Mining Wisdom

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Two of Swords; from the Transforming Dragons deck, Luling:

          A fully cloaked figure stands in front of a mirror; the reflection symbolizes outer appearances while the covering represents looking within. I can see myself in this card as I make dozens of choices about tile type and color, paint color, faucet style, etc. There is the nudge to go with what's popular yet also a pull to go with what I like personally (and will have to live with). Luling is the dragon of illuminated wisdom, or as Buddhists would say, the luminous mind. When we find a place of inner calm, where there is curiosity rather than categories and labels, there is wisdom to be mined. I've listened to the helpful advice of my wonderful contractor, but I'm going with my own choices (which sometimes mirror his). After all, this is my sacred space, not a cover shoot for House Beautiful.

Off-Road

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Crone, a book and deck set created and self-published by Ellen Lorenzi-Prince. I'll be pairing it with Transforming Dragons, a set created by Sonia Cafe and published by Weiser. Today's cards are the Beast (Page) of Swords and 'LuLing:'

          "I go where the road does not" is the phrase used to describe the Beast/Page of Swords. Going 'off-road' means seeing, hearing and learning beyond what's considered traditional knowledge. It allows for personal exploration too. From high above, the crow gets to see a wider perspective instead of relying on a narrow, individual one. According to the booklet, LuLing represents enlightened wisdom. Pema Chodron describes the ego as 'what resists reality.' To be enlightened means simply to see reality as it is instead of through the lens of craving. Rather than being some blissed-out state, it's a place of calm and compassion that allows us to be with both joy and pain. Knowledge won't give us the keys to Shangri-La, but using it to work with reality can be helpful. It works especially well if it's not filtered through the ego but comes from our basic goodness - the innate openness, warmth and wisdom of all beings.

Coming to Ground

The card pulled from the Tarot of the Crone this morning is the Eight of Wands:

Again this deck is much different from the RWS - there are no staffs flying through the air here.  Instead, eight figures stand in bright red robes, with the front person holding a sunflower.  The verse for this card is: I must return what has been given.  These words mean that each of us has been given specific abilities - creative inspiration and wisdom that can encourage others.  These gifts must "come to ground," or be manifested by us so they can be of service.  It is both a responsibility and a privilege to share what we have.  In some cases it might be revealed as leadership, in others it might be beauty created by an artist or words used by a wordsmith.  What flower are you offering today?

     Today the card from the Transforming Dragons deck is "Luling:"

Luling is a dragon of the East who reminds us of the wisdom and knowledge within us.  Loving guidance is available if I will only tap into the source - my Higher Self.  There's nothing wrong with getting opinions from others, reading books, or attending seminars, but sometimes the best advice is as close as my next breath...