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.

Closed Clam

From the Light Seer's Tarot, the Seven of Wands; from the Tapestry Oracle, Reflection:

Listen to others, but do not become a blind follower. 

―Thurgood Marshall

Try to do anything new or different, whether it's learning a new language, writing a novel or changing careers, and the pessimists and naysayers will appear. Commitment can mean keeping our head down and doing the work without getting distracted. But this young woman has enclosed herself in a bubble, completely walling off herself from any comments. Reflection asks us to consider if there is no room for advice in the methods we're using. Have we taken such a rigid stance that we refuse to hear any other perspectives, compromises or alternatives? There might be a nugget of wisdom in what those worriers and cynics are shoveling at us.

Come and See

From the Light Seer's Tarot, the King of Cups; from the Tapestry Oracle, Faith:

When awareness is brought to an emotion, power is brought to your life.

— Tara Meyer Robson

In a leadership position, the King of Cups must be a good diplomat, listening to what the other person needs and skillfully communicating how that need might be met without conflict. Diplomacy also requires emotional intelligence: the ability to be aware of and manage his own emotions while understanding how they influence his interactions with others. The King connects with his senses to ground himself when emotions are especially intense - the smell of the ocean air, the feel of the water, and the sound of the waves. He has Faith in his technique to calm himself because he has verified it through use. He invites us to try this direct experience for ourselves. 

Turning Towards

This week I'll be using the Light Seer's Tarot, created by Chris-Anne Donnelly and published by Hay House. The other deck I'll be drawing from is the Tapestry Oracle, created and self-published by Kendall Eifler. Today's draws are the Moon and Nurture:

We turn away from the difficult, we turn away from freedom.

—Anshin Devin Ashwood

Emotions that we thought had been tamped down, stuffed into our subconscious mind, have a way of reappearing and pulling us under. Grief, anger or fear can wrap us in their tentacles. Father's Day has this effect on me, after having three dads - one that abandoned, one that abused, and one that loved but died unexpectantly. Yet emotions don't want to hurt us, we just need to feel them without attaching any stories. As the discomfort fills our body, we allow their intensity to crest, then fall away. Nurture reminds us to offer ourselves the warmth of unconditional kindness when these emotions knock us off our feet. As Anne Lamott reminds us, "“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you."

Don't Spill the Beans

From the Neuzeit Tarot, the Knight of Swords; from Rory's Story Cubes, Beans:

Today's gossip is tomorrow's headline. 

—Walter Winchell

Blocking the road, this Knight of Swords forces us to pause before we go running off to call, text or post some tantalizing or inflammatory information that we've heard or read. He's a lover of truth and a hater of gossips, liars and hypocrites. His big book is like consulting Snopes or FactCheck to see if what we're about to let loose is fact, fiction or a mixture of both. Beans bring to mind a quote by Rudyard Kipling: “Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” Spreading unchecked information might give us a thrill, but those words are like unknown seeds that we plant that could boomerang on us. It might be wise not to "spill the beans."

Posted: No Swimming

From the Neuzeit Tarot, the Six of Swords; from Rory's Story Cubes, the Bridge:

Recurring, unhelpful thought patterns shape how we feel and what we do. They feed into anxiety and anger. They limit us...

—Rick Hanson

Last night, I saw a recommendation by cardiologists that advised people not to check their smart phones for an hour after awakening because it can set a negative, reactive tone for the rest of the day. In this card, four sharp tips point outward, as if looking for people, places and things that have caused our anger or fear. But two tips point at each other, an acknowledgement that the agitation and unease we feel is rooted within us. The Bridge offers us an option, which neuropsychologist Rick Hanson explains: "We don't have to believe our thoughts—we can recognize that they are just thoughts. We can step back and evaluate whether or not our thought patterns are truly serving us, or reinforcing limitations, assumptions, and self-doubt." That stream of thoughts will always be there, but we don't have to swim in them.

Traditions

From the Neuzeit Tarot, the Two of Wands; from Rory's Story Cubes, the Whip:

There's a need to respect the past, but it's a mistake to revere your past. 

―Bob Iger

The figures representing the two wands on this card remind me of a mother and daughter. One represents tradition and the other innovation. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the familiar ways of doing things, but change (the Whip) can force us to do something new. My mom has hosted Thanksgiving dinner for many years, doing the bulk of the cooking (and declining most offers to help). But at 87, she tires more easily, and having a lot of things cooking at once has become like spinning plates. She has decided that we'll still gather together but forgo the turkey and dressing and just have something very simple to eat. When traditions are replaced, it is important to realize we don't have to get upset if we consider the root of their purpose - in this case, the gratitude of simply being together.

Master of Patience

From the Neuzeit Tarot, the Three of Pentacles; from Rory's Story Cubes, the Turtle:

A man who is a master of patience is master of everything else.

―George Savile

In the Three of Pentacles card, the illustrations on each coin offer symbols which represent the way to master a skill. Leonardo's Vitruvian Man (influenced by the writings of Roman architect and engineer, Vitruvius), suggests an understanding of proportion and measurement - or learning the basics. The four-axis labyrinth pattern (such as in the Chartres Cathedral) represents pilgrimage, an acknowledgement that this will be a journey (not a quick hop) in finding what we seek. The thirteen-pointed star, or tridecagram, is often linked to ideas of growth, transformation, and completion (developing expertise). Logging thousands of oceanic miles each year, Turtle reminds us that even when we become a master in our field, we need to keep looking for inspiration and exploring new developments. With any skill, learning never stops.

Make Your Own Recipe

From the Neuzeit Tarot, the Magician; from Rory's Story Dice, Scales:

The first time you make something, follow the recipe, then figure out how to tailor it to your own tastes. ―Ruth Reichl

When I pulled this tarot in the dim light of morning, I could have sworn it was a club DJ mixing some music. But the Magician is similar, in that he uses his tools and resources to create something. Like the DJ, he might manifest what is expected, following directions that are given. But when he realizes that he has a gift - though perhaps not like others - he can expand how things are mixed and made. As the Scales show, just doing things to please others can create imbalances. In the words of Carl Jung, "The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases."

Costs Too Much

From the Neuzeit Tarot, the Page of Pentacles; from Rory's Story Cubes, Temple Gateway:

Money often costs too much, and power and pleasure are not cheap.

―Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Page of Pentacles has been studying capitalism and has stumbled across a way to earn a lot of money. Studies on state lotteries have shown that people in lower-income groups gamble more frequently and spend a larger proportion of their income than any other group. Though the odds of winning are slim and none, desperate people do desperate things. The Temple Gateway suggests that this Page needs to learn that while money isn't evil, accumulating wealth is not the way to happiness. When it is made off the backs of the poor, using the vulnerable for one's own benefit, it crushes our compassion, increases our selfishness, and turns us into someone we might not recognize down the road.

Dandelion Seeds

This week I'll be using the Neuzeit Tarot created by Walter Wegmuller and published by AG Muller. The "oracle" I'll be using is a combination of two sets of dice: Rory's Story Cubes and Rory's Story Cubes - Voyages.  These dice were created by Rory O'Connor and produced by Gamewright. Today's card and die are the Fool and Possibilities:

 Starting from zero, got nothing to lose

Maybe we'll make something

Me, myself, I got nothing to prove

―Tracy Chapman

Dandelion seeds, able to float on a breeze, symbolize the release of aspirations and dreams into the world. This Fool releases a seed (and more drop from his pocket) as he steps off a cliff into the unknown. He is fearless, curious and trusting, having no hurdles of expectations to leap over. The Possibilities cube looks like a compass rose, showing the many different directions the Fool can go. He embodies the words of Robert Schuller: "What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?"

Peaks and Valleys

From the Idiosyncradeck Tarot, the Lovers: from the Mixed Emotions Card, Proud:

Long-term relationships, the ones that matter, are all about weathering the peaks and the valleys.

 —Nicholas Sparks

Flamingos form strong pair bonds and consider compatibility when choosing a friend or mate. These kinds of relationships are meant for the long-haul, knowing that whatever storms come will be faced as a team. Such lifelong partners enjoy an easy companionship, share memories, know each other's vices and virtues, and offer support and encouragement. As the flamingos can attest, it can be good to be particular about who we choose. Proud suggests we give ourselves a pat on the back if we've managed to find a mate, friend or partner with whom we've stuck with and grown with for a lengthy period of time. These relationships are worth celebrating at every opportunity.