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.

Not Resisting but Relaxing

This week I'll be using the Tarot de St. Croix, created and self-published by Lisa de St. Croix. Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Archetype Cards, created by Caroline Myss and published by Hay House. Today's cards are the Four of Pentacles and Pioneer:

When I’m really caught up — in a thought, emotion, or situation — I like to remind myself to look up. However the sky has chosen to appear, looking up always offers a reminder that there’s more to this world than me and my own problems. ——Lilly Greenblatt

          What happens when we watch the morning news, read a few social media posts, or get a disturbing notice in the mail? In my case, my brain sends out stress hormones and my emotions jump in to hunker down for battle. My world shrinks down to 'me' as soon as I've gotten hooked by the mights and maybes. Yet there are many more possibilities than just the negative ones I'm currently holding; what I'm focusing on is the clouds, not the infinite expanse of sky behind them. The Pioneer archetype suggests I embrace a new way of thinking and acting, becoming proactive rather than reactive. As Pema Chodron suggests, "...rather than being disheartened by the ambiguity, the uncertainty of life, what if we accepted it and relaxed into it? What if we said, Yes, this is the way it is; this is what it means to be human..."

When we resist change, it’s called suffering. But when we can let go and not struggle against it, that’s called enlightenment. ——Pema Chodron

The Weakness of Aggression

From the Tarot de St. Croix, the Page of Cups; from the Archetype Cards, Pioneer:

          This young lass cradles water in her hands as she sits on a giant lotus. The Page of Cups represents vulnerability, gentleness, and sensitivity in the watery world of emotions and relationships. Unfortunately, her 'try a little tenderness' approach seems to be nearing extinction, soon to be replaced by 'try a lot of toughness.' But while intimidation and aggressiveness might allow someone to have their way, it won't really get them what they want (respect or friendship). The Pioneer archetype tries something new. In the world of relationships, it might look something like Gandhi's nonviolent approach (ahimsa) to getting India out from under British rule. At a kid's level, it might take the shape of Sesame Street teaching about inclusivity and kindness. While the Page's way is the softer way, it definitely isn't the easiest.

We are only just beginning to understand the power of love because we are just beginning to understand the weakness of force and aggression.

― B.F. Skinner