Thy Name Is Fear

From the Prairie Tarot, the Devil; from the Medicine Cards, Deer:

No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear.

—Edmund Burke

Devil, thy name is Fear. Fear can make us believe a few scorpion stings are better than what's on the other side of those swinging doors. Over-indulgence and rage are two tools it uses, tools that can create more problems rather than facing our apprehension. As David Allen stated, "Anything that causes you to over-react or under-react can control you, and often does." Deer comes to suggest we stop fighting and trying to ignore how we feel. Gentleness and kindness are what the heart and mind will respond to in a positive way, giving us a chance to ground and center ourselves before we walk through those doors.

Unpack Your Heart

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Five of Rivers (Cups); from the Animal Tiles, Deer:

          The spiral of the crane's neck symbolizes the experiences of love and loss in our lifetime. Outwardly the sun shines, but the crane's stomach feels cold and empty. When we're in that state of loss, it is natural to compare what was (love) to what is (grief). But we can easily get trapped in an eddy of sadness by refusing to see anything beyond our personal pain. The Deer showcases an impressive set of antlers; after the rutting season, testosterone will fall and the antlers will be shed. Yet when summer arrives, antlers will be grown once more. Deer reminds us that it is natural to feel heartbroken when we experience a loss, and it is normal to have an emotional ache that we should embrace. However, if we want our spirit to be rejuvenated at some point, it is necessary to accept the support of others and constantly turn our minds to what is still good and beautiful in the world. As Philip Phillips sings, "Unpack your heart."

Heart Imprint

From the Oriental Tarot, the Six of Coins; from the Art of Asia, "Deer on Mount Wakaba" by Konoshima Okoku:

           As I look at the way the flower and the vines separate the coins, I notice divisions into single coins and those of two. It can be easy to think that resources should be evenly divided among everyone, but that would be naive. Discernment is needed. Some folks need more, others need less and some just don't need to be enabled in their irresponsibility. Yet no matter what is given, I think what is important can be summed up by a Nigerian proverb: “It is the heart that does the giving; the fingers only let go.” The Deer card is paired with a quote by Mary Oliver: "This is the wish that the deer would not lift their heads and leap away, leaving me there alone." There are moments so special and beautiful, that we almost hold our breath, trying to keep them with us forever. But we don't need to worry about photographing them; all such moments leave an imprint on the heart, even moments of sincere generosity.

Getting Out of the Trap

From the RochesTarot, the Hanged Man; from the Animal Shaman Vision Cards, the Deer:

          The element associated with this card is water, and it represents a sort of old-time-religion baptism. What is "buried" (washed away) is the old way of doing things. Unfortunately this guy is still hanging upside down. He's having a hard time surrendering the situation, which would allow him to see without the constraints of his ego. I'm guessing he works for the city and is responsible for cleaning up the graffiti left in public areas. That task would be like shoveling the driveway in the middle of a blizzard. He will never get "finished," but why would he want to? There would be no job to fill. For now, he's being forced to examine how little external control he actually has; hopefully he'll consider other viewpoints so he can get on with life.
          Several months ago, I was taking a stroll on the river walk when I noticed a slight movement in the woody area on the slope above me. A group of deer had paused to watch and see what I would do; their big ears swiveled to pick up any sound I might make. These animals prefer to run rather than fight. And unlike the Hanged Man, who I'm sure has been loudly complaining to whomever will listen, the deer know that quietness will serve them much better. I suppose these qualities are why the deer is often associated with gentleness. When I'm struggling with letting go of a situation I can't control, tenderness and self-compassion (as opposed to self-indulgence or self-pity) can ease my tight grip.

Perhaps the biggest tragedy of our lives is that freedom is possible, yet we can pass our years trapped in the same old patterns. ~ Tara Brach

Cold, Dark Night

From the Prairie Tarot, the Five of Coins; from the Medicine Cards, "Deer:"

          My idea of hell is not intense temperatures, fire and brimstone; it's a place where it is damp and the weather is freezing. Looking at this card, I wonder what in the world would make someone leave their warm shelter and slog through deep snow in the dead of night. Did a horse or livestock animal disappear that they depend on? Neither person has a torch to light their way, but a fire in their cabin burns brightly and acts as a beacon.
          Deer, according to Sams and Carson, represent gentleness. What a welcome message to receive when one is suffering physically or financially. I can get frustrated with my body when it gets sick or becomes injured, even though it serves me quite well for most of the 365 days of each year. A speaker I was listening to the other day told us to raise our hands and clench our fists. Then she said, "Now notice your breath." Like everyone else, I was holding my breath as tightly as my fist. Tough times come and go; if I apply gentleness, I won't add to stress to the problem. That is the beacon that shines its light in the cold, dark night.

Bypass the Baseless Suspicions

From the World Spirit Tarot, the Nine of Wands; from the Mystic Glyphs, "Deer:"

          When I pulled this Nine of Wands, I heard the Bee Gees singing "Staying Alive" in my head. Being cautious is a good thing, but living constantly in fear is not. America has been at war for so long, our soldiers are paying a heavy toll - not just with physical injuries but emotional ones too. Even the average citizen has become paranoid, seeing a terrorist behind every tree (thank you Fox News). A perfect example is what happened to the young boy who built a clock for a school project. Be alert but stay composed this card suggests; actions should be based on facts, not assumptions.
          The Deer, with its huge swiveling ears always checking for danger, indicates being too easily influenced by others or the past. Stay in the present and don't assume others always know what's best. Situations where I've been hurt or been taken advantage of in the past don't necessarily reflect what's happening now. People who give advice may just be pot stirrers. Today's checklist: prudence yes, baseless suspicions no.

Riding on the Center Line

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Chariot:

The purple and yellow wheels of this chariot are vibrating with energy, suggesting movement.  The victory medal the charioteer holds overhead proclaims that her progression has been a successful one.  In this depiction, the horses are missing, and I realize this vehicle is on water not on land.  What we have here is more of a motorboat - staying atop the water and riding out the rough waves without sinking are the goal.  Will and intellect can bridle the emotions and instincts, allowing me to stay afloat and not be swamped by anger, fear, or emotional drama.  The Chariot reminds me to pause before reacting and think things through; it is what will keep me moving forward rather than becoming sidetracked.

From the animal tiles oracle today comes the "Deer:"

Had this been a doe, I might have considered this deer to represent gentleness; instead it reminds me of an incident over a decade ago.  A college buddy was driving back from his sister's wedding rehearsal when another car struck a huge buck, sending it crashing through the windshield of my friend's car, killing him instantly.  Back then, the whitetail deer population had exploded, and deer had become driving hazards even in the city.  Now with Georgia's liberal hunting limit of 12 per year, along with the increasing population of coyotes, the whitetail numbers have been drastically reduced.  Conservationists are rethinking the hunting limit so the population can even out.  The deer reminds me that while I want to be detached and think with my head rather than my emotions, I don't want to become a robot without feelings.  If the pendulum swings too far either way, I must attempt to bring it back towards the center.

Don't Trouble Trouble

From the World Spirit Tarot, the Nine of Wands:

This guy's posture reminds me of a tennis player, ready to volley a ball as soon as it is served.  But he seems to have a smile on his face, which tells me that being alert doesn't have to mean being paranoid.  The authors write, "Dedication, discipline and persistence have prepared you for whatever comes your way, so don't get so geared up for trouble that you sit around waiting for it."  In other words, I don't need to create trouble that isn't there, I just need to keep my eyes open for situations I might need to handle, while I enjoy the rest of my day.

From the Mystic Glyphs deck comes "Deer:"

If anyone has had the pleasure of watching a deer from afar, you've seen how they swivel their ears around constantly on guard for any danger.  Yet this card's message is that I'm being too sensitive -  fear that isn't real is pushing my red alert buttons.  The anxiety may stem from my past that I've dragged into the present, or it may be from the influence of the people around me.  Regardless of where it's coming from, I need to take a deep breath and relax.