Worth the Effort?

From the Prairie Tarot, the Seven of Pentacles; from the Medicine Cards, Dog:

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. —Robert Collier

Short-term success isn't especially onerous - we make a big effort for a brief time to get what we want. But long-term success requires much more preparation and planning along with a consistent daily effort that continues over a longer period. Even then, conditions must be ripe for things to come to fruition. Dog represents loyalty - a lasting bond unbroken by betrayal or abandonment. Anything of worth, whether a partnership or financial endeavor, requires persistent effort and dedication of purpose. Yet Dog also warns that approval seeking is not a worthy motive for our exertion; even if we accomplish what we want, there will always be another hurdle to jump to stay in the other's good graces. As Mandy Hale wrote, "When you stand confident in your own worth, respect follows."

Better or Worse?

This week I'll be using the Badgers Forest Tarot, a deck created and self-published by Nakisha VanderHoeven. Along with it, I'll be using my Gemstone Oracle (with actual stones). Today's draws are the Seven of Crows (Pentacles) and Blue Lace Agate:

Patience entails choosing not to respond reactively, allowing other possibilities to arise.

—Gil Fronsdal

What is it that we are waiting for to ripen - test results, an ongoing project, a package in the mail, or simply for traffic or the line to move? Impatience is anger on simmer, and it benefits neither us nor progress. For most of us, it is a habitual reaction - we just don't know what to do with our frustrated energy. The quality of patience involves gentle restraint, calm endurance, and acceptance of what is. If we want to practice it, we first need to distract ourselves, so we'll calm down. Blue Lace Agate embodies the qualities of patience and calmness (it's a great touchstone when we hit simmer). And the quote that accompanies it has sage advice: “Every human interaction offers you the chance to make things better or to make things worse.” (Barbara Brown Taylor)

 

First Attempts

From the Forest of Enchantment Tarot, the Seven of Boons (Pentacles); from the Mushroom Spirit Oracle, Blue Pinkgill:

A bird does not give up flying because it failed on its first attempt.

—Matshona Dhliwayo

The companion book states, "The next stage of your journey is determined by the door you choose, so take your time." Patience and investigation are tough for humans when there is a project that we're excited about. We have a vision in mind and expect things to go smoothly as planned. When they don't, do we reassess, figure out what happened, and try again, or do we just drop it and jump to the next thing? Blue Pinkgill is a cobalt blue color - not because of structures that reflect blue light waves, but because it actually has pigments that create its stunning color. Such is a rarity in the plant world, just as it is rare for first attempts at anything to go swimmingly. Even if we never get it right (like me trying to drive a stick shift), not giving up immediately can teach us self-control and resilience. Those are worthy traits to have in anyone's toolbox.

Take a Break, Clear Your Head

From the Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, the Seven of Earth (Pentacles); from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Sea Anemone:

You have to be displaced from what's comfortable and routine, and then you get to see things with fresh eyes, with new eyes. ―Amy Tan

The Seven of Earth/Pentacles is generally about pausing and assessing a project we're working on. In Poppy's card, it shows someone taking a stroll through a forest. Often when I am sketching a subject, especially if it is on a large scale, I can tell something doesn't look right but can't put my finger on what it is. If I fiddle around enough, I'll mess up the whole thing. So, I try to put it down and go do things that have nothing to do with drawing to clear my mind and eyes. Anemones reinforce this idea, symbolizing boundaries with their stinging tentacles. I am always tempted to hurry up and finish something that is frustrating me, but that is when I make my worst mistakes. Better to take a walk and get some fresh air.

"Bedtime Book Club" - artwork for the children's 9.5 ft. bulletin board at the library

Solar Eclipse

From the Mary-El Tarot, the Seven of Disks; from the OH Cards, Stairway:

You get out of life what you put into it. I think you need a bit of luck, but you also make a bit of luck. ―John Key

An eclipsed sun in this card implies that things don't seem very bright and enjoyable at the moment. Yet the two beams that still shine resemble a drafting compass. White writes that we are the demiurge of our own lives, tasked with creating meaning and order out of what we've been given. Both card and comment are apropos to aging - finding ourselves in bodies that ache, endure insomnia, have less energy, and deal with health challenges. Like the Stairway, we're going up a steep incline with no idea of what's behind the door at the top. Yet from that height, we also have a much better view of what's important and what's just small potatoes. We have a chance to stop in awe and wonder, appreciating what's all around us. As Jules Renard said, "It's not how old you are. It's how you are old." 

Pauses and Flashes

From the Delta Enduring Tarot, the Seven of Cast Irons (Pentacles); from the Southernisms Oracle, "I feel it in my bones:"

Intuition will tell the thinking mind where to look next.

―Jonas Salk

A young boy looks over his impressive harvest of tomatoes. Behind him, stalks of corn look more yellow than green. If he's smart, he'll record what he did right with the tomatoes and add that corn needs more frequent watering than his other vegetables. Pausing helps us take stock of what we're trying to grow or develop, acknowledging if our timing has been right, whether needs have been addressed, and if a consistent effort has been applied. The phrase "I feel it in my bones" goes back to older folks whose arthritic or mended bones would ache with a weather change; however, it came to include an intuitive alert about other things as well. Intuition arises from an accumulation of knowledge and experience that is stored in the brain as well as in the cells and tissues of the body. The flash of insight we have from our body-mind is well worth our attention.

Needed Improvement?

From the Hezicos Tarot, the Seven of Coins; from the Way of the Horse, Dharma's Reflection:

When we don’t know how we’re doing we can’t improve. 

―Jim Clemmer

There is the joke of the woman pulled over for speeding. When asked by the officer where she was going in such a hurry, she replies, "I don't know, but I'm making good time!" No matter how fast we're implementing ideas and steps, if we don't pause to assess what our results are so far, we won't know if we're making progress or impeding it. Reviews allow us to continue on, adjust or change course to be effective. Dharma's Reflection represents using relationships as a mirror that reflects behavioral patterns and emotional responses back to us. Our connections can trigger fears, point out rigid beliefs, or ignite unhealthy habits. When we are aware, we have the option to improve, no matter what it is we're building or developing.

Evaluate, Contemplate

From the Hoi Polloi Tarot, the Seven of Pentacles; from the I Ching Pack, Hexagram 20 (Contemplation):

Find your passion, set a goal, go to work, evaluate, reassess, and repeat. 

―Elana Meyers

Once we have a project or objective that we're enthusiastic about, it's easy to get started. But often we spend more time focusing on what we imagine the results will look like than the task at hand. Meyers has a good work plan; rather than fantasize, we work a bit, evaluate, then adjust as needed and get back to work. Hexagram 20 is called contemplation, which involves considering a concept in a thoughtful and introspective manner with the goal of gaining a deeper understanding. To flip Socrates words, an examined life is a life worth living, but only if we are focused on what we can do to make things better rather than stewing in anger and blame. 

Learning from Mistakes

From the Daniloff Tarot, the Seven of Coins; from the Kuan Yin Poems, Verse 49:

The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes.

― John Dewey

Twice I have bought plants from gardening centers that were supposed to be one thing but turned out to be something else. Deciduous trees and shrubs can be hard to identify until they put out leaves, blooms or fruit. It can be exasperating to work hard and only to later discover that the harvest you intended turned out quite differently. The Kuan Yin verse reads:

The chilly waters turn to ice when the year gets colder.

One day the ice will return to flowing water again.

Nature is a grand teacher when it comes to change and impermanence. Such shifts allow us to also learn from mistakes and alter our ideas, giving us a chance to reap the results we want.

Task of Sisyphus

From the Dark Goddess Tarot, the Seven of Earth (Ereshkigal); from the Tattwa Cards, Fire: Seed of Earth:

Shake your fist all you want, but dead is dead

~Steven Erikson

Ereshkigal, Lady of the Vast Place, was the Mesopotamian goddess of the underworld. In this culture, the afterlife was where everyone went after death - good or bad. Ereshkigal guarded the barrier between the physical world and the underworld. She may seem an odd choice for the Seven of Earth (Pentacles), until we realize how often we 'plant' things that are 'dead' to us; we keep trying to make them work or bring them back. Fire: Seed of Earth represents alchemy, and even this philosophy required specific elements, combined in certain ways to be useful. We can't force things or people to grow if it is not their natural inclination. Otherwise, we have taken on the task of Sisyphus.

It's Not Magic

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Seven of Earth (Oak); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Birthing Moon:

A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.

—Colin Powell

Oaks are slow growers but are long-lived and strong. They teach us patience and fortitude when trying to 'plant' and cultivate a project or goal. The Birthing Moon is illustrated with a blackthorn, a densely branched tree with sharp thorns. Anyone who has borne a child or been beside someone during labor knows that birth requires blood, sweat and suffering. Just as we can't pick the sloes from the blackthorn without dealing with its spines that stab, neither can we expect to cultivate anything without patient labor. Endure now for the harvest later.

Connecting the Dots

From the Tarot of Mystical Moments, the Seven of Pentacles; from the Inner Eye Oracle, the Six of Diamonds:

No incident, however seemingly trivial, is unimportant in the scheme of things.

― Jodi Taylor

The Seven of Pentacles offers us a pause to assess the fruits of our work. It gives us a chance to connect the dots - actions taken or not taken, resources used, effort expended - to see whether we are making progress, stagnating or moving backward. It appears the young lady in the tree has many fruits and flowers to show for her exertions. But perhaps just as important, she has seeds to reinvest. In other words, her work is sustainable. The Six of Diamonds' tree symbolizes family and our ancestors. It is a neutral card, but it might suggest we look at our work ethic and other beliefs we've inherited to see if they are constructive or destructive in our endeavors. 

Dig Beneath

From The Classic Tarot, the Seven of Coins; from the Constellations Cards, Serpens:

You need to go deeper, not wider.

—Darius Foroux

The vines in this card seem to hold empty sepals (the structures that hold the bud or fruit), implying that one cycle has ended and another will soon begin. There are three 'incoming' coins, two 'protected' coins and two 'outgoing.' Lee Bursten* suggests that Sevens encourage us to 'Go deeper.' In other words, don't just look at the surface of things; dig down into the soil and investigate the roots of what is being seen. Find what has shaped and formed the current situation. Serpens (serpent) is unique among modern constellations in that it is split into two parts. In Greek mythology, Serpens represents a snake held by the Asclepius, god of medicine. When we dig deeper, we have a chance to understand; we have a chance to heal or correct what is wrong and to continue with what is beneficial.

*Universal Tarot of Marseille Guidebook

Move On

From the Delta Enduring Tarot, the Seven of Cast Irons (Pentacles); from the Southernisms Oracle, 'That field's been plowed:'

Approach it honestly, assess your performance, and assess the areas where you have fallen short. Correct them and move on. Don't dwell on it. Don't hold on to it.

~Megan Rapinoe

This young man has patiently amended the soil, planted the seeds, watered the sprouts, and carefully managed any pests; his reward is a bounty of ripe tomatoes. I don't know of any gardener - whether they grow flowers, fruits and vegetables, shrubs or trees - who managed to hit a home run the first  time they ever tried to cultivate a plant. It requires a process of mistakes and learning as well as the blessing of good weather. 'That field's been plowed' is a saying that refers to over-thinking and analyzing. If we're so consumed with perfection, we'll miss the enjoyment of the harvest. If we're caught in a loop of trying to find a once-and-for-all solution to a problem, we'll never be satisfied and miss taking any action that might have helped. Move on.

Timing

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Seven of Autumn (Pentacles); from the Haindl Rune Cards, Tyr/Tiwaz:

The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it. 

~Arnold H. Glasow

When we pour our heart and soul into something, it can be hard to wait for it to crawl across the finish line with the speed of a snail. This winemaker has taken a sample from one of his casks, testing it to see if it has aged enough to transform into a delightful drink. He knows that patience can improve the wine by allowing it to develop flavors and textures, so he won't serve it until it is ready. Tyr was an old Norse god who sacrificed his hand to Fenir the wolf (Loki's son) so the wolf could be restrained, preventing destruction and chaos. Thus this rune represents an offering that requires much of us, though it will also bring success. Rather than a feverish rush to the end, our sacrifice is to calmly endure while we wait for the appropriate time. 

 

Don't Become One

From the Tarot of the Abyss, the Seven of Pentacles; from the Nature Mandala Meditation Oracle, Resilience:

There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don't allow yourself to become one of them.

―Ralph Marston

This baker checks each loaf that comes from her oven. Some were experiments with added nuts, fruits and spices, and others were her customer favorites. She knows that the smell and appearance will entice buyers, but it is the taste and texture that will bring them back. There are times when she is tired and misjudged the ingredients, and the bread turned out like a hockey puck. At other times the oven wasn't heating properly and the loaves didn't cook completely. It can be frustrating, but the Resilience card reminds her to redirect her energy into adapting to each circumstance as needed, being willing to be flexible. As Marston wrote, "If you so choose, even the unexpected setbacks can bring new and positive possibilities."

The Beating Stick

From the Tarot de St. Croix, the Seven of Pentacles; from the Archetype Cards, Lover:

A woman wearing a leopard outfit (a symbol of power and resourcefulness), reaches out to arrange her many projects. St. Croix suggests she do an evaluation before she unleashes her energy. What will need the most attention? What should take priority of importance? Does she have the resources needed? The Lover card asks where we have placed our devotion. In the case of the Seven of Pentacles, hopefully it is not with the passion of perfection. It's all too easy to get lost in the weeds instead of simply assessing whether we're making progress, which rarely moves in a straight path. As Rebecca Solnit wrote, "Perfection is a stick with which to beat the possible." 

Door of Opportunity

From the Tarot of the Master, the Seven of Coins; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Caput Draconis:

The Seven of Coins is assigned the keyword 'pride' in this deck. Judging by the skull among the coins on the wall, there has been some recognition in the past for accomplishments. Yet the cherub holds two other coins for the present. I've learned that pride works for me when I compare my past efforts to my present ones rather than measure myself against others. In the latter case, such comparisons only make me self-absorbed, and I quickly lose my focus on what I'm doing. Caput Draconis ('head of the dragon') suggests that an acknowledgment of what has been produced has led to a door of opportunity. Best not to let a swelled head keep me from fitting through that doorway.

Now vanity is the fruit of opinion; it is born from it and nourishes itself upon it.

―Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Critical Appraisal

From the New Liminal Tarot, the Seven of Discs; from the Inward Oracle, Integrate:

A woman comes to assess the ripening fruit of a tree that she has nurtured to maturity. She holds out her skirt to catch those ready for picking. If you've ever planted seeds, it can become a daily thrill to see how they are growing, checking to see if they have enough sunlight or water. Humans relish feedback on their actions and words, but often we don't want to hear anything other than praise. Like worm-eaten fruit, we tend to toss any comments that to us may seem negative. Yet Integrate suggests another approach. The forward bend illustrated here can be calming, but it also may be tough for tight hamstrings or backs. But flexibility is something that comes with time and practice, just as it does with our acceptance of constructive criticism. Like physical discomfort, it can show us where we need to make adjustments.

He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.

~Abraham Lincoln

It Was a Nice Idea

From the Victoria Regina Tarot, the Seven of Coins; from the Alchemist's Oracle, Instincts:

Everything was such a damned nice idea when it was an idea.

― Tim O'Brien

          This fellow doesn't seem that pleased with the result of his work; sometimes the fruits of our labor just don't meet our expectations. I have a raised bed that I often toss the dead seed heads of wild flowers in that I collect on my walks. Two years ago, I added a couple of woodland sunflower seed heads, and this year I had about 500 filling my 4x6 foot flower bed. I had the same experience with some copper tips I found that had been dug up by a grader. Like O'Brien's quote, it seemed like a good idea at the time. I spent several hours pulling up plants and replanting a few in more appropriate spaces this past weekend. My goal is to redo the bed with flowering plants for hummingbirds and pollinating insects. Yet the Hamsa hand, a protective Middle Eastern talisman, suggests either a full stop or a pause. If I fear making a mistake again, I might forego enjoying some lovely flowers I took a chance on. But with a pause, I can do some research first before planting.