A Flashlight in the Forest

From the RainShadow Tarot, the Page of Cups; from the Liminal Spirits Oracle, Forest:

You don't blast a heart open. You coax and nurture it open, like the sun does to a rose.

―Melody Beattie

While all the Pages are curious, the Page of Cups is more sensitive in his interactions. There is no pushiness or demands, only tender questions and gentle responses. He seems to have been born with the ability to listen and empathize deeply. The Forest card's meaning is akin to the USNPS motto: “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.” In other words, be respectful. Yet it also warns us to keep our wits about us and not get lost. In the forest of emotions, it can be easy to get entangled in someone else's feelings while trying to be helpful. Psychoanalyst Robin Stern suggests: "One way to ensure you are taking care of someone you love while keeping track of your own feelings is to convert excess empathy to compassion. When a friend is distraught, instead of assuming the feeling of distress yourself, take a breath and a step back and say, 'That sounds so awful. Is there something I can do for you?'”