Navigational Adjustment

This week I'll be using Lo Scarabeo's The Classic Tarot, with the original engravings of Carlo Della Rocca and printing by F. Gumppenberg Milan. I'll also be drawing from the Constellations Deck published by Carddia. Today's draws are the Six of Coins and Pyxis:

This is one of the most dangerous illusions. The moment we stand still, we begin to decay.

― Erich Fromm

The square of four coins and bloom in the middle of this card suggests stability, but the open ends and coins at the top and bottom suggest a 'coming and going.' Whether we're talking about investing, saving and spending or healthy habits, aging and lives of excess, nothing stands still. Stagnation does not equal safety. Instead, we stay aware, adapt and adjust, while embracing the coming and going. The constellation Pyxis is a small and faint group of stars in the southern sky. Abbreviated from Pyxis Nautica - Latin for a 'mariner's compass' - it suggests guidance when we feel surrounded by open sea and sky with no landmarks. We find ourselves here if we refuse to see life as it is and instead demand it be what we wish. But there is neither peace nor contentment to be found in these seas. Better to embrace navigational adjustment.

Wise Choices

From the Llewellyn Tarot, Temperance; from the Beasts of Albion, Weasel:

Craving creates tunnel vision: We see only what we yearn for. Mindfulness allows us to see that and much more, giving us the choice not to act on our desires. 

—Joan Duncan Oliver

According to legend, Cantre'r Gwaelod was a low-lying, fertile land fortified against the sea by a dyke with a series of sluice gates that were opened at low tide to drain the land. Seithennin (now known with the subtitle "of the feeble mind") - a drunkard and carouser - was responsible for the sluices. In the first version of the tale, he got drunk and failed to open the gates, flooding the village. In another, he forced himself on the well's guardian, and as a retaliation, the well overflowed and consumed the land. Temperance is a reminder that desires without discernment rarely cultivate good fortune. Weasel has a reputation as a fierce, agile and efficient hunter. He is the "Holder of the Strength of Mind;" the ability to help us focus the mind can help us overcome challenges and avoid dire situations. 

The Paradox of Satisfaction

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Six of Wands; from the Beasts of Albion, Lion:

When we focus on ourselves, our world contracts as our problems and preoccupations loom large.

— Daniel Goleman

The Six of Wands is often described as a satisfactory success or an acknowledged accomplishment. Sometimes the challenge that is met is an inner one rather than outer. The holidays bring sadness for me, and it's easy for that emotion to evolve into self-pity and self-absorption. Various spiritual paths teach that the solution to uprooting suffering based in self-centeredness is to do a kind deed for others. So I used some of my Christmas money to buy a variety of gift cards - from the pet store, gas station, craft store, grocery store, etc. I wanted to give our ten librarians an anonymous gift, as they are underpaid and often mistreated by many entitled patrons. Each card went into a bag with a hint, such as, "For the book elf who is a pet lover," or "For the book elf who likes computer gaming." The manager told me the employees were all very excited and happy (and curious about the benefactor) as they each chose a bag. The success of the game completely pulled me out of myself. The Lion was a mythical figure for Britain, based on tales from traders and travelers. It represents a mature strength that can embrace sacrifices for the benefit of others. Strength and well-being sometimes comes from taking actions that seem contradictory to the result achieved. 

While You See a Chance

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Ace of Coins; from the Beasts of Albion, Snake:

While you see a chance, take it.

―Steve Winwood

To rephrase the words of Cesare Pavese*, opportunities aren't given, they're taken. In the realm of the material Pentacles, that would include anything that can be spent: our time, money, energy/health. But what if we miss the chance to be wiser about our finances, forget to set aside time for meditation or exercise, or stay up too late and binge eat? The Snake is a symbol of change and regeneration, reminding us that a new morning offers new opportunities. No need to waste time in regret and despondency - reach out and make use of today's gifts.

*"Lessons are not given, they are taken."

Benefiting the Whole

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Knight of Swords; from the Beasts of Albion, Robin Redbreast:

I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I'm for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.

— Malcolm X

Intelligent and single-minded, you can almost hear this Knight exclaim, "I ride for truth and justice!" His way of righting wrong can be disruptive and his sharp tongue can cause pain, but he always leaves change of some kind in his wake. Robin Redbreast has many legends about how he got his red chest - almost all involve courage rooted in compassion for others. The Robin suggests we consider our motives for our actions - are they simply to make us look good or grant us gain? Or are they truly altruistic? To benefit the whole, we must remember the Navy maxim: "a rising tide lifts all boats."

Not An Aspiration

From the Llewellyn Tarot the Six of Pentacles; from the Beasts of Albion, Crane:

Don’t judge people in their reduced circumstances, nobody aspires to be there.

― Shon Mehta

Sixes often represent a return to harmony and balance; in the Six of Pentacles it depicts a sharing of resources to help ease the difference between 'haves' and the 'have nots.' But what is to be made of the scales the giver holds in her hands? Is she judging whether the woman is worthy of receiving her money, or is she simply weighing the financial need? The clothes of the woman and child are neither torn nor dirty, but perhaps she is in need after leaving an abusive spouse. The Crane was often depicted standing on one foot while the other held a stone. If the bird fell asleep, the stone would be dropped, making it wake up. Thus the Crane is associated with vigilance. If I am jealously guarding what I have with a mindset of scarcity, I am impoverished in spirit. The watchfulness of Crane would imply that I become aware that my fear originates not from anything outside of me, but from the inside. 

Better Than You Found Them

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Queen of Pentacles; from the Beasts of Albion, Raven:

Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, one who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them.

―Marvin J. Ashton

It's one thing to provide for and protect, as the King does, but another standard to nurture. I can provide the basics for my cats - a safe place to live, food, water, and litter boxes. Yet it's another thing to give them attention - playing with them, cuddling them, teaching them and providing medical check-ups. Nurture encourages thriving, not just surviving. Known as birds of prophecy in mythology, Ravens are a highly successful species due to their high level of intelligence and adaptability. This bird implies the type of nurturing needed may likely be different for each person or circumstance. A little flexibility and intuition might help the whole rather than just a few.

Intentions for Planting

This week I'll be using the Llewellyn Tarot, created by Anna-Marie Ferguson and published by Llewellyn. I'll also be using the Beasts of Albion, an oracle deck created by Miranda Gray and published by Aquarian. Today's draws are the Knight of Pentacles and the Otter:

When you assess your own life, consider it with the eye of a gardener. Underneath the surface lies rich, fertile soil waiting to nurture the seeds you sow. Even more than you can imagine will grow there if given a chance. – Steve Goodier

This Knight is not an exciting party boy like his cousin the Knight of Wands. People are more likely to call him solid and dependable. He is a methodical planner as well as diligent and committed when he puts those plans into action. He seems to ponder what he will plant next in the freshly plowed field in the background. He prods me to set an intention for the new year with a plan for execution rather than just assuming my expectations will magically appear. Yet Otter shows up, an animal known for playfulness and delight in simple pleasures. His appearance suggest my plans should not be so demanding that they will become a daily burden, tightly wrung of any joy. Such an onerous agenda would be unlikely to see a harvest.

Not a Choice

From the Nigel Jackson Tarot, the Devil; from the Wolf Pack, Communication:

 Addiction is not a choice anybody makes, it is a response to emotional pain.

~Dr. Gabor Mate

Dionysos Melanaigis ("of the Black Goatskin") instructs his followers on all the ways of pleasure and merry-making. Wine played a large part in his rituals; it was thought to "ease suffering, bring joy, and inspire divine madness" (Dionysos in Archaic Greece). We all enjoy time to unwind - it can help us feel relief from pain and stress and perhaps a sense of connection and belonging. But what happens when use certain behaviors as a constant buffer to life? When they become the main focus of our life? As Gabor Mate stated, "When we're alienated from who we are, disconnected from who we are, we suffer." Judging by the faceless bodies in the robes, this has happened. Communication implies that the way out of our madness is by reaching out to those who have found a way out and can offer us guideposts. 

Taken, Not Given

From the Nigel Jackson Tarot, the Seven of Swords; from the Wolf Pack, Lessons:

Have you learned the lessons only of those who admired you, and were tender with you, and stood aside for you? Have you not learned great lessons from those who braced themselves against you, and disputed passage with you? ―Walt Whitman

Various cultures have seen the fox as a guide or a trickster; those who raise chickens see them as a threat. Their ability to outsmart humans has earned them a reputation for cunning and resourcefulness. Jackson describes this card as 'evasive cunning,' suggesting that this fox is being hunted. He seems to be treading carefully, as if looking for traps. The Wolf pack card shows a pup learning how to hunt.. He's likely to make many mistakes before he actually captures any prey, but the older wolf will show him over and over again how to do it. In both cards, lessons are learned - the hard way in the first and an easier way in the second. Either way, the responsibility falls on the student. As Cesare Pavese wrote, "Lessons are not given, they are taken."

Needed Connections

From the Nigel Jackson Tarot, the Two of Cups; from the Wolf Pack, Isolation:

Loneliness is a subjective feeling where the connections we need are greater than the connections we have. –Vivek Murthy

The card of reconciliation and commitment pairs with a card of separation and division. Why would we choose to isolate ourselves rather than connect with healthy relationships for our well-being? Judgments and assumptions are likely at play.

1. We focus only on the outer packaging rather than inner values (kindness, etc.).
2. We hold rigid beliefs and opinions and refuse to associate with anyone who has even slightly different ideas.
3. We expect praise or acknowledgement; we are looking for a boost to our ego.
4.  We generalize from one experience - we judge the whole person from one thing said or done.
5. On the other side of the coin, we may assume we don't rate highly enough because others are smarter, wealthier, or have more social connections. 

We need not think alike to love alike. – Francis David

If you find yourself constantly trying to prove your worth to someone, you have already forgotten your value. –Anonymous

 

Influencers

From the Nigel Jackson Tarot, the Pope; from the Wolf Pack, Carelessness:

The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.

― Terry Pratchett

Ask any preacher, politician or professor and they will likely agree that those who are able to influence a person's ideas hold a great power. Such a person will attempt to convince their listener that their words are truth and therefore beneficial. Add some eloquence and charisma to the mix and it might be hard for us to question their philosophy. Yet Carelessness warns that we should not get so caught up in the flush of exciting ideas that we forget to see other explanations or alternatives. As one priest told me, "There's no need to leave your mind outside the door." I'd bet that phrase "lean not on your own understanding" was probably written by one of those influencers.

Knock, Knock

From the Nigel Jackson Tarot, the Nine of Coins; from the Wolf Pack, Fool:

This fellow enjoys the result of hard work and wisely managing his resources. What could be cozier than resting in front of a roaring fire with a furry companion after a busy day? There even seems to be a little 'extra' for a later splurge in the bag behind him. Yet no sooner has he put up his feet when his peace is disturbed. Perhaps he notices he forgot to cut extra firewood and will have none for the morning. Or maybe a neighbor in distress shows up and asks him for help. The Fool card shows a wolf ignoring a bear - he's perfectly happy where he is and doesn't want to sacrifice his comfort. But most of us know that if we go ahead and do what is needed, we'll feel better in the end. We might give up a bit of physical comfort, but the psychological pleasure and satisfaction will likely outweigh it.

Lifting the Anchor

From the Nigel Jackson Tarot, the Six of Swords; from the Wolf Pack, Caution:

I finally realized that we don’t get over it. In fact, trying to get over it isn’t even a rational thing to do. We will, ideally, move through it and move on, but it will always be something that happened to us. We are forever changed by our experiences. 

~Crystal Jackson 

I was talking to a friend the other night about an incident that happened years ago that she's stuffed deep inside; every now and then the shame overwhelms her. We often respond to anger, grief and shame by trying to cover it up or ignore it, by attempting to find a reason it happened or see the lesson in it. We simply (and reasonably) want to get away from what we feel. But the Caution card suggests that dealing with such emotions is a process. We must acknowledge and accept what happened, realizing that we can't change it. There may be some action or ritual we could do to honor our experience. We can then feel our feelings without the story around them, allowing them to pour through us and out of us (a therapist might be helpful). Eventually we will be ready to move on without dragging that anchor behind us. 

This is Stupid

This week I'll be using the Nigel Jackson Tarot, created by Jackson and published by Llewellyn. I'll also be using the Wolf Pack, created by Robert Petro and published by Windspirit Productions.Today's cards are the Page of Coins and Defeated:

If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all. 

―Michelangelo

The Page of Coins has a little smile on his face as he heads off to begin his new studies. He loves to learn and he's good at it, which can present a problem when he hits a wall that seems impossible to get around. Suddenly the good student finds himself saying things like, "This is stupid!" or "I can't do this!" The Wolf Pack card shows the card of feeling Defeated, when we want to just slink off and forget about it all. Yet there is another option: persistence, patience and coming at it from a different direction. I was going through some emotional turmoil around the time multiplication tables were introduced in elementary school. They just wouldn't stick in my mind, and my grades began to slide. My mother finally told me to make up a tune and sing them every night, and lo and behold, I finally memorized them. I was never a master in in mathematics, but that accomplishment gave me the confidence that I could at least gain a working knowledge as I continued my studies.

A Gift, Not a Grind

From the Norse Tarot, the Two of Cups; from the Viking Lenormand, the Ring:

In good times and bad, it’s wisdom to know that neither lasts forever.

― Vincent H. O'Neil

The commitment symbolized by the Ring is balanced by the affection and tenderness of the Two of Cups. Who would want to stay in a partnership with someone who is unkind and self-centered? My husband and I had 'a day' yesterday, from sucking up the vacuum cleaner cord (and ripping it down to the wires) to chaos at the bank and then the pharmacy. It's not that we don't grumble and get frustrated or that we don't lose our patience and get testy. But we don't yell at each other and we try not to lose our sense of humor in the insanity of it all. Deeply caring for each other helps make our commitment a gift rather than a grind.

No Exceptions?

From the Norse Tarot, the Emperor; from the Viking Lenormand, the Bear:

The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions.

~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

The Emperor is represented by Tyr, a principal war god of the Norse and an upholder of the law. Just as Odin sacrificed an eye in pursuit of wisdom, Tyr offered his hand in support of the law. He was considered the guardian of treaties, oaths, and contracts. One look at his commanding presence (highlighted by the red sky and his red robe), and a person might rethink breaking any rules or vows. The Bear reinforces his strength and power as well as his role as protector. But there is a danger of being 'overbearing,' to see the laws in black and white. The truly wise person knows that there exceptions.

Execution

From the Norse Tarot, the Ace of Swords; from the Viking Lenormand, the Scythe:

Ideas are easy. It's the execution of ideas that really separates the sheep from the goats.

― Sue Grafton

The Ace of Swords can represent a new idea for a project, a solution to a problem or a way to express oneself in order to help someone understand us. But it should be noted that this sword is pointing downward, suggesting the information has registered but we need to act on it, to ground it in reality. Otherwise it's like an important letter that we throw in the trash without opening. The Scythe represents a time of harvest or a happening that instigates great change. With the Ace of Swords, we have the resource we need, now we just need to use it to create the innovation or transformation we seek.

A Wide Canyon

From the Norse Tarot, the Five of Discs; from the Viking Lenormand, Birds:

The love of money may be the root of all evil, but poverty is its wicked offspring. Hungry children have a harder time learning in school; parents who struggle financially are more susceptible to physical and mental health conditions. What makes this worse is that people who could help are stymied by a mindset of scarcity - the belief that there is not enough of something to go around, and that one must compete with others for limited resources. Motivated by insecurity, generosity doesn't stand a chance. Birds suggest a gathering and a shared conversation. Rather than judge, it invites us to sincerely listen to the stories of those who lack the basics for well-being. We may see that there is wide canyon between their reality and our ideas.

A Measure of Darkness

From the Norse Tarot, the Sun; from the Viking Lenormand, the Letter:

Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness.

— Carl Jung

This Sun card is illustrated with Álfröðull ("elf-beam"), the daughter of the Norse goddess Sol. When Sol was killed during Ragnarok, she became the second sun to light then new world. The holidays are a tough time for many people for various reasons; rather than a celebration of light, these days can feel more like a descent into darkness. The Letter, a symbol of some form of communication, suggests a way to light a candle and illuminate our psychological night. We can reach out to others through emails, cards, calls or letters instead of focusing on ourselves. And when we receive the same from another, we can allow it to spark our gratitude when we realize that someone is thinking of us.

A Toast and a Broom

From the Norse Tarot, the Ten of Cups; from the Viking Lenormand, Broom:

May the hinges of friendship never rust, or the wings of love lose a feather.

—Edward Bannerman Ramsay

This group of folks raise their glasses to commemorate a special occasion. Toasts often include wishes for a long life, health, and prosperity - basically all the good things we'd want for ourselves. Such moments not only allow us to honor others, they give us a chance to recognize our own blessings and the love that surrounds us. The Broom is a symbol of clearing away that which prevents a fresh start or growth in our lives. Bill Wilson wrote, "It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to futility and unhappiness." That doesn't leave much fertile ground for any relationship to grow. Wilson suggests that we offer a daily blessing for those we resent, wishing for them everything we would want. Even if we don't really mean it, we do it anyway. Eventually we'll sweep away the anger and bitterness, replacing them with a deeper understanding and compassion.

Still Water

From the Norse Tarot, the Princess of Cups; from the Viking Lenormand, Tree:

It is only in still water that we can see.

– Zen Saying

A young lass stands beside a lake, peering into a chalice. She knows that the truth can only be seen in stillness and quiet. She lets the stirrings of her heart and mind settle; what is luminous will shine brightly when the silt and mud within her come to rest. The Lenormand Tree asks us to consider our well-being and stability. It's leafy branches reach for the sun yet it's roots anchor it in the soil and provide nourishment. Wholeness requires balance - an impossibility if we are constantly at war with reality. When in battle mode, we are obsessed with our ideas and entangled by our emotions, making muddy water even muddier. Stillness and quiet, however, allow us to put down our weapons and find clarity, getting us unstuck from our rinse and repeat cycle. 

Neither Punishment nor Reward

This week I'll be using the Norse Tarot, created by Clive Barrett and published by U.S. Games. I'll also be using the Viking Lenormand, created and self-published by my friend Carole Beasley. The draws this morning are the Prince of Discs and the Child:

Everything that ends is also the beginning of something else. Pain is not a punishment; pleasure is not a reward. ―Pema Chödrön

This Prince stands in front of what's left of a burial mound. Feeling a deep connection to earth and nature, he is aware of the seasons and the cycles of birth and death. He does not expect grains to grow in the dead of winter; neither does he expect them to continue to grow after being harvested. The Prince understands that the force that moves the circle of life is independent and does not take sides. The Child represents fresh starts and innocence. In this case, it points to embracing the truth that both pain and pleasure are inherent in life. To recognize that all beings are subject to these states can keep us from grasping or hatred, which only serve to forge man-made suffering.

ABCs for Empathy

 From the Albano-Waite Tarot, the Queen of Cups; from the Rumi Cards, Breeze at Dawn:

Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself.

—Moshsin Hamid

Empathy and kindness define the Queen of Cups, yet here she has a cover over her chalice. She's aware of how easy it is to become submerged in another's suffering when trying to be of help. Breeze at Dawn suggests mentally stepping out of the situation for a moment and seeing with new eyes to refresh our own spirit. Ramos Tsosie*, a 25-year veteran firefighter-paramedic, suggests some ABCs to help:

A)  Recognize the activating event - anything that happens that grabs your attention in a negative way.

B)  Identify your beliefs about the event and challenge those that are not factual or do not align with your short- and long-term interests. These beliefs influence how we respond.  

C)  Consider the consequences, or how you respond in feelings and actions. The consequences are functions of our beliefs. Blame and judgment lead to frustration, cynicism, and anger - and ultimately burnout. We can reduce our own stress and when we respond from compassion (including for ourselves) without holding on to any expectations.

*Taken from an article in Tricycle magazine (April 2022)

Check Your Shoes

From the Albano-Waite Tarot, the Seven of Wands; from the Rumi Cards, You Are:

There's none so blind as those who will not listen.

― Neil Gaiman

The Seven of Wands is generally about standing up for yourself and defending your ideas - a worthy ideal. But this young man has a shoe on the right foot and a boot on the left, suggesting a lack of preparation. Perhaps the wielders of of the other staves are just trying to point out the holes in his theory or plans. They might not want to throw out his ideas, but simply patch them up so they hold water. Rumi's card warns about hyperfocus - having blinders (and ear plugs), attending to only what we seek and desire. That results in our whole identity being centered on one limited thing. Or, we could consider Dorothea Brande's words: "Where there is an open mind, there will always be a frontier."