Washing Off the Dust

From the Tarot of the Master, the Knight of Chalices; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Carcer:

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

—Pablo Picasso

If the Coins suit nourishes the body and its needs, the Cups suit nourishes the spirit. The Knight of Cups is like a bard, amusing and delighting others with his poetry, songs and stories. He reminds us to allow art, whether visual, performance or literary, to feed us. It can elevate our mood, provide solace or inspiration and give us a deeper understanding of the world. Carcer refers to a type of incarceration - delays, restrictions or barriers that keep us from what we desire. Often, we feel like we can't squeeze in time to make or enjoy art. But it could be that we need to schedule time for it; we may need to be aware of how we waste time (often just distracting ourselves from a task we don't want to do) and carve a portion out. As Thomas Merton wrote, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”

Home Base

From the Tarot of the Master, the Two of Coins; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Carcer:

          It is interesting that the keyword given to this particular Two of Coins is 'foundation.' No matter what is swirling around us and how many things we are juggling, having a home base to return to for recharging is essential. We need to stay grounded - feeling safe, satisfied and connected - in order to meet what confronts us. Such a foundation allows us to act wisely and make judicious use of limited resources. The Carcer card (literally 'prison') warns of isolation and restriction. When overwhelmed and tired, I tend to go into box turtle mode, which can be helpful if rest and a lack of stimulation is needed. But staying in my shell for too long can keep me from the connection I need too, the reminder that I'm not alone and have hands that reach out to help me. Isolation will break my spirit, not heal it.

Other Options

From the Tarot of the Master, the Page of Wands; from the Paracelsus Oracle, 'Carcer:'

The Wands are a symbol of action, so it's no surprise that this young Page is out in the fields looking for an adventure with his trusty, canine sidekick. He's not content to sit at home, waiting for excitement to find him; he's on the move in search of it. Carcer is literally translated as 'prison' and represents restriction. Due to finances, health issues or obligations, it can often feel as if we are imprisoned and unable to have any adventures of our own. But usually what that means is that we have our minds set on something we can't do at the moment rather than looking around us at other options that are available.

Tread Water or Fly

From the Tarot of the Master, the Wheel of Fortune:

Sometimes you're wearing a ribbon in your hair with a steady cash flow, and sometimes you're being run over as if you were a slight bump on the road. At times you're the predator chasing what you desire, and other times you're the prey running from what you fear. Life is full of moments that are pleasant or unpleasant, joyful or sad, optimistic or crushing. No matter what is going on, things will eventually change, moving from one cycle to the next. If I'm smart, I'll learn to appreciate the good times and patiently tread water during the bad, knowing that none of it is personal. All of it forms the pages in a book that I am writing, and those pages never stop turning.

The geomantic figure created today is "Carcer:"

Carcer means "prison," and though the falcon above isn't in a cage, he is tethered to a roost. But just as the Wheel above will eventually turn, he too will gain his freedom when he is loosed for the hunt. Do you think he will refuse to budge, choosing instead to sit and complain about how badly life is treating him? I don't think so. Those precious moments of flight are to be savored rather than wasted, no matter how normal and routine they might be.