Wise or Wishful Hope

From the Morgan Greer Tarot, the Five of Cups; from the Gods and Titans Oracle, Ra:

          Someone has lied and betrayed this young man; loyalty has been shattered and a partnership lost. It's probably not the first time this person has conned him in this relationship, and it's likely red flags were ignored. But there is wise hope that sees things realistically with the potential for change, and then there's wishful hope that has specific expectations attached (that rarely ends with anything but a few new resentments). Ra, the Egyptian solar god, admonishes this fellow for giving away his power and allowing someone else to control his happiness. He would likely agree with Louise Hay: "You have the power to heal your life, and you need to know that. We think so often that we are helpless, but we're not. We always have the power of our minds."

No one changes unless they want to. Not if you beg them. Not if you shame them. Not if you use reason, emotion, or tough love. There’s only one thing that makes someone change: their own realization that they need to do it. And there’s only one time it will happen: When they decide they’re ready. 

― Lori Deschene

A New Way

From the Morgan Greer Tarot, the Eight of Swords; from the Gods and Titans Oracle, 'Ra:'

          Anyone who's ever endured the requisite 12 years of school knows you don't graduate because of creative thinking. You learn to memorize and spit things out; creativity only counts in art or debate. It's no wonder that as adults we get stuck and have a hard time getting out of the box of ideas that we've put ourselves in. The advice, "Do something different" seems almost too simple to be helpful. That would mean letting go of what we're certain of and at least entertaining the opposite view. The Sun god Ra was a central god of the Egyptian pantheon. He sailed across the heavens each day, disappeared at night, and was reborn the next morning. Yet even the Sun can't force an apple seed to become a pear tree, nor can it make a seed grow faster than normal. Sometimes the power of persistence can keep us in our box. But it the Sun warms the seed and allows it to take its natural course, it will likely grow. Force never seems to be a permanent solution to anything, especially when it comes to our thinking.

For me, slowing down has been a tremendous source of creativity. It has allowed me to open up – to know that there’s life under the earth and that I have to let it come through me in a new way.

 – Natalie Goldberg

From the Inside Out

From the Morgan-Greer Tarot, the Two of Swords:

A few days ago, I was listening to a friend describing a situation in her life. The tactless inner child in me wanted to say, "Geez woman, aren't you over-thinking this a bit?" Of course, it's always easier to see it in others than in myself. My brain loves to pick apart details, analyze them, then slice and dice those some more. By the time I'm done, all that intellectual nitpicking has stirred up quite a few emotions to add to the mix. I imagine this woman has her feet firmly planted on the ground, as she stands with a blindfold on and swords crossed over her heart. She encourages me to center myself and drop below the emotional and mental turmoil I've created. There I'll find an inner resource that will guide me in making the right decision.

From the Gods and Titans Oracle, comes the card "Ra:"

Ra was an Egyptian sun god, patron of the pharaohs, and king of the other gods. His association with the hawk and sun suggest I look at my decision from a broad, clear view. If the choice I make is motivated by fear, grief or anger, it will likely not be a good one. Likewise, if it is made from a purely logical mindset without including compassion, it may not be the best choice either. The booklet suggests developing my power "from the inside out," which reflects the message of the Two of Swords above.

Tending to What Matters

From the Morgan-Greer Tarot, the King of Pentacles:

A successful businessman, this king has lots of practical wisdom to share.  He knows there are no short-cuts, and that competent, hard work will eventually pay off.  But there is one thing I like about the Morgan-Greer version of this king - he's not sitting on some throne surrounded by comforts and pleasures.  He's out in the field checking on his crop of grapes.  I have no doubt that he's aware if they need more water, additional fertilizer, or help with a pest problem.  He may have created a flourishing enterprise, but he wants it to stay that way, so he's there first-hand to keep an eye on things.  He reminds me that even though I might be headed on the right path to meet my goals, I need to avoid complacency.  There'll be no resting on my laurels today.

     From the Gods and Titans Oracle comes "Ra/Power:"

Ra was an Egyptian solar deity, and so the authors have associated him with power, much like that of the sun.  Though I don't have a battery, I do need to recharge on a daily basis.  Just like the grapes growing in the king's field above, I need to tend my "soil" as well.  Getting my basic needs meet - good food, enough rest, and exercise - are a start, but I need more.  Sometimes the joy of being outdoors or laughing with friends infuses me with energy; other times I need quiet, introspective moments to turn within.  These activities will help keep me going when I'm feeling drained.