The Way You Carry It

From the Tarot of the Secret Forest, the Ten of Wands; from the Faeries' Oracle, the Topsy Turvets:

It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.

― Lou Holtz

Snapping turtles hibernate during the winter months, and when they emerge, they sometimes unintentionally carry part of their winter home with them. Humans too can suddenly find such a weight on their shoulders, especially if they are in a caregiving role. Stress can show up in feelings of frustration, sadness, loneliness and anxiety as well as a strain on our physical health. It is important to realize that the caregiver needs care too. It also helps to remember: nothing lasts forever, humor can lighten the load, and we often find help when we ask others for it. The Topsie Turvets visit when we are in a mental muddle and give us a chance to see from a different viewpoint. They tell us to ask different questions and question our assumptions. There's always another side to every story.

When we cultivate mind in everyday life, we have to let go of everything we experience. We don’t need to add any more baggage. If you just keep letting go of everything and moving forward, you’ll reach the top of the mountain. –Daehaeng Kun Sunim

The View Before the Hunt

From the Tarot of the Secret Forest, the Three of Wands:

Before going out to hunt, a fox stops to take in a view of the night sky and valley below. I wonder if he has a vixen with kits to feed. The Three of Wands is about aspirations, passion and expansion, as well as where these motives lead me. Yet it also encourages me to step back and observe - to look at the big picture and take the long view. If I do, I'll find that crossing paths with some people will likely bring opportunities and helpful encouragement; in other cases, I'll only get derailed. What connections do I need to make and maintain to go forward? And which "shooting stars" should I avoid, knowing they may burn brightly but won't last? Let the hunt begin...

From the Faeries' Oracle comes the "Topsie Turvets:"

This image reminded me of the attempts in the fifties to see how many people could be squeezed into various places like cars or phone booths. But according to Froud and MacBeth, the purpose of this fairy group is not to make a muddle but to get me to change my perspective in order to get out of one. If I find myself confused, perhaps I have asked the wrong questions or made incorrect assumptions. Like the fox above, I need an objective viewpoint; I must question my attachments to certain ideas to see if they are valid or if they are at the root of the confusion.