Conditional Gifts

From the Roots of Asia Tarot, the Seven of Pentacles; from the Mah Jongg Oracle, North:

 Corn is, as farmers say, a greedy plant, requiring more nitrogen fertilizer than any other crop—nitrogen that runs off the fields into the water and has created a “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico that is now the size of New Jersey. It also requires more pesticides, so all that corn we’re growing is polluting the environment. ~Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma

           Though the Seven of Pentacles is usually an assessment of how things are developing, it is also a warning about patience and mindfulness. Cutting corners may get you to the goal faster, but the quality of what is being created can be affected. So perhaps it is also an evaluation of the means we are using to get to our end. The North card is associated with cold winds and thus implies a drain on resources. In our effort to get what we want, what will be the ultimate cost?

There are no sacred and unsacred places; there are only sacred and desecrated places. My belief is that the world and our life in it are conditional gifts. ~Wendell Berry

A Thousand Hands

From the Roots of Asia Tarot, the Ten of Cups; from the Mah Jongg Oracle, North:

          The Buddhist approach to the Ten of Cups is not that we got lucky and landed in the lap of love that overflows happiness. Instead, it requires that we work to develop what is known as the Ten Virtues. Three of these ten actions deal with the body: instead of killing, we should value and cherish life; instead of stealing, we should give freely of what we can to help others; and instead of sexual misconduct, we should respect our partner's feelings. Four actions concern speech: instead of lying, we should speak the truth; instead of causing disharmony by slandering others, we should speak about their good qualities; instead of speaking harshly and sharply, our words should be soft, gentle and loving; and instead of conversing meaninglessly (gossip), we should engage in meaningful activities. The last three of the ten actions concern the mind: we should replace attachment with non-attachment; ill-will towards others with feelings of love and compassion; and incorrect beliefs with realistic attitudes.
          Since the North is an area rarely visited by the Sun, it is seen as an inauspicious direction. It represents the cold wind of discomfort and a physical and emotional drain. Why would such a harsh card show up with such a happy one? I have friends who try to live by the Ten Virtues, and when they go through hard times, those they have helped come to their aid and support them. Looking out for the benefit of others instead of living selfishly sows the seeds of happiness. It reminds me of the words of Zhang Jigang (choreographer for the "Thousand Hand Guan Yin" in which all the dancers are deaf):

As long as you are kind and there is love in your heart,

A thousand hands will naturally come to your aid.

As long as you are kind and there is love in your heart,

You will reach out with a thousand hands to help others.