Principled Living

This week I'll be using the Tarot Lukumi, a deck created by Caelum Rainieri, Ivory Andersen and Raphael Montoliu. It is published by Dal Negro and the artwork was done by Luigi Scapini. The oracle deck I'll be using this week is the Diloggun Cards, a digital set created through the use of art by Mase Lobe. Each card is associated with an Ifa ethic as well as a proverb, with information from a book by Ifa Karade called The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts. Today's draws are Three of Wands and Iwori (14 mouths):

A king is seen climbing the tallest royal palm tree (associated with the Orisha Shango) to collect leaves to be used in ritual. Only those with 'dignity' were allowed to make this high climb. In the traditional meaning of the Three of Wands, a collaboration of efforts brings expansion. It makes sense that wise folks would only want to invest energy and resources in someone who embodied principles they respected. The Diloggun proverb for Iwori reads: "What you help a child to love can be more important than what you help him to learn." Ambition is easy to learn, but how does one learn to love dignity? We often model what we receive; if we give respect and live with principles, then those we influence may be encouraged to do the same.

Show respect to all people, but grovel to none.

~Tecumseh

God as a Cow

From the Lukumi Tarot, the Ace of Coins; from the Diloggun Oracle, Irete (sixteen mouths):

Some people want to see God with their eyes as they see a cow, and to love him as they love their cow – for the milk and cheese and profit it brings them. This is how it is with people who love God for the sake of outward wealth or inward comfort. – Meister Eckhart

          Most Ace of Coins cards give an impression of health and financial opportunities, but this particular card gives the impression of a dragon's hoard. Which leads to the question, how much is enough? E.F. Schumacher suggested that materialism is an attitude that doesn't fit in this world because the pursuit of wealth is limitless but the environment in which it is place is indeed limited. Irete's ethic and proverb read:

Ifa: Guard against selfishness; those who are selfish will come to bear their burdens alone.

Proverb: Enjoy breakfast all alone, share lunch with your best friend and give dinner to your enemy.

The wisdom of the Diloggun makes an important point: Those who constantly crave for more always feel poor, but those who have enough to share will always feel rich.