With a Glad Heart

From the World Spirit Tarot, the Seeker (Knight) of Pentacles; from the Mystic Glyphs, Friends:

          This dependable young man is described as someone who "carries out his tasks without complaint and serves others with a glad heart." Adding his qualities to the 'Friends' card makes me contemplate whether I'm as dependable in growing and nurturing friendships. Do I:

• Use friends as a crisis counselor or therapist primarily, or am I interested in their lives, celebrating their joys and accomplishments?
• Make excuses for not following through on commitments, or am I loyal and trustworthy (including being able to keep a secret)?
• Expect my friends to have ESP and know what I need, or do I communicate my feelings and ask for help?
• Feel threatened when they make major changes in their lives, or do I support them?
• Expect them to agree with all my opinions and perspectives, or do I still respect them and try to see and learn something from their viewpoint?
• Talk more than I listen, or do I listen more than I talk?
• Judge them for not meeting my standards, or do I forgive and consider my own mistakes?
• Expect them to row the boat of this friendship, or do I take one oar as we make the effort together?

Chance Encounters

From the Norse Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Wolf Pack, Friends:

          The three Norns were believed to govern the fate of man; even the gods had no influence on how they wove their web. The oldest Norn looked toward the past, the youngest toward the future and the middle-aged one focused on the present. The rune associated with this card is Rad (Raidho), and like the Wheel, it implies travel, movement and change. The Friends from the Wolf Pack reflect my thoughts lately of old friends who were once close buddies but now have either moved or found other interests that occupy them. I used to live under the impression that true friendships would never fluctuate or diminish, but now I understand they must change in the same way everything else does. Sometimes I'm just a strand in the web of fate, a bridge for someone else that allows me to offer knowledge, nurturing or companionship (and in turn, a person may be a bridge for me). Other times we may simply be following a strand that arcs in the opposite direction from each other for a period, but eventually our paths cross again. Yet as long as I'm facing the present, I'm not going to overlook any new strands that pass my way. That chance encounter might just turn out to be an unexpected but fortunate meeting for me.