A Change of Thinking

From the Sacred India Tarot, the Eight of Arrows (Swords); from the Land Sky Oracle, Awake:

You need a change of thinking rather than a change of climate.

―Seneca

In the middle of the Kurukshetra War, the skilled archer Arjuna was refusing to fight his kinsmen (which included their leader, his grandfather Bhishma). Krishna knew the kingdom would never have peace if Arjuna did not squash the attempted takeover. In an effort to prod him to action, Krishna picked up a chariot wheel to whack Bhisma, but Arjuna shot his grandfather before Krishna could attack him. His action saved Krishna from breaking his vow of nonviolence and ended the war. Awake is illustrated with tingsha cymbals; they prompt us to focus on the present moment and see clearly what is in front of us. In the case of Krishna - and also Jesus who was accused of breaking the Sabbath - sometimes vows and promises can keep us stuck in an unethical or unhealthy situation. Wake up and take the appropriate action that is needed.