Illusion of Control

From the Hezicos Tarot, the Four of Coins; from the Way of the Horse Oracle, Merlin's Spirit:

Your home is living space, not storage space.

― Francine Jay

When our insecurity is deeply rooted, we might find ourselves desperately holding on to things because we might need them. We have no trust that others might be generous or supportive, so we cling desperately to what we have. There is a big difference between this type of neurotic grip on material possessions and prudence; prudence might be cautious and practical, but it still knows how to enjoy and use these things. Merlin's Spirit shows two stallions, a father and son. Like other herd or pack animals, one leader protects and dominates. But even the horses know that no amount of control or safeguards will create permanent stability and security. As Christopher Willard wrote, "Equanimity arises when we renounce control—or, more accurately, when we renounce the illusion of control."

Bring a Bulldozer

From the Hezicos Tarot, the Ten of Swords; from the Way of the Horse, 'Merlin's Spirit:'

          Can you imagine a parent sending a toddler out to play and then forgetting to check on him the rest of the day? I imagine most of us do this with our thoughts; we allow them to wander all over the place without keeping an eye on them. Martin Luther wrote, "You can't stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair." If I'm paying attention to what neighborhood my mind is playing in, I can steer it to a safer street if necessary. Failure to do so will eventually find me pinned down and feeling overburdened with no clue how I got to this point. Merlin's Spirit shows a meeting of power and strength with gentleness and mercy. We often choose sides, thinking one mindset excludes the other. But that's just the kind of narrow-minded thinking is like a house with no windows or doors (or fresh air). The only way out is to demolish the house and rebuild with a more open floor plan. 

It is only when we become obsessed by our ideas about what we think we are or should be that we become blind to the reality before us. —Mark Unno