Collaboration

This week I'll be using the Russian Lubok Tarot, created and self-published by Eugene Vinitski and Sergey Savchenko. I'll also be drawing from the Marseille Oracle, a deck created and published by Lo Scarabeo with a little booklet written by Isa Donelli. Today's draws are the Three of Pentacles and Hearth:

We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community… Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own. —Cesar Chavez

This Three of Pentacles shows three masters in their respective field working together to build a temple. The booklet brings up the term "sobornost" - a term that expresses the need for co-operation between people as an alternative to individualism and socialist collectivism (group goals over individual interests). With each person using the skills and knowledge they have, they work together; what is important is the result that is achieved. Hearth emphasizes that families need the same type of collaboration and solidarity to prosper. Unity with diversity is possible if we aren't consumed with just our own or our group's desires.

Revivifying

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Greenman (Emperor); from the Rune Cards, Hearth/Peordh:

The Greenman was an environmental guardian of forests and woods, a force with the ability to enrich and revivify nature. As a symbol of the Emperor, he reminds me of leaders who must bring their communities back to life after they have been decimated by war, storms, fires or floods. Such a leader's first task is to bring hope and comfort, and then he initiates a plan for rebuilding. The Hearth/Peordh rune emphasizes the need to balance the hard work of restoration with times of laughter, relaxation and play. These 'down times' can keep our spirits up and remind us of our connection so that cooperative attitudes will prevail.

Laughter, which is present in many kinds of playful activities, releases those same feel-good hormones. The act of simply laughing with others will also foster a sense of camaraderie and strengthen your relationships, too. ~NBC Today

Packed Bag

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Knight of Wands; from the Marseille Oracle, Hearth:

While it is well enough to leave footprints on the sands of time, it is even more important to make sure they point in a commendable direction. ~James Branch Cabell

          This young knight shields his eyes from the sand that blows in the wind. He didn't check to see if a sandstorm might be on the horizon because he's too focused on leaving home in search of exotic places and exciting new faces. Travel outside our comfort zones can be an educational experience that broadens our perspectives - unless our bags are packed full of expectations with no openmindedness to what we might find. The Hearth card shows a simple pot of stew cooking among embers. It represents a kind of contentment and satisfaction that comes from accepting even the simple as sacred. When we can find that in even humble circumstances, it's much easier to see with fresh eyes when we go on any adventure.