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."

Wise Motives

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Two of Swords; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Worth the Effort:

We all remember epochs in our experience when some dear expectation dies, or some new motive is born. ― George Eliot

It's time to make a decision, but what to choose? We could make the choice to appease someone and to look good; we might make the choice that goes against tradition but follows our personal ethics. The decision might be self-centered or include the concerns of others. Humans have the ability to reflect on our own thoughts, to dig up their underlying motive, whether that's a treasure chest or a decaying corpse. Perhaps the better question would be, "What results and residual effects will each choice have a year from now? Worth the Effort suggests that any major decision deserves a patient endeavor to gather as much knowledge as possible so that we can choose wisely. 

Shifts in Perspective

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Crone, a book and deck set created and self-published by Ellen Lorenzi-Prince. I'll be pairing it with the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, created and self-published by Marika McCoola. Today's draws are Sacrifice (Hanged Man) and Time Brings:

I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation - either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the latter course.

―Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ellen designates this card Sacrifice rather than Hanged Man, emphasizing the suffering we endure as we are forced to bend to life as it is. Without thinking we're special or making it into a lifestyle, she encourages us to discover what is at the root of this pain and learn from it. Seeking a new perspective rather fighting reality is what can bring transformation. The oracle card reminds us that even though the world seems to be on a never-ending rinse and repeat cycle, time brings change and wisdom. A philosopher on PBS reminded his listeners that it was in the middle of the Black Death (the bubonic plague) that Julian of Norwich had a vision and proclaimed, "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well." Such a shift is shown in the crone's smiling face in the water. 

Making a Crack in the Mind

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Five of Swords; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, Sunset:

Intellectual humility involves understanding that we can’t fully trust our beliefs and opinions because we might be relying on faulty or incomplete information or are incapable of understanding the details.

—Mark Leary

The fool smiles because he won the argument, but what he doesn't yet realize is that he's lost all of his friends. Intellectual humility acknowledges that we could be wrong, no matter how much we think we know. Choosing not to be an expert allows us to expand our knowledge and understand new perspectives. This trait takes some effort to develop - we naturally bow up and become defensive when others question what we accept as truth. Yet being open-minded opens up new avenues of thoughts and ideas and helps us sustain our relationships. Sunset suggests it's time to let go of our need to be an expert on everything. It might help us to use the fictional Armand Gamache's statements he teaches his new recruits: "I don't know. I need help. I'm sorry. I was wrong."

Lobster Limo

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Knight of Cups; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, Tree Fern:

The more we are able to connect with ourselves, the better we are able to connect with others.

—Todd Baratz

Bless his heart. This fool is ready for love, and he is riding a lobster limo to find "the one" who will complete him. Even the bird (who is likely waiting for the lobster to croak) knows he's clueless. Healthy relationships require inner work before we go out seeking. We need to know who we are - our values, likes and dislikes, and boundaries - as well as how our history and upbringing has shaped our ways of relating and our expectations. But perhaps most of all, we need to have developed self-compassion, so we don't go looking for someone to give it to us. The Tree Fern has korus, or unfurled fern fronds, that remind us that all things need time to unfold and develop. Working on ourselves, with the idea of progress not perfection, is the best way to meet a companion we'll want to grow old with.

The Soft Spot

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Six of Cups; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, Moss:

Care is a state in which something does matter; it is the source of human tenderness. 

—Rollo May

Have you ever been watching a younger generation at play and fondly thought, "I remember when..." This fool, meeting the young boy on his hobby horse, is likely having the same thoughts. Such moments are important; in a harsh world, we need to be reminded that our hearts can still be tender. Moss, with its beauty and cushiony softness reminds us that we need to nurture this quality. We cultivate the softness of our hearts so that we don't lose our empathy and goodwill. As Robert Frost wrote, "There never was any heart truly great and generous, that was not also tender and compassionate."

A Whiny Edge

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Ten of Staves; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, Obsidian:

You can only whine for so long. Then you need to get your life back. 

―Marya Hornbacher

This fool's body is in a strange position because he is twisting backward instead of looking forward. My guess is that he's looking for someone to complain to about the load he's carrying. Venting can help reduce our stress if we express what's bothering us (without going on and on). But Obsidian suggests we might take a sharper, reflective look to see if our complaining has taken on a whiny edge. Using this checklist may help us be aware if this habit is hurting rather than helping:

1. We feel even worse than before.
2. We resist every helpful suggestion or solution.
3. We ignore any silver linings.
4. We complain in a mean-spirited or catastrophic way.
5. We're starting to wear out our support system.

What We Put Into It

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Five of Coins; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, Antares/Rehua:

What you put into life is what you get out of it.

―Clint Eastwood

Researchers in the U.S. found that people of lower socioeconomic status are actually more altruistic than those higher on the economic ladder. And what happens when these kindhearted folks are in need? People reach out to help immediately. The original text by Sebastian Brant says: "He who has riches and delights in them/ paying no heed to those in need/ will be forsaken, so that he too shall beg." Antares (the summer star), known as Rehua in Māori lore, was visited on behalf of the humans by two brothers - the benevolent lord of light and the angry lord of darkness. The deity gave the first lord three baskets of knowledge, but the latter's basket was filled with pain. As the companion book explains: "Gentleness came asking and gathered seeds of hope; Anger came demanding and garnered seeds of war." The acts and attitude we carry into life will affect the quality we get out of it.

Don't Worry About It

From the Ship of Fools, the Tower; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, Octopus:

Why are you, or anybody, afraid? Is it based on not wanting to be hurt? Or is it that one wants complete security? —Krishnamurti

This fool's house is on fire, but he seems to be thinking, "Maybe it will go out on its own" instead of getting to safety. For him, the Tower is his security, his escape from all he fears. Everyone is scared of something, but reality has a way of finding us whether we like it or not. The Octopus, an adaptable, intelligent creature, has had legends told about it that make it into a hideous monster. From 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to Ursala in The Little Mermaid, it was something to be feared. Yes, it is unusual, but it is also wonderful. Sometimes what we fear - if we face it - can teach us how to be more adaptable to what shows up unexpected.

Blustering Windbags

This week I'll be using the Ship of Fools Tarot created by Brian Williams and published by Llewellyn. Paired with it will be the Wisdom of the Four Winds created by Barry Brailsford, illustrated by Cecilie Okada and published by StonePrint Press. Today's draws are the Five of Staves and Whitebait:

The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.

—Albert Einstein

Four fools brandish their batons angrily while another fellow rests his on the ground and speaks calmly. It's strange that the loudest and rudest folks seem to be listened to more than those who speak quietly and tactfully. But I think Einstein has a point - the loudmouths are generally just spewing unhelpful opinions while the gentle conversationalist often comes up with a beneficial creative solution. Whitebait are tiny fish (2 inches) that have a life cycle similar to the much larger salmon - beginning in the ocean and then migrating upstream to a freshwater habitat. A popular delicacy, they are often caught in nets. These tiny fish symbolize determination and commitment, and they encourage us to speak up, even if we're surrounded by a bunch of blustering windbags. 

Harmonious Exchange

From Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, the Eight of Water (Cups); from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Giant Clam:

It’s one thing to fight well, and something else altogether to love well.

―Stan Tatkin

Relationships require the willingness to have conversations that dip below the surface. A partner needs to be able to trust and feel secure with the other person, knowing they are valued and appreciated. Being treated like a useful piece of furniture won't cut it - such a relationship will quickly become unfulfilling. Poppy calls this card "pollution." The Giant Clam is the largest living bivalve mollusk, growing up to four feet in length. It has a symbiotic relationship with algae, which live within their mantles and produce metabolic waste products that serve as a nutritional source. Healthy relationships have a harmonious exchange. In the words of Robin Williams, "I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone, it's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people that make you feel all alone."

A Severance

From the Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, the Five of Water (Cups); from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Rock Pool:

As humans, we are strongly motivated to seek out social bonds that are warm, dependable, friendly and supportive. Losing someone close to us terminates that bond and the social and physical protection they provided. —Dr. George Slavich

Grieving a loss is not just an emotional reaction, it puts a significant strain on our bodies too. Tears may serve a biological function by excreting stress-inducing hormones built up by our emotional distress. Rock Pool, a shallow pool of seawater that forms on the rocky intertidal shore, symbolizes a sanctuary we can begin to heal in. While these pools are small, they do hold a variety of marine life. Dealing with loss may be something we prefer to do in private, but this pool encourages us to include a few others who can help us adapt and move through our sorrow.

Take a Break, Clear Your Head

From the Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, the Seven of Earth (Pentacles); from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Sea Anemone:

You have to be displaced from what's comfortable and routine, and then you get to see things with fresh eyes, with new eyes. ―Amy Tan

The Seven of Earth/Pentacles is generally about pausing and assessing a project we're working on. In Poppy's card, it shows someone taking a stroll through a forest. Often when I am sketching a subject, especially if it is on a large scale, I can tell something doesn't look right but can't put my finger on what it is. If I fiddle around enough, I'll mess up the whole thing. So, I try to put it down and go do things that have nothing to do with drawing to clear my mind and eyes. Anemones reinforce this idea, symbolizing boundaries with their stinging tentacles. I am always tempted to hurry up and finish something that is frustrating me, but that is when I make my worst mistakes. Better to take a walk and get some fresh air.

"Bedtime Book Club" - artwork for the children's 9.5 ft. bulletin board at the library

Not By Halves

From the Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, the Four of Cups; from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Seagull:

There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature. – Jane Austen

Blood oaths have been around for centuries, representing sacred bonds of friendship, alliance, and foster brotherhood. It was a way of saying, "Our blood now flows in each other's veins." The Four of Cups usually suggests depression, remorse or disillusionment, an emotional danger zone that can easily send us sliding into deep, dark hole. Yet here Poppy reminds us of our connections - those spiritual relationships that can "shine to lessen the darkness of another being's suffering" (MJ Dodd). Seagull symbolizes opportunity; these birds have been known to snatch a sandwich out of a beach goer's hand. Allowing friends the chance to reach out and pull us from the dark abyss does not make us incompetent or weak, it makes us smart (and hopefully grateful). 

Digging Up the Root

From the Waking the Wild Spirit, the Six of Water; from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Rough Seas:

It takes radical honesty and a good dose of self-compassion to recognize a repetitive pattern.

—Monika Walankiewicz

Rather than a nostalgic look back, Poppy invites us to look within at what maintains our habitual patterns. At some point in our life, we learned behaviors and beliefs which influence our relationships. Yet here is an opportunity to find those roots and question their validity and efficacy. Have we been operating from false or tainted information (including our inner dialogue)? Rough Seas indicates this investigation may feel powerful, disruptive and overwhelming. What is familiar doesn't like to be uprooted for something new. But with honesty and self-compassion, rather than denial and shame, we can begin to grow some new, healthier roots.

Choice Makers

From Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, Justice; from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Shark:

Fear, hatred and greed are unwise choice makers. —BK

Humans have it drilled into them from an early age to be successful, which in today's world means make a lot of money. It should be no surprise that we often let our honesty and ethics slip if it means a chunk a change. Whether it's people or the earth itself, we've lost our moral compass when it comes to wealth. Justic arrives to show us just how out of balance we are; unless we correct our course, we'll end up paying a heavy price that costs us dearly. Sharks use their nostrils to draw in water and detect dissolved scents, allowing them to locate prey by scent over long distances and in murky waters. They warn us to sniff out our motives and check our intentions before acting. It might also help to talk with a neutral person to see if we're rationalizing our plans. As Jordan Peterson said, "No one gets away with anything, ever, so take responsibility for your own life."

Some of Each

This week I'll be using Poppy Palin's Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, published by Llewellyn, along with the 2nd edition of her companion book, Stories of the Wild Spirit, published by Slippery Jacks Press. I'll also be drawing from the Saltwater Reading Cards, created by Laura Bowen and published by Rockpool Publishing. Today's cards are the Ace of Air and Pelican:

Too much thinking undisturbed by doing tends to spawn intellectually elegant theories - often clever sounding, but unrealistic. Too much doing without thinking leads to wasted effort.  

—Eddie Wharton

If bird eggs are to hatch successfully, they require warmth, humidity, ventilation, and consistent turning. Likewise, an inspirational idea also has needs: it should first be filtered through a range of creative possibilities, then having chosen one, focused planning should ensue on how to materialize it. The Pelican brings to mind the verses written by Ogden Nash: "A strange bird is the pelican; its beak can hold more than its belly can; I wonder how the helican." A pelican's pouched bill has a larger capacity than its stomach. Its stomach can hold up to 1 gallon, while its pouch can hold up to 3 gallons. While planning can be fun and exciting, we need something firm we can swallow if our idea is to ever to take concrete shape. 

Moments Big As Years

From the Light Seer's Tarot, the Six of Cups; from the Tapestry Oracle, Congregation:

We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories. Some take us forward, they're called dreams. ―Jeremy Irons

This card made my heart squeeze a little, remembering our sweet Auggie Doggie who adopted us. She could climb a fence like a cat, and decided our house was now her house. Good memories are good medicine as long as we don't get stuck in them. They help us exit negative thinking and can aid in increasing our sense of well-being. Congregation offers us present-day medicine. Being a part of a group, knowing that someone has our back and is there to celebrate our achievements, is beneficial in experiencing the joys and challenges of life. Whether pets or people, we are social animals.

As we've gotten older, we seem to just collect stray cats rather than dogs. Our latest addition is Tadpole, who came to us starving (weighing only a few ounces), blind in one eye, and making noises like a spring peeper because of a respiratory infection. He's now about 13 lbs. and is walked daily on a leash in the yard because he's so full of energy. He's outgrown his name, so we just call him Taddy Boy.

Well Lived Life

From the Light Seer's Tarot, the King of Wands; from the Tapestry Oracle, Pride:

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much.

—Bessie Anderson Stanley

This King believes in living a full, well-lived life, not simply as a leader, but as a companion to others. Known for his charisma and guidance, his curiosity remains intact. He is a creative visionary, and he encourages us to follow our own innovative ideas and think outside the box. Pride shows a one-legged warrior who lifts his chin to those who offer him pity. He knows he is strong and capable; however, he has learned not to turn down someone who offers a hand in kindness, who regards him as an equal. On our own journey of following what pulls us, there will always be those who attempt to force us to do things their way. Skip their advice and look for those who help without trying to control.  

Real Wealth

From the Light Seer's Tarot, the Ten of Pentacles; from the Tapestry Oracle, Source:

Contentment is the only real wealth. 

―Alfred Nobel

In 2000, a middle-income family could expect to spend roughly $9,201 per year to raise a child; in 2025 that figure jumped to $20,787. A lavish lifestyle can jack up that number to an astronomical level. Money is important to survive in this world, to provide for basic necessities, but is it worth our physical and mental health to work multiple jobs or excess hours to keep up with the 'happiness' portrayed by TV ads and social media? Source suggests we find activities that ground and nurture us, those that don't require us to empty our wallets. As Sharon Salzberg advises, "We need to find ordinary things that can give us a break, can sustain our energy and optimism to keep us going."

Up for It

From the Light Seer's Tarot, the Page of Wands; from the Tapestry Oracle, Fate:

Every why hath a wherefore.

―William Shakespeare

Good luck getting this high energy gal to sit still in a desk for a long period of time. She responds to and thrives on new sounds, sights and experiences, always ready for a challenge or for testing something innovative. Creating rather than settling for the same old same old stokes this Page's enthusiasm. No one gets bored in her company (tired maybe, but not bored). On the other end of the spectrum is Fate, often defined as something that unavoidably befalls a person. Are there things we can't change, that force us to float in that boat with the tide? We can't change our genetics or the past, but we can make an effort in the present that will affect our future. And if we need some encouragement and inspiration, we should invite a Page of Wands along. She'll probably have us carving some oars.