Everyday Occurrence

From the Tarot of the Masters, the Eight of Wands; from the Key to the Kingdom, the Nine of Hearts:

Ricklef's rendering of this card is from Pierre-Auguste Cot's painting "The Storm." The couple aren't in any real danger, but they're about to take a soaking if they don't find cover soon. It makes me wonder if they were so wrapped up in each other that they failed to see the dark clouds rolling in. Focus is a good thing except when it keeps us from noticing things that need noticing. The Nine of Hearts' verse begins, "What's the news of the day, good neighbor I pray?" Like the couple in the previous card, we may looking through a straw and fail to notice all the other things around us. What if I told you today nine good things were going to come your way - something that warmed your heart, piqued your curiosity, made you pause in awe and wonder, or made you laugh? It's true, but the caveat is you must be paying attention to catch them (because this is an everyday occurrence). 

Seed Sowing

From the Tarot of the Masters, the Ace of Coins; from the Key to the Kingdom, the Seven of Hearts:

Ricklef's illustration for this Ace is based on the "The Sower," a painting created by Jean-François Millet. Millet was from a rural farming family and thought the peasant class to be noble (his detractors thrashed him for displaying such social views). This card suggests we take advantage of our opportunities, sowing our seeds and nurturing them. Yet the poem about Cock Robin assigned to the Seven of Hearts cautions us that we must do the work without expectation. Some of the seeds we sow may flourish, and others will fail. But nothing will grow if we don't make the effort to plant them first.

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.

― Robert Louis Stevenson

Tough and Tender

From the Tarot of the Masters, the Page/Youth of Cups; from the Key to the Kingdom, the Queen of Clubs:

It occurred to me that this young lass could become the queen in the second card. As she stares at the sphinx on her cup, she likely dreams of what she will become and all the things and people she will love. Her intuition tells her that there are many possible paths in her future. Hopefully she will allow her kind and caring heart to shape her future rather than the opposite, much like the delicious plum pie this Queen (Elizabeth I) has made. Perhaps she will take the advice of Martin Luther King, Jr. as she matures: "life at its best requires the possession of a tough mind and a tender heart."

Dig Up the Root

From the Tarot of the Masters, the Six of Swords; from the Key to the Kingdom, the Jack of Diamonds:

I've left groups when the purpose or principles changed that I not support them. But then there are also the clubs and organizations I left because of personality conflicts. The Six of Swords is about moving away from agitation and frustration into calmer waters. Yet the Jack of Diamonds offers a warning with the rhyme it is associated with about Little Jack Horner who, because he pulled out a plum in his pie, declared that he was a good boy. It's easy to see myself as being right and others wrong because of disagreements, but even if I leave, I need to make sure I'm not carrying the problem with me (a self-righteous attitude). 

When solving problems, dig at the roots instead of just hacking at the leaves.

~Anthony J. D'Angelo

Corrupted Power

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Masters, created and self-published by James Ricklef. (I'll also be referring to Ricklef's Tarot Affirmations book.) The oracle deck I'll be using is The Key to the Kingdom, a transformational cards and booklet set created by Tony Meeuwissen and published by Running Press. Today's draws are the High Priest and the Queen of Diamonds:

Ricklef's drawing is based on Raphael's painting of Pope Gregory IX, a man known for issuing decretals (papal decrees concerning canon law) and for instituting the Papal Inquisition (groups charged with suppressing heresy). He is a prime example of how tradition gets mistaken for truth and guidance becomes corrupted by power. On the heels of the devastating news about the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe vs. Wade, this card feels oppressive and tyrannical. If those 'christian' justices would read Exodus, they would see the unborn were treated as a treasured possession but not a human life. Yet the Queen of Diamonds asks that we maintain our commons sense rather than rely on opinions and assumptions. As a chess piece among other game pieces, she asks us to use our intellect to form a strategic plan rather than be jerked around by our emotions. There will always be those who try to contain and suppress others with their personal beliefs, but as William J. Brennan, Jr. wrote, "Law cannot stand aside from the social changes around it."                                                        

A Part of a Great Whole

From the Songs for the Journey Home Tarot, the Homecoming (World); from the Magic Neko deck, the Nine of Hearts:

The amazing thing is that every atom in your body came from a star that exploded. 

― Lawrence M. Krauss

The Homecoming/World is an embodied understanding that we are more than the shells we inhabit. Each of us, everything in this world, contains the spiritual as well as the material, like a string that connects and runs through all. When we grasp this idea, it is easier not to take everything so personally. And as the Nine of Hearts suggests, we develop a give-and-take attitude that lets us live in balance, with love and with a lightness of heart.

He imagined he could see the very faces of the stars; pale, they were, and smiling gently, as if they had spent so much time above the world, watching the scrambling and the joy and the pain of the people below them, that they could not help being amused every time another little human believed itself the center of its world, as each of us does. ― Neil Gaiman

Awareness, Effort and Intention

From the Songs for the Journey Home, Wave Creating (Queen of Cups); from the Magic Neko deck, Training:

If we're fortunate, we'll find at least one person who will listen to us deeply, ask questions, and give us honest but gentle feedback. This is the Queen of Cups specialty - providing a safe container to pour out our feelings into. Training suggests intention, yet we often train our mind, body and spirit with repeated thoughts and actions that we aren't aware of. However those repetitions form patterns which then form habits that can make us feel stuck. But we can learn to pause and bring our attention to our thoughts during the day and decide to to turn them in a more positive, beneficial direction. The same applies to our actions; we can ask if this will be helpful or harmful in the long run. I'm sure the Queen of Cups would tell us that we can change if we train with awareness, effort and intention.

Seeking Wisdom

From the Songs for the Journey Home, Wind Creating (Queen of Swords); from the Raven Cards, "You have chosen:"

The Queen of Pentacles is mature enough to know that no one knows everything (even herself). So she constantly seeks a higher, wider perspective in order to see more of the whole. We all need other viewpoints to see the entire landscape of a situation in order to make better and more appropriate choices. Yet even when we are open-minded, the Raven suggests we may need the support and refuge found in another who is wiser and more experienced. No matter how smart we think we are, there are times when we all need a little help and guidance. 

Let no one be slow to seek wisdom when he is young nor weary in the search of it when he has grown old. ~Epicurus

Another Kind of Bravery

This week I'll be using Songs for the Journey Home, a deck and book set created and self-published by Catherine Cook and Dwariko von Sommaruga. I'll also be using the Raven Cards, an oracle created by Gabi Bucker and published by AG Muller. Today's draws are Earth Innocence (Page of Pentacles) and "Let yourself be borne up:"

The Page of Earth is a hands-on kind of gal. She wants to experience how a seed becomes a tree, how eggs hatch into baby birds, and what the owl sees from atop its perch. It's not really a sense of adventure that drives her, but her insatiable curiosity. If she can hang on to her inquisitiveness, she'll be a student of earth her entire life. The Raven's message is to cease our busyness, relax and let others be of help to us. (Psalms 91 is often invoked during times of suffering or hardship.) Yet if we are like this Page, our constant refrain might be "I want to do it." But allowing others to help us can also teach us something - courage and humility. 

Asking for help is never a sign of weakness. It's one of the bravest things you can do. 

― Lily Collins

A Better Neighborhood

From the Tarot of the Secret Garden, the Six of Swords; from the Faeries' Oracle, the Sage:

Emotions surge, thoughts follow, and soon there are stories in my head that have nothing to do with reality. It takes some time, but I eventually figure out that those people and things outside of me aren't the problem; it's my reaction to them. The Six of Swords is about moving our mind to a better neighborhood where there's less pollution and clearer skies. The Sage represents wisdom, patience and the willingness to always be a student of life. He reminds me not to get caught in thinking that I've finally got it right, that at last my ducks are in a row. Because just as surely as I do, the pond will have dried up. I'll always need to check my mind's sailing course, and because life is in a constant flux, I'll need to continue to make corrections and adjustments. 

 

A Boy and His Dragonfly

From the Tarot of the Secret Forest, the Two of Cups; from the Faeries' Oracle, a Collective of Pixies:

Not a bond between a boy and his dog, but rather a bond between fairy and dragonfly is illustrated in this Two of Cups. From K-9 dogs and game wardens to horses that work with those who have disabilities, there is a strong connection between animal and human. The mind and heart of one can work in sync with the mind of heart of the other. Is there any better definition of a partnership? The Collective of Pixies might sound as inviting a collection of fire ant beds, but not these beings. They dance to help the flowers open, the trees to put down deep roots and aid in the photosynthesis of all plants. This is their duty, but they do it with a sense of merriment and humor rather than drudgery. I sometimes feel that I could do a job much easier if I did it myself, but these two cards encourage me to welcome my partner's help. If done with a lighthearted attitude, it could turn out to be more pleasure than work.

Mountain, Sea, Sky

From the Tarot of the Secret Forest, the Four of Swords; from the Faeries' Oracle, Lys of the Shadows:

The statue in this Four of Swords reminded me of a Buddhist saying attributed to Dogen:

Body like a mountain

Breath like the sea

Mind like the sky

The body becomes still like a mountain, allowing a feeling of being grounded. The breath becomes relaxed and deep as it flows in and out like waves on a shore. The mind lets things pass through it without attachment, like clouds and birds across the sky. Here we find rest for not just for the body but also the mind. We rest in open awareness, giving the whole of us a break. Lys of the Shadows is the patron fairy of social workers, therapists and all sorts of healers who attempt to help those caught in dark hopelessness. Hers is not prayerful hope she offers, but practical help. These two cards remind me to start where I stand then move outward. In the words of Maya Angelou, "As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others."

Nourishing the Soul

From the Tarot of the Secret Forest, the Three of Cups; from the Faeries' Oracle, The Singer of Healing:

This butterfly fairy pauses at the lip of a flower for a drink. The little booklet for this deck gives the keyword 'nourishment' for the Three of Cups. After being very careful for months not to be in too much close contact with people outside my family (so I could have my surgery), I enjoyed tremendously having a friend over the other day. She too had been feeling out of sorts, and we both recognized it as a bout of loneliness. The Singer of Healing seems to underscore the importance of having companions outside of family or work that we can speak openly with and with whom we can enjoy some belly laughs. Such friendship is nourishing and healing indeed.

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~Marcel Proust

Hell Season

From the Tarot of the Secret Forest, the Devil; from the Faeries' Oracle, the Pook:

It's hell season (summer) here, so I can very much relate to this card. Temperatures are at 99 F, but expected to climb to 103-105 F next week. We've had no rain in quite a while, but hordes of mosquitoes will find any bare flesh to bite and the swarms of gnats attempt to get in your eyes, nose and mouth to find moisture. These insects are a good symbol of the Devil, that part of us that feeds on what we think will help us but can hurt us in the long run. The Pook is a shapeshifter who helps others see the bad in the good and the good in the bad. He advocates for balance in our perceptions. As John Milton points out, "The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of Hell, a hell of Heaven." I can't get rid of the bugs outside, but I can work on those in my head. There is much more to focus on: the zinnias, salvia and coneflowers are blooming, and three varieties of woodpeckers are back at the feeders. But I might watch and enjoy from my screened-in back porch!

Inward-Looking

From the Tarot of the Secret Forest, the Queen of Cups; from the Faeries' Oracle, the Glancomer:

The Queen of Cups would be lost in a room of talking heads, expounding theories and discussing statistics. But in the element of water - emotions and relationships - she is at home. Tibetans say that people are either like a dog or a lion. Throw a stick for a dog, and he chases it. Throw it for a lion and he looks to see where it came from. She is the lion, inward-looking; she does not blame her feelings on the actions of another because she has no control over their behavior. But she can consider what part of herself is being poked and work on that. The Glanconer is a fairy of illusion and delusion who uses people's desires against them. In this regard, the Queen's intuitive abilities can be of benefit. If her eyes tell her how wonderful and sumptuous something is but her gut is tightening into a knot, she's going to listen to her intuition.

Self-Mugging

This week I'll be using Tarot of the Secret Forest, created by Lucia Mattioli and published by Lo Scarabeo. I'll also be drawing from the Faeries' Oracle created by Brian Froud with text by Jessica Macbeth; it was published by Simon & Schuster. Today's cards are the Knave of Coins and Singer of Courage:

The Knave of Coins is always trying to construct something (or take it apart to see how it works). He pauses, checks to see if he has the right part, then checks again. He's a hands-on methodical learner, but it will eventually make him very good at what he chooses to do. Patience and steadiness are as much a part of him as breathing. But there is more to learn than following the rules and instructions to the letter. The Singer of Courage reminds us that an expansive life goes beyond plodding along and coloring inside the lines in order to maintain our comfort zone. The world is constantly changing, and we need to be brave enough to adapt and learn new things instead of rigidly trying to stay safely cocooned. We'd do well to heed the words of Brendan Behan: "Every man, through fear, mugs his aspirations a dozen times a day."

MVP

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Six of Wands; from the Cedar Runes, Hagalaz:

This fellow has climbed to the top of a statue to emphasize his great success. Even if he was the MVP, leaving behind his comrades below seems a bit arrogant. Why would he not want to share this moment with everyone? He has forgotten the magic that happened when many people worked together, had each other's backs, and shared resources. I bet it didn't slip his team's mind. That dizzying surge of self-importance will only last a day or two; when success is shared, it's joy can last a lifetime. The rune Hagalaz means hail, a destructive force of nature. It implies drastic and unpleasant change that will bring back balance and order. Sounds like the mighty is headed for a fall. He might take Rainer Maria Rilke's advice: "Make your ego porous."

Conscious Intention

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, Strength; from the Cedar Runes, Wunjo:

How do we feed our inner fire? Do we overfeed it, creating a raging blaze that is ready to knock heads and verbally blast those who get in our way? Or do we underfeed it, barely leaving one glowing ember that never speaks up for oneself or any other injustice? It requires a constant adjustment to keep our inner beast in good shape, willing to have the courage to act but without the impulse to crush. Yet we know we're in balance by how we feel; our rash words and reactions are replaced with calm composure, with resolve rather than revenge. The rune Wunjo literally means joy and harmony. It implies that to have such happiness requires an inner strength to wisely deal with the potholes and bumps we encounter. 

The Buddha saw: our thoughts, emotions, and actions are the primary sources of our suffering. Equally, our thoughts, emotions, and actions can be the source of our joy and freedom. Living, as much as possible, with conscious intention is the first step of this transformation.

—Thupten Jinpa

Even Keel

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Queen of Cups; from the Cedar Runes, Eihwaz:

This Queen is most at home when she's following her heart and intuition, but like the sea turtles, she does come up for air occasionally. That helps her stay on a even keel rather than getting swamped and pulled down by her or another's emotions. The Queen of Cups knows that life is fluid, just as the sea ebbs and flows, changing from one moment to the next. Eihwaz literally means 'yew,' an evergreen tree known both for its longevity (it's not considered an ancient tree until it is 900 years old) but also for its extreme toxicity. It is a paradoxical symbol, representing both life and death. So too are our emotions, those that bring us uninhibited joy and those that bring us to the depths of despair. The Queen of Cups would likely agree with the words of Ralph De La Rosa:

The thing is—in case you haven’t noticed—our emotions aren’t up to us. What we do with them, however, is absolutely up to us. The parts of us that express our afflictive emotions are very much like people. If we relate to them with understanding and care, there tends to be one kind of outcome. If we relate to them by shoving them in the basement or forcing them to change, we get another kind of outcome.

The Two in the Bush

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Cedar Runes, Tiwaz:

I can almost hear this woman discussing a possible new direction with her feline companions: "Is this going to be worth all the trouble? Is the cost going to be greater than the result?" Such is the nature of the Two of Wands - deciding whether to stick with the bird in the hand or go after the two in the bush. Sometimes we just don't know until we get knee-deep in it. Tiwaz means "to shine" and is related to Tyr, the Norse god of law and justice. In an attempt to save his people, he lost his hand to a giant wolf. The proverb "fortune favors the bold" might apply to these draws today. Yet our bravery and enthusiasm should not cloud the fact that a sacrifice of some kind will likely be required of us. 

Grounded Ideas

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Ace of Swords; from the Cedar Runes, Raidho:

The Ace of Swords is double-edged, implying that ideas and words can be used in arrogance and anger or in truth-telling and justice. This particular one points downward, a suggestion that we ground our ideas and words in factual evidence rather than emotional drama, assumption, opinion or hearsay. Raidho is translated as 'riding,' and suggests traveling down a path in search of something or towards a goal. Yet if the 'map' we're using (our ideas and beliefs) are askew, we'll never arrive at our destination. The construction adage to 'measure twice, cut once' might fit here when it comes to closely examining the thoughts we're using as a compass.

Lifting Up

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Six of Pentacles; from the Cedar Runes, Dagaz:

This piper sends what is needed to the plants down below. He doesn't judge them for not having what they need, nor does he give based on what he thinks they need. If we truly want to be generous, the only creed we need to follow is "first, do no harm" (to others or ourselves). Dagaz means "day" and is associated with the return of light (dawn). It implies an awakening, the ability to see clearly what was misunderstood before. In sharing resources, we realize that we all are dependent in some ways on others and the earth itself. Why would we not want to offer help?

There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.

—John Andrew Holmes

Funding Down Time

This week I'll be using the Shadowscapes book and deck set published by Llewellyn. The artwork was created by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and the book was written by Barbara Moore. I'll also be drawing from a set of Cedar Runes, using the book The Serpent and the Eagle by Chris Travers as an accompanying text. Today's draws are Nine of Pentacles and Laguz:

We must use time as a tool, not as a couch. –John F. Kennedy

Time well spent leads to a life well lived. Disciplined effort can bring fruitful results: time for the arts, hobbies, cultural or social activities and enjoying nature. Not that I'd stick with a job that was unethical or spirit crushing, but I've always thought of the jobs I've held as a means to an end. They paid the bills, and if they offered friendship or enjoyment, that was an added bonus. Like the snail shell that serves as this fairy's piano seat, working was a way to fund time for slowing down to do what I loved. The rune Laguz literally means 'water,' a symbol of nourishment, transport, livelihood and ritual for the Norse. Lakes and the sea were appreciated for their gifts, but also respected because of their dangers. This rune represents possibilities that are offered if we are willing to heed and follow through with what is asked of us. Sounds a bit like employment.

Sticks and Stones

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Five of Swords; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Yud:

Yod/Yud painting by Victor Brindatch

Over a decade ago I came across a quote by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel that had a great impact on me: “When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.” In early adulthood, my motive for opening my mouth was to make my opinions known, prove I was right, shut people down, and make myself look smart and clever. But all it actually accomplished was to make me look like an arrogant ass, which had the effect of damaging relationships rather than creating or healing them. The Yud represents a drop of concentrated power; it can be the seed that creates a garden or the spark that ignites a bomb. Words are just as powerful as well. Sticks and stones can break bones, but words can create lasting damage.

Experience the Feeling

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Queen of Cups; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Lamed:

Lamed painting by Victor Brindatch

This Queen of Cups looks a little sad, yet she only dips one toe in the sea. I can hear Pema Chodron in my head saying "feel your feelings, but drop the story line." Most of us either try to distract ourselves from them because to lean into them can be frightening. Others may wallow in their feelings, not really paying attention to them but simply creating self-pity. We tend to self-identify with our emotions (and the thoughts they create), as if this transient feeling is who we are, the entire color of our life. It becomes frozen within us. Lamed is the tallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet and means to teach or learn. It's shape resembles a staff to guide animals, suggesting being prodded in the right direction. It is a reminder that when feelings seem to overwhelm us we can remember that they are only intense energy that momentarily floods the body; without adding fuel from our thoughts, they will pass.

All we need to do is allow ourselves to experience the energy—and in time it will move through you. It will. But we need to experience the emotion—not think about the emotion. ~Pema Chodron