Keep On Keeping On

This week I'll be using the Spiral Tarot, a book and deck set created by Kay Steventon and published by U.S. Games. I'll also be drawing from the Sacred Journey Cards, a set created by Cheryl Thiele and published by Pomegranate. Today's draws are the Eight of Wands and 'Synergy:'

          A big wind blows out eight staves, sending them quickly to their destination. It always amazes me, particularly after a big change that drastically alters normal events, how life keeps on keeping on. Bills must be paid, groceries bought, and services requested. I suppose it is the law of nature to continue moving even as things fall away or change. As I was sawing up limbs yesterday, I noticed that the zinnias that I planted in the spring - which I recently pulled up after they died - have left behind little sprouts of seedlings. Synergy reminds me that when I get sucked back into the busyness of life, I need to be careful not to use up my energy randomly but connect with others so more can be accomplished by working together.

The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members. ~Coretta Scott King

Thank you, Carolyn, for your compassionate action!

It Takes a Combination of Things...

After my little rant yesterday about the idea of "think it and get it," I had to laugh with the card I pulled this morning.  From the Spiral Tarot, the Magician:

I have heard from several sources that this card means "As you think, so shall it be," and is about using the intellect to manifest what you desire.  As I said before, I don't think all of this idea is wrong; it's just one side of the coin.  So what does the Magician mean to me?  It means I need to focus on what I want and keep a positive attitude about it.  Concentrating on a single goal at a time will allow me to channel my energy in one direction, rather than trying to cover too many bases at once.  And thinking positively will keep my mind open, allowing me to see many possibilities to achieve my objective or find a solution (as opposed to "it must be done this way").  Yes, I can make some things happen in my life, but it will take all the tools the Magician and I have available, not just the intellect.

     From the Sacred Journey Cards comes "Synergy:"

syn·er·gy

1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.

Thiele asks, "Are you willing to share your experiences and expand your borders?"  Brainstorming and working with others helps me to stay flexible and realize that my opinion and judgments aren't always the best ones.  Other people have life experiences that I've never known, so they have things I can learn from them.  If we can listen to each other respectfully and look at each idea objectively, our combined efforts will be greater than the sum of each individual's effort.