The Work of Head and Heart

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Three of Coins; from the Elemental Dice, Dusk/Dawn (Darkness + Light):

The mark of all good art is not that the thing done is done exactly or finely, for machinery may do as much, but that it is worked out with the head and the workman's heart.

―Oscar Wilde

Petersen illustrates her Three of Coins with the symbol of Om, the primordial sound of creation from which all other vibrations are able to manifest. The footprint suggests making one's mark on the world, but the Om reminds us that excellence and complexity must start at the beginning. No one gets to jump to the head of the line without study and practice. Look closely at the artwork of AI; while it might be much faster and considered 'good,' it still seems to lack any heart or warmth. The Dusk/Dawn roll indicates a time of shifts and changes. Even if we don't receive outward acclaim, our efforts over time will be inwardly rewarded as we begin to see our progress. 

An Opening

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, Renewal (Judgment); from the Elemental Dice, Sun (Light + Fire):

Giving up one’s own certainties can open up a door toward a deeper intimacy with things.

—Henry Shukman

Judgment illustrates a crack opening in our minds and hearts, a transforming experience that causes us to perceive life in a radically different way. The dice roll of Sun suggests warmth and clarity. Together they bring the message of being with reality in a new way - relaxing, releasing attachments, and resisting nothing. When we're not constantly in battle mode, we can respond with clear insight and compassion. We begin to see that even within chaos and heartache, there is still beauty, joy and kindness to be found if we're not focused in one direction. 

Checkup from the Neck Up

This week I'll be using the Margarete Petersen Tarot, created by M. Petersen and published by Königs Furt. The oracle I'll be using is the Elemental Dice. Today's card and dice roll are the Moon and Lightning (Air + Fire):

 We habitually jump to thoughts and feelings about what is being perceived. These thoughts and feelings, rooted in past experiences and conditioning, then influence the mood of our mind. 

—Ruth King

The woman on the left pillar is finally seeing that her free will is not very free at all. The unconscious is a mental file cabinet that immediately sends to the conscious mind any file remotely relevant to our current situation, yanking our chain according to past encounters. So much of what we think and feel is tied to our past and greatly influences how we respond. Yet Lightning, a massive electrostatic discharge from cloud to ground, suggests we find a way to pause and looks with discernment at what the mind tells us. I've found two tools that are helpful in this regard: a fearless inventory of my life and meditation. A inventory helps me become aware of patterns that have become habitual but are unskillful or harmful; awareness can aid in change. Meditation allows me to see just what is swirling around in my head so that I don't unconsciously react to it.

Before fixing what you're looking at, check what you're looking through.

—Mark Nepo 

Make Some Space

From the Lilifer Tarot, the Ace of Cups; from the Wandering Soul Oracle, Rebirth:

Joy, it seems, mostly comes unbidden. 

~Christina Feldman

This demon takes advantage of a rain storm to fill her cup, giving her the resources to nourish her body, mind and spirit. The lotus flower in Rebirth brings to mind reaching up through the muck and muddy water until the sun is reached. Together these cards imply that we need something to lift and fill our hearts while easing our mind. Buddhist teacher Christina Feldman writes, "Gladness allows us to find rest even in the midst of action. Joy helps us to remember and treasure our capacity for ease and peace." But if joy mostly comes unbidden, how do we fill our cup with it? Feldman explains that this state has its roots in mindfulness, which brings an intimacy with all things. She suggests we also need to make time for 'sacred idleness' - not an escape from reality, but simply being rather than doing. Joy needs space to emerge.

Hard Knock Learning

From the Lilifer Tarot, the Page of Wands; from the Wandering Soul Oracle, Protection:

I realized how fragile we are as humans. There was a time I thought we were bulletproof...

~Joe Perry (Aerosmith)

The Page of Wands learns through exploration, yet he also seeks excitement (just look at the sparks coming off the bottom of his wand as he walks). He'll always gravitate toward whatever is thrilling or dangerous; he'd prefer learning photography in a war zone rather than a meadow of wildflowers. Because he feels invincible, it usually always requires life's hard knocks for him to gain wisdom. The hamsa symbol of Protected seems to imply that there's an amulet or power that can keep one from harm. Common sense, listening to the insights of others, and prudent choices would likely be better options. 

It Can Be Uncomfortable

From the Lilifer Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Wandering Soul Oracle, Memories:

When it comes to choices, there is no one way our life is supposed to go. Each choice leads to another branch of possibilities and on and on it goes.

― Dee Waldeck

These two little demons remind me of game show host announcers. "Come on down! You're the next contestant on Expand Your Life!" Moving from our comfort zone into the unknown can be scary but also exciting. We have a chance to get out of our routine and try our hand at something new. Maybe we prefer to put a toe in the water instead of jumping in with both feet, and that's okay. Each new choice we make will open other doors for us to peer into. The Memories card points to our habit of thinking about the past as "the good ole days." Of course our experiences were not all good; we just think of them that way when the present is a challenge. But don't let the hard times sway you. As Jonathan Majors said, "Growth is uncomfortable; you have to embrace the discomfort if you want to expand."

A Pat on the Back

From the Lilifer Tarot, the Six of Wands; from the Wandering Soul Oracle, Celebrate:

A pat on the back is only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants, but is miles ahead in results. ―Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Both of the card draws today suggest being recognized for our progress or success and celebrating it. In some cases, there's no crowd of admirers throwing us a parade but a simple acknowledgement we make to ourselves. Most of us have a well trained inner critic who is always on the lookout for any mistakes and slip-ups. While we need to be able to forgive ourselves, it is also important to be able to say 'atta-girl' or 'atta-boy' when we recognize our strides forward. That's the kind of encouragement that can keep us going. 

Creative Generosity

From the Lilifer Tarot, the Queen of Wands; from the Wandering Soul Oracle, Divine Language:

Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.

–Maya Angelou

Unlike her husband, whose flame of enthusiasm can be glaring and overwhelming at times, the Queen of Wands keeps hers at a warm glow. She doesn't want to tell you what to do with your passion; she'd rather encourage through nurturing your creative side. She doesn't mind offering some ideas, but her goal is to be your cheerleader rather than your manager. The Divine Language card shows a drawing of the golden ratio, a proportion based on the patterns of nature that has been used by artists and designers for centuries. This mathematical ratio of 1:1.618 has a decimal that stretches to infinity. In these days of piracy and plagiarism, it may feel like we need to jealously guard our ideas and share them with no one. But as Maya Angelou reminds us, “You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” 

The Shadow Left Behind

From the Lilifer Tarot, the Knight of Pentacles; from the Wandering Soul Oracle, Mortality:

The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.

–Robert Frost

This demon, built for tough, heavy work, points the way to her loyal wolf. Both are intent on taking care of business regardless of the storms they ride through. She's not only good at what she does, she's dependable and conscientious about her work too. Yet the Mortality card asks us if finishing our work (as if it's ever finished!) is more pressing than time spent with those we love or doing the things that nourish our spirit. “Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind,” Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote. Is 'reliable worker' all we want carved on our urn or tombstone?

Joyful Offering

This week I'll be using the Lilifer Tarot, created and self-published by Marion Costentin. I'll also be using the Wandering Soul Oracle, created and self-published by Rachael Jean. Today's draws are the King of Wands and Higher Power:

Create. Not for the money. Not for the fame. Not for the recognition. But for the pure joy of creating something and sharing it.

― Ernest Barbaric

This fiery king is pulsing with electrical energy and flames; if it weren't for the smile on his face and his relaxed posture, one might think he was angry or malevolent. Instead, his passion has found a positive outlet that not only brings him joy but also makes him a more creative and capable leader. In recovery circles, a Higher Power is something greater than one's ego. It may be thought of as an essence or energy that runs through all of creation; Paul Tillich called it the "Ground of Being." When we acknowledge this power, we can tap into it, allowing it to guide all we do so that everything becomes an offering rather than just being about us and the praise we accumulate. 

A Universal Experience

From the Tarot of the Enchanted Forest, Black Shuck (Death); from the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, Split Gill:

Black Shuck is a spectral dog-like being with glowing eyes that is the portent of death. A warning by W.A. Dutt in 1901 reads: "You will do well to shut your eyes if you hear him howling; shut them even if you are uncertain whether it is the dog fiend or the voice of the wind you hear." Unfortunately, life doesn't care if you have your eyes shut - loss comes to everyone in a variety of forms. Sometimes it is a small thing like a sentimental figure that is broken; these little griefs are practice for the deeper ones. Split Gill is a mushroom with unique gills which appear to be split lengthwise. When conditions are moist, the slits open and allow spores to fall to the ground, but during dry periods, the gills curve inward, which protects the spore-producing surfaces. It is a fungus that knows how to adapt. Psychologist Mary-Frances O'Connor explains that grieving is a form of adaptive learning for how to be in the world without the thing or person we love. "Grief is a universal experience," she notes, "and when we can connect, it is better." We're all going to need to extend or receive compassion at some point, so let's start practicing now. 

Seeing the Blockage

From the Tarot of the Enchanted Forest the Weaver of Challenges (Queen of Swords); from the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, Bleeding Tooth:

This Weaver/Queen is like a fine sieve that can sift out half-truths, exaggerations, excuses and accusations until nothing is left but the gritty truth. Her aim, however, is not to punish but to help. She knows our ego wants nothing to do with discomfort, thus it hides behind these deflections. It relies on what it's learned in the past to try and stay safe and comfortable, which means the ego has no space for creativity. Bleeding Tooth is a fungus that 'bleeds' sappy droplets that contain a pigment known to have properties similar to heparin, a chemical that reduces the blood's ability to clot. It suggests that the stagnation we have constructed as protection needs to be unblocked so that we can find solutions and ways to adapt to the daily challenges we face. And we'll probably breathe a little easier without all that excess baggage.

 Awakening isn’t an exit strategy. It’s a radical invitation to inhabit fully this permeable, impermanent, and particular, embodied form in its incontrovertible relationality with all others.

~Lopön Charlotte Z. Rotterdam

Course Change

From the Tarot of the Enchanted Forest, the Ten of Challenges (Swords); from the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, Fairy Inkcap:

Our opinions and the actions that result from them all have consequences. When we're making the wrong choices and rigidly holding on to blind beliefs, life will give us gentle nudges to correct our course. When we refuse to listen, we eventually get a brick to the head that will flatten us. Life isn't punishing us, it's trying to save us. The tiny, delicate Fairy Inkcap brings the gift of humility, a subtle attribute that can be life changing. 

For me, humility has come through recognizing the subtle ways in which arrogance permeates my life. It is the arrogance of needing to be right, of projecting my worldview on to others, of all the judgements and predispositions that I carry with me all the time. It is a filter between my self and the experience of life as it actually is. ―Lorenz Sell

Honey in the Pot

From the Tarot of the Enchanted Forest, the Three of Visions (Cups); from the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, Maitake:

A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside.

— Winnie the Pooh

These three bears cavorting in the woods ask us a question: Have you been making time for your friendships? In the hectic busyness of our days, it's easy to forget the importance of our connections. Eventually, when our heart aches or we have a funny story to tell, we discover that empty void.  As Lunaea Weatherstone wrote, "You don't need a special occasion; the time you spend in good company is a celebration in itself." Maitake means 'dancing mushroom' in Japanese and is said to be a powerful adaptogen (an aid to help the body be resilient during stressful times). What better balm is there than good friends? 

Give Me An Answer

From the Tarot of the Enchanted Forest, the Seven of Visions (Cups); from the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, Cordyceps:

In a gazing bowl, several possible futures are shown. How simple it would be if only a bowl, a deck of cards or a crystal ball could show us what to do if we wanted to be fulfilled. We are an impatient lot, and generally seek the easier, faster way to answers. The problem is that even if we were told exactly what would provide satisfaction, it wouldn't last because things are always changing. Cordyceps, literally 'club-headed,' is a parasitic fungus that infects bugs like ants and spiders. It fills these bug bodies with spores, then compels them to seek height and remain there before it expels these spores. Trying to find someone or something to tell us what will make us happy is like becoming a zombie bug. Instead, we could find our essence - our core values and what nourishes our heart. It's a harder, slower way, but we might try the suggestions of Matthew Jones which can adapt to change (Inc.com):

• Challenge yourself to grow.
• Contribute to others.
• Live in the present moment.
• End your sense of entitlement.
• Connect to something larger than yourself.

Way of Integrity

From the Forest of Enchantment Tarot, the Two of Challenges (Swords); from the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, Chaga:

You enter the forest at the darkest point, where there is no path. Where there is a a way or path, it is someone else's path. ―Joseph Campbell

A young man pauses for clarity in front of a magic mirror that reminds him of who he is an what he thinks is important. For too long he has been the person other people wanted and expected him to be, but now a decision must be made that could change all of that and expose his true self. Will he follow the way of integrity or remain attached to the desires and demands of others? Chaga is a fungus that resembles burnt charcoal and is often found growing on birch trees. These mushrooms are one of the best sources of antioxidants; they can also stimulate the immune system, reduce inflammation and increase physical endurance. Chaga reminds us that people pleasing - while sometimes an easier path - is not the path of wholeness. As Martha Beck explains, "Because our true nature is serious about restoring us to wholeness, it hauls out the one tool that reliably gets our attention: suffering."

Many Filters

This week I'll be using the Forest of Enchantment Tarot, created by Meraylah Allwood (artist) and Lunaea Weatherstone (author) and published by Llewellyn. Paired with it will be the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, created by Nicola McIntosh and published by Rockpool. Today's draws are the Six of Visions (Cups) and Octopus Stinkhorn:

Memory is where we have arrived rather than where we have left. ...In other words, memory is produced over time and under erasure.

― Julia Creet

I see myself in this young girl relishing the escape and enjoyment that reading brings. But my memories of what I read and how it affected me back then are probably not very reliable. As Victoria Chang put it, memory gets up and starts walking when something has passed. But does it matter if those pleasurable memories aren't exact? I don't think so, as long as I don't get stuck wishing for their return and forget to enjoy the present. I'll take joy wherever I can find it. Octopus stinkhorn is also known as devil's fingers; it oozes with a sludge that smells like rotting flesh. It's easy to see how this mushroom could be judged by its appearance and odor. But this stinkhorn is not toxic; its ooze is simply to attract flies in order to distribute its spores. Sometimes memories are not so pleasurable to relive, but they may reveal more about who we are now than our history. In those instances, it may be wise to remember the words of Mandana Chaffa: "There are many filters to our memories: who we are now, who we were when they were formed, the necessarily limited perspectives that each of us have, buffeted by context, environment, and the unreliability of our narration."

Quality Control

From the Middle Way Arcana, Hierophant; from the Vertical Oracle, Precious:

The problems all seem to begin when one idealizes a teacher, or when teachers idealize themselves. 

~Andrew Olendzk

The Hierophant is a spiritual leader and teacher who offers us knowledge to wisely navigate our world, gives us rituals to ground us, and brings together a community of like-minded people. Buddha cautioned that we shouldn't believe any teachings without putting them into practice to see if they hold water. Through verification we can choose whether to pursue our studies. But the card Precious alerts us to also be on the lookout for unethical teachers - those who don't allow anyone to question their behavior or demands. As Thanissaro Bhikkhu explains, "The only way we know anything about other people is through their actions, so that’s as far as our judgments can fairly extend. At the same time, though, because we’re judging whether we want to internalize another person’s standards, it’s not unfair to pass judgment on what they’re doing. It’s for our own protection. And it’s for the sake of our protection that the Buddha recommended looking for two qualities in a teacher: wisdom and integrity."

By Love Alone

From the Middle Way Arcana, the Lovers; from the Vertical Oracle, Timeless:

Love is truly a practice. —Thich Nhat Hanh

While love may begin when the tender soft spot of our heart is touched, it becomes a practice when we act from that place.  Rather than being a passive recipient, it embodies compassion, loving-kindness, sympathetic joy and equanimity. Love holds things gently rather than grasping them tightly. Yet Thich Nhat Hanh states, "In the Buddhist teaching, it’s clear that to love oneself is the foundation of the love of other people." Our practice begins with opening our heart to ourselves. Timeless suggests something that is unrestricted, ageless and eternal, and love surely fits that definition.

Hatred never ceases by hatred;

But by love alone is healed.

This is an ancient and eternal law.

—Dhammapada

As Best As I Can

From the Middle Way Arcana, Temperance; from the Vertical Oracle, Reality Check:

The Buddha's message was simple but profound. Neither a life of self-indulgence nor one of self-mortification can bring happiness. Only a middle path, avoiding these two extremes, leads to peace of mind, wisdom, & complete liberation from the dissatisfactions of life.

~Henepola Gunaratana

Buddha began life as a pampered prince and later led a life of austerity as an ascetic. Neither approach led him to enlightenment and contentment. In our search for happiness and satisfaction, we often take an extreme approach, thinking it to be the fast track to our goal. But as Buddha found, it is a middle path between fundamentalism and excess that will light our way to liberation. Reality Check suggests that we have resorted to imbalance and need to find clarity. We might be trying to control a situation we have no influence over, demanding that things be different, and arguing with what are the facts. Instead, we might take the words of Vidyamala Burch to heart: "Out of acceptance grows a new phase, which I call flourishing. When you let go of the battle, let go of fighting with your spirit, then more energy will rise up. Let me love this life as best as I can."

  

Resisting Change

From the Middle Way Arcana, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Vertical Oracle, Zero Point:

The fact that impermanence and change govern our lives might seem obvious. It is less obvious that much of the confusion and anxiety we experience in our everyday lives comes from resisting change.

~David Nichtern

The Buddhist Wheel of Life shows six realms which illustrate how we relate to life and how such patterns can cause us misery. In the God Realm, there is blissful self-absorption, but also a niggling worry that things won't stay as good as they are now. In the Jealous Gods Realm, things are good but not as great as some have it, thus there is envy and constant comparison. In the Human Realm, our portions of pain and pleasure are driven by a longing for certainty. In the Animal Realm, rigid and defensive behaviors are an attempt to avoid all pain and discomfort. In the Hungry Ghost Realm, there is an addictive drive to fill an emptiness within us and find contentment. In the Hell Realm, anger and rage are the lens through which all of life is seen. Zero-point energy in quantum physics is the energy that remains when all other energy is removed from a system. In this case, it suggests we let go of our our struggle to force life into a form that we prefer. Instead, we can learn to relate to life with acceptance and adaptation; then our focus will be on flourishing rather than fighting.

Unattached

From the Middle Way Arcana, the Chariot; from the Vertical Oracle, Ritual:

The Great Way is not difficult for those who are unattached to their preferences.

~Seng-ts’an

Any progress can be stymied by what the Buddhists call the Three Poisons. Craving (rooster) is the obsessive desire for something we are sure will bring us happiness. Hatred (snake) is rage aimed as something we think is preventing our happiness. Delusion (pig) is refusing to see reality clearly because we prefer our own version. Skillful choices and actions require that we recognize when we're under the influence of these poisons and turn from them. Ritual is a set of specific actions that remind us of what is important and essential. These practices keep our mind focused on our purpose rather than being distracted by things that have nothing to do with the direction we're headed. 

Welfare of All

From the Middle Way Arcana, the Emperor; from the Vertical Oracle, Control Freak:

Inter-being is the understanding that nothing exists separately from anything else. We are all interconnected. By taking care of another person, you take care of yourself. By taking care of yourself, you take care of the other person. Happiness and safety are not individual matters.

–Thich Nhat Hanh

A good Emperor is grateful for the diversity of people he leads; he recognizes that we depend on each other's talents and knowledge as well as the gifts of nature too. Yet such an assortment of folks means a medley of opinions, and if his country is to stay unified, there needs to be some guidelines. For lay Buddhists, that ethical compass is the Five Precepts. The undercurrent through all five is the idea of doing no harm. The Control Freak card describes those who only want to follow their own rules because they fear not getting what they want or losing what they have. But no one in a healthy community obtains rights without also incurring responsibilities. As Lewis Schwellenbach said, "The security, progress and welfare of one group is measured finally in the security, progress and welfare of all mankind."

Monkey Mind

This week I'll be using the Middle Way Arcana, a major arcana deck based on the ideas of Buddhism. This deck was one I created for personal use with scissors and a glue stick. I'll also be drawing from the Vertical Oracle, created by Antero Alli with Sylvie Pickering and published by Vertical Pool. Today's cards are Death and Monkey Mind:

At one time or another, everyone loses something.

~Lama Surya Das

The Five Remembrances remind us of the natural course of a physical existence: we will get older, sick and eventually die; we will one day be separated from everything and everyone we love. Our deeds are the only ground on which we stand. If we are a humane human, we have a soft and tender heart that allows us to experience warmth, wonder and joy yet can also support us in grieving our losses. Though grief is natural, if we don't want to add to our suffering, we will not rage against what normally happens to everyone in some form. Monkey mind occurs when our mind is a swirl of chaotic thoughts and feelings - like a monkey jumping from one branch to another. As Yongey Mingyur describes: "Our minds are like flags in the wind, fluttering this way and that, depending on which way the wind blows." Loss can easily transport us to such a mindset, but awareness - bringing our attention to our thoughts and emotions without bias - can help us find equanimity. Open awareness permits us to see that we are being swept away without attaching to our thoughts and emotions, and it can aid in our release.

Is There a Cure for Greed?

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Four of Coins; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, Kauri:

The usurers perpetrate a vile trade

And prey upon the poor

Without heed, that in so doing

They starve the world.

~Das Narrenschiff

The only thing worse than a miserly person is one who is stingy and greedy. Usuers (a person who lends money at unreasonably high rates of interest) are getting rich while the poor get poorer. As a former bookkeeper for a business, I often had to deal with garnishing employee wages when someone couldn't pay back their loans. I remember telling one lender, who called to verify employment, not to give a person a loan because he would not be able to pay it back at such a high rate of interest. They gave it to him anyway. These companies create a debt treadmill that makes struggling families worse off than they were before - but they don't care because they are raking in money. Kauri is a huge tree with a trunk diameter big enough to rival Californian sequoias. The size and strength of kauri timber made it a popular wood for construction and ship building, but by 1900 less than 10 per cent of the original kauri survived. Balance is its message, and makes me wish for a cure for greed.

Avarice hoards itself poor; charity gives itself rich.

~German proverb