Pour Me Another One

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Witch of Cups (Knight of Cups); from Transforming Dragons, "Axidox:"

The waves and this woman's body has become a cup; she asks me, "What do you fill your cup with? What do you let others pour into your cup?" Yesterday I was talking with some women about crisis and drama. It used to feel so exciting, but now it has lost its magnetic pull. I try to avoid getting involved with histrionic performances when I can; my serenity and clarity of thinking gets too muddled otherwise. The Witch of Cups tells me to set and maintain firm boundaries, if I don't want to find myself caught in an emotional rip tide.
Axidox likes to point at other people's faults and mistakes, staying busy taking other folk's inventories instead of looking at herself. Just because I don't want to get involved in drama doesn't mean I'm immune to discussing it. But isn't telling stories about it just another way of dipping in my toes? I can roll my eyes and make judgments, but such an attitude doesn't benefit myself or the other person in the long run.

Birds of a Feather...

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Crone, a deck and book set created by Ellen Lorenzi-Prince.  Today's draw is the Witch of Cups (Knight):

I dance where the stars and tides align,

And create movement that will last a thousand years.

Here is a woman that could be described as a "mover and a shaker" in the realm of relationships - not only is she influential, she gets things accomplished.  The image makes me think of both a hook and a vessel; this woman has the ability to "catch" and "receive" others in her life.  This card reminds me that I have the ability to allow or refuse certain people in my life - I am the one who chooses whether to let them in my head and heart or not.  And who I allow in tends to influence my attitude and actions, for better or worse.  It might be better if I take a few of them off the hook and toss them back into the lake...  

The oracle deck I'll be using this week was created by Sonia Cafe and is called Transforming Dragons.  This morning's draw is the dragon "Axidox:"

Trap: Criticism and Judgment

Treasure: Ability to see Beauty and Potential

This dragon faces away from the mirror because she doesn't want to see what is within herself.  She believes she knows what is best for everyone; her wisdom should be acknowledged and followed.  She's not distracted by her own shortcomings, because she's too busy pointing out those of another person.  She rationalizes that she is only trying to help them.  The irony is that these people have become her mirror; what she sees in them that is at fault also lies within herself in some form.  When I can honestly look at my assets and liabilities, I'll be much more likely to concentrate on the what is possible and good in others.