24 Hours

 From the Spiral Tarot, the Sun; from the Sacred Journey Cards, Grace:

          The goddess of the dawn (Aurora/Eos) illustrates this Sun card. Darkness gives way to light, warmth, and the nudge to grow. A new day is a chance at a do-over, offering the possibility to test out new ideas and choose new actions. As Stedman Graham stated, "Everybody has 24 hours and the question is, what do you do with your 24 hours? That's what makes everybody equal." Grace is the unanticipated arrival of a moment that takes the past and the future out of the equation. There is a feeling of acceptance and gratitude, as well as a peaceful realization that no matter how things pan out, we'll stay grounded enough to muddle through. But most importantly, grace allows us to feel beloved and held by the universe, subject to its laws but also a recipient of its beauty and joy. So, beloved one, what will you do with this new day?

The Rare Gift

From the Swietlistej Drogi, the Two of Wands; from Mirrors of the Heart, 'Grace:'

          A man bows low to a woman; his hat seems to pour out water just as he pours out his feelings. Here is a marriage proposal caught on paper. The young woman must decide where she wants to put her energy and passion. Does she maintain her independence and self-sufficient ways, or does she join with him and allow their combined passions to alter her course? The Grace card is a reminder of a phrase that often rankles me: "But for the grace of God, there go I." Does this mean some people are special snowflakes who get the undeserved gift? I prefer to think of grace as a moment of awareness and awakening, a moment that opens us to goodness even in dire circumstances and then transforms us through gratitude and compassion. Looking through that lens brings humility and a concern for someone other than myself. It may be what changes a person's idea about being an island unto themselves.

I believe we create it for ourselves, through persistence, awareness, and clear-eyed reflection. Grace comes from knowing that to be alive and conscious in this world is a rare gift.

~Katherine Ozment

Making Impressions

From the Tarot of the Radiant Path, the Knight of Swords; from the Mirrors of the Heart, "Grace:"

          The Pegasus, the birds and even the knight all seem to be flying in this card. The Knight of Swords is one of those people with the gift of gab, who can talk about anything with anyone. Yet he can be impulsive at times, wanting to shove his ideals and opinions on others. His thoughts on subjects can be more intellectual than grounded; he may hold a "truth" that is based solely on his own experience without considering (or understanding) the experiences of others. Enter the Grace card, which shows rain falling in the desert. I might not be able to adequately explain what grace means, but I know what it feels like: comfort, ease and calm. These two cards remind me to make sure what I advocate as truth isn't just a personal belief or a generalization but a fact. And before I speak it out loud, I must ask myself if my words are both kind and necessary. Otherwise I'm just trying to make an impression.

Emotional Inebriation

From the Spiral Tarot, the King of Cups; from the Sacred Journey Cards, "Grace:"

          Seeing the big fish at his feet and the floating bubbles, I'm assuming this king is completely immersed underwater. He doesn't seem too affected by it, but I know what happens to me when I'm consumed by my emotions, and it's not pretty. It usually starts with a simple thought which sets an emotion off. Then my physiological responses jump in, kicking my feelings into overdrive. At that point, my brain is filled with zero percent logic and objectivity. The Grace card implies that there is a spiritual solution to this emotional insanity. Though it doesn't say anything about belief, it does emphasize practice. When I am entirely inebriated by fear, anger or grief, no thought is going to pull me out of the water. But walking outdoors, chanting, meditating, journaling, creating art, gardening - and many other doing exercises - can keep me from breaking into a million pieces until sanity returns.

Accept then Do

From Waking the Wild Spirit, the Ace of Fire (Wands); from the MentorSpirit Cards, "Grace:"

A primitive family works together to start a fire, gathering tinder and fallen limbs while the father strikes stones to make a spark. All the elements to create a flame are there, only the effort is needed. The Ace of Fire/Wands is the potential to manifest something. What I need I have, it just awaits my push to make it real. While that work isn't always easy, the passion for what I'm doing keeps me going. I recently finished a book called The Humans by Matt Haig in which an alien comes from a utopian planet and pretends to be a human. He gradually comes to realize that even with all the foibles and tribulations of earth people, they have something he doesn't - passion. He realizes that this joy is something he wants, and he willingly gives up his special gifts and his planet to become human. The book made me realize that although exertion is required, there is also exhilaration and happiness that comes from working to accomplish something. And in turn, this effort produces gratitude.
Most religious folks would probably say grace is an undeserved gift, much like a fairy godmother who uses her wand to make what is wished for appear out of thin air. But looking at the hard work of the family above, I'm not so sure about that. I like Paul Tillech's explanation:
But grace is more than gifts. In grace something is overcome; grace occurs in spite of something; grace occurs in spite of separation and estrangement. Grace is the reunion of life with life, the reconciliation of the self with itself. Grace is the acceptance of that which is rejected. Grace transforms fate into a meaningful destiny; it changes guilt into confidence and courage.
Acceptance I think is the key; I must work with what I have and keep my heart and mind open instead of fuming about how easy other people have it. My meaningful destiny will be created by me, not someone doing the work for me.

Grace Filled Connection

From the Osho Zen Tarot, Aloneness (Hermit); from the A'HA Oracle, "Grace:"

Padma uses the term "aloneness" to describe solitude rather than loneliness. It reminded me of one of the Buddhist lojong slogans I've been studying: "Of the two witnesses, hold the principal one." The slogan means that while I might listen to another's wisdom, I am the lone one who knows the real truth about me. Only I know if I am being genuine or have ulterior motives; if what I'm thinking matches what I say. And so this Hermit pulls away all the covers to see what hides underneath. It may not be pretty, but at least with the facts, a practical plan for change can be created.
Grace is represented by a lovely lotus flower. Buried in the mud, it grew upward until it opened to the sunlight above the water. The lotus is connected to all the elements now - earth, water, air and sun. It made me think of a quote by Paul Tillech: "Grace is the reunion of life with life, the reconciliation of the self with itself." What a paradox - when I am alone with my Higher Self, I find I'm not separate but a part of all that is.

Chaining My Cheetah

This week I'll be using the Golden Tarot, created by Kat Black.  Today's draw is the High Priestess:

 Dozens of such New Age authors could bring their works together into one large volume entitled, “How To Become Aware of the Depths of Your Being Without Disturbing the Routine of Your Comfortable Lifestyle.”  ~ Lew Paz

My initial thought upon drawing the High Priestess was "Know Thyself," but not the kind of knowing that has to do with intellectual analysis.  Just look at her face; she's in the "zone" and her book is closed.  The wisdom she's pulling from is deep within, way past the ego and any "how to" books.  She encourages me to "chain my cheetah" - be still, quiet my mind, and listen to my Higher Self.  While all the distractions float merrily along on the surface, deep down below I'll hear what I need to know if I'm patient and receptive.  And though it may be beneficial to me, it won't inflate my ego.  Instead, it will have the potential to alter my attitude and behavior.

The oracle deck I'll be using this week is the Yantra Deck, created by Karl Schaffner and Maya Deva Adjani.  Today's card is "Grace - being guided:"

 In the companion book it states: "By stepping outside our ego we receive understanding and inspiration from an alternate perspective, which shows us direction and provides wisdom beyond words."  I like that "beyond words" part.  I can hear and read all sorts of suggestions, but what I need is to experience them from a source that is beyond the reach of all human ulterior motives (the High Priestess tells me how above).  As Krishnamurti said, "What will bring peace is inward transformation, which will lead to outward action. Inward transformation is not isolation, is not withdrawal from outward action. On the contrary, there can be right action only when there is right thinking and there is no right thinking when there is no self-knowledge. Without knowing yourself, there is no peace."


  

Love Can Be Messy

From the Fairytale Tarot, the Lovers:

Tatterhood is one of my favorite fairytales, mostly because it teaches that love sometimes isn't pretty on the outside.  When two princesses are born, one is immediately seen as sweet and beautiful while the other is labeled a wild child.  Tatterhood dresses in rags, has a bird's nest in her hair, and rides a goat, much to the king and queen's distress.  But it is she who shows intelligence, courage, and loyalty when things get tough.  And in the end, she is seen for the beauty she is, not just outwardly but inwardly as well.  This story encourages me to love from a deep place, beyond the surface of saying the right words.  Love can be messy, chaotic and frustrating sometimes, but a commitment to love will keep me focused on what is beyond outer appearances.

From the Tao Oracle comes the card "Grace:"

For me grace means being connected to an inner flow, though some may call it being in touch with one's divine spark, higher self, or some other name.  In that place where a clear stream runs through me and all of life, I find what I truly long for.  Athletes often refer to it as being "in the zone," and researchers have found 12 characteristics of this place of grace: physical relaxation, mental calm, low anxiety, heightened energy, optimism, enjoyment, effortlessness, automatic functioning, alertness, mental focus, self-confidence and control.  Of course the paradox is I must surrender all my attachments rather than using them for flotation devices...

Rooted in Reality

From the Spiral Tarot, the Ace of Pentacles:

This ace is illustrated by a womanly world tree, with plants, animals, and rivers all around her.  Her roots go down into the pentacle itself.  There are times, living on a limited income, when I feel a sense of lack.  There's no more going to Amazon and loading up the cart full of items just because I want to treat myself, and even my purchases for others have come nearly to a halt.  But then when I take my sunrise walks, and enjoy all the trees, birds, dragonflies, flowers - all that nature has to offer - I realize what a treasure of wonders I do have.  Even my body, with its good health, ability to move, and my senses is an amazing gift.  This card reminds me to stay rooted in reality, because when I do, I will see clearly all the riches and resources that are at my feet.  

     From the Sacred Journey Cards comes "Grace:"

Thiele, in her companion booklet, encourages us to find one of the many spiritual paths and its practices, and commit to it wholeheartedly.  Her statement made me think of a description offered by a woman in my book club.  She said to imagine that everyone and everything was on the outside of a wheel, with our "Ground of Being" in the center.  As we all move toward that center (though we are on our individual paths), we not only come closer to the center, we become closer to each other.  And what about grace?  According to Paul Tillich (a theologian I hold in high regard), it is simply acceptance:
"You are accepted, accepted by that which is greater than you, and the name of which you do not know."
I suppose if I am fully accepted by this Ground of Being, then I should return the favor (grace) to all the rest of creation.