Stay Tuned

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Chet (artwork by Joel Moskowitz):

Fear is the major motivator for all of the action that takes place in the world. 

―Larry Winget

With a mind as sharp as her sword, the Queen of Swords prefers her conversations to be in person. She knows and notices 'tells,' small unconscious actions that expose a lie, omission or half-truth.  Her aim is not to shame others, but to instruct them: fear of the truth means that there is no foundation for solutions or making a better beginning. Chet resembles an archway or doorway and suggests that we have the power of choice to go beyond our normal reactions to life. Many of the barriers that hold us back are imagined; we'll never know what we can accomplish without stepping through that door. As William Shakespeare wrote, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” 

What's in Your Suitcase?

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Star; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, 'Chet:'

 

Chet artwork by Allison Carter

          Comparing the Temperance card of yesterday with the Star today, there are several likenesses and differences. The figure in the Star kneels rather than stands, suggesting circumstances have forced her to her knees. However, closer to the earth is a good place for getting grounded. While both cards show a figure with one foot in water and another on land, the Star doesn't mix liquids but seems to siphon it up into one vessel and pour out on the ground from another. She is the conduit for this 'living water,' a source of strength, healing, and guidance to be used in the physical realm. Digging our own wells to spiritual waters is an individual task. Yet even when we have discovered our source, we often get busy and forget to quench our thirst until life gives us a wallop. The Hebrew letter Chet is associated with the number eight; like the start of a new week, it represents a new beginning. Its shape is similar to the chupah, a wedding canopy in Jewish marriages that represents a gateway. After getting walloped, it can be scary moving through such an arch into the unknown. While we don't need to shut the door on the past, there's no need to pack it into our suitcases as we move forward either.

Complete the Course

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Page of Pentacles; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, "Chet:"

          No wonder this fellow is considered a student - just look at the serious way he's inspecting that pentacle. Beside him on the left are the fields his uncle the knight cultivates; on the right and behind him are the lakes, forests and mountains that he may one day be responsible for protecting. There is much knowledge he must learn and hands-on experience he will need before stepping into those big boots. Chet is associated with eight, a number deemed "one beyond" or the beginning of a new cycle (for instance, the eighth day begins a new week). Its shape is like that of an archway, and it is the first letter of chupah, the wedding canopy. The plant on this illustration is holy basil, a sacred plant of South Asia used in religious ceremonies. Telling me I need to study (particularly something I'm interested in) is like throwing Brer Rabbit in the brier patch. That's a rabbit hole I'll willingly go down. For me it can be a sacred activity. But I've learned the hard way that a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. I can glimpse one facet of the whole and think I know it all. Chet implies I need to complete a full cycle of education before I stand at the podium and attempt to advise others.

A Sip of Spiritual Sustenance

  From the Restored Order Tarot, the Four of Cups:

A young man sits with his back to a tree; the falling leaves represent a time of transition for him.  The three cups in front are all the fun and frolic he's had recently, but now he's tired and in need of some peace and quiet.  For the past week I've been in clean-out mode; if something didn't have a purpose (useful, sentimental, or beautiful) it got boxed up and given away.  Goodwill and the used bookstore will probably have to add on a wing soon.  Yesterday I went out of town to visit my mom (at 76 she's a ball of energy and lots of fun).  But today I feel like this guy looks - exhausted and in need of a time out.  The cup extended to him from the cloud is one of spiritual sustenance that will help him regain the strength to get back out in the crowd again.  I'm ready for a sip of that myself...

     From the Oracle of Kabbalah today comes the letter "Chet:"

Rabbi Ginsburgh teaches that Chet is the letter of life, of which there are two types: "essential life" and "life to enliven."  Its form is that of an arch or gateway, and is associated with the number eight.  Because seven is the number of completion (seven days in a week), eight and the form of Chet represent crossing a threshold and entering a new cycle.  Perhaps this card means a transition from doing what is necessary (essential) to doing what will bring joy (enliven).