Seeds of the Past

From the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, the Wheel of Change; from the Pages of Shustah, Mammoth:

Out on the road today, I saw a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac

A little voice inside my head said, "Don't look back, you can never look back."

—Don Henley

I see a lot of posts on Facebook by people who seem to think the past was so much better than today. Psychologists have even named the cognitive biases for this: rosy retrospection (recalling the past more positively than it was actually experienced) and declinism (viewing the past more favorably and the future more negatively). Sure, some things were simpler and slower in the past, but life was also hard and distressing - for instance, having limited medical tools and knowledge. I don't agree with Henley that we should never look back, but I do think there's no going back. Mammoth shows up to tell us that we all carry seeds of our past. If we want a better present and future, it's time to take a look at them and see if they are worth cultivating or not.

Moving from Their Prime

This week I'll be using the Victorian Fairy Tarot, created by Lunaea Weatherstone with Gary A. Lippincott and published by Llewellyn (though recently republished via Kickstarter). Paired with it will be the Haindl Rune Oracle, created by Hermann Haindl and published by U.S. Games. As an additional resource, I'll be dipping into The Serpent and the Eagle by Chris Travers. Today's draws are the Wheel of Time and Ing/Ingwaz:

Whatever it is you're seeking won't come in the form you're expecting.

―Haruki Marukami

When we're down at the bottom, we look upwards, dreaming of how good things could be one day. But when life does change for the better, it rarely looks as perfect as we imagined it. And the smug fairy on top might do well to remember the words of William Watson: "all things move with all things from their prime." Life constantly shifts and changes, and while some phases may be more pleasant than others, none of them are always ideal. Ingwaz is connected to incubation and harvest. No matter where we are on the Wheel, what we plant will grow and affect other phases later on. Rather than dream or worry about what comes next, we'd be smart to focus on what we are doing now. 

But Impersonal

From the Dark Goddess Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune (Fortuna); from the Tattwa Cards, Earth: Seed of Water:

The world is vast, beautiful, and fascinating, even awe-inspiring - but impersonal. 

—Herbert A. Simon

Lorenzi-Prince writes that Fortuna is far more interested in change than fairness. It is simply how the world functions in order to sustain itself. Those who are adaptable can deal with the difficult until the wheel rolls over again. When things are great, we can enjoy them fully with the knowledge that these times won't last. Earth: Seed of Water symbolizes boldness and change, however we before we try a different approach, we need to assess why things went sideways previously. Part of that change may be that we need to let go of ideas like "It must be this way. It should be this way." Instead, we can choose an appropriate and beneficial response to the way things are.

A Reminder

From the Tarot of the Master, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Albus (white):

Reminding myself that life is not personal, permanent, or perfect has kept me from falling into sinkholes of despair and destroying rooms with rage. It invites me to pause and turn inward.

—Ruth King

Sometimes we reap a harvest for our actions or inaction, but often life just unfolds in unexpected ways because it is a constantly changing flow. There are times we get inundated with a flood while other times we delight in a babbling brook. Ruth King's reminder that it is not personal, permanent or perfect is wisdom to live by. Albus (white) represents "the bearded one" in some traditions, symbolizing a purity of wisdom that leads to clarity. It might suggest that in times of change, we should move to the hub or our center - to hold onto what is truly important and trust our spiritual compass.

Ever-shifting Kaleidoscope

From the World Spirit Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Mystic Glyphs, Lizard:

Life is like an ever-shifting kaleidoscope — a slight change, and all patterns and configurations alter.

—Sharon Salzberg

Change is afoot. Well, actually it's always in progress, we just usually don't notice it unless it's something that affects us directly. The Wheel is generally a sign of positive change, even if it is a little worrisome because it's something new and unknown. It may be tempting to respond to it in a habitual way, but Lizard's message is to step out of our ruts. We can't solve an old problem with worn-out solutions that we've tried over and over again. Neither should we expect to greet new opportunities or situations with 'tried and true' responses. If we pay attention to what's actually happening (rather than riding our assumptions), our intuition and wisdom can guide us.

Our Turn

From the Alchemical Renewed Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Empathy (Moon in Pisces):

I've seen fire and I've seen rain

I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end

I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend

But I always thought that I'd see you again

—James Taylor

The Buddhists call their Wheel the Wheel of Suffering - not because life is awful, but because we fail to grasp the impermanence of it. When things are going great, we suffer when they change; when things are difficult, we suffer because we think they won't change or won't change soon enough. It takes stepping into the hub of the wheel to see that everything is always in flux, and that it's not personal but a natural part of existence. Empathy is the ability to tap into and feel what someone else is going through, both their highs and their lows. As Mohsin Hamid put it, "Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself." This is a healthy exercise, not only for cultivating compassion, but also to remind us that whether we're atop the wheel or below it, it's just our turn to be 'it.'

 

It Happens

From the Out of Hand Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Seashells Playing Cards, Keyhole Limpets:

Life is something that happens to you while you're making other plans. 

―Margaret Millar

We are currently having to replace the storm drainage system in our city to prevent constant flooding when there are heavy rains. The main area of construction this past year has been downtown, the section where the hospital and many doctor offices are. Lately, there are days when I understand this fellow's frustration of having plans to get somewhere important and on time, then having them upturned. No matter how well we plan, life happens, putting things into play beyond our control. The conical shape and low profile of the Keyhole Limpet allows this sea snail to withstand waves that smash against the rocks to which they attach themselves. Humans tend to expect life to bend for them, but we are the ones who must shape our attitude to it by learning to respond rather than react. 

Time Will Turn Things

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Secret Language of Color Cards, Cherry:

Life is simple, it's either cherry red or midnight blue. 

―Lou Gramm

Peacocks and snakes are natural enemies; snakes eat the birds' eggs and fledglings, and the peacock will kill and eat the snakes to protect them. Likewise, the Wheel of Life constantly shifts fortunes and the holders of power. No one stays at the top or bottom forever, as change - though sometimes incremental - happens daily. I've been caring for an older, sick cat, a very ill husband, and a daughter with a neck injury. I'm ready to rest, but life requires that I hang in there a bit longer. The Cherry card exhorts us to "Live an extraordinary life." The problem comes in thinking that we should always get the sweet fruit and not have to deal with the pits in life, which is unrealistic. The extraordinary part comes when we aren't consumed by our aversion or craving for whichever one we receive. Time will turn the Wheel.

A Privilege

From the Tarot of Durer, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Philosopher's Stone deck, Depth:

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.

―Marcus Aurelius

The Wheel of life is constantly in motion, creating ongoing change. No amount of wishing or begging will make it otherwise. The phrase "seize the day" on this card reminds us to take each day as it comes, making the most of it. We might have a boring day and feel restless followed by a day of dealing with a crisis. We might have a pleasant, lazy day followed by a day of friendship and laughter. Things change. The Depth card reminds us to look deeper, especially when life doesn't roll along according to our preferences. We can get fixated on the one thing that we desire or want to be different and forget the other good around us. 

Whatever we fixate upon limits us because fixation makes us dependent upon something other than ourselves. Each time we let go of something, we experience another level of freedom.

―Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche

Resisting Change

From the Middle Way Arcana, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Vertical Oracle, Zero Point:

The fact that impermanence and change govern our lives might seem obvious. It is less obvious that much of the confusion and anxiety we experience in our everyday lives comes from resisting change.

~David Nichtern

The Buddhist Wheel of Life shows six realms which illustrate how we relate to life and how such patterns can cause us misery. In the God Realm, there is blissful self-absorption, but also a niggling worry that things won't stay as good as they are now. In the Jealous Gods Realm, things are good but not as great as some have it, thus there is envy and constant comparison. In the Human Realm, our portions of pain and pleasure are driven by a longing for certainty. In the Animal Realm, rigid and defensive behaviors are an attempt to avoid all pain and discomfort. In the Hungry Ghost Realm, there is an addictive drive to fill an emptiness within us and find contentment. In the Hell Realm, anger and rage are the lens through which all of life is seen. Zero-point energy in quantum physics is the energy that remains when all other energy is removed from a system. In this case, it suggests we let go of our our struggle to force life into a form that we prefer. Instead, we can learn to relate to life with acceptance and adaptation; then our focus will be on flourishing rather than fighting.

Three Keys of the Wheel

From the Hezicos Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Way of the Horse Oracle, Transformation:

Griffin's Wheel is surrounded by the four elements of air, earth, fire, and water - representing the power of the mind/communication, the power of the physical/material, the power of passion/creativity, and the power of emotions/relationships. These powers impact our lives externally, and in turn, our personal relationship to them has its own effect. An infinite multitude of causes and effects keeps that Wheel turning, creating change. The Transformation card symbolizes the ability to relinquish restrictive beliefs and rigid patterns that keep us from freedom and joy through our ups and downs. Ken McLeod offers four keys that may help in this regard:

• Stop seeking security (relax and open to the fullness of life; there is no lasting stability or permanence).
•  Let go of expectations for emotional fulfillment (stop wanting people to be someone other than they are).
• Recognize that you are not an entity (without the burden of a fixed identity, you are free to respond naturally and appropriately to any situation you encounter).

Riding the Wheel

From the Urban Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Principles to Live By, Forgiveness:

The neurotic is nailed to the cross of his fiction.

~Alfred Adler

Just when we think we can't endure another thing, our fortunes change. Then weeks later, when we think life couldn't get any better, it goes into a tailspin. Do we blame the universe for the hardships we face and claim the glory of any good fortune? Our choices and actions can influence a lot of our luck, but sometimes we have absolutely no control over the roll of the dice. How do we deal with riding on this Wheel without becoming neurotic? Acceptance, adaptation and an appropriate response help. It's also beneficial if we can let go of any anger, whether it's directed at ourselves or the ebb and flow of life. The quote for Forgiveness cautions us what will happen otherwise: "The present is endlessly overwhelmed and devoured by the past" (Lance Morrow).

It's Messy

From the Wild Unknown Tarot, the Wheel of Change; from the Pictish Oracle, the Snake:

This Wheel of Fortune made me smile, because it is just as messy as real life. Rarely are things crystal clear; we think we're making progress only to find we're headed in the wrong direction. Yet there is change for the better too, which allows us an optimistic view of the sunny side of things. The Snake in Celtic lore had a mixed message. On one hand it instilled fear with its ability to strike quickly. Yet the ability to shed its skin also offered the alternative meaning of healing. Basically, the snake was seen as a symbol of unpredictability (just like our journey on this planet). 

Often the most unexpected, unpredictable moments in life are the ones that leave the biggest impression and that teach us to roll with the punches. ~Natalya Neidhart

Thinking Update

From the Fey Tarot, the Wheel (of Fortune); from the I Misteri della Sibilla, Merchant (King of Diamonds):

Two Fey sit and work on a spiral, the younger focused more on building in the center while the elder's attention is more on removing items on the outer arc. It is the older fey who has the wider perspective, who is able to see how things come and go, how things constantly change. She knows this is the natural order of life, so she doesn't get in a twist over unexpected turns. The Sibilla's Merchant repeats this cycle through buying and selling. As a business man, he is very connected to the ebb and flow of things, sometimes operating in the red and other times in the black. He knows it is insanity to expect things outside of us to meet any requirements or assumptions. As Peter Drucker stated, “The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence – it is to act with yesterday’s logic.”

Change and Effort

From the Legacy of the Divine Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Tea Leaf Reading Cards, Sword:

These two cards, one representing change and the other discernment, made me think of the phrase that I and others have uttered often lately: "When will I get a break!" The problem is not that things don't change - life is a constant ebb and flow, a movement of losing and receiving - but that we want our situation to be stuck in a way that pleases us all the time. The irony is that even when things are good (say we get a new car), we still worry and get angry (as when someone dings that car at the grocery store). Life is a constant effort, from the time we are born and learn to walk to our later years when we must navigate the process of aging. Yet at the center of life's wheel of change is a hub that keeps us from feeling like we're spinning out of control. It is our connection to the Ground of Being (to use the words of Paul Tillich) which we can tap into through the spiritual practices and rituals that have meaning for us.

Web of Connections

From the Albano-Waite Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Rumi Cards, 'You'll only enjoy the city:'

I am inextricably woven into an ever-changing web of connections.

—Lauren Krauze

Krauze makes a good point - because we are interconnected, when things change elsewhere, it naturally has an impact on other places and people. Pema Chodron often talks about groundlessness, that feeling of limbo when the foundation of our lives shift and we can find no certainty or security. Our habitual patterns get upended, and we realize the false sense of protection they provided. Chodron suggests that instead of freaking out, we might attempt to stay in the present moment, giving it our full, compassionate attention without weaving a story around it. This direct experience, free of judgment and interpretation, helps us find equanimity in the midst of change. Rumi's card suggests that we can better learn to appreciate things when the Wheel spins us away from our comforts and pleasures. When we ride it around again, things can seem much clearer and sweeter. (Unless we think it's permanent!) 

Adjusting Our Sails

This week I'll be using the Deirdre of the Sorrows Tarot, a self-published set created by Deirdre O'Donoghue and illustrated by Wayne McGuire. Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Victorian Flower Oracle, created by Alex Ukolov, Karen Mahony and Sheila Hamilton; it was published by Magic Realist Press. Today's draws are the Wheel of Fortune and Tulip:

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails. ~William Arthur Ward

          Watched over by Anubis, the jackal-headed Egyptian god, a blindfolded woman turns the wheel of life. While humans can create change, much of what occurs in our lives is pure happenstance. We may be in the right place at the right time or vice versa. But the treasure to be found in a world of impermanence is the ability to adjust to change - without clinging to what we like or wailing at what we don't but rather accepting and dealing with it. Tulip suggests that there will be a turning toward prosperity or well-being, a welcome respite for the weary. But perhaps the words of Og Mandino should be taken to heart: "I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars." Wisdom and compassion are those stars.

Choosing Freedom

This week I'll be using the Scrying Poetry Tarot, created and self-published by Julianne Victoria. Major arcana cards are haiku, court cards are limericks, and minor arcana are free verse. The other deck I'll be drawing from is the Tapestry Oracle, created and self-published by Kendall Eifler. Today's draws are the Wheel of Fortune and Energy:

One of the finest results of meditation is the increased gap between stimulus and response. That gap before I react gives me time to notice my habitual patterns and sometimes even decide whether to stay a slave to them or break loose. —Brent R. Oliver

          The Wheel's haiku alludes to karma, a concept the West has twisted into something that resembles a system of rewards and punishments. Yet it actually refers to habitual patterns that are created by the intentional choices we make. Once we take an action, we can reflexively repeat it over and over again if we do not bring awareness to the motives driving us. Who hasn't heard someone complain, "Why do I always get involved with the same kind of person?" or "I always end up with difficult co-workers." While there may be outer causes and conditions that are in play, the real key is our own intentional actions (thoughts, words and behavior). The card Energy relates to this as well. Some people seem to seek out emotional chaos while others engage in risky behaviors. Although these patterns might supply us with an adrenaline rush, they soon leave us feeling worse than we did before. So what do we do? We step back into our rut and repeat the same behavior. Yet there is a chance we'll get tired of the merry-go-round we're on and become willing to remain in our discomfort rather than reflexively react as usual. That's the first step to freedom.

Turn of Events

From the Brady Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Holitzka I Ching, Hexagram 64:

We have to surrender to reality. ~Sharon Salzberg

          Pollack describes the Wheel as a 'turn of events.' Being a part of the web of life means things are constantly changing. We usually react to these turns in three ways: we find them pleasant and grasp them tightly to make things stay this way; we find things unpleasant and attempt to fight or flee; or, we're ignorant of what's going on with a bag over our heads. The 61st hexagram is given the title of 'inner truth' and implies that we should know ourselves well enough (our preferences and prejudices) to be aware of how we feel about certain changes. Without such knowledge, we are chained to our likes and dislikes and have no freedom to act without distorting reality. Discernment might not be able to create the world we want, but it will better equip us to deal with the world we have.

Inner Responsibility

This week I'll be using the Cosmic Cycles Tarot, co-created and self-published by Martina Razo (author) and Miriam E.G. (illustrator). Paired with it will be Stasia Burrington's self-published deck, Magic Neko. Today's draws are the Wheel of Fortune and the Seven of Hearts:

When we understand that karma is based on volition, we can see the enormous responsibility we have to become conscious of the intentions that precede our actions.

—Joseph Goldstein

          Karma is neutral like gravity; both Hitler and Gandhi could walk off a ten-story building and they'd both go splat when they hit the ground. Humans, of course, judge karma to be good or bad based on the fall-out from their actions. They don't realize that their intentions create a response, which may be skillful or unskillful, and that response will trigger a reaction or consequence. This young girl has won some tickets that she thinks will change her fate. Sorry chickadee, but you'd be better off looking at your habitual patterns and making some different choices if you want something more than a temporary fix. The Seven of Hearts is associated with open-heartedness, a needed quality to embrace when we actually see how our pattern of choices has created much of our reality. There is no need for self-pity or self-flagellation, but self-compassion would be of benefit. The seed of happiness grows within us, and it can be nurtured each moment regardless of whatever else is happening.