Living Musically

From the PetraK Tarot, Art/Temperance; from the Astrodice, Moon in Gemini, First House:

In the end we shall have had enough of cynicism, skepticism and humbug, and we shall want to live more musically. ―Vincent Van Gogh

Unlike Temperance in RWS based decks, the PetraK Tarot sees this card from a Thoth perspective. There is no walking a fine line between extremes, but a wholesale effort to combine contradictory or opposite elements into one pot. Nothing is ignored; all parts are included to enrich the whole. When researchers measure light as a particle or wave, they find what they are looking for. Yet in a sense, light is both wave and particle, and it is neither. When we stop expecting and assuming, separating what we prefer from what we don't, we discover a much more diverse and astonishing world. The Moon in Gemini within the First House describes a person who is a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, while continually tuned in and soaking up those of others. All the while, nothing is hidden. There are no deceptive intentions or agendas. Receptivity and honesty are tools that can help us live "more musically."

Seasonal Activity

From the PetraK Tarot, the Ace of Disks; from the Astrodice, Uranus in Scorpio, 6th House:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

—Ecclesiastes 3:1

Just as the seasons change, this disk spins. At certain times, we are given the raw materials to create, grow or heal. All that is needed is our willingness and effort before the opportunity passes us by. As Michelangelo stated, "There is no greater harm than that of time wasted." In the Astrodice roll, the revolutionary energy of Uranus melds with Scorpio's intensity, transforming daily work and health routines. Just because something looks new or unusual doesn't mean it won't be useful!

Speaking of seasons, this is the kind of summer we're having here in South Georgia:

That's about 39 C. Add in our humidity, and the heat index bumps up to 113 F/45 C. 

Intentional Choices

From the PetraK Tarot, the Magician; from the Astrodice, Neptune in Pisces, 7th House:

Intentional living is the art of making our own choices before others' choices make us. 

—Richie Norton

This undefinable Magician moves along the narrow path between illusion and reality, imagination and the concrete world. He symbolizes active will and the possibility of making an idea come true. His first step is creating an intention - focusing his mind one a specific goal then mentally organizing the factors needed to carry it out. But the AstroDice roll implies there might be a distraction ahead. Partnerships for Neptune in Pisces tend to be like a sponge, soaking up each other's energy and emotions. As Melody Beattie wrote, "We take things to heart that we have no business taking to heart." It's okay to have our own sense of self and spend time creating what we want and need.

No Ladders

From the PetraK Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the Astrodice, Jupiter in Pisces, 4th House:

No matter how bad things are, you can always make things worse.

― Randy Pausch

The Sword suit is double-edged, both a gift and a whammy with its honesty and clarity. Just as we're skipping through life, blissfully unaware of things, a sword gets driven into the ground in front of us. We are forced to wake up to reality, no matter how painful. After several years of disciplined exercise, healthy eating, prescribed supplements and infusions for osteoporosis, my latest tests showed no improvement but a decline. The radiologist said I've got a 50% chance of a hip fracture. I was not prepared for that bit of reality. The Astrodice roll suggests I let compassion and my spiritual path expand my perception instead of panicking. I obviously have some little quirk that is resisting treatment. I am working closely with my doctor, who has ordered some unusual tests (all the usual ones are fine) to see if the cause can be uncovered. She has said there are also injections that might be an option. I have done what I can and will put my fear and disappointment on the shelf as I wait for results and her recommendations. I do not want to squander what is good with worry, but I will not be climbing ladders for a while!

Shared Project

From the PetraK Tarot, the Princess of Discs; from the Astrodice, Venus in Taurus, Eighth House:

Perhaps the secret of living well is not in having all the answers but in pursuing unanswerable questions in good company. —Rachel Naomi Remen

The Princess of Discs is quiet and reserved but hardworking and trustworthy. Like the light that infuses her body, she is open to new ideas and projects. However, once one is chosen, she maintains her focus and locks onto a target to ground it in practical ways. Venus in Taurus within the 8th house creates a slow moving but deeply intimate relationship filled with the pleasures of sharing what each partner brings to the table. What better endeavor could there be than an exciting project to work on together as long as there is patience in the mix?

Seeking the Gifts

This week I'll be using the PetraK Tarot, created by Petra Reiter-Köck and published by Piatnik. The oracle I'll be using this week is the AstroDice, created by Wessex Astrologer Ltd. It consists of three dice: one for Planets, one for Signs and one for Houses. Today's draw and roll are Death and Neptune in Cancer, 1st House:

No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man. ―Heraclitus

I'm currently reading Joan Chittister's Gift of Aging. In her introduction, she states that the book is not about dying because we don't need to get old to die. Change and loss begin soon after we're born as a natural part of impermanence. In Petra's card, the scorpion represents the sting of loss, but the butterfly symbolizes the beauty and understanding that can come too. Yet if we cling to tightly to the sting, we miss the gift. Neptune in Cancer within the 1st House suggests being viewed by others as a person who drifts toward people and places that feel like emotional home. In times of great change and bereavement, that seems like a sane and safe response in order to learn to accept and to heal.

Sleeping with a Mosquito

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Ace of Fire/Wands (Mullein); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Blood Moon:

If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.

―Dalai Lama

Mullein seems like an unusual choice for the Ace of Wands/Fire at first glance; its soft flannel-like leaves have been used medicinally to soothe coughs and sore throats. Yet while it starts small, as a low-growing rosette of leaves, in its second year mullein produces a very noticeable flower stalk 5 or more feet tall. Dating back to Roman times, mullein torches were made from the dried flower stalk coated in beeswax or tallow, which allowed a 10 to 15 minute burn time per inch. The companion booklet encourages us to let desire lead courage - that flame can prod us forward to try new things. Blood Moon tells us to step into our power without letting our ego direct it. Ego hampers our progress because it focuses on "Will this make me look stupid?" or "Will this make me look cool?" We don't have to leave common sense behind, but we should let our creative ideas blossom unhindered. 

A Life to Remember

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, Death (Marigold); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Honey Bee:

I shall not die of a cold, my son. I shall die of having lived.

—Willa Cather

Marigolds are used on many Día de los Muertos altars; these flowers are said to guide the souls of the dead to family altars using its bright color and strong scent. Monarch butterflies, traversing thousands of miles during its migration, are also a symbol of this holiday. While other cultures might question this celebration, the words of Jack Lemmon explain it: "Death ends a life, not a relationship." Making death an acquaintance is not a bad idea, as it reminds us of what is precious and important. Plus, we'll all have to make that migrational journey at some point. Honey Bee emphasizes what we should be focusing on while we still can. These insects work together to gather pollen to create food for the hive while also pollenating plants. Purpose and meaning can be found in relationship and through altruistic actions - things that create a life worth living and remembering.  

Sharing Wisdom

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the World; from the Green Wheel Oracle, the Hearth Moon:

There is no delight in owning anything unshared. —Seneca

Rather than a single herb, this World card is paired with Pachamama (Mother Earth) - a living being who nourishes and supports all. As we complete a major phase or undertaking in our lives, the World suggests we share our insights and wisdom with others. We've been blessed with the knowledge and understanding of many sages throughout history: Siddhartha Gautama, Aristotle, Jesus of Nazareth, and Marcus Aurelius, to name just a few. Yet Hearth Moon, a time of preparation, implies we should tie up loose ends, let go of old habits, and clean up our side of the street first. Only by seeing the changes we have made in ourselves will others think we have anything to offer that is worth hearing.

Sacred Solitude

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Hermit (Usnea); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Deer:

It’s said that if we want to learn about our past, we should look at our present circumstances, for they are the result of our past actions. If we want to learn about our future, we should look at what we’re doing now. —Pema Chodron

The Hermit is illustrated with Usnea, a beard lichen that gets water and food straight from the air but dies off in areas with heavy air pollution. When we begin to notice that we are suffering from tainted thoughts and motives, the Hermit invites us into sacred solitude. As Khyentse Norbu explains, we easily become captivated by our "teacups" (outer trappings of culture and society) and forget to drink the "tea" (the essence of spiritual teachings). It's time to take an honest inventory, trace our path to discover how we got to this place, and make some new choices. Deer encourages us to stay alert to distractions and deflections: blame, excuses, and rationalizations. This assessment has nothing to do with guilt or worth but is simply about gaining clarity so we can get back on track.

Useful Hoarding

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Eight of Water/Cups (Valerian); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Wolf:

Sanity is a valuable possession; I hoard it the way people once hoarded money.

—Margaret Atwood

Drama queens, disruptors, contrarians, and relentless competitors - we've all had to deal with at least some of them. But boy can they suck the energy and enthusiasm for life right out of us. Rather than drift passively in these relationships, it's time to retreat from them and the drain they create. Valerian is an herb used for insomnia, anxiety and stress. We all need some calm in our lives, and that may require choices to be made. Wolf asks us to name our fears and bring them into the light. Do we think removing ourselves from the insanity (at least for a while) will bring chaos and cause our house of cards to fall down? It's possible, but that might be a good thing if we're enabling the detrimental behavior of others.

Soothe Yourself

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Ten of Fire/Wands (Comfrey); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Wren:

Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to saying 'yes' too quickly and not saying 'no' soon enough. —Josh Billings

I've noticed that when you retire from the work force, people often seek you out to join groups or do volunteer work. Such endeavors can be beneficial, as they keep us active and involved with others. But at times they can become a burdensome demand. Comfrey has historically been used in salves and poultices to treat bruises and sprains. Its message is: "There can be too much of a good thing. Stop. Step away. Soothe yourself. Cut it down and it roars back to life." Like this herb, when we cut down our work and take time to rest, we can rejuvenate ourselves. Wren is a tiny bird with a big voice. It reminds us that people don't always accept what we're trying to tell them, but we need to have the confidence to stand up for what we need. Trying to please others rather than taking care of ourselves only leads to resentment, burnout and health issues. As Anna Taylor said, "You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept."

Clean Up

This week I'll be using the Herbcrafter's Tarot, created through the combined efforts of Joanna Powell Colbert and Latisha Guthrie. The set is published by U.S. Games. Paired with it will be the Green Wheel Oracle, created and self-published by Danielle Barlow. Today's draws are the Six of Air (Swords) and Seal:

Mind changes, and as a result, the world changes. A clear mind heals everything that needs to be healed.  —Byron Katie

Not only are cattails a valuable source of food and shelter for wildlife, they also are excellent phytomediators. Their root systems can take in and store heavy metals like lead, zinc, and cadmium, while microbes living around the roots break down harmful compounds, pesticides, and hydrocarbons. They pull extra nitrogen and phosphorus out of the water, which helps stop harmful algae blooms too. Cattail encourages us to challenge our current way of thinking by cleaning the pollutants from our minds: generalizations, assumptions, expectations and biases. Like moving from an enclosed pen to an open meadow, our mind relaxes and sees things more clearly. Seal asks us to let go of our cares and worries for a while and do the things that make our hearts sing.  A lighter heart and mind are better able to respond wisely rather than impulsively.

Washing Off the Dust

From the Tarot of the Master, the Knight of Chalices; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Carcer:

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

—Pablo Picasso

If the Coins suit nourishes the body and its needs, the Cups suit nourishes the spirit. The Knight of Cups is like a bard, amusing and delighting others with his poetry, songs and stories. He reminds us to allow art, whether visual, performance or literary, to feed us. It can elevate our mood, provide solace or inspiration and give us a deeper understanding of the world. Carcer refers to a type of incarceration - delays, restrictions or barriers that keep us from what we desire. Often, we feel like we can't squeeze in time to make or enjoy art. But it could be that we need to schedule time for it; we may need to be aware of how we waste time (often just distracting ourselves from a task we don't want to do) and carve a portion out. As Thomas Merton wrote, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”

When This Is, That Is

From the Tarot of the Master, the Devil; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Conjunctio:

Resilience isn’t about powering through overwhelming difficulties. It’s a soft, lived honesty — the ability to sit with our experience without abandoning ourselves. ―Pawan Bareja

Vacchetta's Devil, at first startled by a snake, is surprised to find it is part of himself. We can be eaten alive by our emotions, especially fear, grief and anger, if we let them assume control of our thoughts and behaviors. We can't change what created this emotional surge, but we can learn tools to calm ourselves physically, which will likely slow the spinning in our mind as well. Then we can choose more beneficial responses. Conjunctio involves the coming together of specific causes and conditions that create something (even ideas). Yet things are always subject to change, even more so if we influence them by adding or subtracting something in the equation (like the focus of our thoughts). In the words of Buddha:

When this is, that is.

From the arising of this comes the arising of that.

When this isn't, that isn't.

From the cessation of this comes the cessation of that.

A Mere Toy?

From the Tarot of the Master, the Knight of Batons; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Caput Draconis:

A body of men, holding themselves accountable to nobody, ought not to be trusted by anybody.

—Thomas Paine

The outfit of a jester adorns this Knight of Wands, which tells us a lot about his priorities. Unlike the King and Queen of this suit, whose motto is "let's get things done," this Knight's focus is on "let's have some fun." We'd probably all agree that there needs to be a balance between work and play. But as Kevin Powers wrote, "Freedom is not the same as lack of accountability." Caput Draconis ("head of the dragon") points to an opportunity or an important assignment. This Knight better change out of his jester clothes if he wants to be taken seriously. Most of us are familiar with the proverb "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." But the second half says, "All play and no work make Jack a mere toy."

Not in Circles

From the Tarot of the Master, the World; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Populus:

We are not going in circles, we are going upwards. The path is a spiral; we have already climbed many steps. ―Hermann Hesse

The Vacchetta World card has the Italian names for the seasons at the top and bottom, implying coming full circle. Yet it's not a circle we travel but a spiral. Every person we meet and experience we have changes us in some way, widening our knowledge and outlook. Populus means "the people;" the dots themselves remind me of two rows of people sitting in pews. This is a collection of people who share the same ideas and use peer pressure to squash independent thinking. Here, life moves on around us while we stay stuck in one place unless we break from the collective. As Leo Tolstoy explains, “Freethinkers are those who are willing to use their minds without prejudice and without fearing to understand things that clash with their own customs, privileges, or beliefs. This state of mind is not common, but it is essential for right thinking...”

Time Enough

From the Tarot of the Master, the Two of Coins; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Aquisitio:

The butterfly counts not months but moments and has time enough.

―Rabindranath Tagore

In the coins suit, Vacchetta depicts the Roman emperors sequentially (though leaving out a few). These two coins are placed on what appears to be an unguentaria, a perfumed oil bottle frequently left in tombs as offerings. The chronological emphasis in this suit implies that time is a great resource that we often overlook. Adding the Two of Coins meaning - balancing our options - it points to a need for assessing how we spend our time. Acquisitio (gain) speaks to how we spend many moments of our lives. We are constantly trying to buy contentment and joy by adding to our material possessions. But will all these things make a difference beyond the first few minutes of our pleasure?

Motion is Lotion

From the Tarot of the Master, the Knight of Coins; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Via:

Daily dependability is not always exciting or epic, but it is heroic.

—Aaron Grube

The Knight of Coins may not be as flashy as his cousins, but if you want to make advancements, he's your guy. He'll plan a clear path to the goal, gather resources, then work steadily and diligently. He's more of a tortoise than a hare, but he'll get the job done right. Via means 'way,' and suggests change and movement. The fellow in the card looks like he's getting some rest, but if he doesn't get up soon, he's liable to be "stove-up." This phrase for being sore or stiff is actually the past tense of the verb stave. To stave in a wooden boat is to smash a hole in its side and incapacitate it. Thus, stove-up is feeling sidelined by achiness. The Knight would agree with the physical therapist's maxim: "motion is lotion." Once the task has begun, the mind resets and focuses on the goal.

It's So Easy

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Master, created by Giovanni Vacchetta and published by Lo Scarabeo. Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Paracelsus Oracle, published by Lo Scarabeo with instructions written by Gina di Roberto. The cards drawn for today are Love (Lovers) and Tristitia:

At the beginning of all love there is a private treaty each of the lovers makes with himself or herself, an agreement to set aside what is wrong with the other for the sake of what is right.

—Salman Rushdie

There's a breezy song by Olivia Dean that's getting a lot of radio play right now: "I could be the world to you, the missing piece, the extra sentimental kind of chemistry. Cause I make it so easy to fall in love, so, come give me a call, and we'll fall into us." Well, she's got the falling part right - it's the staying in love that's more difficult. It's probably why at the top of this card there is the Latin phrase Dolce travaglio, meaning "sweet labor." Tristitia is a Latin word meaning sorrow; early theologians used it to describe a despondency that caused someone to give up all hope. Partners may discover they are just too different in views and values to stay together, or cruelty and dishonesty might break them apart. But if, as Pink sings, "It's been written in the scars on our hearts; we're not broken, just bent and we can learn to love again," then maybe wise hope should be our compass.

Alert for Red Flags

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Queen of Cups; from the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk Deck, the Mirror:

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant.

—Albert Einstein

The wavy, wild locks of the Queen of Cups indicate she leads with her heart, not her head. She can easily sense the emotions of others and can help them navigate their feelings with compassion. But because she is so responsive to others, she must take care not to be subsumed by their drama or chaos. Her intuition is helpful in this regard. In milliseconds, her brain compares the current situation to stored memories, checks for similar patterns, then sends an embodied message of "safe" or "danger." Yet even the most intuitive of us may easily discount any red flags when it comes to those we deeply care about; we want to protect the relationship, avoid pain and maintain the peace. However, the Mirror reminds us it's wiser to acknowledge reality rather than convince ourselves that what we wish for is real. As Carl Sagan wrote, “For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.”