The Sacrifice

This week I'll be using the Shadowlands Tarot, created by Monica Bodirsky and published by Red Feather. Paired with it will be Brownie Wisdom, the smaller deck included with The Brownies Oracle created and self-published by Doug Thornsjo. Today's draws are the Five of Wands and "The Sacrifice:"

It's not always rainbows and butterflies. It's compromise that moves us along.

―Maroon 5

The Five of Wands is what happens when several people all have a great idea about how to develop a project or venture: everybody talks at one time and listens to no one. The problem is that folks want to be heard (even those that whisper instead of yell), because it makes us feel respected and connected. Perhaps the Sacrifice the Brownie speaks of is to put aside our ego and listen rather than striving to get our opinion on the table. As writer David Augsburger said: “Being heard is so close to being loved that, for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.”

Dewdrop World

From the Tarot of Pagan Cats, the Three of Swords; from the Brownie Wisdom deck, The Sacrifice:

This dewdrop world

Is but a dewdrop world. And yet, and yet—

~Kobayashi Issa

Issa was a Japanese poet whose life was marked by tragedy, including the death of his wife and three children. His poem expresses the understanding that life is by nature impermanent, yet humans will still grieve when what we love is lost. In our transient world, love is a sweetness mixed with the sharpness of sorrow. However, we have two antidotes to help us heal: equanimity and compassion. Yet as the Brownie points out, it will require a sacrifice - in this case, of self-absorption. Equanimity is a balance born of wisdom, a tender understanding that our loss is not abnormal in our world. Compassion is being willing to sit with the suffering of others with a desire to bring them comfort. It helps us recognize that this deep grief is experienced by all beings.