Shaping the Mind

From the Light and Shadow Tarot, the Chariot; from the Art Rounds Oracle, Coral:

Irrigators regulate the rivers; fletchers straighten the arrow shaft; carpenters shape the wood; the wise control themselves. —Dhammapada, 80

This buddha-like charioteer pauses for the cause, taking a moment to let his emotions settle (holding the crab) so his mind will be clear. The booklet's verse reads: "I am the Chariot, which carries calm through torrent and tempest." Whether we're on a spiritual or physical journey, our mind has the ability to completely distract us or to keep us heading in the right direction. Being aware of our thoughts, we can turn them in a new direction if the mind is simply spinning plates rather than focusing on the task at hand. Coral reefs, though covering less than 1% of the ocean floor, support about 25% of all marine life.  These creatures form colonies by cementing themselves together with the calcium carbonate they secrete. This card suggests community, connection, and collaborative action. As Desmond Tutu stated, "The fundamental law of human beings is interdependence." We need to connect with others who will help us reach our goals - especially those who will point out when we've taken an exit ramp.

What Isn't Ours

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, the Seven of Swords; from the Secret Language of Color Cards, Coral:

Some people steal to stay alive, and some steal to feel alive. Simple as that.

― V.E. Schwab

When is it okay to steal what isn't ours to take? If someone has more than us, are we entitled to take some of theirs? There is a growing problem with people stealing and selling intellectual property these days (creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, etc.), made easier via the internet. I've unintentionally bought a tarot deck from Etsy and an oracle deck from Amazon that were pirated. But the big companies do little more than offer a refund, which seems a heartless response to the artists and writers. Simply because someone's work is popular and well-known doesn't mean they're rich; they are likely just trying to make a living like the rest of us. Coral suggests we allow for flow and synchronicity in our lives. Yet if we are too busy being envious of what others have, we'll never notice the openings and opportunities that float past us. When we are grateful for what we do have, we can more easily spot our resources as well.

An Invitation to Flaunt

From the Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, the Wildwitch/Queen of Fire (Wands); from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Coral:

Poppy calls this Queen 'passion personified.' She expresses herself with confidence, in vibrant ways that may flaunt convention. And while she's not afraid to be the center of attention, she also likes to help others find their own inner fire. She doesn't see encouraging others as creating more competition, she considers it more of an invitation to gleefully join in the delight of life. Coral is a marine animal with an exoskeleton made of calcium carbonate. Its keyword - strength - reminds us that we all have inner fortitude available even when we are afraid. The more we use it (sometimes with no other choice), the more confident we become in our capabilities. I'm sure the Queen of Wands didn't arrive in the world blazing, but with a small ember she nourished and grew.

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

―Bob Marley

Spaciousness

From the Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, Soaring (Nine of Air/Swords); from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Coral:

          The traditional Nine of Swords shows a woman in a bed waking up from a nightmare (or being unable to sleep because of worries). It illustrates how our emotions and thoughts can create disturbing stories that appear to be real. But Palin's card shows the solution - to rise above those thoughts and seek a spacious, wider perspective. There are many more possibilities than what I create with my limited thinking. Coral are marine animals that secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton. Not only does this hard structure help protect them, it also acts as a refuge for other ocean animals. Its ability to create its own stronghold reminds me that I too have an inner source I can tap into when I need to ground and center myself.

 Mind’s nature has two qualities: a sense of spaciousness, expansiveness, or totality, and a vivid, wakeful awareness. —Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

Discerning Fact from Fiction

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Secret Language of Color, Coral:

          Oh ho, look what the Queen has done to the big, scary bird! The booklet encourages us to use our intelligence and love of truth to conquer what plagues us. This Queen demands that we examine our thoughts for any fluff, sensationalism or manipulative untruths (she has an excellent bullshit detector). We discover them when we realize they have no concrete evidence, only "what ifs" and exaggerated claims as their foundation. Coral's message is to "allow the flow." What blocks this flow is our rigid ideas, a singular viewpoint that sorts everything into right or wrong categories. This rigidity is the opposite extreme of believing everything (what the Queen warned against); such a perspective only believes what is comfortable and reassuring. The 'flow' asks us to stand on the riverbank and observe; we don't have to pick up every stick and leaf that floats by, but we do get a much wider view than if we cling tightly to only what we wish to be real.

They ran their heads very hard against wrong ideas, and persisted in trying to fit the circumstances to the ideas instead of trying to extract ideas from the circumstances.

― Charles Dickens

Take Warning

From the Fey Tarot, the Knight of Swords:

"Red sky at morning, sailors take warning..."  But it's not the weather I need to worry about, but impulsive actions or words that happen before my brain kicks in with some common sense.  I know when I am hungry, angry, lonely or tired (HALT), I need to pull back on my own reins because I'm liable to do or say something stupid.  Minetti makes the point in the companion book that its not the sword in her hand that is the dangerous weapon, but the girl herself who is out of control.  Time to climb out of that saddle and get some much needed rest...

From the Crystal Deva Cards comes "Coral:"

Red coral is often called "precious coral" because of its value.  Unfortunately it has been over-harvested from reefs that are already feeling the effects of the extra acidity in the oceans.  Watlington gives coral the keyword "fellowship;" it reminds me that the earth is a nicer place to live when we realize we're all in this together (including plants, minerals, animals and bodies of water).  I need to change my thinking from "I, me, mine," and be aware of how what I buy (or want) can be detrimental in ways my ego will never understand.