A Worthy Price

This week I'll be using the Stone Tarot, a self-published deck by Alison Stone. I may also dip into her book of tarot poems (Ordinary Magic), although it wasn't written as a companion book. The oracle I'll be using is the Buddhist Quote Cards, painted and published by Diana Altenburg. Even though she has spiritual quotes (from John Lennon to Lao Tzu) on the back of the cards, I have decided to pair each card with a verse from the Dhammapada (a Buddhist text). Today's draws are the Nine of Swords and Dhammapada 16:220:

Grief is the price we pay for love. —Queen Elizabeth II

If we have close friends, family, a significant other or a pet, we likely have experienced the price of love. We worry about their safety, the consequences of their choices, and their health; we often grieve for things often just imagined. Before we spend too many sleepless nights wrapped in tear-soaked sheets, psychologist Lindsey Carnick suggests we ask ourselves three questions:

Is this worry helping them or just hurting me?

Am I trying to control what I can’t control?

Is this based on something real or imagined?

Maintaining our mental balance might bring more help to those we care about than worry. The Dhammapada quote reads: "Just so, in passing from this world to the next, the merit we have made receives us, as a family does the return of a beloved relative." We may think the best way to protect ourselves from worry is to wear an armor of indifference, but doing so leaves those around us without the gifts of compassion and kindness we could offer. Giving of our heart creates expansion, even though it makes us vulnerable.

Response-ability

From the Badgers Forest, the Two of Badgers (Swords); from the Gemstone Oracle, Magnesite:

The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. 

—Henry David Thoreau

Two badgers face off - serious business for animals with such formidable jaw strength. In high density clans, female badges will often compete for breeding rights in order to adjust clan size for resource availability. Major decisions are often based on what we will get from each option, yet it might be wiser to choose based on what each one will cost us, physically, mentally and emotionally. Magnesite represents a state of grounded calmness that grants us clarity, knowing that we are responsible for our choices and actions. As Stephen Covey wrote, "Accountability breeds response-ability." 

Innie or Outie?

From the Badgers Forest Tarot, the Wheel; from the Gemstone Oracle, Carnelian:

Abiding nowhere, awakened mind arises.

—Diamond Sutra

This mouse will soon discover, as he climbs further out on that branch, good fortune doesn't last and misfortune doesn't stay away. As the Wheel of life constantly turns, "abiding nowhere" is a wise option in this world of flux and impermanence. We often work ourselves into a lather as we try to move the Wheel faster toward what looks enjoyable, pull the emergency brake on places of contentment, or backpedal when something unpleasant appears. The Sutra tells us to let our minds open to where we are - enjoying happy times, taking care of our emotions, and dealing with challenges as they appear. Carnelian symbolizes courage and determination, two virtues that can help us deal with the transitory nature of this life. Yet these virtues are states of mind, an internal perspective based on understanding. We can be innies, working with our thoughts, or outies, expecting the world to arrange itself to our desires. As Thomas Oppong wrote: "When you stop forcing reality, clarity arrives on its own."

Relishing

From the Badgers Forest, the Knight of Rabbits (Wands); from the Gemstone Oracle, Citrine:

I am going to try to pay attention to the spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen. 

—Anne Lamott

This Knight is described as always on the move with no clear direction. Head (and ears) on a swivel, he looks for what is agreeable, what is unpleasant and what is boring - moving toward the first and avoiding the last two. He notices things, but does he take the time to appreciate them? Does he see the flowers' colors, hear the owls hoot, feel the sun, smell the salty ocean air, or taste what he eats? Excitement and enthusiasm can cause us to tear through the moments rather than savor them. Citrine, which represents a fresh perspective, is paired with a quote by Rachel Joyce: "You could think you were starting something afresh, when actually what you were doing was carrying on as before." Relish rather than run, little rabbit.

Circle Up

From the Badgers Forest Tarot, the Hanged Bird; from the Gemstone Oracle, Aquamarine:

In a circle, there are no experts – instead there are stories, questions, tears, longings, dreams – and a bunch of equal people who trust their own wisdom and each other’s. 

—Heather Plett

Everyone knows someone who can be described as "never giving an inch." These folks believe their opinions are infallible and should always be heeded. But inevitably, the hard-liner meets reality head-on - hopefully realizing how little power or sway they have. Situations are rarely all black or white, so without knowing or understanding all the circumstances, we should avoid issuing any decrees. Aquamarine symbolizes a dose of common sense with a hefty helping of self-awareness. Can we see beyond what we think is right or wrong, and instead listen to others' experiences and just do something that might help?

A Second Look

From the Badgers Forest Tarot, Temperance; from the Gemstone Oracle, Pink Aventurine:

Sometimes the most significant power lies in what is left unsaid, in restraint, in timing, in the ability to pause. ―Egbearor Favour

This doe must feel a little bit squeezed as she walks through the trees growing so close together. It reminds me of being grounded as a teen, put on restriction for unruly behavior. Humans prefer to indulge their senses and emotions, not simply to satisfy but to submerge ourselves to the point of overflowing. Yet restraint is not a punishment, but a freedom; we don't allow our impulses to influence us irrationally and then end up being forced to deal with the consequences. Pink Aventurine is paired with Marcel Proust's words: “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” Restraint allows us to be resourceful rather than heedless. It allows us to find new, nourishing ways to create, say or do things that our impulses often overlook.

Wonder

From the Badgers Forest, the Kit of Badgers (Page of Swords); from the Gemstone Oracle, Moss Agate:

The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. 

—Dorothy Parker

Curiosity is what gets this Kit/Page out of bed every morning. It's not so much that he craves certainty, it's just that the world is so interesting and surprising that it pulls him like a magnet.  He follows a mystery, asks questions and reads to find answers, only to discover another wonder to uncover. Moss Agate symbolizes growth and natural cycles. As Frederick Douglas said, "Inaction is followed by stagnation." Our minds work the same way - if we think we have all the answers, they become closed and inflexible. As Socrates said, "Wisdom begins in wonder."

Better or Worse?

This week I'll be using the Badgers Forest Tarot, a deck created and self-published by Nakisha VanderHoeven. Along with it, I'll be using my Gemstone Oracle (with actual stones). Today's draws are the Seven of Crows (Pentacles) and Blue Lace Agate:

Patience entails choosing not to respond reactively, allowing other possibilities to arise.

—Gil Fronsdal

What is it that we are waiting for to ripen - test results, an ongoing project, a package in the mail, or simply for traffic or the line to move? Impatience is anger on simmer, and it benefits neither us nor progress. For most of us, it is a habitual reaction - we just don't know what to do with our frustrated energy. The quality of patience involves gentle restraint, calm endurance, and acceptance of what is. If we want to practice it, we first need to distract ourselves, so we'll calm down. Blue Lace Agate embodies the qualities of patience and calmness (it's a great touchstone when we hit simmer). And the quote that accompanies it has sage advice: “Every human interaction offers you the chance to make things better or to make things worse.” (Barbara Brown Taylor)

 

Effort + Encouragement

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Chariot; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Ansuz:

We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort. —Jesse Owens

Orcas are powerful, swimming up to 34.5 mph and armed with four-inch teeth. Our dreams can be just as potent and require us to stay firmly in the lane of reality rather than fantasy (imagination builds, fantasy escapes). When we hit roadblocks or delays, we might be tempted to wig out or give up, but creativity can be a great resource if we avoid those options. Ansuz represents communicated wisdom that inspires and guides. When we're in need of inspiration, we should choose our encouragers with care. As J.W. Goethe wrote, “Instruction does much, but encouragement everything."

A New Objective

From the Animal Totem Tarot, Justice; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Berkana:

Bravery is the choice to show up and listen to another person, be it a loved one or perceived foe, even when it is uncomfortable, painful, or the last thing you want to do.

―Alaric Hutchinson

Like the crane's beak, the sword of Justice points upward - the truth is more inclusive than any personal viewpoint. But lord have mercy, when I am in conflict with someone, it is hard not to feel that my understanding of things is the correct perspective. Yet these times of frustration, according to Pema Chodron, are teachable moments: "They're like messengers that show us, with terrifying clarity, exactly where we're stuck." Maybe I'm not as open-minded as I think if I can't at least listen sincerely to the other person's full story before interrupting. Berakana symbolizes growth and new beginnings but warns that we must let go of our resistance before this occurs. The words of Peace Pilgrim are a good guide for resolution: "Have as your objective the resolving of the conflict, not the gaining of advantage. Be concerned that you do not offend, not that you are not offended."

Ready, Set, Fly

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Six of Swords; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Kano (Kenaz):

Face reality as it is, not as it was or as you wish it to be.

—Jack Welch

The Six of Swords is illustrated with a sugar glider, a small, gliding opossum with a predilection for sugary foods such as sap and nectar. Much like a flying squirrel, it can spread the membrane that extends from their forelegs to their hindlegs and glide up to 55 yards from tree to tree. With nothing solid to grasp onto, necessity is what launches it through the air. What makes us ready to leave the beliefs and mindset we cling to? Kano (Kenaz), symbolizing a torch, suggests that the darkness we've been hiding in (ignorance, denial or avoidance) has been illuminated. Wisdom convinces us that change and action is now a necessity.

Loose the Fireflies

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Nine of Swords; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Uruz:

Thoughts were zipping around my head like fireflies in a jar, bumping into each other, blinking on and off. ―Cameron West

Whip-poor-wills spend the day sitting motionless, becoming active only at dusk. Then they chase and eat insects like moths. These nocturnal birds have LOUD, distinctive voices. They are a fitting symbol for our restlessness and racing thoughts at night - it's hard to ignore them. We worry about what might occur, plan what we want to happen and rehash what we've already experienced. The irony is that none of those things are happening now. Uruz is a rune represented by the aurochs, a great beast similar to the modern-day bison. It suggests we find stability of mind by grounding ourselves in what is concrete, such as a body scan or diaphragmatic breathing. 

Living by Vow

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Devil; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Algiz:

I guess a man is the only kind of varmint sets his own trap, baits it, and then steps in it.

―John Steinbeck

How many times have we made a vow - that we would or wouldn't do a particular thing - then find ourselves blowing up that promise spectacularly? We are easily triggered to slip back into old habits. But from the Buddhist point of view, vows are not something that we do perfectly; we just keep heading toward the horizon even though we'll never reach it. As Koshin Paley Ellison put it, "A vow is about the shape we give our life. Living by vow is a place of practice." Algiz is a rune of protection. Blum writes that the spiritual warrior must not collapse into the highs or lows of emotions. If we can be mindful rather than swept away, we'll keep heading toward the horizon.

Taking Care of Business

This week I'll be using the Animal Totem Tarot, created by Eugene Smith with a companion book by Leeza Robertson; the set was published by Llewellyn. I'll also be using the Blum/Gern Rune Cards created by Ralph Blum and illustrated by Gabrielle Gern with publishing by Connections. Today's draws are the Knight of Pentacles and Sowilo:

What I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving something in its place I have traded for it. 

― Heartsill Wilson

Prairie dogs are named for their habitat and warning calls, which sound similar to a dog's bark. The extensive underground colonies they dig can be recognized by the mounded holes at the burrow entrances, usually 30 to 50 per acre. These mounds serve as lookout points and as a way to keep water from entering the burrows. This Knight of Pentacles reminds us to be good stewards, to protect and care for what we hold dear. Sowilo ("sun") represents positive energy and drive, encouraging us to grow and thrive. While the Knight emphasizes what is external, Sowilo points to the wholeness of our lives, bringing to mind Rumer Godden's words: "...everyone is a house with four rooms, a physical, a mental, an emotional, and a spiritual. Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time but unless we go into every room every day, even if only to keep it aired, we are not a complete person."

Quiet Work

From the Tyldwick Tarot, the Queen of Coins; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, the Moon:

No one sees the quiet work, but that’s where the change happens. Your best results will come from the habits no one claps for.  —Aishwarya Mani Tripathi

Being "Water of Earth," it is not surprising to find this queen's portrait in a water garden. She may not be outspoken (as the Queen of Swords), flamboyant (like the Queen of Wands), or deeply empathetic (as the Queen of Cups), but she is practical and resourceful. She believes in starting with basic needs then working outward; her actions of kindness are concrete and useful. While what she does is not flashy, people appreciate and are reassured by her nurturing. The Moon in Lenormand is unlike the Moon card in tarot. It represents recognition and honor, just as the sun shines on the moon and allows it to reflect light. Small things done can mean a lot to those who are in need.

I Can See Clearly Now

From the Tyldwick Tarot, the Star; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, the Sun:

Given that both joy and pain are inevitable parts of life, what would a healthy, insightful response to the sheer fact of this reality be? ―Dale S. Wright

The Star offers us a place to pause and recuperate after the shock of our fall. When we are open to see the truth, it points to the problem of ignorance (not a lack of knowledge but rather a misunderstanding or misperception of the nature of reality and of ourselves). The Sun brings the antidote of wisdom, which exposes an accurate view of all things: nothing generates itself; nothing stands on its own; and nothing just is what it is forever. In other words, everything is in relationship to all else, created by causes and conditions that are impermanent and subject to change. Seeing with clarity, what would a wise response be in this moment?

Reward System

From the Tyldwick Tarot, the Nine of Cups; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, Coffin:

The brain effectively developed an in-house reward system for altruistic, prosocial behavior.

—Suzanne Degges-White

The 'wishes granted' card shows nine decanters of perfume. Our sense of smell is connected to the olfactory bulb, a part of the brain's limbic system that is often called the "emotional brain." Our brains forge a link between a smell and memory; good times produce good memories. Yet the sweet smell of such bottled fragrances only last two to three years, as the Coffin alludes to (endings). However, researchers have found that while self-focused actions can give us a feel-good bump, altruistic actions provide a more durable, long-term boost to our well-being. Such prosocial behavior engages us and gives us a feeling of belonging. 

Incoming Messages

From the Tyldwick Tarot, the Chariot; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, Birds:

The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master.

—Robin Sharma

The charioteer is represented by a statue known as Ephebe of Agrigento. Ephebe is a Greek term that describes a male adolescent who is in military training. His 'horses' are Naxian sphinx statues, symbols of power. The Greeks saw them as merciless - if you couldn't answer their riddles, you got eaten. How often have we vowed to do or change something, only to have our emotions or desires steer us off course? The Chariot is about learning to harness the senses, emotions and instincts so they work for us rather than against us. The Birds card symbolizes conversation, but because these birds are woodpeckers who often drum to communicate, this conversation might be of a different sort. Perhaps it an internal one from our body sending us a message. According to research, physical sensations within the body can cause psychological effects, and the ability to perceive and interpret those signals (interoception) can have a profound influence on mental health. We need to pause and question what's going on within us, using discernment before we follow or ignore those messages.

Equity, not Sameness

From the Tyldwick Tarot, Justice; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, Stars:

Fairness does not mean everyone gets the same. Fairness means everyone gets what they need. 

—Rick Riordan

The scales of the Justice card are a reminder that the quality of fairness is what keeps things in balance. But it's not cut and dried, like slicing a pie and giving everyone a piece that's exactly the same size. A person who steals food should not get the same sentence as a person who robs a bank. A homeless person will need more help than a person living in the suburbs with a nice house. Justice is about equity, realizing that people have different strengths, challenges and limitations. The Stars card uses a compass rose that indicates the cardinal directions and their intermediates, suggesting guidance. When wanting to level the field, people at the top may assume they know what the people at the bottom need. But those who are wise will be guided by the answers to questions they ask rather than the assumptions they make.

Put It on the Priority List

From the Tyldwick Tarot, the Five of Coins; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, Clover:

The human body’s adaptability is a testament to its remarkable design and evolutionary history. 

– Dr. Moses Lee

The Five of Coins shows a neglected outbuilding covered with vines and surrounded by weeds and dilapidated furniture. Likewise, the human body is often ignored. When we're busy, its needs often get overlooked until we are in pain or sick. But if we plan on traveling around in it for a while, it deserves our care. Clover - a symbol of hope and opportunity - reminds us that while our body isn't bullet proof, it is resilient. Managing our stress levels, eating healthy, exercising and getting rest can acknowledge all this wonderful vehicle of ours does for us. 

A Field at Rest

This week I'll be using the Tyldwick Tarot, created and self-published by Neil Lovell. I'll also be using the Antiquarian Lenormand, created and self-published by Maree Bento. Today's draws are the Four of Swords and House:

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a beautiful crop. 

—Ovid

The wheelchair in this card reminds me of hospital policies that require those who are discharged to be wheeled out to the car that picks the patient up. Though they do it mostly to limit liability, the staff also knows the body can be weak and wobbly from a hospital stay. Yet in the Four of Swords, the body is not what is incapacitated but the mind; it is the part of us that desperately needs a break. It's time to take a mental health day - go for a walk, feel the breeze, listen to bird song, and enjoy the flowers making their debut. The Home card suggests a sanctuary that can offer support. As Maya Angelou said, "Home is a refuge not only from the world, but a refuge from my worries, my troubles, my concerns." However, don't let your mind lure you into worrying about what needs to be cleaned or fixed!

Holy Encounters

From the Touchstone Tarot, the High Priestess; from the John Waterhouse Oracle, Then Missal:

When the eyes and ears are open, even the leaves on the trees teach like pages from the Scriptures.

—Kabir

The High Priestess coyly asks why we want to learn to meditate and uncover hidden knowledge. Most of us would answer that we want to master relaxation and discover how to transcend all the daily worries and challenges we encounter. She would reply, "But I only offer a way to Truth, not a way to bypass the hard parts of life. However, the insights you glean can allow you to engage life wholly, wisely and compassionately." The Missal depicts a young woman reading from a daily prayer book. The open window suggests that spirituality's purpose in not just to make us comfortable; it is meant to be carried with us so that it positively affects all that we encounter in the world. 

But Don't Forget...

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Page of Cups; from the John Waterhouse Oracle, Jason and Medea:

Intuition, like first impressions, serves the brain’s need to predict and prepare for what will happen next.

—Psychology Today

The sensitive Page of Cups embodies that tug on the heartstrings feeling. It's no wonder this Page is given a big fish (intuition); his airy nature needs to grow to compensate for his surplus of emotions. Scientifically, intuition is the brain's ability to automatically process information, recognize patterns, and make rapid decisions using past experiences. But it only helps us if we pay attention to it. Jason and Medea are perfect examples of the heart ignoring all reason. Medea gave Jason a potion to help him succeed in all the tasks for him set by her father. Jason is eventually victorious and marries Medea. But later, he desires another wife, leading to Medea poisoning his new bride and his sons. As Alfred Adler said, "Follow your heart but take your brain with you."

Seeds

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Moon; from the John Waterhouse Oracle, the Priest of Aesculapius (a trimmed portion of A Sick Child brought into the Temple of Aesculapius):

For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. —Luke 8:17

A young woman stands between two statues as she stares at a crab. The statues mimic the pillars of the High Priestess, but here there is only confusion rather than wisdom. Sane Americans are feeling a bit looney right now, as if we are losing our sanity. But it's really a normal reaction to the antics of the Looney Tunes characters in Washington, D.C. Kat Black says of this card, "Nature's cycles always turn; that which is hidden will be revealed." May clarity soon find a foundation of action. Aesculapius, the Roman god of medicine, was revered for his ability to heal. With regards to our nation and its democracy, that healing must begin with us. As poet Dinos Christianopoulos reminds us, "They tried to bury us. They didn’t know we were seeds."

Be Your Own Advocate

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Two of Swords; from the Waterhouse Oracle, John Waterhouse:

Don't waste your energy trying to change opinions... Do your thing and don't care if they like it. 

—Tina Fey

The Touchstone's portrait is of Christina of Denmark; Henry the VIII ordered a painter to go out and paint pictures of young women for him to consider for marriage. Henry fell for Christina, yet she is said to have replied that she might consider his proposal, "if I had two heads." No wonder this young lady was not given a blind fold - her eyes are wide open with that choice. John Waterhouse was known for depicting the inner life of women from myths and literary works. His crossed arms suggest that he likes what he paints, regardless of other opinions. These two cards brought to mind a phrase made popular by Archie Bunker (All in the Family); "If they don't like, they can lump it; take it down the road and dump it."