A Servant

This week I'll be using the Osho Zen Tarot, created by Ma Deva Padma with Osho and published by St. Martin's Press. I'll also be using the A'HA Oracle, created and self-published by Linnie Lambrechtsen. The card draws for today are the Page of Swords (Mind) and Talisman:

The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.

—William James

This card is a bit horrific, yet what would all the thoughts in our own mind look like? Tapes that play over and over the same thing? The Page of Swords has not yet learned that the mind is meant to be a servant, not our master. Our lives are shaped by our thoughts, especially when we're unaware of them and don't question whether they're fact or fiction. And as Iara Gassen warns, "Be careful of your thoughts, they may become words at any moment." Talisman is usually thought of as a magical item, but Linnie suggests this item can be anything that helps us remember what is important and maintain our focus. It might be a polished stone in our pocket or a silicone wristband - a great way to remember to pause and check on what our mind is up to.

Acting From Love

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Empress; from the Handl Rune Oracle, Kenaz:

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. ―Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Empress stands with her children for a family portrait, yet in truth she feels all beings are an extended family. She rules with a strong but tender heart, seeking to improve the well-being of all. The Empress understands that the kingdom will run smoother when no one is left behind. Kenaz is often translated as 'torch,' suggesting a light that brings clarity. Today, my family and I are participating in our local "Hands Off" political protest. Sometimes you have to raise a torch to shine a light on atrocities, especially when so many beings are negatively affected while a handful benefit.

Celebrating Steps

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Four of Spring (Wands); from the Handl Rune Oracle, Thurisaz/Thorn:

You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

– Martin Luther King Jr.

Whether it's a rite of passage or progress achieved, the fairies are having a celebratory dance. The Four of Wands/Spring indicates a strong beginning towards a purpose or goal, marking the foundation with merriment. Such commemorations give us a chance to pause and appreciate the fruits our efforts so far and act as an encouragement to keep us going. It's like marking children's heights on the door frame so they can see how much they've grown. Thurisaz - a rune connected with giants and the pain of thorns - alerts us to the need to stand firm in the face of adversity and challenge. Remembering that we've met and overcome obstacles before can help us be resilient instead of stuck.

The world is dynamic and changing; therein lies its freshness. But our ideas about it tend to grow static and calcified, even our ideas about the most important things: who we are, how things are, why the world is the way it is. –Henry Shukman

A Wish for All

 From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the King of Swords; from the Handl Rune Oracle, Tyr/Tiwaz:

This is what I wish for all of us: that we live and act and love with a fierce and tender clarity.

―Vanessa Zuisei Goddard

The King of Swords does not make decisions based on his passions - he knows allowing our emotions, desires and opinions can color and cloud reality. What is actually true gets twisted out of shape, so not only are we unable to see clearly, we can't respond to it appropriately either. The King tells us to peel away those outer layers and see the core of the situation for what it is. Tiwaz represents the Norse god Tyr, known for sacrificing his hand for the greater good. Such sacrifice comes from the heart; it requires making an unselfish choice that will ultimately benefit the whole. This type of reasoning and offering are what create Goddard's "fierce and tender clarity."

Investment

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Two of Cups; from the Handl Rune Oracle, Othala/Odal:

 

The opposite of Loneliness is not Togetherness, it's Intimacy.

― Richard Bach

One-on-one time is the greenhouse that cultivates closeness, warmth and trust between two people. We allow ourselves to be vulnerable - revealing scars and fresher wounds but also laughing without reserve. We talk of worries as well as exciting plans for the future. We share our reality with each other. There is something special about having a friend or partner who knows not just our outer persona, but what our mind and heart dwell and rest on. Othala, often translated as 'estate,' symbolizes homeland, community, and heritage. While we can't pick our blood relations, we can choose our friends and partners. And one-on-one time is a great way to figure out if a relationship is one we want to invest our time, energy and emotion on.

Picking Up Information

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Herald/Page of Winter (Swords); from the Haindl Rune Oracle, Laguz:

Words - so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them.

―Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Herald of Winter is direct and bluntly honest. He warns people of things they need to know about and brings news of good things. Those pointy ears are like a radar, listening for whatever information he can pick up, which leads to him spilling the beans on some things that don't need to be aired. He's smart but not yet mature enough to be discerning. Laguz is generally translated 'water,' whether a lake, ocean or waterfall. The ancients looked upon it as a blessing and a danger: it could aid travel and supply food, but it could also cause drowning. Such vast expanses of water needed to be respected. Likewise, the ability to collate information is a talent, but the ability to discriminate between what is helpful and what is harmful is necessary. Just because we know it doesn't mean we need to tell it. 

A Few Perks

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Three of Autumn (Pentacles); from the Handl Rune Cards, Nauthiz:

Not even Ares battles against necessity.

— Sophocles

The apple harvest has come in, and the fairies quickly get to work so that little is wasted. The elders could probably do these tasks blindfolded - having done them so often - but they teach the younger ones the steps of the process. It's hard labor, but when the snow falls, a cup of hot apple cider will be appreciated by all. Nauthiz is associated with need, hardship, and constraint that can encourage growth and transformation. Like Aesop's lesson of the ants and the grasshopper, adulting is not always fun, but it does have its perks.

Moving from Their Prime

This week I'll be using the Victorian Fairy Tarot, created by Lunaea Weatherstone with Gary A. Lippincott and published by Llewellyn (though recently republished via Kickstarter). Paired with it will be the Haindl Rune Oracle, created by Hermann Haindl and published by U.S. Games. As an additional resource, I'll be dipping into The Serpent and the Eagle by Chris Travers. Today's draws are the Wheel of Time and Ing/Ingwaz:

Whatever it is you're seeking won't come in the form you're expecting.

―Haruki Marukami

When we're down at the bottom, we look upwards, dreaming of how good things could be one day. But when life does change for the better, it rarely looks as perfect as we imagined it. And the smug fairy on top might do well to remember the words of William Watson: "all things move with all things from their prime." Life constantly shifts and changes, and while some phases may be more pleasant than others, none of them are always ideal. Ingwaz is connected to incubation and harvest. No matter where we are on the Wheel, what we plant will grow and affect other phases later on. Rather than dream or worry about what comes next, we'd be smart to focus on what we are doing now. 

Against the Current

 From the Sun and Moon Tarot, the Star; from the Animal Tiles, Beaver:

It means entering the stream of the river of life to go against the current.

―Stefano Bettera

The Star represents a turning point; the energy of its water can bring healing, hope and guidance. But we must first dip ourselves into the stream rather than grouse about our troubles on the bank. That is the step of awareness and acceptance - realizing how we got to this place and our part in getting us there. Beaver, with its excellent dam building abilities, represents industriousness. These animals are triggered by the sound of rushing water, an alert that there is a break or hole that needs to be repaired. Beaver suggests effort as our second step: we must swim against the stream of our conditioned patterns and habits. As Paulo Coelho reminds us, “When you repeat a mistake, it is not a mistake anymore: it is a decision.”

Our native azaleas (that come in shades of apricot, pink and white) resemble honeysuckle.

A Different Approach

From the Sun and Moon Tarot, the Prince (Knight) of Cups; from the Animal Tiles, Cougar:

You don't work on something for six years and be blind to the myriad of other approaches.

―Ken Burns

The Prince of Cups teaches us to discover what we are passionate about and then pursue that dream. The Prince is excellent at following his heart, but his approach could use some work. Whether he's trying to find a partner, join a group, or start a career, he tends to either come on too strongly or be so shy that he's overlooked. Cougar is solitary hunter with methodical tracking skills. It follows and watches patiently, waiting for the right moment to act. Cougar encourages us to take time to know our target well before acting, so that when we act, we engage with knowledge and just the right amount of energy.

Outside my window - the azaleas are putting on a show this year!

Growing Ideas

From the Sun and Moon Tarot, the Ace of Swords; from the Animal Tiles, Box Turtle:

The world can use more light and less noise. More solvers and fewer blamers. More folks showing a better way and fewer folks complaining about how much better things used to be. More folks offering help and fewer folks wringing their hands about the problems. More hope bringers and fewer hope killers. ―Steve Goodier

The Ace of Swords widens the mind, bringing clarity (seeing reality just as it is) and creative thinking (solutions, art and innovations). Being receptive to such an opening allows insights, seen as the crown of light in this card. Yet instead of running through our community yelling "eureka!", Box Turtle (whose shell allows him to completely close himself off) suggests we pause and contemplate what we've come to see and understand. This Ace is only a seed at this stage; it needs care to germinate. Give it time.

"Camp Betty" - aka "Cousin Camp" - was wonderful!

(Mom and me in the middle, cousins on the ends)

My mom has tame box turtles in her yard that often show up when she's working outside or even at her kitchen door. She feeds them strawberries, tomatoes, bananas, cherries and cantaloupe. She hasn't seen any for quite some time, but yesterday one of the old timers (Maxine) showed up when I was taking out mom's trash. Drawing the box turtle tile today made me smile!

Ruffled Minds

From the Sun and Moon Tarot, the Nine of Swords; from the Animal Tiles, Platypus:

A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow. — Charlotte Bronte

I've been waiting for daylight all night. It's not that I wasn't tired, but that I couldn't sleep. I'm a list maker, someone who's mind (when on autopilot) is constantly thinking, analyzing and categorizing. Insomnia is not new for me; I've learned that drugs rarely help. Instead, I steer it in other directions - I read a nonfiction book, or I think of pleasant things like ideas for the next library display or children's bulletin board. My mind obviously doesn't think these things are important, and I eventually drift off. Platypus is a shy mammal that looks like a cross between a duck and a beaver. It reminds me that I don't have to think or act like the rest of my family, I can embrace my uniqueness. That said, some time spent on my own while I'm with them this week will help me stay balanced.

Intuitive Communication

This week I'll be using the Sun and Moon Tarot, created by Vanessa Decort and published by U.S. Games. The oracle I'll be using is a wooden set of Animal Tiles, hand pyro-etched by my multi-talented friend Carole Beasley. Today's draws are the Princess (Page) of Cups and Wolf:

Intuition doesn’t tell you what you want to hear; it tells you what you need to hear.

—Sonia Choquette

The Princess/Page of Cups is gentle and compassionate with dreamy ideals - namely, that all beings should treat each other with kindness and sensitivity. Not yet hardened by life or constrained by what others believe as true, she trusts her intuition completely and follows through on its message. The Wolf represents loyalty, family ties and communication. I'll be leaving tomorrow to celebrate for several days with my cousins, as it will be my mom's 87th birthday. It's been a long time since we've gathered, and I'm reminded by these draws to pay attention to my intuition before I open my mouth (especially in the areas of politics or religion). My focus needs to be on honoring my mom and enjoying my time with her, not intellectual swordsmanship with my family.

Dealing with Fear

From the Hoi Polloi Tarot, the Knight of Wands; from the I Ching Pack, Hexagram 8 (Mutal Aid):

Don't you want to learn to deal with fear?

Don't you want to take the wheel and steer?

Don't you wait another minute here

What are you waiting for?

―Nickelback

Why do we fail to take advantage of an opportunity or pursue what interests us? Likely the cause is fear - fear of failing, of being vulnerable, of not knowing what lies ahead. As long as we've done our homework (investigated to make sure it's not a scam or manipulation), we might take this Knight's advice to go for it. Hexagram 8 implies uniting with others to stoke our confidence so that we can act rather than shrink. Whether it's having a friend as our wingman or seeking the support of a mentor, feeling like someone has our back can give us the push we need to take those chances.

Deep Dive Within

From the Hoi Polloi Tarot, the Six of Wands; from the I Ching Pack, Hexagram 48 (The Well):

We've reached a certain point, but we're not moving any more. 

―Ken Kesey

A challenge has been met and the outcome successful; hopefully our supporters have been profusely thanked. But now what? Once we turn in the big project, finish a contract or complete a goal, we may find ourselves at loose ends. Others will be quick to tell us what we ought to do, but it's hard to give 100% when we are driven only by obligation and not by an inner purpose. Hexagram 48 reminds us that success is often obtained when we have some skin in the game. It tells us to go deeply within and find out what we are personally invested in, what engages us and to what we would willingly give our time. 

Not on the Couch

From the Hoi Polloi Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the I Ching Pack, Hexagram 1 (Creative Action):

True contentment is a thing as active as agriculture. It is the power of getting out of any situation all that there is in it. ―Gilbert K. Chesterton

Hard work and discipline have produced contentment in the Nine of Pentacles, which should not be confused with complacency. Complacency is stagnant, a state of self-satisfaction that has lost its curiosity and desire to grow. Contentment, on the other hand, is fully engaged with life; it maintains its inquisitiveness and enjoys adding skills and knowledge. When things go wrong, complacency feels like someone shoved us off our cozy couch. When content, we're just curious about how to deal with it. Hexagram 1 (Creative Action) is dynamic power that guides and inspires. Yet it understands that there is a right time for the right action - it works in harmony with what is - planting in the right season. Such awareness fosters contentment. 

Evaluate, Contemplate

From the Hoi Polloi Tarot, the Seven of Pentacles; from the I Ching Pack, Hexagram 20 (Contemplation):

Find your passion, set a goal, go to work, evaluate, reassess, and repeat. 

―Elana Meyers

Once we have a project or objective that we're enthusiastic about, it's easy to get started. But often we spend more time focusing on what we imagine the results will look like than the task at hand. Meyers has a good work plan; rather than fantasize, we work a bit, evaluate, then adjust as needed and get back to work. Hexagram 20 is called contemplation, which involves considering a concept in a thoughtful and introspective manner with the goal of gaining a deeper understanding. To flip Socrates words, an examined life is a life worth living, but only if we are focused on what we can do to make things better rather than stewing in anger and blame. 

No Magic Cleaver

From the Hoi Polloi Tarot, the Lovers; from the I Ching Pack, Hexagram 9 (Restraint):

Those who regard the mundane

as a hindrance to life and practice

only understand that

in the mundane nothing is sacred;

what they have not yet understood

is that in sacredness

nothing is mundane.

— Dogen Zenji

The woman gazes up at the angel, as if she could spiritually bypass all the grittiness of life. The man gazes at the woman, as if he might indulge every selfish pleasure without reaping any consequences. Yet there is no magic cleaver - the sacred and mundane cannot be separated. Hexagram 9 - Wind over Dragon - suggests "gently stroking the dragon's back." It implies restraint rather than choosing one extreme or the other. As Dogen explained, "Sacred and mundane, just as they are, intermingle freely." It's a package deal.

Winds are Blowing

From the Hoi Polloi Tarot, the Two of Pentacles; from the I Ching Pack, Hexagram 59 (Dispersion):

A great wind is blowing, and that gives you either imagination or a headache.

―Catherine the Great

This fellow juggles two pentacles connected by an infinity ribbon - a reminder that our lives are a constant adjustment to change in the physical world. His tall sugar-loaf hat is symbolic of the sailor who wets his finger and holds it aloft to see which way the wind is blowing. It's easy to get so caught up in keeping things in the air that we forget to be aware of approaching shifts. Hexagram 59 (Dispersion) indicates that a transformation is afoot with the impending removal of obstacles and misunderstandings. It might at first feel like the sky is falling, but this clearing out will eventually allow us to make progress and grow.

Accept Responsibility

This week I'll be using the Hoi Polloi Tarot published by Hoi Polloi Inc. The oracle I'll also use is the I Ching Pack created by Richard Gill and Anthony Clark and published by Thorsons. Today's cards are the Hermit and Striving Upwards (Hexagram 46):

No one can accept responsibility for the spiritual life of someone else.

―John Beckett

It is telling that this Hermit has very little color in a brightly colored deck. I was talking to a friend the other day about how churches must entertain rather than teach these days. People seem to want only fun and excitement on their spiritual path, not the hard work of looking inward or doing service for others. Hexagram 46 reflects the seed's effort of pushing up through the earth. Effort and perseverance are required for any path. Beckett (a pagan) offers "Five Reasons You Can't Find the Right Spiritual Path," which may not sound like a vacation checklist but is definitely worth a read. Here are the bullet points:

• You don’t know your core values. 
• You’re so busy running away from something you can’t run toward anything.
• You’re looking for perfection. 
• You’re looking for external confirmation.
• You aren’t sticking with something long enough to see if it works for you.

New Doors

From the Shadowlands Tarot, the Six of Cups; from the Brownie Wisdom deck, "Early Train:"

Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future. 

―Corrie ten Boom

George Foreman once said that learning to enjoy today has two benefits, it gives us happiness now and becomes a good memory later. Ten Boom suggests the important part our memories can play beyond nostalgia - by being a key to our future. I find that as I age, it seems easier to slip into blue funks. Memories of good times past remind me how to move forward: gathering with friends, visiting family, or taking a risk and opening my heart to someone new. The Brownie card warns us not to procrastinate when we get into such a state. We need to use the keys we have to open new doors.

Too Much

From the Shadowlands Tarot, the Four of Cups; from the Brownie Wisdom deck, "Muzzle the fiend:"

It is possible to have too much of a good thing. – Aesop

Our brains evolved to prevent us from holding on to pleasure for too long, making sure our basic needs aren't forgotten. A dopamine hit brings about pleasure and then is quickly followed by a come down. When we're repeatedly exposed to what brought us pleasure, the brain adjusts; eventually we need more and more to just to feel normal. This cycle can lead us to a dopamine deficit state, which can cause depression, anxiety, irritability and insomnia. The Brownie card warns us that our little habits can turn into monsters quickly if we don't break the cycle and restore balance. As Aesop said, "“Much wants more and loses all.”