Learning from Many Methods

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Hierophant:

Usually most Hierophant cards make me inwardly cringe, but here there is no pope ornately dressed with people kneeling at his feet.  The stars and light above his head make me see him as more of a shaman or mystic than a priest or pope.  He's willing to teach all who want to learn, but he refuses to proselytize.  This guide looks like a deep thinker, but at the same time I see a smile lurking in those eyes.    With that bit of mischievousness, part of his teaching style may be that of the wise fool.  There will be no pew-sitting with him as a mentor; it's all about opening to the experience itself while keeping an open mind.

     From the Masters Tarot comes the card "Sorrow:"

The sorrow here that Montano speaks of is that of suffering, the kind that we want to ignore by distracting ourselves or putting our heads in the sand.  But he encourages us to objectively observe it instead, to suffer consciously (not in a "poor pitiful me" way), allowing it to teach us and transform us.  He writes, "For when the intensity of pain is matched by the intensity of watching, we are thrown to our center, and there no pain can reach because we are no longer identified with it."

Red Flag Warning

     From the Golden Dawn Tarot, the Eight of Wands:

Four hands lightly hold eight wands; they are not tightly bunched together, but held in two groups.  This image made me think of building an outdoor fire.  It's helpful to have several people gather the wood (many hands), who then place the branches in criss-cross fashion (not bunched together), allowing air to flow freely.  Next the match is struck (passion, enthusiasm), and several points around the pile are lit.  Notice the two flames in the center - it is the heart where the fire burns the hottest.  With such a fast burning fire, I better get moving and collect some more wood...

     From The Circle deck comes "Sorrow:"

My emotions can consume me just as much as any fire can.  Sorrow is one that many people are uncomfortable with, which is why you get such "great" advice from people like "buck up and get on with your life."  But sitting on sorrow and trying to ignore it won't help.  For me, all the effort to push it away will change it, like a metamorphic process.  It can quickly turn into rage, burning the people around me, and leaving them scratching their heads wondering, "Now where did that come from?"  My emotions are like a waving pit stop flag, telling me to pull over and check my engine and tires.  Something is going on underneath, and I need to take an objective look at it, honor it, then get back on the racetrack.