It's Good, But...

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the L'Oeil de Lotus, Summer:

It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy. 

―George Lorimer

A neighbor once told a friend, "I know money doesn't bring you happiness, but it can help!" She was referring to the breathing space financial stability gives us. The lady in this card, who has time to smell the roses and listen to a bird's song, holds a key in her hand. That key represents the options that she didn't have before. Having worked hard to get to this place of security, it's doubtful she will be impulsive and use her resources unwisely. Summer indicates a time of personal growth through the arts, travel, education and spiritual practice. Economic stability can give us the freedom to seek and discover what we've been missing, things that can add to our lives a more lasting joy than simply increasing our collection of possessions.  

Pausing Mid-Pose

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Four of Wands; from the Lotus de L'Oeil, 'Summer:'

          A woman mirrors the bird above her, holding an arabesque ballet position. There are balance and stability reflected in this card, symbolizing a sturdy foundation. The toes that hold her rest on the beginning point of a spiral. Unlike a circle that ends up at the starting point, the spiral radiates outward, suggesting skills gained and knowledge learned as action was put behind inspiration. The Summer card shows a tree at the height of the growing season; its shade is enticing underneath its leafy branches. The fellow making his way towards the tree might be planning a break from the heat with a nap against its trunk. Both of these people - the dancer and the man - can't stay in one position for too long. Life is movement and change, and so they must eventually follow suit.

Digging In

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Hermit:

Being a grown-up on the spiritual plane means no longer playing small. We drop our superficiality and pettiness, get over our wounds, realize our fears and insecurities, abandon notions of entitlement and lose our enchantment with cheap drama. No more games, passive-aggressive behavior, attacking or power obsession. We're simply just done with it. We cut the crap. We get our heads out of the spiritual books we've read for years and go out and live what is in them. We get our hands dirty and do for others, yet never with a sense that we are special for doing so. ~ Suzanne Matthiessen

I generally see the Hermit as both a student and a teacher.  He sets aside time alone for contemplation and spiritual self-evaluation.  In this card, he sits in a yoga position - a spinal twist - that helps increase flexibility.  This posture hints that I need to be less rigid in my opinions, and be able to look at my own behavior and attitudes with objectivity and honesty.  The light from the star above makes a line of connection to the sun rising and the Hermit's lantern, reminding me (as in the Matthiessen quote above) that heady spiritual knowledge is worthless if I don't put it to practical use in the world.

     From the L'Oeil de Lotus comes "Summer:"

Here in the Deep South, summer is the time of abundant growth, and this image asks me what I am growing in my life.  Is it compassion, honesty, and open-mindedness, or intolerance, rationalization and arrogance?  The large tree offers shade from the hot sun - help freely given to whomever passes this way.  The land around the tree looks parched, and I am reminded that just because I am having a rough go of things doesn't excuse me from neglecting my spiritual growth or actions.  In fact, that's the time I should dig in with even more effort.