Looking in a New Direction

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Ten of Disks; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Inspiration:

There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. 

—Sophia Loren

Over the decades, a crisp, new dollar bill will become creased and worn thin. Likewise, the body loses height, the skin becomes more fragile, and muscle mass is lost. I used to love to do strenuous landscaping, but my body can no longer sustain that kind of work. The crone in this card knows her physical limitations, yet she realizes age does not diminish her wisdom or experience. The Inspiration card shows up to encourage us to continue to live a full and meaningful life. However, it may come from a place we don't usually look (note the bird in her sleeve cuff). Thanks to my friend Judy, art now fills my life; I've also decided to learn Tai Chi (with the help of YouTube). It doesn't really matter if I become a master of either, as long as it gives me purpose and fulfills me. 

A Lack of Definition

From the Tarot of the Abyss, the Moon; from the Nature Mandala Meditation Oracle, Inspiration:

Things are as they are. Looking out into the universe at night, we make no comparisons between right and wrong stars, nor between well and badly arranged constellations.

―Alan Watts

The Moon's light softens all the harsh, sharp edges. The details and specifics of things dissolve, leaving a lack of definition, empty of 'this, not that'. The night invites us to relax and let go of our meticulous and selective nature. We become a part of rather than apart from. In this spacious place with its lack of boundaries, Inspiration is free to arrive. Without any preset limitations, we discover the words of Maya Angelou to be true: "You can't use up creativity."

In Calm and Stillness

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the High Priestess; from the Marseille Oracle, Inspiration:

I am convinced that we humans do better when we have something to ground us, a deep source from which we can draw wisdom, insight, and inspiration. The goal of that source is to empower us, to bring depth and fulfillment to our lives, to give us the means to soar.

― Lawrence Levy (former Pixar CEO)

The Gamayun, a prophetic bird of Russian folklore, illustrates the High Priestess in this card. She knows that thinking is a human solution for problems, but she realizes that it often just adds more problems. Instead, a resolution can often be found in stillness, calm and quiet, when the luminous mind can rise above the ego. It has no preferences and prejudices, but sees with clarity, compassion and wisdom. As the Inspiration card implies, this mind can give us insight and guide our creative ideas. 

Lighting Another's Candle

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Two of Cups; from the Marseille Oracle, Inspiration:

          While this couple obviously is devoted to each other, they seem to be good friends on equal footing as well. There is no submission or power play between them, only a partnership based on deep respect. The Inspiration card shows a lantern with an unlit candle. Here is a reason not to base a relationship on having the exact same viewpoints about everything. Having someone who sees through a different lens can pull us from our mental rut. They offer a key to open an unused room in our mind that can help us see beyond our expectations and assumptions.

Advice to Heed

From the Ancient Italian Tarot, the Eight of Chalices; from the Marseille Oracle, 'Inspiration:'

           The Ancient Marseille's booklet suggests the keywords 'maturity' and 'sentimental steadfastness' for this card. Lee Bursten refers to the Eights as 'the efficiency expert' (due to discipline and structure). The two chalices in the middle are flanked by three on top and three below. It reminds me of how family, coworkers, and friends or lovers can shape how we view relationships. Experiences, both good and bad, will form a model of what we look for in a mate and what we want to avoid. Those who mature through such bonds will learn what is healthy and what isn't; those who don't will simply repeat old patterns. The phrase given to the Inspiration card is, "Listen to the advice from those who love you." Those who care about us can see our patterns and be objective when we may be blinded by what we desire. If they love us, they want what is best for us, and it would be wise to listen to what they have to say.

Burn Baby, Burn

From the Ellis Deck, the Queen of Rods; from the Brownies Oracle, Inspiration:

With all the flowers and greenery, I might guess this woman was the Empress. But those glowing eyes reveal her fiery passion inside. She's probably an environmental warrior, wildlife conservationist or chairperson of the garden club. Whatever her cause, this queen will be avid about it.  And she'll have the enthusiasm and charisma to get others to join too. I could use a jolt of her energy and zeal; I still have a Four of Cups hangover this morning. Looks like the Brownies are working on that though, with their community bonfire. The root of 'Inspiration' means to breathe into, first as the breath of life (in a religious sense) and later as a way to inflame one's passion. No matter what strong interest inspires us, it can give us a sense of purpose and a reason to get up in the morning.

The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for. 

― Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Survival Mindset

From the Sun and Moon Tarot, the Emperor; from the Wisdom Keepers Oracle, Inspiration:

          It's daybreak, and though this Emperor looks very relaxed, he's already has his bee platoon reporting in about what's happened in the overnight hours. The lamb by his feet suggests that he is a lover of peace, but the shield leaning on this chair shows he'd go to battle in an instant to protect his kingdom. The phoenix on the shield implies he's no stranger to having to rebuild and start over. Perhaps it's not that he's up so early, but that he didn't sleep at all. Feeling responsible for the safety and welfare of others can put one in a survival mindset. That kind of pressure and worry is a heavy weight to bear.
          The woman drawn for Inspiration appears to have a woven, wide-brimmed hat hanging from her neck. Her forehead has a mountain of lotus petals on a background that resembles basket weaving. The booklet states that she can "dismantle your thinking," which could fit with the basketry idea. Fibers taken (dismantled) from various sources - pine needles, tree bark, rushes, vines, animal hide, etc. - are collected for making containers of all sizes. An important factor for selection is that the fibers must be pliable in order to be used. Looking at the Emperor, I'm not so sure flexibility is in his skill set. But what if he could break down what he's learned while eliminating what's no longer beneficial (pliable)? He might find room for adding new ideas (fibers) to weave into a sturdy container, possibly including a splash of color. Inspiration may help him realize structure is only good if it doesn't put a stranglehold on the spaciousness of joy.

I think it only makes sense to seek out and identify structures of authority, hierarchy, and domination in every aspect of life, and to challenge them; unless a justification for them can be given, they are illegitimate, and should be dismantled, to increase the scope of human freedom.

~ Noam Chomsky

Seeing Behind Closed Eyes

From the Deck of the Bastard, the Fool; from the Marseille Oracle, "Inspiration:"

          The Ettellia image of the Fool is connected with folly, which is not hard to comprehend since he's walking around with his eyes closed. He's also associated with eccentricity, yet I wonder if there is a method to his madness. I'm very practical - what I see and experience, I believe in. But that kind of thinking relies a lot on the files already in my mental file cabinet. Everything gets compared to and labeled under something that has come before. Now this is not a bad thing, because it helps me stay organized and prevents me from being overwhelmed with too much information. But it's hard to squeeze in an unlabeled file that one can do something creative with. Which brings me to the Inspiration card: the image of a candle waiting to be lit. The door to the lantern is open, suggesting an open mind like that of the Fool. But the booklet suggests that I "listen to advice from those who love you." I suppose if I'm going to walk around seeing the unseen rather than reality, it could be very helpful to have folks who can act as a cane for the visually impaired.