Master of Patience

From the Neuzeit Tarot, the Three of Pentacles; from Rory's Story Cubes, the Turtle:

A man who is a master of patience is master of everything else.

―George Savile

In the Three of Pentacles card, the illustrations on each coin offer symbols which represent the way to master a skill. Leonardo's Vitruvian Man (influenced by the writings of Roman architect and engineer, Vitruvius), suggests an understanding of proportion and measurement - or learning the basics. The four-axis labyrinth pattern (such as in the Chartres Cathedral) represents pilgrimage, an acknowledgement that this will be a journey (not a quick hop) in finding what we seek. The thirteen-pointed star, or tridecagram, is often linked to ideas of growth, transformation, and completion (developing expertise). Logging thousands of oceanic miles each year, Turtle reminds us that even when we become a master in our field, we need to keep looking for inspiration and exploring new developments. With any skill, learning never stops.

Necessary Ingredients

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Lovers; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Turtle:

Mature love is composed and sustaining, a celebration of commitment, companionship, and trust. 

—H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

I was waiting with my husband to get some lab work done the other day, sitting with a number of others in line for the same thing. A young fellow, watching us interact, smiled and said, "You two have been married a long time." I acknowledged that we had and told him that while we were really different in how we do things, we both held the same values and principles. When there is deep love, honest communication, and commitment, neither partner cares who whose turn it is to be the moon or the sun - they both shine. The Dreamtime story of Turtle tells of a man who was a storyteller and travelled from tribe to tribe. One island tribe decided to force him to stay, knowing that he couldn't swim and would need a boat. He escaped by holding on to a log which the Great Spirit turned into a shell and him into a turtle. Safety and trust are paramount in any relationship; without them it becomes an unequitable autocracy.

Lay of the Land

From the Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, the Nine of Swords; from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Turtle:

Instincts like fear and sex are important, but you don't want to be acting on them all the time. We need to be able to dynamically control our instinctive behaviors, depending on the situation.

~Cornelius Gross

The Nine of Swords is generally associated with anxiety and sleepless nights. But in this card, the gulls give the sprites a lift, allowing them to get the lay of the land. Instead of relying on an over-active imagination that churns out assumptions and worst case scenarios, the sprites get an actual view of things. Now they can respond appropriately. The Turtle card shows hatchlings instinctively hurrying to the sea before they get eaten. The driver of our instincts is the brainstem; the prefrontal cortex plays a role in keeping those instincts in check. Neuroscientists have shown that the emotional and deliberative circuits in the brain are in constant interaction (some would say struggle), and the former, for better or for worse, often holds sway. Before we 'trust our gut,' we need to make sure our prefrontal cortex has enough facts and an accurate view of what's going on to balance out those brainstem urges.

With One's Own Hand

This week I'll be using the Neuzeit Tarot created by Walter Wegmuller and published by AG Muller. The 'oracle' I'll be using is a combination of two sets of Rory's Story Cubes - the original and Voyages set. These dice were created by Rory O'Connor and produced by Gamewright. Today's card and die are the Queen of Cups and Turtle:

I think instead [of happiness] we should be working for contentment... an inner sense of fulfillment that's relatively independent of external circumstances.

― Andrew Weil

The Queen of Cups fills her own cup with her own hand; she doesn't demand that people, jobs or events entertain and emotionally fulfill her. She would agree with James Oppenheim: "The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet." She understands that this kind of growing requires effort and a watchful eye on the direction of her thoughts. Happiness comes and goes, but contentment can be found if the heart is not focused on one thing or person but opens to the expanse of life. Turtle is a reminder to slow down and enjoy the waters one is swimming in - they will change soon enough. 

Do You Hear What You're Saying?

From Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, the Trickster/Page of Air (Wands); from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Turtle:

          The trickster side of the Page of Air is not meant to trick us as a form of punishment, but to help us learn to think before we speak, be succinct, and spend more time listening. This Page is aware that people often react rather than respond and seldom take the time to use discernment in what they say. The Page will then reflect back the words to us, showing how we lacked mindfulness of speech. When my toddler was able to reach doorknobs, I would be afraid she would pinch her fingers opening and closing the doors. I would say "watch your fingers" and she would stop what she was doing and literally look at her fingers. Instinct, shown by the newly hatched sea turtles racing towards the water, emphasizes that sometimes we don't have a lot of time to think out what we say - we must respond bluntly and assertively. We don't explain or excuse, we simply speak our truth firmly and plainly.

Essence of Love

From the Prairie Tarot, the Ace of Cups; from the Medicine Cards, Turtle:

We think we need to be able to trust, just as we think we need to be able to be loved. But we have it backwards. As adults, we don't need to be loved. The only real emotional need, if we want to call it that, is to love. To love is our essence; it is who we are. ― Ezra Bayda

          How do we love with an open heart that is without discrimination? In Pali, mind and heart are considered as one; there is no compassion without wisdom. Chogyam Trungpa coined the term 'idiot compassion,' our ego's version of love that has more to do with our own expectations, self-image and desires than fulfilling a real need. True compassion uses discernment and offers the right action at the right time in response to another’s suffering. It doesn't support or condone an unhealthy situation, attempt to people please, or try to 'fix' a person because we want to escape their suffering. It requires that we question the ego's intentions and self-involved version of reality. Turtle is the oldest symbol for Earth in Native American teachings, and its message is a reminder of the cycle of give and take. In adding it to the Ace of Cups, the idea of self-compassion emerges. No one can build their happiness on the back of another; we each are responsible for our own. When I practice self-care rather than self-indulgence or self- pity, I can keep my own cup full.

Tight Spaces

From the Neuzeit Tarot, the Five of Wands; from Rory's Story Cubes, Turtle:

          It appears the Wand family have been packed into tight quarters. They look like the plants at Lowes; crammed so closely together, only the outer ones have the best room and light to grow. If in tight quarters with friends, family or co-workers, it's easy to step on each others' toes. Confined spaces make it apparent what you don't have in common, and how each person sees and does things differently from the next. It can be a chance to learn how to do things in a new way or how to see from a new perspective. But sometimes it is just suffocating. The Turtle cube looks like a photo my mom sent me of a box turtle in her yard. Every year she has them, as they travel away from their home base to lay their eggs. I get the pond sliders in my yard, traveling away from the pond. Turtle suggests - especially when we are doing something creative - we may occasionally need to find our own space to hang out in for a while.

Eastern Box Turtle

Females can produce eggs up to 4 years after mating!

Flying Hooves and Egos

From the Prairie Tarot, the Tower:

I've never been unceremoniously bucked off a horse, but I have been on one galloping at top speed when the saddle slipped. Instead of feeling the freedom of riding, I felt the terror that I might be crushed under those flying hooves. Thankfully, he just wanted to go back to the barn (which was close by), so I survived. Yet it was an eye-opener to realize holding the reins had nothing to do with who was actually in charge. The Tower is an occasion when my ego is unseated from its throne, allowing insight to occur. I think I better strap a pillow to my backside today to cushion the fall.

From the Medicine Cards this morning comes the "Turtle:"

The turtle is an interesting reptile, living part of its life in the water and part on land. No wonder the native people of North America saw it as a symbol of Mother Earth. We have pond sliders here, and I've watched them crawl out of the water to dig a hole and lay their eggs. It takes from two to three months for them to incubate, as they use the heat from the sun. Turtle reminds me that my goals must be grounded (realistic) and given time to develop. Trying to forego preparation and hurry things along is likely to result in a hard landing such as shown in the Tower above.

The Power of Speech

From the Mary-El Tarot, the King of Swords:

"I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word." ~ Emily Dickinson

Like the Emperor of China, this king uses the emblem of a dragon to symbolize his power and strength.  Yet he realizes his authority comes not from brute force but his ability to influence others with his intellect and eloquence.  With his bow, he shoots not arrows but quill pens dipped in ink; he knows the might of a well-timed and well-placed word.  His shaved head indicates his clarity and objectivity; he is open to new thoughts, yet not gullible.  Everything he learns will be processed in a rational, logical manner.  The King of Swords reminds me that words can heal or hurt, create or destroy, and I would be wise to keep a cool head before speaking.  He teaches me that no matter how many "I'm sorrys" I say, the bell can never be unrung.

From the OH Cards come the image and word "turtle" and "boast:"

This turtle brought to mind the pond sliders we have here.  They are so named because they sun on banks and logs, but as soon as they see movement of any kind, they quickly slide off into the water.  They remind me of folks on the internet who present opinions as facts.  When the "sunlight" of reality exposes them and they are recognized as a pot-stirrer or intellectual egomaniac, they rarely stick around.  This card encourages me to check my facts and sources as well as my motivations before spouting off about something.  Some things are better left unsaid. 

 

Who Benefits?

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Five of Wands:

Four candles, representing the four metaphorical elements that make up everything, surround a central candle that is white.  A primordial "soup" swirls in this circle, ready to create.  The different elements symbolize the variety of ways people go about accomplishing a goal - the driving ambition of fire, the relationship of water, the solidity of earth, and the intellect of air.  The white candle is the purity of the goal itself.  Whether I am in conflict with myself or others, the center candle should be my focus.  What will lend itself to accomplishing this objective that will be of benefit not only to me, but also the community and the planet?

     From the Oracle of the Dreamtime comes the story about "Turtle:"

This aboriginal legend tells of a well-known story-teller who visited different tribes, never staying too long with any of them.  He was invited to an island to share his stories there, but he did not know how to swim.  The islanders promised they would help him to the shore, and in return for the stories he told, they would teach him how to swim.  He agreed, but after being their guest for several days, he realized they planned to keep him there by not teaching him.  One night he slipped out to the ocean, holding onto a log, in an attempt to get back to the mainland.  The islanders began shooting arrows at him, and he had to hide beneath the log.  The Great Spirit, feeling sorry for him, turned the log into a shell, and the man became a turtle.  This story implies that I need to protect myself by doing a bit of research and finding out the facts in advance before becoming involved in something.  People don't always have my best interests at heart, and the only way I can protect my back is to uncover their motives beforehand.