Wakey Wakey

From the Tarot of the Absurd, the Sun; from the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk Deck, The Virus:

To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle.

—George Orwell

While the Sun represents warmth and energy, it also implies clarity - which is hard to achieve with our eyes closed. When we're oblivious in our cocoons, it can take the jaws of life to free us from it. The Virus only needs a receptive host and then can spread to others; like computers, our minds need an antivirus program. We may only see what we expect or want to see. Because a truth is inconvenient or upsetting, we may refuse to acknowledge it. If we're a part of a group with a strong belief system, we may feel like we have reasons not to believe. But if we want our antivirus system to work, we must begin with doubt. This is not cynical doubt (rooted in agendas and self-protection) but questioning doubt that notices what we usually ignore and then investigating it.

Cycles

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Ten of Disks; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Sun:

Read the brilliant book of nature, study the rhythm of life, and you will find everything moves in perfect symphony. —Robbie George

I used to have a small drum collection: a frame drum I made of elk hide, two bodhrans, a djembe, and a doumbek. I got interested when I had the experience of drumming in a diverse circle of about 60 people. I played in smaller circles after that, but eventually those disappeared. Having "stuff" without a relational connection soon lost its meaning, and I gave all the drums away except one of my bodhrans. The Ten of Disks is a gathering of abundance, the result of the energies we've put forth into living. But it also hints that excess should be distributed to prevent corruption and greed. Nature teaches us that health lies in flow and change, not stagnation. The Sun in Dreamtime stories was thought to be a woman who carried a torch across the sky during the day, then returned to her starting point via an underground tunnel at night. Cycles are about transformation and movement, not standing still. As Parker Palmer stated, "The notion that our lives are like the eternal cycle of the seasons... encourages us to embrace it all—and to find in all of it opportunities for growth."

I Can See Clearly Now

From the Tyldwick Tarot, the Star; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, the Sun:

Given that both joy and pain are inevitable parts of life, what would a healthy, insightful response to the sheer fact of this reality be? ―Dale S. Wright

The Star offers us a place to pause and recuperate after the shock of our fall. When we are open to see the truth, it points to the problem of ignorance (not a lack of knowledge but rather a misunderstanding or misperception of the nature of reality and of ourselves). The Sun brings the antidote of wisdom, which exposes an accurate view of all things: nothing generates itself; nothing stands on its own; and nothing just is what it is forever. In other words, everything is in relationship to all else, created by causes and conditions that are impermanent and subject to change. Seeing with clarity, what would a wise response be in this moment?

Vitality

From the Somnia Tarot, the Sun; from the Spirits of Nature Oracle, Water:

The opposite of depression is not happiness, but vitality.

― Andrew Solomon

A life of loathing, fear, and misery will keep us behind a gray wall, away from warmth and joyful enthusiasm. But this fellow has realized the trials of life can shape him with wisdom rather than resentment. Atop the wall, he enjoys the Sun that now provides him with clarity and fills him with exuberance. Water is given the keyword 'lifeblood,' an indispensable factor that gives something its strength and vitality. What is this factor? It is our attitude toward what shows up on our doorstep each day. As Andrew Solomon wrote, "I hate these feelings but, but I know that they have driven me to look deeper at life, to find and cling to reasons for living, I cannot find it in me to regret entirely the course my life has taken. Every day, I choose, sometimes gamely, and sometimes against the moment's reason, to be alive. Is that not a rare joy?"

Alert Determination

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Page of Wands; from the Rune Cards, the Sun (Sowilo):

You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction. 

—George Horace Lorimer

You can almost see the radiating excitement of this stoat, quivering from the tip of his ears to the tip of his tail. Playful and energetic, stoats are skilled hunters, taking rabbits that are twice their size. Potter describes this Page in kind: having alert determination. When everything new twangs your antenna, it can be hard to focus, but this Page has learned to lock onto his target. Sowilo (Sun) indicates energy and drive, an auspicious sign of success. More energy - have mercy! No wonder this Page is vibrating. He might not make the best choices on the way to his objective, but his drive will keep him going around whatever challenges he finds. As William Feather put it, "Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go."

Not Through Opinion

From the Norse Tarot, the Sun; from the Wolf Pack, Leadership:

...birdsong rang out as if there had never been a day as fresh and beautiful as this one.

― Brian Jacques

When the great battle of Ragnarok occurred, forever changing the known world, Sol (the sun goddess) was killed. Yet before she died, she had a daughter who would become her successor. The U.S. is currently undergoing its own great battle, as democracy slips and violent rhetoric and hatred swirl around us. It feels like the sun has been eclipsed by something dark and malevolent. Though this may last for years, I hang on to the thread of hope that things will eventually swing in the other direction, and life will become brighter again. During these corrupt times, Leadership encourages us to stick to our moral compass and heed the words of Paul Coelho: “The world is changed by your example, not your opinion.”

Out of Motion

From the Rosetta Tarot, the Queen of Wands; from the Day of the Dead Lenormand, Sun:

Unfold your own myth.

― Rumi

The Queen of Wands is straightforward, independent, and self-motivated. An elemental combination of water and fire, she is the steam engine that flies down the tracks to her goal. But because she is also a nurturer, she wants to inspire others to follow their dreams and passions too. She doesn't force but encourages, believing in us until we can believe in ourselves. Learning and doing something new and different can make us feel like a fumbling fool. But as the Sun indicates, having someone cheer us on can keep us going until we find our footing and develop some self-confidence. As Richard E. Byrd reminds us, "Progress grows out of motion."

50 Casseroles

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, the Six of Coins; from the Elemental Dice, Sun (Light + Fire):

God has given us two hands - one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing. 

—Billy Graham

I once had a wise woman tell me that praying for someone is a reminder to reach out and offer concrete help - feet and hands on the ground. Sharing our time, energy and resources with others is not only good for them, but also us, as it increases our happiness and well-being.  As we engage in altruism, we create a sense of community and strengthen relationships. We build trust, learning new perspectives from others and allowing them to learn about us. The Sun provides more clarity, encouraging us ask rather than assume what is needed. No one needs 50 casseroles in their refrigerator. 

Nature's Timetable

This week I'll be using the Mary-El Tarot, created by Marie White and published by Schiffer. I'll be pairing it with the OH Cards, created by Ely Raman and Joe Schlichter and published by Eos Enterprises. Today's cards are the Knight of Disks and the Sun:

Observe due measure, for right timing is in all things the most important factor. 

―Hesiod

The Knight of Disks represents Air in the element of Earth, reminding me of the importance of wind driven pollination in bearing fruit. Besides being reliable and resourceful, he is also creative when it comes to improving material matters. But if this Knight is so hardworking, why is he resting in the shade of a large tree? The Sun from the OH cards suggest this is the heat of the day. As the poet and farmer Hesiod stated, balance and timing play a huge part in the success of what we're doing. Watering plants at noon when evaporation is at its peak does very little good (and wastes water). And working outdoors in such heat is an invitation for heat stroke. Sometimes we must work on nature's timetable and not our own. 

Vigor and Vitality

From the RainShadow Tarot, the Sun; from the Liminal Spirits Oracle, Star:

There’s always the sunshine, only we must do our part, we must move into it. 

— Clara Louise Burnham

Two stars appear in the cards drawn today, one that rules our days and the other our nights. The Sun brings warmth and light, creating vigor and vitality. In the tree world, vigor is the capacity to survive and thrive while vitality is the ability to respond and grow. It's a day for sending our roots down and our branches up and outward. The Star brings guidance into the mix. It would be easy to waste our energy on what we can't control or on situations that don't really matter in the big scheme of things. If we feel like we're spinning in circles, it might be a good idea to check and see if we've lost our focus.

Don't Lose Those Parts

From the New Liminal Tarot, the Sun; from the State by State Playing Cards, Texas (Three of Spades):

There is a wisdom in children, a kind of knowing, a kind of believing, that we, as adults, do not have. 

― Adam Gidwitz

Lying under the warm bright rays of the Sun, the Fool hears the laughter of children playing. In a moment of clarity, he suddenly realizes he is no longer the naive Fool, but a Wise Child. He’s gained a deeper understanding of life and how to effectively navigate it, yet he hasn’t lost his trust or sense of wonder along the way. He laughs out loud, feeling confident, energetic, and full of joy. To continue to hold on to our ability to be amazed, revel in beauty, and have an optimistic outlook as we grow older and wiser is a blessing. Texas is known for producing the first cowboy boots, inspired by the vaquero-style boots of Spain. A tall boot that hugged the calf, it was meant for protection and keeping the foot firmly anchored in the stirrups while riding. Nowadays, boots can be found in many colors with fancy stitching and designs. As the Wise Child knows, you can be practical while still joyfully being true to yourself.

Cleaning the Mirror

From the Gill Tarot, the Sun; from the Circle Deck, Sanctuary:

Only a child sees things with perfect clarity.

― Douglas Adams

There are so many things we hide in the shadows - what causes us pain or sadness, that which creates fear, and those matters we're just too stressed to deal with. But under the Sun, those shadows invite us to dance, to relate with them not as an enemy but as an ally that helps us see life with clarity and understanding. Its warmth soothes and its radiance releases the energy that we were using to keep everything concealed. Sanctuary is not meant as a place to avoid and hide from life; instead, it is a sheltered place to do such work with a feeling of safety. 

Right Use of Knowledge

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, the Sun:

Without knowledge action is useless, and knowledge without action is futile. 

—Abu Bakr

This woman is no ice queen. While she's capable of the most abstract thought, she understands her life is relational. She offers snippets of truth and advice that are grounded in real life. These are the pieces of information people can put to use, a way for them to create change for the better. The Sun woman travels across the sky carrying a torch, creating daylight. Motion keeps her from being caught by those who would like to control her for their own purposes. Sun represents patterns, awakening and movement. Having helpful information does little good if it's not used. As Charles Spurgeon said, "Wisdom is the right use of knowledge."

Clarity

From the Fey Tarot, the Sun; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Two of Diamonds (Letter):

Mindfulness is about love and loving life. When you cultivate this love, it gives you clarity and compassion for life, and your actions happen in accordance with that. ~Jon Kabat-Zinn

The Sun illuminates all shadows, those that we're unaware of and those that we avoid. It shows us what is beautiful and good, but it also shows us the reality of life too. Yet once we see that reality without all of our assumptions and projections, it's so much easier to deal with what is. And with that gift also comes the ability to recognize the love and resources at hand as well. The Letter (Two of Diamonds) represents an exchange of news and information. Whatever it relays, it will help to shine some of those sunbeams on it, so we simply see it as it is. 

A Sense of Wholeness

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Cat People, created by Karen Kuykendall and published by U.S. Games. I'll also be drawing from the Insectorum Divinorum, created and self-published by Esmeralda Rupp-Spangle. This morning's cards are the Sun and Scarab:

When you come together with your other half, you immediately experience a sense of wholeness and completeness. —Andrew Cohen

Remember the children's song, the Hokey Pokey? You start out putting just one body part in at a time, but eventually you "put your whole self in." Our society often tries to force us to show only parts of ourselves - restricting the way we act, speak or think - so that we fit their definition of 'appropriate.' But that's like asking a bird to fly with one wing. The Sun tells us to put our whole self in, which gives us the energy we need to throw ourselves fully into life, allowing us to experience joy and deal with any challenges. The Scarab implies self-motivation and tireless effort in order to get important work done. It takes effort to erase those tapes in our head from our culture and upbringing. The whole you is worth it.

A Thousand Fibers

From the Somnia Tarot, the Six of Coins; from the Spirits of Nature Oracle, the Sun:

We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.

― Herman Melville

Giving is generally done from one of two types of motives: transactional or relational. Transactional giving is self-serving and aimed at getting something quickly with as little trouble as possible. Relational giving is rooted in seeing a connection between people; it recognizes the give and take of relationships as natural and rewarding. True benevolence doesn't expect praise or payback, because it comes from the compassionate understanding that the resources given are shared between equals - we're all in this together. The Sun represents faith, not based in a set of beliefs on which we cling but on what we observe and experience. Faith, Alan Watts explains, is like floating: "You don’t grab hold of the water when you swim... the attitude of faith is to let go, and become open to truth, whatever it might turn out to be." That sums up the fruits of our giving and receiving as well.

Purpose Paired With Bliss

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Knight of Cups; from the Rune Cards, Sun (Sowilo):

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

When salmon have matured, they migrate up freshwater rivers to spawn, swimming with determination and purpose. Potter suggests the self-sacrificing Knight of Cups believes he also serves a greater purpose. This compassionate fellow knows through experience what researchers have now discovered: altruism has a positive effect on subjective well-being, including life satisfaction and positive emotions. Yet the Sowilo (Sun) rune reminds us that even the most devoted person benefits from time soaking in their own beam of joy and vitality. As Joseph Cambell explains:

[Sacred space] is an absolute necessity for anybody today... Our life has become so economic and practical in its orientation that, as you get older, the claims of the moment upon you are so great, you hardly know where the hell you are, or what it is you intended. You are always doing something that is required of you. Where is your bliss station? You have to try to find it.

Grief

This week I'll be using the Spacious Tarot, a self-published deck that was a collaboration between Annie Ruygt and Carrie Mallon. I'll also be using the Phenomena Oracle, a deck self-published by Jessica Bott. Today's draws are Death and the Sun:

I want you, I need you, oh God,

Don't take

These beautiful things that I've got.

–Benson Boone

There is nothing in the physical world that doesn't have an expiration date. Yet the booklet reminds us that Death is an unbiased, neutral force; life cannot exist without decay. As nature teaches, it is that decay which nourishes that which comes next. But first we grieve our losses. The Sun suggests clarity, warmth and energy, and in the case of an ending, acceptance. We begin to see that although the hurt still lingers, we recognize that joy, beauty, and goodness still abounds.

You will not ‘get over' the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same nor would you want to. –Elisabeth Kubler-Ross​

A Little Shade in the Sun

From the Rider Marseille Tarot, the Sun; from the Ostinato Oracle, Mezzo:

Let's go outside and look at the beautifulness. 

~Grayson, age 4

The Marseille features on this toddler make him appear old in a young body - the naive Fool has now become the Wise Child. Having made many trips around the sun by this point, hard knocks have taught him humility and unexpected joys have created gratitude. He would agree with Albert Einstein: “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.” Yet such an attitude helps him look with curiosity and playfulness while seeing with clarity what most people miss. Mezzo is an Italian word that means "middle" in music. Rather than singing or playing at full range, it moderates the fullness. When we are enjoying the Sun's influence, it can be tempting to want to drink it all in at once and over-indulge in whatever we are enjoying. But moderation will allow us to enjoy the sweetness and 'beautifulness' without any after-affects later.

Removing Hindrances

From the Tarot of the Secret Forest, the Sun; from the Faeries' Oracle, the Friends:

The teachings emphasize removing hindrances to seeing clearly so that one can abide in the clarity of reality as it actually is. —Gaelyn Godwin

In the Secret Forest, the thick canopy of trees shelters most of the woodland, but occasionally trees fall and open up an area to the Sun. The the darkness is replaced with a brightness that clarifies what once was seen only dimly. What are the hindrances that keep us from seeing with clarity? Buddhists identify five categories: 

1) Sensual desire (craving and grasping for what brings us pleasure)

2) Ill will (hatred, jealousy, self-righteous indignation)

3) Sloth and Torpor (laziness, disinterest, confusion, sleepiness)

4) Restlessness and Worry (an undercurrent of irritation, rumination, anxiety)

5) Skeptical Doubt (cynicism, as opposed to questioning doubt that looks for answers)

When we see reality as it is, we can make better choices with skill. The Friends card reminds me of a dear friend; like these two beings, we are very different in some regards (race, religion and personality). Yet our values bond us, and our differences help us see each other's blind spots.