Skillful Negotiation

From the Sun and Moon Tarot, the Sun; from the Wisdom Keepers Oracle, Diplomacy:

          Clarity, energy, and contentment - how could a day get any better? Unfortunately, the Diplomacy card (which represents the 6th hexagram of the I Ching) suggests that the happily skipping duo are about to run into an obstacle. No matter how sincere our motivations, we all eventually are faced with opposition or conflict. Rather than trying to bulldoze our way over the problem, this card encourages us to be patient and open-minded. The first step in doing this is taking the advice of Frances Kissling: "You have got to approach differences with this notion that there is good in the other." Perhaps they see an area that we've overlooked or have personal experience dealing with certain situations where we have only book knowledge. By inviting them to the table for a conversation, we gain a fuller, more complete perspective.

Once you label me you negate me.

~Soren Kierkegaard

Diplomacy not Destruction

From the Golden Botticelli Tarot, the Seven of Swords:

This painting was based on Botticelli's depiction of Moses at a well. A group of sisters came to water their flock, but other shepherds refused to allow them and chased them away. Moses dealt with these men and offered to draw the water for the sisters' sheep himself. The little booklet gives the phrase "theoretical discussions" for this card. Now that sounds civilized until you notice the tree stump that the swords surround. Such "discussions" can be handled with sharp, serrated edges with the intention of not only proving how right one is, but also destroying the other in the process. Just look at American political races for an example. This card reminds me to check my motives and be aware of possible fallout from hastily spoken words. It might be better to draw the water I need and leave instead.

From the Sacred Geometry Oracle comes the "Tetrahedron:"

The tetrahedron is the simplest of the Platonic solids and is formed of four equilateral triangles. Each of these Platonic solids has been attributed to one of the five elements - fire, air, water, earth and spirit. The tetrahedron is assigned to fire, and as such, indicates great energy. Greer warns that such a level of energy must be handled carefully and attentively. In adding this card to the one above, I can see how being passionate about something may dump fuel on an already large fire. Diplomacy rather than damage or destruction needs to be my watchword.