The Untrained

From the Greenwood Tarot, Balance (Temperance); from the Rune Cards, Oak (Ac):

Discipline is not the enemy of spontaneity but rather its foundation. Without discipline, our actions are dictated by fleeting impulses, external influences, and the whims of an untrained mind.

—Raffaello Palandri

Potter's Temperance shows a blending of dualities that creates someone who is grounded and at one with themselves. This card is not meant to rain on our parade or take away our fun. But it does ask us to consider what is pulling on our leash, what is driving our extremes in thought or behavior. The problem with extremes is that they always pour kerosene on the bonfire - we find neither peace nor contentment. Oak's rune poem reads: 

The oak fattens the flesh of pigs for the children of men.

Often it traverses the gannet's bath,

and the ocean proves whether the oak keeps faith

in honorable fashion. 

 

The poem praises the oak for what it offers, yet note the last line about the ocean. It refers to the oak's strength being tested by the ocean when it is used in the building of ships. We need inner strength to resist the pull on our leashes, to develop the freedom to choose rather than simply follow our impulses.

Doubts Are Traitors

From the Tarot of the Abyss, the Knight of Wands; from the Nature Mandala Meditation Oracle, Balance:

Our doubts are traitors,

and make us lose the good we oft might win,

by fearing to attempt.

― William Shakespeare

The Knight of Wands has enough confidence and charm to talk a fire elemental into helping light the damp wood of a campfire. Though he may find it hard to accept advice from others and understands that confidence isn't competence, this knight recognizes that self-doubt has the power to destroy many creative starts. The Balance card suggests there is middle ground between arrogance and timidity - both of which can hinder our ambitions. There is advice that helps, not just criticizes. And by beginning, we can make progress through both practice and learning from mistakes.

Information Gathering

From the Scrying Poetry Tarot, the Page of Swords; from the Tapestry Oracle, Balance:

Information is not knowledge. – Albert Einstein 

          This Page of Swords seems to have a discerning ear. He might collect data (random facts), sort out what is useful information, and then seek to understand if or how it fits together. Yet - as social media can attest - it's easy to string together unrelated bits of information and come up with conclusions that are completely off base. Knowledge allows useful information to be applied appropriately. The Balance card takes this one step further with its "slow and steady" message. Knowledge doesn't equate to wisdom. Wisdom implies sound judgment and the ability to use knowledge ethically; it sees from a wide perspective and from a long-range point of view. It tells that Page to slow his roll on those assumptions he's making and any actions he might consider taking. 

Closed Bags and Minds

From the Tarot of the Radiant Path, the Eight of Swords; from Mirrors of the Heart, Balance:

        Eight bags are shown in this card, one full of swords and another full of treasure. But the other six are firmly tied closed. The bag of swords is similar to my viewpoints. The environment I've lived in, the knowledge I've learned and the experiences I've had have shaped them. But like the closed bags, I must remember that my understanding is limited. There is so much I don't know, and a huge part of life I haven't participated in. Like the saying "Don't put all your eggs in one basket," I'd be wise to do the same with my thoughts. The Balance card made me think of playing basketball; one of the tricks I'd do with the ball was to attempt to spin it on my middle finger. And though I could keep it spinning and balanced for a few seconds, it would inevitably wobble and fall off. Balanced thinking is just as hard. Can I stay open to other folk's ideas and sincerely consider them, even if they are in conflict with my own? Can I be comfortable with allowing people to think differently without trying to sway them to my viewpoint? Can I be comfortable with listening instead of talking? I think these are the ways I might get a chance to peer inside some of those closed bags.

A Time to Laugh, A Time to Cry

From Waking the Wild Spirit, the Five of Water (Cups); from MentorSpirit, "Balance:"

Poppy does something a little different with her Five of Water/Cups. Instead of showing a person who is sad, self-absorbed, and unable to experience gratitude, she redefines this card as a needed emotional release. Last Friday I led the meditation group in a technique by John Makransky called the "Benefactor Moment." For several people, it turned out to be very emotional; one fellow (known for his flippancy) sobbed while talking about the feelings and memories that came up for him. My first reaction was to shut down, to not be affected by his tears. I grew up in a home where crying was not tolerated; a put down or a beating enforced the decree. Yet after my initial response, I dug deeper and realized I was operating from those old childhood rules. Tears can be healing and cleansing; I don't need to be afraid of them anymore.
The Balance card reinforces the message of the Five of Water. How can I laugh and feel true joy when my heart is weighed down with sorrow or hurt? It takes a lot of effort to keep those feelings locked away; that energy could be used in much more beneficial ways - if I'll take a chance on letting it loose.

Spending Time

From the Swietlistej Drogi, the Six of Pentacles:

The children sharing and playing with the ball remind me of one resource I find difficult to be generous with - my time. Money and things are easy to give (though there's not a lot of either), but being willing to spend time with another person requires motivation on my part. The other day we had the grandsons over, and they begged my daughter and I to play Duck-Duck-Goose and Red light-Green Light with them. For those of you familiar with five and six year old kids, you know one game will never be enough. You will spend at the very least an hour playing the game of choice. Of course we all had fun once the play started, and the time went by quickly. And the best part of all was the "thank you" hugs we got when it was time for them to leave. The Six of Pentacles reminds me some of the most precious moments are those spent with others.

From the Mirrors of the Heart comes "Balance:"

That is quite a trick, to balance the three stones on one finger. But it is also a gentle prod to wisely apportion my time. There are obligations I need to fulfill, challenges to meet and people to spend time with, but I still need to find time for solitude as well.