Hobbies?

From the Hidden Realms Tarot, the Seven of Swords; from the Heart of Faerie, the Prince of Light:

If you don't stick to your values when they're being tested, they're not values: they're hobbies.

―Jon Stewart

This fey looks to the heavens for guidance, wondering if he should bend the truth and ignore his values just this one time. But of course, it's never once, because it gets easier and easier to rationalize doing wrong after we do it the first time. Repeated actions can become habits, which form as the brain creates shortcuts, reducing the need for conscious thought. The Prince of Light holds an egg, representing a new beginning, while also shedding light on a situation. Is this who we want to become, someone who claims ethics and values but ignores them when it favors us?

Choosing Happiness

From the Tarot of the Hidden Realm, the Ten of Cups; from the Heart of Faerie Oracle, the Prince of Light:

          This turns the 'what's in it for me' version of the Ten of Cups on its head. An older fairy woman uses rose petals and lavender to send out blessings to her loved ones. She recognizes her good fortune in the relationships she's had over the years; though some have passed, she still retains the love they shared with her. She finds joy and contentment in the achievements and opportunities of others rather than being envious or judgmental. Her heart has been opened by hardship, rather than closed by it. The Prince of Light comes to bring peace and compassion among individuals. He helps us move beyond our ideas of entitlement and encourages a generosity of the heart. If we lay aside self-centered concerns and consider what is good and beneficial for all involved, how might our view of a situation or relationship change?

The joy of letting go comes from insight into what truly brings happiness and suffering, and choosing the lasting happiness. Letting go may take some work but it can be a joyous relief.

—Hai An

Stepping Out

From the Tarot of the Hidden Realm, the Six of Swords; from the Heart of Faerie Oracle, the 'Prince of Light:'

          This woman has donned an eagle circlet, a totem symbol, in an effort to clear her mind. Like the eagles who can reach heights far above the mountains and clouds, she seeks to find clarity and peace. Humans are strange in that we often expect outer life to reform itself to bring us inner peace. It rarely dawns on us how self-identified we have become with our beliefs, opinions and ideas; clinging to these rigid thoughts is what usually causes our mental anguish. The Prince of Light holds an egg that represents new beginnings and potential. Just as that tiny shell holds possibilities, so too can opening a bit more space in our mind. In the words of Michael Carroll: "In order to open—in meditation and in life in general—we must let go of our familiar thoughts and emotions, we must step out from behind the safe curtain of our inner rehearsals and onto the stage of reality, even if it’s for just a brief moment."

Anyone Have a Rand McNally?

From the Fairy Lights Tarot, the Three of Coins:

A fairy stops to ask a lion-like creature for directions along her journey. I am amazed by the amount of information available to everyone; there always seems to be someone who know something about everything if I'm willing to seek them out. Even if I'm trying to blaze a new trail and do something that has never been done before, it will serve me well to find out what to avoid so I won't waste my time. Support and resources are all around me if I don't let my pride get in the way.

From the Heart of Faerie oracle comes the "Prince of Light:"

The Prince of Light offers an egg of potential to those who desire it. But it will require effort to see results: patient sitting to "hatch" it, then work to "feed" it before it will ever survive on its own. It would be nice not to have to struggle with a new project or skill so much, but when I look back, I will see what I learned and experienced in the process was the greatest reward.