Bill of Responsibilities

From the Morgan-Greer Tarot, the Seven of Swords:

The way this man's hat hides his face made me think of the string of burglaries we've had here lately. The perpetrators were caught on camera, but they either wore hoodies or hats to shield their faces to prevent identification. What is this guy trying to get away with? He may feel he is somehow entitled to these swords, even though he is actually stealing them. The five swords he carries ties back into the Five of Swords card, the one where one fellow is smirking while two others walk away dejectedly. Like the guy in this card, the "winner" doesn't realize he's lost far more than he's won. I was reading a book by Scott Russell Sanders in which he stated that Americans are big proponents of the Bill of Rights, but we need a Bill of Responsibilities to balance those out. My pursuit of life, liberty and happiness doesn't mean I have the right to trample over others in my quest.

From the Goddesses and Sirens Oracle comes the card "Gaia:"

In Greek mythology, Gaia was the Mother Goddess, Creatrix and Earth Mother. She encourages me to be aware of what I am creating with my thoughts, words and deeds. Every day I add new strands to the web I weave, strands that touch and impact the webs of other people and things. Are my actions beneficial or harmful? Self-centered or compassionate? Gaia reminds me that nature has a way of re-balancing itself when there has been too much "take" and not enough "give" (or vice versa). If I don't want to deal with the consequences, I'd better think things through before acting or speaking.

  

A Natural Response to Joy

From the Morgan-Greer Tarot, the Ace of Cups:

Morgan-Greer's version of the Ace of Cups is one of the most beautiful to me.  The dove represents my Higher Self, that within me where ego does not exist.  The glow coming from the cup is the compassion that is able to rise when my cup is full and overflowing.  The five streams of water represent the joy of fulfillment - spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.  The fifth stream is the joy I have to pour out to others.  It does not come from feeling obligated or being needy (as in "I must do for others to feel worthy."), but from a place of gratitude.  When I give from this place of true compassion, it refills rather than depletes my cup.  It is not a struggle (like the lotus trying to reach the light), but a natural response to life.

     From the Goddesses and Sirens Oracle comes "Gaia/Creation:"

The authors suggest a meaning in their booklet about this Earth goddess that seems quite in harmony with today's tarot card: "Allow yourself to create in joy, not because of pressure."  Whether I'm trying to solve a problem, bake a cake, or draw in my nature journal, I enjoy it much more when I don't put time restraints on myself.  Usually when I do this, it's because there is something else on my "to do" list that I think is a priority.  What a way to suck the fun out of things!  Today I'll try to keep in mind that the world has never come to a halt because I didn't accomplish all I set out to do.