Magnifying Stuckness

This week I'll be using the Albano-Waite Tarot, recolored by Frankie Albano and published by U.S. Games. Along with it, I'll be using the American Pen Oracle, a deck I made for personal use that includes quotations from American poets and writers. Today's draws are the Hierophant and Anne Lamott:

But if you’re stuck, you might get more entrenched in your stuckness by speaking to people who are like you, because they’ll magnify that stuckness.

― Adam Alter

I always think of the Hierophant as a teacher or religious leader who draws people together based on a framework of beliefs and values. But on a lark, I looked at Kaplan's LWB that comes with this deck and found this: "Captivity to one's own ideas. Tendency to cling to ideas and principles even after they are outdated." So basically, while being part of a group with a defined creed can create a feeling of safety and comfort, it can also make us feel stuck when we need to adapt to change. Anne Lamott adds her words of wisdom: "There's a lot to be said for having really reached a bottom where you've run out of any more good ideas or plans for everybody else's behavior; or how to save and fix and rescue; or just get out of a huge mess, possibly of your own creation." It's time to step outside our clearly defined ideas, talk to some people who are different from us, and LISTEN.

 

Not an Expert

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Hierophant; from the Elemental Dice, Sky (Air + Air):

True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own.

―Nikos Kazantzakis

The Hierophant teaches ideas to others, with the best of them offering wisdom without dogmatism and judgment. True teachers are not afraid to say, "I don't know." When their feet are in the fire, they don't blame but take responsibility for their mistakes. They realize knowledge can change as new information comes to light; they know traditions are provide a way for people to connect to each other but are not truth. Sky represents spaciousness, especially in the realm of the intellect. It is a reminder that we all learn more when we keep an open mind and don't act as if we're experts on life.

Accepting Deception

From the Delta Enduring Tarot, the Hierophant; from the Southernisms Oracle, "You could throw yourself on the ground and miss:"

The easiest thing of all is to deceive one's self; for what a man wishes he generally believes to be true.

―Demosthenes

Churches offer folks community and traditions if they accept and abide by their philosophy. But their leaders are human and prone to preach one view and live another. There are also a few who steal from the poor and line their own pockets - selling 'miraculous' prayer cloths and oils. The "You could throw yourself on the ground and miss" card indicates a situation where common sense is being overruled by desire or desperation. Before signing on and molding one's life around someone else's rules, step back and look at things with an objective eye.  

Key Holders

From the Wild Unknown Tarot, the Hierophant; from the Pictish Oracle, Ogham:

Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn. 

—Benjamin Franklin

At some point we all could use a mentor: someone who can help us embrace undiscovered talents, who can fill in the gaps in our knowledge, and who can point out our blind spots. Their job is not to make us a version of themselves but to help us become more whole. Yet such a relationship requires an open mind, not someone who thinks they're already an expert. On several Pictish stones are inscriptions carved in the simple lettering known as ogham. It brings to mind the phrase "learning your letters," a task of young school children. Time to humbly accept that key, apply some effort, and see what we've been missing out on.

Filtering Information

This week I'll be using the Prisma Visions Tarot, created and self-published by James R. Eads; the companion booklet was written by Katherine Tombs. The oracle I'll be using alongside it is the Secret Language of Color Cards, created by Inna Segal and published by Beyond Worlds. Today's draws are the Hierophant and Purple:

hierocracy: government by the clergy; ecclesiastical rule.

This horned celestial being brings to mind the Emperor and hierocracy. The companion book states that the Hierophant represents the enduring traditions that have shaped history. He invites us to learn and conform to his man-made system. Although humans are not infallible, we naturally seek connection and belonging. Do we trust this wisdom and institution enough to pledge our allegiance to it? It doesn't hurt to sincerely listen as long as we use the filter of discernment. Purple suggests cultivating mental clarity, implying that our firmly held opinions, intense emotions or what we crave might affect our ability to see clearly. Before we sign up for anything, we need to make sure we're not under the influence of anything that might bias our perception.

The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it. ― Terry Pratchett

Support Group

From the New Era Elements Tarot, the Hierophant; from the Tao Oracle, Pushing Upward (Hexagram 46):

God has given us many faiths but only one world in which to co-exist. May your work help all of us to cherish our commonalities and feel enlarged by our differences.

~Jonathan Sacks

The Hierophant is an authority of a belief system that instructs and guides; he or she tends to 

congregate people seeking spiritual wisdom. What's in it for the followers? If their leader is honest 
and kind, they receive helpful support for navigating a life that can be challenging. The group as a 
whole can also offer a feeling of belonging. Yet even the most sincere leader can make blunders; 
their knowledge may be advanced but they are only human. When in doubt of their advice, it may 
be beneficial to ask if following their counsel would result in relieving suffering or causing it (for 
others or one's self). Pushing Upward (hexagram 46) suggests we are making slowly making 
progress, helped along by support from a variety of sources and the past challenges we have met. 
Our backup and encouragement need not be based on just a single source but can originate from 

several streams.   

Influencers

From the Nigel Jackson Tarot, the Pope; from the Wolf Pack, Carelessness:

The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.

― Terry Pratchett

Ask any preacher, politician or professor and they will likely agree that those who are able to influence a person's ideas hold a great power. Such a person will attempt to convince their listener that their words are truth and therefore beneficial. Add some eloquence and charisma to the mix and it might be hard for us to question their philosophy. Yet Carelessness warns that we should not get so caught up in the flush of exciting ideas that we forget to see other explanations or alternatives. As one priest told me, "There's no need to leave your mind outside the door." I'd bet that phrase "lean not on your own understanding" was probably written by one of those influencers.

Choosing My Neighbor

From the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, the Pope (Hierophant); from the Pages of Shustah deck, Capricorn:

To be a priest is to serve a God who never stops calling people to do more justice and love more mercy, and simultaneously to serve people who nine times out of ten are just looking for a safe place to rest.

― Barbara Brown Taylor

The creators of this card suggest it represents a "consolation of faith," in other words, a religion with a focus on comfort, encouragement and support. I suppose that depends on whether the leader's agenda is judgment, hellfire and brimstone or healing, helping and compassion. The sea-goat of Capricorn cautions us that the emotional security of beliefs should be balanced by a faith that is grounded in loving action. As Barbara Brown Taylor wrote, "The only clear line I draw these days is this: when my religion tries to come between me and my neighbor, I will choose my neighbor... Jesus never commanded me to love my religion."

Quality Control

From the Middle Way Arcana, Hierophant; from the Vertical Oracle, Precious:

The problems all seem to begin when one idealizes a teacher, or when teachers idealize themselves. 

~Andrew Olendzk

The Hierophant is a spiritual leader and teacher who offers us knowledge to wisely navigate our world, gives us rituals to ground us, and brings together a community of like-minded people. Buddha cautioned that we shouldn't believe any teachings without putting them into practice to see if they hold water. Through verification we can choose whether to pursue our studies. But the card Precious alerts us to also be on the lookout for unethical teachers - those who don't allow anyone to question their behavior or demands. As Thanissaro Bhikkhu explains, "The only way we know anything about other people is through their actions, so that’s as far as our judgments can fairly extend. At the same time, though, because we’re judging whether we want to internalize another person’s standards, it’s not unfair to pass judgment on what they’re doing. It’s for our own protection. And it’s for the sake of our protection that the Buddha recommended looking for two qualities in a teacher: wisdom and integrity."

A Change Gonna Come

From the New Liminal Tarot, the Hierophant; from the State By State playing cards, the Seven of Spades - Mississippi:

Cline’s choice for the Hierophant immediately made me think of Peter Wohlleben’s book, The Hidden Life of Trees. The forester describes how trees communicate to each other through chemical release signals and through an underground fungal network that connects their roots, allowing an exchange of ‘news’ and nutrients. Wohlleben writes: “A tree is not a forest. On its own, a tree cannot establish a consistent local climate. It is at the mercy of wind and weather. But together, many trees create an ecosystem that moderates extremes of heat and cold, stores a great deal of water, and generates a great deal of humidity. And in this protected environment, trees can live to be very old. To get to this point, the community must remain intact no matter what.” Yet the Seven of Spades shows the Mississippi River, symbolizing flow and movement. As Sam Cooke sang, it might be a long time coming, but change is going to come. Communities of any kind will need to be flexible rather than rigid, able to adapt and embrace the changes that come.

Mutual Network

From the Granny Jones Australian Tarot, the Hierophant; from the Button Oracle, Liberty Bell:

The triquetra this Hierophant holds and his bond to the trees emphasizes the dependent connection we have with everything. As Ikeda Sensei explained, "No person or thing exists in isolation. Every being functions to create the environment that sustains all other existences. All things are mutually supporting and interrelated, forming a living cosmos..." Inter-being means we are not independent, but rely on the rest of this living cosmos. As much as we would like to pick and choose our connection, judging some more worthy and others not, we are stuck in this mutual network. The Liberty Bell was already cracked when it arrived in Philadelphia, and that crack has since become part of its character. Its quote comes from Kathy L.: "“Progress not perfection” is a comforting thought because for many of us being perfect was a part of our problem." Our web of relationships might have some shinier strands than others, but none are perfect. Yet even in our imperfections, we are still supported. 

Philosophy

From the Ellis Deck, the Hierophant; from the Brownies Oracle, Entanglement:

You have to light your own lamp. You have to know the miniature universe that you yourself are.

― Banani Ray

What is your personal philosophy, the interior map that affects what you believe, what you value, and how you behave? Likely we've all been shaped by family, culture, knowledge and experiences, but sometimes we are drawn to a particular teacher who gives meaning to our life. Their words of wisdom answer our questions and direct our steps. Yet the Entanglement card suggests we not leave our discernment at the door. Unless we are willing to expose irrationality and harm, we will only promote ignorance and injustice. That's not the kind of world I choose to live in. 

Empowerment not Capitulation

From the Prairie Tarot, the Hierophant; from the Medicine Cards, the Salmon:

Rather than a priest doling out penances for sins and a set of beliefs for salvation, Ator uses a Native healer. These healers used traditional methods for balancing the mind, body and spirit of their people. George Amiotte is an example of a modern day healer who specializes in helping veterans overcome post-traumatic stress disorder. There seems a great divide between the minister's solution of submission and the empowerment offered by the healer. Salmon represents wisdom and inner knowing. It suggests we see the opportunity in all situations, understanding that wisdom is earned in both enjoyable and difficult experiences. This wisdom is gentle, kind and seeks the good of all - there is no advantage to be gained over another. It takes courage to seek that inner counsel rather rely on another.

The spiritual life is not a life before, after, or beyond our everyday existence. No, the spiritual life can only be real when it is lived in the midst of the pains and joys of the here and now. 

– Henri Nouwen

Little Sprouts

This week I'll be using the PetraK Tarot, created by Petra Reiter-Köck and published by Piatnik. The oracle I'll be using this week is the AstroDice, created by Wessex Astrologer Ltd. It consists of three dice: one for Planets, one for Signs and one for Houses. From the PetraK Tarot, the Hierophant; from the Astrodice, Saturn/Capricorn/Sixth House:

Like the little sprout this Hierophant holds, I think we are all born with something inside that wants to grow and compels us to nurture it. Each sprout is unique to each person; some find its fertilizer in creativity, physical activities or intellectual pursuits, while others have spiritual leanings. Regardless of the path, its full development usually requires a mentor. Saturn is concerned with perseverance in the face of challenges while Capricorn encourages order and responsibility. The Sixth House refers to daily routines and habits. Together with the Hierophant, they suggest a need for commitment, patience and willingness to learn from another. Whatever we are trying to grow will require daily maintenance and care. 

You don't know what your abilities are until you make a full commitment to developing them.

~Carol S. Dweck

We Are That

This week I'll be using the Vision Quest Tarot, a deck created by Gayle Silvie Winter and Jo Dose (illustrator); it was published by AGM Müller. I'll also be using two combined oracles: Bird Cards and Ascension to Paradise, deck and book sets by Jane Toerien (author) and Joyce van Dobben (illustrator); they were published by Altamira-Becht. Today's draws are the Shaman (Hierophant) and Osprey:

This Hierophant/Shaman's wisdom doesn't come from a sacred book but from the Earth and all its inhabitants. I can imagine him speaking the words of Chief Seattle to those who come seeking wisdom: "Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect." The Osprey is a fish-eating bird that catches its prey by diving into a body of water. These birds have adapted to such hunting with nostrils that can close, backward-facing scales on the talons which act as barbs to help hold its catch, plumage that is dense and oily, and the ability to adjust its dive for refraction. The Osprey doesn't demand that the fish jump out of the water to feed them, yet humans seem to want to shape and mold the Earth to suit our desires. But we are beginning to see the effects of such exploitation, feeling the consequences of tearing the web we ourselves reside in.

All About Change

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Polar Bear/Hierophant; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Fehu:

It's hard not to compare the polar bear's shrinking ice floes to the shrinking affiliation with Christianity. The Pew Research Center found that Christians accounted for about 90% of the population 50 years ago, but as of 2020 that figure had slumped to about 64%. It is projected to continue its decline, which isn't a surprise. Rigid religious dogma doesn't work well in a world that is constantly changing even as our knowledge expands. Yet Fehu - a rune that represents material possessions - brings up an important point. Wealth and belongings can bring physical comfort and fleeting pleasure, but it doesn't create any lasting emotional or spiritual fulfillment. That doesn't mean we need to cling to organized religion; spirituality can be found in more places or experiences than a church.

It is quite strange that the religion founded in Jesus' name has been very resistant to change and has tended to love and protect the past and the status quo much more than the positive and hopeful futures that could be brought about by people agreeing to change. —Richard Rohr

Corrupted Power

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Masters, created and self-published by James Ricklef. (I'll also be referring to Ricklef's Tarot Affirmations book.) The oracle deck I'll be using is The Key to the Kingdom, a transformational cards and booklet set created by Tony Meeuwissen and published by Running Press. Today's draws are the High Priest and the Queen of Diamonds:

Ricklef's drawing is based on Raphael's painting of Pope Gregory IX, a man known for issuing decretals (papal decrees concerning canon law) and for instituting the Papal Inquisition (groups charged with suppressing heresy). He is a prime example of how tradition gets mistaken for truth and guidance becomes corrupted by power. On the heels of the devastating news about the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe vs. Wade, this card feels oppressive and tyrannical. If those 'christian' justices would read Exodus, they would see the unborn were treated as a treasured possession but not a human life. Yet the Queen of Diamonds asks that we maintain our commons sense rather than rely on opinions and assumptions. As a chess piece among other game pieces, she asks us to use our intellect to form a strategic plan rather than be jerked around by our emotions. There will always be those who try to contain and suppress others with their personal beliefs, but as William J. Brennan, Jr. wrote, "Law cannot stand aside from the social changes around it."                                                        

Litmus Test

This week I'll be using the Tarot of Durer, created by Manfredi Toraldo and Giacinto Gaudenzi and published by Lo Scarabeo. The oracle deck I'll also be using is the Philosopher's Stone, created by De Es (Schwertberger) and published by AG Muller. Today's draws are the Hierophant and Introspection:

Wisdom is not easily improvised; virtue cannot be invented.

The Hierophant represents a teacher/leader who guides others and passes on values and traditions to the group. Yet that bag of coins gripped tightly in his lap makes me wonder if he's praying for the right use of those donations for the poor, widows and orphans or if he's just thinking of how he could use the money for his own benefit. His dog appears to look at him and ask where the Hierophant's loyalties lie. Introspection is the observation of one's own mental and emotional processes. It gives us a chance to see if our thoughts and emotions actually match reality or if we're simply running on past patterns without seeing what's in front of us. In the case of our devotion to a teacher, we might consider if we're going along out of habit or because we think he might supply us with what we want (as with the prosperity gospel preachers). It would be wise to use discernment and heed the words of Robert Ingersoll: "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power."

Deconstruction, Reconstruction

From the Middle Way Arcana, the Hierophant; from the Vertical Oracle, Rebirth:

Buddha’s vision is breathtaking: Do not believe anything just because I said it, because a great elder said it, because you read it in a sacred text. Put it into practice – see for yourself what is true.

~Sharon Salzberg

Spiritual leaders have a tough crowd these days; people generally prefer to transcend all their problems and pain rather than deal with any of it. They'd like to 'magic' it all away, and unfortunately there are plenty of ruthless folks who will tell them they can for the right 'donation.' But an ethical teacher will be upfront and emphasize the need for personal inner work and practice. The way to contentment begins within and is a lifelong process, so only reading a book or attending a seminar isn't going to cut it. As Andrew Melen wrote, "Hope alone will not affect change—that requires movement." The Rebirth card implies a period of dormancy followed by transformation. Although it may appear the pupa isn't moving, there are great changes happening within. If we want to alter our lives, we can take the teachings that make sense to us - Buddhist, pagan or otherwise - and begin the work of deconstruction and reconstruction, just like the caterpillar. 

Seeing Specks Instead of Planks

From the SKT Revelation, the Hierophant; from the Empty Cup Oracle, Hatchet:

Wen uses an image of Maitreya, a bodhisattva who will appear on Earth in the future, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma. Maitreya's arrival will come when most of the world will have forgotten the teachings. The name Maitreya is derived from the Sanskrit word maitrī, or "friendship," which means this bodhisattva won't arrive with a club but with an open heart. Maitreya comes to remind us of loving-kindness and compassion, spiritual principles that can keep our world healthy and whole. While there may still may be small pockets of resistance to the lure of money and power, nations and communities seem to have forgotten ethical guide posts. Hatchet is a smaller cutting tool than an ax; it seems more suited for anyone's use. It's message is that while I might like to point out the problems with the world and humanity, the only person I can change is me. It's time to start slicing away at my own egoic traits that prevent me from practicing loving-kindness and compassion.

How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? ~Luke 6:42