Showing Up

From the Urban Tarot, the Nine of Cups; from the Principles to Live By, Trustworthiness:

Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them. ~Dhammapada 1:2 

A group of people have gathered at Fort Washington Park for some fun and relaxation. I appreciate that Scott created an everyday image for this card. I have been in beautiful and exciting places and been miserable, yet I have also been in simple settings with a full heart. In each case, a large part of it was the company of folks with me. The right people, I've found, can make the even the ordinary a memorable, happy experience. The star represents Trustworthiness, the trait of being dependable and responsible. As Samuel Johnson put it, "Hell is paved with good intentions." Those joyful moments come when I follow through and show up; simply saying the words is as lasting as a ripple in a stream.

The Road to Hell

From the Urban Tarot, the Ten of Swords; from the Principles to Live By, Trustworthiness:

          No one sets out to become an addict. It often begins by simply looking for a solution for stress and anxiety with a few drinks and later adding a few pills. For some of us, those moments of bliss and relief get superglued in the mind as a sane choice to relieve our suffering. No matter the consequences, that belief sticks. One blind belief is soon buried under dozens more; they keep the illusion alive that we are coping well with life. But eventually, life hits back so hard we can't get up again. Being at rock bottom often allows a sliver of sanity to appear, realizing that our ideas, choices, and actions are what brought us low as we recognize the fantasy of control. Here can be the first step in a steep climb back to clarity. Arrogant people with rigid belief systems (not just substance abusers) can create conflict and chaos wherever they go. It's no wonder that Trustworthiness makes an appearance. People climbing out of dark holes often get peeved because others don't give an inch, as they've been trained not to expect openness and integrity. Like the gold star on a school paper, it must be earned with actions rather than words.

Hell is paved with good intentions. – Samuel Johnson 

Expansion or Burden?

From the Tarrochi Celtic, the Two of Fire (Wands); from the Elements of Recovery, Trustworthiness:

          The flags bearing the symbols of the stag and horns emphasize both the aggressive and protective sides of this card. Clearly something is growing and thriving (the birch tree), but look at the problems this fiery fairy is already dealing with (the grasshopper and beetles). Would planting that birch seed in her hand make things better or worse? Is she happy with the status quo or ready to expand? The purification of the ogham Beth (associated with the Twos) implies she needs to get clear about what she wants and the effort she's willing to expend before proceeding. The Elements card of Trustworthiness shows the dependability of the sunrise and asks how reliable I am, especially when things don't go as smoothly as expected. Will I cut my losses and run when things go south? Or will I 'temporarily' put them on hold until I feel like dealing with them? Woodrow Wilson once said, "Without dependability, one's ability may be a liability instead of an asset." My enthusiasm for starting something new shouldn't override the rational consideration of whether I have the energy and resources to follow through with my goal. I need to look at my motivations and see if I'm trying to distract myself with another project so I don't have to deal with current problems. My answer will determine whether I make the leap or stand firm.

Earning a Gold Star

From the Urban Tarot, the Prince (Knight) of Cups; from the Principles to Live By Oracle, "Trustworthiness:"

          Scott depicts this Prince/Knight as a filmmaker, who she says has a need "to evoke, to beguile, and to charm." And what better way to do that than through the making of movies. I'm sure his creations are sweeping, epic melodramas - the types that make you reach for a kleenex in one tender moment, growl at the antagonist the next, and clap wildly for the hero or heroine at the end. He sees himself as a sensitive romantic, and he might be - if didn't live inside a fantasy world. This is the guy who will never remember to take out the trash at home, because his head is always adrift in a pink cloud. The star symbol represents Trustworthiness; to be trustworthy is to be dependable and responsible. Now there's nothing wrong with emotional free spirits like the filmmaker - unless you want to have an adult relationship with them. They're great in the world of art, drama, dance an poetry. But they haven't a clue how to be responsible. They don't understand they need to call if they can't show up to meet someone, or that there are bills that need to be paid when they're due. Yet if they want a grown-up relationship that's physically real, they're going to have to learn to be dependable enough to earn the trust of others.