But What About...

From the Alchemical Tarot Renewed, the Eight of Swords; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Generosity (Saturn in Leo):

Paradox is where enlightenment is born... it’s in the tension of more than one truth being true that a new wisdom arises. ―Kai Cheng Thom

The trapped beast paces, feeling that he has no way out. Emotions can take our ability to think rationally offline; we look at the situation from one perspective only, in the direction that appears blocked. Generosity (Saturn in Leo) is not about tossing out coins, but about freely offering wisdom and encouragement to those in need. It's much like talking over our circumstances with a friend who acknowledges that the specific option we want is not open but points out that the other alternatives that we have overlooked. 

Recognizing Our Debt

From the Urban Tarot, the Three of Wands; from the Principles to Live By, Generosity:

In Thoth-based decks, the Three of Wands is given the keyword 'virtue.' The number one is ''all about me" and number two represents "just us;" at three, an understanding and awareness dawn that we're all in this together. The fiery wand triad realizes that responsibility, and so that the effort expanded outward is directed toward a worthwhile (virtuous) goal. Generosity suggests a willingness to share resources, including time, energy and attention. The quote for this tile comes from Master Hsing Yun: "Generosity begins with our recognition of our debt to others."

A New Face

This week I'll be using the Alchemical Tarot Renewed along with the book Alchemy and the Tarot, both created by Robert M. Place and published by Hermes Publications. Paired with it will be the Oracle of the Radiant Sun deck and book set, created by Caroline Smith and John Astrop and published through Eddison-Sadd Editions. The draws for today are Death and Generosity:

Alchemists often used skeletons to signify putrefaction, a complete breaking down of matter into a black ash. It was considered the first step on the pathway to the philosophers' stone. Symbolically, it is a clearing away to make room for something else. Humans experience it when careers are ended, family and friendships disappear, or our beliefs and ideals are turned upside down. We rarely welcome such a clean sweep. Yet the Generosity card (Saturn in Leo) suggests it offers an opportunity, a chance to use this new space to grow something good that will be useful to others.

In spite of all similarities, every living situation has, like a newborn child, a new face, that has never been before and will never come again. It demands of you a reaction that cannot be prepared beforehand. It demands nothing of what is past. It demands presence, responsibility; it demands you.

―Martin Buber

Digging In

From the Tarot of the Abyss, the Nine of Cups; from the Nature Mandela Meditation Cards, Generosity:

Whatever positive facts you find, bring a mindful awareness to them—open up to them and let them affect you. It’s like sitting down to a banquet: don’t just look at it—dig in!

~Rick Hanson

If I asked you to recall something that was upsetting or made you angry last week, it would probably take less than a minute. But what if I asked you to remember something wonderful that gave you joy? Thanks to our biology, we have a built-in negativity bias that makes our brains focus on what's bad. This innate tendency is more stressful than helpful now. As Rick Hanson put it, "Staying with a negative experience past the point that’s useful is like running laps in Hell: You dig the track a little deeper in your brain each time you go around it." But like this lady taking the time to smell the flowers in each of her cups, we can choose to make it a point to deeply absorb moments of joy and contentment, and when we're having a bad day, we can relive them (and retrain our brain). The Generosity card reminds me of a tonglen meditation where we send out thoughts to others who may be struggling, wishing that they might enjoy the happiness we're currently experiencing. Not only does this practice stave off self-centeredness, it also helps us be mindful and grateful of the full cups we currently savor.

A Party?

From the Everyday Enchantment Tarot, the Four of Wands; from the MentorSpirit Cards, 'Generosity:'

          There's a celebration going on, which reminded me of the tears and cheers that have lined our hospital's corridors as a couple of previously seriously ill patients in ICU went home rather than left in a body bag. We are learning, though that curve has been sharp and perilous for many. And in the middle of all this, parents are discovering how to homeschool, support groups are figuring out how to use video and audio conferencing platforms, and folks are embracing new or long-forgotten hobbies. Generosity helps lubricate this process by giving without expectations. But this compassionate action comes not from a place of lack but of gratitude, realizing we have enough with some to spare for others.

Generosity takes many forms—we may give our time, our energy, our material possessions, our love. All are expressions of caring, of compassion, of connection, and of renunciation—the ability to let go.

—Joseph Goldstein

Emotional Excesses

From the Urban Tarot, the Seven of Cups; from the Principles to Live By, Generosity:

          Following the Thoth Tarot, Scott labels this card 'Debauch,' meaning excess. This is not a sermon on the sinfulness of having fun, but on behavior that seeks self-indulgence without concern for anyone else. And while it may mean leaving your buddies to take care of an obnoxious, drunken idiot, it could also mean pouring out an excess of emotion on the heads of innocent bystanders. Such spewing reminds me of a quote from the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions:

But there is another kind of hangover which we all experience whether we are drinking or not. That is the emotional hangover, the direct result of yesterday’s and sometimes today’s excesses of negative emotion—anger, fear, jealousy, and the like. If we would live serenely today and tomorrow, we certainly need to eliminate these hangovers.

What is the solution? The Generosity tile suggests being willing to share my resources, including my time, energy and attention. Doing so will help pull me out of my self-orbit. In the words of Simone Weil, "Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity." Not only will it keep me from wallowing in the mud of my own making, it may avert the need for an aspirin and an ice-pack later.

Empty Bowls, Filled

From the Golden Tarot, the Queen of Coins; from the Yantra Deck, "Generosity:"

          Black describes this Queen as richly attired but with a modest demeanor. She is sensible, hard-working and philanthropic. The Queen of Coins is a perfect pairing for the Generosity Yantra. Even a simple life can be richly lived without a feeling of lack. And that lifestyle in turn cultivates the inclination to give. Today I am attending an event hosted here by the SOWEGA Council on Aging and the Albany Area Arts Council called "Empty Bowls." Local artists create ceramic or pottery bowls and donate them in an effort help the hungry in the community. For only $20, ticket buyers get to choose a handcrafted bowl and enjoy a variety of soups. The donations collected will fund the "Meals on Wheels" program as well as a portion going to the Arts Council. My giving was done the easy way, just by donating money. The artists, the event coordinators, and the cooks who've been busy preparing for this event gave something even more valuable - their time and energy. I imagine such a charitable affair would be something this Queen would smile about.

Generosity takes many forms—we may give our time, our energy, our material possessions, our love. All are expressions of caring, of compassion, of connection, and of renunciation—the ability to let go. ~ Joseph Goldstein

Passionate Giving

From the Urban Tarot, the Queen of Wands; from the Principles to Live By Oracle, "Generosity:"

          Scott modeled her Queen of Wands on a defense attorney who she saw in action (and was much impressed by). She sits in front of a sculpture known as the Triumph of the Human Spirit, a design that pays tribute to 427 slaves (as well as some Native Americans and early immigrants) buried near the site. Scott describes this woman as a master of persuasion in the context of passion and idealism. The leopard sitting next to her briefcase (no doubt full of persuasive strategies) emphasizes the power this woman has. And what could she be trying to cajole and encourage me to do?
          The sliced pie disc represents Generosity; to be generous means to willingly share my resources, including my time, energy and attention. In Buddhism, one of the paramitas is generosity, which includes four ways we can give: material goods, knowledge, protection and "active love" (under which would fall time, attention and energy). It is the fourth category that is the hardest for me to be generous with, as I often think I have so little time. But as author Henry Taylor wrote, "He who gives what he would as readily throw away gives without generosity; for the essence of generosity is in self-sacrifice." True generosity is in giving what I am most attached to, not what has little meaning for me.

~~~

Alaska Laser Maid is now selling the wood-burned tiles of the Principles to Live By Oracle, if anyone is interested. It comes with a key to the tiles, a reflection on what they mean, and five quotes for each principle from eclectic sources.

Pecking Order - Setting Priorities

From the Golden Tarot, the Eight of Coins:

Eight has twice the solidity of four, so in the Eight of Coins there is an ordering of priorities and an intense focus based on developing skills.  I like the inclusion of the woodpecker sitting by the window; I had the chance to watch one this past spring work on a nesting hole in a pine that had been struck by lightning.  He actually worked on several areas, making small cavities by chipping away with his beak.  But finally he decided on one in particular, and spent the rest of the morning digging it out in hopes of raising a family there.  His tenacity and hard work was impressive and reminded me that anything worth cultivating comes with perseverance and effort.

From the Yantra Deck comes "Generosity - giving:"

The authors ask the question, "Where do I hold back?"  They suggest that by being generous and giving to myself, I will find my cup overflows with plenty to share with others.  Giving from a mindset of lack versus a mindset of gratitude results in two very different types of gifts.  One expresses obligation, the other affection and kindness.  When I constantly put everyone's priorities ahead of my own, I feel the since of lack.  But when I feel my needs are important too, and make time for them, I can share with a heart full of love.

What's Growing in Your Garden?

This week I'll be using the Spiral Tarot; both the deck and companion book were created by Kay Steventon.  Today's card is the Seven of Pentacles:

Kneeling in the dirt, this woman examines the soil and seeds she's just planted.  From the abundance of produce growing behind her, I know she is an accomplished farmer.  She's tilled the soil, removed any stones and weeds, planted the seeds, and then watered them.  Now she peers closely to see if there are any grubs or other insects that might be a problem down the line.  Even after the crops come in, this woman will evaluate them to see what she did right and what she needs to do differently the next time.  The Seven of Pentacles emphasizes the need to maintain the continuous effort and nurturing care of a project from beginning to end.  The success of what I want to grow and develop in my life will depend on it.

     The oracle deck I'll be using this week is called the Sacred Journey Cards, created by Cheryl Thiele.  This morning's draw is "Generosity:"

Generosity can be shown in many ways; offering time, energy and attention can be just as important as anything material given.  But I think whatever is given makes the biggest difference when it is given with an open heart.  The other day, my daughter and I were discussing one of our favorite characters on the show "Necessary Roughness."  Nico does a lot for many people; he does some things out of a feeling of obligation, while other gestures come from genuine care and concern.  I think actions born from a full heart are the ones that have the power to transform not only the recipient, but also the giver.