Be a Doubter

From the John Bauer Tarot, the Moon; from the Arthur Rackham Oracle, 'Confrontation:'

          A queen riding a moose is rather preposterous, which is why the lwb cautions us to look beyond our illusions. Moods, strong opinions and what we crave can distort what actually is in front of us. We may also allow others to influence us, invalidating what we think is the truth. The Confrontation card shows a battle between fairies and bats. Real bats can be lured to investigate a rock if it's thrown into the air. Perhaps their discernment is being twisted or manipulated by something as well. Yet rather than simply labeling what looks hard or challenging as 'bad' and what looks pleasant or fun as 'good,' we can lean in and see what is actually there. Pausing, we may get a chance to consider the long-term consequences rather than the immediate results. Doubting is not a vice; in the words of Peter Abelard, "It is by doubting that we come to investigate, and by investigating that we recognize the truth."

Shadowed Decisions

This week I'll be using the Tarot of Durer, created by Manfredi Toraldo and Giacinto Gaudenzi and published by Lo Scarabeo. The oracle deck I'll also be using is the Philosopher's Stone, created by De Es and published by AG Muller. Today's draws are the Two of Swords and 'Confrontation:'

          The question is not which came first, but whether to eat the chicken or the egg. The fox's hunger dictates his desire to eat, but he might slip away without notice if he chooses the egg. Yet the chicken would provide the better meal. Unfortunately, all the flapping and clucking won't go unnoticed, and he might get killed in the process. Is it wiser to take a greater chance and grab the more fulfilling meal? Confrontation shows a smaller rock blocking the light from the larger stone's face. When faced with tough decisions, we end up confronting those parts of ourselves that we would rather leave in the closet - fears and insecurities, anger and resentment, instincts and desires. We stay in the shadows until we do, because they won't be ignored. Sometimes the questions that should be asked is, "Will the consequences of this act fall on others too? Do the benefits serve the greater good or one person? What longterm repercussions could either choice have?"