Peace With All That Is

From the Tarot of the Master, the Four of Swords; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Fortuna Major:

          The Four of Swords shows the binding of swords, helmet and glove to a shield. Wouldn't it be wonderful if it could be that easy to bind those thoughts of worry and give the mind a rest? I've had many people on my mind and heart lately to the point that I needed a break in order not to break. Meditation usually helps, but when I'm on overload the best medicine is often getting my hands in the dirt. A dear friend lost her only sibling last week, the last link in her family chain. Yesterday, I loaded my car with a shovel, ferns, liriope, day lilies and some annuals and headed to her house. I had bought a birdbath, and I set it near the tree line then planted everything around it. She now has a mini memorial garden for her sister and can bird watch from her back porch. The Fortuna Major ('greater fortune') is that while I may have done something nice for someone else, I received the benefit of a rested mind and a healed heart. 

We are not called upon as Buddhists to deny the world, and certainly not to escape from it. We are called to live with it, and to make our peace with all that is.

—Clark Strand

Anticipating Charity

From the Tarot of the Master, the Knight of Coins; from the Paracelsus Oracle, 'Fortuna Major:'

          The Knight of Coins has been given the keyword 'responsibility' because of his dependable nature and hard work ethic. He could teach America a thing or two, as its citizens have become enamored of their rights but conveniently forgotten they come attached to responsibilities. Fortuna Major means 'greater fortune,' and in this particular card, it is associated with good fortune that arrives through aid or philanthropy. These draws seem like illustrations for the writings of the philosopher Maimonides on charity:

the most meritorious of all, is to anticipate charity by preventing poverty, namely, to assist the reduced brother, either by a considerable gift or loan of money, or by teaching him a trade, or by putting him in the way of business, so that he may earn an honest livelihood and not be forced to the dreadful alternative of holding up his hand for charity. . .

Feminine Control

From the Tarot of the Master, the Empress; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Fortuna Major:

          In the tarot decks of old, L'Imperatrice was more of a ruler than a fertile, emotional earth mother. Her keyword for this card is 'control,' suggesting she does more than sit on a throne. Yet she is a balance to her husband's rigid rule. She believes in communicating with rather than to those she leads; maintaining relationships are important. She prefers peacemaking and diplomacy rather than ultimatums and aggression. Quality of life is of utmost importance, and she won't hesitate to morph into protective mode if the situation calls for it. Greater Fortune shows up again from the Paracelsus Oracle, but this version has to do with health. However this has nothing to do with winning the gene lottery, but represents a natural flow of events and circumstances like water running downhill. As the Empress would agree, when you compassionately care for all the parts (whether a kingdom or a body), things tend to run a bit smoother.

A Functioning Unit

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Master, created by Giovanni Vacchetta and published by Lo Scarabeo. Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Paracelsus Oracle, published by Lo Scarabeo with instructions written by Gina di Roberto. The cards drawn for today are the Six of Batons and Fortuna Major:

          Wands/batons are about doing, and if you've got a group, it helps to be on the same page before you take action. The drum sticks, bugle and reed pipe symbolize the soldiers who were musicians; their responsibilities included keeping up the soldiers' spirits while marching and playing during ceremonies. But by far their most important job was communication during the noise of battle to make sure everyone functioned as a unit. This is the kind of harmonious flow that brings success of a challenge met. The Paracelsus cards include two sets of geomantic figures, with two slightly different meanings for each symbol. Fortuna Major is 'greater fortune' and includes power, protection, and inner strength. For this particular card, it also represents help given or received (as seen by the eagle coming to the aid of the drowning man). No victory or accomplishment comes all on one's own. At some point support (knowledge or material) or encouragement were provided. It may shrink the ego to admit it, but we all need a little help now and then from our friends.

Five guys on the court working together can achieve more than five talented

individuals who come and go as individuals. ~Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

An Inside Job

From the Tarot of the Master, the High Priestess; from the Geomancy Cards, "Fortuna Major:"

          How interesting to see La Papessa show up with Fortuna Major after having drawn the Hierophant and Fortuna Minor yesterday. The book of the High Priestess and her keyword "knowledge" make me think of the practice of Lectio Divina (divine reading) that includes reading following by reflection and contemplation. Resting with what one has learned and letting it settle and take root seems quite appropriate for her. Instead of analyzing and debating, intuition and insight take over once given the quiet space to do so. The wisdom I find in this still place will create an inner strength; it provides the stability found in Fortuna Major that doesn't rely on external events. I don't have to actively seek it, I only need to pay attention and accept it. It's going to be an inside job.

 Albert Einstein called the intuitive or metaphoric mind a sacred gift. He added that the rational mind was a faithful servant. It is paradoxical that in the context of modern life we have begun to worship the servant and defile the divine. ~ Bob Samples