Intellectual Instability

From the Ancient Italian Tarot, the Ten of Swords; from the Marseille Oracle, 'Troubles:'

          The Marseille Ten of Swords indicates mental or intellectual instability, a mind incapable of reason or logic. It made me think of one of the Buddhist precepts: I vow not to intoxicate body or mind but to cultivate a mind that sees clearly. Many things that have nothing to do with drugs or alcohol can intoxicate the mind - strong opinions, desperate longings, and emotional surges. The Troubles oracle card shows a two-handed saw, which allows one person to push and another to pull (making the job easier). The lwb states that it represents cutting off social and loving relationships. In other words, we cut off what aids us and balances out our ideas, especially thinking that is way out of line with reality. Hopefully, those on the receiving end of those cuts won't stomp off in a huff but will wait until the other 'sobers' up for a heart-to-heart talk.

Lopping Off Relationships

From the Deck of the Bastard, the Four of Pentacles; from the Marseille Oracle, "Troubles:"

          Like the fellow in the RWS Four of Swords, this king has found a place of solitude, away from people. But in the Four of Pentacles, the king seeks stability and security of his resources: time, energy, health and finances. Yet he seems to be over-protective almost to the point of paranoia. Time to get practical and look at the facts (reality) rather than assumptions or fears.
          The Marseille Oracle image shows a framed bow saw; the frame allowed the use of thinner blades often needed to make curved cuts. The keyword "troubles" is given with the explanation that a relationship is being severed. Is this a situation where there is an unhealthy dependence, or where there is manipulative control? If so, then it is time to put the saw to use. But perhaps it is that one person is stingy when it comes to making time to spend with others. If that's the case, then someone else is liable to be lopping off a one-sided relationship.