Maturity Lesson #2

From the Golden Tarot, the Ace of Coins; from the Yantra Deck, Patience:

          Another Ace, this one an opportunity to develop maturity in the physical realm. What might that look like?

• I would give my body the rest, nutrition and exercise it needs. I would recognize that aging, sickness and death is a natural part of life, therefore I won't expect my body to look or perform now as it did in my twenties or thirties. I would adapt to these changes as best as I'm able rather than resent them. 
• I would be mindful of my spending, not following every whim or wish (especially if I'm simply bored or looking to change my mood). While I don't have to squeeze every penny until Lincoln yells 'ouch,' I can recognize what is sufficient and what is simply excess. There are times for spending on fun and pleasure, but not if it causes problems when the bills come due.
• I would be a good steward of what I own, taking care of my home, car and other items that serve and support me just as my body does.
• I would be mindful of how I spend time - as the lily's blooms in the card imply, I only have a limited amount of it. Work, play and rest are all important to balance out in the measured time I have.

Patience is calm endurance, not grinding my teeth so I don't give someone a head slap. It requires that I drop my demands and expectations. It is an excellent opportunity to become mindful so that I'm aware of the way in which I spend my life.

Muddy Water

From the Urban Tarot, the Eight of Swords; from the Principles to Live By, Patience:

Yet it should be obvious that action without wisdom, without clear awareness of the world as it really is, can never improve anything. Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone. 
– Alan Watts  

          Scott's Eight of Swords (given the keyword 'interference') shows a snowy TV screen with swords running through it. The RWS version usually shows a blindfolded person surrounded by swords stuck in the ground. The sad truth is, we are the ones who drove those swords in and caused the problem. It starts when we have a plan and a strategy to get us to our goal. The problem is that there is no wiggle room for unforeseen circumstances or obstacles that meet us on the path. We can't see with clarity because we're stuck on how we envisioned things would be rather than the plate of reality we've been served. Yet Patience reminds us that with calm endurance things often change on their own. But even if the situation changes at a snail's pace, that quiet stillness can often help us see beyond our original plans. As Watts writes: "it could be argued that those who sit quietly and do nothing are making one of the best possible contributions to a world in turmoil." Why? Because making space for ideas beyond our own gives us many more possibilities from which to choose.

Bright and Soft Lights

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Fool; from the Dreaming in Color Deck, 'Patience:'

“Make of yourself a light,”

said the Buddha,

before he died.

I think of this every morning

as the east begins

to tear off its many clouds

of darkness, to send up the first

signal — a white fan

streaked with pink and violet,

even green.

~ Mary Oliver

          Too often, I think, the Fool is portrayed as a bit of self-indulgence, rebels intent on proving how different they are, or people trying to impress others (or prove to themselves) they are a daring risk-takers. In my head, I see the Fool as unexpected wisdom in an unexpected place - an inner light that shines outward. Such light includes rays of joy, acceptance, and gratitude that reaches to embrace others, not for any selfish motive. Patience is one of those traits that seem nice to have, yet no one really wants to work too hard to acquire it. But patience can prevent something mildly irritating from turning into a dangerous rage; it can offer deep listening (rather than platitudes) that keep someone from walking off a ledge with no hope of return. Perhaps that is part of that light too. A softer light that touches others gently.

Exercise for the Heart

From the Golden Tarot, the King of Coins; from the Yantra Deck, 'Patience;'

          This King is not content to sit on a throne behind castle walls and let someone else keep tabs on the kingdom. He prefers to crunch numbers out in the field with the sows, keeping his eyes open for any changes. But this hardworking, successful man is said to be generous as well. I've been reading a book by David Nichtern about the Buddhist Wheel of Life that includes the Six Realms, or mind states when it comes to how we deal with pleasure and suffering. The God Realm represents a moment or period when life feels easy, secure and enjoyable for us. One of the characteristics of being in this mindset is that we don't like to hear about someone else's problems, because we don't want to lose our bliss. We mistakenly believe we can hang on to this moment forever (which we'll eventually discover otherwise in the natural course of things). We may try to ignore or offer a quick fix to the person in order not to have to come down from our pink cloud. Yet the one trait that will help us develop compassion and not lose our connection to others is generosity (whether in the form of money, energy or time). Patience suggests being able to endure without complaint, releasing the need to control or manipulate our experience. It definitely implies being generous with our time.

There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up. 

― John Holmes  

Nurturing and Natural Rhythms

From the Illuminated Tarot, the Empress:

I recently cleaned out a large raised bed that I originally used for herbs.  Now that it gets mostly dappled sun and isn't suited for an herbal garden, I decided to plant flower seeds.  First I had to dig out the roots of trees that had grown into the bed from underground, then I had to add about six jumbo bags of soil.  The seeds were a variety, and since they had to be buried at various depths, I used a marked dowel to make measured holes to drop them in.  At this point, I wish I could just sit back and let the seeds do the rest of the work.  But instead, I have to water to keep the soil damp, pull up any weeds that pop up, remove limbs and sticks that fall into the bed, and chase off the squirrels who see it as a nice place to dig.  The Empress reminds me that no matter what I want to grow or create, I'm going to have to give it attention and care.  Nurturing  anything in order to allow it to mature is going to take a commitment on my part.

From the Dreaming in Color deck this morning comes the card "Patience:"

The texture and color of this card is feathery and soft, reminding me of the nature of patience.  There is no pushing and shoving to get to the head of the line; there is no shouting to have my voice heard above all others.  It is a gentleness that allows things to happen on their own timetable.  Those seeds I've planted will eventually grow if I keep nurturing them, but they have their own inner clock.  I am the one who must adjust to the natural rhythm and pace of life, not the other way around.