Advance, but Carefully

From the New Era Elements Tarot, the Daughter of Fire (Page of Wands); from the Tao Oracle, 'Treading' (10):

          The Daughter/Page of Fire is illustrated with a young Maasai girl, a people who still practice a semi-nomadic way of life regardless of pressure from the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments. She represents curiosity that is expressed through adventuresome activity, not simply learning. While enthusiasm and excitement can be positive traits, the 10th Hexagram warns against impulsivity. Advance, yes, but do it cautiously and mindfully. There is a wide gulf between following one's intuition and following one's impulses, but in the excitement of the moment, both sides can seem the same. Yet one operates on understanding and the other is simply a reaction.

Muse Memo

From the Art of Life Tarot, the Ace of Wands; from the Tao Oracle, Treading:

 Whatever you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.

~ Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Hexagram 10: Treading on the tail of a tiger without getting bitten.

          Years ago there was a show called "Touched by an Angel;" I've been touched by my muse. I've been so completely taken over by it, I might need an exorcism to recover. There is no trickling stream of creative thought, but a tsunami size wave of it. I'm struggling to keep up and to bring it into a concrete form. Sometimes I succeed, and other times (when I pause for too long) I'm pushed along to bring forth the next idea. It's exciting and exhausting at the same time. There is an underlying feeling that it won't last forever, implying I better hang on and surf that wave while it's here. The downside of being possessed is shown in the tenth hexagram. Both the images (the traditional and Padma's) suggest a need for prudence rather than proceeding at full tilt. Now I know those of you who sew, paint, write or create in other ways understand how routine gets tossed out the window when your muse has you by the earlobe. Yet no one can live by inspiration alone - we need rest, good food and companionship. I'll send her the memo.

Creative Effort

  From the Art of Tarot, the Two of Pentacles:

I've been to a few ballets, and have always been amazed by the dancers' fluid gracefulness, their sense of balance, and their ability to work together with such harmony.  In Roosevelt's words, they use their bodies in "creative effort" - translating original ideas into reality.  This card makes me pause and consider how I am using my resources of money and energy.  Is there a balance between hoarding and impulsive spending, between being constantly active and being a couch potato?  I know neither extreme will bring me happiness or security, so I must find a middle path between them.  I may need to stretch my imagination to find it...

     From the Tao Oracle comes "Treading:"

Here is a beautiful rendition of another balancing act - between the conduct of the ego and the conduct that arises from essence (higher self).  The ego functions from habit, based on conditioned behavior patterns.  Essence allows us to act with awareness and sensitivity, rather than from self-centeredness.  As Padma writes, "When you act from essence, you understand that marching to the beat of your own drum is not contradictory to playing in harmony with the band."  Better dust off that bodhran and listen for the rhythm...