It's a Team Effort

From the Ellis Tarot, the King of Pentacles; from the Brownies Oracle, Connection:

Once we truly know that life is difficult - once we truly understand and accept it - then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.

—M. Scott Peck

This King of Pentacles likes his comforts, but he knows what it is like to do without them. He didn't get to his position through a royal bloodline, but through a hardscrabble life. He enjoys the good life, but he doesn't expect it or even feel entitled to it. He understands the nature of earthly existence. Yet there is one thing he has depended on - the support of others. Connection is a reminder that sometimes we need to be the bolster and other times we are the bolstered. It depends on recognizing the value of others, no matter which role we play, and maintaining our gratitude for them.

More than a Bank Account

From the Stone Tarot, the King of Pentacles; from the Buddhist Quote Cards, Dhammapada 12:159:

Your worth consists in what you are, and not in what you have.

What you are will show in what you do. 

—Thomas Davidson

Bank loan officers and brokers will often ask, "What's your worth?" They are interested in our net worth (what we own minus what we owe) and our liquid assets (cash or items easily converted into cash quickly). But the King of Pentacles would tell us it's not about what we have, it's about sustaining and growing what we have or knowing how to begin again if life tilts sideways. The Dhammapada verse reads: "One should do what one teaches others to do; if one would train others, one should be well controlled oneself. Difficult, indeed, is self-control." Before we take advice from others, we should look at the whole of their life - it might tell us more than what this person is trying to sell us.

Finding My Own

From the Sacred India Tarot, the King of Discs; from the Land Sky Oracle, Grace:

There is something in us, as storytellers and as listeners to stories, that demands the redemptive act, that demands that what falls at least be offered the chance to be restored. 

―Flannery O'Connor

The King of Discs is represented by Kubera, the god of wealth, prosperity, and glory, He is also associated with treasures of the earth, such as minerals and jewels that lie underground. Yet he was not always a god. Kubera was originally considered to be a demonic demigod and lord of dark forces. He was gradually incorporated into the orthodox Vedic pantheon as the god of wealth, as stories about him helping others were written. Grace is a gift of goodwill; rather than being transactional, it is motivated by kindness and mercy without judgment of the receiver's worthiness. It allows us a new perspective that we might redeem ourselves and change our self-centered ways. As Snow Patrol sings, "I need your grace to remind me to find my own."

Enjoy It While You've Got It

From the Albano-Waite Tarot, the King of Pentacles; from the American Pen Oracle, Robert Frost:

See how, just as drifting sands constantly overlay the previous sand, so in our lives what we once did is very quickly covered over by subsequent layers. —Marcus Aurelius

The A-W's wild colors for this card make it look like this King has been overgrown with moss or lichen. It reminds me of a photo I bought at an art show - an old pair of leather hiking boots covered in moss and nearly hidden by plants. It was titled "Back to Nature." It strikes me that this King, who has proven his business acumen, knows that either we will lose things or things will lose us. That's why he doesn't mind indulging in a few comforts or delights. Robert Frost wrote "Nothing gold can stay," but he also wrote “Live life like it's the last breath you take for that breath is the whole essence of living; the little things in life are what connects us to all the big things we live for.” Enjoy it while you've got it!

The Difference

From the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, the King of Pentacles; from the Pages of Shustah, the Whip:

Today, I'm looking at life from a realistic point of view instead of the way I would want things to be. 

—Otis Williams

The King of Pentacles is a practical yet farsighted in material matters. He knows that although we desire bodies that function well and a hefty bank account, even the natural world doesn't thrive all the time. He suggests we investigate prudent ways to navigate those times of decline. The Whip is a symbol of self-control and discipline. Do we constantly require a carrot or the fear of the stick to motivate us? Do we jump toward the easiest solution even if it will have heavy consequences? As Jim Rohn explains, “We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.”

The Only Place

From the Delta Enduring Tarot, the Sage of Cast Irons (King of Pentacles); from the Southernisms Oracle, "If I had my druthers:"

The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.

- Vidal Sassoon

Teens that see this Sage's success want to have what he has. If they'd talk to him, they'd find out how hard he worked at their age, first as a bus boy then as a cook. He had to learn to manage his money, how to handle and cook food properly, and the patience of interacting with customers. It was a long road to his lucrative business. "If I had my druthers" is a combination of "had rather" which was turned into a noun that meant a preferred choice. Some may think a restaurant might be a preferred option rather than a food truck. But the Sage knows it would require a heavier investment of time and money. Plus, business areas boom and then recede; with a truck, he can travel where the customers are found. Success requires flexibility.

Blowback

From the Daniloff Tarot, the King of Coins; from the Kuan Yin Poems, Verse 30:

The name and pretense of virtue is as serviceable to self-interest as are real vices. 

―Francois de La Rochefoucauld

This is not a king that sits around on a cushy throne eating grapes all day. The elephant and rook (turret) on his shield is a reminder that he is a powerful mover and shaker. The rook of chess, able to move horizontally or vertically any number of squares, is second only to the queen in power. It is an apt symbol for this go-getter. Yet there is a caution offered about such ambition in Verse 30:

A stork in flight may conceal a secret arrow. 

Looking for wood in the high grass, you encounter a snake whose bite could harm you.

Putting a kind face on hidden motives does not mean things will turn out well. If it's not our business or our right to execute an action, we need to stay in our lane. Otherwise, the blowback could be extremely detrimental. 

It's Not Personal

From the Urban Tarot, the Knight (King) of Disks; from the Principles to Live By tiles, Equanimity:

There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take nothing personally.

—Miguel Ruiz

Scott writes that the Disks court is a quiet group, determined and devoted, letting their work speak for itself. Resourceful is another description of this collective. Scott's Knight/King of Disks illustrates this trait, creating an amazing feast with what he has at hand. He knows how to improvise and think on his feet when an ingredient is missing or the unexpected happens. Such a situation is an appropriate transition to the Equanimity, a principle that represents the ability to remain calm and clear when we get the rug pulled out from beneath us. It doesn't mean we're indifferent to our circumstances, but that we are able to manage our emotions so that we respond rationally and constructively. 

Do No Harm

From the Dark Goddess Tarot, the Hag (King) of Earth; from the Tattwa Cards, Ether: Seed of Air:

If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them.

— Dalai Lama

Change doesn't cease just because we worry about it or prepare for it, as She Who Watches discovered. A wise chief of a prosperous tribe, she was tricked by Coyote into becoming a stone when he showed her all the many ways her world would change in the coming years. The people could still come and ask for wisdom, she just couldn't give voice to her advice. Yet if we believe in a god/goddess or an ancestor who can hear our prayers, it may give us comfort knowing we are being watched over and given strength to get through difficult times. In Ether (emptiness): Seed of Air, there is quietness and stillness found amid the noise and chaos. It reminds us to employ the four gatekeepers of our thoughts and words before releasing them in the world: "Is this true, is this necessary, is this the right time, and is this kind?" The world has enough chaos and fear without us adding to it.

80% Behavior

From the PetraK Tarot, the Knight (King) of Discs; from the Astrodice, Mercury/Sagittarius/6th House:

Personal finance is only 20% head knowledge. It’s 80% behavior!

– Dave Ramsey

This Knight (King) of Discs reminds me of the saying "keep your head above water." This fellow, who has enough earth to restrain his fire, knows how to manage finances when things are good or bad. Not a person to take risks, he is known for being prudent and practical. He concentrates on the tasks that need his attention and avoids unnecessary distractions. Besides communication, Mercury is also known for problem solving, which works well with the curiosity and desire to learn of Sagittarius. The 6th House deals with work and well-being. Together with the Knight of Discs, they suggest that we don't assume we're managing our finances and health wisely but to investigate the evidence. We need to be able to keep our heads up when waters rise.

A Better Way?

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Master, created by Giovanni Vacchetta and published by Lo Scarabeo. Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Paracelsus Oracle, published by Lo Scarabeo with instructions written by Gina di Roberto. The cards drawn for today are the King of Coins and Cauda Draconis (Tail of the Dragon):

The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one.

—Benjamin Franklin

This king is literally making money, stamping and engraving gold coins. The coin on the wall with its hourglass design is telling; he must know his time is running short to amass his fortune. But a mindset intent on accumulating is often based on a fear of scarcity, even if there is no actual deprivation. Perhaps instead he could invest his time, money and energy - not just to help himself but to help others. Friends might become his greatest resource. Cauda Draconis suggests a doorway leading out or completion. It encourages us to assess how things have turned out now that we are on the back side of them. Was this a wise use of our resources, or is there a better way? 

This week I'll be using the Wild Unknown Tarot, created and self-published by Kim Krans. I'll also be using the Pictish Oracle, created by myself. Today's draws are the Father (King) of Pentacles and the Bull:

A truly stable system expects the unexpected, is prepared to be disrupted, waits to be transformed. 

—Tom Robbins

The Father of Pentacles collects innovative ideas and recognizes opportunities that might be profitable. He frequently takes the pulse of the economy (those rainbow antlers might serve as a radar) and the resources available. Yet what gives all this meaning is not just the comforts he affords, but the stability that he can provide his family. The Pictish Bull appears nine times on incised stones, six of which come from the fortress of Burghead in Moray. The fort’s bulls are portrayed with muscular bodies, swishing tails and heads lowered to charge. Stability must be protected and defended; in the Father's/King's case, he must be flexible enough to make changes as and tighten the belt when needed.

For What It Is

From the Brady Tarot, the Father of Roots (King of Pentacles); from the Citadel Oracle, the Puppeteer:

He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.

—Albert Einstein

A star-nose mole peeks his head above ground, taking in the scents and vibrations of the night. The tendrils around its nose make up a highly specialized sensory-motor organ that acts as a tactile eye, allowing it to study its surroundings. Emi suggests the hardworking Father of Roots/Pentacles has learned to pause and appreciate his accomplishments rather than simply focus on accumulating more. The Puppeteer asks if we feel like we have no freedom, as if life jerks us around demanding our submission and service. We all have obligations, but like this Father/King, we can choose to pause and turn our senses outward. As Mandy Hale put it, "Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed to look like and celebrating it for everything that it is."

Giving Spirit

 From the Tarot of the Masters, the King of Coins; from the Key to the Kingdom, the Joker:

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. ~James Keller

Ricklef's drawing is based on John's Leech's The Ghost of Christmas Present, an illustration in Dicken's first edition of A Christmas Carol. This Christmas spirit was the personification of cheerfulness, hope and generosity. He has something in common with the King of Coins, who believes in sharing his good fortune with those in need. Yet his goal is not merely to fill the needs of others, but to lift them up so that they might be able to provide for themselves. The Joker is paired with the nursery rhyme of the spider inviting the fly into its parlor, an invitation which the fly smartly declines. This trickster reminds us there is a difference between giving without expectations and giving without strings attached. He also would caution us with the words of D.C. Hyden: "“Enabling is the mortal enemy of consequences.”

Healed Pain

From the Rider Marseille Tarot, the King of Pentacles; from the Ostinato Oracle, Repeat:

Impermanence is everywhere we look. We are all going to suffer our losses. How we deal with these losses is what makes all the difference. Can we do so with wisdom? 

 —Lama Surya Das

This King of Pentacles is giving someone a serious glare off to the side. Even the bulls on the top of his throne seem to be watching to see the showdown. It reminds me of when I was informed by the city that through the law of eminent domain, they would be taking part of my backyard in order to pave an alley. There are some losses that, no matter how much we plead, yell or threaten to bonk heads, we have no recourse. We can only grieve and accept these truths with as much dignity as we can muster. The Repeat symbol on the oracle card implies cyclic repetition. We all suffer losses of various degrees throughout our lives, but the small losses can help us learn to deal with the larger ones. It's not an enjoyable practice, but it is a worthwhile one. As Robert G. Lee wrote, “Wisdom is nothing more than healed pain.”

Ain't Gonna Study War No More

From the Tarot of Restored Order, the King of Pentacles; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Mem:

Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.

— John F. Kennedy

With his strong jawline (reminding me of wrestler John Cena) and the armor peeking out from the bottom of his robe, there's little doubt this King will fight to keep what he's created. He seems a little ill at ease in his new role of ruler rather than warrior, perhaps looking for someone to bonk with that scepter. But from the grapes and other lush vegetation growing around him, it looks like the worst problem he might have right now is kudzu. He would do well to heed the words of Yehudi Menuhin: "Peace may sound simple – one beautiful word – but it requires everything we have, every quality, every strength, every dream, every high ideal." Mem means 'water' and its numerical association is forty. Forty is the number of days it rained in the story of the Flood, and it is the number of days the Jews wandered in the desert. Mem represents a cleansing transformation, one that allows us to live at ease and at peace. As this King has learned, it doesn't happen overnight.

Unpretentious

From the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, the King of Coins; from the Pages of Shustah, Spinning Top:

This King of Coins is described as wealthy but practical and unpretentious. He's not interested in gold toilets to impress his guests. He might appreciate comfort, but his focus is on doing good rather than looking good. Yet the Spinning Top with the clown behind it suggests something is about to come spinning into his life that upsets his contentment. Perhaps there is someone who intimidates him, who makes him feel small and insecure (maybe an in-law or other family member). Will he remember all that he has to be thankful for without pulling out all the stops to prove himself?

There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. ―Ernest Hemingway

Innovative Adaptation

From the Delta Enduring Tarot, the Sage of Cast Irons (King of Pentacles); from the Southernisms Oracle, 'Worn slap out:'

Enjoying success requires the ability to adapt. Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent. – Nolan Ryan

When the pandemic hit our county, we quickly became a hot spot in the country. Restaurant owners fell into two groups: those who mostly cared about making money and ignored the safety ordinances, and those who got innovative so they could stay in business while keeping everyone safe. This King/Sage of Pentacles/Cast Irons reminds me of the second group. He is successful primarily because he can roll with the punches and adapt quickly to whatever is happening. The phrase 'Worn slap out' means to be deflated, used up and completely exhausted. It is the opposite feeling of being slap-happy - a term from boxing meaning to be punch drunk. One of the requirements of being resilient is self-care; we need to carve out some time to nurture our minds, bodies and spirits. No one can keep going when their fuel gauge is empty.

Not Inconsequential

From the Wayfarer Tarot, the King of Earth (Pentacles); from the Curious Oracle, Spider:

 

The King of Earth gets up early and goes to bed late because he wants to be aware of what is growing in his kingdom. If he pays attention, he can influence what is good and deter what isn't. The Spider suggests catching things that don't notice its web. Both of these cards remind me how easily we can slip into a pattern of behavior and get stuck in it. And certain habits tend to get worse and create more suffering. The Anti-Defamation League's Pyramid of Hate show why we need to be aware of what we might consider inconsequential words and actions:

Bearing Witness

This week I'll be using the Dark Goddess Tarot, a deck created by Ellen Lorenzi-Prince and published by Arnell's Art. Along with it, I'll be using a digital set of Tattwas Cards. Today's draws the Hag of Earth (King of Pentacles) and Earth/Seed of Ether:

Coyote visited She Who Watches, the chief of a prosperous and peaceful people. Coyote warned her that the world was about to change, and asked her how she intended to protect her people. When the chief replied that she would watch over her people for as long as she could, Coyote turned her to stone. The message of this card is to endure without letting despair cloud our eyes. We can honor what was while adapting to what is. The keyword for Earth: Seed of Ether is renewal, a desire to move forward regardless of fear and in spite of our limitations and challenges. As the late Bernie Glassman explained, "When we bear witness, when we become the situation — homelessness, poverty, illness, violence, death — the right action arises by itself. We don’t have to worry about what to do. We don't have to figure out solutions ahead of time... Once we listen with our entire body and mind, loving action arises." May it be so.