Earnestness in Learning

From the Tarot de St. Croix, the Page of Pentacles; from the Archetype Cards, the Judge:

To be an artist it is necessary to live with our eyes wide open, to breath in the colors of mountain and sky, to know the sound of leaves rustling, the smell of snow, the texture of bark. To be an artist is to notice every beautiful and tragic thing, to cry freely, to collect experience and shape it into forms that others can share. ― Jan Phillips

          This young man, full of enthusiasm for learning photography, finds everything worthy of being photographed. (Thankfully with digital cameras, this no longer costs a fortune.) But how long will his zeal to study and practice continue? I remember years ago when I wanted to start my own blog, I was encouraged to do so by my friend Sharyn. She told me, "The hard thing is not starting, it's when you have to write a fresh perspective on the same card over and over." This Page represents 'beginner's mind,' an attitude of openness and a lack of preconceptions. It is the ability to embrace experience anew, as a beginner, no matter the level of skill or knowledge. Judge, in its healthy form, helps me discern and assess from a place of objectivity. For any artist or crafts-person, it is hard for the Judge's flip side - the Inner Critic - not to appear. One way to spot and override this critic is to write down statements as if delivering them to someone else. Would I actually say this to someone else if it were their work? If there is no compassion in sight, it's the Inner Critic not the Judge doing the talking.

The Light of Clarity

From the Tarot de St. Croix, the Two of Wands; from the Archetype Cards, the 'Judge:'

          This priestess points one wand at the Earth and one down at the earth, representing the macrocosm and microcosm. It makes me think of things I want to accomplish out in the world (macro) as opposed to the work I need to do within myself (micro). Which is more important for me to focus on right now? Will the imbalance of one affect the other? The Judge shows up to help me make an objective decision. But actual judges who may be prejudiced in some way (such as being related to someone involved) must recuse themselves from the case. My strong opinions or emotional leanings may prevent me from making a choice with clarity. If so, perhaps considering the unbiased thoughts of someone else might be beneficial.

The thing is to supply light and not heat. ~ Woodrow Wilson  

Cave Contemplation

From the Tarot de St. Croix, the Hermit:

A woman holding an aspen staff emerges from a cave. The creator states this card is about contemplative solitude and coming face-to-face with one's shadow. Contemplation means marking out sacred space so I can view something with continued attention. That "something" is myself - my thoughts and actions. The focus centers on my blind beliefs, ideas I have accepted as truth that are anything but. I also look at my actions; my misconceptions have undoubtedly triggered behaviors that have not been beneficial for anyone. This is not an exercise in self-absorption, but a way toward transformation. The aspen staff represents community (these trees spread by shoots from their roots, creating a cohesive grove). My time spent alone is not meant as an escape, but to help me live among others with clarity and compassion.

From the Archetype Cards comes the "Judge:"

I can evaluate myself very harshly, and I find it much easier to list my character defects than my assets. But the Judge reminds me that I should look at my whole self with fairness and objectivity. If I can do that with myself, I am more likely to have a balanced view toward others.