The Sharper the Bite

This week I'll be using the Prisma Visions Tarot, created and self-published by James R. Eads; the companion booklet was written by Katherine Tombs. The oracle I'll be using alongside it is the Secret Language of Color Cards, created by Inna Segal and published by Beyond Worlds. Today's draws are Justice and Auburn:

As we move through this beautiful and troubled world, may we vow to be a beacon of peace, a fearless carrier of respect and lovingkindness for all life, a teller of truth , a voice for justice, a protector of those who are vulnerable or targeted. May the power of wisdom, integrity and compassion be our guide.

~Jack Kornfield

Katherine Tombs writes, "The sharper the bite, the sharper the sword." This card brings home to me what Thich Nhat Hanh emphasized over and over - peace and justice begin in my own heart and move outward. There is no way I can carry a boiling cauldron of hatred in my heart and make wise choices or choose skillful actions. If I attempt to, I'll only create a cycle of perpetual problems and destructive chaos. Auburn reminds me to place all my senses in the here and now; doing so allows me to be an objective observer of my body and mind. I can catch the tension in my body and those rage-filled thoughts before they goad me into action. Calmness can bring clarity, and clarity can produce choices that heal and help.

Transparency

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, the Six of Swords; from the Secret Language of Color Cards, Auburn:

Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway.

—Mother Teresa

           Denial, with enough practice, rolls off the tongue and swims in our head effortlessly. It can be seen in the abused wife who tells others what a good provider her husband is or in the addict who is convinced his daily dose is similar to a multivitamin that keeps him going. Good luck getting through to such people; they build thick walls to insulate themselves and others from the truth. It usually takes a blow from life's wrecking ball to bring those walls down. Their best hope is that they will awaken from insanity and admit that where their life goes from here - across a bridge or over a cliff - depends on the choices they'll make. Auburn is associated with grounding, embodying the moment as it is. Once we cross that bridge, it can be easy to think all the bad is behind us. The problem is we've brought ourselves across the bridge with us. Pause, get out of the mind, and experience the moment with the senses. See clearly without any delusions before taking the next step.