Without Imbalance

This week I'll be using the Shadowscapes book and deck set published by Llewellyn. The artwork is done by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and the book is written by Barbara Moore. I'll also be drawing from a set of Cedar Runes and using the book The Serpent and the Eagle by Chris Travers. Today's draws are the Four of Pentacles and Algiz:

Real giving is done from a place of true generosity and because we have an excess of something to offer (time, support, energy). It tends to be an impulse we don’t have to overthink. And the giving leaves us feeling good and energized.  

—Andrea M. Darcy

Tis the season of giving, as all the TV ads and social media tell us. Yet this dragon has curled around his treasure with his wings used as a cover. Is this response a prudent protection or miserly tightfistedness? People often use generosity to boost their self-esteem, wanting to feel appreciated and loved or less guilty. Yet this is not sincere altruism because it comes with expectations that often leave us wanting. Algiz ("elk") represents protection and suggests that it is okay to save some time, energy and money for our own needs. Creating imbalances isn't beneficial for anyone.

Choosing Blindness or Clarity

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Devil; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Aleph ((artwork by Barbara MacMillan):

We are only as blind as we want to be.

—Maya Angelou

Life can be hard and challenging, so it's no surprise that people want to balance that out with some pleasure. Yet we can become so afraid of dealing with what scares us that we attempt to hide in these diversions. The result may be that we may put our self in chains because we fear reality. As we bury ourselves in our habits, we begin to lose our will, our character, and our passion. We start to resemble what has chained us. Aleph is the source from which everything emanates; it brings form to the formless. Acting on our fears can manifest more struggle and hardship, but acting on the truth can bring solutions and a way forward.

Behold!

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Oracle of the Kabbalah, Hei (artwork by Andrea Beloff):

Attention, taken to its highest degree, is the same thing as prayer.

―Simone Weil

A successful businessman, judging by the bolted-on leafy staff, looks to his future. With the globe held aloft, he seems to be thinking of Shakespeare's words: "The world’s mine oyster." Should he be content with all he has, or should he dive into the opening he sees for having more? The Hebrew letter Hei means "behold," as when looking at a great sight; it can also mean breath or sigh as when one sees something wondrous. It reminds us to pause in our busyness, in our frantic attempt to get more done, add extra goods to our overflowing homes, and build up an already hefty bank account. What have we missed because of our ambitions? Will there be later regrets for joyful moments that have passed us by?

Expanding

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Universe; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Lamed (artwork by Linda Saskia Menczel):

Life is not shrinking for me; it's morphing into a whole new world of possibilities. 

―Peyton Manning

As En Vogue sings, "Free your mind, and the rest will follow." The Universe is not just about completion; it is a moment when the world opens up, allowing us to see it with new eyes. What was narrow has become wider, and what once impossible is now full of potential. Lamed is shaped like a staff or prod that guides animals, instructing them in the right way to go. This letter means to learn and to teach, not simply on an intellectual level, but a practical one that helps us live principled and responsible lives. Lamed also prods us to get moving - we're sure to learn and share more as we travel down new paths.

Best and Worst

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Seven of Staves; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Tzadik (artwork by Veronique Cheney):

   

Competition brings out the best in products and the worst in people. 

―David Sarnoff

The Seven of Staves is not just about standing up to our naysayers, but also our competition. The problem comes when we are so busy keeping an eye on what others are doing, that we fail to do our best work. It suffers because our focus becomes distracted, wanting to beat the other instead of paying attention to details that matter. The Hebrew letter Tzadik is associated with being just and honest; in Judaism, the title Tzadik is given to people considered righteous. Hasidic master Rabbi Levi Yitzchak taught that tzadikkim are individuals who open paths for the world. These cards flip the script on competition, asking us to use our talents to serve everyone rather than being intent on making a name for our self. 

Seeing the Truth

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Hanged Man; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Tet (artwork by Anya D. Leveille):

Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver. 

—Ayn Rand

This fellow has coins spilling out of his pocket. It brings to mind the idea that if we just throw money at something, we can fix it or make it go away. Ask the parents of an addict who've spent years sending their child to every rehab facility they could afford how well this works. There are some problems that can't be solved by money; rarely do internal problems respond to an external solution. The Hebrew letter Tet resembles a vessel with an inverted rim and is associated with and is the meaning of "good" (Hebrew: tov). It suggests a hidden potential - even in the face of what looks awful, there are positive seeds that can be cultivated. Those of us on the outside can only point out these assets and abilities, encouraging rather than manipulating or forcing. As A.A. Almaas wrote, "Only when compassion is present will people allow themselves to see the truth."

Stay Tuned

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Chet (artwork by Joel Moskowitz):

Fear is the major motivator for all of the action that takes place in the world. 

―Larry Winget

With a mind as sharp as her sword, the Queen of Swords prefers her conversations to be in person. She knows and notices 'tells,' small unconscious actions that expose a lie, omission or half-truth.  Her aim is not to shame others, but to instruct them: fear of the truth means that there is no foundation for solutions or making a better beginning. Chet resembles an archway or doorway and suggests that we have the power of choice to go beyond our normal reactions to life. Many of the barriers that hold us back are imagined; we'll never know what we can accomplish without stepping through that door. As William Shakespeare wrote, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” 

The Yoke We Wear

This week I'll be using the Tarot in de Herstelde Orde (Tarot in Restored Order), created by Rob Docters van Leeuwen and Onno Docters van Leeuwen; it was published by Servire. The second deck I'll be drawing from is the Oracle of Kabbalah, a deck and book set created by Richard Seidman and published by Thomas Dunne Books. Today's draws are the Tower and Aleph (artwork by Michoel Muchnik):

 

The yoke you wear determines the burden you bear. 

―Edwin Louis Cole

One of the booklet's meanings for this card reads, "Liberation from the harness." It parallels the Hebrew letter Aleph in that the letter's original pictograph is an ox's head - an animal usually harnessed and yoked to a plow or cart. We are easily convinced that we are following the correct norms and values, that is until life gives us a hard head slap. That fall from the heights can offer a new perspective, making us reassess our goals and motives. Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and reminds us that as long as we're breathing, there's always time for a new beginning. We're all going to choose a burden to bear; at least with wisdom and clarity we can choose one that is honorable and upright. 

No Separation

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Tower; from the Druid Plant Oracle, the Banes:

Destruction in creation and creation in destruction lies ingrained in the life-cycles of everything on this planet. We can’t expect the natural world around us to run smoothly and safely for our benefit. 

―Nina Munteanu 

We humans keep trying to outsmart the laws of nature without much lasting success. As ecologist C.S. Holling said, ecosystems are non-linear and self-organizing, continually adapting through cycles of change. No matter how strong our tower (built of money, knowledge, religion or power), we will not be able to permanently protect and separate ourselves from the natural rhythms of growth and loss, destruction and renewal. We too must learn to change and adapt. The Banes (henbane, wolfsbane and hemlock), though poisonous, have been used historically in tiny amounts for medicinal purposes. Their wisdom reminds us it is often a small response that shifts outcomes in a better direction, while large dramatic reactions often have unforeseen and unwanted consequences. If it is fear that compels us, we can wait until sanity returns instead of rushing to build a tower.

Seeds of Its Own Destruction

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Ten of Swords; from the Druid Animal Oracle, Cat:

 For rigidity of mind, there is no antidote. It carries the seeds of its own destruction.

—Anton Myrer

The phrase "Is this the hill you want to die on?" comes to mind with this Ten of Swords. The military metaphor asks us if this battle is really worth sacrificing everything for. Do we care so deeply for our opinion or idea, thinking it more important than anything and everyone else? What Myer says about rigidity of mind rings true - we become weapons of our own destruction. Cat, in particular the Scottish wildcat, is capable of tackling prey much larger than itself. Yet before it does anything, it will observe the situation quietly, seeing if this is a risk worth taking. Nine lives peter out pretty fast for one lacking in objectivity and discernment. 

Seeing Both Sides

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Moon; from the Druid Animal Oracle, the Frog:

This busy, grasping mind,

Always latching onto things,

Let it be given a break to recognize itself instead.

In that very moment of recognition,

This mind becomes wide open,

Free, and unconfined.

—Tsoknyi Rinpoche 

The French phrase "between a wolf and a dog" describes the time of day when it is hard to distinguish between friend and foe, the known or unknown. I begin jury duty tomorrow morning, and this card made me think that uncertainty can be a useful beginning. I wouldn't want someone to decide my character simply by my looks or because I was before a judge. Ambiguity can create more space and openness, allowing us to see more possibilities than the sole appraisal a narrow view might first land on. The Frog is semiaquatic, spending part of its time on land and part in the water. Those two places might symbolize both the hard facts of wisdom (land) and the humane lens of compassion (water). A sound judgment is a holistic and includes both. 

Get On With It

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the King of Wands; from the Druid Plant Oracle, Woad:

Your future is created by what you do today, not tomorrow. –Robert Kiyosaki 

Driven by passion and a creative mind, this fiery King is not concerned with details but the big picture. With his energy (he seems to have one foot on the ready), he refuses any constraints that might affect his freedom.  He'll tell people once what he needs done, followed quickly by "Let's go! Get moving!" The King of Wands demands his visions be turned into reality without delay. Woad has been used historically as a blue dye. In his commentary on the Gallic War, Julius Caesar noted that the Britons painted themselves with it, making them look frightening in battle. Both these cards seem to ask us what we've been putting off that we need to do. "Get on with it!" they would firmly tell us.

Hardening vs. Softening

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Princess of Cups; from the Druid Plant Oracle, Meadowsweet:

We can let the circumstances of our lives harden us so that we become increasingly resentful and afraid, or we can let them soften us and make us kinder and more open to what scares us. We always have this choice. ―Pema Chodron

The Princess of Cups is tender and loving, with a warmth that draws those to her. With an intensely sensitive radar, she seems to always know how others are feeling. Seeing youngsters with this kind of vulnerable sweetness brings a smile to my face, but I worry about how they will react when they meet with cruelty and maliciousness in the world. Meadowsweet is a lover of damp soils with an almond-like sweet scent. It has been used in teas and tinctures for its natural salicin content, which can relieve pain and inflammation. Meadowsweet reminds us to take time to heal our pain as well as the suffering of others. We can protect ourselves - not by hardening our heart, but by having strong boundaries - while also remembering that there is usually an injury behind every fault. As Roy Bennett said, "The hard lessons of life are meant to make you better, not bitter."

Compassionate Offering

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Queen of Cups; from the Druid Animal Oracle, the Air Dragon:

Only in the presence of compassion will people allow themselves to see the truth.

―Gabor Maté

The Queen of Cups has expertise in the field of nurturing and healing others emotionally. She is intuitive and empathetic, watching body language as closely as she listens to their words. But perhaps her greatest asset is in realizing that many problems are learned rather than being a moral issue. Education is a much better strategy than shame. But the Air Dragon, a symbol of insights, reminds us that understanding does not come without an open mind. Our anchors, what we've believed to be true and acted on for so long, must be raised so that we can view things with an unbiased mind.  

You've Been There for Me

This week I'll be using three decks, all created by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm and illustrated by Will Worthington. The Druidcraft Tarot and the Druid Plant Oracle were published by Connections; the Druid Animal Oracle was published by St. Martin's Press. I've combined the two oracles and will be using them as one deck. Today's draws are the Ten of Cups and Madder:

It is the friendships I made and the close family ties I nurtured that have provided me with that sense of satisfaction at a life well lived, and have made me what I am.

―Lee Kuan Yew

If we're really lucky, we have a family we can fold ourselves into when life is stressful or difficult. Such a place gives us a chance to catch our breath, laugh or cry, and remember that we love and are loved. Last night my daughter watched an old movie with me - Fly Away Home - that always seems to make my heart lighter (even though the theme song never fails to make me cry). We all need to find a special place and way to revive our spirits. Madder is the sole vegetative true red; for over 3,000 years, this plant's roots have been the source of a striking red dye that has colored fabrics, graced paintings, and played a pivotal role in trade. It's red represents strength, courage and rites of passage. I finally received an official letter from the Social Security office - my own rite of passage - so in February, I will have Medicare and retirement. Jumping through all the hoops was stressful, but I am thankful to my husband who helped me persevere.

Always Learning

From the New Era Elements Tarot, the Daughter of Water (Page of Cups); from the Tao Oracle, Hexagram 28 (Excess):

It is what we know already that often prevents us from learning.

 ―Claude Bernard 

The Daughter of Water is dreamy, sensitive and deeply empathetic. All the Pages are still in the early learning phases of their suit. Even those of us with gray hair (who are honest) can still be surprised by our emotional awareness deficits. Hexagram 28 is often described as a ridgepole that is at a critical breaking point. Excess of anything is generally not a good thing, especially when dealing with emotions. What would the much older me share with this young girl?

~Emotions are just energy, like sneezes. If we don't add to the narratives that feed them, the energy disperses.

~People who are upset usually don't want advice (an attempt to 'fix' them) - they just want to be listened to and heard.

~Empathy doesn't mean we must wear the emotional coat of others; if we are sagging from such weight, we won't have the clarity to take appropriate steps that might help.

~Shame shuts down our ability to learn and change. Making mistakes doesn't make us worthless, they're some of the ways we can learn and then change.

What wisdom would you offer this Daughter of Water?

Moving Forward

From the New Era Elements Tarot, the Chariot; from the Tao Oracle, Hexagram 8 (Holding Together):

Say the word 'quest' out loud. It is an extraordinary word, isn't it? So small and yet so full of wonder, so full of hope. ―Kate DiCamillo

What is this strange machine Pieper uses for a Chariot? It is a Trojan Armored Vehicle, employed by the British Army; it is not a weapon, but a vehicle used to clear minefields and make difficult terrain easier to navigate. Its excavator arm can be used to dig, remove obstacles, or deposit the fascine it carries to cross trenches or marshes. The plow on the front allows the vehicle to push things out of the way or to detonate mines. Such a machine capable of multiple uses reminds us that any quest or journey requires planning and preparation, knowing there will be difficulties we must face along the way. Smooth sailing should not be expected. Hexagram 8, Holding Together, points to joining things that are separate or different into a coherent whole without suppression. In the case of the Chariot, it suggests that our will, emotions, and logic need to work together, assessing each need as it arises. Pause, breathe, and let the solution come, then move forward.

Juju

 From the New Era Elements Tarot, Daughter of Air (Page of Swords); from the Tao Oracle, Hexagram 46 (Pushing Upward):

The game of life is a game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds and words return to us sooner or later with astounding accuracy. ―Florence Scovel Shinn

The Daughter of Swords is bright, outspoken and soaks up information like a sponge. But intelligence does not equal common sense, especially when it comes to the consequences of our words. She's realized that words have power but is only beginning to find out that they can also seal up a heart or a doorway. That kind of juju needs to be respected, not used indiscriminately. Hexagram 46 shows mushrooms pushing up through the ground - the fruiting bodies of fungi. It represents rising to a higher level as we learn from our mistakes and the wisdom of others. In this case, we understand that we don't have to say everything we think. As Ernest A. Yeboah said, "We only shout when we neglect what silence can do."

Swinging Through Time

From the New Era Elements Tarot, the Six of Water (Cups); from the Tao Oracle, Hexagram 66:

My mind swings wildly through time, touching on dozens of ideas a minute, unharnessed and undisciplined. Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions.

―Elizabeth Gilbert

Have you ever been lost in a memory, reminiscing about a time that brought joy, only to have a less than enjoyable thought seep in? Evolution has shaped our minds so that we remember the negative much easier than the positive. As Rick Hanson put it: "The brain is like Velcro for negative experiences, but Teflon for positive ones." Hexagram 44 is traditionally called Unexpected Encounter, but Padma has titled it Attraction of Opposites. Both fit the way our good thoughts can be seduced by the bad ones, pulling our attention in their direction. Peace comes when we learn to retrain our brain (over and over) by changing the channel; instead, we make the effort to refocus on the kindhearted, the funny, the beautiful, the wondrous and the beloved.

Stay in the Hub

From the New Era Elements Tarot, the Nine of Earth (Pentacles); from the Tao Oracle, Hexagram 29 (the Abysmal):

A stable mind is like the hub of a wheel. The world may spin around you, but the mind is steady.

—B.K.S. Iyengar

The rough, dirty hands in this card illustrate that good fortune doesn't usually float down out of the sky like a feather. Contentment and stability aren't just about getting something but knowing how to sustain it when disruptive challenges come. If we don't put in the work, we won't have any skills to rely on later (think of those who inherit a chunk of money only to squander it away). Hexagram 29, The Abysmal, warns of a deluge of problems headed our way. To steer through the storm, we need a firm hold on our mind and our conduct. Letting our emotions take over will only feed panic and confusion; we need to stay grounded in the present and centered on what is important. As Iyengar stated, "When stability becomes a habit, maturity and clarity follow."

Wholeness

From the New Era Elements Tarot, the Universe; from the Tao Oracle, Hexagram 26 (Taming Power):

Perhaps ultimately, spiritual simply means experiencing wholeness and interconnectedness directly, a seeing that individuality and the totality are interwoven, that nothing is separate or extraneous. 

—Jon Kabat-Zinn

To recognize that what we label as good and bad is simply a part of the complete whole is wisdom. To view life from a point of wholeness rather than separation is holy. To act from the understanding of connection is sacred. It's not easy, because all of our opinions and judgments get in the way. Yet as Seng-Ts'an reminds us, "The great Way has no impediments; it does not pick and choose. When you abandon attachment and aversion, you see it plainly." When we are tempted to slice and dice the world into categories, Hexagram 26 (Taming Power) encourages us to apply restraint. Instead, can we remain mindful, holding onto our ethics and integrity, while we face challenges. Ideas that divide may seem to grant security, but they are actually a big part of the problem.

Fulcrum of Friendship

This week I'll be using the New Era Elements Tarot, created by Eleonore Pieper and published by U.S. Games. I'll also be using the Tao Oracle, created by Ma Deva Padma and published by St. Martin's Press. Today's draws are Ace of Water and Grace (Hexagram 22):

We all come to the table with our own life experiences and relationships.

―Alisyn Camerota

Water is a fundamental necessity for all living things. But now scientists are discovering that emotional connections (that water can symbolize) are just as important. Positive relationships are crucial for physical and mental health, leading to greater happiness, a longer life, and better health outcomes. Our well-being rests on the fulcrum of friendships. Yet Hexagram 22 takes this a step further, encouraging us relate to all of our experiences with grace and humility. Rather than seeing only what is wrong with things, we move through our days noticing the good, the beautiful and the awe-inspiring. Depending on whether our hearts stay open or shut down in these daily encounters, we are shaped accordingly. What kind of friend are we shaping up to be?

The Choice and the Duty

 From the Rohrig Tarot, the Seven of Cups; from the Master Tarot (Oracle), the Moralist:

The power to make a choice goes with the duty of accepting the responsibility of the outcome of the choice. ―Michael Eneyo

This Seven of Cups card warns that we need to look carefully at our underlying motives when it comes to emotional fulfillment. What might bring a tidbit of pleasure can pull a caboose that carries a ton of pain. The intoxicating wish to escape reality and live in a fantasy is understandable but a fallacy in our physical world. The Moralist is someone who knows laws and ethics well. Yet his attitude of superiority and pretense of righteousness keep him on a pedestal, judging others while justifying his own flawed actions. Regardless of how we may sculpt our choices to look rational and acceptable, we just can't outrun reality.

Manual Driving

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Hanged Man; from the Master Tarot (Oracle), No Clothes:

Man is largely a creature of habit, and many of his activities are more or less automatic reflexes from the stimuli of his environment. 

―G. Stanley Hall

As we become adults, we begin to develop certain proclivities in the way we think and act. Our styles may tend toward the "que sera sera" laidback type, the "pass the buck" type, or the bulldozer type. Over time, these habits become set like concrete. Unfortunately, life doesn't follow a set pattern, so when we continue to react unconsciously, it occasionally jerks us out of autopilot and demands we do things manually and mindfully. Our usual loses its usefulness. No Clothes suggests we drop our pretentious roles and simply be fully human - prone to making mistakes, but also capable of learning from them. 

Daily Devotion

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Two of Swords; from the Master Tarot (Oracle), Twice Born:

More important than the quest for certainty is the quest for clarity.

–Francois Gautier

When we're mired in the muck of a situation, it is nearly impossible to see the issues clearly. Only when we rise above it can we gain perspective, seeing objectively without emotional attachment. It's not about being right - it is clarity that will help us move out of the muck and make appropriate choices. Twice Born shows Lazarus, who was thought to be dead but was brought back to life. It suggests that we must also awaken, leaving behind our fears and our agenda, in order to see reality just as it is. In the words of Ian Brady, “One should try to be honest with oneself almost as a daily devotion.”