Don't Feed the Egos

From the Tarot of the Abyss, the Five of Swords; from the Nature Mandala Cards, Hope:

Be aware of people that make an ocean from a glass of water.

― Alfredo Antequera

In every gathering, small or large, there's usually a person who dominates all conversation, effectively shutting down anyone who might ask questions. They are impressed with their own intelligence and feel their views are superior to any others. Then there are the trolls on forums, who get their jollies from making comments that twist people up into knots. In either case, the victims often feel like this trapped butterfly in the jar - no matter how much they push back, they never seem to make a dent in the conversation. Hope suggests that things might get better. Yet Wise Hope, rather than simply wishing for change, would encourage us to see how we might avoid getting sucked into such conversations. Sometimes the only influence we have is over our own thoughts and reactions, which can keep us sane and avoid feeding any egos.

No Tethers

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Nine of Cups; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Hope:

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.

― Emma Goldman

What is it that warms your heart, attracts your curiosity, focuses your attention or makes you smile? Whether it involves nature, people, the arts, a hobby, a career or an organization, it is probably something that fulfills us and brings joy and contentment. Yet emotional fulfilment can't be found in the future, only in each moment of our precious life. It can be found if we pay attention and look with a wide view and open mind. Hope suggests we do the work without attachment; we become an optimistic realist. We recognize the potential for change and growth without tethering our happiness to a specific result. 

Facing the Future

From the Tarot of the Abyss, the Ten of Cups; from the Nature Mandala Meditation Oracle, Hope:

A quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest.

– Albert Einstein

There's no permanent rainbow or castle here, yet this woman joyfully pulls her partner along as they travel the bounds of their home. They focus on gratitude for all that is good in their life, rather than remaining centered on what they lack. Their secret is knowing how to find wonder, appreciation, and fulfillment in the simple and ordinary. The Hope card reminds me of a quote by Robert Schuller: "Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future." When we are grounded in joy rather than anger, in generosity instead of fear, and in openness rather than rigidity, what a huge difference it makes as we face the future. 

Restructuring

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the Dreaming in Color Deck, 'Hope:'

          I was reading an interview with a woman who had been a successful therapist; she retired, moved with her partner to a state with a temperate climate into a lovely home with a garden. She described her retirement as "a beautiful prison." Though money wasn't a problem and she was in good health, an absence of purpose left her feeling bored and depressed. I think changes that take us out of our structured lives - no matter if we're empty-nesters or retirees - can leave people feeling unmoored. As one fellow said, "There's only so much gardening and golf one can do." The Hope card reminds me of a quote by George Washington Carver: "Where there is no vision, there is no hope." Carver, one of the most innovative scientists and inventors in African-American history, believed we need something to look forward to and work toward. It doesn't matter whether it originates from a small project or a large one, as long as it gives us a reason to get up in the morning.

There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.

~Louis L'Amour

Golden Shadow

From the Thoth Tarot, the Moon; from the Vertical Oracle, Hope:

          The Moon is a descent into unconscious depths. The ego has watchers at the towers, ready to defend and deflect any information that it might deem unsuitable. Yet the scarab beetle brings ups the sun from the depths, a symbol that this knowledge is a gift of clarity. It's yellow color reminds me of what I wrote the other day about Jung's 'golden shadow,' the good qualities in ourselves that we don't recognize (that we project on others). The Vertical Oracle card shows an angel delivering two bouquets of tulips (whose color matches the sun). The booklet states, "The inspiration you seek depends on getting a bird's eye view of your situation." I personally don't believe in celestial beings with giant wings, but I do believe in angelic, caring friends. Their perspectives may be able to sneak past the guards at the tower.

The Light of Friendship

From the Idiosyncradeck Tarot, the Three of Cups; from the Answer Deck, Hope:

Friendship ... is born at the moment when one man says to another "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . ." ― C.S. Lewis 

          I've made friends in unusual places and situations, but the majority have been because of some common denominator. The funny thing is, once that relationship is cemented, other labels (like religious identity, political affiliation, race or sexual orientation) just don't seem to matter much. Which makes me wonder what would happen if we all looked for what we shared with other people rather than focusing on differences. Besides such relationships being a source of joy and fun, the Hope card gives another reason for keeping those friendships healthy and active. Everyone at some point will experience a dark night of despair. It's nice to have folks around who can act as a lighthouse to help you navigate your way.

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares. ― Henri J.M. Nouwen

Hope Floats

From the Fey Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, "Hope:"

          Now I've heard that "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," but what does a bird on the head mean?  I'm guessing it means her prudence and hard work have paid off, judging by that huge, golden coin hanging over her head. The fey looks happy yet expectant, which leads into the next card, Hope. One of the first things I noticed in this card is the anchor on the bank. There's no need to go sailing the seven seas looking for anything, because it's already been found. But there seems to be a Part 2 coming, something not yet in hand. The fishing woman with her cork bobbing in the water suggests waiting patiently. Staying focused while allowing things to play out on their own timetable is crucial.

They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.

― Tom Bodett

Endings and Outlooks

From the Cosmic Tarot, Death; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, "Hope:"

          Maybe it's the bird perched on his bony finger, but this Death doesn't seem intimidating to me at all. He reminds me of Discworld's Death, lover of cats and kittens, who is more of a hero than villain. The destruction around him looks similar to what was left behind when the flood waters receded here in 1994 (with less mud). Watching the waters rise higher and higher, I remember well the emotional reactions back then. First came the fear of the impending catastrophe, which was followed by numbness and then grief for the losses. As with any ending, hopefully there is acceptance at some point; I embrace my feelings yet become willing to let them go. No amount of anger or sadness will rewrite history. The Hope card shows a young man planting a tree. With the right care, it might produce apples in a few years. Or not. That is the tricky thing about optimism - staying positive without building a concrete expectation of what happiness will look like. The tree might not produce apples, but it might provide shade and beauty. Without assumptions, I can welcome what comes.

Unrestricted Perspective

From the Thoth Tarot, the Three of Wands:

The orange color of this card shows its energy, and the lotus blooms in their first stages indicate progress is now noticeable. Hajo Banzhaf, in his book The Crowley Tarot, suggests the Three of Wands is much like the beginning of spring - projects and goals are not yet completed, but there is evidence of successful movement towards that end. The number three is different from two in that there is now some stability (think of a three-legged stool). Yet if I were to sit on the edge of that stool instead of in the middle, it would likely tip over. So while this card is an excellent report on how things are proceeding, it reminds me to stay centered and focused on the objective.

From the Vertical Oracle comes the card "Hope:"

Again the color orange (of the flowers) is dominant against a background of gray. The author labels this card with the phrase "vertical perspective" and advises that inspiration and encouragement can be found from a bird's eye view of things. It's like being so caught up in a belief or idea that I overlook the obvious. It reminds me of an X-Files episode in which Mulder and Scully are stranded on a rock in a river, where they stay huddled all night. Finally one of the locals informs them the water is quite shallow, and they can just walk to shore. Hope and tenacity may well depend on not limiting my perspective.