Leaning Post

From the Anima Mundi Tarot, the Emperor; from the Nature's Pharmacy Deck, Feverfew:

I can't promise to fix all of your problems, but I can promise you won't have to face them alone. 

—Mac Miller

The Emperor is illustrated with a Douglas fir, an evergreen that is one of the tallest in the pine family. Its evergreen nature - no matter the season - brings to mind those trustworthy friends or family members who have our back. It doesn't matter if the timing is inconvenient, if they're tired, or if they are in the middle of having fun; when we really need their help, they come. Feverfew is marketed as an herbal aid to prevent migraines and help with symptoms (pain, nausea, light sensitivity). However, when taken on a regular basis and then abruptly stopped, withdrawals symptoms such as rebound headaches and muscle and joint pains occur. No one can be a constant leaning post; everyone is subject to health issues and their own unexpected crises. At some point. we have to learn to be our own supportive, best friend. 

Balanced Harmony

This week I'll be using the Middle Way Arcana, a major arcana deck based on the ideas of Buddhism. This deck was one I created for personal use with scissors and a glue stick. I'll also be drawing from the Vertical Oracle, created by Antero Alli with Sylvie Pickering and published by Vertical Pool. Today's cards are the Emperor and Ritual:

Understand that just as a bird needs two wings to fly, you must develop wisdom and compassion simultaneously. Wisdom is a correct understanding of reality and compassion is the desire for all beings to be liberated from the causes of suffering.

―Mattieu Ricard

The Emperor holds his hands in the Anjali ("offering") mudra, a symbol of respect as well as unity. He understands that the discernment of wisdom needs to be paired with the kindness of compassion in order to have a balanced peace. His "laws" - the precepts - are meant to guide us toward this balanced harmony: nurture all beings, be generous, speak from the heart, treat others with dignity, and cultivate a clear mind. Ritual is not meant to be a monotonous practice, but a way to slow our mind and body down so that we remember what is sacred and important. It helps us clarify our intentions and provides a check to see if we're traveling the Way or have taken an exit ramp. The Anjali mudra is also a ritualized gesture; it reminds us that within our palms is a seed that will be planted by our actions and words. What fruit will it produce?

Not Squashed

From the Deirdre of the Sorrows Tarot, the Emperor; from the Victorian Flower Oracle, Violet:

True freedom requires the rule of law and justice, and a judicial system in which the rights of some are not secured by the denial of rights to others. ―Jonathan Sacks

The Emperor's laws are meant to create a working, healthy society. Yet without representatives from all walks of life, he may get stuck in his personal view of what that structure looks like. Tulip, a card symbolizing prosperity and well-being, is a caution to serve all, not a select few. Fair and ethical laws uphold civil rights - equal protection and opportunities regardless of race, religion, or other personal characteristics. No one is above the law, but no one should have their life squashed by it either.

Making and Breaking

From the Badgers Forest Tarot, the Emperor; from the Gemstone Oracle, Leopard Skin Jasper:

 

Obedience keeps the rules. Love knows when to break them. 

―Anthony de Mello

The bear - standing on his hind legs with his claws prominent - is a more aggressive form of the Emperor. This fellow believes he has a lock on what is right and how things should be done. His rules and laws are meant to keep things orderly and running smoothly like a machine. But humans are not mechanical robots. Leopard Skin Jasper encourages meeting one's basic needs and improving one's circumstances. Laws that don't take into account people's mental, physical, emotional and spiritual needs aren't going to work well for long. The 'parts' require care and attention if the whole is to function properly.
 

No Exceptions?

From the Norse Tarot, the Emperor; from the Viking Lenormand, the Bear:

The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions.

~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

The Emperor is represented by Tyr, a principal war god of the Norse and an upholder of the law. Just as Odin sacrificed an eye in pursuit of wisdom, Tyr offered his hand in support of the law. He was considered the guardian of treaties, oaths, and contracts. One look at his commanding presence (highlighted by the red sky and his red robe), and a person might rethink breaking any rules or vows. The Bear reinforces his strength and power as well as his role as protector. But there is a danger of being 'overbearing,' to see the laws in black and white. The truly wise person knows that there exceptions.

Welfare of All

From the Middle Way Arcana, the Emperor; from the Vertical Oracle, Control Freak:

Inter-being is the understanding that nothing exists separately from anything else. We are all interconnected. By taking care of another person, you take care of yourself. By taking care of yourself, you take care of the other person. Happiness and safety are not individual matters.

–Thich Nhat Hanh

A good Emperor is grateful for the diversity of people he leads; he recognizes that we depend on each other's talents and knowledge as well as the gifts of nature too. Yet such an assortment of folks means a medley of opinions, and if his country is to stay unified, there needs to be some guidelines. For lay Buddhists, that ethical compass is the Five Precepts. The undercurrent through all five is the idea of doing no harm. The Control Freak card describes those who only want to follow their own rules because they fear not getting what they want or losing what they have. But no one in a healthy community obtains rights without also incurring responsibilities. As Lewis Schwellenbach said, "The security, progress and welfare of one group is measured finally in the security, progress and welfare of all mankind."

Mental Habits

This week I'll be using the Osho Zen Tarot, created by Ma Deva Padma and published by St. Martin's Press. I'll also be using the A'HA Oracle, created and self-published by Linnie Lambrechtsen. The card draws for today are the Rebel (Emperor) and Eternity:

No matter where you go or what you do, you live your entire life within the confines of your head. ―Terry Josephson

Rather than an Emperor who sets down the laws and enforces them, Padma's card illustrates self-sovereignty. We often like to point to things outside of ourselves that constrict and confine us, forgetting about what lies between our ears. All of us have an inner committee, shaped and conditioned by our previous experiences, that run our lives based on concretized concepts and values. That committee is frequently influenced by our present moods and emotions as well. The Rebel questions his mind's decrees, refusing what doesn't reflect reality or could harm his or another's well-being. The Eternity card asks us to ponder what will be left when we step off the space/time track. Our actions are our only true belongings, which may well affect people and places long after we are gone. To leave behind a healthy inheritance, it must be shaped by wisdom and compassion, not by our mental habits.

No Bending the Knee

This week I'll be using the Urban Tarot, a deck and book set originally created and self-published by Robin Scott, but now published through U.S. Games. I'll be pairing it with an oracle I created called Principles to Live By. Today's draws the Emperor and Courage:

Scott illustrates her Emperor as a mayor of New York in the midst of being lashed by Hurricane Sandy. She describes him as someone who "holds us to a higher standard of ethics," who "teaches us responsibility and morality with a firm and measured hand." It's one thing to wear the crown when life is good. But try it when there's a pandemic and no one wants to wear a mask, when there's been a natural disaster and everyone is desperate for help, or when social injustice is met with rioting, looting and violence. It's no wonder that the tile for Courage has appeared, when boundaries must be set and triage determines which concerns come first in a long line of priorities. It takes a tough person to take a stand on doing what is right and ethical instead of bending the knee to those who scream the loudest or have the most money. 

The Antidote

From the Prairie Tarot, the Emperor; from the Medicine Cards, the Rabbit:

This Emperor holds the skull of a ram, a symbol of strength, determination and virility. Yet from earliest times, the ram was also seen as a prestigious sacrifice. Are there any true leaders - those who work in service of those they represent - who haven't made personal sacrifices? I doubt it. There will always be those who love the power and prestige, but few who embrace the humility that is needed. Jimmy Carter recently entered hospice, and though he didn't leave a large mark as President, he is remembered fondly for his diplomacy and his work to advance human rights and alleviate human suffering. Rabbit's message is about fear and worries about the future. I've always heard the best antidote for such anxiety is to reach out and help someone in need.

I have one life and one chance to make it count for something... My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference. ~Jimmy Carter

A Clearing

From the Anna K Tarot, the Emperor; from the Meditation Cards, "Self-reflection:"

The Emperor is described as being devoted to "stability, structure, and discipline." Is it any wonder that his mind is filled with strategy, plans and laws? He's good at organizing, securing and protecting, but his focus often forgets that there are humans with feelings involved in all of it. While some hard decisions might require emotional detachment, it's easy to get stuck defining "what's best" exclusively with personal viewpoints. The Self-reflection card suggests a way to get out of this rut:

Take away your opinion, then what? What is left? That is the point. Take away your opinion—your condition, situation—then your mind is clear like space.

—Zen Master Seung Sahn

Everyday Duties

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Cat People, created by Karen Kuykendall and published by U.S. Games. I'll also be drawing from the Insectorum Divinorum, created and self-published by Esmeralda Rupp-Spangle. This morning's cards are the Emperor and the Nightcrawler:

The Emperor's companion cat is a snow leopard, a powerful animal that evolved to live in harsh conditions at high altitudes. The Emperor has similar qualities, proving himself to be brave in battle and capable of inspiring respect. He knows that a society needs room to advance and make progress, but they also need some limitations and rules to prevent discord and disorder. He would agree with Shunryu Suzuki, "To give your sheep or cow a large spacious meadow is the way to control him." The Nightcrawler is a beneficial earthworm that aerates the soil while helping to recycle nutrients and fertilize the soil. It has a mundane rather than flashy existence, but it provides a much needed service. As any leader, teacher or mentor knows, it's usually the day-to-day duties that provide the foundation for all the rest. 

Revivifying

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Greenman (Emperor); from the Rune Cards, Hearth/Peordh:

The Greenman was an environmental guardian of forests and woods, a force with the ability to enrich and revivify nature. As a symbol of the Emperor, he reminds me of leaders who must bring their communities back to life after they have been decimated by war, storms, fires or floods. Such a leader's first task is to bring hope and comfort, and then he initiates a plan for rebuilding. The Hearth/Peordh rune emphasizes the need to balance the hard work of restoration with times of laughter, relaxation and play. These 'down times' can keep our spirits up and remind us of our connection so that cooperative attitudes will prevail.

Laughter, which is present in many kinds of playful activities, releases those same feel-good hormones. The act of simply laughing with others will also foster a sense of camaraderie and strengthen your relationships, too. ~NBC Today

The Freedom of Limits

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, the Emperor; from the Secret Language of Color Cards, Orange:

This Emperor's scepter seems to pulse with concentrated power. The booklet suggests that by accepting structure, we are more likely to grow in meaningful ways and maximize our time and energy. If you know someone who is dispersed in their thinking and actions, it's easy to see the wisdom in this idea. Such folks are like a pinball in an arcade game, occasionally hitting their target but often missing what's important altogether. A lot of energy is expended for few beneficial results. When I think of the color Orange, I think of the citrus fruit and of glowing coals. One provides vitamin C and the other the energy for warmth or cooking. It's easy to push against boundaries and rules, thinking they constrict our creativity, but sometimes they are the healthy and useful limits we need.

In limits, there is freedom. Creativity thrives within structure.

~Julia Cameron

Cycles of Breaking and Healing

From the New Era Elements Tarot, the Emperor; from the Tao Oracle, Hexagram 64:

A good leader might be an eloquent speaker, but his integrity shines through his actions - protecting and taking responsibility for those he or she serves. Lincoln's achievement was not that he won a war, but that he united a broken nation and helped free an enslaved people, all the while embodying his motto of "with malice toward none." Yet Hexagram 64 (Before Completion) suggests that nothing stays fixed or whole, just as our country presently experiences a great divide again. Yet all is not lost; the potential exists for things to change, allowing the pendulum to swing back to more peaceful and cooperative days.

Humble Packaging

From the Wayfarer Tarot, the Emperor; from the Curious Oracle, The Sun:

This grandpa might look like he's taking a nap, but you can bet he's keeping a close eye on his grandchild as well as what's going on around him. He exemplifies the excellent leadership the Tao te Ching suggests: a person who is humble and open-minded, who creates a safe space for others to discover their own talents and passions, and who seeks to bring harmony rather than rush into conflict. The Sun implies clarity; in the Emperor's position, it signifies his recognition of interconnection rather than division. There are no 'mine' and 'your' labels - we're all in this together.

All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common: it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership. —John Kenneth Galbraith

Reasoned Judgment

From the Da Vinci Enigma Tarot, the Emperor; from the Insectorum Divinorum, Hemiptera:

Dimmi: What are the boundaries of safety and order in this situation?

          The fantastical elements of this armor were added by Leonardo, whose sitter for this sketch was just an ordinary man. Without this knowledge, how easy it would be to judge him as some pompous ruler with more concern for attire than his kingdom. Hemiptera is an order of insects known as 'true bugs;' they are distinguished by their piercing mouth parts used for sucking sap from plants (but in some cases animals) with nymphs that resemble the adult form. Both these cards point to the danger of making a snap judgment without being aware of factual evidence. Assumptions may seem to protect us; rather than investigate and confirm, we fill in what is unknown based on our preferences and biases. But such misinformation just creates more chaos and insecurity, not safety and order. 

It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into.

~Jonathan Swift

Personal Agency

From the Dark Goddess Tarot, The Morrigan (Emperor); from the Tattwa Cards, Air > Seed of Water:

Never surrender what matters most.

~Ellen Lorenzi-Prince

          The Morrigan, great Queen of the Celts, is associated with war and fate. She reminds us that we should cherish our sovereignty (the right to make our own decisions) while realizing we are responsible for those choices. There are times when we may wish to abdicate our own throne, but this goddess warns that personal agency is what allows us our independence and freedom. Yet the keyword for tattwa card - 'stagnation' - offers another caution. Sometimes we can fall under the illusion that we are an expert on everything and refuse to listen to others. Our opinions and beliefs keep us trapped from seeing the bigger picture. Yet sincerely considering the ideas of others only offers us more options to choose from.

If you cannot be open-minded, then you do not possess your ideas, your ideas possess you.

~Bryant McGill

Far Beyond Time and Location

From the Ellis Deck, the Emperor; from the Brownies Oracle, Preparation:

Authority without wisdom is like a heavy ax without an edge, fitter to bruise than polish. 

―Anne Bradstreet

          The Emperor operates with a clear direction to protect, sustain and keep order in his kingdom. Seeing everything in black or white, he's not what one might consider 'cognitively flexible.' Such powerful people are hard to confront. Does anyone ever question his authority? Hidden behind layers of armor, I want to uncover more about him - his values and ethics, his sources for knowledge, and who he serves (a select group, himself, or everyone). The Brownies, having unearthed a potato, have devised a way to move and cook it. Many factors had to be studied and considered in order to take on such a huge task. Before making far-reaching decisions that would affect people or a land he doesn't know personally, does this Emperor do his research? Does he check to see if his information is accurate? The ripple of our words and actions carry far beyond the present time and location.

Beginning Within

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Absurd, created and self-published by Jessica Rose Shanahan. I'll also be using another self-published deck, the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk by Masha Falkov. The draws for today are the Emperor and Waterfall:

          With his belligerent expression and stabbing finger, I can almost feel the big boot of this Emperor on the back of my neck. He's become overzealous in his law and order tactics and extreme in his attitude. There's no fatherly concern here, only a "my way or the highway" mindset. The Waterfall brought to mind something neuropsychologist Rick Hanson said: “We live life at the lip of a waterfall… our mind is forever trying to grab what has already disappeared over the edge.” Though we might like to put life in a box complete with all our labels and preferences, constant change is the natural state of all things. While this Emperor is busy trying to Gorilla glue his box tightly shut, the bottom has already spilled most of its contents out. Fear generally brings a hostile perspective such as his. The only cure is accepting that he can't control everything, especially change.

You can’t remake the world

Without remaking yourself.

Each new era begins within.

—Ben Okri

Birthday Advice

From the Anna K Tarot, the Emperor; from the Meditation Cards, Heart Centered:

          The Emperor knows that every person and society needs some guard rails if they are to make progress without continuous setbacks. His solution is law and order, truth or consequences. But the black and white tiles in this card imply how easy it can be to slide from guidance to rigid control and black and white thinking. Today is my sixtieth birthday, and I feel this Emperor offers me some wise advice. The physical changes that come as the result of aging (as well as the prospect of death) can easily make a person who has no control over these things develop an inflexible perspective. A hard-line stance can give the illusion of being in charge and temporarily soothe the ego when life feels unstable and uncertain. Yet Heart Centered pulls me back to reality with a quote from  Al-Suhrawardi:

If words come out of the heart, they will enter the heart, but if they come from the tongue, they will not pass beyond the ears. 

This life, with all its joy and suffering, invites me to reach out to others rather than push them away. Such connections are what help us all stay sane and open-hearted on the journey. In the words of Ram Dass, "We’re all just walking each other home."