Con Artists

This week I'll be using the Rohrig Tarot, created by Carl W. Rohrig and published by Sirio. I also have a companion book written by the artist and Francesca Marzano-Fritz and published by Bluestar Communications. The other deck I'll be drawing from is called a tarot, but I'll be using it as an oracle: the Master Tarot. It was created by Amerigo Folchi and Mario Montano and published by AG Muller. Today's cards are the Four of Swords and the Wolves:

Con men look for human frailty to exploit.

―Pamela Meyer

The keyword given to this card is stillness, and in this case, stillness of the mind. For most people, it is much easier to rest the body than allow their thoughts to settle. When I'm exhausted from trying to solve the unsolvable or from keeping too many plates spinning, mantras and meditations do little to bring my mind to roost. Instead, I first find something beautiful or enjoyable to occupy my thoughts (music, a walk outdoors, etc.) and then afterwards use a meditative practice. The Wolves card is based on the bible verse in Matthew that warns of people who outwardly look like sheep but inwardly are ravening wolves. Such con artists scam people who are stuck in fear or anger. The 'wolves' fuel those emotions then promise resolution. Exhaustion, mental or physical, does not lend itself to logic, inquisitiveness or clarity. Take care of your mind so it can take care of you.

Beacon

This week I'll be using the Rohrig Tarot, created by Carl W. Rohrig and published by Sirio. I also have a companion book written by the artist and Francesca Marzano-Fritz and published by Bluestar Communications. The other deck I'll be drawing from is called a tarot, but I'll be using it as an oracle: the Master Tarot. It was created by Amerigo Folchi and Mario Montano and published by AG Muller. Today's cards are the Ace of Swords and The Wolves:

          The Ace of Swords shines like a beacon in the night, representing clarity and truth. The truth may be what can set us free, but we often don't want to hear or see it. We'd prefer something more in line with our desires or opinions - something that makes us feel calm and content. Enter the Wolves, a card based on the verse in Matthew that refers to wolves in sheep's clothing. They will tell us exactly what we prefer: "Want to lose weight without changing your diet or exercising? We have a pill for you!" "Want to shut yourself off from what's going on in the world and not concern yourself with anyone else's problems? Have a bottle of wine and subscribe to Netflix." The easy, quick solution is rarely a permanent or beneficial one. However tough it might be to swallow, it's probably better to open our ears and eyes to reality.

So how do I meet this moment without adequate training or a preexisting playbook that even comes close to the reality that’s unfolding? The answer, it seems, is one breath at a time.

—Tynette Deveaux