Intuitive Communication

This week I'll be using the Sun and Moon Tarot, created by Vanessa Decort and published by U.S. Games. The oracle I'll be using is a wooden set of Animal Tiles, hand pyro-etched by my multi-talented friend Carole Beasley. Today's draws are the Princess (Page) of Cups and Wolf:

Intuition doesn’t tell you what you want to hear; it tells you what you need to hear.

—Sonia Choquette

The Princess/Page of Cups is gentle and compassionate with dreamy ideals - namely, that all beings should treat each other with kindness and sensitivity. Not yet hardened by life or constrained by what others believe as true, she trusts her intuition completely and follows through on its message. The Wolf represents loyalty, family ties and communication. I'll be leaving tomorrow to celebrate for several days with my cousins, as it will be my mom's 87th birthday. It's been a long time since we've gathered, and I'm reminded by these draws to pay attention to my intuition before I open my mouth (especially in the areas of politics or religion). My focus needs to be on honoring my mom and enjoying my time with her, not intellectual swordsmanship with my family.

An Essential Part

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Wild Herdsman (Devil); from the Beasts of Albion, the Wolf:

Oscar Wilde wrote: "We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell." I suppose on some level the early Celts recognized this, so they had no need of a Devil in their mythology. Instead, they had the Wild Herdsman (aka the Horned God) who saw it as his sacred duty to protect the natural world from those who would abuse it. Of course those who did were humankind, and it only got worse when religion underscored the belief that humans were given dominion over the earth. The Wolf was the longest surviving large predator in Britain, yet the Celts looked on this wild animal favorably. Merlin, Cormac, Brigid and Cernunnos were all said to have a wolf as a close companion. As a result, the wolf came to symbolize companionship and cooperation. It's appearance suggest we see all of creation (not just humans) as family, recognizing they are an essential part of us.

For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it. —Jacques-Yves Cousteau

The Art of Asking for Help

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Nine of Trees (Wands); from the Animal Tiles, Wolf:

This Nine of Wands illustrates the myth of Inanna who planted a tree on earth in hopes of having a throne and bed one day. But as the tree grew, other beings invaded it. Along came a human hero who cut down the tree and carved a throne and bed for her from it. As the book points out, if we try to see the world as only joy and light, our perception becomes distorted. We must take responsibility and make the effort to stand up for what we need. Of all the members of the genus Canis, the Wolf,  is most specialized for cooperative group hunting. Social animals, its pack consists of a mated pair and their offspring. Wolf is a reminder that it's smart and beneficial to allow others to help us, as long as we don't saddle them with all the work. 

It is an art to know how much responsibility to take on yourself and how much to direct to each of the people you are working with so that each person feels challenged but not overwhelmed.

~Judy Lief

Now is the Time

This week I'll be using the Wild Unknown Tarot, orignially created and self-published by Kim Krans, but now published by HarperOne. I'll also be using the Pictish Oracle, created by myself and brought to life in 3-D form by an Etsy craftswoman. Today's draws are the Devil and Wolf:

The quality of our life is determined by our mind’s response to the circumstances of our life. It is not determined directly by the circumstances.

—Yoshin David Radin

          What do we do when, metaphorically speaking, our feet are in the fire? How do we handle a tsunami-sized wave of stress and anxiety that is related to external situations beyond our control? Intense emotions often result in binges of some kind, whether food, sleep, shopping or alcohol. While these actions offer a temporary distraction, they are neither beneficial nor healthy for an extended period of time. For the Picts, the wolf represented a marauder who took their livestock and presented a danger to night travelers. It symbolizes a predator, especially to the unwary. Both these draws suggest a need for a consistent spiritual practice that can help ground us when circumstances pull the rug out from beneath us. Now is the time for starting, however. As Rick Hanson said, "When the storm comes, you're left with what's already inside you."

Need Saving?

From the Wild Unknown Tarot, the Hierophant; from the Pictish Oracle, Wolf:

          Crows are great watch dogs; any human or animal that crosses into their territory will start a group cawing loudly. But used with the Hierophant, I am reminded of the soap box preachers that stand on the street corners yelling that they have the key to life. What they often offer is not hope but fear, not love but hatred. Congregate enough of their followers together, and they can make it seem as if the world is going to end unless we follow their directives. And that kind of fear can be both contagious and dangerous. Which leads to Wolf, an animal seen by the Picts as a marauder who attacked and killed livestock and night travelers. They had no romanticized view of a pack and saw them realistically as a threat. Both these draws remind me of how easy it is to take advantage of people who are in a vulnerable place (especially emotionally), and how easily and willingly we lay our heads in the jaws of those who claim to be our savior.

Crossing Into New Territory

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Five of Wands; from the Druid Animal Oracle, "Wolf:"

          These young boys look like they're having a bit of competitive fun, even if a few knuckles get rapped. But no one is carrying a knife, spear or bow - they're all playing by the same rules. The companion book calls this "creative conflict." Though they might not agree on how to so something, they all have the same objective. The chicken scratching the ground reminded me of the dust baths they take. They loosen up the dirt then throw it all over themselves, getting as dirty as possible. But once covered, they shake it off. Which is good advice if my idea doesn't get chosen; no need to cop a resentment if we're all working toward the same goal.
          The wolf, like other wild, large mammals, has had humans encroaching on its territory for many years. Forests mean nothing if there is a dollar to be made and a Walmart to be erected. Perhaps that is why the booklet suggests the wolf represents going beyond normal limits in order to learn and grow. There is always fear in crossing lines that have never been crossed. But such a risk might help get that creative project off the ground.

Riding Off Into the Sunset - Or Not

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Knight of Cups:

 Ferguson's knight rides out of the crashing surf on a white horse with his cape billowing behind him. It doesn't get much more romantic than that; it reminds me of the paintings of chivalrous knights rescuing maidens in distress, like the one above by Frank Dicksee. And while it's nice of these guys to help out in such dramatic ways, I think the most romantic part of love is when your partner sticks it out for the day-to-day dramas. For instance, those days when the toilet is overflowing, the cats are hacking up hairballs, and the central air unit has gone out (with temperatures projected to be in the high 90's). Now that's what I'd really like to see these knights tackle. I am reminded by the Knight of Cups the real heroes are the ones who deal with the ups and downs of reality without looking to escape by jumping on their horses and riding off to something more fun or exciting.

From the Beasts of Albion, the "Wolf:"

Gray's meanings behind the wolf include a mentor, cooperative partner and companion. In the small family packs of wolves, each has a role to play and tasks to perform. In our family, I tend to be the one who uses the power tools to build or fix what is broken; we each do what we're good at doing, but no one has to do it all. However there are situations when one of us may have to take on the lion's share, if only temporarily. Our roles may change as life changes, and if we're going to continue to be a functioning, cohesive unit, we must adapt as well.

Attitudes and Listening Skills

The card pulled today from the Shining Tribe Tarot is the Ten of Rivers (Ten of Cups):

This image reminded me of Kathy Mattea's song "Standing Knee Deep in a River Dying of Thirst," not because it illustrates those lyrics, but because it is the complete opposite of them.  These people celebrate what is in their lives - their home, each other, and all of nature that surrounds them.  They are appreciative of all they have, and don't compare themselves to others or dwell on the "what ifs" or "should haves."  I know without a doubt that when I am in a place of gratitude, I am content and happy.  Life is brighter and my challenges seem lighter.  An attitude adjustment makes all the difference.

     From the wooden animal tiles today comes the "Wolf:"

Scientists today believe most of the wolf packs are nuclear families, consisting of a mother, father, and several litters of pups.  The parents teach their offspring how to hunt and survive; then when pups reach the age of about 2, they move on to start families of their own.  Compared to hunting dogs, their sense of smell is relatively weak, yet their sense of hearing is so sharp they are able to detect the fall of a leaf in autumn.  Wolf reminds me that no matter how many books I read, there are others who have more life experience than I do.  It is in my best interest to listen to their wisdom and learn from it.