Emotional History

From the Thoth Tarot, the Six of Cups; from the Vertical Oracle, "Fragile:"

          All the lines that run to these six cups remind me of the manual telephone switchboards that required an operator to plug in a connection. Similarly, this card symbolizes harmony and joy among established relationships. These are people with whom I have a history, not anyone new. I once had a long-lost aunt make contact with me; she wanted me to love her as she did me. The problem was I had no memory of her at all (I was just a toddler when she last saw me). I had no foundation for such feelings and therefore had no emotional connection to her. I am reminded by this card to enjoy the pleasure of these long-term bonds; such networks require time to build and need to be acknowledged and appreciated.
           The Fragile card shows the new spring growth on a twig with a doe at the bottom. Anyone with a garden knows the birds, beasts and bugs love to eat this tender new growth - it is very vulnerable. The diamond at one corner and the pearl at the other contrast the hardness and softness of each gem. Alli explains the meaning as "a delicate condition to be tended." Any new friendship I make will require careful care and protection too (like the pearl). If I want a new connection to have a strong, firm foundation (the diamond), I'm going to have to take time to nurture and build it.

Protective Fencing

From the Thoth Tarot, the Five of Swords:

Five different swords meet at their tips; the one with the crown is obviously the "winner" but not without cost (a piece of the blade is missing). Rose petals make the outline of an upside down pentagram, suggesting this conflict is mostly the result of human values being upended. Crowley's title for this card is "Defeat," and there is a hint of deep wounds that break down what was once strong and stable. Though the Five of Swords often implies a group of people arguing over their opinions and ideas, it can be an inner battle within one person. Regardless of the winner and losers, things will never be the same. Yet the right-side up pentagon made by the rose petals tell me a strength will be born from this conflict.

From the Vertical Oracle comes "Fragile:"

The leaf buds on the branch represent what is fragile; the phrase the author gives this card is: "a delicate condition to be tended." The diamond and pearl are complete opposites in their degrees of hardness, and though the doe may be considered gentle, she would eat the tender leaf buds in winter to survive. I really hate conflict and try to avoid it, but if someone were to hurt someone or something I love, I'd go after them with both barrels. I don't have to argue, but I might be called on to protect. As the author says, "Build a fence around whatever needs protection and nurture what is struggling to grow."

Standing Up Without Shoving

From the Thoth Tarot, the Five of Wands:

Ah, the card of Strife.  Anyone who has ever sat on a jury, been part of a committee, or even part of a family knows well what happens when you try to get people to agree on one way to do things.  It's human nature to believe that I have the "right" way, yet these kind of conflicts are what can open my mind to see other options if I'll let them.  I must question if what I know is fact or only opinion, and look at other ideas just as objectively.  The large, winged staff of the phoenix represents the good that can come from such discussions, in the same way impurities are removed from gold in the refinement process.

From the Vertical Oracle comes the card titled "Fragile:"

New buds on a branch, a pearl, and an assortment of berries and fruit represent what is tender and can be easily damaged by what is hard and sharp (the diamond).  The doe reminds me that I can stand up for myself and my ideas with respect and gentleness instead of contempt and forcefulness.  I need to consider what is fragile, such as my relationships with others, when I find myself wanting to push and shove to get my way.