expands. We may feel desperate to make any choice, right or wrong, to relieve our pressure. Yet, as Mingyur Rinpoche explains, "Awareness is the basis, or what you might call the “support,” of the mind. It is steady and unchanging, like the pole to which the flag of ordinary consciousness is attached." Watching our thoughts and emotions without judging or feeding them tends to slow our mind down. We begin to have some space between thoughts and see them with more transparency, hopefully realizing that we can't please everyone, we can't fix anyone, and there are many situations beyond our control. In that clear, quieter space we can make a skillful and wiser choice.

Refractive Thinking

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Six of Feathers; from the Elemental Dice, Rainbow (Light + Water):

This well-used and well-worn basket will need to be replaced if its going to be useful rather than just decorative. Our habits of thinking can be just as frayed. We may decide that if something fits and stays in our 'basket' (agrees with our assumptions) then it is good, but bad if it doesn't. It doesn't occur to us that our 'basket' is the problem, not what we put in it. There are many cognitive distortions, but one of the most troublesome is polarized thinking, or seeing everyone and everything in terms of black or white. For instance, you might think your boss is the best in the world until he tells you that you can't have Friday off - now he's the worst boss. Such thinking misses the complexity inherent in people and situations. Rainbow is the dispersion of white light into a spectrum of colors, with the help water droplets that refract and reflect the light. We may be only aware of one color of light, but that doesn't mean there aren't other colors. It's time to allow our thinking to bend a little too. We may be surprised at how much easier it can make our life.

Groundless Transitions

This week I'll be using the Margarete Petersen Tarot, created by Petersen and published by Königs Furt. The oracle I'll be using is the Elemental Dice, an idea developed by my good friend Carole Beasley. Today's card and dice roll are the Daughter of Coins and Tsunami (Darkness + Water):

The Daughter (Page) of Coins is earth of earth, a person who relates to the world in physical and practical ways. Her five senses guide her investigations as she explores and learns, looking to put her knowledge to constructive use. Her balance (seen in her tree pose) is grounded in what she can see, touch, taste, smell and hear; she prefers to ignore anything mystical or numinous. The Tsunami, a huge wave caused by a displacement of water due to a quake or volcanic eruption, can wash away all that is familiar in an instant. It represents those moments when we feel groundless and overwhelmed with worry or panic and lose our balance. During times like these we may find ourselves crying out to something greater than our egos, as we search for a tether of understanding. Our insight doesn't need to be a religious explanation or label, nor does it mean we ignore science; it is just something that makes our hearts feel held and loved.

God arrives in the transitions—

the times between before and after

the shatterings, bendings, breakings

moments of devilment and blasted pose—

The feeling then arises,

a draft in the system

tiny shaft of light in the visual field

which, when noticed and affirmed,

opens out to an aura on the screen of eclectic ineffability—

One’s arms open in quietude and perplexity

There’s nothing to say, do, or think

~Zoketsu Norman Fischer

Today is for Enjoying

From the Enchanted Forest Tarot, the Three of Visions (Cups); from the Mystic Mushrooms, Birch Bolete:

Do bears dance in the woods when no one is watching? Bears are solitary animals except for mating, but they will congregate in areas of high food density such as berry patches. What better reason is there for any being to celebrate than finding sustenance after scarcity or relief after terror? It reminds me of people swarming the streets when WWII came to an end, hugging and dancing in joy. The Birch Bolete is found growing beneath birch trees in summer and fall. Its stem is covered in brown woolly scales, making it resemble the bark on these trees. Because of its association with the birch (a pioneer tree), it represents new beginnings. Together these cards suggest that when celebrating what is good, we shouldn't drag a wet bag of worries from the past behind us. Yes, things may go south again, but why ruin the present moment when instead we could bless the day with our joy and delight?

Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.

~Leo Buscaglia

Creative Force

From the Enchanted Forest Tarot, the Green Mother (Empress); from the Mystic Mushrooms, Dotted Stem Bolete:

The Green Mother/Empress is a creative force; her focus is on developing, growing and nurturing (unlike her husband who focuses on limiting, protecting and guiding). She knows that what we attend to is what we will come to love and nourish. To borrow the words of Dr. Daniel Siegel, "Where attention goes, neural firing flows, and neural connection grows." The Green Mother asks us to consider where all of our energy is flowing and what we are nurturing. The chunky bolete mushrooms seem made by a child out of clay (the Greek bolos, in fact, means 'lump of clay'). Rather than having gills, they have tubes with pores beneath their caps that release their spores. The Dotted Stem Bolete has yellow pores when young that become red as it matures. The fleshy solidity of this mushroom reminds me that whatever I aspire to create needs something more than fleeting attention and half-hearted action. It needs the commitment of a good mother.