Razed Relations

From the Da Vinci Enigma Tarot, the Deluge (Tower); from the Insectorum Divinorum, the "Cockroach:"

          Matthews uses Da Vinci's study of Noah's flood as a replacement for the usual Tower. I would speculate that a great flood could indeed raze the earth as easily as fire. Matthews connects this card with the "heretical" views of the period; though the Roman Catholic Church tried to implement a counter-reformation at the time, their efforts weren't successful. The genie was out of the bottle, and no way was it going back in without a fight. What it did do was cause increasing damage to its own image; a scouring, radical change happened as people began to question the Church. A big divide appeared as the people began to see it as a human construct, fallible and made in man's image. The dimmi for Deluge asks, "What are you shoring up in this situation that needs to pass?" The Cockroach scuttles over as if on cue, with the key phrase "persistence in the face of disapproval." My unquestioned thoughts, beliefs and opinions can cause me to become arrogant and intolerant (exactly the characteristics I am fond of pointing out in others). They can lead me to "poke the bear" with a sense of smug satisfaction and and self-righteousness. While I might get a retaliatory reaction, I doubt my blather will cause anyone to change their mind. Yet respectful dialogue and discussion offer an alternative, and they aren't as likely to raze the relationship like a heated debate can.

Put the World on Pause

From the Da Vinci Enigma Tarot, the Ten of Water (Cups):

What is returning home?

This sketch done by Da Vinci shows Mary and Jesus, Mary's mother Anne, and John the Baptist - a study of an extended family. The question for this card made me think not so much of the "what," but the whole idea of being gone and coming home again. Even if I'm only gone for several hours, home feels like a place where I can renew myself through peace, belonging and kindness. My daughter has officially finished her two year college degree, and although she plans to continue her studies, I feel the need to set apart some sacred time to celebrate in a small way. As a family, we've had a lot going on lately (some good, some not so good). But my daughter has been through quite a struggle to accomplish what she has, and I feel like we would all benefit by pausing to reconnect and remember how much we love and appreciate each other.

From the Insectorum Divinorum comes the "Cockroach:"

Okay, I admit it. This is the one kind of bug I refuse to catch and release outside if I find it in the house. We spray for them, stomp on them and flush them down toilets, yet still they survive. Cockroaches can go for a month without food, survive extreme temperatures and tolerate much higher doses of radiation than humans. No wonder this insect is associated with persistence in the face of disapproval. In combining this draw with the one above, I get the feeling that outside pressure is likely to be applied to disrupt my family plans. Hopefully, unless it is a true emergency, we can put the world on pause while we spend time together.