Moving Forward

From the RainShadow Tarot, the Six of Cups; from the Liminal Spirits Oracle, Snail:

Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days. 

―Doug Larson

Mack ties the Six of Cups to nostalgia, a wistful affection for the past. Studies have found that sunny recollections of times past can contribute to comfort, mental health and self-esteem. However, nostalgia has also been used as a political tool: by invoking the idea of an idealized past, politicians can provoke anxiety and uncertainty while promising to bring back the good old days. Snail appears to tell us to slow down when such promises are heaped upon us. Nostalgia can be deceptively comforting, leaving out the pain and darkness - the olden days weren't all good or happy. Plus, the world has changed drastically over the years; there is no going back to the way things were, only moving forward in the best way we can find.

Turn, Turn, Turn

From the Legacy of the Divine, the Wheel; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, the Snail:

          Sudden change can make us feel like we've been tossed into a tumultuous sea; underwater and confused, we have a hard time telling which way is up. Other times the change we seek is achingly slow, either as we anticipate the end of pain or worry about what we see coming on the horizon. How are we to maintain sanity and serenity through the turns of life? The Snail implies that we stay grounded and move at the pace of guidance. Being grounded suggests staying in the moment as much as possible. Guidance through spiritual intentions can provide a compass when things get topsy-turvy. For me, that is the Five Precepts I recite every day (the word 'vow' simply means what I aspire to and does not imply a commandment):

• I vow not to harm but to nurture all of life.
• I vow not to take what is not given but to practice generosity.
• I vow not to misuse my relationships but to treat every person with respect.
• I vow not to engage in false speech but to listen an speak from the heart.
• I vow not to intoxicate body or mind but to cultivate a mind that sees clearly.

Digging Wells

From the Legacy of the Divine, Faith (Hierophant); from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, Snail:

          Religious leaders are shown here praying or meditating as they face a shining, gold column - a symbol of the chosen source of their devotion. I have a friend who is a retired Episcopalian priest who says, "There's an underground stream, and everyone digs a different well to it." In other words, people try to make sense of the spiritual then add a label and doctrine based on their understanding. But according to research, the "Nones" (those who are unaffiliated with any organized religion) are growing. Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) seem to be driving this movement. Michael Hout, Professor of Sociology, explained this trend: "Many Millennials have parents who are Baby Boomers, and Boomers expressed to their children that it’s important to think for themselves – that they find their own moral compass. Also, they rejected the idea that a good kid is an obedient kid. That’s at odds with organizations, like churches, that have a long tradition of official teaching and obedience. As a result, they are more likely to have a 'do-it-yourself' attitude toward religion." Though I resonate with the Buddhist philosophy, I too am digging my own well. The Snail appears to tell me not to be in a rush. Though being a part of a group often makes us feel safe and not so lonesome, it makes no sense to have a faith that is blind.

In Buddhism, faith isn’t seen as a commodity we can stockpile, or something we need to have enough of, or the right kind of or we’ll be condemned. Rather, it is a process that unfolds as self-respect deepens, our insistence on knowing the truth for ourselves strengthens, and our willingness to question and wonder leads us on. ~ Sharon Salzberg