Ever Changing

From the Durer Tarot, Death; from the Philosopher's Stone, Self:

Mutatis mutandis (necessary changes having been made)

The many endings represented by Death truly reaffirms for me how little control I have over anything except my own actions and attitude. Such was the case when everything in our kitchen had to be removed to other parts of our house because of necessary repairs. Yet now the damaged wall in our kitchen has been replaced and the whole room repainted. But its appearance is not all that has changed. When cleaning out cabinets and drawers after thirty-three years, I placed to the side many items that will now be going to Goodwill (as I don't cook or bake much anymore). Yet at one time, those items were part of my identity. The Self card - representing how I identify myself - reminds me just how fluid self-identity can be. The things I do, what I'm involved with, and my priorities have changed a lot over the years. We are not a fixed identity but an ever-changing stream of experience.

Wash It Off

From the Tarot of Durer, the King of Swords; from the Philosopher's Stone, "Self:"

As a child, did you ever find some treasure half-buried in the dirt while playing outside? If so, I bet the first thing you did was wipe or wash the dirt away so you could see clearly what you uncovered. That's what the King of Swords asks me to do in order to see a situation clearly. I must not rely on similar situations or be influenced by my emotional reactions. I need detachment in order to see with impartiality what is in the here and now.
Good grief, look at the size of that boulder in the Philosopher's Stone card. The Self image represents my personal identity or ego. All the experiences I've had and my perception of them create this ego. No matter what new thing happens, it wants to pull out picture books of the past and convince me that I should continue expecting more of the same. If I listen to my ego, I'll probably create a self-fulfilling prophecy instead of seeing the reality of the present moment. The King would tell me to shelve those books and take notes on what's happening now. Otherwise, I'll spend all my time wallowing in fear or resentment instead of enjoying what is right under my nose.