Intensity is Addictive

From the Granny Jones Australian Tarot, Temperance; from the Button Oracle, Flowers:

...people are increasingly seduced into believing that intensity equals being alive. When that happens, the mind becomes wired for drama and the soul is starved of meaningful purpose. 

—Dr. Keith Lee 

          Our society has produced a population that believes mental stability is boring or unnatural; these people are convinced they thrive on the over-stimulation that stressful or dangerous situations can bring. Then there are those who grew up in dysfunctional households or who were exposed to ongoing threats (such as soldiers); their  bodies and minds learned to survive by constantly expecting danger. When the danger is eventually removed, the calm feels so unfamiliar that it produces anxiety. Emotional drama and chaos become a way to reduce that feeling (much like an addict or alcoholic depends on substances). Yet any medical doctor will tell us that continually immersing ourselves in a pool of stress hormones is detrimental to our well-being. The Flowers button is a symbol of transience, the passing away of things, even our feelings and moods. Tools such as meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy can help us become aware of and retrain our bodies and minds. We can learn that sitting in that uncomfortable feeling won't hurt us and will eventually fade away.

Can't Dam the Flow

This week I'll be using the Navigators of the Mystic Sea Tarot, created by Julia Turk and published by U.S. Games. The other deck I'll be drawing from is the Celtic Lenormand, with artwork by Will Worthington and booklet by Chloe McCracken; it was also published by U.S. Games. Today's cards are the Ten of Pentacles and Flowers:

          The couple in the Ten of Pentacles card watch as the river with coins flows down to them. Did they dig this path to enjoy this abundance? This card reminded me of John Michael Greer's book Mystery Teachings from the Living Earth which describes the Seven Laws of Nature. The Law of Flow states: "Everything that exists is created and sustained by flows of matter, energy, and information that came from the whole system to which it belongs and that return to that whole system." Greer explains that accumulation is increase without flow; unchecked it will destroy the system in which it takes place.  As a result, systems respond to accumulation with responses that restore flow. If material wealth is flowing into one's life, material wealth in some form should be flowing out of it at an equal rate. This reflects the Six of Pentacles drawn yesterday. Flowers from the Celtic Lenormand suggest beauty and joy; McCracken writes that we can "feel pleasure and happiness in the moment." Flowers like happiness don't last forever. Do I want to enjoy the good days to the fullest, or anxiously cling to the illusion that I can somehow dam them up? Being present to the flow of abundance or need is much more constructive.

A Private Affair

From the Tyldwick Tarot, the Three of Cups:

Two storks have built a nest and wait for an egg to hatch. The elaborately designed wrought iron gate is featured prominently in this image and indicates both boundaries and protection. This is a time of celebration, but it is a quiet, private affair, not a rowdy party with no holds barred. I can't help but think this alludes to my immediate family and our time together before the insanity of the holiday begins tomorrow. Hopefully we will have a chance to hang out, relax, play a few games and enjoy each other's company.

From the Antiquarian Lenormand comes the card "Flowers:"

 It is easy to see why this card is associated with what is beautiful and pleasurable. The idea of spending time (just the three of us) inside our cocoon of time sounds lovely. But I must make an effort to keep my mind from whirling about, thinking about all I should do before tomorrow. All I really need to concentrate is what will bring joy into our home.