Humble Service

From the Sacred India Tarot, the King of Arrows (Swords); from the Land Sky Oracle, Remember (Mala):

Power is given only to those who dare to lower themselves and pick it up.

—Fyodor Dostoevsky

Garuda was an eagle-like god, king of the birds and known for his independent thinking, martial prowess and courage. He was extremely powerful and strong; it was said he could hold up a planet with his feathers. Yet he used his power for good - rescuing his mother from the serpent king, making allies rather than enemies of the devas, and becoming a vehicle for Vishnu. Garuda's life was dedicated to the service of others, a humble but noble choice. The Remember card shows a set of mala beads used to count mantras during meditation. It is a spiritual tool that helps one keep track and stay on track. Both of these cards imply remembering what is important - from a other-centered viewpoint rather than just a self-centered perspective. While individual goals are valuable and healthy, they should not override the needs of our fellow travelers.

Wisdom Blisters

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Abyss, created by Ana Tourian and published by U.S. Games. I've paired with it the Nature Mandala Meditation Cards, created and self-published by Michelle Wallace. Today's draws are the Three of Swords and Remember:

Ignorance is bliss. Wisdom is blisters.

― Brian Spellman

Tourian's Three of Swords doesn't represent the heartache of betrayal, but the what happens when ignorance is replaced by insight. What was originally denied or avoided has now become an unveiled truth, one that can't be resealed in the bottle. Though we lost our beautiful illusions, now we can at least respond intelligently to reality as needed. This is what the Remember card suggests; insights must extend further than knowledge - they must also be applied. As Carlos Wallace explained, "shutting out your problems does not dismiss them. Ignorance is not bliss. On the contrary, it creates an opportunity for those problems to grow."