Celebrating the Good

From Tarot by Caro, the Four of Wands; from the Holitzka I Ching, Hexagram 22:

What drew my eye in this Four of Wands was the heart between the two women. A true celebration is about cheering on those we love, wishing them good things ahead. It is about congratulating those to whom our heart is connected who have met and overcome challenges. We might think that we can celebrate the comeuppance of those who have been in the business of using and hurting other beings. But retribution doesn't bring real joy, only a very brief moment of satisfying revenge. We can't really revel in it because the heavy suitcase of resentment we're still dragging around weighs us down. Hexagram 22 implies both grace and beauty. It is a reminder that each day should be about celebrating the good, not giving the bad free rent in our head.

Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?

—Mary Oliver

True Reflection

From Tarot by Caro, the Eight of Swords; from the Holitzka I Ching, Hexagram 14:

When we trip and fall, we use the ground (what caused us to trip, in a sense) to push ourselves back up. In the same way, when we feel overwhelmed by our thoughts, we can push against them to find our way back to sanity. As Byron Katie expressed, do I really, absolutely know that my thoughts are true? Not just that an event happened, but all the stories I spin around it? We can use those sharp edges to cut through what is created by the anxiety of speculation. Hexagram 14 is called the Great Possession, referring to abundance but on more than just the material level. The two trigrams that make us this hexagram relate to strength and clarity. When we see clearly the many resources we have - relationships, our talents and abilities, and a discerning mind - we can find the strength to cut through the worries that bind us.

Just a Little Care and Appreciation

From Tarot by Caro, the Queen of Pentacles; from the Holitzka I Ching, Hexgram 27:

Some people, like the Queen of Pentacles, seem to have a magic touch when it comes to plants and animals. Her true gift is in paying attention to what is needed and then offering it. She fits nicely with Hexagram 27, which is titled Nourishment. What we attend to is what we nourish, physically or spiritually.

Masses of green fronds

Sprout from my brick steps.

It's a mystery,

How these ferns survive between the cracks.

What nurtures and sustains them?

Perhaps my care and appreciation

Encourage them to thrive.

Imagine what effect

This same care and appreciation

Would have on a human.

~BK

Seeing the Whole

From Tarot by Caro, the Hanged Man; from the Holitzka I Ching, Hexagram 17:

Humans see what they want to see.

― Rick Riordan

The Hanged Man's position forces him into seeing from a new perspective. There's nothing wrong with having a personal viewpoint - unless we refuse to see it as just a view from one point and not the whole picture. Such a constricted mindset is out of balance with reality. It often takes being  in a position of helplessness, unable to change a situation, to understand that we humans don't direct the flow life. Hexagram 17 is generally called Adapting. It refers to hanging onto our principles and ethics, but adjusting our sails when the wind changes. We don't need to waste our energy battling reality, but if we adjust to it, we will likely see what is helpful for us to do.

Scrapbooking

From Tarot by Caro, the Magician; from the Holitzka I Ching, Hexagram 46:

We are made of the same stuff as the stars, so when we study astronomy we are in a way only investigating our remote ancestry and our place in the universe of star stuff.

~Harlow Shapley

Using desire, single-mindedness, and the resources at hand, the Magician incarnates his vision. But the stars he is made of is a warning of interconnection, that all we say and do affects other people and things. Though on a very small scale, those effects can ripple outward. Since everything leans on something else, what we add or take away can either be of benefit or detrimental. Hexagram 46 is often called 'Pushing Upward' as in something that grows from the earth. Even if we aren't aware of the consequences of our words or actions, they will produce something - either briers or edible fruit. Time has a way of producing a scrapbook for us to peruse. On the plus side, we can always add different pages if we don't like what we've seen.

Getting Free

From Tarot by Caro, the Ten of Swords; from the Holtizka I Ching, Hexagram 49:

It never fails to amaze me how we humans will defiantly stick to our beliefs and ideas even in the face of a starkly different reality. Some of us would rather suffer or die than relinquish any of our delusions. The swords that pin this woman (and will eventually cause her drowning) could easily be removed if she simply acknowledged the evidence: "I was wrong. I didn't fully understand. I didn't want to know the truth because it made me afraid." The 49th Hexagram is titled Revolution and refers to an inner and outer change in us to keep pace with the evolving and changing world around us. Part of that change will require letting go of some cherished ideas and accepting others that are more beneficial and wholesome, however hard that may be. As James Garfield said, "The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable."

With Care

This week I'll be using Tarot by Caro, created and self-published by Caroline Clarke. The oracle I'll be drawing from is the I Ching, illustrated by Klaus Holitzka with instructions by Marlies Holitzka; it is published by AGM Urania. Today's cards are Strength and Hexagram 56:

Clarke's rendition of Strength made me think of dog handlers at a show - 'flagging' the tail and slipping a treat to the dog. My inner beast - the part of me that would like to freely offer head slaps and say whatever passes through my mind - must be treated with care and respect as well. Rather than trying to sit on it to keep it under control, I can acknowledge what has happened (injustice, unkindness, etc.) but without exaggeration or assumptions. Hexagram 56 is called the Wanderer and advocates for humility, calmness and intelligence, as if we were a stranger in a new land. Staying calm and open-minded can create a pause and a chance to understand what was behind what occurred instead of rushing to judgment.

A Bridge Across

From the Sacred India Tarot, the Ace of Wands; from the Land Sky Oracle, Kapalabhati Pranayama:

In the Ramayana, Prince Rama attempts to rescue his abducted wife Sita from the demon king Ravana, the ruler of  Lanka. But there is a great expanse of ocean between India and Lanka, with no way to for Rama and his allies to cross it. Yet monkeys managed to build a bridge of floating stones to do just that. This story illustrates how we often are given an opportunity to follow a passion or dream, but our mind creates excuses why it won't pan out. Kapalabhati, literally 'skull shining,' is a breathing technique said to bring clarity and energy. A slow, relaxed in-breath is followed by a forcible out-breath. In a like manner, before we trash a favorable chance to accomplish something, we may need to calm our self and release any out-dated or misinformed beliefs that might be get in our way.

Let Sober Minds Prevail

From the Sacred India Tarot, the Seven of Arrows (Swords); from the Land Sky Oracle, Nourish:

Knowing the good, I ignore it. Recognizing the bad, I nevertheless follow it.

~Dhritarashtra in the Mahabharata

King Dhritarashtra's sons were greedy, unprincipled and out of control. The eldest son was determined to kill his uncle's sons and take power for himself. The King, knowing he was being unfair to his brother and his sons, refused to do anything about it. His only justification was that he loved his sons. The irony is that had he acted, he could have prevented a bitter war that would later ensue. It is especially hurtful to be deceived and taken advantage of by someone we care about. But the Nourish card - illustrated with an amethyst crystal - suggests we pause rather than become intoxicated by rage. With a calm, sane mind, we will be able to discern what we need to do to protect and restore rather than uselessly expending energy in revenge.

Do What You Can

From the Sacred India Tarot, the Knight of Wands; from the Land Sky Oracle, Dharma:

The most important thing is remembering the most important thing.

― Suzuki Roshi

This Knight of Wands is represented by Skanda, firstborn of Shiva, said to be graceful and handsome. He is known as the "War god" because he was created to kill the demon Taraka, a feat that only a son of Shiva could accomplish. Yet he is known for his virtuous deeds and willingness to protect the innocents from harm. The companion book's insight for this card is not to waste one's energy on trivial and petty concerns. Dharma is defined as universal truths that lead to one to accepting a moral and ethical way of living. These two cards seem to imply that talking about what is right is very different from living it.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

― Arthur Ashe

 

Wanting

From the Sacred India Tarot, the Knight of Lotuses (Cups); from the Land Sky Oracle, Saucha:

Kamadeva, with his bow made of sugarcane, is the personification of desire and longing. Unfortunately, sensual craving (including for more than just sex), is easy to inflame. Yet we wouldn't want to extinguish desire, as it is the force behind creativity and the enthusiasm for positive deeds. Saucha, the first of the Niyamas ("observances") of Yoga, shows the way to transform and use this energy for good. Saucha literally means purity, cleanliness and clearness of mind, body and speech. In the case of relationships, it encourages us to clean up our motives and expectations before acting. 

The craving for the thing is rarely met by the satisfaction of getting it. And so we crave more. And the cycle repeats. We are encouraged to want what will only make us want more. We are, in short, encouraged to be addicts. ―Matt Haig

Pleasing vs. Loving

From the Sacred India Tarot, the Six of Arrows (Swords); from the Land Sky Oracle, Nadi Shodhana:

Bheeshma (aka Bhisma) took over the stewardship of his father's kingdom and guided it toward relative peace and safety. But in an attempt to make others happy, he made a vow of chastity (a requirement for his father to marry a woman and have heirs to the throne). He also promised to always be loyal to the kingdom of Hastinapur (because the people were not happy about losing their crown prince). Unfortunately, his vows would come back to haunt him. He would have done well to know "the difference between pleasing and loving, obeying and respecting," in the words of Eve Ensler. Nadi Shodhanna, or alternate nostril breathing, is a technique that clears and balances one's energies. In Bheeshma's case, a balance of heart and mind might have helped him find calmer waters in order to make wiser decisions that took a wider perspective into account. 

Take a Beat

From the Sacred India Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Land Sky Oracle, Bhramari Pranayama:

Ravana, King of Lanka, was unable to be killed by gods, demons or spirits. Feeling invincible, he began to lay waste to the earth. As he did so, he also kidnapped Rama's wife, Sita. Now Rama and his allies must decide if they want to go to war - a decision no one takes lightly. Sometimes our decisions involve ethics as much as money or effort. It's hard not to see the parallel between this card and what is happening between Russia and the Ukraine. Fear and anger, pride and peer pressure can all steer us in a direction with little clarity or thought about consequences. Bhramari Pranayama or 'bee breath' is a breathing that technique that can help us withdraw from external distractions and calm our overactive mind. When our mind can rest in this roomy, open space, it will find the wisdom it needs to make the right decision.

The Devil and Devotion

This week I'll be using the Sacred India Tarot, a deck and book set created by Rohit Arya with Jane Adams and published by Yogi Impressions. Along with it, I'll be using Theresa Hutch's Land Sky Oracle: A Journey Through Patanjali's 8 Limbs of Yoga, now published by U.S. Games. Today's draws are the Devil and Devotion:

One should battle Mara with the sword of insight.

~Dhammapada

India does not really have a Devil, but it does have Mara - the personification of the ego-bound part of us that craves pleasure and becomes frustrated when it isn't in our grasp. Our inner Mara is sly, using nicely wrapped packaging that hides the poison inside. It may be a gift of rage cloaked by justification, over-indulgence concealed as self-care, or arrogance and sanctimoniousness disguised as scholarship or spirituality. We can't eliminate Mara, but we can learn to see through his tricks. Hanuman represents devotion due to his spiritual love for Rama as recounted in the Ramayana. A steadfast companion, he helped Rama retrieve his kidnapped wife from a demon king. Hanuman asks if the deeds we do for others are simply out of kindness or if we are seeking attention and accolades. True devotion would reflect the words of the Bhagavad Gita: do your duty, but do not concern yourself with the results. 

Change and Effort

From the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, Sword:

These two cards, one representing change and the other discernment, made me think of the phrase that I and others have uttered often lately: "When will I get a break!" The problem is not that things don't change - life is a constant ebb and flow, a movement of losing and receiving - but that we want our situation to be stuck in a way that pleases us all the time. The irony is that even when things are good (say we get a new car), we still worry and get angry (as when someone dings that car at the grocery store). Life is a constant effort, from the time we are born and learn to walk to our later years when we must navigate the process of aging. Yet at the center of life's wheel of change is a hub that keeps us from feeling like we're spinning out of control. It is our connection to the Ground of Being (to use the words of Paul Tillich) which we can tap into through the spiritual practices and rituals that have meaning for us.

Trike Ride

From the Legacy of the Divine, the Page of Wands; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, Key:

A mighty flame followeth a tiny spark.

~Dante Alighieri

With the look he gives us, it's easy to tell this kid is just brimming with self-confidence. He's willing to follow his curiosity anywhere if it means an adventure will be had. My Uncle John, when he was three, decided to ride his tricycle to town. This trip was much further than just a few blocks. When he arrived, a shop keeper noticed him and asked who he was (intending to call his parents). John gave them his best friend's name, which led to some confusion when the boy's parents were called (but who helped figure out who this adventurer was). The Key symbolizes unlocking something; in this case, it is our sense of adventure. As we get older, we may become less impulsive (a good thing), but we may also lose our nerve to try new things and get stuck in a rut. This Page encourages us to find our courage, hop on our trikes, and go see what we've been missing.

 

Facts and Fiction

From the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, the Hanging Man; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, Dragon:

We all find ourselves in the limbo of uncertainty at some point, unable to fast forward to a better time or place and powerless to change the current circumstances. Crouched in a hallway waiting for the hurricane to pass, trying to find a lost pet, checking messages for a biopsy result - these are the moments when it can feel impossible to wait patiently. Yet practicing patience (recognize, reframe, remember the big picture) is a way to bring gentleness and tenderness to our spirit when we most need it. Dragon is a mythical creature and as such represents fiction and fantasy. Our experiences are made up of a fraction of what is actually happening and a majority of how the autopilot function of the brain interprets them. Our mind will generally weave stories of the worst case scenario, but if we can simply be with what is happening in the moment we can work with more facts than fiction.

The Service of Reaching Out

From the Gaian Tarot, the Ten of Coins; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, Ring:

It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved. ~Mother Teresa

In the Coins/Pentacles suit, there is an increase of resources to feather one's nest from Ace to Nine. But upon reaching the Ten of Coins, our treasure chest pops open to generously share what we have with others. The Ring card suggests a commitment; paired with the Ten card it implies an ongoing service of benevolence. Of course most of us aren't in the 1% that would allow us to daily pay for the living costs of others. However we all have more to spend than money - we also have our time and energy. There are folks who need emotional support, people who are lonely and in need of company, and those who might need a helping hand doing physical tasks. As John Andrew Holmes wrote, "There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up."

Until We Know

From the Gaian Tarot, the Eight of Cups; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, Moon:

When we are in an unhealthy relationship for an extended period - whether at work, with a partner, in a family or group, or even with our self - we are changed. What others view as emotionally damaging, we come to think of as normal. It is not until we finally step out of that environment, like the octopus becoming human, that we understand just how insane it was. The Moon Tea Leaf card suggests emotions and reflection. It would be easy to denigrate and flagellate oneself when we grasp the muck we've willingly been swimming in. But we don't know until we know, and only then can we move on to something better.

Whenever I notice something about myself I don’t like, or whenever something goes wrong in my life, I silently repeat the following phrases: This is a moment of suffering. Suffering is part of life. May I be kind to myself in this moment. May I give myself the compassion I need.

― Kristin Neff

Devil vs. Angels

From the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, the Devil; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, Angel: 

One thing I appreciate about Marchetti's Devil is that he's enticing, promising us comfort, pleasure and release. The Devil represents that part of us that desires these things because we are stressed and weighed down with anger, grief or fear. He symbolizes our seeking for something to remove what we're dealing with, a longing which can lead to all sorts of unhealthy behaviors if we form a dependence on them. I prefer to see the Angel card as an indication of humans who help, much like Stevie Ray Vaughan's take: "The way people come into your life when you need them, it's wonderful and it happens in so many ways. It's like having an angel. Somebody comes along and helps you get right." I've got a core sample biopsy tomorrow, and my inner devil would love me to succumb to all sorts of pleasures that would ultimately upend my well-being. Thankfully, I have the support of friends and spiritual teachers to remind me it's not as big as my mind is trying to make it.

Trying Something New

This week I'll be using the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, created and self-published by Ciro Marchetti. I'll pair with it the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, created and self-published by Karin Dalton-Smith. Today's draws are the Eight of Coins and the Lion:

Being a craftsperson of any stripe is an ongoing effort. Even if you've had some success, there is always a question of what to do next. Most people attempt to branch out into something new every now and then. Yet that requires leaving the comfort of our proficiency and moving back into the beginner's chair. Feeling inept and confused when we attempt to learn a new skill or add to our knowledge can deflate our confidence. The Tea Reading offers Lion, a symbol of courage and strength. I have a small network of friends (most older and wiser than me) who I can turn to at such times. They don't tell me what I want to hear but what I need to hear, however they also prop me up with plenty of encouraging support. They often have faith in me until I can have faith in myself once again.

Fear and anxiety many times indicate that we are moving in a positive direction, out of the safe confines of our comfort zone...

― Charles F. Glassman

   

Running with Turtles

From the Gaian Tarot, the Nine of Fire (Wands); from the Goddess Oracle, Changing Woman:

When we're in the middle of a long haul situation, we don't need our energy to blaze but to burn as glowing coals. That kind of inner fire can keep us going without causing us to lose our clarity or equanimity. Rather than indifference, it permits us to stay attentive to what is happening without allowing our thoughts to intensify and magnify it. Changing Woman, also known as Estsanatlehi by the Navajo people, passes through an endless course of lives. Much like the seasons, she grows to be an old woman, and in the course of time, becomes a young woman again. She symbolizes cycles, yet also reminds us that no cycle is the same as before (just as one season doesn't exactly replicate another). No matter what we presently experience, it will change. And though that change may look familiar, our perspective, thoughts and actions can make it a very different experience altogether. 

I don’t mind running with turtles.

— Sondra Faye

Light It Up

From the Gaian Tarot, the Two of Fire (Wands); from the Goddess Oracle, Amaterasu:

Two fire dancers move towards each other with a passion as hot as their torches. Finding something that ignites our fiery fervor can kick us out of our apathy or complacency. Such passion is linked to its Latin roots which suggest having to endure something. That restless feeling pushes us to want more than the status quo and can give us the courage to move forward. Amaterasu Omi Kami is a Shinto Sun goddess who withdrew to a cave when she was insulted by her crude brother (the storm god). But when her curiosity was piqued by the entertainment of Uzume, she came out of hiding. Amaterasu encourages us to follow our curiosity - an ember that can light our passion and bring us out of our dimly lit caves.

The Natural Order

From the Gaian Tarot, the Six of Water (Cups); from the Goddess Oracle, The Erinyes:

Several generations unite in this card, a reunion of reconnection and remembrance. During such occasions, we often discover the changes in each other; our mind must play catch up with the way people have aged or have adopted new opinions and beliefs. Do we find it hard to still care about these people we once loved because they are different in ways we don't approve of? The Erinyes were Greek goddesses of vengeance, punishing humans for crimes against the natural order. Change is the natural order of things; to expect otherwise is to create suffering for ourselves. Sean Dietrich wrote, "Nostalgia is a powerful narcotic." No matter how hard we may wish it were so, it is not reality. Surely there is something in the present we can find to love and be joyful about.

Maintaining Awareness

From the Gaian Tarot, the Eight of Fire (Wands); from the Goddess Oracle, Cerridwen:

The role of awareness is the gathering of data.  ~Sayadaw U Tejaniya

When things are happening quickly (like these meteors racing toward earth), it's easy to freak out and want to try to control things. We stop paying attention to what is going on and worry about our assumptions or fantasize about how things will turn out. We may miss what actually would be helpful to do because we are bent on trying to manipulate what is headed our way. Even it the news is good (such as a job interview), it can be hard to maintain awareness without shoveling all of our emotions and expectations on top of the situation. Cerridwen, the Welsh goddess of death and rebirth, was the keeper of the cauldron of knowledge and inspiration in the Underworld. Yet that potion had to be brewed a year and a day to reach its potency. She reminds us that we need to be patient and willing to let go of our need to manage what is beyond our ability direct. Simply show up, listen, and be observant; we will understand our role to play when we have the information we need.