A Tiny Shift

This week I'll be using the Vision Quest Tarot, a deck created by Gayle Silvie Winter and Jo Dose (illustrator); it was published by AGM Müller. I'll also be using two combined oracles: Bird Cards and Ascension to Paradise, created by Jane Toerien (author) and Joyce van Dobben (illustrator); they were published by Altamira-Becht and Binkey Kok. Today's draws are Two of Air (Swords) and Owl:

Sometimes all it takes is a tiny shift of perspective to see something familiar in a totally new light.

 —Dan Brown

The Vision Quest Tarot was inspired by the Thoth, so the Two of Air/Swords emphasizes that inner peace is available. But it will require us to make an effort to see ideas from a different perspective, not just from the standpoint of what we desire or think we deserve. If we cling stubbornly to our ideas, we may end up as Michelle Thaller described: "Your brain may be as blind to reality as a grasshopper is to calculus." The Owl has long symbolized wisdom - direct, experiential insight into the true nature of reality rather than mere intellectual knowledge. Clinging to our views can turn us into that grasshopper if we refuse to acknowledge what is.

The Privilege of Wisdom

From the RainShadow Tarot, the Page of Pentacles; from the Liminal Spirits Oracle, Owl:

It is the province of knowledge to speak and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen. 

–Oliver Wendell Holmes 

This Page of Pentacles appears to be an air traffic controller for the planets. Perhaps he is creating a memory palace for his studies. An enthusiastic explorer of his universe, he seeks to know something about everything his senses touch. He'll ask hundreds of questions as he investigates, yet his queries are grounded in the natural world rather than abstract thought. He could care less how many angels could fit on the head of a pin. Owl, while often considered a symbol of wisdom, also represents quietness because of their near-silent flight. They have large wings compared to their body mass, which allows them to glide more often. The comb-like serrations on the leading edge of their wing feathers break up the turbulent air that would normally create a swooshing sound. These two cards suggest listening more to learn more and then applying what is learned to allow our experiences to create wisdom.

Like Food and Shelter

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Three of Cups; from the Beasts of Albion, Owl:

There are friends, there is family and then there are friends that become family.

~Unknown

I just cannot imagine my life without friends - they rank right up there with food and shelter. Probably because they feed my spirit and provide a safe haven for my heart when life is buffeting me about. My friends are not a multitude, but a small group, and several live far away. They listen, offer wise feedback, remind me how to laugh, and stand by me when I'm afraid or uncertain. There are not enough 'thank yous' in the world to repay them for their unfaltering faithfulness. In Celtic legend of the Quest for Olwen, the Owl was sought for help as he was considered one of the oldest and wisest of beasts (others being the stag, blackbird, salmon and eagle). What would Owl say about friendship? Since an owl's body can't digest fur, bones, or teeth, it coughs up pellets formed from these. Owl would advise me that holding on to resentments is as harmful as refusing to expel a pellet. How many deep relationships might I have missed out on because I was so sensitive and took things personally?

Allowing Insight

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Eight of Coins; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, Owl:

This fellow works diligently and steadfastly, away from distractions. He's got a job to finish, and quality work depends on not being interrupted every few minutes. He reminds me of trying to wrap a few presents with the cat 'helping' - sitting on the wrapping paper and chasing every ribbon. Our presents will have a bit of pawed and chewed love added to them this holiday. The Owl represents insight, the ability to see clearly and understand what has previously been in darkness. The focus of the craftsman reminds me that insight requires stillness of the mind (as opposed to googling for endless hours in a search of answers), and an open mind willing to accept the wisdom it discovers rather than judge it. What we give up is the preferred explanation we're hoping to find in order to accept what is true.

Nothing is more terrible than activity without insight. ~Thomas Carlyle

Contemplate/Activate

From the Ferret Tarot, the High Priestess; from the Nature's Wisdom Oracle, Owl:

There has to be breathing in as well as breathing out. We need to have both the active and the contemplative. —Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo

          Regardless of what social media says, the purpose of meditation is not to escape the world but learn to live in it with wisdom and compassion. We first cultivate purposeful attention (concentration) that allows our normally discursive mind to calm and stabilize (along with our body). Once we are anchored, things seem more spacious rather than constricted. Then we can begin experiential inquiry, looking deeply and questioning the habitual patterns of thought that lead to unhelpful, reflexive action. We start to realize how often we misperceive, assume, and generalize; we come to understand the suffering we cause ourselves and others. Yet the Owl appears with more wisdom to offer. Knowledge might be power, but it is action that will produce change.

Hacking Up Fur-balls

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Place of Stones (Page of Pentacles); from the Animal Tiles, Owl:

             The suit of Stones represents security, practicality, and groundedness. Just as Pollack's card illustrates a sacred place for centering, so do each of us need a ballast to keep us mentally, physically and emotionally stable in the real world. Our bodies and senses are the easiest tools to use as mindful anchors, as one moment flows into the next: feeling bare feet on the ground, listening to the sounds of birdsong, smelling spring flowers in bloom, tasting each bite of a meal, watching waves lap the shore, or noticing the body as it moves through daily tasks. Owl flies in to hack up a pellet of fur and bone, reminding us not to hold on to what does not benefit us. Anxious busyness, emotional frustration and anger, and other distractions keep us from taking care of our physical and mental health.

We are so unwise that we wander about in times that do not belong to us, and do not think of the only one that does; so vain that we dream of times that are not and blindly flee the only one that is. ~Blaise Pascal 

Wise Waiting

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Two of Air (Swords); from the Bird Cards, the Owl:

For this Thoth-based deck, the Two of Swords is the beginning of analysis. But to do this skillfully, we need to get beyond the emotional tides that pull us back and forth and keep us from making a decision. Once we get some perspective, we'll be able to make a choice and act on it, which will bring us some peace. Owl, a symbol of wisdom, stands over an egg, suggesting that we give ourselves some time to let logic and reasoning incubate. The light we seek will come, just as the crescent moon (in the tarot card) will grow into a full moon (the oracle card). Waiting can feel uncomfortable, but it will give us a chance to see a clearer picture of the situation.

When people will not weed their own minds, they are apt to be overrun by nettles.

~Horace Walpole

Before Choosing a Cup...

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Seven of Rivers (Cups); from the Animal Tiles, the 'Owl:'

          We all have fantasies about what would make our lives easier: a new job or relationship, paying off a large debt, having our kids become responsible adults or getting relief from a health issue. But the stones on the right bank of this seven lane river caution that wishing won't change reality. There is a necessary effort behind each change we seek. Yet what we often forget is that everyone, no matter how charmed their life looks on the outside, has challenges. True fulfillment comes when we are able to find joy even when swimming upstream. The Owl's night vision suggests that there may be a delusion or two that is hiding. Is there self-pity or a sense of entitlement scurrying around in the corners of the mind? Best to confront it rather than let it continue to grow, or joy won't have a snowball's chance in hell.

From an experiential point of view, what is ego covering up? It's covering up our experience of just being here, just fully being where we are, so that we can relate with the immediacy of our experience. Egolessness is a state of mind that has complete confidence in the sacredness of the world. It is unconditional well being, unconditional joy that includes all the different qualities of our experience. ~Pema Chodron

Discarded Ideas

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Ace of Staves/Wands; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, 'Owl:'

          If inspiration and innovation is the meaning of the Ace of Wands, why in the world would Williams choose to top his staff with a giant fool's hood? I am reminded of a quote in Through the Looking Glass from the White Queen who tells Alice: "Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." Original ideas sometimes require digging into the pile of impossibilities that many others have discarded. Yet those who are willing to entertain such are the ones who figure out how to land on the moon and create vaccines for measles and whooping cough. Owl sees in the darkness, which seems to parallel the Ace's thinking outside the box. Yet this bird doesn't spend its time circling the night sky but sitting patiently watching for movement. Its wisdom suggests all great ideas will take time to gestate in order for them to be built into something useful.

Don't Know Mind

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Place of Trees (Page of Wands); from the Animal Tiles, Owl:

          The labrys (double-headed ax) was a symbol the goddess in ancient Crete and was associated with the beginning of creation. Pollack suggests it's symboism the Page has chosen her element (wands/fire) and has begun to study and practice it. This Page has entered a new place in her life that will allow her to use her creative talents she develops along the way. Wholehearted enthusiasm and the desire to make a difference will sustain her in the work ahead. It seems appropriate that Owl has flown in, since the Page is at the learning stage and this bird was connected to Athena, the goddess of wisdom. According to folklore the owl illuminated Athena's blind side, revealing unseen truths to her. I think there is a natural tendency to be so fired up when first delving into something, that we may think that we know and understand more than we actually do. What I think I know may block the actual truth.

Not-knowing means not being limited by what we know, holding what we know lightly so that we are ready for it to be different. Maybe things are this way. But maybe they are not.

~ Gil Fronsdal

There Once Was a Lone Wolf and an Owl...

This week I'll be using the Druidcraft Tarot, created by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, illustrated by Will Worthington and published by St. Martin's Press. Today's draw is the Hermit:

The setting sun and the rising crescent moon in this image made me think of the Celtic term "thin places." Most people assume this term refers to some relaxing mountain top or lakeside view, but I think there's much more to it. The mix of the seen and unseen in thin places results in a discombobulating effect, like being tossed into deep water and briefly not knowing which way is up. Such an experience can shake us out of old mindsets and habits to make space for new perspectives and attitudes. As New York Times reporter Eric Weiner wrote, "Thin places relax us, yes, but they also transform us — or, more accurately, unmask us." The Hermit's wolf companion brought to mind the phrase "lone wolf," an indication that solitude will be necessary for such a shift to occur. Distractions (no matter how pleasant) and duties need to be temporarily set aside if I want to find the wisdom shining from that lantern.

The other two decks I'll be using this week - the Druid Plant Oracle and the Druid Animal Oracle - were also created by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm and illustrated by Will Worthington. They are published by Connections. The oracle card draw this morning is the "Owl:"

It's interesting that both of my daily cards are set in the evening with a moon shining in each one. The owl represents wisdom, and with the night setting of these cards, it tells me there is something internal rather than external I need to pay attention to. It will remain hidden until I seek it out. The owl eats it food "whole" without chewing since it has no teeth. As a result, it creates a pellet made from indigestible matter such as fur and bone that must be regurgitated. Owl's message is to find and rid myself of thoughts and beliefs that are not beneficial for me.

Neither Seen nor Heard

From the Medieval Tarot, the Four of Swords:

While I agree with Donne that no man is an island, occasionally the escape of being alone on one sure would be nice.  And this fellow, gazing across the water, is doing what I do when I want to escape - read.  The message of this card is to remove oneself from all the swirling opinions, "shoulds," and even the creative ideas I want to put into motion in order to give my mind a rest.  Funny how I never think twice about allowing my body time to rest each night, but I expect my mind to constantly keep coming up with strategies, timetables and solutions.  With all the stuff I'm constantly cramming in my brain, intentionally and unintentionally, no wonder it needs a time out to keep me sane and serene.

From the Tea Leaf Fortune Cards comes "Owl:"

The owl is built to be neither seen nor heard.  The edges of its primary feathers are fringed or comb-like, muffling the sound of the air rushing over the wing surface.  The color and pattern of their feathers also allow them to blend in to the surroundings.  When startled from sleep, owls will stand as tall as possible and close their eyes to only slits.  Standing so still, they can blend into the tree branches and escape notice.  Owl reminds me that it is not only my own thoughts I need to take a rest from, but also those of others.  Now where did I put my camouflage pants and shirt...

It's the Latest and Greatest!

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Queen of Staves (Wands):

This queen has so much charm and charisma, she's roped a bird, sheep and bull into doing her bidding. She's eloquent and enthusiastic, getting everyone so excited that they eagerly sign on the dotted line without thinking through the commitment she's demanding of them.  No one is immune to her magnetic appeal; the intellectual (bird), the follower (sheep), and those who are practical (bull) are all susceptible.  They will even drag along their friends (Fool) with their overflowing zeal.  This card warns me to be wary of anything or anyone who is bubbling with eagerness about a new philosophy or craze.  It's liable to rope me in, demand much of me, and give little in return.

From the Wisdom of the Four Winds comes the Air Keeper of the North, the "Owl:"

Has there ever been such a quiet bird who is constantly watching and listening?  No wonder the authors associate it with insight - something that rarely comes when we are busy trying to be heard.  The owl is also known for hacking up a pellet of what it doesn't need and can't digest - fur and bone - after eating.  In pairing the owl with the queen above, I am cautioned to keep my ears and eyes open and my mouth closed to carefully observe and then discriminate between what is worth my time and effort and what should be left behind.