Stammering Voice

This week I'll be using the Neuzeit Tarot created by Walter Wegmuller and published by AG Muller. The "oracle" I'll be using is a combination of two sets of dice: Rory's Story Cubes and Rory's Story Cubes - Voyages.  These dice were created by Rory O'Connor and produced by Gamewright. Today's card and die are the Seven of Swords and 'Sheep:'

Rather than devoutly repeating what has been said many times before, you risk expressing your understanding in your own stammering voice.

~ Stephen Batchelor

          Balancing those seven swords, this fellow has a lot of weight on his head. He also has a crush of people around him telling him what he should and shouldn't do. I think this is where I often step off the path of 'us' and into the boxing ring of me versus you. I segregate myself from others based on what I believe. But what would happen if I explain what is motivating me and then listen sincerely to what is motivating my opposition? What would happen if I looked for common ground instead of our differences? The fellow's multiple faces suggest I take an individual approach rather than painting with a wide brush. Gently speaking my truth doesn't have the adrenaline behind it that angrily yelling it does, but it still can be powerful. The Rory's die suggests the alternative is the sheeple approach - jump on a bandwagon and tamp down any spiritual nudges not to conform. Baaaaaaad idea.

Creative Critic

From the Mary-El Tarot, the Ace of Wands:

In the pit of the gut lies a a glowing bluish-white spark - the essence of inspiration.  The figure illustrates the paradox of all the aces; both the masculine and the feminine are shown in the drawing of the physical body parts and also in the roaring and resting lion heads.  The feminine is what is needed to receive and implant the spark that motivates and stirs one's passion.  But once the idea has found root and begins to grow, it needs the masculine to take action and do something with it before it fizzles out.  The ten fingers resemble lit matches waiting to light the fuse that will materialize the inner passion in the outer world.  If I continue to wait, they will eventually burn themselves out.

 From the OH Cards come "sheep" and "resist:"

It took me some time to figure out what these cards had to do with the Ace of Wands above.  But then it dawned on me how I can take the fiery passion of the lion and turn it into a docile flock of sheep.  Self-talk such as, "You have no special talent.  Your gifts are no more creative than what anyone else does," can be the rain that puts out the fire.  If I keep listening to that inner critic, any project I attempt is doomed before I even start.