A Naked Mind

From the Shadowlands Tarot, the High Priestess; from the Brownie Wisdom deck, "Cheerful Heart:"

We'll find there's a kind of place

That can only be seen with a naked mind.

―Capital Cities 

The tangible results produced by the will (Magician) are now set aside to learn from the High Priestess. She teaches us how to discover an inner wisdom that cannot be accessed by our everyday, thinking mind. Rather than using an assertive force of will, we must learn to let go and be receptive. We rest in quiet and stillness, allowing the sacred knowing to rise without the interference of expectation, judgment or assumption. Integrating the insights we gain into our life will require effort and watchfulness. Brownie Wisdom suggests we do this with a cheerful heart rather than letting our ego convince us to focus solely on the Magician's methods. As Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. said, "A moment's insight is sometimes worth a life's experience."

Shake It Off

This week I'll be using Lo Scarabeo's Tarot of Pagan Cats (mini) with booklet by Barbara Moore and art by Lola Airaghi. Paired with it will be Brownie Wisdom, the smaller deck included with The Brownies Oracle created and self-published by Doug Thornsjo. Today's draws are the Nine of Swords and 'Cheerful Heart:'

          The back leg shake of this cat reminds me of our youngest cat whose curiosity makes her paw at (and get stuck to) pieces of tape when I'm wrapping a gift. Worry and regret can be hard to shake, especially if the mind keeps replaying the experience over and over again. But history can't be erased or rewound, I can only do what I can in the present. The Brownie's wisdom points out that unfulfilled expectations can be a cause of regret or resentment. As the sage Shantideva teaches, "Whatever joy there is in this world all comes from desiring others to be happy. And whatever suffering there is in this world all comes from desiring myself to be happy." When it's all about me, there will always be something to be bothered about.

If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry. ~Dalai Lama