Be Aware and Be Wise

From the Touchstone Tarot, the World; from the Waterhouse Oracle, Mariamne Leaving the Judgement Seat of Herod:

The most expensive thing you will ever do is spend time with the wrong people. 

— Germany Kent

From a spiritual perspective, the World offers us a 360 degree view. We arrive at a place of understanding that allows us to see more of the whole rather than just our assumptions. People aren't just naturally assholes or saints - everything is in relationship to other things. We are all shaped by the flux of conditions and causes that surround us. Yet awareness allows us to be mindful of these impacts, and wisdom pauses to assess these interconnected pieces. If a situation isn't healthy or kind, we can step back rather than identify with it. Waterhouse's painting of Mariamne shows Herod's wife being led to her execution after Herod's sister and mother made false accusations against her (in a move to protect their own interests). Who we surround ourselves with, the places we go, and what we feed our mind can create causes and conditions that impact us in unintended ways. Be aware and be wise.

Vapor Trails

This week I'll be using the Touchstone Tarot, created and self-published by Kat Black. Along with it I'll be using the John Waterhouse Oracle, created and self-published by Elaine Wilkinson. Today's draws are the Queen of Cups and Mariamne Leaving the Judgement Seat of Herod:

Emotions are really good at raising questions and really bad at answering them.

—Zach Teutsch

The Queen of Cups is the personification of compassion. She informs us that neither detached pity nor drowning in despair will help someone in pain. To be beneficial, compassion must be balanced with the wisdom of clarity, of being able to see a wider, realistic perspective. She tells us (in the words of Katy Butler), that emotions are "the vapor trails of unmet needs." Yet she cautions us not to think the trail is the answer - it is the finger pointing to the moon, not the moon itself. The painting of Mariamne illustrates the story of King Herod sentencing his favorite wife to death after she was accused of being unfaithful. In reality, Mariamne's sister Salome got the king worked up and convinced him of the truth of her lie. As Teutsch's quote emphasizes, emotions aren't very good at answering questions or solving problems. But if we follow their trail backwards, we might find the root of insecurity.