Against the Current

From the Slavic Legends Tarot, the Nine of Coins; from the Urban Crow Oracle, Resistance:

Most people notice only the final results you achieve, not the hard work, struggles, sacrifices, and failures you go through to reach them. Success is visible and easy to admire, but effort usually happens quietly in the background when no one is watching.  —Laila Saleem

This woman is covered in coins, jewelry and flowers, representing her wealth and how she has blossomed in life. The swan, in Slavic lore, symbolizes spring, transformation and wisdom. What wisdom would this feathered being advise for attaining such a lifestyle? Likely it would offer this Japanese saying, "Float along placidly on the surface, but underneath paddle hard with your feet." Translation: Stay calm but work diligently. Resistance, showing a crow flying against the wind, brought to mind the Buddhist phrase "going against the stream." Instead of mindlessly following our emotional whims or habitual patterns, we actively choose to go against the current, which can allow us to reach our goal rather than get distracted.

Making a Living

From the Anna K. Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the Meditation Cards, Money Mind:

Don't let making a living prevent you from making a life.

—John Wooden

The Nine of Pentacles is a time of contentment, the fruit of hard work and discipline. Instead of just making a living, we find time for enjoyment. Anna suggests that this wealth is inner as well; we realize just what a fulfilling life looks and feels like (and often, that has nothing to do with money). Money Mind shows up as a reminder that financial situations can easily change, like everything else. Do we become paranoid and begin to see every interaction as win/lose? Or do we draw on our inner resources that we developed from creating what we have? As Nelson Mandela put it, "I never lose. I either win or learn."

No Grabbing

From the Tarot Lukumi, the Nine of Coins; from the Diloggun Cards, Eight Mouths (Ogbe):

The man who expects nothing gains everything. For he no longer waits — he creates.

—Napoleon Hill

Eleggua, guardian of crossroads and opportunities, leaves a trail of gold coins. He teaches that every choice is a path, and new openings should be approached with sincerity, humility, and an open mind. This chance is not about impulsively grabbing something but recognizing our responsibility in attaining it. The ethic for Eight Mouths (Ogbe) states: "Those who attain blessings are those who live by their wisdom. If we do not bear suffering that will fill a basket, we will not receive blessings that will fill a cup." We earn - skills, education, wages, etc. - through effort, not because we feel entitled to having them.

Effort's Honey

This week I'll be using the Tabula Mundi Colores Arcus Tarot, created and self-published by M. M. Meleen; I'll also be using the Words of the Brehon Oracle, created and self-published by Olivia Wylie. Today's draws are the Nine of Disks and "The three things for which a friend is hated:"

It’s not so much how busy you are, but why you are busy. The bee is praised. The mosquito is swatted. —Mary Flannery O’Connor

Gain is the keyword for the Nine of Disks, yet it doesn't refer to some unexpected windfall. It is a consequence of diligent and dedicated work: a satisfying result that allows for a comfortable cushion. The effort and energy we put in will be reflected in the outcome, but only if our work is beneficial and intentional. As O'Connor notes, we can be busy without actually doing anything useful. The "Three things for which a friend is hated: trespassing, a distant manner and fecklessness" also hints at what makes friendships solid: respecting boundaries, being warm and friendly, and taking responsibility for one's actions and promises. Friendship has many rewards, but as the bees would tell us, it requires time and energy to thrive. 

A Little Key

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the Marseille Oracle, Secrets:

A very little key will open a very heavy door.

―Charles Dickens

A well-dressed fellow admires an exotic tree and bird in his garden. The key on the Secrets card reminds me of all the questions people ask of those whose lives they envy: "What's the secret to your success?" "What's the key for your longevity?" "What do I need to be happy?" Most just want to fast-track their desires. But that little key Dickens talks about is just the willingness to apply consistent, ongoing effort to achieve what we want. A simple solution, but one many folks don't want to hear.

Stay in the Hub

From the New Era Elements Tarot, the Nine of Earth (Pentacles); from the Tao Oracle, Hexagram 29 (the Abysmal):

A stable mind is like the hub of a wheel. The world may spin around you, but the mind is steady.

—B.K.S. Iyengar

The rough, dirty hands in this card illustrate that good fortune doesn't usually float down out of the sky like a feather. Contentment and stability aren't just about getting something but knowing how to sustain it when disruptive challenges come. If we don't put in the work, we won't have any skills to rely on later (think of those who inherit a chunk of money only to squander it away). Hexagram 29, The Abysmal, warns of a deluge of problems headed our way. To steer through the storm, we need a firm hold on our mind and our conduct. Letting our emotions take over will only feed panic and confusion; we need to stay grounded in the present and centered on what is important. As Iyengar stated, "When stability becomes a habit, maturity and clarity follow."

A United Benefit

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Nine Disks; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Hibernation:

We men and women are all in the same boat, upon a stormy sea. We owe to each other a terrible and tragic loyalty. ― G.K. Chesterton

Ellen's illustration reminds me of the multi-story cliff dwellings of the Anasazi (Ancient Puebloans). Her point is that, while none of us are getting out of life alive, we sure can create a better life for ourselves when we cooperate. As Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel explained, interdependence allows us to feel the fullness of the world that we are a part of, rather than the weight of the world against us. Hibernation reflects a time when we must rest or step out of the busyness of our days. A serious illness, a natural disaster, or just plain exhaustion can keep us from contributing yet allow us to receive. We all rely on others, sometimes more than we know. In time, we may become benefactors again in whatever way we are able. As Tolkien reminds us, "All have their worth and each contributes to the worth of the others."

Not on the Couch

From the Hoi Polloi Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the I Ching Pack, Hexagram 1 (Creative Action):

True contentment is a thing as active as agriculture. It is the power of getting out of any situation all that there is in it. ―Gilbert K. Chesterton

Hard work and discipline have produced contentment in the Nine of Pentacles, which should not be confused with complacency. Complacency is stagnant, a state of self-satisfaction that has lost its curiosity and desire to grow. Contentment, on the other hand, is fully engaged with life; it maintains its inquisitiveness and enjoys adding skills and knowledge. When things go wrong, complacency feels like someone shoved us off our cozy couch. When content, we're just curious about how to deal with it. Hexagram 1 (Creative Action) is dynamic power that guides and inspires. Yet it understands that there is a right time for the right action - it works in harmony with what is - planting in the right season. Such awareness fosters contentment. 

Doorways

From the Tarot de St. Croix, the Nine of Pentacles; from the Archetype Cards, the Pioneer:

Sovereignty is deeply connected to personal freedom —the ability to live according to your own values, beliefs, and desires, rather than being swayed by societal expectations or pressures. 

—Kimberly Presley

Commitment and diligence in one's work as well as the ability to apply self-discipline when it comes to spending and saving can create a place of self-sovereignty. It doesn't mean we have a mansion with a butler and a maid, but it does mean we are at a place of material sufficiency; we now have more time to spend in pursuits that feed our spirit, not just our body. Pioneer asks us to embrace the innovative, to explore (internally or externally) areas that we've not had time to investigate before. Don't worry about making mistakes or learning about something that produces no harvest - they can also be doorways to discovery.

Because We Can

From the Tarot of the Master, the Nine of Coins; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Conjunctio:

There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you don’t do them.

 – Charles Gill

The keyword given for this card is a bit unusual - courtesy. When I noticed what appeared to be a serving tray at the bottom, I was reminded how often there are circumstances when we serve and help others not because we have to but because we can. Conjunctio (conjunction) suggests an intersection or convergence of forces that come together for a common goal. Do we cross paths with people so that we may learn from each other, and perhaps offer aid? These opportunities tend to change both parties in beneficial ways. I'm currently reading an older book titled "The Day the World Came to Town," an uplifting account of the many planes from around the world that were forced to land in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland on 9/11 and the kindness and support that was shown. A perfect example of these two cards. 

Different Forms of Success

From the World Spirit Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the Mystic Glyphs, Life:

This woman who was a style icon basically lived in a little cotton dress all her life - a simple life.

—Sean Hepburn Ferrer

To be successful doesn't mean we constantly buy whatever we see; genuine success is having enough and being content with that, without the need to accumulate possessions. We know our own worth and live wisely with the resources we have. Being happy and satisfied can look very simple on the outside. The Life glyph represents karma - intentional thoughts, words, or actions and their results. It is not a moral issue but a natural law, like gravity. Although karma's results don't ripen overnight, our actions will eventually lead to wholesome or unwholesome outcomes. As Andrew Olendzki explains, "Karma is the opportunity we have each moment to choose what sort of person we are to become next. Broadly speaking, our responses can be either helpful, guiding us toward greater understanding, or they can be unhelpful, leading us instead toward suffering. Your fate is in your own hands."

Like a Waterfall

From the Stone Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the Buddhist Quote Cards, Dhammapada 24:348:

Truly, we live life at the lip of a waterfall, with reality and experience rushing at us – experienced only and always NOW at the lip – and then, poof, zip, zap, it’s over the edge and gone. But our mind is forever trying to grab at what has already disappeared over the edge.

―Rick Hanson

There are magical times in life when we find ourselves contented with our finances, health and energy. It feels like we are at the center of a wonderful world, full of beautiful and interesting things and people, and we have the opportunity to enjoy them. Our hard work and discipline got us to this place, so we have the right to be pleased. Yet we should also appreciate each moment fully, because as the Dhammapada implies, moments are fleeting:

Let go of the past, let go of the future, let go of the present.

Trying to grasp and hold on to anything will leave us with empty hands. Better to be completely present for life, so we don't miss any of it.

It's Good, But...

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Summer:

It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy. 

―George Lorimer

A neighbor once told a friend, "I know money doesn't bring you happiness, but it can help!" She was referring to the breathing space financial stability gives us. The lady in this card, who has time to smell the roses and listen to a bird's song, holds a key in her hand. That key represents the options that she didn't have before. Having worked hard to get to this place of security, it's doubtful she will be impulsive and use her resources unwisely. Summer indicates a time of personal growth through the arts, travel, education and spiritual practice. Economic stability can give us the freedom to seek and discover what we've been missing, things that can add to our lives a more lasting joy than simply increasing our collection of possessions.  

More Than the Basics

From the Swietlistej Drogi Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the Mirrors of the Heart, Earth:

People first concern themselves with meeting their basic needs; only afterwards, do they pursue any higher needs. ―Abdolkarim Soroush

It's hard to be concerned about collecting art when you're barely able to keep a roof over your head and food on the table. The Nine of Pentacles illustrates that point in life when there is enough time to engage in education, enjoy the arts or hobbies, take care of one's health, or simply relax with friends. Yet it is all too easy to have arrived in this place, have a bad day, and think our life sucks because it is not meeting our expectations. If we take a breath and open our eyes, we just might see how fortunate we are. Earth suggests something that has been planted and given the chance to grow. If we are not happy with the fruits of our labors, perhaps we need to check what seeds we've been planting and cultivating.

A Stimulating Life

This week I'll be using the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, created and self-published by Ciro Marchetti (now published by Llewellyn). I'll pair with it the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, created and self-published by Karin Dalton-Smith. Today's draws are the Nine of Coins and Ship:

In a lovely patio garden, complete with a reflecting pool, a woman lets a bird of paradise rest on her hand. Her gown and surroundings suggest affluence, and the bird represents a stimulating life rather than one of dullness. Yet her hairnet symbolizes a certain reserve and self-discipline - she did not get to this place of abundance without hard work and moderation. The reflecting pool implies that she also takes time for introspection and contemplation, otherwise arrogance and entitlement could be her undoing. The Ship in the Tea Leaf Cards signifies movement or commerce. In the world of business, the sea never stays calm but ebbs and flows with both losses and profits. This woman would likely follow the advice of Bertha Calloway: "We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails."

Destructive as a Twister

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Nine of Coins; from the Elemental Dice, Tornado (Air + Darkness):

He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.

― Socrates

In this Nine of Coins, a meditator sits gazing at a stone in a Zen garden. Generally this card is about financial stability and independence, giving us time to enjoy life rather than barely surviving from one paycheck to another. Petersen suggests we reflect on whether we live a life of gratitude for our blessings or a life constantly craving for what we don't have. Tornado, a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground, is a metaphor for those whose greed and envy outweigh their thankfulness. In the Buddhist Wheel of Samsara, the realm of the jealous gods is filled with people who have a good life but can't enjoy because they always envy those who have something more. They're stuck in a mindset of scarcity even though they live in abundance compared to so many other people. Such a psychological state is as destructive as any twister.

Envy and greed starve on a steady diet of thanksgiving.

―Billy Graham

Pausing for Enjoyment

From the Urban Tarot, the Nine of Disks; from the Principles to Live By, Mindfulness:

The paradox of impatience is that, in trying to hurry toward enjoyment, we hurry past it. 

―Dean Sluyter

The Thoth keyword for this card is Gain; Scott says it is our hard-learned prudence that gets us to this place. Yet Gain is not just about more money or things - it can also include time to enjoy the pleasures of life as this woman does. But for those of us who hit the floor running every morning, it may be hard to relax. We may be lying in a hot tub with cucumbers over our eyes, but our mind has jumped ahead to what we need to be doing later. Mindfulness is a reminder to rest the mind and let the senses take over, simply paying attention without judgment. It gets easier with practice.

When practicing mindfulness, even directed toward something as ordinary as breathing, we enhance the part of the mind that is aware of the way things are while diminishing the part that is stressed because things are not the way we want them to be.

—Andrew Olendzki

Much to Give

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, Nine of Earth (Pentacles); from the Green Wheel Oracle, the Water Moon:

The Nine of Earth suggests fulfillment and enjoyment, a result of hard work and self-discipline. The saying about "an apple a day" can be traced to 19th-century Wales, where the original phrase was "Eat an apple on going to bed, and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread." Those of us who grew up with little know that it's not possible to feed a family's hunger with expensive, healthy foods. Many of us thought the apples, oranges and nuts in our Christmas stockings were a treat, not a punishment. It's easy to overlook how economics affect nutrition and health. The Water Moon suggests release, especially on an emotional level. Those of us who've lived with lack may find it hard to let go of that mindset and be generous. As Guthrie writes in her companion booklet, "Measure your wealth by what you have to give." Compared to many, we have much we could let go of (and likely wouldn't miss it).

Saying No

From the Alchemical Tarot Renewed, the Nine of Coins; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Influence (Mercury in Libra):

The investment of discipline and effort have produced a tree that now bears the fruit of prosperity. Because the tree is steadily nurtured rather than neglected, it will continue to naturally provide. However, with good fortune comes those who will try to persuade us how we should spend it, as the Influence card implies. It may be a good time to ask ourselves what their motivation is in telling us what to do with our money, time or energy. And before we immediately answer 'yes,' we should check to see if we are simply trying to please rather than being discerning.

Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself. 

~Abraham Joshua Heschel

Sacred Pause

This week I'll be using the Victorian Romantic Tarot, created by Alex Ukolov and Karen Mahony with Magic Realist Press as publisher. I will also be drawing from Dreaming in Color: the Luman Deck, created and self-published by Mindy Hope Sommers. Today's draws are the Nine of Pentacles and Catharsis:

Just pausing for two to three breaths is a perfect way to stay present. This is a good use of our life. Indeed, it is an excellent, joyful use of our life. ~Pema Chodron

One of the nicest things that hard work and self-discipline bring - besides being financially self-sufficient - is that it gives us free time to spend on interests besides work. We have the opportunity to grow and arrange flowers, watch the hummingbirds feed, develop a new hobby, or have coffee with friends. Catharsis, a healthy discharge of tension or emotions, implies that a sacred pause is as necessary as our daily bread. As Khalil Gibran wrote, "For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."