Wounded Distractions

From the Fairytale Tarot, the Chariot; from the Tree Affirmation Cards, the "Turkey Oak:"

          For me the story of "The Snow Queen" illustrates how easily our hearts and minds can be wounded, and from those wounds misconceptions and misunderstandings develop. We all have experiences that impact how we think and feel; prejudice and cold indifference can easily be the result. An example is the situation with the terrified refugees of Syria, and the way many politicians look at them as if they carry cooties. The Chariot suggests a need for focusing on truth and acting from reason without allowing distractions to sway me from my path.
          Lewis' drawing of a turkey oak shows a tree with heart rot disease; it's branches have been drastically pruned and a protective boundary placed around it to allow it to heal. This card fits nicely with the Chariot and implies a need for action and boundaries, if I want to hang on to the reins of reason and truth. It would be easy to avoid all people, the media, and situations that challenge my heart and mind, but I think that might just put me and my opinions on a pedestal. Neither discernment nor open-mindedness can be found there. But if I keep the lines of communication open with those who want to have a discussion rather than with those whose purpose is to twist facts into fiction, then perhaps I will  have found an alternative.

later that night

i held an atlas in my lap

ran my fingers across the whole world

and whispered

where does it hurt?

it answered

everywhere

everywhere

everywhere.

~ Warsan Shire