Keep Looking

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Witch of Cups (Knight); from the Transforming Dragons deck, Lorkoc:

If you don’t think it’s nearly impossible to change someone who is not willing to change, just think how hard it is to change yourself, and you are willing.

― Charles F. Glassman

The Witch court cards show a more focused use of power concerned with self-expression and self-fulfillment. Lorenzi-Prince refers to the Witch of Cups as a siren, one who lures others through their desire for love, beauty and kindness. She wants a companion in this dance, one who will relate to life as she does with warmth, gentleness and grace. Lorkoc - a symbol of defiance - shows just what a tall order this can be. His enjoyment involves provoking and insulting others; he will disagree just for the fun of it. Those who thought they might smooth his rough edges quickly realized that he doesn't change for anyone. Keep looking Witch, and don't even pause for this one a second glance.

Not Wasted

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Ten of Cups; from the Transforming Dragons deck, Fliquito:

 Joy isn’t something we have to find. Joy is who we are if we’re not preoccupied with something else. 

—Charlotte Joko Beck

The expansiveness of the human heart is limitless if we understand that its ability does not rest in outer things. When we come to this realization, we see that love and kindness are not finite resources that must be reserved for special people or situations. Not only can our cup stay full, but we will have plenty to share. Yet we can easily waste it all through self-reference and other habitual patterns. Fliquito represents falsehoods - in this case, those we tell ourselves. He tells us that what we offer others should be returned or else it is wasted. Yet as Aesop reminds us, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Even if the other rejects our gift, if we hold no expectations, we can still be blessed by what we offered. In fact, such a response can help our compassion grow if we understand the pain at the root of their reaction.

Incomplete

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Crone, a book and deck set created and self-published by Ellen Lorenzi-Prince. I'll be pairing it with Transforming Dragons, a set created by Sonia Cafe and published by Weiser. Today's cards are the Beast of Swords and Cerbeu:

There is no point in using the word 'impossible' to describe something that has clearly happened.

― Douglas Adams

What traditionally is called the Page of Swords, Lorenzi-Prince instead gives the name 'Beast' to describe the primal, wild expression of this element. The crow makes me think of the saying, "as the crow flies," meaning taking the shortest route rather than longer, well-traveled roads. Yet the quick and impatient way means missing out on a lot of knowledge and experience that could lead to wisdom. Worse still, we might assume that what we've learned is completely accurate, without realizing it's just one facet of the whole. Cerbeu represents ignorance, meaning the true nature of things is hidden through denial, delusion or a lack of information. But if we perceive ourselves as holding only one grain of knowledge compared to all that is available, we might become willing to listen and learn in order to add to our inventory.

 

Depth Instead of Dalliance

From the Dark Mansion Tarot, the Lovers; from Miss Mai's Victorian Oracle, Buckle:

Without commitment you cannot have depth in anything.

― Neil Strauss

Making a commitment is not just about choosing 'our person,' but deciding what kind of person we want to be. A wise choice realizes that a partner for the long haul will inevitably shape our life just as we will shape theirs. It also acknowledges that while we can have excitement and adventures together, we also need values and principles that will keep us grounded when things get difficult. As Madeleine L'Engle put it, it requires "love which is not possession but participation." The hinged pin of a Buckle that is used to join two ends of a belt or strap is an appropriate symbol for commitment. What joins us must be sturdy enough to last longer than a few strolls through the park on a pleasant day.

Incoming

From the Dark Mansion Tarot, the Eight of Wands; from Miss Mai's Victorian Oracle, Invitation:

Creativity itself doesn't care at all about results - the only thing it craves is the process.

~Elizabeth Gilbert

My father-in-law (who retired and then opened a restaurant) had a saying when things got extremely busy and chaotic: keep your head down and your tail up. This phrase suggests a tracking dog with his nose to the ground and his tail in the air (a sign of confidence). In other words, focus on the task in front of you instead of looking at what's ahead, and you can be assured that things will get done in a timely and acceptable manner. And when those wands make a landing, you'll still be on your feet. Invitation implies a request, a chance to participate in something. A successful landing with one project nearly always opens the door to other opportunities. 

Unpacking

From the Dark Mansion Tarot, the Hermit; from Miss Mai's Victorian Oracle, Corset:

The older I get, the less I know. It's wonderful - it makes the world so spacious.

― Swami Chetanananda

When I was in my teens and twenties, I thought I knew everything and rarely listened to advice. Fast forward to being in my sixties, and I now realize just how little I know. But that realization means I'm more willing to listen and learn with an open mind. The Hermit is the same way; his wisdom is hard-won from the knocks of life (though with a few pleasures too). When he is frustrated at the world, he recognizes it is a signal that self-reflection and contemplation are needed. Progress can be made when he stops focusing so much on what needs to be changed in the world and concentrates on his attitude and what needs to be changed in him. Corset represents suppression, and in this case suggests something we try to hide when we present ourselves to others. But there's only so much that can be stuffed in before it starts leaking out. The Hermit invites us to take a timeout for some mental and emotional unpacking.

Just a Cigar

From the Dark Mansion Tarot, the Ace of Cups; from Miss Mai's Victorian Oracle, the Stranger:

 It's often easy to see symbolism where none exists.

~Gene Tierney

When I pull my cards for my daily reflection, it can be easy to forget that sometimes what I see is as far as it goes. There is no need to imagine or ponder what each may represent. Today is one of many days of heat advisories that has been issued for our area this summer. High temperatures and high humidity (that keeps sweat from evaporating and cooling a person) create a dangerous situation. A large cup and a stranger ('caution') is likely just a reminder to stay hydrated as I go through a very busy day ahead.

Check Your Sources

From the Dark Mansion Tarot, the Page of Swords; from Miss Mai's Victorian Oracle, Planchette:

On the plus side, the Page of Swords is eager to learn and has his ear bent toward any new information around him. On the down side, he's not yet learned how to wisely wield the sharp sword of knowledge that he's collected. His mother will hopefully apprise him of what it takes not only to be intelligent, but also trustworthy: Just because you know something, you don't have to share that information with others unless it helps more than hurts the people involved. The original Planchette was a flat piece of wood equipped with two wheeled casters and a pencil-holding aperture pointing downwards. It was used to facilitate automatic writing by mediums who claimed to be able to communicate with the dead. The device would later be replaced by the pointer used for Ouija boards. It is rather suspect that the intercessors who used them had to be paid a substantial sum of money so spirits could communicate to their family instead of the dead using a more direct method. Which is another lesson for this Page: sometimes people feed us misinformation or nonsense for their own gain. 

It has become more important than ever that we teach students how to do research, and how to evaluate different sources of information. ~Jimmy Wales

Justice for All?

From the Dark Mansion Tarot, Justice; from Miss Mai's Victorian Oracle, Ship:

I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. (original Pledge of Allegiance written in August 1892 by Francis Bellamy)

This staid and starchy judge reminds me of how important it is to know the people who are creating and enforcing 'justice.' That line, 'with liberty and justice for all,' doesn't ring true when one group's beliefs are imposed on a minority group. Personal freedoms can easily be eroded when the those in power feel their preferences are the right ones. The addition of 'under God' by Eisenhower underscores this narrow perspective. The Ship card suggests travel or expanding one's horizons. It implies that befriending people of different races, cultures, religions, etc. than our own can be helpful in widening our views; understanding how other people think and live can help develop clarity and compassion. 

Mental Traps

This week I'll be using the Dark Mansion Tarot, an independently published deck (Taroteca Studio) by Krzysztof Wasiuk and Magdalena Kaczan (artist). I'll also be using Miss Mai's Victorian Oracle, a self-published deck created by Mai (surname unknown). Today's draws are the Ten of Swords and Bat:

Nothing will work unless you do.

―Maya Angelou 

A long list of jobs, friends and partners that last only briefly likely means the problem lies with us, not them. Mentally hitting rock bottom is not a pleasant place, but it can be an eye-opening position if we are open-minded enough to question our ideas and how we express ourselves. Bat suggests we make a sincere effort to see from another point of view rather than just our own. Its use of echolocation suggests we should pay attention to what is reflected back to us when we interact with others. Can we attempt to see from their perspective? Is it possible to just listen without correcting another person? The mental trap of superiority is a lonely place to be.

In the eyes of the ego, self-esteem and humility are contradictory.

In truth, they are one and the same.

― Eckhart Tolle

Live in the Solution

From the Slow Tarot, the Ace of Swords; from the ROAR Oracle, Julia Child:

When I stopped living in the problem and began living in the answer,

the problem went away. ~AA basic text

I read a quote by Banksy (the graffiti artist) that said, "Your mind is working at its best when you're being paranoid." While I like his art, I'd have to disagree with his words. The logical mind is taken offline when we experience (and feed) strong emotions. It might feel like our thoughts are correct and insightful, but really we are operating without mental clarity. That doesn't mean we need to ignore or deny any problems, but rather that we acknowledge them while seeking a solution that doesn't create more difficulties or complications. Known mostly as a wonderful chef, Julia Child began her cooking experiments while working for OSS during WWII; she concocted a shark repellent for soldiers stranded in the water. She had her share of unexpected problems, but preferred a positive response: "One of the secrets of cooking is to learn to correct something if you can, and bear with it if you cannot."

What We Put In To It

From the Slow Tarot, the Seven of Cups; from the ROAR Oracle, Maya Angelou:

I live in two unique worlds, traveling between both with just the opening or closing of my eyes.

― Richelle E. Goodrich

In the twilight of a forest, a young girl looks at the dangling cups from the branches of a tree. The cups contain a mix of oddities: some strange (a mouse, a snake and moths), some delightful (gold coins, a heart-shaped locket, and an apple), and something mysterious (a key). We all have expectations of things based on previous knowledge and experiences, but do we dare make a decision based on the past and our limited information? The mouse might represent resourcefulness, the snake shedding old beliefs, and the moths transformation or guides. The 'good things' might represent what is easily gained and lost. Poet Maya Angelou reminds us that whatever we choose, we don't reap the benefits without effort: “Love life. Engage in it. Give it all you’ve got. Love it with a passion because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.”

Only the Fun Parts

From the Slow Tarot, the Knight of Wands; from the ROAR Oracle, Helen Keller:

An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered.

An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.

― G.K. Chesterton

The Knight of Wands is not a settling down sort of guy; he's always looking for a new road to take with the promise of more adventures. He might be considered ambitious if he weren't so allergic to anything that was tedious, unexciting, unpleasant or difficult. He lives for fun and pleasure, seeking immediate gratification rather than whatever might require a long-term effort. He hasn't yet figured out that there is satisfaction to be found in the things he abhors. Helen Keller would challenge him to give it a try: "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

Uncommon Results

From the Slow Tarot, the Three of Wands; from the ROAR Oracle, Amelia Earhart:

[Teamwork] is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.

~Andrew Carnegie

Three people watch to see what their collaboration has produced. Being willing to work with others toward a shared goal means adding talents and creative solutions to the pot. But it does require a lack of arrogance and ego if there is to be discussion and progress rather than arguments and stalemates. Yet before cooperation can materialize, there must also be courage - to be willing to expand one's views and ideas. Amelia Earhart, the aviator pioneer, said it beautifully: "The most difficult thing is the decision to act. The rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life and the procedure. The process is its own reward."

Mastery of Ourselves

From the Slow Tarot, the Hanged Man; from the ROAR Oracle, Rachel Carlson:

In an increasingly complex, unpredictable world, what matters most isn’t IQ, willpower, or confidence in what we know. It’s how we deal with what we don’t understand.

― Jamie Holmes

Sometimes our sacrifice comes in realizing that while we may have some influence in our world, we don't actually control much but ourselves. And even that only comes with awareness, often after we've attempted to push, pull and prod people and situations to respond the way we want without results. Rachel Carson was a marine biologist, nature writer and ecologist. Her books pointed out that humans were just one part of nature distinguished primarily by their power to alter it, in some cases irreversibly. Her investigations lead her to write Silent Spring, which warned that the prolific use of pesticides in agriculture and by the government were having long-term effects on the natural world. She stated: "I think we’re challenged as mankind has never been challenged before to prove our maturity and our mastery, not of nature, but of ourselves." Like Carson, we can present the evidence, offer suggestions, and continue to spread the message in an attempt to influence others. But we can also be a role model for for changes we seek.

A New Habit

From the Slow Tarot, Temptation (Devil); from the ROAR Oracle, the Fox Sisters:

But little by little, bit by bit

I push it back down with a new habit

If not for long, just for a while

I'll bury myself with a great big smile

~ Ren - "Chalk Outlines"

Bryant's version of the Devil shows some of the different ways we try to bury ourselves away from reality - sex, alcohol, and food. It's not that these pleasures are always harmful, but they can easily become our prison when they are used to avoid dealing with life. Over-indulgence is different from self-care; it always leaves us feeling worse than before when the high wears off. The Fox sisters and their public seances helped spark a spiritualism craze in the United States and Europe built on the belief that it was possible for living humans to communicate with the dead. One of the sisters, Maggie, confessed to the New York World in 1888 that her and her sister’s communication with the dead had been a hoax. People believe what they want to believe because it briefly offers relief. But the delusions don't help us actually solve problems or navigate life well. They too are just a drug of sorts.

Do the Right Thing

This week I'll be using the Slow Tarot, created by Lacey Bryant and published through Modern Eden Gallery. Paired with it will be the ROAR Oracle, created and self-published by MJ Cullinane. Today's draws are Balance (Justice) and Irene Sendler:

A monk asked Yun Men, “What are the teachings of a whole lifetime?”

Yun Men said, “An appropriate response.”

~Blue Cliff Record

Bryant writes that Balance (Justice) asks us to make a measured and deliberate response, understanding that the effects of our response will reverberate, rippling outward with external consequences. Our reactions are usually self-oriented to what we like, dislike or feel indifferent toward. That means our preferences and prejudices take the driver's seat instead of mercy, fairness and objectivity. But if we set aside our opinions, wishes, and emotions, what would the appropriate response be? Irene Sendler was a nurse who saved 2500 children as a part of the Polish Underground Resistance during WWII. She hated the term 'hero,' believing that people should be helped regardless of religion or nationality. Her actions were without desire for recognition but rather motivated by love and the aspiration to do the right thing. Justice should follow suit. 

One can not be just if one is not humane.

~Luc de Clapiers

Little Things

From the Tarot of the Hidden Realm, the Ace of Pentacles; from the Heart of Faerie Oracle, Faerie of Growth:

For the great doesn’t happen through impulse alone, and is a succession of little things that are brought together. ~Vincent van Gogh

The little hedgehog lives life close to the ground, always aware of things that are new are different, especially if they might be useful. He reminds me of my husband, who has a habit of spotting and picking up coins in parking lots or on walks. When looking for opportunities, many of us hold a fully developed image in mind and miss the seeds that might help us progress in that direction. The Faerie of Growth reminds us not to get stuck in a stagnating mindset, adamant that what we want only looks a particular way. As the hedgehog knows, possibilities are to be found in unusual shapes and sizes.

Above Water

From the Tarot of the Hidden Realms, the Six of Cups; from the Heart of Faerie Oracle, the Lady of Song:

When we are not submerged in our memories and look at them with a more objective view, they often become more or less than the original version. Maybe it is that maturity and experience gives us other angles from which to see them. We could have a better understanding of why something happened and the mental make-up of the players involved, or we might have an appreciation of an event that we didn't think too much about as a child. The Lady of Song does not sing but listens to the song of the universe, noting how what might at first seem noisy and chaotic has a harmony within it. She knows we are all part of this song. How we choose to integrate our past will affect our present. Acceptance and forgiveness can help us hear the harmony; shame or anger will drown out its sweet song. 

Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future.

~Corrie Ten Boom

The Swing of the Sword

From the Tarot of the Hidden Realms, Temperance; from the Heart of Faerie Oracle, the Hero:

That which offers no resistance, overcomes the hardest substances. That which offers no resistance can enter where there is no space. ―Tao Te Ching, Chapter 43.

Temperance is a reminder that when we take an extreme stand, we cause suffering to ourselves and others. We can easily find ourselves in the camp of fundamentalism, having a long list of things and people we are against, but very few groups or issues that we focus on healing or being benevolent toward. Our self-identity can easily become linked to our cause, further separating us. The Faerie's Hero is a feminine form; she does not fight battles fueled by intolerance and hatred. Her sword of truth swings like a cool rain falling on a parched land, bringing love, kindness and justice. 

Men build too many walls and not enough bridges.

― Joseph Fort Newton

Candlelight

From the Tarot of the Hidden Realm, the Two of Pentacles; from the Heart of Faerie Oracle, the Queen of Shadows:

In order to understand the world, one has to turn away from it on occasion.

― Albert Camus

Many of us find ourselves stuck on a treadmill of busyness, always doing with always more to do, but rarely seeing much progress at all. This fey is watching a flower grow. She's connected to Mother Earth and focused on just being rather than doing. She knows a sacred pause can let us actually see what is going on around us rather than living in the future of "what's next?" The Queen of Shadows, who represents introspection, would applaud this fey. She asks us to look at the shiny side of the self we show others, the neglected parts of ourselves, and the the shadowy parts we don't like to acknowledge. We may find the root issue that motivates us to stay busy in an attempt to feel worthy. But as we look within, we should light our way with this candle from Yoshin David Radin: "You have not been put here to be judged or to prove your self-worth, your self-worth is that you exist."  

Turn the Mind to the Moment

From the Tarot of Hidden Realms, the Star; from the Heart of Faerie Oracle, Prick Up Your Ears:

It is the presence of mind that makes me unaware of everything else.

― G.K. Chesterton

This young faerie was following fireflies into the woods when he suddenly realized that he had lost his bearings. Nothing look familiar, and he suddenly felt very alone and vulnerable. But right before panic set in, he noticed an iridescent moth. Knowing it would lead him to the lights of home, he followed it. Prick Up Your Ears is a reminder that while our senses are constantly taking in information, our mind is rarely attending to any of it unless it is something dangerous. We may be in a (metaphorical) dark hole, but we're so busy wallowing in our predicament, we miss the ropes or hands offered to help us out. We need to turn our mind to the moment and the information it brings. As Mark Nepo said, "When feeling miserable, we must look wider than what hurts."

Three Essentials

From the Tarot of the Hidden Realm, the Three of Pentacles; from the Heart of Faerie Oracle, Joy of the Future:

The three grand essentials of happiness are: Something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for. ~Alexander Chalmers

This craftsman has honed his skills for many years; at this point his hands know the weight, shape and texture of everything he creates. Most folks, he would say, want to be instantly good at something without putting in the effort of practice and learning. But to be able to see one's own progress, even as one makes mistakes, can be a reward in itself. The Joy of the Future alludes to anticipation, the excitement of having something to look forward to. Sometimes our fantasy of how it will be doesn't match the actual event or result, but still, wasn't there some fun and pleasure in the waiting?

Gathering Up

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Hidden Realm, created by Julia Jeffrey with Barbara Moore, and published by Llewellyn. I'll also be drawing from the Heart of Faerie Oracle created by Brian and Wendy Froud  and published by Abrams. Today's cards are the Five of Pentacles and the Thief:

Oh that my monk’s robe were wide enough

to gather up all the suffering people in this floating world 

—Ryokan

Cold and hungry, the elder of two fey sisters comforts the younger one. I am convinced that a person can get through almost any hardship if they know they have someone walking beside them on the journey. Of course it is best if this fellow traveler has certain qualities:

• They neither blame nor shame, only support and encourage; they realize that this shoe could easily be on their own foot.
• They don't try to get rid of their own discomfort with a quick fix; they do not employ toxic positivity or spiritual bypass. They allow feelings to be felt without sanctioning self-pity.
• Instead of assuming to know what the other needs, they ask and try to supply it.

The Thief steals something we can't ever get back - our time. He tells us that we can put things off, postpone and procrastinate because we'll have time to get around to it. I'm sure we all know someone who could use our compassion and support now rather than later.

The Cost

From the Mary-El Tarot, the Page of Cups; from the OH Cards, Assessment/Destroy:

When you let it get personal, the cost becomes personal too.

― Michael Marshall Smith

This Page of Cups embodies his suit, both literally and metaphorically. While his kindness and unconditional love work in the favor of others, he has a hard time understanding the reactions of people who aren't so sweet. He doesn't comprehend why he is rarely their priority, even though he prioritizes them. He doesn't realize that their reactions have more to do with what's currently going on in their life or simply an ingrained habit rather than anything to do him. The Assessment/Destroy combo from the OH cards suggests it's time for him to quit valuing himself based on the responses he gets from others. He needs to direct that compassion and kindness toward himself, making his own emotional needs his priority.