The Mind's Creation

This week I'll be using the Greenwood Tarot, created by Chesca Potter and published by Thorsons. The oracle I'll be using is the Rune Cards, created by Tony Linsell and Brian Partridge and published by Anglo-Saxon Books. Today's draws are the Seven of Arrows (Swords) and Homeland (Othila):

Our mind creates our world. An angry mind sees an angry world. A fearful mind sees a threatening world. But when mind is stable, we see a world as that world is. We see a world that is open, fluid, workable, moveable. —Tim Olmstead

Rather than the RWS version of someone stealing swords from another, Potter's illustration shows an insecure person letting her peace of mind be stolen. I recently corresponded with a friend to let them know what was going on with my husband and my fears surrounding his health crisis. I was looking for, in all honesty, support and encouragement. What I got was mostly a litany of all the bad things happening in their life. It felt more like a slap in the face than comfort. But the words of Olmstead and the rune Othila (native land) remind me that my true peace lies within the 'borders' of a stable mind, not any external source. As Charlotte Joko Beck bluntly put it: "Nothing in the world will ever protect us; not our partner not our life circumstances, not our children. After all people are busy protecting themselves. If we spend our life looking for the eye of the hurricane, we live a live a life that is fruitless."

Asshats and Angels

This week I'll be using the Shadowscapes book and deck set published by Llewellyn. The artwork is done by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and the book is written by Barbara Moore. I'll also be drawing from a set of Cedar Runes; The Serpent and the Eagle by Chris Travers will serve as an accompanying text. Today's draws are the Five of Swords and Othila:

          I often think of the aggressive fellow in the Five of Swords as a rebel without a cause - someone who fights with no clear end goal to achieve other than to win. Moore describes his actions as "steeped in the battles of self-interest and power." Basically, he engages with others to build and stoke his ego: "Look at me, I'm right, I'm smarter, and I'm stronger." Meanwhile, everyone else sees only a narcissistic asshat. Othila is often translated as 'ancestral estate,' but Travers suggests it alludes to an ancestral responsibility, such as a king who passes the scepter to his son to serve the kingdom or a philanthropist whose children take over his foundations created to care for the welfare of others who aren't as fortunate. What's the difference between the asshat and the king/philanthropist? The first judges himself as separate and better than others. The king and philanthropist consider themselves honored and blessed to be in their position, and they feel they should be generous to others because they are a part of the family of humanity.

Home isn't where you're from, it's where you find light when all grows dark.

― Pierce Brown

Finding Our Way

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Fool; from the Cedar Runes, 'Othila:'

          A fox watches a woman as she stands on tiptoe, preparing to take a dive below. He does nothing to stop her from falling because she needs to experience life in order to learn. She will learn of joy and pain and of goodwill and aggression. She must find her way by discovering what she values as well as her purpose. It will be a life-long roller coaster ride. While the rune Othila is generally translated as 'estate,' Travers suggests that it may also refer to ancestral influences. Every human picks up traits learned from their family. And though these may be imprinted deeply in us, we still can choose how to deal with them. Hopefully, as we get older, we stop blindly accepting them and begin to question if these qualities will take us down the road we want to travel.

Every book is a quotation; and every house is a quotation out of all forests, and mines, and stone quarries; and every man is a quotation from all his ancestors. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Check the Context

This week I'll be using the Victorian Fairy Tarot, created by Lunaea Weatherstone with Gary A. Lippincott and published by Llewellyn. Paired with it will be the Haindl Rune Oracle, created by Hermann Haindl and published by U.S. Games. Today's cards are the King of Winter (Swords) and 'Odal (Othila):'

          Though he wears a serious but intent expression, this King seems like he's willing to listen before rushing to judgment. His sword is in its sheath rather than in his hand, suggesting that he's put aside his opinions in order to have a fair and open mind. Any attempt at emotional drama will get frozen before it has a chance to get started. The holly that decorates his throne represents foresight, the ability to see the later consequences of an action as well as the immediate ones. He will rule fairly and objectively, because he doesn't play favorites. Odal/Othila symbolizes hearth and home, even though the Nazis twisted its meaning into a symbol of their mythic Aryan past. Even today, it is used by white supremacists. Yet the  Anti-Defamation League reminds people to be careful in their assessment: "because it is part of the runic alphabet, the symbol can also be found in non-extremist contexts as well, especially runic writing and runestones used by non-racist pagans. Consequently, care should be taken to evaluate the symbol in the context in which it appears." Like the tree stumps that frame the sun, I need to separate outward appearances from the focus of a group or person. As this King would remind me, "Don't judge what's on the inside merely by the packaging it's wrapped in."

Objectivity

This week I'll be using the Shadowscapes book and deck set published by Llewellyn. The artwork is done by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and the book is written by Barbara Moore. I'll also be drawing from a set of Cedar Runes made by AlaskaLaserMaid; The Serpent and the Eagle by Chris Travers will serve as an accompanying text. Today's draws are the King of Swords and Othila:

          This King is a Renaissance man (note the Vitruvian Man on this throne); he likes to know something about everything. Curiosity is his nature, and he has studied both the shadow sides and light sides of humans. He has found that their actions can be traced back to their thoughts. To turn a person or a kingdom in a different direction must begin with their ideas and understanding of reality. Though extremely intelligent and knowledgeable, he is wise enough to know much of his information has a foundation built on what his ancestors have learned (he has a skull footstool to keep him humble). Othila is often regarded as 'estate,' but it's root is more closely connected to ancestry. It makes me think of young children who have strong views at an early age; these ideas can usually be traced back to their parents or guardians. Even as adults, we are shaped by the character of our families. However, some of us decide (after an objective look from afar) to choose an alternative to our familial beliefs. They still influence us, but in this case they push us in an opposite direction. This King reminds me to question my beliefs and ideas no matter where they came from. Open-mindedness means I can consider someone else's view, even if it is in direct conflict with mine. Objectivity can then help me decide which side has more evidence to back it up.

Right and Fitting

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Eight of Winter (Swords); from the Haindl Rune Oracle, Odal (Othila):

          According to Weatherstone, this poor maid is being harassed by the children of the fairy family she serves. It's winter and the kids have been cooped up in the burrow for too long. Their boredom has shown itself in their antics and the mistreatment of the hired help. The woman feels like she has no choice but to take whatever they dish out, because she doesn't want to lose her job. But is this just a projection she's made based on an assumption? Is there any hard evidence to back up this conclusion?
          Haindl's painting for Othila/Odal gave me the impression of peeking through a keyhole (perhaps from behind a locked door) and seeing a light that gives hope for release. It is generally translated as "estate" or "homeland," which can be seen as a measure of power and success. Yet a reading of the poem associated with it hints at something else:

An Estate is greatly dear to every man

If what is right and fitting there

He may enjoy at home

With most prosperity.

The second line strongly suggests that responsibility comes with power. The maid's responsibility (if she wants to stop being a victim) is to talk to the parents of the children. The parents (who hopefully want to do what is "right and fitting") could possibly give the children some activities to occupy them. Feeling victimized so often comes down to the hesitancy to communicate, which could easily clear up any misunderstandings.

Separating the Grain from the Chaff

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Five of Cups:

Have you ever noticed that when you have a case of the mullie-grubs, everything seems to have a dark cloud hanging over it?  Lately I've felt this way, putting a "poor me" spin on everything.  "I must be writing in invisible cyber ink, because all my posts are ignored."  "My friends never seem to have the time to talk."  "My ideas always get snubbed."  Of course none of these thoughts are actually true, they've just been painted that way by my attitude.  I recently went to a cousin summit held at my mom's house.  My cousins and I are different in every way you could possibly be, yet we laughed until we cried and had a great deal of fun together.  Our day reminded me of all the many things I have to be grateful for, especially the unconditional love of friends and family.

     From the cedar runes this morning comes "Othala/Othila:"

An estate is very dear to every man,
if he can enjoy there in his house
whatever is right and proper in constant prosperity.
Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem

While Othila is often referred to as an estate, it can actually represent one's heritage - both knowledge and material things.  While I can't change my ancestry, I can look at the good and bad that have come down my blood line and decide what is beneficial and what is detrimental.  I can decide to change my attitude, ideas, and behavior if they are causing my life to be out of balance.  And just maybe in this process of separating the grain from the chaff, I'll pass on something worthwhile myself...