Sacred Duty

This week I'll be using the Wheel of Change Tarot, a deck and book set created by Alexandra Genetti and published by Inner Traditions. The second deck I'll be drawing from is the Oracle of the Dreamtime, a compilation of Australian Aboriginal art and Dreamings by Donni Hakanson; this deck and book set was published by Journey Editions. Today's cards are the Lovers and Emu:

Choosing someone as our partner means investing in our togetherness; that when one of us goes up or down, the other does too. —Rachel Glik

With the Fool, there is unconditional trust as he steps into the world. The Lovers, a harmony of opposites, need trust too if their relationship is to stay strong. This doesn't mean they can't grow and change individually, but it does require a commitment to being trustworthy (honest, dependable and loyal). Such a relationship is not like a business, full of competition, transactions, and status-seeking. The Dreamtime story of Emu and her sister Wild Turkey tells a tale of infanticide and self-mutilation in an effort to outdo the other. No one 'wins' in these kinds of situations and often revenge plays on repeat. The Marines have a saying that sums up their core principles of camaraderie, duty and loyalty: "No man (or woman) left behind." Good partnerships follow the same principles.

Stockpiling

From the Alchemical Renewed Tarot, the Seven of Swords; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Saturn in Pisces:

We have a choice every day to do whatever we do, and that choice is quite scary because it could absolutely change everything about our lives. 

—Andrew Haigh

This fox is building an arsenal, readying for a battle of words. He is like people who, instead of having a hard conversation, save up everything someone else says. Then after months go by, they blow up and hit the other person with a truck load of words, reminding them of all that was said in the past. It's a lot easier to fix something small than to wait until it's become enormous. The discipline and responsibility of Saturn arrive in the empathy and escapism of Pisces. Dealing with big emotions can be scary (and sometimes we do need to wait a beat). But to stuff things down for a long time rather than accepting responsibility for communicating them can result in a collapse of the relationship when things finally explode. It's time to replace those old communication habits with some healthier ones.

Sunny Side?

From the Alchemical Renewed Tarot, the Five of Coins; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Moon in Leo:

You might ask, is there always a sunny side? Maybe not. Or maybe it just reveals itself a little further down the road when our perspective broadens enough to see the whole picture.

―Richelle E. Goodrich

Place makes the statement that even the wealthy can find themselves in this position. Like the unbalanced beggar who reaches out though coins lie at his feet, we are rarely satisfied and constantly consumed with getting more. Place suggests what is missing is something greater than ourselves - the Quinta Essentia (fifth element) - an incorruptible energy of the universe. Focusing on spiritual principles and values rather than ourselves can give us another perspective of the world. Moon in Leo describes someone who is creative, loyal and warm-hearted, yet they always need validation from others. Unfortunately, this need can tank our self-worth when not received regularly. Instead, we might try validating ourselves, using our own yardstick of core values and goals to see how we're measuring up.

Seeking Answers

From the Alchemical Renewed Tarot, the Knight of Vessels; from Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Mercury in Scorpio:

Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life, and you will call it fate. ―Carl Jung

This Knight of Vessels wades into the shallow end of his unconscious to see what is there. Since it speaks through symbolism, he must not take anything too literally but sort out what these symbols mean to him personally. With Mercury in Scorpio, a sharp intellect meets with psychology, creating a profound drive to uncover hidden truths. Information may come out that causes us to reappraise our life. The Knight card seems to question why we frequently make unhealthy, hollow relationship choices, whether with friends or partners. Mercury in Scorpio would suggest three questions to consider:

1. Has unresolved, traumatic childhood experiences shaped our understanding of how relationships work?
2. Does low self-esteem make us think we deserve whatever we get? Do we define our worth by whether we please someone?
3. Are we so uncomfortable being alone that we grab the first available person?

Dangerous Luxury

From the Alchemical Renewed Tarot, the Hermit; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Moon in Taurus:

A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding. 

–Marshall McLuhan

The Hermit represents the alchemical process of exaltation, the final operation that elevates a purified substance into its highest state. He's gained a lot of knowledge but also formed a lot of opinions; now he must look within to see how he got to this point. He uses meditation, first concentrating on something to calm his mind, then uses that clarity to gain insight at what is happening internally. He observes that his stream of experience constantly changes. He notices that the internal (mind) and external (outer phenomena) condition each other, shaping how he views his world. Yet this world is constantly shifting too, and he realizes those opinions and assumptions that appear in the moment may not be useful to keep. The Moon in Taurus is a cushy placement that sends us seeking emotional comfort in physical pleasure, security and consistency. This seems to be a pretty human response, yet the Hermit warns of change coming. Enjoy fully what is, he says, without tightly gripping it, whether it's internal or external.

Untamed, Uncontrolled

From the Alchemical Renewed Tarot, the Chariot; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Venus in Pisces:

I know not of any other single thing that brings such woe as the mind that is untamed, uncontrolled, unguarded and unrestrained.  —Buddha (Anguttara Nikaya)

Place's Chariot is illustrated with the mythical figure of Phaethon, the son of Helios, the sun god. The boy decided he had what it took to fly the sun chariot across the earth; unfortunately, he scorched the earth, dried up rivers and injured people. Zeus then sent a thunderbolt and fried him. Arrogance is fueled by an exaggeration of skills, while self-confidence is based on a realistic assessment of abilities. The Chariot asks us if our impulsive thoughts and emotions hold the reins or if we do. How do we know? Norman Fischer explains that we if we are controlled or compelled by them, then they are guiding us. Venus in Pisces is emotionally porous, vulnerable to the energies and moods of the outer world. Learning to observe our mental weather without being swept away can keep us from being at the mercy of those reins pulling us to and fro.

Chasing Desires

From the Alchemical Renewed Tarot, the Magician; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Venus in Aries:

The discipline of desire is the background of character.

—John Locke

Place describes the Magician as the "soul of appetite, focused on the attainment of worldly desires." In the quote, Locke speaks of desire not as romance, but the way we want, take and consume. All desire starts in the mind, a focus that becomes a plan and strategy, that then manifests when we apply effort to create it. Venus in Aries is fiery, passionate, and unabashedly direct, approaching what is wanted with the zeal of a warrior. The booklet suggests we remain assertive but use gentleness and courtesy. As the saying goes, “you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” Desires are natural, but we need to be discerning about which ones we choose to chase - we might end up with something we didn't bargain on.

Embodied Abundance

This week I'll be using the Alchemical Tarot Renewed along with the book Alchemy and the Tarot, both created by Robert M. Place and published by Hermes Publications. Paired with it will be the Oracle of the Radiant Sun deck and book set, created by Caroline Smith and John Astrop and published through Eddison-Sadd Editions. The draws for today are the Empress and Adaptability (Moon in Gemini):

Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.

—Wayne Dyer

Many indigenous cultures view the land not as a resource, but as an active, living being. It is not surprising that the Empress is seen as an embodiment of the land, a symbol of natural abundance. While there are many who do live in poverty, there are also those of us who have plenty yet live with a mindset of scarcity. Often this is because we get caught in the comparison trap, but we may view resources as a means of control. We may mistakenly think they can protect us against all of life's uncertainties. Moon in Gemini folks process emotions through talking, thinking, and analyzing to understand them fully. Rather than live in fear of never having enough, this card asks us to take a logical look at what we have and how our needs are being met. We may discover that we are rich in ways we never considered.

 

A Flow

From the Fey Tarot, the King of Chalices; from the I Misteri Della Sibilla, the King of Spades:

Think of freedom as a way of experiencing life itself - a continuous flow in which you meet what arises. —Ken McLeod

The King of Chalices is all about equanimity - not indifference or avoidance, but meeting what arises calmly. Of course, he experiences a full range of emotions, but he doesn't get hooked by the mental stories they create. He allows the physicality of them to flow through and out of his body without adding mental fuel. The King of Spades in Sibilla decks can represent a priest, scientist or judge; each of these professions are guided by a particular method: a sacred text, empiricism or the law. When we find ourselves in a rip current of emotions, what method can we use? We let go of putting ourselves and what we want first. Then we attend to what is in front of us.

Examined Lives

From the Fey Tarot, the Seer (High Priestess); from the I Misteri Della Sibilla, the Eight of Hearts:

An unexamined life is not worth living. —Socrates

To "Know Thyself," as the ancient Greeks encouraged, means a practice of self-awareness and personal accountability. We see our strengths and limitations, our motivations, our patterns of behavior, and the defense mechanisms that protect our egos. The Seer/High Priestess understands wisdom and insight requires effort and practice. We're inclined to dismiss what others tell us much more often than when we suddenly see and understand things on our own. She would tell us to study with an open mind, but more importantly, find some time for quiet and stillness to observe and question our thoughts. The Eight of Hearts implies doing pleasant, relaxing things to help restore an optimistic outlook. Relaxing in such ways can relax our minds too, moving us away from future plans or reliving the past. It's a good chance to see where our mind naturally goes, and practice changing the channel if necessary.

Not an Easy Job

From the Fey Tarot, the Three of Pentacles; from the I Misteri Della Sibilla, the Ten of Spades:

In most cases being a good boss means hiring talented people and then getting out of their way. ― Tina Fey

Both of these cards show someone keeping an eye on things. Is it harder to hire people who want to do a good job vs. those who just want a paycheck these days? Lately I've seen a lot of restaurants fold, not because they didn't have a good product, but because they didn't have good management. Good managers manage the flow of business, keeping watch over the whole process while allowing skilled employees to do their job independently. They don't mind jumping into help, whether it's with a customer or a task, but only when it's needed. Yet they also expect their employees not to steal or be slackers (neither is a good way to "adjust" one's pay scale). Look for another job if the pay doesn't reflect the work required. Yet at the other end of the spectrum is the micro-manager (like the lizard on the fey's shoulder), who uses excessive supervision as a means of control and never asks for suggestions. I've been both manager and employee, and neither is an easy job.

Unnatural Compromise

From the Fey Tarot, Justice; from the I Misteri Della Sibilla, the Ten of Hearts:

Those that first ask us to bend our principles a little will ultimately return to ask for more and more. They will, ultimately, require us to contort ourselves into utterly unrecognizable positions. Moral compromise is never a single act. It creates a precedent…and then another, and another.

—Ryan Holiday

Justice is blind - to outer posturing and ostentation. Her gift allows her to be impartial and fair so that truth is served and ethics are upheld. What is it that allows us to move away from these principles? Is it a desire to secure our own comfort, or perhaps to please someone else? As the Holiday quote notes, this is a slippery slope, and at some point, there will be consequences for our choices when balance is restored. The Ten of Hearts represents a constancy in our love for others. This is not to exclude ourselves, but to recognize that we are all a part of a whole - separation is just a mental delusion. Afflictive emotions - those that cause us misery - all begin with the seed of self-absorption.

Handful of Water

From the Fey Tarot, the Ace of Cups; from the I Misteri Della Sibilla, the Two of Diamonds:

That is what happens when the heart door opens- you become less yourself than part of everything. Many are the sentinels who guard that door...

― Roger Housden

A young fey makes an offering of a handful of water. It's like the shy smile offered in a group of strangers, a tendril extended to see if any heart responds in kind. That tentative exchange might be stifled by the memory of past relationships, yet we are animals who thrive on belonging and connection. If we are willing to take a chance and be vulnerable, we might find a friend or partner who can help us discover joy. Though I don't often write them, I do appreciate letters. They tend to be more thoughtful and less rushed, more conversation than just the facts. It is a relationship on paper, yet one that allows us to say what we might not otherwise. Letters and notes can be the handful of water that opens a heart.

The Kindness of Connection

From the Fey Tarot, the Queen of Chalices; from the I Misteri Della Sibilla, the Five of Clubs:

Compassion manifests in us as the offering of kindness rather than withdrawal.
—Sharon Salzberg

The drops emerging upward from the Queen's cup are her version of texts, calls, and letters to see how people are doing. She is a listener, one who can empathize with kindness without self-identifying and drowning in the feelings of others. Compassion isn't trying to fix someone - which is often just a reaction to our being uncomfortable. While we may offer advice if asked for, it's more about bearing witness to someone's pain so they don't feel alone and disconnected. The Five of Clubs suggests good fortune that is created by our own actions. As St. Basil said, "They who sow courtesy reap friendship, and they who plant kindness gather love."