Not an Expert

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Hierophant; from the Elemental Dice, Sky (Air + Air):

True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own.

―Nikos Kazantzakis

The Hierophant teaches ideas to others, with the best of them offering wisdom without dogmatism and judgment. True teachers are not afraid to say, "I don't know." When their feet are in the fire, they don't blame but take responsibility for their mistakes. They realize knowledge can change as new information comes to light; they know traditions are provide a way for people to connect to each other but are not truth. Sky represents spaciousness, especially in the realm of the intellect. It is a reminder that we all learn more when we keep an open mind and don't act as if we're experts on life.

Ill-Directed Mind

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Nine of Feathers (Swords); from the Elemental Dice, Volcano:

Thinking will not overcome fear, but action will. ~W. Clement Stone

In Petersen's painting, eyes open wide in terror, and a mouth screams silently. Yet it is our thoughts about things, not the actual things themselves that this card represents. The Dhammapada tells us, "Whatever harm an enemy may do to an enemy, or a hater to a hater, an ill-directed mind inflicts on oneself a greater harm." Just a seed of assumption, misinformation or projection is all it takes if we let the mind run amuck. Yet Volcano reminds us that we have a power within to help us meet the challenges we face. In the words of Marcus Aurelius, "You have power over your mind - not outside events." It is our responsibility to use this power, no one can do it for us.

50 Casseroles

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Six of Coins; from the Elemental Dice, Sun (Light + Fire):

God has given us two hands - one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing. 

—Billy Graham

I once had a wise woman tell me that praying for someone is a reminder to reach out and offer concrete help - feet and hands on the ground. Sharing our time, energy and resources with others is not only good for them, but also us, as it increases our happiness and well-being.  As we engage in altruism, we create a sense of community and strengthen relationships. We build trust, learning new perspectives from others and allowing them to learn about us. The Sun provides more clarity, encouraging us ask rather than assume what is needed. No one needs 50 casseroles in their refrigerator. 

She's a Flame

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Daughter of Flames (Page of Wands); from the Elemental Dice, Tornado (Darkness + Air):

We, we don′t have to worry 'bout nothing

′Cause we got the fire, and we're burning one hell of a something

They, they're gonna see us from outer space, outer space

Light it up, like we′re the stars of the human race, human race

—Ellie Goulding

As Alicia Keys sings, "Looks like a girl but she's a flame." This Daughter/Page has an insatiable hunger for life that spins her through the world with a fiery energy. She follows whatever passion arises, without any thought about 'shoulds' or 'what ifs.' She'd tell us it's time to burn down old habits and fears and find our freedom. Tornadoes, twisting vortexes of destruction, may only last 10 to 20 minutes. Yet the death and devastation left in their wake is mindboggling. Freeing ourselves from old patterns can be beneficial if we give our method of change some thoughtful deliberation. Burning people, places and things to the ground isn't necessary to move on. 

A Tourist

 From the Margaret Petersen Tarot, the High Priestess; from the Elemental Dice, Tsunami (Darkness + Water):

Learning how to be still, to really be still and let life happen - that stillness becomes a radiance. 

—Morgan Freeman

My first impression of this card was of a deprivation tank - those pods filled with saltwater people float in that minimize external stimuli and create a sense of sensory deprivation. Even the High Priestess seems to have left her externals - the pentacle, the wand, the cup and the sword. She knows if we want to find our luminous inner wisdom, we have to leave behind our tools and what we already know. Most of us, however, would relate to Pico Iyer, "I'm a tourist on the realm of stillness." Tsunami is a good symbol for all the thoughts, sensations and emotions that flood us when we try to still our bodies and minds. Take heart (and keep at it); let the words of Henepola Gunaratana encourage you:

Somewhere in this process you will come face-to-face with the sudden and shocking realization that you are completely crazy. Your mind is a shrieking gibbering madhouse on wheels barreling pell-mell down the hill utterly out of control and hopeless. No problem. You are not crazier than you were yesterday. It has always been this way and you just never noticed. You are also no crazier than everybody else around you. The only real difference is that you have confronted the situation they have not.

Scorched

This week I'll be using the Margarete Petersen Tarot, created by Petersen and published by Königs Furt. The oracle I'll be using is Elemental Dice, an idea developed by my good friend Carole Beasley. Today's card and dice roll are Mother of Feathers (Queen of Swords) and Wildfire (Fire + Darkness):

The lies we tell other people are nothing to the lies we tell ourselves.

―Derek Landy

Petersen's rendition of this Mother/Queen looks like a giant iris and pupil. Indeed, she is adept at perception and insight, able to see beyond the masks people wear. Part of the reason she is so good at knowing others is because she isn't afraid to look within at how her own mind works. She knows all too well how wishful hopes, strong opinions, and intense emotions can affect our ability to discern reality clearly. Wildfire, an uncontrolled fire that spreads rapidly in a natural area, is often started by something without any pernicious intention. Likewise, unasked for advice or observations - however well intentioned - may land on an unreceptive audience. Sometimes not lighting that fire is the better choice.

Stay Calm and In Front of a Fan

From the Forest of Enchantment Tarot, the Huntsman (Justice); from the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, Lion's Mane:

It is essential that justice be done, and it is equally vital that justice not be confused with revenge, for the two are wholly different. —Oscar Aria

The Huntsman protects the forest and appears when something has upset the natural order of things. Is it ever anything but a human cause? People have plans and often don't care who or what they abuse and damage in order to be successful. But there is always a reverse in the pendulum swing, even though it rarely happens quickly. Climate change comes to mind (I'm in the purple zone):

Lion's Mane is a species of tooth fungus that tends to grow in a single clump with dangling spines. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and may help with inflammation. This fungus looks like a small fountain of water and represents calm. When there is injustice, it is tempting to act from a place of hatred and revenge. But first we must attend to the hurt and harm done, focusing on preventing it in the future.

Roles We Play

From the Forest of Enchantment Tarot, the Weaver of Visions (Queen of Cups); from the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, Verdigris Agaric:

If there aren't roles you want to play, then you've kind of got to create them.

—Margot Robbie 

This Weaver/Queen is a shapeshifter who reminds us of the many roles we play throughout life. Some of our roles arrive by choice: careers, spouse or hobbies. Others we are given without much say it the matter: caregiver for elderly parents, cancer survivor, or widower. We may swap some around, for instance by adding new hobbies or changing jobs, but time has a way of changing them for us. This woman would remind us to be kind to ourselves through all of them and would encourage us to add a few that bring us joy. Verdigris Agaric is a lovely blueish-green color that can't help but impress those who stumble across it. We meet many people while wearing our different hats, but the ones we make the most lasting and positive impressions on are the ones in which are actions are shaped by kindness and humility. As Maya Angelou said, "people will never forget how you made them feel."

Hot and Fast

From the Forest of Enchantment Tarot, the Eight of Spells (Wands); from the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, Scarlet Elf Cup:

Your intuition knows what to do. The challenge is to listen to it. 

—Gay Hendricks 

A parliament of owls is coming in hot and fast, representing the result of things put into motion earlier. Maybe it's a choice that must be made or a big project that has been given an affirmative nod, but whatever it is, we must be ready to move quickly. When we don't have time to patiently think things over, intuition can be our friend. The information we need has already been uploaded in our brain; all we need to do is to trust it. Scarlet Elf Cup is associated with healing - First Nations tribes used it as a styptic on wounds. It is a reminder that big events, good or bad, can take a lot out of us. We need to spend some down time to let our energy recharge.

More Than Just Sea

From the Forest of Enchantment Tarot, the Three of Spells (Wands); from the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, Golden Teacher:

They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea.

—Francis Bacon

When we want to expand beyond our current boundaries, we must use our creative energy to physically put something new out into the world. It will require some risk and planning, then patience once we launch our project. As Mary Engelbreit reminds us, "Fear is a misuse of imagination."  Golden Teacher is a hallucinogenic mushroom known for its introspective and philosophical effects on the mind rather than a psychedelic trip. It reminds us that it's not always the outer world that constrains us. We often need to break through the limits we place on ourselves in order to grow. 

Behavior Constellations

From the Forest of Enchantment Tarot, Starlight; from the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, Amethyst Deceiver:

To understand is to perceive patterns. —Isaiah Berlin

The fairies observe patterns of stars that move as a group over the seasons. They give these constellations names and tell stories about them. We also have such constellations in our lives - behavior patterns that we inherit or habituate ourselves, not realizing that while some might be helpful, others can create our undoing. When we're flat on our back, there is no better time to start investigating. Amethyst Deceiver is an edible mushroom that is a lovely deep violet color when the weather is wet. But dry weather causes it to develop a much paler shade, making it resemble a toxic mushroom that collectors leave alone. When we've been knocked to our knees, it's easy to see every hand that reaches out as an enemy. Look closer and watch longer before making that decision. 

First Attempts

From the Forest of Enchantment Tarot, the Seven of Boons (Pentacles); from the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, Blue Pinkgill:

A bird does not give up flying because it failed on its first attempt.

—Matshona Dhliwayo

The companion book states, "The next stage of your journey is determined by the door you choose, so take your time." Patience and investigation are tough for humans when there is a project that we're excited about. We have a vision in mind and expect things to go smoothly as planned. When they don't, do we reassess, figure out what happened, and try again, or do we just drop it and jump to the next thing? Blue Pinkgill is a cobalt blue color - not because of structures that reflect blue light waves, but because it actually has pigments that create its stunning color. Such is a rarity in the plant world, just as it is rare for first attempts at anything to go swimmingly. Even if we never get it right (like me trying to drive a stick shift), not giving up immediately can teach us self-control and resilience. Those are worthy traits to have in anyone's toolbox.

Flip the Script

This week I'll be using the Forest of Enchantment Tarot, created by Meraylah Allwood (artist) and Lunaea Weatherstone (author) and published by Llewellyn. Paired with it will be the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, created by Nicola McIntosh and published by Rockpool. Today's draws are the Weaver of Boons (Queen of Pentacles) and Mycena Interrupta:

Caring about others, running the risk of feeling, and leaving an impact on people, brings happiness. —Harold Kushner

There are gardeners who seem to know instinctively if their plants need more water or nutrients, which flowers the bees and hummingbirds enjoy, and what trees and shrubs the birds and other animals need. Such is this Weaver, not only with plants, but also with people. She notices details others might miss - whether it's dark circles under someone's eyes or a lack of spring in their step. She'll have some herbal tea, a hearty meal, or a soft spot for an uninterrupted nap to offer. Mycena interrupta, often called pixie parasols, are tiny mushrooms less than an inch tall. Their diminutive nature is misleading, as most of its mass is in the wood it is decomposing. They are like an iceberg, with just a tip above water but massive underneath. People love caregivers and nurturers, but we generally only notice what they do, not what they may need. Perhaps it's time to turn the tables and offer them with a little tenderness too.

Liberation from Extremes

From the Middle Way Arcana, Temperance; from the Vertical Oracle, Monkey Mind:

The Buddha's message was simple but profound. Neither a life of self-indulgence nor one of self-mortification can bring happiness. Only a middle path, avoiding these two extremes, leads to peace of mind, wisdom, & complete liberation from the dissatisfactions of life.

~Henepola Gunaratana

Buddha lived many years as an indulged prince, but when he acknowledged the inevitability of sickness, aging and death, he decided to try ascetism to find meaning. Neither approach showed him how to live a content and purposeful life until he sat down under a tree with a fed belly and meditated without expectation. He realized a path that accepts the pain inherent in life yet also offers a way to avoid dumping more suffering on top of it. He taught a Way that didn't involve extremes. Monkey Mind is a reminder that these extremes can be mental as well as physical. Ever found yourself making pointless lists of things or traveled down a rabbit hole searching the internet? It's all forms of intoxication, and Buddha would encourage us to seek mental clarity and peace instead.

Subject to Change

 From the Middle Way Arcana, the Hermit; from the Vertical Oracle, Death:

Possibly driving some of the misunderstanding of retreat is a deep-seated fear of being alone without distraction, without entertainment, without ‘work,’ without other people around to constantly confirm our sense of self. —Reginald Ray

In all the noise and busyness of our lives, it's easy to forget that we are more than our roles and beliefs. The Hermit takes a break from the daily swirl to find quiet and stillness. He knows that we are not the identities our ego chooses to face the world with; we all have a luminous buddha nature within. We don't have to earn it, as it is ever-present. We just have to let go of our obsessive attachments (that we think define us) for it to appear. Death shows a door flying through a cyclone, symbolizing the constant change and transitions we undergo. If we lose the abilities, things, or people who define us, who will we be? The Dhammapada says, “All conditioned* things are not-self. When one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering.”

[*Conditioned things are created when certain causes and conditions come together; their nature is to be impermanent because causes and conditions are always changing.]

The Great Perhaps

From the Middle Way Arcana, Death; from the Vertical Oracle, Magic:

At one time or another, everyone loses something.

~Lama Surya Das

The Buddha called impermanence one of the distinguishing marks of existence. Though we may intellectually understand that nothing is permanent and everything is changing, we rarely integrate this fact into our day-to-day life. I've had two reminders this week - the death of my backdoor neighbor and the breakdown of our HVAC unit (a necessity in our heat and humidity). Again, I am reminded not to be neglectful but to embrace life and find delight in it. The companion booklet describes Magic occurring "when imagination informs intellect." The open doors and windows in these cards suggest that the thinking mind needs to fly outside its confines. There are a wide range of possibilities when thoughts are replaced by wings. I shall take the guidance of François Rabelais: "I go to seek a Great Perhaps."

Seeing With the Heart

From the Middle Way Arcana, the Empress; from the Vertical Oracle, Vertical:

Unless we view things with our hearts, we can see nothing. But if we look at the world with a love of life, it will reveal its beauty to us.

~Daisaku Ikeda

The Empress could easily be known as the Bodhisattva of Grace: all that she creates and nourishes is fueled by her unconditional love and compassion. Rather than judging worthiness, she gives her abundance freely to all beings. Her only interest is the well-being of others. Vertical reminds us that there is a power greater than ourselves, whether it's called Nature, the Cosmos, Reality or some other name. It is humbling but also freeing to know we're not in charge of how the world spins. Our focus only needs to be on engaging kindly and respectfully with our horizontal relationships, whether human, animal or the earth itself. The Empress could teach us a lot about embracing it all.

No Transcending

From the Middle Way Arcana, the World; from the Vertical Oracle, Outside Shock:

We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy. ~Pema Chodron

We can sometimes fall under a delusion when attempting to live a spiritual life. We imagine that if we say enough prayers, donate generously to charity, and read sacred texts daily, we won't have to deal with the hard parts of life. We feel like we can generate a way to be untouched by the fray of life. Yet as Outside Shock implies, we still have to deal with long lines, unexpected bills, the side effects of aging, obnoxious people, and losing the things and people we love. A spiritual framework doesn't protect us from challenges, it just helps us respond to them appropriately. Used correctly, it helps us meet each one as it comes, with clarity, wisdom and compassion.

Detonation

From the Middle Way Arcana, the Moon; from the Vertical Oracle, Chaos:

Our perceptions carry with them all the errors of our subjectivity.

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Buddhist psychology describes how our awareness is shaped and directed by an ocean of unconscious imprints. We first have a direct experience through our senses, followed by an immediate feeling tone – like, dislike or indifference. Mental and emotional reactions are triggered (conditioned by what’s already in our ‘ocean’) and are then trailed by interpretation and labeling. Based on these, we create a subjective story around the encounter and download our data to this ocean that Buddhists call ‘storehouse consciousness.’ With all of our individual imprints, it's no wonder people find it hard to perceive things in the same way. Chaos is what happens when those dusty imprints collide into situation that does not support them. Will we take the opportunity to detonate those outdated mental constructs and assumptions?

Balanced Harmony

This week I'll be using the Middle Way Arcana, a major arcana deck based on the ideas of Buddhism. This deck was one I created for personal use with scissors and a glue stick. I'll also be drawing from the Vertical Oracle, created by Antero Alli with Sylvie Pickering and published by Vertical Pool. Today's cards are the Emperor and Ritual:

Understand that just as a bird needs two wings to fly, you must develop wisdom and compassion simultaneously. Wisdom is a correct understanding of reality and compassion is the desire for all beings to be liberated from the causes of suffering.

―Mattieu Ricard

The Emperor holds his hands in the Anjali ("offering") mudra, a symbol of respect as well as unity. He understands that the discernment of wisdom needs to be paired with the kindness of compassion in order to have a balanced peace. His "laws" - the precepts - are meant to guide us toward this balanced harmony: nurture all beings, be generous, speak from the heart, treat others with dignity, and cultivate a clear mind. Ritual is not meant to be a monotonous practice, but a way to slow our mind and body down so that we remember what is sacred and important. It helps us clarify our intentions and provides a check to see if we're traveling the Way or have taken an exit ramp. The Anjali mudra is also a ritualized gesture; it reminds us that within our palms is a seed that will be planted by our actions and words. What fruit will it produce?

Not Defined By

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Moon; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Push Through:

Your past may always remind you, but it does not have to define you. 

—Andy Stanley 

Ellen describes the Moon as "She who rules the ghosts of your own past." Indeed, our subconscious stores memories, beliefs, and past experiences; it's a hidden realm of mental activity that shapes how we think, feel, and act, often without even realizing it. Meditation, journaling, therapy or simply becoming aware of our behavioral patterns can give us insight into these 'ghosts' that influence us. Push Through encourages us not to get stuck in habits that aren't beneficial. We may not be able to wipe the past from our minds, but we can make the effort to change its impact. Doing new things in different ways can create new rooms in the mind.

Looking in a New Direction

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Ten of Disks; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Inspiration:

There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. 

—Sophia Loren

Over the decades, a crisp, new dollar bill will become creased and worn thin. Likewise, the body loses height, the skin becomes more fragile, and muscle mass is lost. I used to love to do strenuous landscaping, but my body can no longer sustain that kind of work. The crone in this card knows her physical limitations, yet she realizes age does not diminish her wisdom or experience. The Inspiration card shows up to encourage us to continue to live a full and meaningful life. However, it may come from a place we don't usually look (note the bird in her sleeve cuff). Thanks to my friend Judy, art now fills my life; I've also decided to learn Tai Chi (with the help of YouTube). It doesn't really matter if I become a master of either, as long as it gives me purpose and fulfills me. 

Still Amazing

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Grandmother (Queen) of Swords; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Still Amazing:

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. 

—Khalil Gibran

Ellen calls this Grandmother the Storyteller and writes: "She speaks of what is and what could be. She feeds the minds of those around her, lest those minds become starved and narrow." You can tell someone about ethics and possibilities, but if you want them to remember, weave a story that includes them. One of my favorite memories is sneaking into bed with my grandmother as a preschooler and listening to her talk; I didn't realize at the time she was teaching as well as entertaining me. The Wondering Traveler card reminds us that even if our world is small, it is still no less amazing. It simply requires us to drop our expectations and remain curious. While traveling is often encouraged as a way to expand our minds, money and circumstances may keep some of us from doing so. Yet reading, especially about lands, cultures and philosophies different from our own can have the same effect. 

The Unknown

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Two of Wands; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Wonder:

The heart has a yearning for the unknown, a longing to penetrate the deep shadow and the winding glade, where, as it seems, no human foot has been. 

—Richard Jefferies

There are those of us who prefer the tried and true, the devil we know rather than the one we don't. Then there are those who are drawn to the unknown, the mysterious places we've never been and know little about. In reality, we are constantly pushed into the unfamiliar because life is constantly flipping our normal upside down. What seems strange at first has a way of becoming routine and typical. Wonder is a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, often the result of experiencing something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or unexplainable. The unknown is a perfect place to find it - if we're paying attention rather than grumping about how things used to be.

A United Benefit

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Nine Disks; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Hibernation:

We men and women are all in the same boat, upon a stormy sea. We owe to each other a terrible and tragic loyalty. ― G.K. Chesterton

Ellen's illustration reminds me of the multi-story cliff dwellings of the Anasazi (Ancient Puebloans). Her point is that, while none of us are getting out of life alive, we sure can create a better life for ourselves when we cooperate. As Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel explained, interdependence allows us to feel the fullness of the world that we are a part of, rather than the weight of the world against us. Hibernation reflects a time when we must rest or step out of the busyness of our days. A serious illness, a natural disaster, or just plain exhaustion can keep us from contributing yet allow us to receive. We all rely on others, sometimes more than we know. In time, we may become benefactors again in whatever way we are able. As Tolkien reminds us, "All have their worth and each contributes to the worth of the others."