Forget the Plus and Minus

This week I'll be using the Mary-El Tarot, created by Marie White and published by Schiffer. I'll be pairing it with the OH Cards, created by Ely Raman and Joe Schlichter and published by Eos Enterprises. The OH draw is actually two cards - one a picture and the other a word. Today's draws are the Ace of Cups and Military Parade/Give:

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.

~Winston Churchill

This hermaphroditic angel is based on the constellation Aquarius, the water bearer. Rather than seeing the cool water they carry - water that can heal, sustain and nurture - we might get caught up judging the outer package. At that point, any relationship would be superficial, based simply on what we like or dislike. The OH card shows a formation of soldiers drilling, an ancient practice that began when men stopped fighting as individuals and started to fight together as units. The word card combined with it is 'Give,' suggesting selfless rather than selfish action. As Emma Goldman wrote, "If love does not know how to give and take without restrictions, it is not love, but a transaction that never fails to lay stress on a plus and a minus."

Feminine Strength

This week I'll be using the Primordial Tarot, with art by Sergio Toppi and booklet by Barbara Moore. It was published by Lo Scarabeo. Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Wisdom of the Forest, a deck created and self-published by Jessica Purser. Today's draws are Woman of Nature (Queen of Pentacles) and Give:

I vow not to take what is not given, but to practice generosity.

~Buddhist precept

          The stability of many families lies with its matriarchs, symbols of feminine strength and resourcefulness. Moore says, "Whatever she faces, she makes her way through it all with a core of strength, faith, and love." She doesn't act from the attitude of "what's in it for me," but follows the compass of "what's in it for us." Purser suggests that giving starts with kindness and compassion toward ourselves, then radiates outward. This practice is more than simply being nice or doing a good deed; it makes all involved feel seen and of value, connected to all the rest.

The best portions of a good person's life are little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.

~William Wordsworth