A More Colorful Life

From the Tarot of the Sidhe, Temperance; from the Green Man Tree Oracle, Ash:

The aim of ideology is to eliminate ambiguity.

―Margaret Atwood

Temperance is a warning that we could be shifting to extremes in our ideas or actions. This slide is easy to make when we form a tight circle with people who think and behave as we do. Our attitudes seem normal when there is no one different with whom to compare them. As Gustave Le Bon explained, "they are always inclined to exaggerate the worth of their principles, and to push them to their extreme consequences." Nuin (Ash) is associated with part of a weaver's loom. Weaving in what is diverse allows for more wisdom and creativity, leading to a fuller, more colorful life.

We need diversity of thought in the world to face the new challenges.

―Tim Berners-Lee

Just Passing Through

From the Greenwood Tarot, the World Tree; from the Rune Cards, Ansuz-ash*:

          Potter's World card shows a tree depicting all four seasons planted in the middle of a labyrinth. When walking a labyrinth, there are times when the lane seems close to the middle, then on the next turn, it moves further away. Eventually, perseverance will lead a person to the center. Life sends us on the same kind of twisty paths as we look for spiritual fulfillment. But even when we seem to have found what we've been searching for, we discover there are more labyrinths yet to be walked. Life doesn't stand still and neither should any spiritual path. Each moment unfolds with new joys and challenges we must meet. The sturdiness of the Ash requires that we pick up the spiritual warrior's shield and spear (wisdom and compassion) once more. There's more to see and learn along the Way.

*Ansuz was split into three runes with the Anglo-Saxon development of the vowel system: o/god, a/oak, and ae/ash.

Replay of Reality

From the Tarot of the Sidhe, Dreamer Nine (Nine of Swords/Air); from the Green Man Tree Oracle, Ash:

          Nearly all of the nightmares I've ever had were rooted in conscious reality. When I've been stressed, anxious or depressed, they've shown up at night. Researchers say that they primarily occur because we are rehearsing the possible threats we might encounter or we are working through upsetting events. Mine tend to appear when I've got my brave face on and try to ignore what I'm feeling. It seems my unconscious isn't happy with that tactic.
          Ash has wood that has high flexibility, shock resistance, and resistance to splitting. Because of these qualities, it is valued for making bows, tool handles, and rackets or sticks used in sports. Its flexibility and shock-resistance reminded me of how I can react when life doesn't correspond to my expectations. As Kristen Neff humorously put it:

Uh, excuse me. There must be some error.

I signed up for the everything-will-go-swimmingly-until-the-day-I-die plan.

Can I speak to the management please?

I would be better off embracing my emotions when challenges and the unexpected come my way. If I can compassionately care for my pain, I won't have to relive it when I sleep.

Milking the Cow

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Ace of Cups; from the Rune Cards, 'Ash/Aesc:'

 Some people want to see God with their eyes as they see a cow, and to love Him as they love a cow - for the milk and cheese and profit it brings them. This is how it is with people who love God for the sake of outward wealth or inward comfort. They do not rightly love God, when they love Him for their own advantage. ― Meister Eckhart

          The white hart in Potter's drawing brings life-giving waters. In the same way, having someone to love and having someone who loves us also gives life. Yet the mythical white hart was said to appear when a sacred code was broken and consequently ushered in spiritual change. As Eckhart expressed so well, sometimes human love can become a brokerage, a service rendered for an expected return. That motive is what adds salt to pure water, making it impossible for it to nourish and sustain anyone. The rune poem of Ash/Aesc describes a wood that is admired for its ability to endure and protect. Love is not self-seeking; like Aesc, it seeks to offer help rather than milk the cow.

Poets and Weavers

From the Anna K. Tarot, the King of Cups:

What a great version of the King of Cups Kleffinger has created. Because I am such a poetry lover (Mary Oliver, William Stafford, and others), I imagine him to be reading a book of poems. He also has daisies everywhere, even in his lap - did he pick those himself? But what I notice most about this card is how he has secluded himself from the hustle and bustle of the castle. The King of Cups is well-known for his unconditional love and his ability to stay composed without getting caught up in drama. Perhaps carving out time for himself to enjoy what he loves may be his secret to staying sane.

From the Green Man Tree Oracle comes "Ash - Nuin (Nin):"

The keyword for Ash is "connection," possibly because of its association with the weaving loom. Yet another word ogham for this letter "establishing peace," which makes sense - how can you form a connection with anyone if there is no accord? If I add this card to the King above, I get the impression that I must find peace within before I expect to find it externally. In the words of Thich Nhat Hanh, "When there is the element of peace in you, you can connect with other people...We don't need to wait for some other person to be the change we want to see in the world."

Keys to Change

From the Motherpeace Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune:

In her book, Noble explains the idea for this wheel is based on the round zodiac of Denderah from ancient Egypt, although the Motherpeace uses goddesses from various cultures to represent the different houses.  For me, this card represents turning, movement, and change.  For months now I have felt stuck, stymied and in  a rut.  Then last night I had an epiphany of sorts - perhaps the transformation is going to have to come from within rather than outside of me.  So I will be making some changes...  Nothing too drastic, but enough to allow some fresh air, stimulation, and inspiration to come in.

     From the Ogham Oracle, "Ash - Nin / Nion"

Nin has been roughly translated as "letters" or "forked branch" (that supports the weaver's beam).  Both writing and weaving represent how I am interconnected with others and my environment.  As John Muir wrote, "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe."  During the winter, brown winged seeds called "keys" hang on the ash tree.  The key of this ogham is in remembering the web I live on, and how my actions and attitudes can change not only me, but the world I live in as well.