Data Filter

This week I'll be using the Tarot in de Herstelde Orde (Tarot in Restored Order), created by Rob Docters van Leeuwen and Onno Docters van Leeuwen; it was published by Servire. The second deck I'll be drawing from is the Oracle of Kabbalah, a deck and book set created by Richard Seidman and published by Thomas Dunne Books. Since the Kabbalah cards are of the letter only and rather plain, I'll be using the illuminated paintings of Victor Brindatch. Today's draws are Juno and Alef:

Intuition becomes increasingly valuable in the new information society precisely because there is so much data. 

―John Naisbitt

The Tarot of Restored Order adds two cards to its deck: Juno (Intuition) and Jupiter (Truth). A temple to Juno Moneta (meaning “Juno Who Warns”) was built on Rome's Capitoline Hill in 344 BCE. According to Plutarch, the cackling of her sacred geese were said to have warned the Romans of an invasion of Gauls, allowing them to save the summit. Juno's card represents that spiritual nudge, bad feeling or intuitive flash that advises us to pay attention and take action. It helps us filter out the overwhelming amount of stimuli and focus on what's important in the moment. Symbolizing oneness or unity, Alef (Aleph) is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and means 'master' or 'leader.' When it appears, it suggests we recall what is primary; we need to strip away the superfluous and get back to basics. Both of these cards encourage staying grounded and not getting distracted by meaningless fluff. 

Mindful in All Ways

From the Hezicos Tarot, the Two of Coins; from the Way of the Horse, Intuition:

When there are a lot of plates spinning in the air, it's easy to get discombobulated. Yesterday, I made a cup of coffee and forgot to put the cup under the Keurig spout. I'll blame a lack of sleep for that blooper. But having a lot of boxes to check off every day can make it easy to lose one's balance. Part of my daily intention in the morning helps me wake up: "May I move through each moment mindfully (pay attention!), lightly (hang on to humor), and with clarity (see what is, not what I wish it to be). Intuition brings in another way to pay attention. My longtime buddy who lives in Australia has a birthday this month, so I decided to send her a package this year. But I got a nudge to do this much earlier than it needed to be mailed. And although logic said there was plenty of time, my physical feelings told me to get a move on. Thankfully I listened; the package arrived early but Australia is now on the list of countries to which the USPS is not currently making deliveries.  

Intuitive Action

From the Sun and Moon Tarot, the King of Swords; from the Wisdom Keepers Oracle, Intuition:

          It makes sense that this King would choose a draft horse for his ride; he likes his horse like he likes his facts - strong and heavily grounded. Ideas are useful when they can be practically applied as solutions. And being a proponent of truth, he's definitely looking for hard evidence, not emotional drama. Intuition is an interesting pairing with this King as many consider it to be a bit 'woo-woo' or mystical. But researchers have proved otherwise. Intuition is the ability to know something without analytical reasoning. It bridges the gap between conscious and unconscious; it is instant access to past experience, cumulative knowledge, and present cues. It is not instinct, which is an unconscious, innate (not learned) tendency toward a particular behavior that leads to self-preservation. Nor is it insight, which deals with solutions rather than judgment (yes/no). Researchers have found that a positive mood (not angry or fearful) improves the accuracy and precision of intuitive judgment. In this the King of Swords would excel, knowing that emotional imbalance would impede his decision-making skills.

When a thirsty man comes to you, what do you do? The first thing that occurs to you: give him water. This is intuitive action, acting without desire or attachment. 

—Colin Beavan 

Keep Your Eye on the Leg...

From the Restored Order Tarot, Intuition/Juno; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, 'Tet:'

Tet artwork by Allison Carter

          In this tarot deck, two major arcana cards have been added: Intuition/Juno and Truth/Jupiter. The companion book states, "In this stage Intuition seduces the ego to follow her - this seduction is the reason why traditionally Intuition is portrayed with one leg uncovered. The traveler must overcome vain personal insights." Intuition attempts to trick the ego so she can become the primary guide. Why? Because if the ego is doing the looking, it will interpret every symbol and bit of information it finds in a self-centered way. Juno was said to have given the peacock its 'eyes' to be all-seeing, giving her access to the past, present, and future. This card represents an understanding that is beyond the personal and the linear. Tet (which happens to be the first letter for 'peacock' in Hebrew), is shaped like an open container. It signifies a space for potential. Yet there is duality in this letter; it is the beginning letter for both 'purity' and 'impurity.' These cards combined offer a caution about being aware of what we put in our inner containers. It won't just affect us but will carry outward like ripples from a stone tossed into a lake. 

Prescribed Potion

From the Hezicos Tarot, Temperance; from the Way of the Horse Oracle, "Intuition:"

Though Temperance is often interpreted as moderation, today I see it more as a compromise that results in harmony. This angel takes two different things and combines them to create something new. I want to take her mixed potion and pour it over my family, my country and the world. But is there a recipe for this concoction other than stir and mix? The Intuition card strongly suggests the necessary ingredient will not come from logic (goodbye opinions and dogmatic beliefs), nor will it come from emotions (goodbye resentments and fears). Instead it will be found deep below my ego, if I am receptive and listen quietly.

Decisions, Decisions...

The card drawn from the Hezicos Tarot this morning is the Two of Swords:

A rather sad-looking elf stands at a divide in the road, not knowing which one to travel.  I do hate "either/or" choices, and it looks like this fellow eventually has to make one.  One road leads to a mountain that has unusual tree houses on it, while the other seems more solitary.  The elf holds the swords crossed over his heart, hoping to keep his emotions out of this decision.  I can't help but think of Robert Frost's last stanza in "The Road Not Taken:"

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

     The card chosen from the Way of the Horse deck this morning is "Intuition:"

From the shadow of one horse emerges another.  The gift of this card is the wisdom available from our intuition; the challenge is in discriminating between what is actually inner wisdom and what is ego.  For me personally, I have not found it difficult to tell the difference.  My ego always wants what will benefit me - the easier, softer way.  My intuition comes as a spiritual gift, and is other-centered rather than self-centered.  But there are times when I need to place my needs first, yet even this decision results in my ability to serve others better because I keep myself healthy and sane.