Clean Up

This week I'll be using the Herbcrafter's Tarot, created through the combined efforts of Joanna Powell Colbert and Latisha Guthrie. The set is published by U.S. Games. Paired with it will be the Green Wheel Oracle, created and self-published by Danielle Barlow. Today's draws are the Six of Air (Swords) and Seal:

Mind changes, and as a result, the world changes. A clear mind heals everything that needs to be healed.  —Byron Katie

Not only are cattails a valuable source of food and shelter for wildlife, they also are excellent phytomediators. Their root systems can take in and store heavy metals like lead, zinc, and cadmium, while microbes living around the roots break down harmful compounds, pesticides, and hydrocarbons. They pull extra nitrogen and phosphorus out of the water, which helps stop harmful algae blooms too. Cattail encourages us to challenge our current way of thinking by cleaning the pollutants from our minds: generalizations, assumptions, expectations and biases. Like moving from an enclosed pen to an open meadow, our mind relaxes and sees things more clearly. Seal asks us to let go of our cares and worries for a while and do the things that make our hearts sing.  A lighter heart and mind are better able to respond wisely rather than impulsively.

Extremes and Excess

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Devil; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Seal:

          Genetti makes a comparison between the Emperor (who believes in the supreme, infallible leadership of the ruler) and the Devil (who believes in anarchy and complete individual freedom). The first loves rules and order and the second prefers the uninhibited pursuit of pleasure and chaos. It's easy to find oneself in one camp after being in the extremes of the other. Somewhere in the middle are the practices of use without abuse and enjoyment without attachment. Seal Rock was created, according to the Dreaming, as an island for the seals to live on in safety and contentment. But when white men arrived in their ships, all of them were killed. It's easy to see that both of these cards deal with the consequences of excess and greed. Can any solution be healthy for the long run if it involves an extreme?

Real liberty is neither found in despotism or the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments.

―Alexander Hamilton 

Pursuit and Just Being

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Emperor; from the Green Wheel Oracle, the 'Seal:'

The structure and boundaries of the Emperor are illustrated with Eastern hemlock (not to be confused with the poisonous herb), a tree used in light framework and for wood pulp. Rules are necessary to keep things running smoothly unless we use them without discernment. Then they can easily become punishments for those on a power trip. Seal suggests we take things less seriously and lighten up. A little play can take the creases out of our brow and put a smile on our face.

Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy. 

–Guillaume Apollinaire

Smashing Pumpkins

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Two of Swords; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Seal:

          If you've ever made a paper snowflake, you realize it's impossible to know exactly what it's going to look like until you unfold the paper. Decisions are the same way. We can try to pare away the emotions that might be coloring our perception. But even then, there is no way to be 100% sure of what consequences a choice will have, especially in the long run. The Dreamtime story of Seal recounts how these creatures played, rested and multiplied on Seal Rock until the humans found them. Instead of taking only what was needed, the humans killed them all, leaving the island empty. The people did not think about the future, of how their exploitation would shift the natural balance. They only thought of themselves and refused to acknowledge what might follow their actions. The story has implications for the Two of Swords; we can easily compartmentalize in our mind what we don't want to see, if we've already created an idealized outcome of what we want. Though we may ignore evidence to keep our fairy tale alive, glass slippers and pumpkin chariots won't likely be in our future.

Swords to Ploughshares

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Knight (King) of Swords; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, the "Seal:"

          This fellow is obviously a scientist who looks like he was just about to dissect a brain. He believes that if everything is taken apart and analyzed, the answers to questions will become clear. Even the sunlight coming through the window has been separated into rays of color by a prism. Through observation and experiment, he gains knowledge that he hopes will improve the lives of others. Objective thinking without emotional fuzziness is necessary in his profession. I just hope he has a life outside that lab where he can enjoy the world without always scrutinizing it.
          The myth of Seal tells of an idyllic time when seals lived undisturbed on an isolated island. When man discovered them, he didn't hunt just a few but killed them all. Exploitation is the message of this animal. The spears in the illustration reflect the sharp instruments of the scientist, and the seal seems be swimming away from him. Knowledge is power, yet it can be used to heal and help or to damage and destroy.

They will walk behind the ploughshare,

They will put away the sword.

The chain will be broken

And all men will have their reward.

~ from the musical Les Misérables