Getting Unhooked

From the Morgan Greer Tarot, the King of Cups; from the Celtic Book of the Dead deck, the Island of Sorrow:

The calm sea behind the King of Cups is a reflection of his inward self. He doesn't numb or avoid his feelings; he realizes emotions are like energy waves that wash through him and then recede. A few of the Otherworld voyagers, however, got hooked by past memories when some went ashore on the Island of Sorrow. Instead of focusing on the sensations of the emotional waves, they fed the mental stories that created them and ended up becoming mourners who had to be rescued from drowning in their own memories. As Mark Williams and Danny Penman explain:

Pure awareness transcends thinking. It allows you to step outside the chattering negative self-talk and your reactive impulses and emotions. It allows you to look at the world once again with open eyes. And when you do so, a sense of wonder and quiet contentment begin to reappear in your life.

Without Demands

From the Morgan Greer Tarot, the Four of Wands; from the Celtic Book of the Dead, the Island of Trees:

The Four of Wands shows a celebration in the making, likely for the castle nearly completed in the background. It makes sense not to try to plow through to the finish line when it takes great effort to finish a project. Rest and a bit of fun can be the break we need to restore our enthusiasm and energy as well as prevent mistakes caused by exhaustion. The Island of the Trees card shows Maelduin with a branch plucked from a tree as they passed by. The branch would produce apples for forty days, aiding in the health of the voyagers. The meaning of this card is gratitude, but it is the type of thankfulness that doesn't demand more than what was given. At some point, we must continue with our task, grateful for what we've been given but with a commitment to finish what we started. 

Readied Position

From the Morgan Greer Tarot, Justice; from the Celtic Book of the Dead, the Wheel:

In all the years that I've used this deck, I don't think I've ever noticed Justice's foot peeking out from the bottom of her robe. It reminds me of the paintings and statues of  Green Tara that show one foot loosed from the lotus position - ready to take compassionate, wise action. We can have eons of intellectual discussions about what is fair, equitable and just, but nothing changes until these ideas are put into practice. The Wheel, with its emphasis on changing course, underscores this understanding. In the words of Barack Obama, "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

Nourishing Pause

This week I'll be using the Morgan Greer Tarot, created by Bill Greer and Lloyd Morgan and published by U.S. Games. I'll also be using the Celtic Book of the Dead, published by Grange Books, created by Caitlin Matthews and illustrated by Danuta Mayer. Today's draws are the Ten of Wands and the Island of Plenteous Salmon:

The Ten of Wands represents an exhausting struggle to complete a task or reach a goal. Sometimes the hardship is self-created when we add too much to an already full load. But other times - such as in the aftermath of a hurricane, a devastating illness, or great loss - we can only play the cards dealt to us. We simply continue to take the next necessary step as best we can. The 'Plenteous Salmon' card is part of the myth of of Maelduin's voyage; it began as a quest for vengeance that was soon forgotten as the Otherworld was explored. Before arriving at this island, the voyagers had spent a week at sea with very little food. The hostel they discovered was empty but filled with food, drink and beds, as if the island itself was offering hospitality to the men. Together, these two cards encourage a nourishing pause that allows us to rest, recover, and proceed with clarity. 

Gain and Loss

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the Marseille Oracle, Loss:

This pair of cards, representing both gain and loss, made me think of a quote by Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel:

How do we live a life we can’t hold on to?” How do we live with the fact that the moment we’re born we move closer to death; when we fall in love we sign up for grief? How do we reconcile that gain always ends in loss; gathering, in separation?

Perhaps by keeping an open mind and heart while realizing these are natural cycles and changes. And by keeping in mind the words of Bruce Tift:

We can never solve our lives. Life is not a thing that can be broken and then fixed. Life is a process, and we can never solve a process. We can only participate in this process, either consciously or unconsciously.

In Calm and Stillness

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the High Priestess; from the Marseille Oracle, Inspiration:

I am convinced that we humans do better when we have something to ground us, a deep source from which we can draw wisdom, insight, and inspiration. The goal of that source is to empower us, to bring depth and fulfillment to our lives, to give us the means to soar.

― Lawrence Levy (former Pixar CEO)

The Gamayun, a prophetic bird of Russian folklore, illustrates the High Priestess in this card. She knows that thinking is a human solution for problems, but she realizes that it often just adds more problems. Instead, a resolution can often be found in stillness, calm and quiet, when the luminous mind can rise above the ego. It has no preferences and prejudices, but sees with clarity, compassion and wisdom. As the Inspiration card implies, this mind can give us insight and guide our creative ideas. 

Curative Fantasy

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Page of Swords; from the Marseille Oracle, Fantasy:

A curative fantasy is a personal myth that we use to explain what we think is wrong with us and our lives and what we imagine is going to make it all better. Practice is characterized by a deep acceptance or surrender to life as it is.

—Barry Magid

As he imagines a bear about to attack, this Page tries to do a sword maneuver and barely misses his foot. In the realm of intellect and speech, he thinks he knows a lot and can express himself well, though reality tells a different tale. He's like the fellow in a debate whose words actually give the other side more ammunition. The Fantasy card hints at what is holding this young fellow back: he likes to fantasize about his successes more than he likes to learn or practice skills. Time to buckle down and study, young man.

Just Because You're Bored

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Marseille Oracle, Presentiments:

In this Two of Wands, a large owl stands atop a castle. Being a symbol of wisdom, it suggests a careful analysis of whether expanding our endeavors or focusing on what's in front of us is the smarter option. It can seem boring to stick with what we have and exciting to go after something new, but the owl's wide-eyed gaze warns us to see things clearly. The circular trumpet on the Presentiments card warns that we should also pay attention to any apprehensions or forebodings we might have. While our idea might be a good one, the timing might not be right or the people we'd be working with might be a problem down the road. This definitely should not be an impulsive decision.

Enjoying not Worrying

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Nine of Cups; from the Marseille Oracle, Love:

Often called the 'wish card,' the Nine of Cups suggests a feeling of satisfaction and gratification in seeing something hoped for come to fruition. But the added element of the angel and devil figures suggest an underlying feeling of unease, a sense of enjoyment while waiting for the other shoe to drop. Of course everything changes and nothing lasts forever, but we still can celebrate and enjoy every minute until it does (rather than spend it worrying). The yellow canary is given the keyword Love - a fitting description for a pet bird that enjoys its relationship with humans. It implies that happiness shared with another can expand our joy. Plus, it can help us stop our fretting and enjoy the pleasures life has brought us.

We're so busy watching out for what's just ahead of us that we don't take time to enjoy where we are.

― Bill Watterson

Fixed vs. Flexible

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, Temperance; from the Marseille Oracle, Wisdom:

All fixed set patterns are incapable of adaptability or pliability. The truth is outside of all fixed patterns.

~Bruce Lee

The shoulder yoke on this lass implies that we must constantly adjust our stance and behavior based on each situation rather than having a fixed position. If my neighbor's dog runs loose and digs up my yard, I might speak to her about keeping her dog on a leash or in a fenced area. If that same dog is hit and killed by a car, she does not need my input on leashes or fences, she only needs my compassion. Wisdom suggests something more than the facts and figures of knowledge, which can be gathered simply through education and learning. Wisdom includes knowledge as well as other traits: a wide perspective, experience, and discernment - all of which form sound judgment. 

Time Manager

This week I'll be using the Russian Lubok Tarot, created and self-published by Eugene Vinitski and Sergey Savchenko. I'll also be drawing from the Marseille Oracle, a deck created and published by Lo Scarabeo with a little booklet written by Isa Donelli. Today's draws are Death and Friendship:

Life is like stepping onto a boat which is about to sail out to sea and sink. 

― Shunryu Suzuki.

The PDF booklet that came with the Russian Lubok makes an interesting statement about this card: "Death is represented as a time manager." Imagine everyone receiving at birth an hourglass produced to show our allotted time on earth. We might not only learn to become better time managers, but we would likely make sure our time was spent in worthwhile ways. The anchor's meaning of Friendship seems odd at first, yet our meaningful relationships are the ones that keep us anchored when life's waves get choppy. The oracle's booklet states: "It's time to recognize your true friends." How often do we do things for others simply so they will like and accept us? What do we put up with just so we won't lose a relationship with someone? There is no need to be unkind to such folks, but it might be wiser to spend our time with people who accept and care for us unconditionally.

 

Half Truths, Whole Truth

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Prince/Knight of Swords; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Autumn:

This Knight is a smooth talker and a quick thinker, plus he has a mind full of knowledge. He likes to think of himself as the bringer of truth and justice. And that falcon peering over his shoulder implies that he likes to bring these swiftly. But the Autumn card suggests he slow his roll. Autumn is a time of both slowing down and preparation. Photosynthesis requires a tremendous amount of water, so deciduous trees cut off the water supply to their leaves in order to survive winter. Likewise, the Knight of Swords might need to listen more and talk less, while also expanding his understanding (which involves more than just knowledge). Otherwise, he's liable to become fixated on his own version of truth and justice rather than seeing the whole story.

Having Enough

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Empress; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Effort:

“Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”

― Hans Christian Anderson

The Empress is the Earth Mother, the one who provides for all creation. There could and should be enough for all, but humans in their greed and fear have created deficits for others. We have forgotten that we are interdependent, existing only in balance with the whole. Effort suggests we exert ourselves, not to have it all, but to make sure we leave plenty for the rest of earth's inhabitants. 

The secret of having it all is loving it all.

― Joyce Brothers

Smelling the Coffee

From the Cosmic Tarot, Judgment; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Key:

Once you wake up and smell the coffee, it's hard to go back to sleep.

~Fran Drescher

What is it that wakes us from our coffins - those boxes we live our lives in that seals us off in an attempt to protect ourselves? In rare cases, it is that which is beautiful and wondrous; often it is adversity that forces us to change our perspective. But once our mind and hearts have been cracked opened, we can no longer hide. We feel the pull to be actively involved in this place that includes both joy and suffering. There is a Key, however, that can unlock what is closed: a spiritual practice. Such a practice isn't about getting but about releasing, letting go of all that keeps us stuck. Those hardened layers are chipped away, and we begin to see with fresh eyes and a tender heart. It is a path of transformation.

Bad Moments, Good Friends

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Nine of Swords; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Healing:

This is the human version of Chicken Little's "the sky is falling." Keep in mind those swords are thoughts and words, and it's easy to make the comparison. Granted, biology has wired us for cognitive bias. But sometimes we need to pause and ask what actually has happened and what part is the imagination mushrooming things into a destined disaster. The body doesn't know what's real or fantasy, so it will keep pumping out adrenaline and stress hormones based on what the mind settles on. No wonder Healing makes an appearance. In such cases, the best remedy can often be a wise, compassionate friend who will listen and then show us how we have taken a bad moment or situation and stretched it into never-ending woe.  

Compassionate listening is a very deep practice. You listen not to judge or to blame. You listen just because you want the other person to suffer less.

—Thich Nhat Hanh

  

The Path of Love

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Lovers; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Work:

Attachment is the very opposite of love. Love says, “I want you to be happy.” Attachment says, “I want you to make me happy.”

—Tenzin Palmo

If you've ever been in a committed relationship, you know the truth of this Lovers/Work pairing. It requires one to give space to the other, to allow them to pursue interests and paths that might not be our own. It requires the willingness to listen more than we speak, with the intention of healing and understanding rather than proving a point. It requires time and attention, the sharing of experiences. It requires being willing to agree to disagree in a way that is respectful and leaves both partners with their dignity in tact. It requires wishing for joy, peace and fulfillment for the other while simultaneously realizing it is not our responsibility to make these happen. Simple kindness is the foundation of the building of such a relationship. Yes, it is requires work, but it definitely is worth it with the right partner.

A Practice and a Process

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Wheel of Change; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Stabilization:

The Wheel of Change is always moving, adding and taking away things in our lives. There's no real time to settle in before we have new things to which we must manage or adapt. As Pema Chodron puts it, "To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest." The goal is not to 'transcend' these changes - this is our life, after all - but to learn ways to skillfully deal with them. The anchor on the Stabilization card suggests we find a way to steady ourselves in choppy waters so that the mind doesn't get swept away by imagined impending doom. For me personally, this is a practice rather than a one-time solution, as Sharon Salzberg explains:

The process is one of continually trying to greet our experience, whatever it is, with mindfulness, lovingkindness, and compassion; it helps us to realize that everything changes constantly and to be okay with that. The effort we make in meditation is a willingness to be open, to come close to what we have avoided, to be patient with ourselves and others, and to let go of our preconceptions, our projections, and our tendency not to live fully.

No Hill

This week I'll be using the Cosmic Tarot, created by Norbert Losche and published by U.S. Games. I'll also be drawing from L'Oeil de Lotus (Eye of the Lotus), created by Colette and Gérard Lougarre and published by Vox Arkhana. Today's cards are the Nine of Wands and Death:

A young man defiantly faces forward, willing to meet rather than avoid what comes. The wands and the lion behind him represent past struggles that he's had the courage to push through; the snake and wands before him represent the strength and perseverance he'll need to rise to the next challenge. Dealing with adversity for months and years requires not just physical stamina, but mental as well. Yet the Death card suggests these hardships will not require an ongoing sacrifice. As the Masai proverb states, "There is no hill that never ends." The pomegranate indicates looking within ourselves for our power rather than relying on anger (which will deplete our energy and cloud our thinking). The butterfly atop the hour glass implies that seeing this through will change us in ways that are liberating.

Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are. ~Arthur Golden

A Passing Memory

From the Somnia Tarot, the World; from the Lojong for the Layperson deck, Slogan 2 (Regard all experiences as dreams.):

The fool's journey has come to a temporary end, and she spends time reflecting on her journey. Dramas and chaos, insights and transformations are all described in her journal. But she shouldn't get to comfy in that bed-chair. This is just one complete turn of the spiral; she will take what she's learned as she begins a second, wider and higher turn. Slogan 2 doesn't mean everything is literally a dream, but that our thoughts and emotions as well as external things are constantly in flux and changing. We'd like to believe things are stable and solid (as this gives us a feeling of security), but that is not how the real world operates. The wise fool knows she can't stay in her nest forever because she will need to add more tools and knowledge as she adapts to this ever-changing world.

Every situation is a passing memory.

~Pema Chodron

Habits of the Mind

From the Somnia Tarot, the Nine of Swords; from the Lojong for the Layperson, Slogan 15 (Four practices are the best methods.):

We all have those nights when restorative sleep can't be found. Often our worries meld with our imagination - we think of every worst outcome possible. It can feel like we are being proactive, but really we are only exhausting our mind and body. It helps to remember the advice of Shantideva (via the Dalai Lama): "If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry." Slogan 15 offers four practices to change our conditioned thinking and behavior: cultivating generosity without an agenda; acknowledging and refraining from our neurotic patterns; using challenges to wake up to reality; and seeking out wise mentors. We can let circumstances and 'what ifs' mold us, or we can use them as agents of change.

We have an infinite number of ways that we distort our experiences through habits of the mind.

~ Sharon Salzberg

Mornings and Evenings

From the Somnia Tarot, the Knight of Cups; from the Lojong for the Layperson deck, Slogan 41 (Two activities: one at the beginning, one at the end.):

The Knight of Cups leaves his heart open and vulnerable so that he can connect with people emotionally. Yet there is a danger that he will overcome by despair or burnout if he does not monitor himself closely. His bucket poured into the sea is his outlet in the form of music, poetry and all art forms that help him regain his bearings. The umbrella is the timeout he's given himself until he's ready face the world once again. Slogan 41's two activities refer to a thoughtful intention to begin and guide us in the busyness of the day and then a review in the evening to check where we veered off and where we stayed on track. This assessment isn't meant as a way to gloat or feel guilty, but to understand how we got triggered in some cases and stood firm in others. Awareness can help us self-correct so that we don't repeat the same mistakes. Hopefully the Knight's artistic outlets will be a review of sorts for him and not just an emotional dumping ground.

Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.

—Meister Eckhart

Careful - Sharp Teeth

From the Somnia Tarot, Strength; from the Lojong for the Layperson deck, Slogan 58 (Don't be frivolous):

Strength is one of of those traits that requires a careful balance lest we get caught in its sharp teeth. It requires a measure courage, the willingness to say 'enough!' and stand up for what is right. Yet if not tempered, it can turn into a rage that mangles. It also requires compassion, which can turn into martyrdom or the role of victim (putting our head in the trap) if we don't tap into self-compassion. Slogan 58 - Don't be frivolous - cautions us to be aware of how we spend our time and energy. Just as the daylily bloom lasts only a day, we don't have unlimited time or energy. Unlike actual play or fun, frivolity is simply a distraction from reality that leaves us feeling restless and unsatisfied. Attention to those thoughts that are running through our mind can be a clue as to whether we're about to expend (or waste) those resources in ways that help or harm.

Start Here

From the Somnia Tarot, the Hermit; from the Lojong for the Layperson deck, Slogan 10 (Begin the sequence of sending and taking with yourself.):

Rather than standing on a mountain top, this Hermit looks out to the sea's horizon. Does he think of the country he left and the people he left behind? Does he ponder the lessons he's learned in this new place and the wonders he's seen? The Hermit is a symbol of a solitary pause that looks at where we've come from and where we are now. It is a self-inventory of sorts, an assessment that allows us to see if we're traveling a skillful path or if we've taken an exit ramp along the way. Slogan 10 (Begin the sequence of sending and taking with yourself) suggests that when practicing tonglen, we begin with our own pain. As we inhale, we tenderly hold our suffering (not the story around it), then breathe out compassion and kindness to ourselves. To be willing to attend to the pain of another, we must first be willing to care for our own. When we can experience our pain without disengaging, we will then deeply comprehend the pain of others. For the Hermit, he knows that taking a look at his own struggles will help him when holding his lantern out for others.

Perhaps the greatest irony of healing is that it occurs when we accept our felt experience, rather than rely on willpower or focused effort to get rid of the unwanted. ~Josh Korda

Widening Our Weave

From the Somnia Tarot, the Queen of Wands; from the Lojong for the Layperson deck, Slogan 21 (Always maintain only a joyful mind.):

It's no wonder this woman is so charismatic and confident; creative inspiration flows from her and never seems to diminish. What's so extraordinary about the Queen of Wands is that she loves to encourage others, so she'll gladly share her ideas to jump-start someone else's creative process. The lojong slogan "Always maintain only a joyful mind," reminds us that conditions don’t have to control us; we can choose where to place our attention. Zen teacher Darlene Cohen reassures us that we can "widen our weave," creating space to see beyond our pain and struggles. In regard to the Queen, it can be easy to be jealous of her - feeling less creative, outgoing, and talented. But if we widen our weave, we might just discover some pretty amazing and wonderful things about our life too.

You need to cultivate skills that enable you to be present for all of your life, not just the moments you prefer. ~ Darlene Cohen

It Always Rolls Back

This week I'll be using the Somnia Tarot and its companion book, created and self-published by Nicholas Bruno. I'll also be using the Lojong for the Layperson deck, a set of cards based on the 59 Buddhist mind training slogans. Today's draws are the Six of Cups and Slogan 32 (Don't wait in ambush.):

An older family member pours water from the ancestral well into the bucket of a young woman. Instead of just sharing memories, helpful wisdom is offered about how to deal with life on life's terms. Perhaps one lesson contributed might be this lojong slogan: Don't wait in ambush. When we have been hurt in some way, we may seek revenge with the same concentrated focus as the ladybug seeks aphids. We can convince ourselves that retribution is only fair and will teach a lesson to the other person. Meanwhile, resentment locks us in a cycle of misery and any retributive action leads us to worry about a backlash. If history has shown us anything, it's is that acts of revenge never lead to peace. 

Revenge... is like a rolling stone, which, when a man hath forced up a hill, will return upon him with a greater violence, and break those bones whose sinews gave it motion. ~Jeremy Taylor