Do I Need to Draw You a Picture?

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Six of Air (Swords):

A Native American medicine shield, such as shown in this image, is different from a battle shield. This is a personal mandala of sorts, with visual symbols that represent the spiritual strengths, gifts and intentions of its owner. It is a reminder of who he is and his purpose. As I thought about this card, the phrase, "Do I need to draw you a picture?" came to mind. I am a visual person, and sometimes I have to create through writing, drawing or other outlets to see clearly who I am, what I desire, and what I want to do with my life. If I don't know myself, how can I possibly communicate this to others? I need a way to find clarity, which is why I have been thinking about doing a few of the exercises in a book I discovered in our clean-out the other day - The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Perhaps her Morning Pages and Artist Dates might be helpful in my quest.

From the Bird Cards deck this morning comes the "Bluebird of Happiness:"

Well geez, it doesn't get more positive than this, does it? The creator of this deck suggests that drawing this card is like a "bubble of joy" that is trying to rise to the top. And here I was thinking it was just a bad case of indigestion. :) But to be honest, I usually do feel restless and agitated when I need to change my course, do something differently or begin something new. Well if I want change to happen, I suppose I better get cracking.

Life is No Abyss

From the Rosetta Tarot, the Two of Cups:

Two dolphins rise from the water, one a gold color representing the solar masculine, the other silver symbolizing the lunar feminine.  A lotus flower has grown above the water into the light, and from it spills two streams that fill two cups.  I am hoping for the chance to meet a friend at the local coffee shop today.  Like silver and gold, we have our similarities, yet we have different views and approaches to doing things.  But our relationship isn't just based on emotional needs; like the lotus it stretches into the air of intellect.  It is nice to have someone to share ideas and beliefs with even if they differ, because we've learned how to respectfully agree to disagree when necessary.  But her views have helped open my mind in many ways, exposing petals to light that have never felt the rays of the sun.

From the Ascension to Paradise deck comes the "Bluebird:"

And when he sings to you,
Though you're deep in blue,
You will see a ray of light creep through,
And so remember this, life is no abyss,
Somewhere there's a bluebird of happiness.

~ "Bluebird of Happiness," 1934 by Harmati and Heyman

I was curious as to how the bluebird came to be associated with happiness and found this song was the first known reference to it.  Apparently the lyrics encourage a person to look for the "bluebirds" in his or her life, even when joy seems to be hiding.  Underneath the image of the bird above is a winding road that leads to a heart-shaped sun.  When I don't get a straight-shot to what I think will bring me contentment, its easy to consider leaving the path for another.  But the authors encourage me to let go of judgment and criticism of what isnt' "right" and instead look for the good in the people and situations around me.