In-Body

From Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, the Page of Earth; from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Dolphin:

Have an in-body experience.

―Lynne Forest

This Page is associated with 'Jack-in-the-Green,' a foliage-covered, dancing figure of May Day celebrations who embodied the spirit of spring. Likewise, the Page of Earth is not content to simply observe or read about something; he wants to be a participant, to be physically involved in some way. The Dolphin card represents joy, as dolphins are often seen jumping out of the water. While this behavior is generally related to navigation, visibility, communication, or parasite removal, at times these mammals just jump for the fun of it. Both of these cards suggest an embodiment of delight, which can only happen when we get out of our heads and appreciate the information that comes from our senses. As poet Aaron Boothby put it, "I don't know how to decline wonder."

Flotation Device

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Queen of Cups; from the Beasts of Albion, the Dolphin:

          Another nice pairing today: the Queen of emotions and relationships meets the Dolphin who represents intelligent caring. This queen's cloak floats out toward the waves while she remains stable in her chair. Like the lifeguard who carries a floatation device to extend to someone who is drowning, she realizes that becoming submerged with a person in emotional distress does no one any good. Her compassion allows her to sit with the suffering of someone else, offering them advice if wanted, but without becoming engulfed. Sometimes the best she can do is tell them she will bear witness so they don't have to suffer alone.

The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.

― Henri Nouwen

Compassion without Co-dependency

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the King of Cups; from the Beasts of Albion, the Dolphin:

          This king rules and guides with unconditional love, which is a good thing since his job is similar to running a customer service counter. Have you ever seen someone who stopped by a store's customer service department who was happy and just wanted to say what a great job they were doing? No, they're usually frustrated and impatient on good days and irate and hostile on the worst. Yet the King of Cups is known for his composure; he may keep his heart open and empathetic, but he doesn't get caught up in any emotional nets cast out. He remains compassionate without becoming co-dependent because he doesn't treat other people as an extension of himself. He's not concerned with pleasing other people or getting their approval, but genuinely caring for them without any emotional clinging. Sometimes that kind of care can send them stomping off in a huff. The Dolphin shows up to remind the king that while having deep feelings for others is a worthy endeavor, he needs to maintain his own emotional balance by coming up for air (with a few playful moves for good measure). Throw off that robe and get on your swim trunks, Your Highness; it's time to go parasailing.

Fire and Water

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Knight (King) of Wands; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, "Dolphin:"

          Normally when I think of the King of Wands (Thoth Knight), I imagine a CEO striding through the halls of a large corporation while barking directives in between talking on his cell phone. Yet Genetti uses a Tibetan monk who's idea of getting the job done involves sitting in meditation. He holds a dorje in his right hand (representing the masculine aspect of method or "skillful means") and a bell in his left hand (symbolizing the feminine aspect of wisdom). Their union represents the attainment of enlightenment, an abrupt and pivotal change in consciousness. This monk reminds me that sometimes "doing" doesn't look much like "busy."
          The myth of Dolphin reads a lot like the story of high school bullies who pick on those who are weaker, except in this case it involved dolphins and shells. The female dolphin leader refused to tease and treat the shells badly, and instead she tried to be their friends. It became a delicate balance to love both her clan and the shells. The group of dolphins were one day attacked by a shark (though warned about its approach by the shells). The female dolphin was the only survivor; she eventually was reborn as a human. Unconditional love for others is one of the main lessons of this card, which is interesting because the "skillful means" of the dorje is often explained as compassion. Like the female dolphin, sometimes it is the only thing that survives and thrives in a tumultuous world.

Catbird is Calling...

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Vagabond (Fool):

Here is the Fool, fresh off the ship in a new land.  The dog (his animal instincts), tug at his tunic trying to get his attention, "Hey, I think there's a McDonalds over this way!  Let's go get an egg mcmuffin and a coffee!"  But the Fool already has one foot turned in the opposite direction.  He's a free spirit traveling light, and whatever catches his attention is the direction he'll walk toward.  He's unencumbered by fears of the future or regrets of the past; his bare feet are firmly planted in the present, taking in every detail possible.  With sunny days and 80 degree temperatures here, I've been doing a lot of yard work.  I know the heat of summer is just around the corner, so I've been pushing to finish each task I've assigned myself.  With this mindset, it's easy not to notice all the beauty around me - red honeysuckle blooms, the catbird's mewing call, the smell of tea olives, and the breeze on my face.  While getting my yard back in shape is important, it is the "now" that is much more necessary.

From the Wisdom of the Four Winds comes the Spirit of the South, "Dolphin:"

This mammal has lots of lore surrounding it, and is legendary for its friendliness and intelligence.  Brailsford assigns the keyword "joy" to it,  and suggests we live and move in our element - where we find passion and joy.  I find mine both in creating and nature; as I prepare the soil, prune, and plant in the yard, it gives me a chance to do both.  But as the Fool above reminds me, I need to make sure my mind is not in the past or future in order to reap the joy available in the now.

Charity and Compassion

This week I'll be using the Llewellyn Tarot, created by Anna-Marie Ferguson.  Today's card is the Six of Pentacles:

A woman, who doesn't look exceptionally wealthy, stops to give money to a woman and child who are selling flowers.  This image made me think of a remark a woman from my book club made: "Lower-income Americans give proportionally more of their income to charity than do upper-income Americans."  Of course I had to verify this on my own, and was surprised to find she was correct (see http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/magazine/22FOB-wwln-t.html).  Basically, studies have shown that people with less money were more attuned to the needs of others and more committed to the values of egalitarianism.  The wealthy, on the other hand, prioritized their own needs without much empathy for others.  Food for thought as we Americans draw closer to another presidential election.

     The oracle deck I'll be using this week is the Beasts of Albion, created by Miranda Gray.  Today's draw is the "Dolphin:"

This dolphin, with its overflowing chalice, teaches the lessons of empathy, compassion, and helpfulness.  I have heard people excuse their behavior by saying, "I can't help it.  That's just my personality."  Now I believe if we can learn to ride a bike or use a computer, we can learn to do change our character traits as well.  But we only learn by doing.  If I want to develop into a more loving and giving person, I practice those actions until they become second-nature.  Forget the justifications and explanations please...