World of Wonders

From the Wayfarer Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Curious Oracle, the Rose:

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. – Jawaharial Nehru

The Two of Wands is a stepping off place between the same and new, the known and unknown. It's exciting, but also a little nerve-wracking to not know what lies down the path ahead. Even our maps and goals don't tell us everything. I had my own adventure not too long ago down unfamiliar roads. I encountered my first roundabout (four, in fact) and felt like I'd entered a revolving door spinning at Mach speed. When we face such new challenges and feel less than adept, it can be easy to decide we should turn back. But Rose reminds us not just to focus on the obstacles, but the beauty, wonder and good things as well. Those are what help make ups and downs of the journey worthwhile.

I Want to be Your Friend

From the Somnia Tarot, the Ace of Coins; from the Spirits of Nature Oracle, Rose (Love):

And I said to my body, softly, "I want to be your friend." It took a long breath. And replied, "I have been waiting my whole life for this." —Nayyirah Waheed

Among the fog, several chests sit half-buried, yet only one produces a coin. This display reminds me of all the advertising that constantly tries to sell us their 'chests,' most of which will only supply us with a brief moment of contentment. Yes, we do need income to supply us with necessary shelter, food, clothing and a bit of fun. But wellness of the body is our greatest wealth - a gift that is easy to forget about when there is so much shiny bling to attract our attention. The Rose has long symbolized love, and with the Ace of Coins, it asks us to look at our priorities. What is more important: an accumulation of possessions or the physical care of our bodies?

Plucked Ducks

From the Dark Mansion Tarot, the King of Swords; from Miss Mai's Victorian Oracle, Rose:

Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.

~Plato

Often known as 'the judge,' this particular King of Swords looks like he would not suffer fools gladly. I'm sure he would demand a 'plucked duck' - a story without any fluffy excuses or feathery distractions. He will not be swayed by the anger of one side or the sob story of the other. Motives, actions and outcomes are what he'll base his impartial rulings on. Yet I can imagine another side to this serious man, one that would try to educate and illuminate those he serves. The Rose has been given the keywords desire and recognition. Our desires are what spur us to act, but as the King might warn, we need to consider any harm or chaos that might ensue if we follow them (especially in the long-term). If we fail to reflect, we might find that what we've achieved is infamy rather than fame for which we'll be held accountable. 

Love What is Left

From the Ferret Tarot, the Five of Cups; from the Nature's Wisdom Oracle, Rose:

Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. ― Edna St. Vincent Millay

          To live is to know loss. The initial knowledge of it is like being stabbed with an icy-cold dagger followed by a numbness that makes the rest of the world seem foggy and unclear. Then comes the ripping open of the heart, as the mind finally accepts what has happened - that who or what we loved isn't coming back. Grief can help us heal, unless we are look at life through a straw, focused solely on our loss. Rose is a reminder to love what is left; it can make the pain much more bearable.

What's the Use?

From the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, the Nine of Swords; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, 'Rose:'

If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? 

If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying? 

~ Shantideva

          When stress comes in unending waves, sleepless nights are often a result. I've had my share of stressful moments lately, from finding a friend near death when I did a wellness check to having my car sideswiped (hit and run) yesterday. But the older I get, the more I try to take Shantideva's advice. That doesn't mean I don't feel the emotional side of things, but I don't have to let my thoughts add to the weight of it all. I learned yesterday that it is not slow, deep breathing that relaxes us, but the longer out-breath. Inhaling is what alerts the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) while slowly exhaling kicks in our parasympathetic system that can calm the body. The idea is to make your out-breath longer in order to relax, no matter what the mind is doing.  Rose prods me to remember that even when there are thorns, there is still beauty and goodness in the world that I need to pay attention to - even more so when life gets bumpy.