Loose the Fireflies

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Nine of Swords; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Uruz:

Thoughts were zipping around my head like fireflies in a jar, bumping into each other, blinking on and off. ―Cameron West

Whip-poor-wills spend the day sitting motionless, becoming active only at dusk. Then they chase and eat insects like moths. These nocturnal birds have LOUD, distinctive voices. They are a fitting symbol for our restlessness and racing thoughts at night - it's hard to ignore them. We worry about what might occur, plan what we want to happen and rehash what we've already experienced. The irony is that none of those things are happening now. Uruz is a rune represented by the aurochs, a great beast similar to the modern-day bison. It suggests we find stability of mind by grounding ourselves in what is concrete, such as a body scan or diaphragmatic breathing. 

Self-Inflicted

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Two of Arrows (Swords); from the Rune Cards, Aurochs (Uruz):

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.

—Viktor Frankl

There is a children's book called, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" by Judith Viorst. That title sums up my day so far. However, the Two of Swords/Arrows reminds me that I can choose differently. In the Buddhist parable of the "Two Arrows," the first arrow is the one that strikes us all - pain, misfortune and hardships. But the second arrow (our reaction to these things) - anger, self-pity, fear, rumination - is optional. That second arrow is self-inflicted. Uruz is the rune of the aurochs, an ancient beast similar to the bison, and symbolizes primal power and determination. This rune encourages us to reclaim our ability to choose beneficial thoughts to focus on. Pause, breathe and reset.

Crossing the Finish Line

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Chariot; from the Cedar Runes, Uruz:

Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live in.

—Jim Rohn

Moore envisions this Chariot driver as Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. By focusing on intent and will, obstacles can be overcome and triumph ours. But while self-confidence is grand, it must be paired with self-discipline as well. Uruz represents the aurochs, an ancient wild ox. It symbolizes strength, endurance and health. I've been stuck in a chair dealing with an intense situation for three days from sun-up to sun-down (not by choice). I've got a lot of arthritis in my lower back, and sitting with little movement locks joints up and causes intense pain. But today, I've been given an unexpected reprieve - a day off. While I'd love to lie in the bed, I think a visit to the chiropractor is in order if I'm going to make it through the next two weeks and cross the finish line. Discipline it is.

Emotional Tethers

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the King of Cups; from the Cedar Runes, Uruz:

You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.

—Timber Hawkeye

The King of Cups is the calm in the storm, modeling and guiding others with steady patience and composure. I can imagine the male seahorse, with his pouch full of incubating babies, telling the King of his worries for these young ones when they hatch. The King would likely tell the seahorse that risks and challenges are a part of life that help us mature and develop wisdom. But everyone needs an emotional anchor when the waves get rough, and and that tether will be different for all. The rune Uruz is based on a primordial wild ox. It suggest endurance and strength will be needed in our endeavors. In the case of an emotional anchor, it may be best not to tie ourselves to a person, but to our own spiritual practices that provide us with resilience.

Goodbye to the Familiar

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Six of Winter (Swords); from the Haindl Rune Cards, Uruz:

The world is full of people who have never, since childhood, met an open doorway with an open mind.

―E. B. White

These fairies have grown tired of the quarreling and sniping among their community. It can be hard to be a part of a group where no one listens to anyone but themselves and thinks their ideas and experiences are the only legitimate ones. It can be even harder to leave behind that association when one has a long history there. Here in the U.S., churches affiliated with the Southern Baptists are leaving because of their refusal to allow women as pastors. The United Methodists have fundamentalist groups splintering off because they disagree with their compassionate LGBT views. Uruz represents the aurochs, an extinct species of wild oxen that stood six feet tall at the shoulder, weighed more than 3,000 pounds, and had horns that measured 4.5 feet from tip to tip. It is easy to see why this rune is associated with strength, endurance and courage. As Raymond Lindquist wrote, "Courage is the power to let go of the familiar." Sometimes it's the only way to find or create something different and better.

Be Bold

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Page of Wands; from the Rune Cards, 'Aurochs/Uruz:'

          Watching a stoat hunt is like watching an animal that has chugged a few too many energy drinks. Even when standing still, peeking over the grass, its body thrums with energy and excitement. The stoat will climb trees or dive down tunnels in search of food, and it can easily take down animals five times its size. When a rabbit chase doesn't make much progress, the stoat will do what looks like break-dancing. Its prey can be so transfixed by this 'dance' that it doesn't realize the stoat has edged closer until it is too late. The Page is much like this animal with his sense of adventure and eagerness. It is useless to tell him that he is too young or inexperienced to do anything. He thrives on what is new and exciting. The Aurochs/Uruz rune poem tells of an extinct ox-like animal that it describes as "a creature of mettle" among the moors. This rune's message is one of courage and assertiveness - a perfect fit for the Page.

Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.

The fearful are caught as often as the bold. ~Helen Keller

Stormy Thoughts

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Nine of Swords; from the Cedar Runes, 'Uruz:'

          The vortex of a storm swirls, and birds circle as if they were vultures looking for a meal. The storm and birds are symbols of this fellow's anxiety and fear of the future. The swords tattooed across his chest represent all the bad decisions he has made, and his guilt consumes him to the point of being incapable of action. Uruz has two meanings: the Anglo-Saxon poem speaks of the strength of huge oxen and the Norwegian poem tells of the slag that can make iron impure. Together these draws suggest looking at our assets (ox) and our liabilities (slag) when life goes sideways. If we only focus on our mistakes, we miss recognizing the resources and strengths we have to help ourselves regain our footing. Accepting and being aware of both the sides of ourselves can allow us to make better choices.

Our Greatest Strength

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Moon; from the Haindl Rune Oracle, 'Ur/Uruz:'

          Twas the night of Winter Solstice and all through the garden, fairies dreamed while luna moths fluttered under the light of the moon. I spent most of the solstice night awake even after a cup of chamomile tea and a couple of melatonin. Just as the unconscious comes out in my dreams, it can also peek out in sheer exhaustion. My 'follow the rules,' rational brain will let the reins slip, allowing that shadowy horse to take off at a gallop. I've been trained by belt and cruelty not to cry, and even though I now know it's healthy, it's still hard for me. But my heart has been full lately, tender and raw from witnessing the suffering of others. And so on the darkest night of the year as I lay sleepless, I cried those tears I've been carefully holding in. The rune Ur/Uruz is translated as 'great ox,' and it implies great strength. I know intellectually that inner strength has nothing to do with outer toughness, yet my heart is still hesitant at times to take off its armor and be vulnerable. Perhaps tonight I will whisper Rumi's words to myself as I fall asleep: "Our greatest strength lies in the gentleness and tenderness of our heart."

The Cost of Freedom

From the Tarot of Timeless Truth, the Tower; from the Rune Cards, "Ur/Uruz:"

          Of the message from Tower Vey writes, "that which I destroy is most often oppressive, for people become trapped in the reality they create and slowly die inside as they mechanically go through the motions of surviving." When life gives me plenty of whacks, one right after the other, I want to be like the butterfly cocooned in its chrysalis or the chick enclosed in its egg shell. And there's nothing wrong with needing that rest and reprieve, as long as I understand it's only temporary. But my fear can strangle the part of me that loves freedom. Even the butterfly and chick break out once they've gotten stronger, when they are able to survive on the outside. When I refuse to come out of hiding and continue to cling to my delusions, the Tower can be the result.
          The Anglo-Saxon rune poem for Uruz reads:

The aurochs is proud and has great horns;

it is a very savage beast and fights with its horns;

a great ranger of the moors, it is a creature of mettle. 

As a child I was taught to fight with my fists (and rewarded with praise for winning my battles). And though this wild ox can represent strength in this sense, Uruz for me symbolizes the power of a spiritual warrior. Chögyam Trungpa writes, "The essence of warriorship, or the essence of human bravery, is refusing to give up on anyone or anything." He explains: "Real fearlessness is the product of tenderness. It comes from letting the world tickle your heart, your raw and beautiful heart. You are willing to open up, without resistance or shyness, and face the world." We all have this fearless warrior inside, not one who attacks but one who allows. 

TAROT PINK

Just a heads-up: Tarot Pink has 15 days left and is 62% funded. The collaborators have said this deck will be published regardless of whether it is fully funded or not. However, the deck will cost more for those who buy it later.

Cycle of Hurt and Revenge

   From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Three of Swords:

Those things that hurt, instruct. ~ Benjamin Franklin

The image on this card never fails to make me wince.  The swords piercing the swan symbolize words, events, or ideas that have caused pain.  When I'm the recipient of such sorrow, I feel the victim, but when I am the instigator of it, I feel a sense of justice - like I have righted a wrong.  Looking at it objectively, I can see being in either role only creates an endless cycle of hurt and desire for revenge.  But what if I choose to step out of the equation?  What if I can distance myself from the emotion and see the truth for what it is?  Then there will be no more victim or judge, and the swan will transform itself into a phoenix.

     From the set of cedar runes comes "Uruz:"

The aurochs is proud and has great horns;

it is a very savage beast and fights with its horns;
a great ranger of the moors, it is a creature of mettle.
Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem

The rune Uruz is often considered to mean "aurochs," a now extinct type of wild ox.  It was known for its strength and power, fearlessness, and willingness to meet challenges head-on.  This rune reminds me that I too have great power within:  I can choose to use it to harm or to heal, to be aggressive or to be protective.  And the results of those choices will be very different...