Laying Down the Load

From the Tarot of Durer, the Ten of Wands; from Philosopher's Stone, Light:

You can’t make radical changes in the pattern of your life until you see yourself exactly as you are now. As soon as you do that changes will flow naturally.

―Henepola Gunaratana

Look closely and you will see that what is being burned is not a real house but a painting of one. Sometimes we have to continue doing the same thing in the same way until it becomes a colossal failure. We often have to experience suffering to see beyond our blinders and find our way to relief. Light suggests clarity and the willingness to see reality as it is. Because of that vulnerable openness, we see what is clearly; truths are discovered and understanding is found. What a relief to lay down that load.

It's a By-Product

From the Brady Tarot, the Seven of Horns (Cups); from the Wisdom of the Forest, Light:

Beavers in the wild hate the sound of running water. If they hear it, they will work long hours to locate and repair any leaks in their dam. The illustration of these two beavers sleeping while their dam slowly breaks is a strong commentary on wasting our time in a fantasy world of wishful hopes. There is a big difference between using our imagination and simply fantasizing. Imagination is goal oriented while fantasy is free-floating and does not require principles of science and nature to stand. The Light card suggests we need clarity - we see reality as it is rather than as we think it should be. Hopefully we'll discover that happiness isn't something that can be chased down or bought.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product.

~Eleanor Roosevelt

Ripening Fruit

This week I'll be using the Tarot of Durer, created by Manfredi Toraldo and Giacinto Gaudenzi and published by Lo Scarabeo. The oracle deck I'll also be using is the Philosopher's Stone, created by De Es and published by AG Muller. Today's draws are the Three of Chalices and Light:

          The Durer's Three of Cups reminds me that friendships can be found in unusual places, for instance, through tarot blogs and forums, in book clubs you didn't really want to join, or during walks around the neighborhood. But rarely have I met anyone without being willing to be a little vulnerable and open. The Light card spurs me to see reality clearly; in this case, I acknowledge that friendships don't arrive uninvited on my doorstep, through the mail or in my email's inbox. Friends are my 'found families,' and they are worth looking for and cultivating. Yet once found, I should heed Aristotle's words: "Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit."

Safe and Sane

This week I'll be using the Swietlistej Drogi Tarot (Tarot of the Radiant Path), created by Alla Alicja Chrzanowska and published by Studio Astropsychologii. I'll also be drawing from the oracle Mirrors of the Heart, created and self-published by Lily S. May. Today's draws are the Queen of Pentacles and 'Light:'

          This Queen appears to be putting thoughts of love and comfort into each basket of food that she sends out to those in need. For her, nurturing and kindness take on a physical form that goes far beyond a feeling of obligation. In the words of James Ricklef, "Caring for others out of love is a joy; doing it out of a sense of duty is a burden. Choose well." The Light card from the Mirrors deck illuminates the two opposing political viewpoints in America. For one side, everything is a battle; they feel we must fight and conquer all who have opposing views. On the other side, there is an acknowledgment of darkness and the problems it brings. But instead of going to war, there is the idea of looking for creative solutions and nurturing seeds of goodness to balance things out. The Light looks to the well-being of all, not destruction and hatred. In the words of John F. Kennedy, "We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us thru that darkness to a safe and sane future."

Balanced Spending

From the Tarot of the Radiant Path, the Two of Pentacles; from Mirrors of the Heart, Light:

          A young woman and an older man work on some sort of sculpture or device. The man holds a ruler in one hand, giving the impression that pieces must be put together in a certain order and with precision. Yet he allows the younger woman to place the last piece at the top. These two folks are a reflection of my mind and body. During the morning and early afternoon, I have the energy of the woman; but as the day wears on and the night comes, I have the energy of the older man. I suppose we all have such internal rhythms, some of us being morning chickens and the rest night owls. The balance found in the Two of Pentacles reminds me to work with my natural cycles to be the most productive and less accident prone. The Light card shines a bright beam on reality, keeping me from any illusions. I have a tendency to want to get things done sooner rather than later. Already anything that hints of Christmas has already been packed up and put back in the attic, and the house cleaned. But if I'm working with rather than against the limits of my energy, I would be wise to listen to what my physical self is trying to tell me. Rather than having an overspent body, I'll have one that's rested and ready for activities tomorrow.

Sunlight

From the Tarot of Durer, the Sun; from the Philosopher's Stone, Light:

          A kindly sun shines down on a harbor town where two cherubs hold freshly picked fruit. The phrase on the card reads: "This sign will bring success." The Sun does bring light, warmth and energy, thus giving clarity, life and growth. For me this is a card of radiant joy - feeling full of vitality and confidence while also perceiving and understanding more deeply. But like everything else in this physical world, our time in the sun will be balanced by time in the darkness. Can we maintain a positive but realistic outlook even then? The stone man with his eyes closed and serious expression reminds me of a quote by Bill Wilson: "Hold your face up to the light, even though for the moment you do not see." Faith born of experience rather than simply belief can keep that sun shining within until it rises again.