Achievement

From the Tarot of the Master, the Six of Wands; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Laetitia (Joy):

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. – Zig Ziglar

Drumsticks, a pan flute and a bugle in this card all suggest a parade is in the making. What was once a struggle has now ended successfully, and imbalance has been replaced with harmony. Laetitia's appearance implies that this victory brings not only relief but also joy. What an adrenaline rush it is to be over the finish line! Now, do we arrogantly flaunt it or humbly and gratefully accept it?

Traction

From the Tarot of the Master, Justice; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Laetitia:

This Justice's scales seem to be perfectly balanced; if someone were to ask me what was imbalanced, I'd begin a long list with the climate/environment and end with politics. But this Justice seems to look downward rather than outward - at me. I can get intoxicated about many issues, which may make me feel as if I'm doing something though I'm actually not. Justice would tell me to find some traction, and Laetitia ('joy') might help with that. The booklet that comes with this deck suggests this card refers to the sharing of ideas and discussion. I am reminded of the wise words of Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Handing Down the Buck

From the Tarot of the Master, the Seven of Coins; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Laetitia:

          The framed coins remind me of how family businesses often display the first dollar they make. But the Seven of Coins is primarily about taking stock of our resources at the moment. The skull on the wall makes it seem as if this business has passed through several generations. Laetitia literally means 'joy' and indicates a time of harmony and balance. The booklet suggests this may come about through discussion and compromise. Whatever resource is changing hands, it can't hurt to listen to the previous owner's ideas and information. You might learn some helpful hints that keep you from finding things out the hard way.

It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. 

― Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Research and Discussion

From the Tarot of the Master, the Hermit; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Laetitia:

Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens. ―Carl Jung 

          The Hermit's keyword in this particular deck is 'research.' What does he study? The Delphi Oracle would reply, "Know thyself." Socrates thought it was ridiculous that people would try to figure out obscure things before they even knew themselves.

The ground of practice is you or me or whoever we are right now, just as we are. That’s the ground, that’s what we study, that’s what we come to know with tremendous curiosity and interest....If we are committed to comfort at any cost, as soon as we come up against the least edge of pain, we’re going to run; we’ll never know what’s beyond that particular barrier or wall or fearful thing. 

 ― Pema Chödrön

Laetitia means 'joy,' and this card adds the meaning of 'discussion.' The two cards together made me think of the Tibetan form of debate. The goal was not to win, but to discover the truth based on reason and reality, not dogma or opinion. We must learn to hold on to our truth loosely in order to consider other viewpoints. Research shows that we develop 25% of our understanding from listening to teachings, 25% from reading by ourselves and 50% through debating different points of view. So behind the playful aspect of debate (rather than a combative competition) lies a very powerful method of gaining wisdom.

Sacrifice of Self

From the Tarot of the Master, the Five of Chalices:

A leaf, a flower, a fruit, or even

Water, offered to me in devotion,

I will accept as the loving gift

Of a dedicated heart. Whatever you do,

Make it an offering to me –

The food you eat or worship you perform,

The help you give, even your suffering.

~ Bhagavad Gita

This deck's interpretation of the Five of Cups is different from the RWS tradition. The banner in the background reads ad gloriam dei, or "for the glory of the Lord." I do get a sense of giving up something, but it is a gift willingly rather than begrudgingly given. Yes, it is a sacrifice of sorts, but it is the kind that will ultimately bring joy. When I feel lonely, sad, or some other emotion that makes me uncomfortable, I often try to distract myself by buying, eating or experiencing something that will give me a rush. This tactic works briefly, but then I'm left with the same emotion (and often added guilt). But if my focus is not self-centered and I give compassionately, I wind up with a full heart instead of an empty one.

The geomantic figure created today is "Laetitia:"

Laetitia means "joy," a feeling that is larger and longer-lasting than pleasure. Like these butterflies, there is a perception of lightness and the ability to not be weighed down by life's circumstances. Laetitia is ruled by Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system with a mass greater than all the other planets combined. It represents expansion and includes me moving outside my tiny world of total self-concern.