A New Awareness

From the Restored Order Tarot, Judgment; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Shin:

Shin painting by Victor Brindatch

This Judgment card refers to an initiation into a new level of consciousness - we see there is no real "I" and "you," only an interconnected and interdependent "us." It is similar to the finger pulling a thorn from the foot, not because it was told to but simply because it is a part of. Such a change in awareness might come from trauma or from something wondrous and beautiful. It transforms our motives, relationships, ways of looking at material possessions, and the way we think (as indicated by the four elements in this card). The three prongs of Shin symbolize flames; 'shinui' refers to change. Even if we have an awakening, the obligation of change is on us, not the outer world (though the changes we make in ourselves can't help but affect it). As the Buddha explained:

This being, that becomes.

From the arising of this, that arises.

This not being, that becomes not.

From the cessation of this, that ceases.

Directing the Mind

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Magician; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, 'Shin:'

Shin artwork by Ruth Councell

          With his tools on the table, the Magician uses his will to bring the energy of thought down to earth. It does no good to have available raw resources if there is no vision for their use. How that mental image becomes real depends on how he uses his will - to manipulate, intimidate and control or to nurture, heal and create. Shin's form looks much like three candle flames. It is one of the three 'mother letters' and symbolizes fire (the other two are Aleph/air and Mem/water). Seidman writes that it "burns away superficialities and gets to the core experience." Even when things are dark, it like the coal that still has burning embers inside it, waiting on a breeze or breath to bring it to life again. Anger, divisiveness, and hatred can stir the Magician's will, or on the other hand, kindness, connection, and compassion can ignite it. The mindset that kindles the flame will create a material counterpart.

Whatever harm an enemy may do to an enemy, or a hater to a hater,

an ill-directed mind inflicts on oneself a greater harm.

~ Dhammapada

Breath of Air

From the Tarot in de Herstelde Orde (Restored Order Tarot), the Ace of Swords:

Perhaps it's the romantic in me, but when I see a sword hoisted in the air I think of liberation. Yet what needs freeing is not my body but my mind; there are beliefs holding it hostage that need to be overthrown. On this particular card, the usual laurel and palm branches have been replaced with what appear to be red currant and oak branches. The red berries tell me the time is ripe for new ideas and solutions; the oak's tiny acorns promise that from this new start something much larger will grow. Several mountain peaks are below, but one falls beneath the hilt of the sword. It encourages me to climb one peak (challenge) at a time so I don't get distracted and lose my focus.

From the Oracle of Kabbalah comes the letter "Shin:"

artwork by Veronique Cheney

Shin has been compared to a glowing coal. When we go through hard times (the dark night of the soul), it seems the light has gone out of our lives. But Shin reminds us that fire lives in that ember, and it only takes a breath of fresh air to grow into a flame (enter the Ace of Swords). With this letter comes the promise that light and warmth are close at hand, even when appearances seem otherwise.