In All Forms

From the Fey Tarot, the Six of Pentacles; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Two of Spades (Older Woman):

It is the heart that gives; the fingers just let go.

~Nigerian Proverb

A giantess of the fey world releases manna for everyone without judging who might be worthy. Charity and goodwill usually wind up in the media these days, but generosity needs no glory. The feeling of joy from seeing others' joy is reward enough. The Two of Spades card reminds me of my own mom, who at 86 plans to drive here to see me this coming weekend. My husband has been having some serious health problems; I haven't felt comfortable being too far away from him, so we haven't seen each other in several months. Generosity comes in all forms - even a visit from one's mom.

The Lure

From the Tarot of Mystical Moments, the Devil; from the Inner Eye Oracle, the Two of Spades:

This is the lure of all things destructive, in that they have us equate what feels good as being good.

― Craig D. Lounsbrough

A lure is, by necessity, attractive and enticing as this lovely spider woman dangling cherries. The Devil promises bliss and soothing relaxation, but he fails to give the full story of how our craving may in time poison us like this amanita mushroom. There has been a pushback in some cases; I've noticed stores posting signs like this in front of all tobacco products:

Will we get hooked by what lures us? The Two of Spades shows a crossroads post and represents an important decision. Do we follow the false information that our brain is giving us, that we desperately need what we intensely desire? Or can we tell ourselves this is a tainted message that we would do well to avoid and go in different direction?

Thorns Have Roses

From the New Liminal Tarot, the Ten of Wands; from the State By State playing cards, the Two of Spades - Illinois:

Perspective is everything when you are experiencing the challenges of life.

–Joni Eareckson Tada

In this Ten of Wands, a man carries a heavy load while walking barefoot over hot coals. It's amazing how the mind can make our challenges larger than they are: our hardship can seem insurmountable and obstacles impassable. We don't need to undermine our difficulties, but neither do we need to allow them to mushroom into mountains. Abraham Lincoln illustrates the Two of Spades, and perhaps no other person has borne a weight greater than he. This quote illuminates his outlook, explaining how he could carry such a burden in reuniting our country: "We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."

Laps in Hell

From the Fey Tarot, the Magician; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, Older Woman (Two of Spades):

A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.

~Marcus Aurelius

The Magician is often associated with keywords like 'will' or 'volition,' meaning the power to choose or determine. Our life is shaped by our mind in that our thoughts create our experiences. What we focus on will paint the color and texture of our perspective of the world. It doesn't mean that meditating on an apple will cause one to appear, but doing so consistently might convince us to buy a bag then next time we're at the grocery store. We need to be aware of our thoughts, or we might end up like the Sibilla's Older Woman, staring forlornly out the window and wishing life were different. As Rick Hanson wrote, "Staying with a negative experience past the point that’s useful is like running laps in Hell: You dig the track a little deeper in your brain each time you go around it."

Learning and Listening

From the Fey Tarot, the Knave (Page) of Pentacles; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, 'Two of Spades:'

          This Page of Pentacles seems to have created a new transportation device. She may be called 'the student,' but she doesn't just want to write journal articles about what she creates. She wants to test things out and use them herself. She's a very 'hands-on' kind of learner. This Page seems to be buzzing off in the direction of an elderly woman (who seems to be watching for her). While the Page knows her elder might not know what an iPhone and iPad are, she knows this woman is wise in deeper, more lasting ways. The woman has much to teach when it comes to inner strength, a wide and long perspective, and tenacity.

Coming from an Asian culture, I was always taught to respect my elders,

to be a better listener than a talker. ~Lisa Ling

Elasticity

From the Fey Tarot, Temperance; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Two of Spades (Old Woman):

          Elements of earth, air, fire and water surround this fey; she is an alchemist, though it's not gold she's after. Living in this world, understanding it, finding our purpose and creating relationships along the way requires balance. Her goal is to mix these elements to create a workable life of joy and meaning without causing harm to anything or anyone. All of her senses are finely tuned to detect any area that may be drifting from the middle path to an extreme. Caught early, it will require only a slight readjustment rather than a major overhaul. The Two of Spades is a card of insecurity, and I can just imagine all that this older woman has to worry about: loneliness, an aging body, finances, loss of career or social roles and lack of mental stimulation. Life is constantly filled with change, endings and beginnings. The only way to stay afloat and balanced is to flow with them and adapt as best we can.

Life requires of man spiritual elasticity, so that he may temper

his efforts to the chances that are offered. ― Viktor E. Frankl