Vitality

From the Somnia Tarot, the Sun; from the Spirits of Nature Oracle, Water:

The opposite of depression is not happiness, but vitality.

― Andrew Solomon

A life of loathing, fear, and misery will keep us behind a gray wall, away from warmth and joyful enthusiasm. But this fellow has realized the trials of life can shape him with wisdom rather than resentment. Atop the wall, he enjoys the Sun that now provides him with clarity and fills him with exuberance. Water is given the keyword 'lifeblood,' an indispensable factor that gives something its strength and vitality. What is this factor? It is our attitude toward what shows up on our doorstep each day. As Andrew Solomon wrote, "I hate these feelings but, but I know that they have driven me to look deeper at life, to find and cling to reasons for living, I cannot find it in me to regret entirely the course my life has taken. Every day, I choose, sometimes gamely, and sometimes against the moment's reason, to be alive. Is that not a rare joy?"

Creeping Upward

From the Somnia Tarot, the Five of Cups; from the Spirits of Nature Oracle, Lotus;

At first it numbed me, pleasure leaching from my days like a summer leaf draining of sap to greet the autumn. Then loneliness came, a creeping oily stain that stopped me from enjoying it at all.

―Kat Dunn

The insidious part of sadness is that when we steep in it long enough, it becomes depression and despair. We imagine we have no control over anything, that we are incapable of feeling happiness ever again. Lotus, a flower whose seed lies in the mucky mud, will begin to root and gradually move upward through murky water to the sunlight. It symbolizes resurrection and restoration. That deep well of unhappiness has plenty of room to hold joy too, if we are willing to make some changes. A trustworthy friend can listen and remind us of our resilience, and walks in the sun can awaken a body that has been shut down. We can savor calm moments and rekindle our gratitude. Perhaps most importantly, we can reframe our thoughts, acknowledging there is sadness but recognizing the capacity for joy is still within us. We turn our attention to the good rather than ruminating on the past.

Roly-Poly Position

From the Somnia Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the Spirits of Nature Oracle, Rice:

I know it hurts, but the sadness is your friend.

—Katie Hawkins-Gaar

I have drawn the Three of Swords often this year; it's hard not to be heartsick as the Trump regime's wrecking ball destroys our nation. Almost everyone has been personally affected in some way (unless you're a billionaire). Yet as Tom Edwards reminds us, "we are grieving and, in our grief, have become increasingly isolated and disconnected from one another." Anguish is normal, but staying in a roly-poly posture will not be useful. Symon Freck explains: "This grief we carry should not paralyze us but mobilize us. Our shock and anger are signals of our values. If we grieve because we care, then we must also care enough to push back and forage a healthier life for future generations." Rice symbolizes nourishment and encourages us to find time to fill ourselves with beauty, laughter, dance or song - whatever will fill us with joy so that we in turn can reach out to others and help them find their own. When our spirits are full, we have the inner strength to withstand and stand up to what is ahead.

On Fire

From the Somnia Tarot, the Five of Wands; from the Spirits of Nature Oracle, Earth:

The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.

—Ferdinand Foch

People get excited when they think they have a novel idea. But if several people are working on the same creative proposal, you can bet there will be mayhem. Each person will likely try to out-shout the others, while attempting to douse the other ideas with doubt. It can help if we model respectful listening, giving everyone a chance to present their strategy. Earth gives us additional hints on how to make a good impression. First, ground the idea in practicality. How exactly would this be accomplished? Secondly, ground the result in the target population's needs or wants. How will this benefit these people? Every fire needs fuel to burn; airy ideas have little staying power. 

Breaking the Resistance

This week I'll be using the Somnia Tarot and its companion book, created and self-published by Nicholas Bruno. I'll also be using the Spirits of Nature Oracle, created by Steven Farmer and published by Hay House. Today's draws are the Seven of Wands and Desert:

To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. 

—Sun Tzu

It's interesting that the fellow on top of the hill has no sword or cannon, only a shield - his primary interest is defending his stance, not attacking others. The geometric compass on his shield implies wisdom, self-control, and the ability to circumscribe desires within moral boundaries. Standing up for ourselves has nothing to do with dishing dirt on others. If we take that approach, what is important gets lost in the chaos. A Desert is defined as a geographical area that gets 10 inches or less of rain (meaning even the Arctic and Antarctica qualify). Desert suggests that we are in dire need of something (water or warmth). But in the case of self-defense, it can hurt our goal if we get caught by the need to people please, to want others to like us and make us feel worthy, rather than accept our stance. 

Self-Inflicted

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Two of Arrows (Swords); from the Rune Cards, Aurochs (Uruz):

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.

—Viktor Frankl

There is a children's book called, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" by Judith Viorst. That title sums up my day so far. However, the Two of Swords/Arrows reminds me that I can choose differently. In the Buddhist parable of the "Two Arrows," the first arrow is the one that strikes us all - pain, misfortune and hardships. But the second arrow (our reaction to these things) - anger, self-pity, fear, rumination - is optional. That second arrow is self-inflicted. Uruz is the rune of the aurochs, an ancient beast similar to the bison, and symbolizes primal power and determination. This rune encourages us to reclaim our ability to choose beneficial thoughts to focus on. Pause, breathe and reset.

The Untrained

From the Greenwood Tarot, Balance (Temperance); from the Rune Cards, Oak (Ac):

Discipline is not the enemy of spontaneity but rather its foundation. Without discipline, our actions are dictated by fleeting impulses, external influences, and the whims of an untrained mind.

—Raffaello Palandri

Potter's Temperance shows a blending of dualities that creates someone who is grounded and at one with themselves. This card is not meant to rain on our parade or take away our fun. But it does ask us to consider what is pulling on our leash, what is driving our extremes in thought or behavior. The problem with extremes is that they always pour kerosene on the bonfire - we find neither peace nor contentment. Oak's rune poem reads: 

The oak fattens the flesh of pigs for the children of men.

Often it traverses the gannet's bath,

and the ocean proves whether the oak keeps faith

in honorable fashion. 

 

The poem praises the oak for what it offers, yet note the last line about the ocean. It refers to the oak's strength being tested by the ocean when it is used in the building of ships. We need inner strength to resist the pull on our leashes, to develop the freedom to choose rather than simply follow our impulses.

Wisely and Slow

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Archer (Chariot); from the Rune Cards, Need (Naudiz):

Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.

—William Shakespeare

The Archer represents the Chariot - in the same way we must train ourselves with self-discipline and restraint to reach our goal, so the Archer trains her arrow (and her dogs) in hopes of a successful hunt. If our aims are to be reached, we must understand that forethought and patience are as important as persistence. Naudiz represents necessity, gaps in our plans that need our attention. People who are in a hurry to get what they want often make impulsive, emotional, or risky decisions. Choosing to delay our progress and correct those deficits can prevent the wheels from coming off on the journey.

The Value of a Moment

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Six of Cups; from the Rune Cards, Joy (Wunjo):

Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory. 

—Theodor S. Geisel

Like the trees in Potter's card, we are interconnected with others, and those moments of connection make memories. If we were to place these on a scale, we might find the bad outweigh the good ones. Yet we are often surrounded by beauty, laughter, tenderness or love. Psychologist Rick Hanson tells us that we must consciously take in the good to rewire our brain for happiness - even the simplest things. We then have a reunion with these memories - reliving those warm feelings over and over. Joy (Wunjo) represents emotional fulfillment, camaraderie, and the comfort of a supportive environment. These are what we can store in our mental treasure chest to take out and remember again and again. As Hanson writes, "Taking in the good is not about putting a happy shiny face on everything... It's about nourishing well-being, contentment, and peace inside that are refuges you can always come from and return to."

Alert Determination

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Page of Wands; from the Rune Cards, the Sun (Sowilo):

You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction. 

—George Horace Lorimer

You can almost see the radiating excitement of this stoat, quivering from the tip of his ears to the tip of his tail. Playful and energetic, stoats are skilled hunters, taking rabbits that are twice their size. Potter describes this Page in kind: having alert determination. When everything new twangs your antenna, it can be hard to focus, but this Page has learned to lock onto his target. Sowilo (Sun) indicates energy and drive, an auspicious sign of success. More energy - have mercy! No wonder this Page is vibrating. He might not make the best choices on the way to his objective, but his drive will keep him going around whatever challenges he finds. As William Feather put it, "Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go."

Need or Greed

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Rune Cards, Gift (Gebo):

   

Doing something to support someone else puts our problems in some perspective and in connection to all the other human challenges in the world; we return to our personal challenges with a vigor and awareness of our connectedness in this human web of interbeing.

—Kamilah Majied

Things are good, but could they be better? This figure must decide how to move forward - to continue on the current course or to expand their goals. While expanding might improve our bank account, we might find it causes deficits elsewhere (time, energy, relationships, peace of mind). Gebo's (Gift) rune poem reads:

Giving is for men glory and acclaim, support and honor,

and for the needy a help and sustenance that is otherwise lacking.

Gebo suggests that we consider the motive for our desire for expansion - is it need or greed? Perhaps it may help pay some bills or could create jobs for those who need them. But if it's all about accumulating more, more, more, that's a craving that will never be satisfied. It may boost our ego, but it will not be a useful gift to our well-being.

A Tale as Old as Time

This week I'll be using the Greenwood Tarot, created by Chesca Potter and published by Thorsons. The oracle I'll be using is the Rune Cards, created by Tony Linsell and Brian Partridge and published by Anglo-Saxon Books. Today's draws are the Three of Arrows (Swords) and Water (Laguz):

One who is fed on promises eats from an empty bowl.

―Marsha Hinds

It's a tale as old as time, as the saying goes. We find a group, a job, or a person that we think will care for us as we care for them, who will have our backs as we have theirs. Then that tapestry of trust begins to unravel as we discover confidences were not kept, promises were broken, and the relationship not honored. It's easy to spot the red flags in hindsight, but how do we move on when we carry that kind of hurt? Water's (Laguz) rune poem emphasizes this feeling of uncertainty:

Water to men seems everlasting when they must venture on an unsteady ship,

and waves scare them very much; the brine stallion heeds not the bridle.

We can't control our relationships any more than we can control the sea, yet we can learn from our pain. As Sara Al Madani said, "Stay open. Stay soft. Stay wise. Protect your peace, but don't punish the world for what one person broke."

Our Versions of Reality

From the Swietlistej Drogi, the King of Swords; from the Mirrors of the Heart, Healthfulness:

It's funny how humans can wrap their mind around things and fit them into their version of reality.

―Rick Riordan

This King leans on his downward-pointed sword, underscoring his belief that the real world is grounded in logic, evidence and facts. Yet many of us imagine a different reality - either one full of specific desires we crave or one full of fears we attempt to push away. But these hopes and fears are not in the present, thus they are not concrete realities. He asks, "Is it not enough just to deal with what is actually happening this day?" Healthfulness is impacted by our thoughts and the mental stories that we create. As Susan Bauer-Wu points out, "Stories are automatic, and they can carry you away. They can agitate the mind, which in turn agitates the body and shakes up your world in general. "For the sake of your mental and physical health, be mindful of what you mind is up to.

Mini Vacation

 From the Swietlistej Drogi, the Queen of Cups; from the Mirrors of the Heart, Strength:

Laughter is an instant vacation. 

—Milton Berle

Often the Queen of Cups is put in the role of a therapist, someone who lets you talk through your feelings. But if you're lucky, she's also a friend that baptizes you in joy and fun, then lifts your spirits high with laughter. In these uncertain and disturbing times, we need a mini vacation from the darkness. Time spent with those who gladden our hearts and boost our morale also give us an infusion of Strength. This is not the kind of power that pushes forcefully back at the opposition, but the kind that offers gentle resilience. It gives us the courage to keep our hearts open in a world that tells us to keep them closed. 

Acts of Stewardship

From the Swietlistej Drogi, the Page of Swords; from the Mirrors of the Heart, Help:

If you haven't got anything nice to say about anybody come sit next to me.

―Alice Roosevelt Longworth

As much as it might pain us to admit, we've probably all got a little Alice in us. The Page of Swords, who enjoys collecting and disseminating information, would probably have a permanent seat next to her. He hasn't yet learned the importance of making sure what he hears is fact of fiction, he's just excited to pass it along. Help is a reminder that whether we tell stories about others is an ethical choice. Yonatan Hambourger reminds us: "When someone is misrepresented in a conversation, something delicate is placed in your hands. In small communities especially, word travels fast, and a sentence spoken casually can shape a reputation for years. Choosing to correct gently, to remain silent rather than amplify harm, or to speak with care when others are absent—these are acts of stewardship..."

Words of Wisdom?

From the Swietlistej Drogi, the High Priest (Hierophant); from the Mirrors of the Heart, Earth:

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

—Paul McCartney / John Lennon

This High Priest/Hierophant is a deep thinker, studying and writing commentary on scriptures. Centuries ago, the high priest led ceremonies and rituals for atoning for sins, but more importantly, he was considered a mediator between God and the people. He was the mouthpiece of God, offering guidance and correction. I suppose it helps to have authorities who interpret and explain, especially so others don't twist things to suit their purposes. But that doesn't mean the go-between person won't do the same - just look at way the Trump administration has defiled the words of the Constitution. Earth reminds us to plant the words we hear and see if we get briars or good fruit. Perhaps we might take Buddha's advice: "don’t go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought, ‘This contemplative is our teacher.’ When you know for yourselves that, ‘These qualities are skillful; these qualities are blameless; these qualities are praised by the wise; these qualities, when adopted and carried out, lead to welfare and to happiness’ — then you should enter and remain in them."

Initiation

From the Swietlistej Drogi, the Nine of Cups; from the Mirrors of the Heart, Awakening:

Much like those seed pods that only germinate in the heat of fire, the soul seed we carry responds to the heat generated by initiation. —Francis Weller

Happiness and contentment don't always come only when we've made strides in the material realm. Here a woman anoints a person who has the look of a recently released prisoner of war. Difficulties that must be faced and endured often act as an initiation. As Jack Kornfield explains, "Initiation means that you have to go through a narrow place that's so difficult to get through you can't take your baggage with you. It sort of strips you down in some difficult way." Yet for those who don't give up and make it through, a transformation occurs. Francis Weller describes this: "The process yielded someone more attuned to responsibilities than rights, more aware of multiple entanglements than entitlements." Awakening is that stirring of the heart and mind this experience brings. Yes, we find happiness, but we also develop wisdom, courage and compassion.

Eloquence

 From the Swietlistej Drogi, the Ace of Swords; from the Mirrors of the Heart Openness:

Eloquence is a painting of the thoughts.

—Blaise Pascal

I've had teachers who were incredibly smart and well educated, yet they did not know how to explain ideas to others. That kind of teaching results in rote learning without understanding. But then I've also had teachers (and writers) who could paint a picture with their words, illustrating the most complex concepts. Those eloquent communicators are a treasure because they offer insight. Openness suggests that the responsibility is not just on the speaker, but also the listener. As Elena Brower expresses, "Asking more questions and practicing sitting quietly strips certainty away and allows a freshness to emerge, a bright curiosity. Concepts and narratives can fall away, we can venture out beyond self and other, beyond yes and no, dead and alive, right and wrong."

Begin By Descending

This week I'll be using the Swietlistej Drogi Tarot (Tarot of the Radiant Path), created by Alla Alicja Chrzanowska and published by Studio Astropsychologii. I'll also be drawing from the oracle Mirrors of the Heart, created and self-published by Lily S. May. Today's draws are the Three of Wands and Humility:

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. —St. Augustine

Like this fellow, architects and engineers often create small-scale models before building the project that is intended. Bob Borson explains, "Individuals have always seemed to be much more responsive to physical models that have the ability to convey a sense of depth, dimension & texture. All you have to do is put a model in the middle of a room where there are images on all the walls and watch where the crowd spends their time." Threes are about synthesis: knowing what we want to create, being confident in our ability, and making concrete progress. Yet what happens when our "prototype" proves that our calculations are slightly off? Do we bulldoze ahead anyway, or do we back up and rework our plans? Taking the latter course does not mean we have failed but are conscientious. As Simone Weil stated, "Humility is attentive patience."

At What Cost?

From the Mystical Moments Tarot, the Five of Swords; from the Inner Eye Oracle, Misfortune:

Take another little piece of my heart now, baby

―Janis Joplin

There are those who believe they should win at all costs - even arguments. Their tongues can be like a razor blade, intentionally slicing and causing enough hurt that the other person surrenders. We might not visibly see the scars they leave, but the resonance lingers; when something similar is said, the pain resurfaces. Healing often requires putting as much distance between us and the inflictor as possible. Misfortune, however, will follow those with sharp tongues and cold hearts in the form of paranoia. Somewhere in the primitive form of their brain, they assume there will be payback. They obsess, lose sleep, and imagine all the ways others might exact revenge. They might "win," but they will have no peace.

Uncharted Territories

From the Mystical Moments Tarot, the World; from the Inner Eye Oracle, Communication:

When you get into uncharted territory, and you have no idea what you're doing and how it's going to turn out, that's the peak level of creativity. You're with the currents. You're out in the uncharted territories of your own mind. —Will Smith

This woman realizes she is not separate but a part of the planet she inhabits. She reminds me of a show I've been watching and enjoying - National Geographic's "Pole to Pole" with Will Smith. Inspired by his mentor Dr. S. Allen Counter, Smith travels across the seven continents to seek out the most remote places and people, and the stories they have to tell. We get to see the raw beauty of our planet, as well as hear the way Smith's own eyes have been opened. Communication allows us to relate our experiences to each other. We often get stuck in our daily trudge and forget that each day is a new adventure. What would happen if we knew we would end our day by sharing the new things we noticed and learned instead of just complaining?

Big Smiles, Big Burdens

From the Mystical Moments Tarot, the Ten of Wands; from the Inner Eye Oracle, Decision:

No matter how bad you have it, someone will always trade places with you.

—Vince Flynn

I've been a part of the Armchair Theologians book club for well over a decade now; we are a close group and have developed a great respect and fondness for each other. Yesterday I was leading the discussion ("The Cosmic Web"), and we ended a little early. I took advantage of the extra time and asked each person how they were (really) doing. It is always a shock to find out the people who seem to live such charmed lives are often carrying the heaviest of burdens. Decision asks if we would trade lives with another, especially if we are well acquainted with their actual rather than imagined life. We might reconsider the weight of our own loads, seeing them a little lighter than was first thought. People need us to ask about them, especially now, to let them know someone cares how they're doing. As Oliver Stark said, "Often the people with the biggest smiles can be struggling the most."

Accepting the Thorns

From the Mystical Moments Tarot, the Nine of Wands; from the Inner Eye Oracle, the Leader:

If you enjoy the fragrance of a rose, you must accept the thorns which it bears. 

–Isaac Hayes

We often choose a role in life because it sounds exciting - teacher, soldier, activist, nurse, foster parent - only to discover that commitment involves a lot of thorny challenges. Those in it for the glory instead of strongly held values usually don't last long. I suppose it's a way of weeding the most devoted and faithful from those who live in a fantasy world. The Leader card reminds me of a story about the Hindu gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva; they were fighting a battle against demons who wanted to upset the cosmic balance. Losing horribly, the three decided to ask the goddess Durga for help. She responded and defeated the demons soundly. What's the lesson in these two cards? Sometimes those who are the most dedicated, skilled and mighty don't look like the faces we're used to seeing - and that's a good thing to acknowledge.

A Big Difference

From the Mystical Moments Tarot, the King of Cups; from the Inner Eye Oracle, News:

The brain does not treat traumatic memories as regular memories, or perhaps even as memories at all. —Dr. Daniela Schiller

The King of Cups urges us not to let churning emotions sink our ship of insight and judgment. But paired with the News card, it brings up recent research that explains why this is particularly hard for those who've experienced trauma. The study found the memories of “sad” and “calm” events triggered the brain’s hippocampus, which is known to play a role in long-term memory. However, researchers found that when recalling traumatic events, multiple disruptions were triggered in the brain, including hyperactivity within both the amygdala (that processes emotions) and posterior cingulate cortex (internally directed cognition). Instead of recalling an experience, they relived it. Drama queens and trauma survivors have clear neurological differences; as such, their therapy should not be assumed to be look the same.

With a Little Help

From the Mystical Moments Tarot, the Ace of Wands; from the Inner Eye Oracle, Support:

If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don't have to be pushed. The vision pulls you. —Steve Jobs

Reading a gardening book, this young woman is so excited that she can actually envision the flowers she wants to plant and grow. As Jobs said, when we are truly inspired about creating something, we will be eager to get our hands dirty. Yet Support pops up to remind us that it is okay to ask those who have more experience than us for help. Such assistance does not take away from our accomplishments; instead, it might be the ingredient that helps us successfully produce our vision. In the words of Kendra Scott, "We want to show everyone that we can do it all, that we have it under control. But the reality is that asking for help is not a sign of weakness - it is the greatest sign of strength."