Through the Portal

From the Rosetta Tarot, the Fool; from the Day of the Dead Lenormand, the Mountain:

A warrior accepts that we can never know what will happen to us next... This not knowing is part of the adventure, and it’s also what makes us afraid.

―Pema Chödrön

Meleen uses a Dionysian figure to represent the carefree joy of the Fool. He has no fear about what awaits him as he exits this portal to an unknown world. When we first open our eye portals every morning, there is a very brief moment before we make assumptions about the day ahead; like the Fool's entrance, it is a point of possibilities. The Lenormand Mountain represents challenges and obstacles. It might be tempting to wish for a life with no metaphorical mountains to climb, but after experiencing a run of monotonous days with nothing new or different, we might regret that wish. The Fool reminds us that challenges provide us with experiences that can aid our self-confidence and add to our knowledge as well as make a few allies. And that feeling of making it to the top...

Trumpets and Mountains

From the Tyldwick Tarot, Judgment; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, the Mountain:

What more will it take for you to realize that waking up is the very thing that will actually keep you alive, not to mention, sane? ―Ora Nadrich

On a table sits an altar that resembles the nook of a cathedral for statues. In it, a figure of Gabriel blows his horn to awaken those sleeping. If we believe the divine kingdom lies within, we will understand this as an inner awakening. But the two jack-in-the-boxes on either side of the altar indicate that what usually wakes up most humans is an unwanted and unexpected shock. While this may seem like a huge obstacle or challenge (the Lenormand Mountain), it can have the effect of dismantling frivolous concerns so that we can see clearly what is important and of value.

Rider of Tigers

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Mother of Flames (Queen of Wands); from the Elemental Dice, Mountain (Light + Earth):

Take any challenge as a creative opportunity.

— Alexandra Watkins

Petersen describes this Queen as a "rider of tigers" who tears apart patterns that restrict her expression. She doesn't just meet challenges head on, she tackles them with creative flourish and flounce. It's no wonder that people soak up her presence like sun-worshipers at the beach. Mountain implies that her abilities are grounded in self-confidence, a belief in her own abilities. This trait, the Queen would tell us, must be nurtured within rather than dependent on external praise. Though we might make mistakes, she reminds us of their value because we can learn from them. She would agree with E.E. Cummings: "Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit."

Don't Love Me Tender?

From the Rosetta Tarot, the Four of Cups; from the Day of the Dead Lenormand, the Mountain:

The Four of Cups in the Thoth realm represents luxury. Fours denote stability, usually a good thing - unless it's about emotions and relationships. Then we fail to appreciate those around us; after they've been by our side for a while, they no longer are enticing. A friend recently told another woman that she really wanted a steady boyfriend or husband. The other woman smirked and said, "You'll feel differently once you have one!" For some folks, they'd rather trade the devotion and tenderness they have for unpredictability and excitement. The Lenormand Mountain refers to obstacles that prevent us from finding what we seek. In this case, it points toward an addiction to thrills and drama in our relationships. Yet even after we change partners or groups, the problem of not being content and happy will repeat itself over and over. Instead of looking for someone else to supply us with fun and adventure, perhaps we could add some to the relationships we already have.

Creative Scheduling

This week I'll be using the Tyldwick Tarot, created and self-published by Neil Lovell (who unexpectedly passed away August 2018). I'll also be using the Antiquarian Lenormand, created and self-published by Maree Bento. Today's draws are the Empress and the 'Mountain:'

          Front and center of this garden is a statue based on an ancient statue of Artemis in Ephesus. The temple of the original statue was located a short distance from the city, as Artemis was thought to preside over boundaries, wild vegetation, animals, and nature in general. While the Greek Artemis was predominately seen as the goddess of the hunt, the Ephesus Artemis was a goddess of fertility and was often pictured draped with eggs from her waist to her shoulders. Artemis was a virgin goddess, however, and protected the chastity of others and herself. She was no one's baby mama. She seems to ask, in this lush garden of giant oaks and roses, what we are passionate about creating. The Lenormand card shows a mountain, a symbol of a major obstacle or blockage to our goal. Together with the Empress, it suggests that carving time out of a hectic, over-packed schedule for doing what we love will require some creativity in itself.

Bird Watcher

From the Legacy of the Divine, the Ace of Swords; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, the 'Mountain:'

          Occasionally I'll see a commercial from UNCF scholarship drive that says, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." The mind is perhaps the greatest resource of humans, allowing us to learn, create and solve problems. But it is a two-edged sword that can be used skillfully or unskillfully, for selfish benefit or altruistic purposes. The Buddha said that even if we were to solve all the material problems in the world, there would still be suffering. The untrained mind lacks wisdom and discernment because it is easily influenced by moods. As a result, we rarely feel peace or contentment. The Mountain suggests a challenge, and though climbing one requires a great deal of effort, the view from the top often gives us a clearer, broader perspective. Such is the result of mind training, an adventure that lasts a lifetime. Becoming aware of our thoughts without buying the story they're selling is helpful, yet we must do so with gentleness and curiosity - more like a bird watcher than a dog trainer.

Tiny Grains

From the Nigel Jackson Tarot, the Four of Swords; from the Viking Lenormand, the 'Mountain:'

          Jackson's booklet suggests "peace after stress" and "recuperation and rest after a struggle." The mind is lighter than the body and often wants to get started again after only a brief respite. Even when the mind struggles, there are the 'shoulds' whispering in the background. However, the World Health Organization recognizes that the whole self needs care: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." The Mountain card implies an obstacle that blocks our forward movement. It's like packing the car with the family and supplies for a long-awaited vacation only to find the car won't start. Those types of obstacles look even larger when the mind is not rested. In the words of poet Robert W. Service, "It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out; it's the grain of sand in your shoe."

Not About Owing

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Six of Coins; from the Elemental Dice, Light + Earth (Mountain):

          Earth supports our feet and grants us the resources to live in this physical world. Hands allow us to create, work, love and play. Just as we have a vertical relationship with the Earth, we also have a horizontal relationship with the other beings we share this planet with. What we do with these resources can create balance or imbalance, harmony or discord. Do we feel entitled to hoard or moved to share? Do we use resources prudently and with discernment? The Elemental Dice roll of Mountain suggests a healthy form of stability that grants us equanimity even in the most trying of circumstances. Yet it isn't the security of external things that provide this place of calm abiding; life is far too changeable. However, an open heart and an open mind can create a spacious outlook rather than a narrow view, relieving us of that feeling of constriction. Such a mindset reminds me of a poem by Daniel Ladinsky (inspired by the Sufi poet Hafiz):

Even

After

All this time

The Sun never says to the Earth,

"You owe me."

Look

What happens

With a love like that,

It lights the whole sky.

Practice What You Preach

From the Ancient Tarot of Lombardy, the Hanged Man; from the Lenormand de Marseilles, the "Mountain:"

       By comparing this version of the Hanged Man to one from the RWS, it's easy to see that each tradition interprets them differently. In the Lombardy card, there's no golden halo around his head, and he's only dressed in his skivvies. Bursten explains that in earlier times, when authorities couldn't catch a criminal, they would hire an artist to draw a "shame picture" of him hanging from one foot. Much like the "Wanted" posters found in the post offices, it was a way to publicly disgrace the offender. So in the Marseille and Italian decks, this card is associated with humiliation, a meaning I connected to instantly. Wednesday I pulled muscles in my back wrestling with a large, heavy box of cat litter. Here's the meditation teacher (who's always encouraging other people to be mindful) who was in such a hurry that she didn't pay attention to bending her knees and lifting carefully. Tonight I'm supposed to guide the meditation meeting, and I'll have to confess why I can't sit for longer than ten to fifteen minutes at a time. This upside down fellow would tell me, "Practice what you preach, sister."
       The Mountain is associated with delay, obstacles and challenges. I can easily see this in my forced, slow movement, restriction of movement and pain. Interesting how one mindless action can have an abundance of unexpected results. And the Eight of Staves associated with this card show just how quickly these consequences can come about. I wonder if you can hold an ice pack on your back while hanging upside down?