Plant It and See If It Grows

This week I'll be using the Tyldwick Tarot, created and self-published by Neil Lovell. I'll also be using the Antiquarian Lenormand, created and self-published by Maree Bento. Today's draws are the Page of Coins and the Whip/Jack of Clubs:

Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.

— Zen kōan

The Page of Coins is often called 'the student,' but he does not enjoy arguing about topics or spending hours discussing philosophy. What he learns, he plants in the earth and observes if it will grow. He tests information to see if it can be used to create, build or do things more skillfully. He is likely the most content of the Pages; he finds joy in the tasks he does rather than putting his hopes in any specific outcomes. Knowledge is a wonder to him, as it allows him to discover the natural laws of world. The Cat-o'-nine-tails is an implement of physical punishment; in the Page's case, it appears as psychological suffering if he succumbs to society's idea of success and happiness. Hopefully he will remember Joshua Metcalf's words instead: " Like thirsty people guzzling salt water, achievement only creates a greater desire for accomplishing more, dehydrating us of true satisfaction and fulfillment." 

A Time to Withhold

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Four of Coins; from the Waterhouse Oracle, Penelope and the Suitors:

Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others. — Brené Brown

There is a time to generously give and a time to withhold, especially when it involves our health and energy. Yet there are those of us (especially women) who have been trained to 'be nice' and make our lives an offering to anyone. But this is impossible if we don't take care of our own needs first. As Anne Lamott advocated, 'No' is a complete sentence. Penelope, in this Waterhouse painting, sits at her loom while she tries to ignore her suitors. During Odysseus' long absence, unmarried young men began to suspect that Odysseus died in the Trojan War. To keep them at bay, Penelope told them she would begin courting again after she finished weaving a funeral shroud - which she unraveled every night. Some people don't accept 'no' without an explanation, so we need to be ready to give them one, even if it is simply that we are exhausted and must rest. 

Found Out

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Six of Coins; from the Waterhouse Oracle, Psyche Entering Cupid's Garden:

Your behavior reflects your actual purposes.

― Ronald Heifetz

The Six of Coins is about sharing our resources, whether that involves our money, time, energy or skills. Yet our idea of "doing good" may glide over the commitment it requires. For instance, if we adopt a dog from the local shelter, it will need more than food and water to thrive. Giving, in all its guises, should be tied to the heart rather than a way to look good or feel good about ourselves. The story of Psyche and Eros is a tale of great love and a vow not kept. Psyche found out just how hard it is to win back the trust of those to whom promises were made and broken. Commitment is a value, and as Carly Fiorina said, "values are what guide your behavior when no one is looking and you don’t think anyone will ever find out."

Words on Deaf Ears

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Hanged Man; from the Waterhouse Oracle, The Missal:

You have to quit confusing a madness with a mission.

― Flannery O'Connor

The Hanged Man shows Saint Sebastian, who had joined the Roman army in order to support and convert others to Christianity. When word got to his superiors about his missionary efforts, he was tied to a tree and shot full of arrows. Miraculously, he was found and healed by Irene of Rome. However, once he regained his strength, he went to the Roman emperor to warn him of his sins and was subsequently clubbed to death. This card encourages us to accept what we are powerless to change. Zealots have no peace, and often create division and anger in their attempts to convert others. At the other extreme, The Missal shows a young woman practicing her own religious service alone. Her inner peace and kindness are more likely to influence others than any scripture she might spout.

Let the Punishment Fit the Crime

From the Touchstone Tarot, the King of Swords; from the Waterhouse Oracle, St. Eulalia:

If one really wishes to know how justice is administered in a country, one does not question the policemen, the lawyers, the judges, or the protected members... One goes to the unprotected - those, precisely, who need the laws' protection most! - and listens to their testimony.

—James Baldwin

The solemn King of Swords is a judge, deciding what is right and wrong and who is innocent or guilty. The black and white chess board is a hint that he sees no gray areas and does not bend to emotional pleas. Though he is extremely intelligent, compassion is not a trait he cultivates. St. Eulalia shows the death of a 13-year-old girl at the hands of the Roman government because she dared to speak out about the persecution of Christians. Yes, society needs consequences when laws are broken, but as Cicero stated, "the increase of punishment should be in proportion to the increase of crime." Liking or not liking someone or their beliefs should not influence the judgment.

Without Aggression or Condescension

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Knight of Swords; from the Waterhouse Oracle, musical angels from St. Cecilia:

When we tell people the truth, we tell them an edited version that almost invariably is constructed to our advantage. At best, we know what we see, and what we may infer, but we can never know the truth of another’s heart. ―Andrew Budek-Schmeisser

This Knight, with his sword unsheathed and hand on his helmet, wears an impatient expression. Kat Black describes him as having a warrior mindset, being the first to jump into an argument or rush into a skirmish. He believes that he is righter of wrongs and the champion of truth. He hasn't learned that the definitions of what he thinks is right and what is true can be subject to change, and they are often influenced by our own likes and dislikes. The kneeling angels in the St. Cecelia painting play soothing music for Cecilia. People are more likely to listen when we speak the truth as we see it without aggression or condescension. Anger and intimidation rarely open any ears or minds.

Balancing Both

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Page of Wands; from the Waterhouse Oracle, Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May:

They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.

—Terry Pratchett

This fellow has a look of boredom; I can imagine him asking why they must learn about places from a book instead of just going there. But knowledge and preparation are useful when traveling to new places. Knowing the climate will allow us to take the right clothes, and knowing the culture may help us not offend anyone. It can also be useful to know a few phrases in that language if it is different from ours. The name of Waterhouse's painting came from a line in Robert Herrick's poem "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time." It emphasizes the transient nature of life and encourages the reader to make the most of their opportunities. The poem was also a commentary on the social side of things - once married and with children, there would be little free time for enjoyment. This card is a counterbalance to the first, implying that study and planning are fine, but we don't need to neglect the going and doing in favor of it. 

Sobering Up

This week I'll be using the Touchstone Tarot, created and self-published by Kat Black (though now published by U.S. Games). Along with it I'll be using the John Waterhouse Oracle, created and self-published by Elaine Wilkinson. Today's draws are the Ten of Swords and Tristan and Isolde with Potion:

People just make stupid mistakes. And they keep making them and keep making them, and suddenly they can't dig themselves out. ―Karin Slaughter

We all like to be right. But sometimes we defend our beliefs and opinions even in the light of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. We refuse to admit our mistakes or misjudgments, holding on to them like a life preserver. Yet they are really a bag of rocks that cause us to sink rapidly to the bottom of the ocean floor. Pride is the rope that binds that bag to us. However, admitting our errors and realizing we're a fallible human are what will save us and our relationships. The Tristan and Isolde painting show the moment they accidentally drink a love potion and fall in love with each other. The problem was that Tristan was supposed to take Isolde to his uncle the king who was to marry her. Reminds me of getting drunk in a bar and going home with an inappropriate partner. We all need to sober up at times and see reality clearly, but only if we want to enjoy life without feeling angry and frustrated all the time.

All of You

From the Brady Tarot, the Eight of Feathers (Wands); from the Citadel Oracle, the Spymaster:

If you are going somewhere take all of you there. — Amit Kalantri

The gyrfalcon, the largest, most powerful NA falcon, hunts using 'surprise and flush' tactics. It is able to accelerate instantly and chase down even the fastest bird or mammal. This little ground squirrel has about enough time to think "what?!" before his time on earth is gone. When things are moving so quickly, we can't afford to get distracted and let our attention waver. We need to stay on point. Yet the Spymaster also encourages us to maintain a balanced perspective. Remember Gladys Kravitz, the nosy neighbor on the 1960s sitcom Bewitched? She watched everyone's movements and activities, but she only really cared about what she could use to smear the character of others. Staying focused is important, but only if we do it with a realistic and receptive mindset. 

For What It Is

From the Brady Tarot, the Father of Roots (King of Pentacles); from the Citadel Oracle, the Puppeteer:

He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.

—Albert Einstein

A star-nose mole peeks his head above ground, taking in the scents and vibrations of the night. The tendrils around its nose make up a highly specialized sensory-motor organ that acts as a tactile eye, allowing it to study its surroundings. Emi suggests the hardworking Father of Roots/Pentacles has learned to pause and appreciate his accomplishments rather than simply focus on accumulating more. The Puppeteer asks if we feel like we have no freedom, as if life jerks us around demanding our submission and service. We all have obligations, but like this Father/King, we can choose to pause and turn our senses outward. As Mandy Hale put it, "Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed to look like and celebrating it for everything that it is."

We Had No Idea

From the Brady Tarot, the Ace of Feathers (Wands); from the Citadel Oracle, the Hound:

We had no idea whatever that this would one day be applied to make hydrogen bombs. Our curiosity was just curiosity about the structure of the nucleus of the atom. ―Marcus Oliphant

Emi Brady states that inspiration is transforming, yet it can be channeled in ways that create or devastate. Mankind's curiosity has inspired all kinds of inventions, but rarely did any come with warning labels. Plastics, nuclear power, AI - all have made life easier but also more complicated and dangerous. The Hound suggests loyalty, but at a high cost - our freedom to act and think on our own. Whether we're the one who is inspired or the one who is being a support, critical thinking, close observation, and the courage to speak up are necessary tools to help prevent harmful consequences down the road. 

Logical consequences are the scarecrows of fools and the beacons of wise men.

―Thomas Huxley

More Than Once

From the Brady Tarot, the Ten of Roots (Pentacles); from the Citadel Oracle, the Aspirant:

Your life can end at any time, and it can end more than once. But it can also begin more than once.

― Michael R French

The Ten of Roots represents a time when we experience the abundance and richness of life, not just financially, but also in the world around us. At this peak, we can sit complacently for a while, but change will inevitably cause us to slide down our mountain. Yet the Aspirant suggests we can set our sights on another hill to climb. Setbacks are natural and shouldn't convince us to give up our quest - we can just take another trail. The choice to reinvent ourselves over and over is always there if we're willing to make the effort. As my mother-in-law used to say (at age 90), "Keep on keeping on."

Touchstone of Progress

From the Brady Tarot, the Nine of Arrows (Swords); from the Citadel, the Queen:

Someone who knew what he was talking about once remarked that pain was the touchstone of all spiritual progress. ―Bill Wilson

Rachel Carson’s book, Silent Spring, exposed the insecticide DDT's dangers to the environment. One of the many harmful effects of this chemical was that it made the eggshells of eagles so thin, they broke when the birds sat on them. The Nine of Arrows/Swords is about mental pain and anxiety. Most humans attempt to deal with it by denial and distraction, anger and blame, or self-pity. The Queen arrives to tell us not to shy away from what we can do or how we might influence the situation. It takes determination and courage to move toward the source of our suffering. Yet when we dig deep to the root of the problem, however painful, we may find solutions. Such explanations can't change the past, but they can make the future better. 

Go Now, and Do the Work

This week I'll be using the Brady Tarot, created and self-published by Emi Brady with a companion booklet by Rachel Pollack. I'll also be using the Citadel, an oracle created by Fez Inkwright and published by Liminal 11/Sterling. Today's draws are the Fool and the Botanist:

I see now that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant. It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are. ―Takeshi Shudo

An indigo bunting feeds a cowbird chick in the nest built for its own eggs. Cowbirds are brood parasites, laying their eggs in other birds' nests and allowing them to care for them. The indigo bunting is operating on instinct, putting food in an open mouth. While the situation looks foolish, each bird is doing the best they can in the circumstances they've found themselves. There are adult humans who still lament their childhoods, blaming their current circumstances on their past upbringing. If these folks are aware of the dysfunction and don't change, they are more bird-brained than the birds. The Botanist is a nurturer, planting seeds and providing the right environment for them to grow to maturity. We all have a responsibility to nurture ourselves - emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually - once we reach adulthood. There are others who can help us if we seek and ask. As Rainer Maria Rilke wrote, "Go now and do the heart-work on the images imprisoned within you."

Beware of the Abyss

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Devil; from the Dreaming in Color Deck, Respite:

My devil had been long caged, he came out roaring.

― Robert Louis Stevenson

Stress in all its guises is often the trigger that unlocks our inner devil - that part of us that feels entitled to all the pleasures and comforts we desire. It tells us it is our recompense for dealing with so much, that we deserve to indulge ourselves. It's not evil, just naive. But a close look at this smiling Devil reveals a dark abyss behind her. Repetition easily becomes a habit; we long to recreate that good feeling over and over. But that is only possible when we keep increasing our 'drug' of choice. Respite suggests we pause from our scrabble for bliss by simply resting and detoxing our mind and body. As Roger Babson stated, “If things go wrong, don’t go with them.”

Instant Gratification

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Magician; from the Dreaming in Color Deck, Aggression:

Every notable historical era will have its own Faust. ―Søren Kierkegaard

This Magician is based on the legendary Johann Georg Faust, a failed alchemist and magician. Seduced by fame, knowledge and power, Faust was said to have sold his soul to the devil in return for the instant gratification of his desires. As the UNCF slogan advocates, "a mind is a terrible thing to waste," yet we need to be careful of what we allow to fill it. Our life is shaped by the mind; it will become the chariot that drives our words and actions. Aggression - hostile behavior or attitudes - is often the result of those who feel entitled to instant gratification and have been thwarted. It tends to set up Faustian binds, when someone in power offers easy solutions to complex problems (usually empty promises). 

Whatever an enemy may do to an enemy,

Or haters, one to another,

Far worse is the harm

From one's wrongly directed mind. 

—Dhammapada

Color-Coordinated Cushions

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Eight of Swords; from the Dreaming in Color Cards, Competition:

You think stress is finding the perfectly color-coordinated cushions for your new $10,000 sofa.

― Liane Moriarty

Yesterday in the early evening, our internet went out. Since our TV and computers depend on our Wi-Fi connection, we were not happy. Of course, it seemed like a major ordeal rather than just an inconvenience. It was easy to overlook the fact that the heat index was 96F at the same time because we have a nicely air-conditioned home. Now had that gone out, it would have been something to be truly concerned about. The Eight of Swords is a situation in which we feel controlled by people or circumstances, like this spoiled looking young lady with her wrists loosely bound. But we can choose to stop narrowly focusing on what is wrong and look for any action we could take that might help (while also being appreciative of what is going right). Competition has the same sort of issue; we become obsessed with the other person or group that looks better or has more than us. Yet wouldn't it be more beneficial to see how we could improve ourselves, using that as a yardstick instead of comparing ourselves to others? Where we put our focus will determine whether we make progress or spin our wheels in frustration.

Self-forgiveness

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Star; from the Dreaming in Color Cards, Loss:

Love yourself, accept yourself, forgive yourself and be good to yourself, because without you the rest of us are without a source of many wonderful things.

— Leo F. Buscaglia

There are times when we hurtful things in anger, when we make a terribly wrong choice or when we judge harshly someone who blameless. The consequences may be that we lose people and things that are important. How do we wash away the pain and heal our grief? First, we must acknowledge our part in the mess, which helps us be accountable as well as learn from our mistakes. We make amends and restitution where it is possible. But perhaps the hardest part is the process of self-forgiveness. Yet as Tara Brach explains, “Feeling compassion for ourselves in no way releases us from responsibility for our actions. Rather, it releases us from the self-hatred that prevents us from responding to our life with clarity and balance.” 

Step Off the Stage

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Queen of Wands; from the Dreaming in Color Cards, Opportunity:

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.  ―Ralph Waldo Emerson

We all slide into roles that family, social/religious groups, and our society create for us. We are told to be a good _____ (fill in the blank), to accommodate and portray our character well. But this Queen of Wands, with a "you must be joking" look on her face, has tucked her mask in her pocket. "We all have been given certain talents and strong interests," she would tell us," "Why should we try and become someone else?" The Opportunity card seems to give advice along the same line, encouraging us to take advantage of the open doorways that will let us be ourselves and follow our passions. As G. Brian Benson wrote, “Once I began to realize that there were no rules and that my path didn’t have to look like everyone else’s, I relaxed and my whole world opened up.”

Full and At Ease

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Ten of Cups; from the Dreaming in Color Cards, Innocence:

Guilt is the worst enemy of true happiness and self-esteem. 

—Pamela Baron Waldbauer

Back when I kept a written gratitude journal, there were days when the only three things I could think to list were pain medicine, a soft bed, and sleep. But the Ten of Cups illustrates a day when our heart is so full of joy, it is hard to put how we feel into words. Pausing and paying attention seems to help create more days such as this. Innocence reminds me of another reason that our hearts are light. When the mind is at ease, not suffering from guilt over something we've done or not done, there is no barrier to our happiness. 

The Unpredictable Path

This week I'll be using the Victorian Romantic Tarot, created by Alex Ukolov and Karen Mahony with Magic Realist Press as publisher. I will also be drawing from Dreaming in Color: the Luman Deck, created and self-published by Mindy Hope Sommers. Today's draws are the Hermit and Journey:

People will choose unhappiness over uncertainty.

― Timothy Ferriss

The Hermit represents a time of withdrawal in order to do some inner searching. It is a time of questioning: Do I react or respond to life? Am I mostly content, or do I constantly try to fill my life with people, possessions or busyness? What motivates me? Does my mind rarely stay in the present, instead dwelling in the past or future? Such an assessment helps us see our patterns and shows us how we got to where we are. We can then choose to continue our path or make some changes. While the water is visible in the Journey card, the path forward is a bit murky. Such is the way of the spiritual traveler - there is no certainty because the unpredictable path is the practice. Yet we can take Thich Nhat Hanh's advice to heart: “At any moment, you have a choice, that either leads you closer to your spirit or further away from it.”

Wishing

From the Morgan Greer Tarot, the Nine of Cups; from the Celtic Book of the Dead, the Island of the Shuttered Door:

When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers. ~Oscar Wilde

Can you imagine what it would be like if humans got everything we wished for? There would not be enough storage units to hold our possessions or enough land for people to own. There would likely be, even more than now, a huge competition based on who looked the best and wore the coolest or classiest clothes. There would not be enough oil to power all the modes of transportation we would own. So maybe it is a good thing that we only occasionally get what we wish for, as it makes us much more appreciative. The Island of Shuttered Door was an island on a pedestal with no opening to enter. No amount of wishing could get the voyagers inside. This island was like a koan - no previous experience, intellect and knowledge, or physical prowess could gain them entry. Only a state of pure awareness without self-referencing might open the closed door. Such perception might also show us the way to true contentment.

Art of Peace

 From the Morgan Greer Tarot, the Knight of Wands; from the Celtic Book of the Dead, the Island of Cannibal Horses:

To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace. ―Morihei Ueshiba

This Knight of Wands has a wyvern on his helmet, a mythical animal that symbolizes strength and ferocity. In alchemy, it represented base metals - metals that oxidize or corrode relatively easily compared to noble ones (gold, silver, platinum). While this fellow is an ace adventurer and explorer, he is not very evolved when it comes to wanting things his way; he won't hesitate to intimidate or pressure others to bend to his will. The Celtic travelers were horrified by the Island of Cannibal Horses, believing horses were among the most honorable of animals. Yet the violence and aggression of humans are no less horrific. Should we not learn how to manage our anger and desires instead of trampling those in our way?

Fact Checker

From the Morgan Greer Tarot, the Page of Pentacles; from the Celtic Book of the Dead, the Island of Recognition:

There must be no barriers to freedom of inquiry. The scientist... must be free to ask any question, to doubt any assertion, to seek for any evidence, to correct any errors. ―J. Robert Oppenheimer

This Page of Pentacles, often known as the student, doesn't just focus on books. He looks up and outward, checking to see if what he has studied and learned fits with real life. Like the rest of his clan, he is grounded and practical, preferring what is useful and beneficial to what is fanciful. He'd rather not just take someone's word but prefers to test things out himself. The voyagers arrived at the Island of Recognition only to be pelted with nuts by its residents. It seems the islanders thought they resembled an enemy of the past and assumed they were exactly the same people. This card asks us to check our assumptions rather than rolling with our emotional reactions. Unfortunately, as Andy Rooney stated, "People will generally accept facts as truth only if the facts agree with what they already believe."

Mind Shift

From the Morgan Greer Tarot, the Six of Swords; from the Celtic Book of the Dead, the Wheel:

Life's true wonders unfold when we dare to shift our minds and embrace the transformative dance of paradigm change. ―Itayi Garande

Our personal paradigms, or patterns of thinking that create our worldview and affect our actions, are mostly unconscious. Some of us suffer from paradigm paralysis. But occasionally, the universe gives us a head slap that forces us to see facts we can no longer ignore. Our old defense mechanisms - denial and rationalization - cease to work. As Garande describes, we experience "a shift in our perception of reality, a change in our beliefs and assumptions, and a new way of looking at the world around us." We willingly move towards other shores. The Celtic Wheel represents turnings and changes. It asks us if what we've learned and experienced in the past is helping us make better choices in the present. If not, perhaps we need a paradigm change.