Spice Rack

From the Transformational Tarot, the Three of Cups; from the Celtic Book of the Dead, the 'Island of Many Birds:'

Some boys take a beautiful girl

And hide her away from the rest of the world

I want to be the one to walk in the sun

Oh girls they wanna have fun 

~ Cyndi Lauper

          "But Barb," Brad whined, "I want to spend the weekend with just you!" "Sorry babe, but the girls and I are having a night out," she firmly said. Whether a romantic relationship or a friendship, most everyone has experienced an intimate bond with another at some point in our lives. It generally works well until one person wants exclusive rights to the other's time and attention. Bond soon becomes bondage, and the world shrinks down to a very small, claustrophobic size. Multiple connections help us develop emotionally rather than stagnate and offer a wider perspective through which to view life. The Island of Many Birds is a symbol of being spoiled for choice. When we have several options, we may start overanalyzing and become so finicky that we don't choose anything. When developing friendships, it can be tempting to look for someone who likes and has the same opinions we do. But if the purpose is to expand our experience, then variety might be the spice worth choosing.  

Less is More

This week I'll be using the Transformational Tarot created by Arnell Ando and published by U.S. Games. The oracle I'll be using with it is the Celtic Book of the Dead, created by Caitlin Matthews, illustrated by Danuta Mayer and published by Edison-Sadd. Today's draws are the World and Island of Many Birds:

          Ando describes this goddess as the World who creates order from chaos. In doing so, she completes cycles that bring understanding and competency. Of course this doesn't mean everything will remain in harmonic balance; a new, more challenging jigsaw puzzle is on the horizon. The Island of Many Birds card suggests there are resources at hand (an abundant food supply). The new challenge is there are so many choices, we can't make up our minds. We make no progress, because we can't make a decision. Psychologist Barry Schwartz declares, "though modern Americans have more choice than any group of people ever has before, and thus, presumably, more freedom and autonomy, we don't seem to be benefiting from it psychologically." Other researchers have coined the term "decision fatigue," referring to a cognitive overload caused by too many choices that tends to make us shut down and avoid decisions or to make rash and impulsive ones. Leave it to humans to make a good thing complicated. No wonder we have books galore on how to simplify our lives! But perhaps the World's penchant for order will give us a clue.

Distractions, Pleasurable or Otherwise

From the Transformational Tarot, the Prince (Knight) of Coins; from the Celtic Book of the Dead, the "Island of Many Birds:"

The Prince/Knight of Coins is hardworking and trustworthy, focused and methodical. He's the go-to guy if you want a job carefully planned and successfully carried out. What could possibly go wrong with this fellow in the saddle? The damsel in distress he carries back to the castle is a hint, as is the card from the oracle deck. The Island of Many Birds was where the voyagers landed when they were hungry and in dire need of something to eat. Here they found thousands of birds of all kinds, so many that they didn't know which to choose. Their dilemma reminds me of the huge supermarkets here; if you want a box of cereal, there is such a multitude and variety it mimics the Great Wall of China. The Prince could easily lose his focus if he has too many distractions, good or bad. He encourages me to keep my eye on the objective today and not get caught up in all the diversions around me.