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."