Behold!

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Oracle of the Kabbalah, Hei (artwork by Andrea Beloff):

Attention, taken to its highest degree, is the same thing as prayer.

―Simone Weil

A successful businessman, judging by the bolted-on leafy staff, looks to his future. With the globe held aloft, he seems to be thinking of Shakespeare's words: "The world’s mine oyster." Should he be content with all he has, or should he dive into the opening he sees for having more? The Hebrew letter Hei means "behold," as when looking at a great sight; it can also mean breath or sigh as when one sees something wondrous. It reminds us to pause in our busyness, in our frantic attempt to get more done, add extra goods to our overflowing homes, and build up an already hefty bank account. What have we missed because of our ambitions? Will there be later regrets for joyful moments that have passed us by?

Unmoving

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Chariot; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Hei:

When you know what you want you go toward it. 

― Ayn Rand

The sphinxes asleep in the field of flowers suggest that something has gone awry with this charioteer. They move in the direction of his mind, and he seems to currently have a case of analysis paralysis. Is he afraid of making a wrong choice? Then he should take the words of Bryant McGill to heart: "A person who makes few mistakes makes little progress." Perhaps the journey isn't proceeding as planned, and now he doesn't know whether to keep going forward or turn back. Yet refusing to move won't help; he can make progress or make excuses. Hei is a Hebrew letter that means 'behold' and suggests a nudge to get us to wake up, pay attention, and get out of our rut. Progress doesn't depend on speed, just motion.

Grace and Mercy

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Six of Pentacles; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Hei:

          The keyword given for this card (genade) means grace or mercy. The wealthy fellow is merciful (tenderhearted, compassionate and kind) because he shares his resources with those who don't have enough. The men who receive are filled with grace - "an abundance of gratitude for something freely given" as Katherine Osment defines it. Both giver and receivers are blessed, which probably explains why the scales are balanced. I think here in America we get too caught up in discussions about who should give and who is worthy to receive; we end up missing the meaning of grace and mercy altogether. The Hebrew letter Hei means 'behold,' a word often used to draw one's attention to something. It is like a loud noise that breaks through my mental chatter and my self-centered focus. Hei invites me to pause and look around at what I might be overlooking, such as an opportunity be merciful or experience grace.

Maintaining Connections

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Five of Swords; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, "Hei:"

          Have you ever gotten into a discussion with someone with whom you have a very different viewpoint? That's pretty normal, since we all come from diverse backgrounds and have had various experiences the other person might not have shared. But what happens when one person demands the other shift his or her ideas and beliefs to match theirs? There is no compromise and no tolerance of the other. No one gains anything from the exchange except perhaps a resentment and loss of respect.
          Hei literally means "lo" or "behold." In the Oracle of Kabbalah companion book, Seidman writes "The place on which we stand, wherever we stand, is holy ground... The question is whether or not we will pay attention and notice." Applegate's illustration uses frangipani flowers with this Hebrew letter. These flowers are often used in Hawaiian leis, symbols of affection. I can't help but think the fellows in the Five of Swords would have had a much happier outcome if they remembered their sacred connection while having their discussion.

 Without fear, we are able to see more clearly our connections to others. Without fear, we have more room for understanding and compassion. Without fear, we are truly free. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Finding Answers in Hard Places

  This week I'll be using a Dutch deck, the Tarot in de Herstelde Orde (Restored Order Tarot) created by Rob Docters van Leeuwen and Onno Docters van Leeuwen.  Today's card is the Two of Swords:

This lady is caught between a rock and a hard place (the boulders behind her).  The overwhelmed feelings she's experiencing is represented by the water.  She's come outside to be alone and to find peace, away from all the judgments and pressures others are putting on her.  For the moment she's postponed making a decision - she wants time to dig deep within and figure out the best way to go.  But she can't stay in limbo forever; as the waning moon indicates, a choice will have to made soon.  This card reminds me not to let others bully or guilt me into making a decision that will compromise my integrity.

     The other deck I'll be using this week is the Oracle of Kabbalah by Richard Seidman.  Today's card is "Hei:"

 

According to Rabbi Ginsburgh, the three parts of this letter represent the three dimensions of physical reality: height, width and depth.  Hei is not heady intellectualism or emotional drama, but what is grounded in this world.  It literally means "lo" or "behold," indicating something sacred.  Hei can be used as "the," a definitive article referring to a specific object rather than some abstraction.  This Hebrew letter encourages me to pay attention to what is in front of me instead of getting caught up in assumptions, projections or expectations.  What I need to know is just waiting for me to open my eyes and see it.