Under the Influence

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Masters (redrawn classic paintings) created and published by James Ricklef. I'll also be using  a transformation deck called the Key to the Kingdom created by Tony Meeuwissen and published by Running Press. Today's draws are the Queen of Swords and the Four of Hearts:

The truth is that you are responsible for what you think, because it is only at this level that you can exercise choice. What you do comes from what you think.

― Marianne Williamson

This Queen of Swords is based on the painting Lady Macbeth by John Singer Sargent. As Ricklef explains, sometimes there can be a "fine line between ambition and obsession, brilliance and madness." People with great intelligence generally tend to have a way with words, using them as a tool to get what they want. Lady Macbeth knew that as a woman, she could only rise in power through her husband, so she used manipulation and emasculation to motivate him to murder. Shakespeare's play ends with the Lady killing herself and Macbeth (who became something of a tyrant) beheaded. Intelligence needs ethical boundaries. The Four of Hearts is paired with this verse:

A man in the wilderness asked of me,

How many strawberries grow in the sea.

I answered him, as I thought good,

As many red herrings swim in the wood.

Motives, when under the influence of greed or anger, have a way of dismantling common sense. 

Stretching to Grow

From the Rider Waite Tarot, the Three of Pentacles; from the Ostinato Oracle, O'Alta:

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.

― Pablo Picasso

A craftsman listens closely to a monk, who has an idea of what he wants to be created, and to a nun, who holds architectural plans that show what structures can or can't be changed. This fellow can't use a cookie-cutter approach, perfecting one skill to be used for every assignment. Skilled workers learn on the job, as each project has different requests and requirements; they must employ both knowledge and intuitive creativity. O'Alta (ottava alta) indicates that the notes on the music sheet should be played one octave higher than what’s written. Like the craftsman, sometimes we need to stretch ourselves if we want to develop new ideas and approaches.

A Little Shade in the Sun

From the Rider Marseille Tarot, the Sun; from the Ostinato Oracle, Mezzo:

Let's go outside and look at the beautifulness. 

~Grayson, age 4

The Marseille features on this toddler make him appear old in a young body - the naive Fool has now become the Wise Child. Having made many trips around the sun by this point, hard knocks have taught him humility and unexpected joys have created gratitude. He would agree with Albert Einstein: “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.” Yet such an attitude helps him look with curiosity and playfulness while seeing with clarity what most people miss. Mezzo is an Italian word that means "middle" in music. Rather than singing or playing at full range, it moderates the fullness. When we are enjoying the Sun's influence, it can be tempting to want to drink it all in at once and over-indulge in whatever we are enjoying. But moderation will allow us to enjoy the sweetness and 'beautifulness' without any after-affects later.

Spark of Essence

From the Rider Marseille Tarot, the Ace of Swords; from the Ostinato Oracle, Marcato:

Inspiration is God making contact with itself.

~Ram Dass

A sword holds a crown on which an olive branch and a palm branch hang (symbols of peace and victory). The crown is an open rather than a closed one, suggesting an open, curious mind. Six yuds (yods) surround the sword, a letter that represents the spark of Essence within each of us. The Ace of Swords breathes inspiration into us, giving us a chance to create and problem solve in a fresh and exciting way. It only requires that we let go of our preferences and receive it without contempt prior to investigation. Marcato ("marked") is a musical instruction indicating a note, chord, or passage is to be played louder or more forcefully than the surrounding music. Parkway suggests it means that we act with intention - mindfully and purposefully instead of impulsively or haphazardly. As Kristin Armstrong stated, "We either live with intention or exist by default."

The Task at Hand

From the Rider Marseille Tarot, the King of Wands; from the Ostinato Oracle, Bar:

 

When the mind is diffuse and many-pointed, it cannot be effective. The mental powers are divided up, and less remains available for the task at hand. 

—Eknath Easwaren

This King has a one-pointed focus on what he wants to get done. He has priorities, and nothing distracts him from the top of his list unless there is a real emergency. I'm sure today's habit of people constantly checking their smartphone while doing other tasks would make him blow a gasket. He would definitely agree with Daniel Goleman: "One way to boost our will power and focus is to manage our distractions instead of letting them manage us." In music, Bars are vertical lines used to bound segments of music, usually indicating one of more recurring beats. Parkway suggests this symbol implies a need to set boundaries. Boundaries can help keep our distractions at a minimum so that we can take care of our obligations in a timely manner. But they can also help us make time for the things we enjoy as well.

Healed Pain

From the Rider Marseille Tarot, the King of Pentacles; from the Ostinato Oracle, Repeat:

Impermanence is everywhere we look. We are all going to suffer our losses. How we deal with these losses is what makes all the difference. Can we do so with wisdom? 

 —Lama Surya Das

This King of Pentacles is giving someone a serious glare off to the side. Even the bulls on the top of his throne seem to be watching to see the showdown. It reminds me of when I was informed by the city that through the law of eminent domain, they would be taking part of my backyard in order to pave an alley. There are some losses that, no matter how much we plead, yell or threaten to bonk heads, we have no recourse. We can only grieve and accept these truths with as much dignity as we can muster. The Repeat symbol on the oracle card implies cyclic repetition. We all suffer losses of various degrees throughout our lives, but the small losses can help us learn to deal with the larger ones. It's not an enjoyable practice, but it is a worthwhile one. As Robert G. Lee wrote, “Wisdom is nothing more than healed pain.”

At Full Stop

This week I'll be using the Rider Marseille Tarot, created by Alejandro R. Rozan and published through Artisan Tarot. I'll also be using Ostinato Oracle, created and self-published by Mellie Parkway. Today's draws are the Hanged Man and Accolade:

I'd rather be a comma than a full stop.

~Coldplay

I arrived weeks earlier than I was due to a first-time mom. I've been in a hurry ever since, constantly on the move and busy doing. Pausing was something I had to learn when I finally realized there are some things that I just can't do anything about - or even at times influence. It requires a certain resilience to watch and wait, allowing situations and people to just be. But relaxed observing can give us the chance to notice things we missed before and allows insight to arise. It may be a forced reset, but nevertheless it can be helpful. Accolade is a brace used in music to join two or more staffs carrying concurrent parts. Parkway suggests the message of this symbol is "embrace in full." What better advice could there be when we're at full stop?

Taking Time to Practice

From the Songs for the Journey Home Tarot, the Magician; from the Magic Neko Deck, Kendama:

Sometimes, magic is just someone spending more time on something than anyone else might reasonably expect. ―Teller

The work of a Magician has no end point; it is a willingness to apply one's intention and effort in the world on a daily basis.  This particular magus seems to be a student of the Earth, learning from and working with nature. He knows that growing a tree or flower is a special kind of magic, and creating a way to use resources sustainably is just as astonishingly wonderful. The Five of Diamonds shows a kendama ("sword and ball"), a Japanese toy that is a version of the cup-and-ball game. It requires a lot of practice and good eye and hand coordination to handle it skillfully. It's message is something the Magician understands well: the more you practice with focus, the better you get.

Lay Down My Sword and Shield

From the Songs from the Journey Home Tarot, Flame Resolving (King of Wands); from the Magic Neko Deck, the Six of Clubs:

I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield

Down by the riverside

—Pete Seeger, Study War No More

The King of Flames/Wands has learned to channel his passion in less aggressive ways. He's realized that 'big sticks' are rarely the best way to settle disagreements, maintain justice or fuel his creative outlet. Some of his restlessness and pushiness is his nature, as he still enjoys a good adventure or challenge. But when the urge to be combative rears its head, he should take Chuck Berry's advice: "If you want to release your aggression, get up and dance." The Six of Clubs shows a kitten asleep on Saturn, implying that it's good for us to get out of our comfort zone and learn to enjoy new places and things. This would also apply to learning to handle situations mindfully rather than impulsively, and practicing a different approach to having our voice heard rather than yelling.

Rupture and Repair

From the Songs for the Journey Home, the Five of Wave Songs (Five of Cups); from the Magic Neko Deck, the Ten of Hearts:

If we fall, we don’t need self-recrimination or blame or anger – we need a reawakening of our intention and a willingness to re-commit, to be whole-hearted once again.

— Sharon Salzberg

The Five Cups are symbolic of broken dreams, self-recrimination and anguish. While it's good to reflect on and grieve our loss, we need to be careful that our suffering doesn't become a sinkhole that swallows us. The companion book, since this card shows a butler dropping a tray, offers another angle to consider: create a balance between serving others and taking care of oneself. The issue is not to be more devoted to others but to be concerned about our own well-being too. The Ten of Hearts shows a stargazer watching the night sky. She knows that moments of wonder, curiosity and awe help settle the mind and fill the heart. 

Seeing Patterns, Changing Habits

From the Songs for the Journey Home, the Six of Earth Songs (Six of Pentacles); from the Magic Neko Cards, the King of Clubs:

In reflecting on the past, we discover fragments of our present selves hidden within the chapters of our history — a realization that our journey is a continuous narrative, shaped by the echoes of who we once were. ―Monika Ajay Kaul

When we look at the life we have built so far, we might not see too many patterns; it may seem like a heap of jigsaw puzzle pieces. Yet if we sort those pieces and begin to put them together, we start to see how intentional choices became habitual. Some of those repeated actions were skillful and produced wholesome results, while others just created more problems in the long run. Being able to piece together our past actions and see what they produced can help us decide if we want to continue all of those patterns or if there are some we might change in order to influence our future. The King of Clubs is a sumo wrestler, a Japanese sport in which weight, strength and agility are needed to propel one's opponent outside the ring. It takes a lot of effort to change a habit, but when doing so can radically alter our future, it's a worthy goal.

Making a Life

From the Songs for the Journey Home, the Four of Earth Songs (Four of Pentacles); from the Magic Neko Cards, the Ace of Clubs:

Don't let making a living prevent you from making a life.

—John Wooden

My younger years were spent in the care of my elderly grandparents while my mom worked and went to school. They went through the challenges of the Depression, and thus lived by the 'use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without' adage. Thus my spending habits were shaped to be thrifty, but sometimes today that can drift over into the tightfisted category. The fellow in this card is stressing over finances, even though his piggy bank makes it clear he is not facing economic insecurity. The deck's companion book states: "Use the power money has to bring pleasure and satisfaction to your world and to the people who share your life, otherwise your wallet will be full and you heart will be empty." The bees in the Ace of Clubs would buzz their agreement, suggesting I make something sweet with my resources instead of just worrying about them.

Love is Like a Brick

From the Songs for the Journey Home, Second Wave Song (Two of Cups); from the Magic Neko Cards, the Eight of Diamonds:

Love is like a brick. You can build a house, or you can sink a dead body.

~Lady Gaga

This gushing fountain is topped by two cherubs. In the early versions of Greek mythology, Eros was portrayed as a cosmic force that brought people together which often led to tragedy. Gradually, he was brought under the control of Aphrodite, who allowed him to create relationships but without his chaotic impulses. By the time the Romans acquired the story, Eros had become Cupid, a cherubic little boy who followed his mother’s wishes to make people fall in love. I'm about to celebrate a 35th anniversary tomorrow, and our marriage has had the ups and downs like the story of Eros. Thankfully we both matured, and moved from being 'in love' to knowing how to love on a daily basis. The Two of Cups is a fortuitous meeting; what we do from there is up to us. The Eight of Diamonds shows a cat playing a video game and represents competition. Any relationship based on one person winning and the other losing will never have a happy ending.

The Excitement and Anxiety of Leaving

This week I'll be using Songs for the Journey Home, a deck and book set created and self-published by Catherine Cook and Dwariko von Sommaruga. I'll also be using Stasia Burrington's self-published deck, Magic Neko. Today's draws are Flame Innocence (Page of Wands) and the the King of Spades:

You get a strange feeling when you're about to leave a place...like you'll not only miss the people you love but you'll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you'll never be this way ever again. ― Azar Nafisi

I imagine this girl thinking of leaving middle school for high school, and then possibly going off to college. I remember that mix of excitement about what the world holds and the anxiety of wondering if I had what it takes to succeed. But what I think of most is all the ways my ideas and beliefs were challenged and sometimes changed by being in a new place surrounded by so many people who were different from me. It felt good to stretch and use my wings, and it allowed my mind to develop and expand. The King of Spades represents self-sufficiency. As Michel de Montaigne wrote, "The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself." But part of that ability to know how to do things for oneself, is knowing when to ask for help when you're lost or confused!

From the Tarot of the Secret Forest, the Seven of Cups; from the Faeries' Oracle, Solus:

Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.

– Paul O’Brien

When feeling bored and restless, it's not always the best time to make a big decision about what might make us happy. In that frame of mind, we're liable to choose a partner, career or goal that seems exciting because it is radically different. Then six months down the road, we find that what we thought was going to fill our cup only empties it as we deal with emotional drama, chaos and exhaustion. Of course there is no perfect choice, but using a balance of practicality and what makes our pulse quicken might allow us to live a more contented life. Solus arrives to help us with indecision, reminding us to burn away all the distractions, bling and fluff to see what lies underneath. Without the window dressing, our choice will be much easier to make. 

Emotional Sharing

From the Tarot of the Secret Forest, the Three of Cups; from the Faeries' Oracle, Penelope Dreamweaver:

The companion booklet describes the Three of Cups as emotional sharing, one way we can manage our emotions so they don't manage us. As the proverb says, "Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow." Talking about our feelings with those we trust also develops closeness and strengthens relationships. As C.S. Lewis wrote, we find ourselves saying, "What? You too? I thought I was the only one." Penelope Dreamweaver reminds us that inspiration can be subtle and may appear in the most ordinary encounters. Rather than trying to force it to happen, we just go about our day focusing on what is in front of us. It might even appear unexpected in our conversations with friends!

Removing Hindrances

From the Tarot of the Secret Forest, the Sun; from the Faeries' Oracle, the Friends:

The teachings emphasize removing hindrances to seeing clearly so that one can abide in the clarity of reality as it actually is. —Gaelyn Godwin

In the Secret Forest, the thick canopy of trees shelters most of the woodland, but occasionally trees fall and open up an area to the Sun. The the darkness is replaced with a brightness that clarifies what once was seen only dimly. What are the hindrances that keep us from seeing with clarity? Buddhists identify five categories: 

1) Sensual desire (craving and grasping for what brings us pleasure)

2) Ill will (hatred, jealousy, self-righteous indignation)

3) Sloth and Torpor (laziness, disinterest, confusion, sleepiness)

4) Restlessness and Worry (an undercurrent of irritation, rumination, anxiety)

5) Skeptical Doubt (cynicism, as opposed to questioning doubt that looks for answers)

When we see reality as it is, we can make better choices with skill. The Friends card reminds me of a dear friend; like these two beings, we are very different in some regards (race, religion and personality). Yet our values bond us, and our differences help us see each other's blind spots. 

Buy Yourself Some Flowers

From the Tarot of the Secret Forest, the Six of Wands; from the Faeries' Oracle, She of the Cruach:

Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. —Veronica A. Shoffstall

Not all of us get a parade when we've met our challenges successfully. Instead, some of us find our best friend and go for a joy ride to celebrate. All of our striving and hard work have paid off, and now it's time to let off some pent-up energy. We don't have to wait for the world to acknowledge and celebrate our victory, we can do it ourselves. She of the Cruach is the yin energy of the Universe - creative, nurturing and receptive. She asks us to drink from her cup of acceptance and love, acknowledging our worth and our inner goodness.

Scarcity of self-value cannot be remedied by money, recognition, affection, attention or influence.

—Gary Zukav

The Way You Carry It

From the Tarot of the Secret Forest, the Ten of Wands; from the Faeries' Oracle, the Topsy Turvets:

It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.

― Lou Holtz

Snapping turtles hibernate during the winter months, and when they emerge, they sometimes unintentionally carry part of their winter home with them. Humans too can suddenly find such a weight on their shoulders, especially if they are in a caregiving role. Stress can show up in feelings of frustration, sadness, loneliness and anxiety as well as a strain on our physical health. It is important to realize that the caregiver needs care too. It also helps to remember: nothing lasts forever, humor can lighten the load, and we often find help when we ask others for it. The Topsie Turvets visit when we are in a mental muddle and give us a chance to see from a different viewpoint. They tell us to ask different questions and question our assumptions. There's always another side to every story.

When we cultivate mind in everyday life, we have to let go of everything we experience. We don’t need to add any more baggage. If you just keep letting go of everything and moving forward, you’ll reach the top of the mountain. –Daehaeng Kun Sunim

A Real Seeker

From the Tarot of the Secret Forest, the Knight of Swords; from the Faeries' Oracle, the Journeyman:

If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things. ― René Descartes

It is ironic that the Knight of Swords doubts nearly every other person's ideas but not his own. Why is it that we're so willing to slash and burn what others say and think, but we never question our own opinions? Rainer Maria Rilke wrote that helpful doubt isn't simply a cynic; it questions and looks for proof. And having such an accessory in our saddlebag can turn our to be a very intelligent and useful tool for building a life. The Journeyman goes into the world with a childlike trust and a beginner's mind. Testing himself and his knowledge, he willingly lets go of that which he finds useless or false. He would tell this Knight that any concept that is not tested against reality is not worth holding in a tight grip.

Finding Our Core

This week I'll be using Tarot of the Secret Forest, created by Lucia Mattioli and published by Lo Scarabeo. I'll also be drawing from the Faeries' Oracle created by Brian Froud with text by Jessica Macbeth; it was published by Simon & Schuster. Today's cards are the Two of Swords and The Laume:

It is only in solitude that I ever find my own core.

—Anne Morrow Lindbergh

A lone figure stands on a rocky ledge next to an evergreen tree as he ponders a decision. The booklet states that this is a time for renouncing emotions and analyzing things rationally. This is often easier when we follow Lindbergh's words above. Solitude can remove the pressures of others trying to influence us; it allows us to see at our core not only what we want but what we need. The Laume is a fairy who knows the joy in giving without expectation, but she also encourages receiving without shame. As Jane Goodall said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” What would be a kindness to others as well as oneself - not just now but in the long run?

Those Who Dream

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Three of Wands; from the Cedar Runes, Dagaz:

The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need men who can dream of things that never were. 

~John F. Kennedy

From high atop a rocky outcrop, a woman surveys the land. This view gives her a much wider perspective than being closed in by the trees below. The companion book states that this card encourages us to expand our horizons and discover uncharted territory. But to do these things we must first believe in such a possibility, then we must push away from our comfort zone. We step away from our assumptions and broaden our scope, moving toward what is different rather than away from it. Dagaz means 'light' and suggests an awakening - a truth breaking into our reality. Moving out of our routines and usual trajectories can't help but awaken us to a wider, exciting world.

Slow Engine of Destruction

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Page of Swords; from the Cedar Runes, Sowilo:

Fire and swords are slow engines of destruction, compared to the tongue of a Gossip.

~Richard Steele

The Page of Swords always likes to have an intellectual edge, so she and the swans have a daily gossip fest. She explains that it's important to have as much current information as possible, although most of the scuttlebutt shared is greatly exaggerated or untrue. Gathering such hearsay is simply a way for her to feel like she has an advantage over others. She has not yet learned that this is a sieve that will never fill and hold what she seeks. Sowilo is translated as 'sun' and considered a guide to success. The rune poems call it the light of the world and the destroyer of ice; it gives clarity, shows us the truth, and thus destroys any deceptions. It would suggest the Page take a clear look at her self-serving motives for gossip and see that it doesn't really serve her at all.  

The Way Appears

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Eight of Swords; from the Cedar Runes, Ansuz:

As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.

― Rumi

The Eight of Swords depicts those periods when we feel powerless and trapped by circumstances. Like this swan surrounded by thorny brambles and unable to fly, we think we can't move. But the swan, using it's sharp beak, could move some briers and walk out of them. We often feel stuck because we fall back on old patterns of thinking and acting, which only further entrenches us in a feeling of helplessness. Instead, we could do something different, even if that action seems to have no connection at all to the issue. But it could help the real issue - getting our mind unstuck and giving it a slightly different view. Ansuz is said to symbolize the mouth of the wise Odin and suggests divine or ancestral wisdom or inspiration. When we feel powerless, it is easy to forget that others may have advice and encouragement that could help us. All we need to do is ask and listen.

Emotional Tethers

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the King of Cups; from the Cedar Runes, Uruz:

You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.

—Timber Hawkeye

The King of Cups is the calm in the storm, modeling and guiding others with steady patience and composure. I can imagine the male seahorse, with his pouch full of incubating babies, telling the King of his worries for these young ones when they hatch. The King would likely tell the seahorse that risks and challenges are a part of life that help us mature and develop wisdom. But everyone needs an emotional anchor when the waves get rough, and and that tether will be different for all. The rune Uruz is based on a primordial wild ox. It suggest endurance and strength will be needed in our endeavors. In the case of an emotional anchor, it may be best not to tie ourselves to a person, but to our own spiritual practices that provide us with resilience.