When Urgency Fades

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Queen of Chivs; from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Deck, the Eight Directions of the Wind:

Sometimes we mistake the end of the crisis for the end of the problem. Crisis can clarify what matters, but it cannot make us live by what we have learned. That choice comes later, when urgency has faded and the familiar life is quietly inviting us back. —Yonatan Hambourger

This Queen sits before us with an upright sword and an open chest. She asks us to tell her our stories and experiences, being as honest as possible. When we have finished, the Queen asks, "What did you leave out? What have you purposefully ignored?" She knows information is not necessarily the truth. The Eight Directions include the cardinal directions and their gifts: West (courage), North (endurance), East (illumination) and South (growth). The intercardinal directions are also included, which represent challenges: fear, apathy, rigidity and stagnation. Challenges and difficulties aren't forced upon us as lessons to be learned; they are a natural part of life. But to live a skillful life, we should digest any wisdom we can rather than bypassing them and returning to our regularly scheduled program. 

Together We'll Stand or Fall

From the Sasuraibito Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Soul Cards, In This Together:

No man means all he says, and yet very few say all they mean, for words are slippery and thought is viscous. ―Henry Adams

The Queen of Swords uses her sword like a tuning fork, listening for reverberations of truths, exaggerations, half-truths and lies. She knows the audience can change what the speaker reveals; we may choose what we say to impress or to avoid conflict. At other times, we may withhold information out of fear. In This Together along with this Queen reminds me of the mess Americans are in right now. I saw a post on FB that basically said it was unkind and unpatriotic to make fun of or speak harshly about our current administration. REALLY!!?? My feelings are summed up by Theodore Roosevelt: "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public... It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else."

Milk and Honey?

From the Wild Unknown Tarot, the Mother (Queen) of Swords; from the Pictish Oracle, Wolf:

Beware of a wolf in sheep's clothing. —Aesop

I recognize the narrowed eyes of this snowy owl; they're the same as my cat's when I bring out the carrier for a vet visit. This Queen's air element (rationality) is tempered by her water element (understanding). Yet this colorless card and the sword pointing downward suggest she's just interested in the facts. Her past experiences can help her understand motives, but she will not tolerate any drama or dishonesty. She's not cold, just practical and direct. For the Picts, the wolf represented a marauder who took their livestock and presented a danger to night travelers. However, human "wolves" know to dress in sheep's clothing in order to take advantage of people. It can be hard to say 'no' or to step away from the crowd that follows such folks. But take the Queen's advice and check their actions rather than get excited about their promises. The words that pledge to give us a life of "milk and honey" might end with a bite we didn't see coming.

Ring in the Nose

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Dreaming in Color Deck, Seduction:

When you know what a man wants, you know who he is, and how to move him.

―George R.R. Martin

The Queen of Swords takes us to the mountain top and asks, "What is it that you deeply desire, that you crave?" She then would tell us that thing (or person) is what may compromise our integrity. Seduction in psychological terms is the process of deliberately enticing a person to engage in some sort of behavior. We become willing to bend the truth, omitting or exaggerating details; we may do things that oppose the values we claim to uphold. We sacrifice truth and principles for a brief bit of comfort and convenience that won't last. Like the bull's ring in his nose, we need to be aware of what may be used to control us.

Stay Tuned

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Chet (artwork by Joel Moskowitz):

Fear is the major motivator for all of the action that takes place in the world. 

―Larry Winget

With a mind as sharp as her sword, the Queen of Swords prefers her conversations to be in person. She knows and notices 'tells,' small unconscious actions that expose a lie, omission or half-truth.  Her aim is not to shame others, but to instruct them: fear of the truth means that there is no foundation for solutions or making a better beginning. Chet resembles an archway or doorway and suggests that we have the power of choice to go beyond our normal reactions to life. Many of the barriers that hold us back are imagined; we'll never know what we can accomplish without stepping through that door. As William Shakespeare wrote, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” 

Nettles

From the Nigel Jackson Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Viking Lenormand, the Tree:

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

― Horace Walpole

The truth for this Queen is simply seeing the world as it is. We tend to get intoxicated by our emotions, opinions, assumptions and concepts, often secretly thinking we're experts. However, she advocates for clarity and self-honesty, encouraging us to have the patience to listen and ask questions. She reminds us that we'll need to prop open our mind and be aware of when new information tries to slam it shut. The Tree represents steady, strong growth. Such development allows us to see areas that need improvement as well as opportunities and resources. If we can't see clearly, we won't know how to appropriately respond to any situation, much less any challenge.  

Make It a Priority

From the Anima Mundi Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Nature's Pharmacy Deck, Chicory:

Despite its importance, listening is often neglected in everyday interactions. One of the primary reasons for this is the human tendency to prioritize response over comprehension. 

—Ramesh Meda

The Queen of Swords is illustrated with an Eurasian eagle-owl, one of the largest owls. Like other owls, it is equipped with a facial disk, a group of feathers around its head that helps direct sound to its ears (useful in hunting). The Queen of Swords may be known for her sharp intellect, but she also is an astute listener. She notices what isn't being said as well as the emotions and tone behind the words. The Queen finds the facts by paying attention, not by jumping to conclusions. Chicory's root has long been roasted and used as a coffee substitute when coffee was hard to come by. Even today, it is often added for its nutty, earthy flavor without increasing caffeine content. Likewise, listening deeply in conversations can change how we relate to others in a positive way, creating connection rather than division. 

Scorched

This week I'll be using the Margarete Petersen Tarot, created by Petersen and published by Königs Furt. The oracle I'll be using is Elemental Dice, an idea developed by my good friend Carole Beasley. Today's card and dice roll are Mother of Feathers (Queen of Swords) and Wildfire (Fire + Darkness):

The lies we tell other people are nothing to the lies we tell ourselves.

―Derek Landy

Petersen's rendition of this Mother/Queen looks like a giant iris and pupil. Indeed, she is adept at perception and insight, able to see beyond the masks people wear. Part of the reason she is so good at knowing others is because she isn't afraid to look within at how her own mind works. She knows all too well how wishful hopes, strong opinions, and intense emotions can affect our ability to discern reality clearly. Wildfire, an uncontrolled fire that spreads rapidly in a natural area, is often started by something without any pernicious intention. Likewise, unasked for advice or observations - however well intentioned - may land on an unreceptive audience. Sometimes not lighting that fire is the better choice.

Still Amazing

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Grandmother (Queen) of Swords; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Still Amazing:

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. 

—Khalil Gibran

Ellen calls this Grandmother the Storyteller and writes: "She speaks of what is and what could be. She feeds the minds of those around her, lest those minds become starved and narrow." You can tell someone about ethics and possibilities, but if you want them to remember, weave a story that includes them. One of my favorite memories is sneaking into bed with my grandmother as a preschooler and listening to her talk; I didn't realize at the time she was teaching as well as entertaining me. The Wondering Traveler card reminds us that even if our world is small, it is still no less amazing. It simply requires us to drop our expectations and remain curious. While traveling is often encouraged as a way to expand our minds, money and circumstances may keep some of us from doing so. Yet reading, especially about lands, cultures and philosophies different from our own can have the same effect. 

Perceiving

From the Slow Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the ROAR Oracle, Georgia O'Keeffe:

Happiness is temporary, but interest is continuous.

―Georgia O'Keeffe

People are often intimidated by this Queen, not only by her intellect, but because of her laser-like focus. When she listens, the person speaking has her full attention. She's not only hearing what they say, she's watching gestures, postures, and facial expressions as well as noticing their tone. Much of the Queen's insight comes from paying close attention; it allows her to separate the wheat from the chaff. Georgia O'Keeffe has been called the "Mother of Modern Art" and is known for her large, simplified portraits of nature. She painted her subjects the way they made her feel, making them over-sized because she wanted people to see their beauty: "We haven't time, and to see takes time." both of these women encourage us to slow down and be more perceptive and curious about what surrounds us each day.

Right Use of Knowledge

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, the Sun:

Without knowledge action is useless, and knowledge without action is futile. 

—Abu Bakr

This woman is no ice queen. While she's capable of the most abstract thought, she understands her life is relational. She offers snippets of truth and advice that are grounded in real life. These are the pieces of information people can put to use, a way for them to create change for the better. The Sun woman travels across the sky carrying a torch, creating daylight. Motion keeps her from being caught by those who would like to control her for their own purposes. Sun represents patterns, awakening and movement. Having helpful information does little good if it's not used. As Charles Spurgeon said, "Wisdom is the right use of knowledge."

Keep It Personal

From the Out of Hand Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Seashells Playing Cards, the River Nerite:

Truth has no special time of its own.  Its hour is now - always.  ―Albert Schweitzer

The Queen of Swords encourages us to look at the evidence in front of us and see the truth of it. It can be tempting to spend our time watching the changing seasons outside the window; while a nice distraction, this will not help us get to the root of our issue. The River Nerite lives in freshwater and brackish water (where freshwater mixes with seawater); its shell has a fishnet-like pattern. This snail reminds us not to have an 'all or nothing' attitude and to avoid getting bogged down in unimportant details. We only need to find our truth, not answers for everyone else.

Under the Influence

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Masters (redrawn classic paintings) created and published by James Ricklef. I'll also be using  a transformation deck called the Key to the Kingdom created by Tony Meeuwissen and published by Running Press. Today's draws are the Queen of Swords and the Four of Hearts:

The truth is that you are responsible for what you think, because it is only at this level that you can exercise choice. What you do comes from what you think.

― Marianne Williamson

This Queen of Swords is based on the painting Lady Macbeth by John Singer Sargent. As Ricklef explains, sometimes there can be a "fine line between ambition and obsession, brilliance and madness." People with great intelligence generally tend to have a way with words, using them as a tool to get what they want. Lady Macbeth knew that as a woman, she could only rise in power through her husband, so she used manipulation and emasculation to motivate him to murder. Shakespeare's play ends with the Lady killing herself and Macbeth (who became something of a tyrant) beheaded. Intelligence needs ethical boundaries. The Four of Hearts is paired with this verse:

A man in the wilderness asked of me,

How many strawberries grow in the sea.

I answered him, as I thought good,

As many red herrings swim in the wood.

Motives, when under the influence of greed or anger, have a way of dismantling common sense. 

The Poultice of Truth

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Druid Plant Oracle, Yarrow:

You don't always have to chop with the sword of truth. You can point with it too.

― Anne Lamott

The Queen of Swords has an analytic, intelligent mind and is a lover of truth. She knows from experience that no one is truly free if they are bound by false beliefs, fantasies or the lies they tell themselves and others. While she doesn't believe in wrapping her words in cotton candy fluff, she is at her core a nurturer and takes Lamott's words to heart. She knows that judgmental or angry words will fall on deaf ears, so she often uses direct questions to lead her listener to the truth, allowing them to understand and see it for themselves. Yarrow, since ancient times, has been used to heal wounds, stop bleeding and reduce fevers. Living in a cocoon spun of lies may make us feel safe, but our delusions will exsanguinate us; instead, we can apply the poultice of truth. As Cornel West stated, "There is a price to pay for speaking the truth. There is a bigger price for living a lie."

Our Salvation

From the Gaian Tarot, the Guardian of Air (Queen of Swords); from the Goddess Oracle, Changing Woman:

Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.

~George Bernard Shaw

This Queen uses a crystal singing bowl to focus her thoughts and calm her mind. She tries to explain to others how just a tiny shift - in our perspective, opinions, beliefs or wishes - can radically change our world. All those concepts, expectations and assumptions we rigidly cling to don't affect outer things, but they sure can make us miserable. But those small shifts are like the clouds that suddenly move and uncover the sun; we suddenly see with clarity and understanding. Estsanatlehi (Changing Woman), a figure in Native mythology, is associated with cycles and teaches that natural shifts make things different, but they can also make them healthy. As Barbara Kingsolver wrote, "The changes we dread most may contain our salvation." 

Seeing the Blockage

From the Tarot of the Enchanted Forest the Weaver of Challenges (Queen of Swords); from the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, Bleeding Tooth:

This Weaver/Queen is like a fine sieve that can sift out half-truths, exaggerations, excuses and accusations until nothing is left but the gritty truth. Her aim, however, is not to punish but to help. She knows our ego wants nothing to do with discomfort, thus it hides behind these deflections. It relies on what it's learned in the past to try and stay safe and comfortable, which means the ego has no space for creativity. Bleeding Tooth is a fungus that 'bleeds' sappy droplets that contain a pigment known to have properties similar to heparin, a chemical that reduces the blood's ability to clot. It suggests that the stagnation we have constructed as protection needs to be unblocked so that we can find solutions and ways to adapt to the daily challenges we face. And we'll probably breathe a little easier without all that excess baggage.

 Awakening isn’t an exit strategy. It’s a radical invitation to inhabit fully this permeable, impermanent, and particular, embodied form in its incontrovertible relationality with all others.

~Lopön Charlotte Z. Rotterdam

Two Edges

From the Light Seer's Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Tapestry Oracle, Edge:

Let truth be thy aim, not victory, or an unjust interest.

~William Penn

This Queen knows that to maintain an unbiased, clear perspective, one must maintain a distance from the situation. It's why some people find her cold, though she really is just trying to stay objective and be logical. People go to her cousin, the Queen of Cups, when they want to talk about their feelings. They come to the Queen of Swords for an unvarnished, honest view of reality. Like her sword, the truth can be sharp and painful. The Edge points to the two edges of this queen's sword - one razor-like and cutting and one dull and rounded. There are those she counsels who do not require the sharp edge, but for those who deny, blame and excuse, she has no choice but to cut away what hides the truth.

Raise Your Voice

From the Hoi Polloi Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the I Ching Pack, Thunder Over Wind (hexagram 32):

An unbelieved truth can hurt a man much more than a lie. It takes great courage to back truth unacceptable to our times. ―John Steinbeck

The Queen of Swords has a knack for seeing through any distraction or deflection. This ability allows her to be a truth teller. But doing so doesn't put her on many favorites lists, and in fact might be dangerous. As the tail-end of Steinbeck's quote states: "There's a punishment for it, and it's usually crucifixion." Maybe not literally, but definitely metaphorically. Which makes sense for the 32nd Hexagram to appear since it relates to constancy, perseverance and holding firm. As William Faulkner wrote, "Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed."

Fidelity

From the Wayfarer's Tarot, the Queen of Air (Swords); from the Curious Oracle, the Orange Grove:

When I was a kid, I longed for my own set of World Book Encyclopedias. In my young mind, I imagined those books contained all the knowledge in the world. I had no idea that each set had to be reprinted each year to include new and updated information. This Queen of Air/Swords feeds her crows, a symbol of the way she feeds her own intellect and understanding in order to stay abreast of changes and discoveries. The Orange Grove represents fidelity, meaning (in this case) accuracy and exactness. An orange tree will not produce apples or cherries. In the same way, a rigid, obsolete understanding of the world is like an outdated, dusty set of encyclopedias. We may be comfortably attached to our ideas, but to live a useful life requires being fully aware of reality, not just the parts we prefer.

Seeing and Seeing Through

From the Roots of Asia, the Queen of Swords; from the Mahjongg Cards, the Sword:

I not only want to be seen, I want to be seen through.

—Rachel McKibbens

The Queen of Swords is not a woman who will pat you on the head and send you home with a platitude. Neither will a wise Queen razor off your skin with a sharpened tongue and leave you bleeding. She recognizes that there is generally some good in the worst of us and some bad in the the best. Yet she will not hesitate to hold us accountable for what we say and do, counseling us to either make restitution or forgive ourselves. The Sword symbolizes a severing of indecision or vacillation. The Queen would tell us it is impossible to walk to separate roads of selfishness and benevolence or self-respect and self-flagellation. But in order to retrain our mind and its habits, we first need to pay attention, as Carol Wilson explains: "When we’re not aware of what’s present in our consciousness, we’re looking through its lens and it colors everything we’re doing."