But Is It Cool?

From the Roots of Asia, the Ace of Pentacles; from the Mahjongg Oracle, the Scholar:

It’s not about what it is, it’s about what it can become.

―Dr. Seuss

From a small seed, a diverse multitude grows. It's easy to bypass those ordinary opportunities, the ones that don't look cool, demand a lot of hard work or require patience to get to our goal. All we see is the tiny acorn, not the grand oak it will one day become. The soil we need to develop is within us rather than outside us. The Scholar is represented by Confucious who said, "Study and practice - what could give greater pleasure?" When we put forth a sincere effort, even with small tasks, we grow. And as we grow, more opportunities will open to us. 

Live and Let Live

From the Roots of Asia Tarot, the Eight of Cups; from the Mah Jongg Oracle, Scholar:

          The RoA companion booklet suggests this card means we need to "learn how to move freely within and between the seasons that come to us." In other words, enjoy where we are but realize things will change. Relationships are a good example of impermanence; dear friends and lovers don't always continue as such. The tricky part of such change is learning to accept and adapt without dragging a suitcase full of blame and resentment with us. The Scholar is based on Confucius who believed that while common sense was good, study and practice should be a part of everyone's life. This sage once wrote: "The courses of the seasons, and of the sun and moon, are pursued without any collision among them." Even if our beliefs and opinions diverge, we need to live and let live without causing harm to each other.

We have no handle on truth. The same sun that shines for all people casts its light on me. That which you have drawn from it to give you life takes nothing away from my life.

~Grapevine, August 1983