Two Oars

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Two of Summer (Cups); from the Haindl Rune Cards, Thurisaz:

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one. – C.S. Lewis

True partnerships, whether in romance, at work, or as friends, truly are a gift. We seem to speak each other's 'language,' understanding how the other thinks and does things. It generates a warm feeling of belonging and connection that can sustain us through stormy seas and add enjoyment to balmy days. Thurisaz refers to the thurses, a race of primeval giants who represented raw, unguided potential. They were considered an enemy of divine order, so it makes sense that this rune would also symbolize thorns. When one person in a relationship develops new interests that the other doesn't share, such change can feel like the partnership has become unmoored and in danger of ending. Yet sincere interest and encouragement can be the two oars that keep it moving through those transitions.

Timing

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Seven of Autumn (Pentacles); from the Haindl Rune Cards, Tyr/Tiwaz:

The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it. 

~Arnold H. Glasow

When we pour our heart and soul into something, it can be hard to wait for it to crawl across the finish line with the speed of a snail. This winemaker has taken a sample from one of his casks, testing it to see if it has aged enough to transform into a delightful drink. He knows that patience can improve the wine by allowing it to develop flavors and textures, so he won't serve it until it is ready. Tyr was an old Norse god who sacrificed his hand to Fenir the wolf (Loki's son) so the wolf could be restrained, preventing destruction and chaos. Thus this rune represents an offering that requires much of us, though it will also bring success. Rather than a feverish rush to the end, our sacrifice is to calmly endure while we wait for the appropriate time. 

 

Magical Things

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Conjurer (Magician); from the Haindl Rune Cards, Elhaz/Algiz:

The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.

~Eden Phillpotts

What does it take to materialize a desire? In the words of Stedman Graham, "To get where we want to go in life, we have to keep at it. We have to create a vision, make choices based on what moves us most swiftly toward our goals, and go after them with determination and single-mindedness." Props  and tools - journals, affirmations, vision boards, etc. - can remind us of our intention, but we must make a persistent effort in that direction. Algiz, whose shape resembles antlers, is the rune of the elk. It suggests protection and shielding. A caution against a lack of preparation, it instead points to  formulating a plan, adding to our knowledge, staying flexible, and listening to our intuition. Above all, we avoid provoking others by taking advantage of them in the pursuit of our goal.

Not Much of a Protection

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Seven of Winter (Swords); from the Haindl Rune Cards, Ingwaz:

Other thieves merely stole everything that was not nailed down, but this thief stole the nails as well.

― Terry Pratchett

A rogue fairy and his companion have stolen from the communal commissary that supplies the winter needs of all the fairies. Greed is never content with what is needed; it always wants more, seeing only what it doesn't have rather than what it does. What this fellow doesn't realize is that taking what is not given won't expand his world, it will shrink it. There is the isolation of feeling others have what he wants, and the paranoia of being caught when he takes it. The rune Ingwaz refers to the harvest and fertility god Freyr, who gave up his great sword in order to marry the giantess Gerd. It suggests that what we think is helping and protecting us is actually keeping us from being content and happy. 

Unrealistic Demands

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Ten of Winter (Swords); from the Haindl Rune Cards, Wunjo:

There is only one cause of unhappiness: the false beliefs you have in your head, beliefs so widespread, so commonly held, that it never occurs to you to question them. 

~Anthony De Mello

This fairy, with wings torn and caught by briers, is about to meet his end because he's trespassed on a badger's territory. We all have beliefs and ideas that we are so sure are the Truth, we never question them (or listen to others who do). Buddha said that life contains suffering because we crave for reality to meet our preferences and specifications. It will never do so on a consistent, permanent basis. Wunjo is a rune often translated as 'joy,' and suggests that we must challenge our rigid ideas if we don't want them to challenge us. Do we enjoy life or simply trudge through it, grumbling about everything? If the latter, joy will only be found when we release our unrealistic demands. As Socrates said, "He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have."

Heart Lift

This week I'll be using the Victorian Fairy Tarot, created by Lunaea Weatherstone with Gary A. Lippincott and published by Llewellyn. Paired with it will be the Haindl Rune Oracle, created by Hermann Haindl and published by U.S. Games. As an additional resource, I'll be dipping into The Serpent and the Eagle by Chris Travers. Today's draws are the Three of Summer (Cups) and Raido:

No friendship is an accident.

―O. Henry

We're entering summer here, also known as 'hell season' to those not acclimated to our intense heat and humidity. These birds and fairies show just how to cool off in such weather as they splash in the water. At times, we may also need a cathartic cleansing for our emotions. While a cold shower might be helpful, time spent with companions who know how to laugh and have fun can be even better medicine. The rune Raido means 'riding,' and can signify literal or metaphorical travel. I recently received a card from a dear friend who moved to another state quite a few years ago. She is returning next month, and I look forward to renewing an in-person relationship with her again. My heart gets a lift just thinking about it!

New Beginning

From the Sun and Moon Tarot, Death; from the Jade Oracle, Temazcalli:

 

All things already have their endings within them. If we become attuned to this, then we can appreciate the moment. We can appreciate the extraordinary fact of our unique and precious lives.

―Thanissara

Endings are a natural part of the cycle that creates space for new beginnings. Whether that ending brings despair or celebration, it isn't based on any personal agenda of the universe. The Temazcalli ("house of heat") is a type of sweat lodge designed to purify the mind and body. Endings deserve a ceremony, some sort of ritual that helps us accept what has happened so that we can move on. A divorcee might toss her wedding band in the ocean, a person whose roommate finally left might smudge the apartment or a flowering shrub might planted in memory of a beloved pet. My nephew, who was diagnosed with leukemia just as he started college, hiked the entire Appalachian trail after finally receiving an 'all clear' pronouncement. These things all mark the starting line for our new beginning.

Prepare to Land

From the Sun and Moon Tarot, the Prince (Knight) of Swords; from the Jade Oracle, Coatl:

Theoretical principals must sometimes give way for the sake of practical advantages.

~William Pitt

Being Air of Air, the Prince/Knight of Swords lives most comfortably in an abstract rather than relative world. Well-educated with a mind that works at the speed of light, he can assimilate ideas in innovative ways. He reminds me of Vincent Nigel-Murray, one of the interns on the TV series Bones, who constantly spouted random facts to relieve his anxiety. Occasionally his blurts would be tangentially related to the work at hand, but it took some puzzling to figure out. More than once, his coworkers would ask "How is that pertinent?" Coatl (serpent) was a sacred symbol of the Aztecs. As the snake was able to crawl on the ground, slither up trees, and swim in water, it connected the realms of earth, air and water. It reminds this airy Prince that abstract ideas are only useful when applied in relative, concrete ways or when used to expand perspectives.

Without Self in the Equation

From the Sun and Moon Tarot, the Six of Pentacles; from the Jade Oracle, Tezcatlipoca:

Be kinder to yourself. And then let your kindness flood the world.

― Pema Chodron

Being Thoth-influenced, this Six of Pentacles is given the keyword 'success.' While it does imply stability in the realms of health and finances, it goes a step further. At this point, there have been both gains and losses, and a wiser understanding of of the natural flow of things in the material world has developed. With such an understanding, it can be easier not to hoard but to offer any excess to others. Tezcatlipoca means ‘smoking mirror;’ this name referred to the obsidian mirrors that were used during ceremonial divination. This god was constantly in conflict with his brother Quetzalcoatl; both were creators of the world but often worked in opposition to each other. Tezcatlipoca's card suggests our emotions have clouded our judgment about reality. Instead we can take "self" out of the situation, dropping our agendas, opinions and assumptions to see what is real and what isn't. We're likely to then gaze upon the world with a kinder, more generous heart.

Prudence Applied

From the Sun and Moon Tarot, the Ace of Pentacles; from the Jade Oracle, Coatlicue:

Prudence is foresight and far-sightedness. It's the ability to make immediate decisions on the basis of their longer-range effects.

~John Ortberg

This disk has little sprouts emerging from its sides - an indication that a creative project or opportunity is waiting on our doorstep like an Amazon package. It is said when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. In this case, the resources needed have appeared. Time to open that box and investigate its contents! Coatlicue (depicted with a skirt of snakes) was the mother of many deities. When sixty gift-bearers arrived to see her, they were unable to climb the hill she was on. She warned them that the Aztec empire would fall because “they had grown too heavy from all their rich foods and beautiful clothing.” And indeed it did. These cards suggest prudence and the right use of our time, energy and resources; a balance of effort and enjoyment is needed so that we don't waste the gifts we've been given. 

Hanging On

From the Sun and Moon Tarot, the Nine of Wands; from the Jade Oracle, Mayahuel:

But grace can be the experience of a second wind, when even though what you want is clarity and resolution, what you get is stamina and poignancy and the strength to hang on. 

―Anne Lamott

Just when we think we have hit a wall, when we are too tired to endure another minute, we get a second wind. We find a reservoir of untapped strength and a renewal of purpose and determination. It's just what we need to get us to the finish line. Mayahuel is a goddess associated with the maguey plant (of the genus Agave). It was used for a variety of purposes - from rope and clothes to an alcoholic beverage. Mayahuel is symbolic of all that which nourishes and sustains us, the basic necessities we need as well as what motivates us to thrive and survive.

Diversity is Desirable

From the Sun and Moon Tarot, the Four of Wands; from the Jade Oracle, Ometeotl:

A phase or stage of understanding has been achieved, rendering some stability and a temporary plateau. There is more to be done, but for now, there is time to relax and enjoy the results. Ometeotl was a binary god (husband and wife) responsible for creating the universe. From one came many; from unity came diversity. Diversity brings in new ideas, experiences and resources - promoting creativity and leading to better problem-solving. Perhaps that will be the next stage to attain. 

We need diversity if we are to change, grow, and innovate.

―Dr. Katherine W. Phillips

Learn From Rather Than Shape

This week I'll be using the Sun and Moon Tarot, created by Vanessa Decort and published by U.S. Games. Paired with it will be the Jade Oracle, created by artist Ramona Snow Teo and Anne Key and published by Goddess Ink. Today's draws are the Prince (Knight) of Cups and Ollin:

The very essence of romance is uncertainty.

― Oscar Wilde

Truly knowing the Prince of Cups is like trying to make out a figure shrouded in mist. He has emotional desires that are often hidden because he is timid when it comes to intimacy. Being Air of Water, he tries to apply intellect to emotion, which often creates more confusion than clarity. As a result, his highs and lows are like the dolphin he rides. Yet the lotus he holds - a symbol of beauty arising from darkness - suggests he will make progress if he attempts to learn from his relationships rather than shape them. Ollin means 'movement;' it represents the constant cycle of creation, change and degeneration in life. It is a reminder that in this flow, we can fully enjoy what is presently in our current without expecting it to be unchangeable or permanent. The same applies to our relationships.

Filling Every Crevice

From the Hoi Polloi Tarot, Judgment; from the I Ching Pack, Hexagram 29 (Water over Chasm):

Without spiritual discipline we are never going to wake up or advance on our journey through this life. 

―Joan Gattuso

Spiritual awakening isn't an exit strategy but a deep dive into reality with arms spread wide. It means we do not turn our head or distract ourselves from what is happening here and now; we see it clearly without adding our personal assumptions, projections or opinions. Yet Hexagram 29 (Abyss) points out that our emotions can flood us and cause us to retreat, thinking that these feelings are aligned with facts rather than just a temporary energy that moves through us (dissipating when we don't feed it with thoughts). But just as water flows and fills up every depression it tumbles over, we too need not avoid what frightens us. Open and curious, we investigate its nature and learn what it has to teach us. Then, rather than impulsively reacting, we can make an informed choice.

Shifts and Changes

From the Hoi Polloi Tarot, the Three of Wands; from the I Ching Pack, Hexagram 49 (Lake over Fire):

With these two cards, the expansion of the Three of Wands and the revolution of Hexagram 49 pair up. Here clarity and confidence arise along with a big push to do something different. It is the recognition that our well-being requires a big change, and then having the integrity to follow through. In doing so, we may rediscover our joie de vivre and become amazed as if seeing everything with fresh eyes.

Change can be frightening, and the temptation is often to resist it. But change almost always provides opportunities - to learn new things, to rethink tired processes, and to improve the way we work.

~Klaus Schwab

Port in a Storm

From the Hoi Polloi Tarot, the King of Cups; from the I Ching Pack, Hexagram 47 (Lake over Chasm):

When the waves and winds are raging, there's nothing like finding a port in the storm. That's what this King represents - a calm and composed demeanor that affects those around him in a beneficial way. I was at the medical center where my personal care physician practices yesterday for my yearly checkup, when the tornado warning sirens went off. Everyone, staff and patients, were ushered into the inner hallways for safety. We finally got the all-clear to go back to our exam rooms only to have another siren go off (for a second tornado). There's nothing like doctors and nurses who have to deal with emergencies on a day-to-day basis to be the grounding center for everyone else's nerves. Hexagram 47 suggests exhaustion, and a caution that even the most unflappable folks need their own port or practices to keep them from burning out.  

As Appropriate

From the Hoi Polloi Tarot, the Chariot; from the I Ching Pack, Hexagram 30 (Fire over Fire):

It's ironic that the Chariot has appeared today as I was supposed to be headed out of town but extremely bad weather and an injured, abandoned kitten have kept my wheels at rest. I feel torn by my mother's expectations (to show up no matter what) and my personal obligations (be safe, get the kitten stable). Hexagram 30, with keywords such as warmth and clarity, explains that we need to use our power in selfless ways. Ego would force a situation - go to keep the peace and people please or don't go at all and say "the hell with it." But the middle way, without attachments, would see what could be done without resorting to extremes. It suggests to be led by the light - receptive to seeing reality as it is - and then move (or stay) as is appropriate to the situation.

Raise Your Voice

From the Hoi Polloi Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the I Ching Pack, Thunder Over Wind (hexagram 32):

An unbelieved truth can hurt a man much more than a lie. It takes great courage to back truth unacceptable to our times. ―John Steinbeck

The Queen of Swords has a knack for seeing through any distraction or deflection. This ability allows her to be a truth teller. But doing so doesn't put her on many favorites lists, and in fact might be dangerous. As the tail-end of Steinbeck's quote states: "There's a punishment for it, and it's usually crucifixion." Maybe not literally, but definitely metaphorically. Which makes sense for the 32nd Hexagram to appear since it relates to constancy, perseverance and holding firm. As William Faulkner wrote, "Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed."

Lighthouses

This week I'll be using the Hoi Polloi Tarot published by Hoi Polloi Inc. The oracle I'll also use is the I Ching Pack created by Richard Gill and Anthony Clark, and published by Thorsons. Today's cards are the Hermit and Mountain Over Wind (hexagram 18):

It's not a person's mistakes which define them - it's the way they make amends.

― Freya North

Standing atop a cliff with a lantern in his hand, the Hermit reminds me of a lighthouse. The NOAA states that the purposes of these towers are "to warn mariners of dangerous shallows and perilous rocky coasts and help guide vessels safely into and out of harbors." The Hermit's years of spiritual self-reflection can allow him to do the same. Yet it's not that he's lived a near-perfect life. As the Titanic 'de-motivational poster' advises with its tongue-in-cheek phrase: "It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others." However Hexagram 18 suggests that we can repair the damage our actions caused and resolve not to make the same choices as before. Then we could not only warn others away from such paths, but we could also teach them how to sail a different route. 

Argumentative Altercation

From the Wayfarer Tarot, the Knight of Air (Swords); from the Curious Oracle, Alchemy:

When we respond from a more dispassionate perspective, and are not just caught in the game of defending or promoting our ego, it is as though a different world opens up. We begin to see how our limited focus has prevented us from developing a bigger vision of what is going on and how best to respond to it. ―Judy Lief

With beak open, claws extended and feathers flying, this Knight of Swords/Air is not afraid of an argument. He believes if he has the facts, then he's right. What he lacks is context (what might be true in one situation is not necessarily true in another) and empathy. He's got skin in the game - he enjoys the reputation of being knowledgeable and likes to prove it. Alchemy (transformation) suggests there is a middle way without painting everything in black or white. Sincerely listening rather than just telling can help him not only better understand another perspective, it can make him less argumentative. And being less cocky can make the other side more willing to listen to his point of view as well.

After the Tilt

From the Wayfarer Tarot, the Star; from the Curious Oracle, the Honey Bee:

The most difficult times for many of us are the ones we give ourselves. 

~Pema Chodron

The nakedness of the Star shows the moment when we are stripped bare of our assumptions. We discover that in this world, there is no such thing as an expert who can handle everything. For the moment, we are receptive and quiet. The Honey Bee (nourishment) suggests that instead of blame or self-flagellation, we rest. Later, we can look with an objective eye to see what was going on when life tilted; we can check to see if there was something we were running from instead of toward. True nourishment can come in accepting that at times, no matter how much knowledge we have, we just don't know the answers beforehand.

When we think that something is going to bring us pleasure, we don’t know what’s really going to happen.  When we think something is going to give us misery, we don’t know.  Letting there be room for not knowing is the most important thing of all. ~Pema Chodron

Express Yourself

From the Wayfarer Tarot, the Two of Fire (Wands); from the Curious Oracle, Mudra:

A man has seized the opportunity presented in the Ace and now looks down an unknown road he will travel. But he pauses as he considers the impact of leaving behind what he was doing, and even how he identified himself through that work. Yet he knows what he learned in the past will help carry him forward. The Mudra card (expression) hints that we all express our ideas and feelings in various ways - from a wave, to a raised middle finger, to hands clasped together. This opportunity allows us to express ourselves in new and different ways, to step out of complacency and try something both exciting and challenging.

Experience should be a plus as long as it doesn't become complacency.

 ~Marv Levy

The Healing

From the Wayfarer Tarot, the Five of Water (Cups); from the Curious Oracle, Apple Blossom:

The despair and hurt of the Five of Cups/Water paired with the Apple Blossom (Renewal) remind me of the words of Mark Nepo: "when feeling miserable, we must look wider than what hurts." This does not mean we attempt to suppress our feelings with false optimism. Rather we take the advice of Pema Chodron: "The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy."

Not Inconsequential

From the Wayfarer Tarot, the King of Earth (Pentacles); from the Curious Oracle, Spider:

 

The King of Earth gets up early and goes to bed late because he wants to be aware of what is growing in his kingdom. If he pays attention, he can influence what is good and deter what isn't. The Spider suggests catching things that don't notice its web. Both of these cards remind me how easily we can slip into a pattern of behavior and get stuck in it. And certain habits tend to get worse and create more suffering. The Anti-Defamation League's Pyramid of Hate show why we need to be aware of what we might consider inconsequential words and actions:

Fidelity

From the Wayfarer's Tarot, the Queen of Air (Swords); from the Curious Oracle, the Orange Grove:

When I was a kid, I longed for my own set of World Book Encyclopedias. In my young mind, I imagined those books contained all the knowledge in the world. I had no idea that each set had to be reprinted each year to include new and updated information. This Queen of Air/Swords feeds her crows, a symbol of the way she feeds her own intellect and understanding in order to stay abreast of changes and discoveries. The Orange Grove represents fidelity, meaning (in this case) accuracy and exactness. An orange tree will not produce apples or cherries. In the same way, a rigid, obsolete understanding of the world is like an outdated, dusty set of encyclopedias. We may be comfortably attached to our ideas, but to live a useful life requires being fully aware of reality, not just the parts we prefer.