On the Fly

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Two of Pentacles; from the Beasts of Albion, Hound:

          The fox's tail on this fellow indicates a need for cunning, the ability to artfully change paths and adapt as necessary on the fly. The fox rarely moves in a straight line, nor does life. The companion book suggests that we 'think on our feet,' in other words, have several alternate plans and strategies if our primary one doesn't work out. It means we can't hide under the bedcovers - we have to take action in a new direction. Balancing responsibilities requires such constant readjustment. One plan is to know who is trustworthy (like the Hound) and who is willing to temporarily accept some of our obligations when we are overwhelmed. This is the person who is credible, consistent, and considerate. In turn, we can repay them with our own loyalty and aid when they find themselves in need.

If you can’t feed a hundred people, feed just one.

– Mother Teresa

Friendly Advice

From the Llewellyn Tarot, Temperance; from the Beasts of Albion, the 'Hound:'

          The Lady of the Well used to illustrate this card comes from a tale of intemperance. A man, known for his drunkenness, passed by a sacred well one night. Seeing the young priestess guarding the well, he assaulted and raped her. The waters of the well raged upwards and drowned the entire town. The young girl who was violated lived on under the waters in mermaid form. A moment without self-restraint caused a choice that irrevocably changed many lives. The Hound has long been a companion, guide, and guard for mankind. Its message is one of loyalty, a faithfulness that lasts in all seasons and circumstances. (Interesting that the waters provided the mermaid with a sea-dog.) Perhaps those who consider themselves a friend of another might try and reason with them to prevent extreme choices if they can. On the other hand, that person considering an action might need to listen and heed the warning of that friend.

I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better. ~Plutarch

Detaching and Rowing Forward

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Six of Swords; from the Beasts of Albion, the Hound:

          I've been working on a digital oracle for my personal use (I'm calling it The American Pen, with quotes from poets and novelists). I came across something Anne Lamott said that fit the Swords suit perfectly: "You don't always have to chop with the sword of truth. You can point with it too." It seems fitting for the Six of Swords, as the boatman points them toward another island in the distance. I always wondered about the RWS version of this card - why would you stick swords in the bottom of a boat? But then it dawned on me that sticking them in something solid (the ground, a dead body, on the wall, etc.), means they are immobile, unlike the boat. When my ideas and attitude are stuck, my thinking is very black and white (this is right, that is wrong), and my serenity is firmly attached to things being a certain way. But being miserable has a way of goading me into a new mindset. Yet what about the loyal Hound who's been left behind? Unfortunately moving from one truth to another can leave companions feeling as if I've abandoned and betrayed them. I experienced this when I left the church. But surely true friendships can look past religion, politics and such to what is good and kind underneath, right?

Another Trip Around the Sun

This week I'll be using a deck created by Poppy Palin, Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot.  While Palin originally intended it to be an oracle deck, her publishers had other ideas; though marketed as tarot, it has more of an oracle structure, and thus is a nontraditional deck.  The companion book, "Stories of the Wild Spirit," has recently been republished.  Today's draw is the Dance of Life / Web of Fate (Wheel of Fortune):

Our dance stops for no man's law and is never slowed by circumstance.

Nature spirits, each holding part of a ribbon, dance around the Tree of Life.   The tree has been planted in a cauldron, a symbol of creation and transformation - the primordial soup of life.  Here in the South, the weather has been unusually warm even though this time of year is still labeled "winter."  But birds and flowers know nothing about human labels, so they are busy - buds are opening and my feathered friends are building nests.  Regardless of what goes on in man's world, nature keeps forging ahead.  I must say I had a bit of a laugh when I drew this card, as it is my birthday today.  Whether events are happy, sad, dull or irritating, the world keeps on spinning, and so I too must keep putting one foot in front of the other.  I can enjoy the good and persevere through the bad - either way, change is inevitable.

     The oracle deck I'll be using this week is the Celtic Shaman's Pack, illustrated by Chesca Potter with text by John Matthews.  The card chosen this morning is the "Hound:"

The dog has long been considered a faithful and loyal companion.  There are dozens of stories in the Celtic tradition about dogs.  King Arthur's dog, Cafall, left his paw print on a stone; legend says that if the stone was moved in the evening, it returned backed to its original place the next day.  In this world of constant change, it is a blessing to have steadfast friends to make this journey with.  So today, I offer my gratitude to all those who've helped me celebrate my good fortunes and who've given me a shoulder to lean on when life got tough.  I hope I can be the same kind of friend to you!