The Great Perhaps

From the Middle Way Arcana, Death; from the Vertical Oracle, Magic:

At one time or another, everyone loses something.

~Lama Surya Das

The Buddha called impermanence one of the distinguishing marks of existence. Though we may intellectually understand that nothing is permanent and everything is changing, we rarely integrate this fact into our day-to-day life. I've had two reminders this week - the death of my backdoor neighbor and the breakdown of our HVAC unit (a necessity in our heat and humidity). Again, I am reminded not to be neglectful but to embrace life and find delight in it. The companion booklet describes Magic occurring "when imagination informs intellect." The open doors and windows in these cards suggest that the thinking mind needs to fly outside its confines. There are a wide range of possibilities when thoughts are replaced by wings. I shall take the guidance of François Rabelais: "I go to seek a Great Perhaps."

The Point Is Transformation

From the Middle Way Arcana, Judgment; from the Vertical Oracle, Magic:

Being learned is great, but it’s not the point. Being a good meditator is great, but it’s not the point. The point is transformation… ~Judy Lief

Hearing the bell of dharma is a moment of seeing through our habitual mental patterns and recognizing our part in creating our own suffering. Yet it calls us not just to see with a new understanding, but to make changes in how we relate to ourselves and our world. In the quote above, Lief warns that study and practice by itself can give rise to spiritual materialism - feeding our ego rather than kicking it off its pedestal. 'Selfing' in biology refers to self-fertilization, and it can apply to the ego as well. Asking ourselves some questions may help notice it: Do I focus on  my own advantage at the expense of others? Is my orientation to the world from the standpoint of how it affects me? Do I constantly compare myself to others? If I answer 'yes' to any of these, I'm likely coddling my ego rather than working on transforming myself. The Magic card doesn't refer to any kind of hocus-pocus, but to opening the intellect through imagination, curiosity and wonder. The red-winged blackbird is arrives in spring with an easily discernible song, symbolizing the need to see what has been ignored or overlooked. It's time to clean off our glasses and see with clarity rather than simply seeking comfort.

Holy Coupling

From the Gill Tarot, the Lovers; from The Circle, "Magic:"

          With this couple, the man is looking for love that's lusty and quick, while she seeks love that is lasting and meaningful. Like the mix of hydrogen and oxygen that creates water, I think with the right combination you can have both.  The goodness of life is a braid made of both the spiritual and physical, not one or the other.

Not in some remote galaxy,

But in the salty scent of a sea breeze,

In the soft flannel leaf of a mullein,

In the stunning red blooms of a geranium,

In the mew-like cry of the catbird,

In the juicy bite of a ripe peach,

And within every breath I take.

The coupling of this goodness is explained by the Magic card. Taylor's version doesn't have anything to do with sleight-of-hand tricks or spells cast. He envisions it as wonder, the willingness to be awestruck. Whatever is unique or unusual, beautiful, or mysterious can flip our awareness switch on so we experience the physical in all its glory. Which is just another way of saying we've opened ourselves to the spiritual.

Cruelty and Magical Thinking

From the Thoth Tarot, the Nine of Swords:

“There are always two people involved in cruelty, aren't there? One to be vicious and someone to suffer! And what's the use of getting rid of - of wickedness, say - in the outside world if you let it creep back into things from inside you?”  ~ Margaret Mahy

Poison rains down on nine swords that drip with blood; behind the scene, broken shards of glass are scattered.  The poison words of another may hurt, but the resentment and thoughts of revenge I have in return can cause much more damage.  It is like having an evil monster within that slowly devours all that is good and beautiful inside me.  Even with countries, this reaction has become an almost expected, accepted reflex - an eye for an eye (or worse).  Unfortunately, these fairy tales never have a happy ending...

From the Vertical Oracle comes "Magic:"

When imagination informs intellect

Imagination can be a wonderful tool for solving problems or expressing oneself creatively.  Unfortunately my thoughts can also be shaped by fear that causes me to make assumptions or connections that aren't real.  And while most superstitions are harmless, they can be used to manipulate others (for instance the palm reader who sells someone a $100 candle to remove a curse).  It's a thin line between magical thinking and meaningful coincidences.  I prefer to think of the latter as something that will help rather than scare or hurt me.