Door of Opportunity

From the Tarot of the Master, the Seven of Coins; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Caput Draconis:

The Seven of Coins is assigned the keyword 'pride' in this deck. Judging by the skull among the coins on the wall, there has been some recognition in the past for accomplishments. Yet the cherub holds two other coins for the present. I've learned that pride works for me when I compare my past efforts to my present ones rather than measure myself against others. In the latter case, such comparisons only make me self-absorbed, and I quickly lose my focus on what I'm doing. Caput Draconis ('head of the dragon') suggests that an acknowledgment of what has been produced has led to a door of opportunity. Best not to let a swelled head keep me from fitting through that doorway.

Now vanity is the fruit of opinion; it is born from it and nourishes itself upon it.

―Jean-Jacques Rousseau

A Fresh Cup of Water

From the Tarot of the Master, the Star; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Caput Draconis:

         There is something about the fire of pain (emotional and physical) that burns away all that is unnecessary and unimportant. Barbara Brown Taylor writes:

Because it is so real, pain is an available antidote to unreality—not the medicine you would have chosen, perhaps, but an effective one all the same. The next time you are in real pain, see how you feel about television shows, new appliances, a clean house, or your resumé.

Yet it is such pain that often precedes spiritual growth. It empties our cup of strategies and plans, and allows it to be filled with guidance we may not have taken otherwise. That cup contains hope for change and a new regard for the beauty around us never noticed before. Caput Draconis literally means 'head of the dragon' and is a symbol for a doorway leading inward or a new opportunity.  This deck offers the additional keywords of 'restraint' and 'moderation.' When we have been freshly baptized by suffering and gain insights from it, we can become zealous in wanting to spread the good news. But each person has their own star to follow and their own cup to be refilled.

For those willing to stay awake, pain remains a reliable altar in the world, a place to discover that a life can be as full of meaning as it is of hurt. ~ B.B. Taylor

Flying Hourglass

From the Tarot of the Master, the King of Coins; from the Geomancy Cards, "Caput Draconis:"

           I bet this King of Coins has callouses on his hands. Instead of sitting on a comfy throne, he is busy engraving his own coins. You would think he would want a picture of himself on them, but looking at the wall, it appears his coins are decorated with a winged hourglass. If he were a young man, I would guess his message was "time is money;" yet his age makes me believe it is a reminder that "time flies." Don't waste a precious moment of it, he would tell me, embrace even those parts that seem hard and challenging. This material world is meant to be engaged with fully.

Outside

On the eve of autumn

I find myself standing still,

Drinking in the smell of tea olives in bloom.

Their heady fragrance makes me smile,

And I suddenly become aware

Of the many gifts of Creation

That lighten my heart.

          Caput Draconis (head of the dragon) is associated with doorways of opportunity. This figure is connected with the North Node, where the path of the Moon meets the path of the Sun and eclipses occur. Like an eclipse, it is a moment that is brief; the window of time will eventually close and I'll lose my chance. Self-absorption is like wearing a bag over my head. Again the King reminds me: pay attention, use your senses and drink in the beauty and wonder while you can. 

Set on Simmer

From the Wild Unknown Tarot, the Daughter (Page) of Wands:

The long, sleek body of this snake reminds me of the southern black racers that are so common here.  Racers are fast movers (hence the name), and they have been known to chase humans in an attempt to scare them away.  Although nonpoisonous, they won't hesitate to bite if handled.  The scales of the snake in the image shimmer with reds, oranges and yellows.  This woman-child is on "simmer" around the clock; her mind is constantly filled with ambitious and adventurous ideas.  The figure eight shape of the body indicates that her creative enthusiasm is a well that doesn't run dry.  The only drawback to this little firebrand is that she has so many inspirations (note the multiple flowers on the wand), she may find it hard to concentrate on and fully develop any of them.

A toss of the geomancy sticks this morning produced "Caput Draconis:"

Caput Draconis is Latin for "head of the dragon" and suggests a new opportunity or beginning.  It is associated with the North Node, the ascending point where the moon's path and sun's path meet.  The North Node, astrologically speaking, deals with traits that need to be developed in order to find balance.  When such challenges come, it is easy to let my inner critic and fear talk me into staying in my rut instead of taking a chance on a new possibility.  And that would surely disappoint my inner Daughter of Wands who has so many creative ideas to try out.