Healing Arrows

This week I'll be using the Greenwood Tarot, created by Chesca Potter and published by Thorsons. The oracle I'll be using is the Rune Cards, created by Tony Linsell and Brian Partridge and published by Anglo-Saxon Books. Today's draws are the Nine of Arrows (Swords) and Oak/Ac:

Based on paintings found in the caves of France, there is speculation that the hunting bow may have been used as a musical instrument from as early as 13,000 B.C. In Potter's drawing, a woman uses her bow as a healing, musical instrument rather than a weapon. The Anglo-Saxon poem for the rune for Oak (Ac) speaks of this tree with much respect as it feeds the pigs which provide meat for men and it provides the wood to make their boats. Thus it represented usefulness and potential power. Together, both of these cards remind me of a quote by Pema Chodron: "If someone comes along and shoots an arrow into your heart, it's fruitless to stand there and yell at the person. It would be much better to turn your attention to the fact that there's an arrow in your heart and to relate to that wound." In other words, we drop our story line and look beneath it to see what is creating our anger or fear. We tend to our wounded heart rather than trying to battle reality.

Bower of Remembrance

From the Swietlistej Drogi, the Page of Wands; from the Mirrors of the Heart, Remembrance:

This young Page looks ready to set the world on fire with his incessant drive for adventure. But the bower of roses over him suggests he still needs some protection (mostly from himself). The Remembrance card brought to mind what a parent might say to him as he heads our the door:

• You're only young once, but you are mortal.
• Have lots of fun, but do no harm.
• Explore and be curious about the world, but remember your roots.

Tribalism

From the Swietlistej Drogi, the Two of Swords; from the Mirrors of the Heart deck, Gentleness:

Tribe: an aggregate of people united by a shared story.

Tribalism: mistaking story as history in service to the elevation of one tribe over all others.

—Rabbi Rami Shapiro

I can just imagine the conversation between these two people: "It says in the Bible that women should be submissive to their husbands." "But wasn't the Bible written and compiled by men?" We all belong to a tribe of sorts, based on everything from religion to hobbies or experiences; however, an issue develops it becomes an 'ism.' We all see through a lens based on our story, yet it's important to realize that our view is just one very tiny slice of the whole. Gentleness is a reminder that if we want to see and understand more of the whole, we're going to need to bear witness to the other in a tender, humble and open manner. It is what can heal our divides and help us create a world that works for the well-being of all.

Joie de Vivre

From the Swietlistej Drogi, the Five of Pentacles; from the Mirrors of the Heart deck, Joie de Vivre:

Rather than sick people huddling together in the cold, the SD's card shows a woman leaving behind her gown, gold and jewels and walking naked into a bright light. Advertisements and society have created the illusion that we are lacking something that we need to be happy. We've incorporated a poverty mindset into our lives, thinking our contentment lies in the next acquisition. Yet these are only short-lived pleasures. Joie de Vivre (joy of life) is choosing to live buoyantly and happily as each moment unfolds. This mindset doesn't exclude challenges and pain, but it doesn't focus on them either; it knows there is joy to be found as well. It is an attitude that is in line with these words of  Ezra Bayda: "Happiness comes from the inside; it cannot depend on our external life circumstances. Nor can it depend on simply feeling good emotionally. In short, happiness doesn’t come from making happiness the goal – it comes from being able to appreciate the journey, particularly the present-moment experience of our life."

Letting Go of Holding Back

From the Swietlistej Drogi, the Two of Cups; from the Mirrors of the Heart deck, Freedom:

The Two of Cups always makes me think of intimacy, a bond formed when people connect on many different levels. Intimacy can include a hug, a shared experience, an intellectual conversation, the willingness to self-disclose and listen, or mutual values and principles. Yet for such a connection to be cultivated, Ayya Khema points out what must occur: "When other people are taken into the heart, the self has to step aside to make room." Her quote and the Freedom card suggest renunciation - not the giving up your Doritoes and Netflix kind, but letting go of what holds us back in life. In the words of Pema Chodron: "Renunciation is seeing clearly how we hold back, how we pull away, how we shut down, how we close off, and then learning how to open. It’s about saying yes to whatever is put on your plate, whatever knocks on your door, whatever calls you up on your telephone. How we actually do that has to do with coming up against our edge, which is actually the moment when we learn what renunciation means."

Unexpected Returns

From the Swietlistej Drogi, the King of Pentacles; from the Mirrors of the Heart, Openness:

This King of Pentacles tosses some coins into a wheat field; it brings to mind the term 'seed money.' There is a sense that something old yet worthy could be shored up or something new created with his investment. In the real world, this investment might also include using our resources of time and energy besides just money. Sure, some of these applied resources may not provide a return (they get eaten by the birds), but Openness reminds us not to fold our hand too quickly. We probably won't get the result we visualized, but we still might see an unexpected positive return on our investment.

Resilience and Restoration

From the Swietlistej Drogi, the Nine of Wands; from the Mirrors of the Heart deck, Earth:

A woman tenderly cares for a man in the last hour of his life. Never before have I see a Nine of Wands card that I could so viscerally relate with. Anyone who has cared for the dying knows the heaviness of bearing witness to another's pain and passing with compassion. Such attention is a gift to the dying (and ourselves), but it is physically and emotionally exhausting. It is no wonder that the Earth card shows up too. After that kind of experience is over, it's only human to second guess ourselves - "I should have... I wish I could have..." Though we carry it in our mind, the event is already in the past; it is time to ground ourselves in the present by using the comforts of our senses. 

Feeling rooted in the earth is soothing to the body, and it is our connection to the earth that gives us our most basic sense of belonging, home, resilience, and safety.

― Jessica Moore

Building a Better World

This week I'll be using the Swietlistej Drogi Tarot (Tarot of the Radiant Path),created by Alla Alicja Chrzanowska and published by Studio Astropsychologii. I'll also be drawing from the Mirrors of the Heart deck, created and self-published by Lily S. May. Today's draws are the Queen of Pentacles and Voice:

This queen doesn't just nourish what she grows, she breathes love into what she gives (like that fruit basket she holds). All the queens are nurturers in ways that honor their talents and abilities; the Queen of Pentacles does so in physical, tangible ways. She might send a packet of chamomile tea to someone who is stressed or offer a gas gift card to someone with a new job and a long commute. Her care is delivered in practical, useful ways. Yet the Voice card suggests something else may be needed. So often people doubt their worth and have little love or compassion for themselves. This queen could also send a note with her gifts to let the recipients know they are treasured, and that she believes they have something worthwhile to offer the world. 

With realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world. ― Dalai Lama 

 

Only a Few

From the Tarrochi Celtici, Belenus (the Sun); from the Art of Asia, "Shells" by Suzuki Kiitsu:

Belenus, also known as 'the Shining One,' was an ancient Celtic healing god. The eagle included in this painting suggests clarity, a type of healing that is more mental than physical. Here is the chance to see what has been hiding in the shadows, tucked away in our blind spots. These things might seem frightening to acknowledge, but by accepting them we can make better informed choices as well as healthy changes. Kiitsu's painting is paired with a quote from Anne Morrow Lindbergh:

One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.

AML's words encourage us to embrace simplicity and a sense of 'just enough.' We don't need to bulldoze everything and rebuild from the ground up. Yet we can begin with small steps, perhaps choosing first to change those ideas and actions that have caused us the most suffering.

Learn to Surf

From the Tarrochi Celtic, the Eight of Earth (Coins); from the Art of Asia, "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa" by Katsushika Hokusai:

The double disc symbol in this card, found on Pictish stones and metalwork, was likely a solar symbol. This fits with the Eight of Coins, which could be thought of as a reliable proposal that would open a door to prosperity. For instance, if a manuscript was chosen by a publisher but with the caveat that the author immediately write a sequel. There's a 'make hay while the sun shines' urgency to get things done, so this gnome has his acorn hat on and is busily gathering his resources. The quote for Hokusai's painting suggests that the gnome not see this as a straight line to success:

You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn

In his valiant attempt to take advantage of this opportunity, he must remember to be flexible and adapt to circumstances as they change.

 

Take the Little Boy Blue Approach

From the Tarrochi Celtici, the Five of Air (Swords); from the Art of Asia Oracle, "Pandas in Sweetgum Tree" by Fang Chuxiong:

Renunciation is an act of liberation. It sets loose the light shining deeply within each of us, a light we can count on in the darkest dark. When you drop the world's bait, you see the world as it is. 

~Quan Barry

One pixie seems to be taking a 'Little Boy Blue' approach to life while another - dressed as a raven - attempts to rouse him to fight. The Five of Air/Swords suggests someone baiting us for their own agenda. Such folks like to think of themselves as sharper and more knowledgeable than anyone else. And as the symbolism of Alder and Fearn (defense and protection) imply, we will be tempted to take that baited hook to make sure our opinions and ideas are heard. Yet the quote paired with Fang Chuxiong's painting of Pandas subtly implies another response:

The giant panda’s black and white coat and prominent black eye patches have made it one of the best known species, although it is among the shyest animals in the world.~ OneKind 

Although things may appear as black and white to us, we might want to take a stance of quiet humility. We are not going to change the other person's mind by arguing with them, but by refusing to be baited, we might save ourselves some stress and aggravation.

The Antidote

From the Tarrochi Celtici, the Six of Earth (Coins); from the Art of Asia Oracle, "Waterfall" by Gyokudo Kawai:

The gnome on this Six of Coins seems to be vigilantly guarding his pot of gold (along with the raven). Yet the ogham for this card - Saille - suggests flexibility, and the willow tree in the card implies cycles. Blockage, rather than the flow of material things causes imbalance; there needs to be a give and take. He has taken from the earth, now what will he share in return? Kawai's painting is paired with a quote from Mikhail Lermontov:

Many a calm river begins as a turbulent waterfall, yet none hurtles and foams all the way to the sea.

These cycles are meant to maintain a healthy balance, not to create a dam of goods so that little trickles down to others. Gratitude helps us be aware of what we have instead of what we lack. In turn, it cultivates generosity. And as Marc Lesser put it, "Generosity is an antidote to fear."

A Needed Anchor

From the Tarrochi Celtici, Arduinna (Justice); from the Art of Asia Oracle, "Old Buddhist Monk" by Kim Hong-do:

Justice is depicted as Arduinna, a Gallo-Roman goddess of the Ardennes Forest and region. Depicted as a huntress riding a boar, she protected the forests and mountains much like the Roman goddess Diana. Justice's primary purpose is to protect the rights of beings and promote fairness and equality; punishment is only a secondary function. It seems that lately the latter has overrun the former in our country. I've been reading a book called High Conflict by Amanda Ripley (currently free if you have a Kindle app). High conflict is all-consuming and addictive, having an us-versus-them mentality that never leads to progress or understanding. It thrives on heated (and reheated) emotions. Hong-do's painting is paired with a quote by Thich Nhat Hanh:

Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor. 

While justice needs compassion, it is crippled by unchecked emotion. For fairness and equality to be present, it needs objectivity and clarity.

A Few Bumps Along the Road

From the Tarrochi Celtici, the Two of Water; from the Art of Asia Oracle, "Cat and Plum Blossoms" by Hishida Shunso:

An Irish elk (Megaloceros giganteus, now extinct) hangs out with two water nymphs near a birch tree and a pitcher. One of the keywords for this card was 'welfare;' it fits nicely if the Two of Cups is seen as a partnership of some kind. Who doesn't want someone to have their back, to care for their well-being? The Ogham Beth (purification) and the Birch (renewal) however, suggest that this relationship is one in which there has been forgiveness, amends and restoration. Shunso's painting has a quote from Eckhart Tolle assigned to it:

I have lived with several Zen masters — all of them cats. 

Others - whether family, friends, pet or partners of any kind - teach us how to get along with those who are different from us. We learn how to trust, how to forgive, and how to set healthy boundaries. We learn how not to take things so personally and seriously. Isn't sharing our life worth a few bumps along the road?

Dark House

This week I'll be using the Tarocchi Celtici, created by Laura Tuan and published by De Vecchi Italia. Paired with it will be the Art of Asia, an oracle I created for my personal use. Today's draws are the Four of Water (Cups) and "Winter Moon on Toyama Plain" by Takahashi Shotei:

The water nymph appears to be trying to help the Ash tree by giving it a tonic. The keywords for this card are health, healing and energy rebalancing. Our body will often send out subtle signals when our mind and emotions are off kilter, and we can experience it as moodiness and lethargy. The symbolism of the Ash (purpose, roots) and the meaning of the Ogham Nion (connection) enhance the quote associated with Shotei's painting:

The moon has her porches turned to face the light, but the deep part of her house is in the darkness. 

~ Robert Bly

When we look for the cause of our mood, it may be as obvious as a bad dream hangover. But sometimes we must dare to walk into our dark house to find the root. Carefully and without judgment, we look for what may have triggered this mood. It may be baggage from out past, and a situation or interaction in the present that seemed similar poked it. Once discovered, we can bring it out and expose it to the light, checking to see if there is any truth to what we've found.

Leap or Lie Down

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, the Fool; from the Secret Language of Color, Mauve:

At the end of all rationality, there is simply the need to decide and the faith to live through, to endure. 

― Ken Liu

A pelican watches from a post as a wolf struggles in the ocean. The Fool invites us to trust and take a risk, to be willing to try something new. In business, a calculated risk is one that exposes a person to a degree of danger that is counterbalanced by a reasonable possibility of benefit. It acknowledges that there may be loss or hazards, but it also suggests that logic has been applied and there is a greater chance of a beneficial return. Trust implies vulnerability, but it doesn't mean we need to be completely heedless. Mauve is one of those colors that is hard to describe: it's kind of pink and sort of purple. At some point, we must make a decision, or else our choice will be made by our indecisiveness. After all, even those choices that were a mistake can help us learn.

A Field Full

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, the Nine of Chalices; from the Secret Language of Color Cards, Black:

This image is uncannily like a photo I recently sent out on my husband's 74th birthday. It neatly sums up what life is like when you actually have time to pause and enjoy the birds you've been feeding and the flowers you've planted that are blooming. While some folks see this Nine as the "wish card," I also see it as the natural result of goodwill and kindnesses we've offered to others; our benevolence is returned back to us.The color Black is described as the richness of the dark night; I'd also describe it as the richness of the dark soil. What we plant in our lives will not only grow, it will produce seeds that create more of the same. What do you want your field to be full of?

The Freedom of Limits

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, the Emperor; from the Secret Language of Color Cards, Orange:

This Emperor's scepter seems to pulse with concentrated power. The booklet suggests that by accepting structure, we are more likely to grow in meaningful ways and maximize our time and energy. If you know someone who is dispersed in their thinking and actions, it's easy to see the wisdom in this idea. Such folks are like a pinball in an arcade game, occasionally hitting their target but often missing what's important altogether. A lot of energy is expended for few beneficial results. When I think of the color Orange, I think of the citrus fruit and of glowing coals. One provides vitamin C and the other the energy for warmth or cooking. It's easy to push against boundaries and rules, thinking they constrict our creativity, but sometimes they are the healthy and useful limits we need.

In limits, there is freedom. Creativity thrives within structure.

~Julia Cameron

Airing Out the Rooms

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, the World; from the Secret Language of Color Cards, Violet:

Eads' World card depicts a swirl of many of the previous major arcana cards. It's almost as if the eye in the center looks back on all these past experiences and realizes how it got to this place in time. The darker times can cause us to question beliefs and change direction while the sunnier times can keep us enthusiastic, hopeful and tenacious. It's all a jumble of jigsaw pieces until this point when we see how things fit together. Yet while there may be a pause, this isn't an end. Which is why Violet encourages us to have a balanced life. It's easy to get very enthused about one thing and let other important parts of one's life fall to the wayside. It's helpful to remember the words of Rumer Godden:

There is an Indian proverb that says that everyone is a house with four rooms, a physical, a mental, an emotional, and a spiritual . Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time but unless we go into every room every day, even if only to keep it aired, we are not a complete person.

Busyness Balanced

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, the Eight of Pentacles; from the Secret Language of Color Cards, Gray:

It's amazing what dedication, perseverance and the willingness to learn from others and one's mistakes can produce. Tombs writes that we should "steadily cultivate what you have already established so it continues to grow." Whether it's a talent, project, or business we're working on, nothing will continue to thrive if we don't pay attention and keep making an effort. However, Gray suggests doing a body scan, something I do as I begin each sitting meditation. The mind is good at shutting off the body's subtle signals when it has something it wants done by yesterday. It forgets that it is dependent on this magnificent chariot. Checking in with the body - noticing tension in our jaw, a tightness in the belly, or an ache in our back - can signal that we need to step back from our busyness and make some changes. Those little pauses can keep us from coming to a full stop.

Intentions and Methods

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, the Knight of Pentacles; from the Secret Language of Color Cards, Yellow:

Sometimes our intentions are good but our methods are a tad nuts. This Knight, wanting to stay grounded while in the mystical forest, is barefoot. Hope he's had his tetanus shot. He was out looking for food - hoping for truffles - but the unicorn has found a patch of giant strawberries instead. Trying to feed others is a good idea, but I'm sure they'd prefer a healthy, wholesome meal to a few rare delicacies. Take the strawberries! Yellow, with its message to purify the body, reminds me of the fifth precept: "I vow not to intoxicate body or mind, but to cultivate a mind that sees clearly." Sometimes we feed our minds and bodies things that might seem delicious and enjoyable going in but have consequences later on. What we ingest either way should be questioned: Is this a realistic option? Will this produce the end result I hope for?

We receive as friendly that which agrees with [us], we resist with dislike that which opposes us; whereas the very reverse is required by every dictate of common sense.

― Michael Faraday

The Sharper the Bite

This week I'll be using the Prisma Visions Tarot, created and self-published by James R. Eads; the companion booklet was written by Katherine Tombs. The oracle I'll be using alongside it is the Secret Language of Color Cards, created by Inna Segal and published by Beyond Worlds. Today's draws are Justice and Auburn:

As we move through this beautiful and troubled world, may we vow to be a beacon of peace, a fearless carrier of respect and lovingkindness for all life, a teller of truth , a voice for justice, a protector of those who are vulnerable or targeted. May the power of wisdom, integrity and compassion be our guide.

~Jack Kornfield

Katherine Tombs writes, "The sharper the bite, the sharper the sword." This card brings home to me what Thich Nhat Hanh emphasized over and over - peace and justice begin in my own heart and move outward. There is no way I can carry a boiling cauldron of hatred in my heart and make wise choices or choose skillful actions. If I attempt to, I'll only create a cycle of perpetual problems and destructive chaos. Auburn reminds me to place all my senses in the here and now; doing so allows me to be an objective observer of my body and mind. I can catch the tension in my body and those rage-filled thoughts before they goad me into action. Calmness can bring clarity, and clarity can produce choices that heal and help.

Open to Change

From the Spacious Tarot, the Guardian (Queen) of Wands; from the Phenomena Oracle, Fog:

What we're passionate about is what we feed. My niece is passionate about homeless cats and dogs, so she seeks ways to support the local Humane Society and advertises animals that need homes. Writers have many blank days, yet still they write to stay in practice. Athletes, teachers, artists - they all feed their flames in various ways. Yet sometimes we have to be creative when changes come. Fog reduces our visibility, generating a soft visual field rather than sharp boundaries and contrasts. Likewise, when circumstances or age bring changes, we can adapt rather than seeing things as all or nothing. An athlete might become a coach, a writer or artist might hold workshops to encourage others with an interest. We feed the fire, but in new ways.

Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent.

~Nolan Ryan

The Clock is Ticking

From the Spacious Tarot, the Ace of Wands; from the Phenomena Oracle, Dew:

The spark ignited on this Ace of Wands tells me that my inkling of an idea has burst forth into an inspiration. But it's going to need oxygen (fleshing out some ideas) and some fuel (taking action) to stay alive. No new habit or practice, no new creation or opportunity, and no new friendships will find traction without them. I tend to be great with the plans and ideas part but not so much with the follow-through. Yet Dew, that lovely moisture of the early mornings, stresses that this inspiration has a time limit. 

Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

~Ecclesiastes 11:4

Removed from the Flow

From the Spacious Tarot, the Four of Cups; from the Phenomena Oracle, Storm:

Four cups sit high atop a boulder, disengaged from the rushing stream that flows around them. Whether we have been dealing with excitement or difficult challenges, sometimes we need to remove ourselves from the frenzy and find a place of calm to restore ourselves. Yet we may have other motives for our self-isolation - we may be sulking about not getting what we think we need from others. But that idea is inside-out; we actually punish our own self far more than any other person. The lightning from the Storm card suggests waking up from the illusion we've created. That brief bright light can help us see if our thoughts have any evidence to back them up or are just a way to soothe our hurt feelings.

No one can live without relationship.

~Jiddu Krishnamurti