Power Claimed

From the Tarot of the Cat People, the Empress; from the Insectorum Divinorum, Butterfly:

If you don’t get out there and define yourself, you’ll be quickly and inaccurately defined by others.

―Michelle Obama

The Empress may not have the authority of the Emperor, but she definitely has power. While he is concerned with control (law and structure), she's interested in flow (growth and sustenance). Hers is an inclusive approach; she rules with empathy and understanding, seeing all the parts and not just a conglomerate. Butterfly is given the keyword fragility: as a creature hypersensitive to the ecosystem, it is a symbol of the climate crisis. This insect reminds us that regardless of our station in life, we can still raise awareness when things have gone off the rails. As Alice Walker said, “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”

Old Shoes

From the Tarot of the Cat People, the Tower; from the Insectorum Divinorum, The Nest:

An old belief is like an old shoe. We so value its comfort that we fail to notice the hole in it.

— Robert Brault

We all hold old beliefs; they're like amulets designed to protect us. But we can get so comfortable with them that we ignore little changes until a big shift knocks us off our feet. We grasp for anything that promises solid ground, but we need to be careful that we're not putting our trust into another illusion. The Nest represents safety and comfort, a place that allows us to grow. Rather than relying on the group or institution that fed us false beliefs to begin with, we need to take time to look at our experience realistically and see where our ideas led us astray. As Vanessa Zuisei Goddard explained, "On the spiritual path, to study means to immerse yourself in the landscape and not just read the map."

Ropes and Snakes

 From the Tarot of the Cat People, the Nine of Wands; from the Insectorum Divinorum, Parasitism:

To heal is to touch with love that which was previously touched by fear.

—Stephen Levine

The booklet describes this Nine of Wands as "expecting difficulties." People who've experienced domestic abuse, an unhealthy work environment, or trauma due to war or natural disasters have a hard time relaxing. As the Arabic proverb says, "Those who have been bitten by a serpent are afraid of a rope." Parasitism, represented by a flea, is a relationship where one organism (the parasite) benefits - taking nutrients or resources -at the expense of another (the host). An Al-Anon or Nar-Anon member would quickly make a connection to such a relationship. Dealing with someone whose chaotic lifestyle creates unending demands keeps a person sleeping with one eye open. Those of us who have trouble enjoying life because we think the objective is to survive it need help to heal. We need those who are compassionate and discerning, people who can point out the difference between ropes and snakes.

Keep an Eye Out

From the Tarot of the Cat People, the Knight of Pentacles; from the Insectorum Divinorum, Hemiptera:

Slow and steady wins the race, not the person who wants to climb the whole stairs in one stride. 

—Michael B. Johnson

The Knight of Pentacles would agree with Aesop: consistent, patient effort is usually more successful than quick, erratic bursts. The Knight is very deliberate in his approach, keeping his eye on the task at hand while avoiding useless distractions. Come hell or high water, he intends to get the job done. Hemiptera is an order of insects known as 'true bugs.' They are distinguished from other insects by their specialized piercing-sucking mouthparts and partially hardened forewings. These insects suggest we slow down our rush to the finish line and pay attention to details. As John Wooden said, "It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen."

Inner Awareness

From the Tarot of the Cat People, the King of Cups; from the Insectorum Divinorum, Dimorphism:

Far from interfering with rationality, the absence of emotion and feeling can break down rationality and make wise decision-making almost impossible. —Antonio Damasio

Neuroscientist Antonio Damasio found that emotions provide the brain with signals about what options are valuable or dangerous. Without these emotional cues, logical analysis becomes paralyzed by endless possibilities. But, the King of Cups cautions, when stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline flood the brain, our focus becomes severely narrowed and our capacity for reasoning greatly reduced. Recovery groups, knowing the danger of becoming emotionally hijacked, emphasize emotional sobriety. As Bill Wilson explained, ""If we examine every disturbance we have, great or small, we will find at the root of it some unhealthy dependency and its consequent unhealthy demand." Dimorphism is the condition when the same species of insects display different characteristics. Look on social media and it seems everyone is living the good life, with perfect jobs, families, and vacations. Yet it is an illusion of happiness; we shouldn't let the outer smiles fool us. This life contains both joy and suffering for all, and our job is to learn how to manage our intense emotions without acting out in dysfunctional ways. It starts with inner awareness.

From the Tarot of the Cats, the Three of Pentacles; from the Insectorum Divnorum, Sphingidae:

The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it. 

―Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Anyone able to train a cat to do a trick has some serious talent. We all have a natural aptitude for something (which we generally enjoy), but rarely are we encouraged to develop it if parents and teachers don't think we can make a living from it. It generally sits in the closet gathering dust until we're much older and have more free time. Since money rarely purchases joy, perhaps we should give more consideration to our gifts, even if they aren't flashy. The Sphingidae are a family of moths commonly called sphinx moths or hawk moths. Because of their agile and sustained flying ability, they are often mistaken for hummingbirds, thus they represent deceptive appearances. As the saying goes, don't judge a book by its cover - there might be something amazing inside.

Be Constructive

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Cat People, created by Karen Kuykendall and published by U.S. Games. I'll also be drawing from the Insectorum Divinorum, created and self-published by Esmeralda Rupp-Spangle. This morning's cards are the Six of Swords and Predator:

I’m very headstrong. Once I’ve caught fire, there’s no dousing the flames — all engines full speed ahead. ―Adachi Zenko

The booklet uses the word 'headstrong' in a description of a card that generally means leaving to find calmer waters. But if we have to leave every time someone annoys us with their opinions or beliefs, we're going to be doing a lot of walking. We're about to have some important elections here in Georgia, so naturally Facebook is full of political posts. People that I thought had common sense are posting and reposting some obviously untrue things. My first reaction is to get off social media, but then I decided I would start fact checking these posts through independent sites such snopes.com and politifact.com, then post what I find. No arguments, just facts and information. Predator is illustrated with bats, a mammal that can consume their body weight in insects every night, including up to 1,200 mosquitoes an hour. Social media will always have its trolls and pot-stirrers, but if we don't react angrily, they don't get their fix. As Paulo Coelho wrote, "It's more intelligent to be constructive."

Tiptoeing Around Elephants

From the Tarot of the Sidhe, the Princess (Page) of Dreamers (Swords); from the Green Man Tree Oracle, Birch (Beith):

By acknowledging how ridiculous something is, people know what’s real again. We need those refreshers. It’s amazing how out of touch people can be when pretending there’s no elephant in the room. ―Karl Kristian Flores

This Princess/Page is always listening to the whispers on the wind, picking up pieces of information like a magnet finds iron. She is clever and perceptive but lacks tact and diplomacy. Similar to an Alzheimer's patient who's lost their social niceties filter, the Princess tells what she sees and hears. Of course, things can get awkward with her announcements, as with the child who pointed out the Emperor was wearing no clothes. Yet she is an ace at clearing the table of games people prefer to play instead of just being honest and open. Birch, because of its ability to quickly repopulate damaged forests, symbolizes new beginnings. It asks us, "Can there be a good conclusion without a good beginning?" Perhaps it is better to be direct and candid than to pussyfoot around any elephants.

Not in Rage

From the Tarot of the Sidhe, the Empress; from the Green Man Tree Oracle, Elder (Ruis):

They knew intuitively they would not find restoration in rage.

—Tom Brokaw

The Empress is She Who Loves Fiercely. As a creator of life, she knows how precious and brief it is, thus she is patient and merciful. She nourishes and nurtures but also renews and restores as well. She is Nature and tells us we must respect its laws even if we don't like them. Elders (Ruis) are known for their intense, rapid regeneration, often regrowing from base shoots or broken branches. It is a symbol of change, growth and the ability to endure great challenges. The past doesn't get any do-overs, but wise intentions and actions today can create a better tomorrow.

Sweet or Thorny

From the Tarot of the Sidhe, the Ten of Warriors (Wands); from the Green Man Tree Oracle, Blackthorn (Straif):

Where there's service, there is someone being served. The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master. 

—Ayn Rand

The Ten of Warriors/Wands illustrates a great sacrifice, yet also reminds us to ask ourselves: "Why am I doing this?" Is our service for the greater good, or to satisfy the wishes of the few? We may need to check and see if we are prioritizing others' wants while neglecting our needs, or whether we are driven by a need for approval. A healthy sacrifice involves freedom of choice, not manipulation or coercion, but with a clear understanding of our 'why.' Blackthorn has a dual meaning, one sinister and one protective. In Ireland, it was used for making both cudgels and walking sticks. A 14th-century Welsh poem describes both sides: "The blackthorn full of spines—but how the child delights in its fruit." Again, we are tasked with asking if what we are doing is truly beneficial or has a thornier side.

Heart Transitions

From the Tarot of the Sidhe, the Three of Dreamers (Swords); from the Green Man Tree Oracle, Hawthorn (Huath):

Grief is love with nowhere to go. —Jamie Anderson

What was once whole is now broken, leaving a feeling of emptiness. I've been watching reruns of "The Closer" lately, and yesterday I watched the episode when Brenda Leigh discovers her mother had died. I don't know who cried harder, the actress or me. Willie Mae (her mother) is so much like my own mom in age and personality. It was a stark reminder and made me wonder if I'm losing more friends and family than gaining these days. Hawthorn, in ancient Irish belief, was associated with the fairy folk who inhabited liminal places. Lone trees at crossroads, boundaries, or holy wells marked transitional entrances. Hawthorn invites us, after we've processed some of our grief, to let it open our heart rather than armor it. Sorrow can help us understand and empathize with others who've been thrown into those depths, kindling a wish to ease their pain. As Charles Dickens wrote, "I was better after I had cried, than before - more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle."

Opening the Fist

From the Tarot of the Sidhe, the Ten of Dreamers; from the Green Man Tree Oracle, Aspen (Éabhadh):

Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.

—Aubrey de Grey

In this Ten of Dreamers/Swords card, trees are uprooted amid a waterfall of blood. We can be so intoxicated with excitement as we shape our plans that we forget to test our ideas against reality. For some of us, it takes a lot of misery before we're ready to give up those dreams. But like a closed fist, we can't receive anything better if we don't open our hand/mind. Aspen (Éabhadh) is a tree that often grows in stands, colonies that share one giant root system. It reminds us that we need the support of other people. Rationalization can keep us from seeing uncomfortable realities, but others can help us see through these defenses, showing us the benefits and drawbacks of our ideas.

Wise Teachers

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Sidhe, created by Emily Carding and published by Schiffer. I'll also be using the Green Man Tree Oracle, created by John Matthews and Will Worthington with Connections as its publisher. Today's draws are Elder (Hierophant) and White Poplar (Eadha):

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. 

— Benjamin Franklin

This Elder/Hierophant invites us to have a seat and learn - not simply information and knowledge, but wisdom. Information consists of organized facts (the 'what'), knowledge is the ability to interpret and apply those facts (the 'how'), and wisdom is the insightful, ethical application of that knowledge (the 'why' and 'when'). Information can be a dangerous thing if not rightly used; wise teachers understand this and want us to grasp it too. White Poplars (Eadha) are often referred to as the ‘whispering’ or ‘talking’ trees. Their long, flattened leaf stalks grow in such a way as to make a noise with every breeze that passes. Matthews describes it as animated - endowed with life, movement, or spirit, typically describing lively, vigorous, or energetic behavior. There are those who teach for power or a paycheck and those who teach because they are passionate about what they want to share. May we all find mentors of the latter variety!

 

Better Things

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Daughter (Page) of Cups; from the Bird Signs/Ascension to Paradise Cards, Phoenix:

Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending. —Carl Bard

The Daughter/Page of Cups is tender, kind and loving. Though her gentle spirit can make her sensitive to the conflict and harsher sides of life, she never loses her sweet core. Her idea of a perfect world is one of harmony and peace. Phoenix is a mythical bird associated with the Sun; it obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. This bird symbolizes the cyclical nature of life; both cards suggest that we should not lose heart when life feels broken. By maintaining our confidence and optimism, we can put things back together - perhaps not in exactly the same way, but still satisfying. As Marilyn Monroe said, “Sometimes good things fall apart so better things could fall together.”

Sock Drawers

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Eight of Earth (Pentacles); from the Bird Signs/Ascension to Paradise Cards, Loon:

In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order. 

—Carl Jung

The Thoth keyword for this card is 'prudence,' while the Vision Quest calls it 'inner order.' It is easy to over expend our energy and other resources when all the world seems to be a mess. Order in our environment does seem to help with inner calm, but we can't line up all the ducks and expect them to stay that way. Attempts to control are not the answer. Yet there are always a few practical things we can do, even if it's only to pay a bill, make a bed, or organize a drawer. Loon's song is often used in movies to denote secluded natural settings and suspense. Its deep dives for food suggest we look within for the insecurities exacerbating the disorder we're focusing on in the outer world. We might practice self-compassion while challenging our assumptions and expectations. Identifying our triggers, like too much social media or TV news, and staying away from them might also be of help. Meanwhile, keep organizing your sock drawer.

Interruptions

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Eight of Air (Swords); from the Bird Signs/Ascension to Paradise Cards, Hawk:

Our new unparalleled access to information has come at the price of our capacity to concentrate on anything much. ―Alain de Botton

The Thoth keyword for the Eight of Swords/Air is in interference. Have you ever been in a mental flow when neurons were firing and ideas were coming together, only to be interrupted? Suddenly our intense focus is shattered by a ringing phone, someone's question or the electricity going out. It might be that our curiosity has chased some information down a rabbit hole, causing us to lose our concentration. Joy Birmingham who teaches "Managing Multiple Priorities," explains that our brain is like a filing cabinet. If we get interrupted, we should briefly write down our last thought or the next step we were about to take before changing gears. Then, when we go back to our task, we'll know what 'file' to look under to help us get back on track. Hawk is built for precision and speed, able to spot prey from 100 feet away, and then dive toward it. But even this bird needs to have its quarry in its sights before making a dive. Likewise, we make need to take a few minutes to find the entrance ramp back to our thoughts and task.

Evolution

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Six of Air (Swords); from the Bird Signs/Ascension to Paradise Cards, Hoatzin:

Change and growth is so painful. But it's so necessary for us to evolve. 

—Sarah McLachlan

In the Thoth viewfinder, the Six of Swords asks us to stop indulging our emotions and journey to the land of reason and objectivity. We need to do some research to find a practical solution for the problem at hand. Hoatzin eats the leaves in its marshy or riverine habitat. Serrations on its beak help cut the leaves into smaller pieces and a ruminant-like digestive system aids in breaking them down. Chicks have two claws on each wing to help them scramble among the branches without falling into the water. These birds have evolved to meet their environment rather than uselessly trying to change it to meet their needs. As Bill Wilson wrote, "It never occurred to us that we needed to change ourselves to meet conditions, whatever they were."

Forget the Straight Line

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Mother of Fire (Wands); from the Bird Signs/Ascension to Paradise Cards, Barbet:

To control fire is to tame a force that defies captivity.

—Nelson DeMille

The Mother of Fire/Wands is confident, passionate and inspirational. Yet she has a mature side to this fiery personality. Fire rarely moves in a straight line; it runs along the ground and up trees, using the wind to send embers to untouched areas. This Mother/Queen is not deterred if she is in the middle of a project and her plan hits a roadblock. She bypasses the hissy fit and moves on to Plan B, knowing the trait of adaptability will serve her objective better. Barbet birds have stiff, hair-like bristles that surround their beaks and eyes, which act as protective shields and sensory tools. This bird implies a need to stay tuned to what we are currently experiencing. If we meet an impediment to our progress, understanding how and where things went off course can help us correct the problem instead of wasting time by insisting things should not be this way.

Where Darkness Lies

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Five of Water (Cups); from the Bird Signs/Ascension to Paradise Cards, Flamingo:

There are some things in this world you rely on, like a sure bet. And when they let you down, shifting from where you've carefully placed them, it shakes your faith, right where you stand.

― Sarah Dessen

The Five of Water/Cups is a card of emotional loss brought on by disillusionment, when our expectations or beliefs fail to line up with reality. And what part of reality did we miss? Alisa Denis wrote: "Ignorance is the way the world feels solid when it’s not, the way the self feels central when it’s not, the way we keep expecting what is changing to finally settle down and behave. Ignorance is not a moral failure, it’s a perceptual one." When feeding, the Flamingo plunges its head into the water, twists it upside down, and scoops up its meal using its upper beak like a shovel. It reminds us to keep a close eye on what is happening right where we are rather than get caught up in fantasies about the future. As the Japanese proverb says, "darkness lies at the foot of the lighthouse." 

A Tiny Shift

This week I'll be using the Vision Quest Tarot, a deck created by Gayle Silvie Winter and Jo Dose (illustrator); it was published by AGM Müller. I'll also be using two combined oracles: Bird Cards and Ascension to Paradise, created by Jane Toerien (author) and Joyce van Dobben (illustrator); they were published by Altamira-Becht and Binkey Kok. Today's draws are Two of Air (Swords) and Owl:

Sometimes all it takes is a tiny shift of perspective to see something familiar in a totally new light.

 —Dan Brown

The Vision Quest Tarot was inspired by the Thoth, so the Two of Air/Swords emphasizes that inner peace is available. But it will require us to make an effort to see ideas from a different perspective, not just from the standpoint of what we desire or think we deserve. If we cling stubbornly to our ideas, we may end up as Michelle Thaller described: "Your brain may be as blind to reality as a grasshopper is to calculus." The Owl has long symbolized wisdom - direct, experiential insight into the true nature of reality rather than mere intellectual knowledge. Clinging to our views can turn us into that grasshopper if we refuse to acknowledge what is.

More than a Bank Account

From the Stone Tarot, the King of Pentacles; from the Buddhist Quote Cards, Dhammapada 12:159:

Your worth consists in what you are, and not in what you have.

What you are will show in what you do. 

—Thomas Davidson

Bank loan officers and brokers will often ask, "What's your worth?" They are interested in our net worth (what we own minus what we owe) and our liquid assets (cash or items easily converted into cash quickly). But the King of Pentacles would tell us it's not about what we have, it's about sustaining and growing what we have or knowing how to begin again if life tilts sideways. The Dhammapada verse reads: "One should do what one teaches others to do; if one would train others, one should be well controlled oneself. Difficult, indeed, is self-control." Before we take advice from others, we should look at the whole of their life - it might tell us more than what this person is trying to sell us.

Cloudy Within

From the Stone Tarot, the Moon; from the Buddhist Quote Cards, Dhammapada 19:256:

Darkness within clouds the world without.

―Anasazi Foundation

Our perception of reality is not an accurate reflection but a constructed interpretation. This subjective view is shaped by our prior experiences, expectations, cultural background, emotions, and physical states. If we're having a bad morning, we're likely going to view everything with the taint of negativity until that mood changes. The Moon reminds us that what we think is going on could be like the reflection of a fun house mirror. The Dhammapada verse reads: "One is not just who judges a case hastily." Be curious rather than rash and include for others' assessments. Clarity can be a complicated thing.