A Reminder

From the Tarot of the Master, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Albus (white):

Reminding myself that life is not personal, permanent, or perfect has kept me from falling into sinkholes of despair and destroying rooms with rage. It invites me to pause and turn inward.

—Ruth King

Sometimes we reap a harvest for our actions or inaction, but often life just unfolds in unexpected ways because it is a constantly changing flow. There are times we get inundated with a flood while other times we delight in a babbling brook. Ruth King's reminder that it is not personal, permanent or perfect is wisdom to live by. Albus (white) represents "the bearded one" in some traditions, symbolizing a purity of wisdom that leads to clarity. It might suggest that in times of change, we should move to the hub or our center - to hold onto what is truly important and trust our spiritual compass.

It's Okay

From the Tarot of the Master, the Four of Swords; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Amissio (loss):

Not everything is a battle that needs to be won, and not everything needs to be a fight.

—Kimberly Davis

This helmet and gauntlet have no wearer, and the swords are laced to the shield. Not everything is a battle, though we often act as if it is. At times we must stop our strategizing and accept life on life's terms. Only then can we adjust, adapt and move on. Amissio's figure has been described as a bag opened and turned upside down, dumping out its contents. Loss comes in many forms, and anger is often a reaction because it feels empowering. Yet loss is not a battle; we can give ourselves permission to feel our grief and respond to our needs with compassion. It's okay not to fight but to feel.

Build, Don't Destroy

From the Tarot of the Master, the Star; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Puer (boy):

Let your energy be used to build, not destroy.

~Yogi Tea company

Scholar Robert V. O'Neill suggests that the Star card's message of hope and guidance may be linked to two biblical stories. The first comes from Isaiah - a prophecy of the fall of Babylon that would come: "Sit in the dust, virgin, daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground dethroned." The second is from Matthew and tells the story of the wise men following the star. When life humbles us and grinds us down with its boot heel, we often become open to seeking guidance and wisdom. Those who do so understand that a new direction and fresh ideas (two urns of water) must be used instead of relying on old patterns. Puer, while translated as 'boy,' describes a youthful male athlete and is associated with Mars. Rather than using forceful energy to angrily destroy what caused our fall, we can use it to build on a foundation of new knowledge.

Achievement

From the Tarot of the Master, the Six of Wands; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Laetitia (Joy):

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. – Zig Ziglar

Drumsticks, a pan flute and a bugle in this card all suggest a parade is in the making. What was once a struggle has now ended successfully, and imbalance has been replaced with harmony. Laetitia's appearance implies that this victory brings not only relief but also joy. What an adrenaline rush it is to be over the finish line! Now, do we arrogantly flaunt it or humbly and gratefully accept it?

A Better Way?

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Master, created by Giovanni Vacchetta and published by Lo Scarabeo. Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Paracelsus Oracle, published by Lo Scarabeo with instructions written by Gina di Roberto. The cards drawn for today are the King of Coins and Cauda Draconis (Tail of the Dragon):

The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one.

—Benjamin Franklin

This king is literally making money, stamping and engraving gold coins. The coin on the wall with its hourglass design is telling; he must know his time is running short to amass his fortune. But a mindset intent on accumulating is often based on a fear of scarcity, even if there is no actual deprivation. Perhaps instead he could invest his time, money and energy - not just to help himself but to help others. Friends might become his greatest resource. Cauda Draconis suggests a doorway leading out or completion. It encourages us to assess how things have turned out now that we are on the back side of them. Was this a wise use of our resources, or is there a better way? 

A Moment Before

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Ace of Cups; from the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk Oracle, the Question:

What is happiness? It’s a moment before you need more happiness.

—Don Draper

Soaking in exuberant joy, this woman has filled and now holds her own cup of happiness. What prevents us from doing the same? We often have joyful times, but then our mind begins to churn out thoughts like: "I wish I could stay in this place forever; tomorrow I have to go back to the daily grind." We've stepped out of our cup of happiness as soon as we seek to make it last longer or bemoan the end of it. Instead, we could fully appreciate the experience while we're in it. The Question advises that we look for answers by asking the right questions. If we're thinking that something or someone is keeping us from being content, perhaps we need to look closer to home and question our own choices and motives.

Knowing What You're Doing

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Page of Coins; from the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk Oracle, the Egg:

Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing.

—Warren Buffett

This Page's collection of books almost seems to be holding up her desk. When we are inspired to create or start a project, it's always a good idea to have a foundation of knowledge about our subject matter. Does this tree grow well in this zone? Do buildings constructed here need to be able to withstand earthquakes or hurricanes? What exactly does the face of a French bulldog look like?  This student knows studying can mean the difference between success or failure. The Egg protects the embryo inside, allowing it to develop and mature before hatching. Its message is that knowledge can't be acquired in a day, and understanding what we learn takes time.

Breached

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Seven of Cups; from the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk Oracle, the Hacker:

Most people, at one time or another, act foolishly. However, truly ignorant individuals exhibit a lack of introspection and stubbornly cling to their opinions, regardless of how irrational they may be.

—Manfred Kets de Vries

As one dragon happily slugs down cup after cup, the other sniffs and takes a cautious lick. This particular card illustrates the allure of fantasy, illusion and wishful thinking that often accompanies a quest for happiness. Those who desperately seek it can find overlooking reality quite easy. The overconfidence effect is another potential factor, causing people to overrate their abilities, knowledge, and accuracy of their beliefs. The Hacker is concerned with two things: systems and security. He would suggest that if we are oblivious to truth, our brain has been breached. It's time to plant our feet back on the earth and learn how to discern whether our assumptions and beliefs are grounded in accurate evidence.

Barely Speaking

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Two of Blades; from the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk Oracle, the Orchid:

The fact is, the heart and mind aren't always friendly. And in my case, they're barely speaking.

—Alyson Noel

It appears the mind and heart are at cross purposes, each with its own intentions and goals. How do we come to a decision, having to choose between a logical choice and a compassionate one? First, don't rush into anything. Second, consider the Orchid, a lovely flower that's "easy" to grow once you understand and create all its ideal conditions (and there are a lot). This plant reminds us that simply making a decision is not the end of things - we must then continue to follow through with whatever energy, time and support it will require. To which of these are we willing to make such a commitment?

Tread With Care

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Hermit; from the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk Oracle, the Forest:

[Buddha's] very last words, spoken to his closest followers who surrounded his deathbed, were these: Things fall apart; tread the path with care. 

―Winton Higgins

It's a shame that most of us don't develop wisdom until we enter the latter part of our lives. This Hermit holds up the lamp of wisdom while trying to stop the sands of time. He knows that there is little time to reflect on what we've valued and where our focus has been. As the apostle James wrote, "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." The Forest brings to mind the words of Henry David Thoreau and parallels the advice of the Hermit: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

Making, Unmaking

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Eight of Cups; from Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk Oracle, Nexus:

Life is what I am making it, and I am what life is making me.

—Paula Arai

Judging this relationship by the sleeping bear, it appears to be in full hibernation. Trying to wake it at this point will only make it grumpy and hostile. The mature response would be to walk away before things devolve further, before there is harm done that can't be undone. In time, our distress will likely turn to relief. Nexus comes from Latin roots meaning ‘a binding together;’ it is a connection point where many elements meet. Buddhism teaches that causes bring about the production or arising of something while conditions help shape the identity of what is produced or arises. These form who each of us are, including our inclination to behave in certain ways. Some people will work to change these patterns, but others will think they are perfectly fine the way they are. Yet once we recognize them, we can choose not to pair ourselves with those who have such propensities. 

Dollar Devotion

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Absurd, created and self-published by Jessica Rose Shanahan. I'll also be using another self-published deck, the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk by Masha Falkov. The draws for today are the Four of Coins and Random Number Generator:

Chaos was the law of nature; Order was the dream of man.

― Henry Adams

Sometimes the Four of Coins can mean we need to keep a closer watch on our health, finances and time. But putting a coin atop a pedestal and giving it a kiss says something else altogether. Devotion to money is often intended as a way to control life so that we get what we want. Money can be helpful, but this world is full of change and at times chaos. As Peter D. Schaller explains, "Systems that are 'chaotic' are sensitive to small changes in initial conditions, and are predictable in the short term, but not in the long term. The weather is an example." The Random Number Generator suggests we learn to accept the inevitability of unpredictability. Dr. Daniel Siegel advocates rowing our canoe between the banks of rigidity (attempts to control) and chaos (disorder). If we can integrate the two, without sitting on either bank, we have the opportunity to explore, experience new things, learn and grow.

Ever-shifting Kaleidoscope

From the World Spirit Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Mystic Glyphs, Lizard:

Life is like an ever-shifting kaleidoscope — a slight change, and all patterns and configurations alter.

—Sharon Salzberg

Change is afoot. Well, actually it's always in progress, we just usually don't notice it unless it's something that affects us directly. The Wheel is generally a sign of positive change, even if it is a little worrisome because it's something new and unknown. It may be tempting to respond to it in a habitual way, but Lizard's message is to step out of our ruts. We can't solve an old problem with worn-out solutions that we've tried over and over again. Neither should we expect to greet new opportunities or situations with 'tried and true' responses. If we pay attention to what's actually happening (rather than riding our assumptions), our intuition and wisdom can guide us.

Washing Through

From the World Spirit Tarot, the Sibyl (Queen) of Cups; from the Mystic Glyphs, Spider:

Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.

—Chinese Proverb

This Queen would advise us to relax and let the energy of whatever emotion we're feeling wash through us. But she'd also tell us not to feed it any narratives about what happened or what might happen. Stay in the body by connecting to the senses. When the emotion dissipates, we can look at the situation from a calmer, compassionate perspective. Spider cautions us to weave our own web and stay out of the webs of others. Getting entangled in people's dramas is not our business and doesn't do anything other than create more stress. We don't have to do something about everything.

Daydreaming

From the World Spirit Tarot, the Seven of Cups; from the Mystic Glyphs, Path - Go Back:

We’re looking in the places where society or our conditioning tells us to look—in the fulfillment of our desires. But that is not where true happiness is found.

—Joseph Goldstein

A man daydreams, fantasizing about all the wonderful things he might attain or achieve. Yet nothing he envisions will come to pass without making an effort to take action rather than just dream about things. The Path - Go Back glyph suggests we have made a mistake and are heading down the wrong road. If we are trying to find happiness for selfish reasons - to elevate and separate us from the rest - our happiness will last only briefly. No one stays on a pedestal for long. But if we are motivated by altruism, choosing a path that will benefit us as well as others, our joy will likely be more stable.

Inner Refuge

From the World Spirit Tarot, the High Priestess; from the Mystic Glyphs, Skunk:

When the winds of change reach hurricane force, our inner refuge of mindfulness, concentration, and discernment is the only thing that will keep us from getting blown away.

~Thanissaro Bhikku

The High Priestess guards our inner temple, the deepest part of consciousness. It is a refuge, offering us spaciousness and a place to breathe with ease. Dwelling here, we find not what the ego wants, but truth and wisdom if we will receive it. Skunk reminds us that it is okay to protect and defend our mental and emotional health, especially when we are trying to find our equilibrium during challenging times. As Paul Coelho reminds us, "All stress, anxiety, depression, is caused when we ignore who we are, and start living to please others."

Like Water

From the World Spirit Tarot, the Nine of Wands; from the Mystic Glyphs, Moon Phases:

The wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water molds itself to the pitcher. 

–Chinese Proverb

The stance of this fellow reminds me of a tennis player; knees bent, he's ready to move in any direction and take action. When taking a posture of protection, we need to be awake as well as resilient, which requires the ability to be flexible when things change. Moon Phases suggest that things will change, though sometimes slowly. As the saying goes, "This too will pass," though it's too soon to let down our guard.

Different Forms of Success

From the World Spirit Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the Mystic Glyphs, Life:

This woman who was a style icon basically lived in a little cotton dress all her life - a simple life.

—Sean Hepburn Ferrer

To be successful doesn't mean we constantly buy whatever we see; genuine success is having enough and being content with that, without the need to accumulate possessions. We know our own worth and live wisely with the resources we have. Being happy and satisfied can look very simple on the outside. The Life glyph represents karma - intentional thoughts, words, or actions and their results. It is not a moral issue but a natural law, like gravity. Although karma's results don't ripen overnight, our actions will eventually lead to wholesome or unwholesome outcomes. As Andrew Olendzki explains, "Karma is the opportunity we have each moment to choose what sort of person we are to become next. Broadly speaking, our responses can be either helpful, guiding us toward greater understanding, or they can be unhelpful, leading us instead toward suffering. Your fate is in your own hands."

Made of Earth

This week I'll be using the World Spirit Tarot, published by Llewellyn and created by Jessica Godino and Lauren O'Leary. The oracle deck I'll be pairing with it is the Mystic Glyphs; it was published by Red Wheel and created by Barb Rogers. Today's draws are the Two of Cups and Rainbow:

Equal partnerships are not made in heaven - they are made on earth, one choice at a time, one conversation at a time, one threshold crossing at a time.

—Bruce C. Hafen

Temporary partnerships are fine for temporary goals, but lasting relationships require more: respect and communication. Relationships are much like having a side job (though hopefully a more enjoyable one) because they require putting time and effort into them if they are to remain healthy. Yet the glue that can truly hold them together is made of shared values and principles. Rainbow represents promises and commitment. No partnership can withstand the constant breaking of trust, whether on a small scale or large one. It would be like trying to string a clothesline between a tree and a post in sand. 

Clear the Path

From the Anna K Tarot, Death; from the Meditation Cards, Erupting Patterns:

 

If the path before you is clear, you're probably on someone else's.

― Joseph Campbell

Death beckons, though not in an intimidating way. His message seems to be more about a need to clear the path in order to progress further. What needs to be released? The message from Erupting Patterns (via a quote from Pema Chodron) points to the blockage:

Those of us with strong addictions know that working with habitual patterns begins with the willingness to fully acknowledge our urge, and the willingness not to act on it.

When strong emotions arise, especially in response to unexpected change or uncertainty, it's easy to step back into habits of thinking and reacting that appear to offer solace but actually don't benefit us. If we want to move forward, it's time to accept that they don't help us but hold us back.

Smelling Roses

From the Anna K Tarot, the Knight of Cups; from the Meditation Cards, Karma Cloud:

We awaken continually. Cultivating lasting emotional stability requires a willingness to look and look again. —Jessica Angima

On patrol at night, this romantic knight can't help but stop and smell the flowers. This is definitely not part of the job, but it makes the job bearable. He knows that finding time to look for beauty, joy and love keeps the focus on what is important - it is the compass he relies on. Karma Cloud suggests that we need to be mindful of our thoughts, words and actions, not just because we will reap the good or bad they produce, but because they will be our legacy. As Jan Chozen Bays wrote, "The continuity of the energy is what is important. What do you want to pass on - suffering or happiness?" Pausing, as this knight does, is a good way to check in on our intentions and consider the seeds we're planting.

Difficult Decisions

From the Anna K Tarot, the Two of Swords; from the Meditation Cards, Distractions:

The best thing about making difficult decisions is that you get to be wrong on your own terms.

— Anonymous

This fellow is in a place of stasis, unable to move backward or forward. He's got to make a decision, but neither choice is ideal. It is a "caught between a rock and a hard place" position that seems to have no solution. I understand his confusion. I had a horrible, long-lasting reaction to some osteoporosis pills, yet now my doctor wants me to try an infusion (same family of drug but given once a year). I know this would probably help the problem, but once bitten twice shy, as they say. Distractions show cats climbing all over a meditator. When there's a tough choice to be made, being distracted by a multitude of difficulties can keep us from making a rational decision. If we can let things settle down, both within us and around us, it might help us see the better choice. In the words of John Tarrant, "Abiding nowhere, the heart comes forth."

Below the Obscurations

 From the Anna K Tarot, the High Priestess; from the Meditation Cards, Wholesome vs. Unwholesome:

Mind is eclipsed by many different obscurations; if they are removed, mind’s fundamental nature, like the sun shining brightly in a clear, open sky, can manifest all the qualities of wisdom, compassion, and a Buddha’s abilities. ― Kalu Rinpoche

The High Priestess knows that within each of us is a luminous mind that sees with clarity, wisdom and compassion. But the ego sets up roadblocks to it, determined to have its demands met no matter what. Being trained in meditation allows the priestess to sink below the rollicking waves created by its self-centeredness, down to a place of calm and spaciousness. Here is found a 'hidden' reserve of knowledge and intuition. Wholesome vs. Unwholesome refers to karma our thoughts and actions create:

What really makes it wholesome or unwholesome is not the content so much as the intention that gives rise to the content. (Narayan Helen Liebenson)

If we want to know whether we are listening to the luminous mind or the ego, all we need to do is look at what is behind the thought or action. Is it being fueled by some form of anger, greed or delusion, or is it triggered by kindness, generosity and wisdom? The first brings suffering while the latter benefits everyone.

Pushing Back or Accepting

From the Anna K Tarot, the Nine of Swords; from the Meditation Cards, Dividing Words from Deeds:

Liberation is a reconciliation that says: what is, is; it cannot possibly be any other way than it is right now; and there’s no one here to do anything about it. Resistance and arguing end when this is reconciled. —Salvador Poe

We've all had those sleepless nights filled with anxious, unanswered questions, wondering how we will deal with what's on our plate. The larger problem is that we humans like peace and pleasure, not disturbance and difficulty. Our minds push back against these disruptions railing against the unfairness of it all. Dividing Words from Deeds offers a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

Don’t say things. What you are stands over you the while, and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary. 

As the adage goes, actions speak louder than words. In the case of the Nine of Swords, the mind is busy churning out woeful and worrying thoughts while nothing is being done. It would be better to take the advice of the sage Shantideva: "If a problem can be solved, what reason is there to be upset? If there is no possible solution, what use is there in being sad?

The Closer

From the Anna K Tarot, the King of Wands; from the Meditation Cards, Overly Sensitive:

The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.

~Vidal Sassoon

With his determined stride, clenched fist and focus on what is before him, there's no doubt this king will finish what was started. Passionate about his work, he's capable of bringing visions and dreams to reality. Like the fictional Brenda Leigh Johnson, he is 'The Closer.' Yet as challenges and obstacles are likely to occur, the Overly Sensitive card suggests that calm endurance will also be a quality he needs. He might do well to remember Pema Chodron's words: "It isn't what happens to us that causes us to suffer, it's what we say to ourselves about what happens." Staying on an even keel will help him properly deal with what comes up instead of simply reacting to it.