Holding the Reins Lightly

From the Light Seer's Tarot, the Chariot; from the Tapestry Oracle, Growth:

He who has the understanding of the driver of the chariot and controls the rein of his mind,

he reaches the end of the journey...

— Katha Upanishad 1.3.10–11

This young man is racing toward his goal. There are no reins are harnesses in sight, but his laser-like focus are keeping him on track and headed in the right direction. His intellect and mind are the guides, watchful of the senses so he does not to get distracted by what they crave or despise along the way. Those preferences and prejudices can toss him right off his perch if he's not aware of their influence. Such a disciplined approach may seem like crossing a bland and brutal desert expanse. Yet the Growth card, which shows succulents sprouting from a woman's body, tells another story. Succulents are have fleshy, thick leaves in which they store water in order to survive in arid climates. Likewise, this woman has learned that no matter what is going on in the external world, she can still find joy and contentment within herself. 

Balanced Thinking

From the Swietlistej Drogi, Justice; from the Mirrors of the Heart, 'Growth:'

          Justice seems to be balanced on a tasseled, giant thumbtack as she holds a set of scales. Any judge worth his or her salt must be aware of how their background has shaped their beliefs, prejudices, and preferences. In the words of SCJ Sonia Sotomayor, "I willingly accept that we who judge must not deny the differences resulting from experience and heritage but attempt, as the Supreme Court suggests, continuously to judge when those opinions, sympathies and prejudices are appropriate." Awareness and honesty play a vital role in whether that thumbtack will stick upright or tilt. The Growth card shows a plant rising upward through the mud and water to find the sky. It is challenging to grow beyond personal experience and knowledge, to be able to admit ignorance rather than adamantly stick to our script. Only then will we find clarity and wisdom.

You've never seen me debate anybody. On anything. Ever. My investment of time, as an educator, in my judgment, is best served teaching people how to think about the world around them. Teach them how to pose a question. How to judge whether one thing is true versus another. 

 ~Neil deGrasse Tyson