Common Suffering

From the Urban Tarot, the Six of Coins; from the Principles to Live by Tiles, Compassion:

Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity. —Pema Chödrön

The fellow in this card has enough money now to get his shoes shined and leave a generous tip. The Thoth subtitle of the Six of Coins is Success. After going a period of hardship, stability has once again been found. A wiser understanding of material concerns has developed; loss or gain no longer cause such a dramatic emotional reaction. Compassion is when we recognize the suffering of someone else ("suffer with") and feel a strong urge to help. When we have gone through pain and difficulty, it is easier to understand the suffering of others. Our desire to help comes from acknowledging our shared humanity. As Nelson Mandela stated, "Our human compassion binds us the one to the other - not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future."

Redirecting Arrows

From the Urban Tarot, the Nine of Swords; from the Principles to Live By tiles, Honesty:

There is no finish line for the mind. There is always another problem to solve, another question still unanswered. —Robin Scott

We've got a lot of changes and challenges going on in our household these days, and for someone who is used to planning and managing things, it can make for many restless nights. The Nine of Swords is subtitled 'Cruelty,' indicating the tormenting thought loops we can get stuck in. Unless we constantly remind it, the mind forgets that not much is inevitable in this world; we must learn to live resourcefully as it comes. Honesty is represented by a lotus with its petals fully opened. When we are feeling "put upon" by people and situations, we are invited to pause and examine our own assumptions and expectations. Blaming others or ourselves is not helpful (we shoot ourselves with a second arrow if we do). Instead, we can put our mind to better creative uses - dealing with what is here at the moment as best we can.

Return to Sanity

From the Urban Tarot, the Six of Swords; from the Principles to Live By tiles, Contentment:

In many or most moments these minds are exquisitely coordinated; feelings are essential to thought, thought to feeling. But when passions surge the balance tips: it is the emotional mind that captures the upper hand, swamping the rational mind. ―Daniel Goleman

The Six of Swords follows the crisis of the Five; we leave the Island of Unreason and our peace and ease returns. Science is the subtitle of this card because balance is restored (our sanity returns) after the neocortex's hijacking by the amygdala. Emotional swings have been curbed, and problems can now be approached logically and objectively. Contentment is a state of quiet satisfaction and peace that is independent of circumstances. It begins when we accept that challenges and difficulties happen to everyone, including us. Instead of fighting reality, we focus on relaxing our intense emotional response, which can help reinstate clarity. With our mental and emotional balance restored, we can adapt or make changes that are beneficial. 

Makers of Possibility

This week I'll be using the Urban Tarot, a deck and book set created and self-published by Robin Scott (though now published by U.S. Games). I'll be pairing it with an oracle I created called "Principles to Live By." Today's draws are the Mage (Magician) and Selfless Service:

Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last, you create what you will. —George Bernard Shaw

The Mage represents the possibility of making an idea come true, of creating a change in his world. It starts inside the mind, as we envision what we desire. Then we commit our focus and energy to make it real, using the tools we have with clarity and purpose. We have the ability to become Makers when we view the world through the lens of possibility, curiosity, and problem-solving instead of settling for what is already there. The Selfless Service tile depicts the symbol of the Alzheimer's Association, an organization dedicated to research and the support of people with dementia. Those whose life has been touched by someone with this disease know the kind of selflessness it requires. Yet like the Mage's mindset, an open mind and inquisitiveness has led to better ministration for the well-being of both the caregiver and the one cared for. Whatever we're trying to create, it all starts with imagining what might be possible.

Don't Listen to Dante

From the Gill Tarot, the Nine of Swords; from The Circle, Choice:

Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.

—Dante Alighieri

We all have times when life throws us a curveball, when we get distressing news that is unwelcome. What now? The Nine of Swords no longer represents pure intellect; it has drifted into the field of imagination and illusion. Rather than rationally looking at reality, we see only the dark corners of it. With such a focus, we inevitably feel a sense of overwhelming pointlessness and misery. Choice reminds us to look at other possibilities rather than only focusing on the worst-case scenario. It doesn't mean we won't have to deal with some hard stuff, but it gives us the energy to do what is needed. As Ryder Carroll stated, "No matter how bleak or menacing a situation may appear, it does not entirely own us. It can’t take away our freedom to respond, our power to take action."

Using Tools

From the Gill Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from The Circle, Growth:

Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is rather than as you think it should be.

—Wayne Dyer

The Wheel of Fortune is a call to embrace change, whether wanted or unwanted. It is a reminder to stay grounded whether we're on top of the world or feel crushed beneath it. Gill's illustration has the four suits around the wheel. Like the Magician's table, we have tools to use to help us stay tethered in this constant movement: the ideas and stories we tell ourselves; our social connections and relationships; our ability to be creative; and our health, home and finances. Growth indicates that we have ample opportunity to develop ourselves as we go through changes, such as cultivating resilience, gratitude, and connection. As Plotinus wrote, "Never cease chiseling your own statue."

Worker Bee

From the Gill Tarot, the Three of Wands; from The Circle, Prosperity:

It’s the job that’s never started as takes longest to finish. — J.R.R. Tolkien

This card shows a wand piercing through an upper barrier. Planning is fun and exciting, but at some point, we must put our ideas into action. The Three of Wands represents the stabilization of creative energy which allows us to begin the work. With clarity and confidence, we cast aside our doubts and get busy. Prosperity shows the industrious honeybee on a comb, reminding us that patience and diligent effort brings sweet rewards.

I made it to Oxford, but it is not that I am particularly clever, much more that I am a worker bee.

—Emilia Fox

Beyond Dogma and Directives

From the Gill Tarot, the Emperor; from The Circle, Magic:

Structure provides freedom. It's not about rigidity. It's about creating a framework that allows us to move through the day with intention and purpose. —Diana Oehrli

The Emperor represents structure and stability enforced through laws or rules. He is a strategic thinker and believes in discipline, readily providing consequences for those who don't toe the line. If he is able to maintain a wide perspective, his established structure will offer freedom with a sense of security. But if his restrictions become too tight and suffocating, creative development will suffer. Magic refers to maintaining a sense of wonder and awe. As Socrates said, "Wisdom begins in wonder." With it, we appreciate the world around us. But wonder can also do things the Emperor might frown upon - it may encourage us to search for answers, question assumptions, and challenge established truths. It's our right and responsibility (no matter what we're told) to expand our world beyond the dogma and directives we've been given.

Filling Up

From the Gill Tarot, the Ace of Cups; from The Circle, Betrayal:

Here are your waters and your watering place.

Drink and be whole again beyond confusion.

—Robert Frost

Like the holy grail that offered healing and restoration, the Ace of Cups is the opportunity to partake of beauty and love. We all may have a place or a person that serves as our grail, or if not, we might find them if we slow down and take notice. These wellsprings flow into us if we are receptive, and once full, we can spread this delight and caring out into the world. Yet Betrayal warns us to be clear and honest about our motives. Does our giving of kindness flow from a place of love, or are there strings attached? Gifts are meant to be given, not used as bait.

Now and Later

From the Gill Tarot, the King of Wands; from The Circle, Flow:

Don't make excuses for why you can't get it done. Focus on all the reasons why you must make it happen. —Ralph Marston

The King of Wands is Fire of Fire, full of aggressive, dynamic energy. When he gets inspired, he uses his strong will to motivate everyone to step lively. He'd prefer to have everything done by yesterday and tolerates no slackers. On the plus side, he's like a lightning bolt - his burning enthusiasm only lasts for so long (which is a blessing to those working for him). Flow comes to remind the King and us that having things done NOW is not always possible; reality often intervenes. We can't always micromanage and force the results we want. Sometimes we must work with what we're given and allow time for things to develop on their own. As Matsuo Bashō wrote, "Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself."

Slow to Grow

This week I'll be using the Gill Tarot, created by Elizabeth Gill and published by U.S. Games. The oracle deck I'll be using with it is The Circle, created by D.R. Taylor and published by Versation Publishing. Today's draws are the Prince/Knight of Pentacles and Balance:

Trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit. —Molière

The Prince of Disks is hardworking and imaginative when it comes to improving things. His groundedness makes him slow and steady; he believes in measuring twice and cutting once. He'll finish each task satisfactorily before moving on to the next. While the folks he works for are always telling him to hurry up, he knows that being patient and conscientious are the only way to avoid slapdash work. Balance shows up to remind this Prince and us that not all problems can be solved. We can work on things from every angle and still not find a solution. When we keep struggling with what is unfixable, we only cause ourselves stress and anxiety. We must let go of what is not working and begin anew. As Jana Kingsford wrote, "Balance is not something you find, it's something you create."

It Will Pass Through Again

From the Granny Jones Tarot, the Nine of Cups; from the Button Oracle, Reindeer:

The point of joy isn’t to fix your life. It’s to remind you that your life isn’t only made of suffering.

—RJ Starr

Granny's Nine of Cups shows that emotional fulfillment can be about more than triumphs for the ego to roll around in. It can be about simple pleasures and comforts as well. This morning I sit at my computer with a hot cup of coffee in a house that was undamaged last night. After the destruction caused by the last hurricane that came this way, I fully expected to hear tornado sirens and trees crashing against the house all night long. And so, I'm reveling in the simple things I do each morning that I normally take for granted. Reindeer are thought of as guides for Santa, but in several northern indigenous cultures, reindeer serve as spiritual guides. This animal takes us through a doorway of new understanding - allowing us to fully enjoy wonderful moments rather than worrying about how long they will last. As RJ Starr writes, "Trust the rhythm. Even if joy leaves, it’s not gone. Even if it fades, it’s not a failure. You didn’t waste it. You didn’t ruin it. It simply passed through. And it will pass through again."

Not Spoken

From the Granny Jones Australian Tarot, Temperance; from the Button Oracle, Lizards:

Liberty exists in proportion to wholesome restraint.

―Daniel Webster

Whether we're fearful, angry, or despondent, Granny has just the right tea blend for whatever state of mind we're in. She doesn't want to suppress our feelings, but to lessen their force so we can respond rather than react. We need the freedom to think rationally, and that won't happen if our emotions have hijacked our mind. Lizards communicate primarily through body language: pushups, head bobs, dewlap displays, and tail thrashing. They warn us to be careful about what we say, especially when we're in the grip of an emotion like rage. While what we blurt out might seem necessary at the time, words can't be reeled back in. If the point is for the other person to hear us, the best strategy is to let our anger ebb until we can use good judgment before we speak. As Orson S. Card reminds us, "Among my most prized possessions are words that I have never spoken."

Compare and Despair

From the Granny Jone Australian Tarot, the Three of Buttons (Pentacles); from the Button Oracle, Skull and Crossbones:

Beyond talent lie all the usual words: discipline, love, luck, but, most of all, endurance. 

―James Baldwin

If we're lucky enough to have opportunities available, we can develop a craft through knowledge, technique and applied skills. But nothing will develop fully if we aren't dedicated to focused practice and open to continued learning. Such a commitment creates the kind of talent that is noticed, admired and sought after. The Skull and Crossbones button symbolizes a dangerous hazard. In the world of craftmanship, the "compare and despair" syndrome can tank our motivation and confidence. Rather than comparing our work to someone else (or attempt to copy them), we can study their mindset and approach to see what tools might be beneficial to add to our toolbox. As Martha Graham encourages us, "There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique."

Not a Drop

From the Granny Jones Tarot, the High Priestess; from the Button Oracle, Teddy Bear:

You are not a drop in the ocean; you are the ocean in a drop.

—Rumi

When we come to Granny Jones as the High Priestess, telling her we seek deep wisdom and guidance, she chuckles. She tells us it's not as mysterious as it's made out to be; it is a matter of slipping past the ego that craves control and filters our reality. Once we do, we find that self-absorption has dissipated and our feeling of separation has disappeared, leaving us with a sense of both spaciousness and wholeness. Teddy Bear represents comfort and reassurance; slipping the grip of the ego won't leave us in danger. Ego is simply a mental habit of organizing our life around a solid, permanent sense of "me," and "mine" that must be constantly defended or improved. We can see a lot of possibilities when we are free from those barriers. 

A meditation from Leo Babauta. 

Defined or Strengthened

From the Granny Jones Australian Tarot, the Five of Buttons; from the Button Oracle, Eagle:

When something bad happens, you have three choices. You can either let it define you, let is destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you. ―Theodor Geisel

When we see folks who have a run of bad luck, we automatically try to figure out what they did to land there. It's a way to make us feel better, as if we can prevent it from happening to us. But sometimes we find ourselves in a landslide of difficulties, no matter how savvy we think we are. Do we let these things define us as someone who never gets a break, as someone who always gets a raw deal? You can bet our lives will begin to resemble exactly that if we do. Yet Eagle reminds us to take a broader view of things and to use discernment in our situation. First, we may find allies who can offer advice or help. We may learn to pay more attention to red flags we ignored before. If we look wider than our own pain, we will see troubles come to all and develop compassion. If we zero in on what we can do (rather than what we can't control), we may take a small action that has a domino effect of good results. 

Before They're Easy

From the Granny Jones Australian Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Button Oracle, Dragon:

All things are difficult before they are easy. 

—Thomas Fuller

When we decide to move out of our current state of affairs and cross into unknown territory, it can be both an exciting and scary transition. Like the cat keeping his balance on the clothesline, we no longer have what was familiar as a safety net. There are new skills and knowledge to acquire as well as new people to connect with. We must let go of the old methods and put our energy into this new version of life. Eastern dragons are portrayed as good, kind, and intelligent, and so the Dragon button represents preserving our well-being. Learning new ways of doing things can make us feel incompetent and awkward, but we don't need think we're burned-out light bulbs. Instead, we can be kind to ourselves, recognizing that mistakes are natural as we adapt and get the hang of things. 

Take Along Your Wise Mind

This week I'll be using the Granny Jones Australian Tarot, created by Rebecca Jones and published by Kangaroo Press. Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Button Oracle, a set I made from a collection of buttons. Today's draws are the Seven of Wands and Cactus:

Never surrender your hopes and dreams to the fateful limitations others have placed on their own lives. Judge not by their words but accept advice based on the evidence of actual results. 

—Anthon St. Maarten

Let others know about a great change in the making or a goal that is strived for, and you can bet a laundry list of likely obstacles and objections will be voiced. In some cases, these critics may feel insecure about their own choices; discouraging us may give their egos a boost. Yet a few may have some genuine concerns and advice that might help rather than hinder us. Rarely do we reach any dream on a linear, level path, so some of these nuggets may be beneficial. The Cactus Button cautions us not to adopt a prickly attitude when everyone is not on board with our plans. We need to be careful that we don't inadvertently antagonize our allies as we huff and puff in frustration. As Karyn Hall encourages, "Wait for your wise mind to be in charge. Your wise mind can take in new information, be flexible in considering alternatives, and be creative in thinking of solutions."

First, Lay a Foundation

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Knight of Koshes (Wands); from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, Swan:

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. —Saint Augustine

The Knight of Wands is a natural at showmanship. This fellow is always looking to upstage other acts and even one-up himself. He's decided that he wants to be a fire eater, not just a fire juggler. Yet even his horse seems to be giving him a side-eye over this decision. Swans are a symbol of grace and a peaceful heart. These gifts are a result of humility, a product of a mind free from the turbulence of the ego. Humility allows us to learn from others, rather than thinking we're always an expert. The Knight of Wands would do well to embrace and work on this virtue. It might at least keep him out of the ER.

Baiting Hooks

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Three of Koshes (Wands); from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, Whirlwind and Storm:

When we have done our best, we should wait the result in peace.

—John Lubbock

When we're ready to extend some creative energy outside our normal bounds, we bait our hook and cast our line in the water. Maybe we're looking for a new job, or perhaps we're seeking a partnership in a new endeavor. Whether it's resumes and interviews or background checks and frank discussions, we put forth the effort and see what bites we get. Patient confidence is a must if we're looking for a beneficial return. The Whirlwind card is a reminder that rarely does life move in a smooth, unbroken line. We can respond on a dust devil level to these obstacles, making a few changes and moving things around, or we can go full-tilt tornado, and likely destroy all the good that we've accomplished so far. Directing and focusing our energy prudently will likely land a fish rather than attempting to get things to shift backwards.

Skip the Rocking Chair

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Four of Chivs (Swords); from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, the Sun:

Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere. 

—Folk proverb

Racing thoughts can clutter our mind, causing stress about how we are going to manage our life. In such cases, life is now managing us. This fellow seems to have grounded one of his concerns, but he still has some hanging over his head. He's sifting through them, first checking the reality of the thought - if it is an assumption or projection instead of something concrete. If it turns out to be real, he asks himself what steps he can take to alleviate the situation. If he has no influence over any of it, he reminds himself that he just doesn't know how things will turn out in the long run - there are more possibilities than the few he has considered. And then he takes a nap. Sun represents the power that clarity can bring. It clears the clutter, showing us what is actually important, and clarifies what appropriate response we might take rather than wasting our energy.