An Unenviable Job

This week I'll be using the Neuzeit Tarot created by Walter Wegmuller and published by AG Muller. The "oracle" I'll be using is a combination of two sets of dice: Rory's Story Cubes and Rory's Story Cubes - Voyages.  These dice were created by Rory O'Connor and produced by Gamewright. Today's card and die are Justice and Cactus:

          I've always thought that Justice was a lot like Temperance, as far as keeping things in balance goes. But with Justice, her primary concern is with how someone's personal imbalance negatively affects the world or infringes on the rights of others. Wegmuller's Justice has bare feet, and I attribute that to her being grounded and practical. She's not concerned with silly tit for tat kind of stuff but with actions that can be game-changers. I couldn't help think of a couple of politicians here in the States who have openly declared that the global warming problem to be a hoax. They refuse to believe humans are affecting the climate change. Of course if they did admit it, then they would have to respond with responsible action to fix it. Ms. Justice, please take that big honking sword of yours and bop some sense in them.
          A cactus is a plant that has adapted to an extremely dry environment. Its thick, fleshy stem and modified leaves (spines) are all an attempt to conserve water. Its prickly nature shows what results when people are told to "just get over it" or "learn to deal with it." Entitled behavior means someone gains and someone loses, and that never works out well for anyone. Then it's up to people like civil rights activists and those advocating for gun restrictions to help re-balance the power and privileges. Justice, I don't envy you your job.

Thankful in all Situations

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Tower; from the Victorian Flower Oracle, "Cactus:"

Often we think of egolessness as a great loss, but actually it's a gain. The acknowledgment of egolessness, our natural state, is like regaining eyesight after having been blind or regaining hearing after having been deaf... Egolessness is a state of mind that has complete confidence in the sacredness of the world. It is unconditional well-being, unconditional joy that includes all the different qualities of our experience. ~ Pema Chodron

          This card - showing a before and after of the Twin Towers - is not what I'd prefer to draw on a national holiday, especially in light of all the recent worldwide events. I was curious as to what O'Donoghue would say about it: "You have been building your security on shifting sands and now, out of the clear blue sky, a thunderbolt has exposed your vulnerability." She concludes by saying the sun casts a new light on the situation, implying a deeper understanding. Yet look at the way that saucy Cactus stares at the eagle. Her keywords, "prickly situation," suggest a difficult diplomacy that is going to require mindfulness and tact. Suddenly these cards narrow their beam from a national level to a personal one. I will be traveling today to visit with relatives, none of whom share my opinions or ideas about many touchy topics. There is no need to cower during the discussions over Thanksgiving dinner, but neither is there a need for me to build a tower of arrogance and narrow-mindedness around my beliefs. If I can remain open, I might just learn something useful. I can choose to focus on the positive - that I will share a meal with people who love me, regardless of my convictions.  

Thank you to all my friends - old and new - who've read or posted on my blog this year. I am grateful to have you in my life, even if it is only through the internet. Happy Thanksgiving!

From Adviser to Student

From the Deirdre of the Sorrows Tarot, the Page of Coins:

A young university student is so engrossed in his book, he is oblivious to his shoe being untied and other activity around him.  I can relate to this young man; the other day I was studying a hawk high up in a pine, and nearly knocked myself out by walking into a road sign.  There are times when I can share what I've learned in a teaching role, and times I need to be the student.  Looks like I've got some serious studying ahead of me.

From the Victorian Romantic Flower Oracle comes the card "Cactus:"

The key phrase associated with this card is "prickly situation," and pairing it with the student above, I can guess what its message is for me.  I've had a somewhat mentoring type of relationship with a woman who calls me frequently for advice.  She's been in quite a tangled mess for over a year now, and I've offered suggestions as to what I would do in her case.  The other day I was quite frank with her and flatly told her what she was about to do was insane.  She responded that I didn't understand what she was going through and I didn't have any "real" knowledge about what she should do, so she wouldn't be calling anymore.  My role has moved from mentor to student in this situation.  What can I learn from it?  Mostly that people don't really want honest advice, they prefer to receive affirmation for what they want to do.  Secondly, that I need to detach with love from this woman, who clearly is going to get to her destination her way, not mine.