Bumpy Roads

From Ferret Tarot, the King of Cups; from the Nature's Wisdom Oracle, Crab:

With equanimity, we learn that traveling the bumpy roads can sometimes offer more to our journey than simply sticking to the smooth highways.

― John Bruna

The King of Cups has a generous heart toward everyone - not just those who are easy to like. He teaches us to create space around those who are difficult, seeing them in a great pool of people that includes many that are kind. It's like putting a spoonful of salt in a glass of water versus the same amount in two liters of water; the first makes us wince at the saltiness, but in the large container we barely notice it. The Crab, however, reminds us that boundaries are still needed - not just stated but enforced. As Brené Brown advises, "When we fail to set boundaries and hold people accountable, we feel used and mistreated. This is why we sometimes attack who they are, which is far more hurtful than addressing a behavior or a choice."

Moving Sideways

This week I'll be using the Oriental Tarot, created by Claudio Foudraz (1846), reprinted by Giordano Berti and published by Rinascimento. As a companion booklet, I'll employ Lee Bursten's Universal Tarot of Marseille. Paired with it is the Art of Asia, an oracle I created myself for personal use. Today's draws are the Lovers and "A Crab on the Seashore" by Utagawa Kunisada:

          My first thought when I saw this card was a woman's struggle between choosing the man she loved versus choosing the man her parents chose for her (an arranged marriage). Does she make her choice out of family obligation or follow her heart? If her parents truly care about her (and this isn't a financial transaction), then they might be looking down the road toward her future happiness. I've read that many arranged marriages work out successfully, and that the couple learn to care for each other over time. But it would definitely complicate the matter if her heart is already tied to another. What will the cost be for both choices? The Crab artwork has been paired with a quote from Aristophanes: "You cannot teach a crab to walk straight." In other words, you can't change the true nature of a someone. Is she an independent minded woman who's not afraid to blaze her own trail, or a traditionalist who prefers to stay on a well-traveled path? The crab is also an astrological symbol of Cancer, a sign that wears its heart on its sleeve and takes great pleasure in home and family. Hopefully she'll think long and hard before she makes a decision, so she won't wind up as someone's crabby wife.

Thunking Thoughts

From the Ferret Tarot, the Nine of Swords; from the Nature's Wisdom Oracle, "Crab:"

          Moertl's phrase for this Nine made me laugh, because I could identify with it so well: "Everything goes 'thunk' in the night." Isn't that the truth? When I wake in the middle of the night, I'm generally not thinking sugary, sweet thoughts. I make plans, and worry about those plans. I think of people I care about, and worry about them. Basically, I get anxious about everything. Nice thoughts slide right out of my mind like on Teflon, but the uncomfortable ones seem to stick like Velcro.
          The Crab shows up with the keyword "Protection" assigned. Having recently looked at a Red Lobster menu, I'm not so sure it's accurate. But with the Nine of Swords added beside it, I'm thinking the protection I need may not be external, but from my own mind. Those thoughts of anxious uncertainty may be stickier than others, but they will pass if I don't focus on them (giving them more energy). Lately when I wake in the middle of the night, I use a technique I call the Sesame St. Meditation. I take a deep, relaxed breath, then as I exhale I imagine singing the first vowel until I run out of air (AAAaaaaaaaa). After the next inhale, I move to the next vowel and do the same, until I've gone through all of them (A, E, I, O, U). Usually after those five breaths, I've distracted my mind so it's not full of sorrows and woes. I guess Sesame St. is even educational for adults.