Shifting the Focus

From the Morgan Greer Tarot, the Five of Coins; from the Celtic Book of the Dead, the Island of Trees:

At its core spirituality helps to give your life context. It's not necessarily connected to a specific belief system or even religious worship. Instead, it arises from your connection with yourself and with others, the development of your personal value system, and your search for meaning in life.

—Mayo Clinic

Rather than focus on loss and illness, the Morgan Greer suggests that our spiritual practice can be a great comfort in our distress. It can keep us tethered to what connects us and sustains us, offering us strength and a hope for change instead of obsessing about how bad things are. Passing by the Island of Trees, one of the seafarers broke off a branch that began to grow apples after three days, feeding them all for over a month. It suggests that we look for the simple things we can appreciate, even when we are going through hard times.  And as Ralph Blum stated, it can be transformative: "There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy."

Stray Cats

From the Morgan Greer Tarot, the Five of Cups; from the Celtic Book of the Dead, the Island of Black and White:

Having turned yourself around, accepting your situation, set foot on the path, spiritual energy will marvelously transport you. —Hongzhi Zhengjue

This fellow is experiencing disappointment and despair, a normal response to loss or unmet expectations. What he hasn't gotten around to yet is acceptance. He's too busy denouncing and blaming the person, place or thing he thinks has caused his pain. But as Carl Jung stated, "Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses." The Island of Black and White had a flock of sheep that turned black or white, changing from one color to the other as they crossed a boundary. Our emotions are like stray cats - if we feed them, they stick around. If we don't, they move on. As Percy B. Shelley wrote, "Man's yesterday may ne'er be like his morrow; nought may endure but mutability!"

Not Just an Opinion

From the Morgan Greer Tarot, the King of Swords; from the Celtic Book of the Dead, Sea of Glass:

If you want to assert a truth, first make sure it’s not just an opinion that you desperately want to be true.

― Neil deGrasse Tyson

The King of Swords is an intellectual authority, an advocate of truth, and a promoter for logic and reason. He knows truth can change as investigation uncovers more information, but he is very much aware of how personal beliefs, emotions, and desires can muddy the waters. As Tyson stated, "If your personal beliefs deny what's objectively true about the world, then they're more accurately called personal delusions." The Sea of Glass was a portion of the journey when the ocean's bottom could be seen clearly by the sailors. It asks us to be willing to discern fact from fiction, regardless of how we want or think things should be.

Not Worthy of Hysterics

This week I'll be using the Morgan Greer Tarot, created by Bill Greer and Lloyd Morgan and published by U.S. Games. I'll also be using the Celtic Book of the Dead, published by Grange Books, created by Caitlin Matthews and illustrated by Danuta Mayer. Today's draws are the Ace of Swords and the Sea of Mists:

Who is your enemy? Mind is your enemy. No one can harm you more than your own mind untamed. And who is your friend? Mind is your friend. No one can help you more than your own mind, wisely trained — not even your own mother and father. 

—Dhammapada

The booklet gives the keywords "glorious conquest, power and strength" for the Ace of Swords. But this is not a description of a king or warrior, it is the might of a disciplined mind. Our mind is a constant flow of thoughts that tell us all kinds of things, many of them untrue or unfounded. The problem is that it generally focuses on the past it knows, rather than just seeing things objectively. The seafarers who traveled to the Celtic Otherworld found themselves struggling with this when they suddenly found themselves floating on water that became like a mist. They could even see a monster stealing cattle below them. When our mind is confused, it runs to old memory files of what it knows of the world. In this case, clouds can't support a boat, so it's time to freak out. Yet the objective, logical mind would ask, "What is actually happening, what evidence do you see?" In their case, something wondrous and mind-bending, but not worthy of hysterics.

Break the Cycle

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Ace of Swords; from the Marseille Oracle, the Clock/Destiny:

Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice. – Baruch Spinoza

This Ace of Swords divides a world into peace (dove) and war (eagle); according to the booklet, one does not exist without the other. Indeed, throughout recorded history, there has been no period entirely free from conflict. And today I see that the Trump regime has joined Israel in bombing Iran. Holy shit, what is wrong with this administration? Perhaps the words of Johan Galtung explain things: "Peace equals the ability to handle conflict, with empathy, nonviolence, and creativity." Empathy and the ability to be creative in diplomacy is definitely not in Trump's wheelhouse. The Clock suggests repetitious cycles, which fits with human's penchant for war. Instead of doing the same thing over and over and getting the same results, we would be wise to heed the words of Albert Einstein: "We must be prepared to make heroic sacrifices for the cause of peace that we make ungrudgingly for the cause of war."

A Good Escape

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Page of Pentacles; from the Marseille Oracle, the Anchor:

She kept her nose in a book and her head in the clouds. 

—Karen Robards

This Page finds studying fascinating; the more he learns, the more he wants to know. Yet he hasn't figured out that ideas are not reality, and his studies often keep him from experiencing the real world. Reading and learning are fun, but to be useful, we need to apply or test the knowledge we've gained. The Anchor suggests that people are a good way to ground ourselves. When we talk ideas over with others, we get different perspectives and hear different experiences. Good friends will gently steer us back to reality when we're about to fall down a bottomless rabbit hole. While books can be a good escape, they should also make us want to enjoy the world too. 

A Little Key

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the Marseille Oracle, Secrets:

A very little key will open a very heavy door.

―Charles Dickens

A well-dressed fellow admires an exotic tree and bird in his garden. The key on the Secrets card reminds me of all the questions people ask of those whose lives they envy: "What's the secret to your success?" "What's the key for your longevity?" "What do I need to be happy?" Most just want to fast-track their desires. But that little key Dickens talks about is just the willingness to apply consistent, ongoing effort to achieve what we want. A simple solution, but one many folks don't want to hear.

Lies and Amends

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Five of Swords; from the Marseille Oracle, Amends:

We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter. 

—Denis Diderot

This fellow has been swindled in a game, losing all of his money. Of course, the con man first had to convince the mark how skilled he must be and how he could easily take the swindler's money. The Five of Swords is often viewed as a forceful argument yet lies also work - both often end with the self-congratulatory pride of a winner and the shame and anger of a loser. Amends suggests that the offender realizes his mistakes and wants to apologize. As the 12 & 12 (AA) tells us, "He can make little headway in this new adventure of living until he first backtracks and really makes an accurate and unsparing survey of the human wreckage he has left in his wake." The hurt party would likely prefer a living amends (sustained, honest and positive behavior) rather than a moment of humiliation.

Don't Tell Me What to Do

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Page of Wands; from the Marseille Oracle, Unexpected Changes:

When people feel that their choices are restricted, or that others are telling them what to do, they sometimes rebel and do the opposite.

—Elizabeth D. Hall

The booklet describes this Page as an idealist who feels the need to tell others what they should or shouldn't be doing. Perhaps the second boy didn't break the tree but found it that way. Yet as soon as the Page starts preaching, he creates a massive barrier to any further discussion. "Don't tell me what to do!" is the likely response from anyone who feels judged by another, regardless of who was right or wrong. Unexpected Changes suggests that this Page might mature and realize that asking questions rather than making demands might be a better approach. When people are listened to and feel like they have choices, they are more likely to open their mind. 

Absence of Stability

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Moon; from the Marseille Oracle, Well-being:

Intuition cannot be trusted in the absence of stable regularities in the environment.

—Daniel Kahneman

We are a pattern-seeking people - our brains evolved to recognize structure and order to aid learning, decision-making, and survival. But what happens when we find ourselves in continual chaos, when confusion becomes the only constant? Then we're on the path entre chien et loup, between a dog and wolf, when things are too ambiguous to see clearly and accurately. Rather than wander in the fog trying to fix things, Well-being suggests we sit ourselves down and focus within. We practice self-regulation, a method to help keep negative emotions in check and allow us to think before we react. Mindfulness and cognitive behavioral techniques are useful for this, and a much better use of our time than worrying or raging.

Collaboration

This week I'll be using the Russian Lubok Tarot, created and self-published by Eugene Vinitski and Sergey Savchenko. I'll also be drawing from the Marseille Oracle, a deck created and published by Lo Scarabeo with a little booklet written by Isa Donelli. Today's draws are the Three of Pentacles and Hearth:

We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community… Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own. —Cesar Chavez

This Three of Pentacles shows three masters in their respective field working together to build a temple. The booklet brings up the term "sobornost" - a term that expresses the need for co-operation between people as an alternative to individualism and socialist collectivism (group goals over individual interests). With each person using the skills and knowledge they have, they work together; what is important is the result that is achieved. Hearth emphasizes that families need the same type of collaboration and solidarity to prosper. Unity with diversity is possible if we aren't consumed with just our own or our group's desires.

Take a Chance

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Ace of Coins; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Chance:

They say, ‘Look before you leap.’ So look. But do not look for too long. Do not look into the void of uncertainty trying to predict each and every possible outcome, to evaluate every possible mistake, to prevent each possible failure. — Vironika Tugaleva

The Ace of Pentacles offers us a tangible opportunity, something we can actually do. Maybe it is to buy a new pair of shoes, start an exercise program or check out a place new in our community. But we can get stuck in overthinking everything, ruining the possibilities before we even begin. Chance encourages us to take those small risks; even if nothing productive comes from them, it gives us an opportunity to try something different. Live a little!

A Powerful Addiction

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Ten of Swords; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Moon:

Judging mind is a very strong addiction, and you don’t step out so easily when you have a powerful addiction. —Corrado Pensa 

One of the most valuable assets we can own is a stable and discerning mind. This kind of mind is inclusive of all the information available and does not act or make choices without calming the emotions first. The judging mind is based solely on what it hates or wants to avoid, what it craves or doesn't want to lose, and ignores information that doesn't affect it directly. Problems arise when the winds of reality begin bending our ideas; rigidity is a danger, and can send us to a dark, frightening place. The Moon shows its phases and emphasizes that our mind needs to be able to change its views too. An open mind, calm reflection, and a willingness to shift our perceptions so they align with the facts can help us stay out of those deep holes.

Forget the Prince

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Nine of Cups; from L'Oeil de Lotus, Healing:

If you look to others for fulfillment,

you will never truly be fulfilled.

—Tao Te Ching, 44

This image has the song from Disney's Snow White running through my head: "Some day, my Prince will come." Often our wishes are fulfilled, but then after a period of time we find the prince or princess we expected to bring us contentment failed to do so. Is it the other person's fault? Not if we thought it was their duty to make us happy and fill our emptiness inside. Healing comes when we discover we don't need another person to make us feel good about ourselves. Instead, we find a cause or a passion and dig into it. It is what we do and think that can make us feel whole. As Christina Grimmie said, "Confidence is not, 'They will like me'. Confidence instead is, 'I'll be fine if they don't'."

Gain and Loss

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Chariot; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Loss:

Those who are truly wise will remain unmoved by feelings of happiness and suffering, fame and disgrace, praise and blame, gain and loss.

—Buddha

This fellow, with his beard blowing in the wind, is making good time. But the faster we go, the less control we have, and the less we notice along the way. I'm celebrating my birthday today (my Medicare and Social Security debut, as my mother called it). At this point, I've lived more life than I have life left. So, while I want to keep moving and progressing, I don't want to do it at top speed. I want to appreciate the small joys and wonders that busyness didn't allow me to notice. Loss - a magpie with someone's piece of jewelry - is a reminder that aging does take some things and people away from us. Yet it can also bring gains in wisdom, if we keep our minds open, attentive and curious. 

Choose Another Door

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Seven of Swords; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Protection:

Your triggers are pathways to your wounds. The stimulus is only a door.

―Sanhita Baruah

This woman shields herself from the swords stuck in the sand - they are mental triggers (untrustworthy thoughts) that can take her right off a cliff. As a mentor for women in recovery, I have borne witness to the wreckage of relapse. It doesn't matter what it is that yanks our leash, the trigger will set shame, stress, or fear in motion, causing the mind to reach for old habits to find solid ground. Protection - illustrated by salt and iron nails - suggests we need to find a ramp that lets us rise above our usual reactions. It will likely involve identifying and challenging negative or irrational beliefs and replacing them with healthier habits and coping strategies. We don't have to keep walking through that old door.

Options of the Heart

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Woman:

How can we deal with suffering? There are three options we can choose: we can suppress our feelings, we can feel them, or we can grow from them. 

—Robert Puff

A rose, a symbol of the receptive soul, has been stabbed with three swords. The people looking on have closed down their suffering by shutting out the part of their world that caused the hurt. There is a bit of Buddhist wisdom that says, "There is an injury behind every fault or shortcoming." In other words, freezing a part of our heart in order not to feel or deal with what hurts only hurt us - shrinking our world as we slowly become cold, uncaring people. The feminine energy of Woman reminds us that there is a healthier way - open to our pain, let our heart feel it, and allow it to help us grow into a stronger, more complete person. 

Prudence, Please

This week I'll be using the Cosmic Tarot, created by Norbert Losche and published by U.S. Games. I'll also be drawing from L'Oeil de Lotus (Eye of the Lotus), created by Colette and Gérard Lougarre and published by Vox Arkhana. Today's cards are the Six of Cups and Caution:

Don't think I've left you all behind,

Still love you and Tennessee

You're always on my mind.

And mama, every Saturday

I can hear your southern drawl a thousand miles away.

—Chappell Roan

It's funny how we think our parents are so out of the loop when we're young. Then we grow up, make a lot of bad choices, and figure out they were much wiser than we thought. This young girl seems to be having an epiphany in the middle of the young man's romantic moves. Can she hear her mom's voice warning her of those who promise the world then leave you with nothing? Caution urges us to pay attention to the warning signs around us. We can be so blinkered by what we want (and how quickly we want it) that we ignore all the red flags waving in our face.  There's a reason for those stupid caution labels on everything these days!

Investment

From the Somnia Tarot, the Ace of Coins; from the Spirits of Nature Oracle, Air:

The key is in not spending time, but in investing it.

—Stephen R. Covey

In a half-buried chest, a treasure awaits - but not necessarily the kind we can put in the bank. Each day we have the resource of time to spend, and some moments hold something valuable. It may be unexpected free time to practice a new skill or enjoy a hobby. Perhaps it is a day with lessening pain or illness that allows us to move more freely. What bit of contentment can we uncover today? Air is given the keyword 'ruach,' a Hebrew word that means spirit, breath or wind. How could we spend a little of our day investing it in what inspires us, what fills us with a joy for life?

Adaptive or Maladaptive?

From the Somnia Tarot, Judgment; from the Spirits of Nature Oracle, Cave:

Guilt is just as powerful, but its influence is positive, while shame is destructive. Shame erodes our courage and fuels disengagement.  ―Brene Brown

Judgment is a wake-up call. It's like being in a dark house with all the windows and doors covered and shut, and then suddenly opening them and allowing the sun to shine through. Our perspective is completely changed, and we see clearly our mistaken views and misdeeds. Problems arise when instead of feeling guilt (I did something wrong), we feel shame (I'm a worthless person). Research has shown that guilt is adaptative (we have a positive focus - amends and restitution). But shame is maladaptive and often associated with substance abuse and other problems. The Cave implies an initiation, and shame is a hellish one. How do we move into and through it? Consider seeing a therapist or joining a support group. Pause any negative self-talk and replace it with something positive, such as: "I am worthy and deserve to have a good life." Don't give up; that light will shine again.

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.