Impermanence and Orange Tans

This week I'll be using Tarot in de Herstelde Orde (Restored Order Tarot) created by Rob Docters van Leeuwen & Onno Docters van Leeuwen and published by Servire. The other deck I'll be using this week is the Oracle of the Kabbalah created by Richard Seidman and published by St. Martin's Press. Hebrew artwork is by Adam Rhine (not from the oracle cards). Today's draws are the Wheel of Fortune (also called The World by the creators) and Tzadi:

          The creators of this deck use the world as the Wheel, which makes sense considering it is because of our physicality that everything is constantly changing. All the fixed signs of the zodiac have books, implying that hopefully every trip around the sun we'll be learning useful information instead of making the same mistakes over and over. The Hebrew letter Tzadi is the root for the words 'just,' 'honest' and 'fair.' Perhaps that is what is in the books the figures hold, with aphorisms like "Honesty is the best policy," and "Cheaters never prosper." But a look at men like Donald Trump might make me question this philosophy. He reeks of prosperity and has a habit of telling people whatever they want to hear, regardless of whether it is true or not. Yet underneath his orange sprayed-on tan, is he really happy and content? I would guess not, which may be what the real lesson is about living. According to Jewish tradition, every generation has thirty-six Tzaddikim (Righteous Ones) hidden among humanity who hold the world together. I hope one of them is watching over the U.S. election next month.

Are We There Yet?

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Four of Cups; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, "Tzadi:"

          Hey buddy, I understand your sense of dissatisfaction with life. I've got several situations going on that are hard to deal with, and nothing seems to be getting better. It does make you want to give up. But that tree your sitting under is shedding its leaves, meaning autumn has arrived. The seasons are changing and your situation will too. I know sometimes waiting on the change to come is like watching the grass grow - an excruciatingly, slow process. But it is there, hovering close by.
          But here's an idea to think about while you wait: tzadi. Its root (denoting kindness and integrity) makes up the word tzaddik, a person who sustains the universe through virtue and good deeds. Jewish tradition says that every generation has 36 such people who humbly perform beneficial deeds in secret. They can lighten hearts with a smile, an encouraging word or act of kindness. The lemon (half yellow, half green) on Applegate's illustration made me think of a neighbor's tree. I thought for a long time it was a lime tree because the fruits stayed green for so long (hidden). A lemon slice can add zest and flavor to a bland glass of water, similar to the tzaddik's actions. So instead of doing an Eeyore impression while you wait for change, maybe you can focus on adding a slice of sunshine to someone else's life.