Expect the Unexpected

From the Mythic Tarot, the Page of Wands:

This Page is illustrated with Phrixus, the son of a mortal king and a goddess (whose marriage was arranged by Zeus).  When the goddess left, the king remarried.  His new wife was jealous of Phrixus, wanting her children to be heirs of her husband's kingdom.  She plotted to have the boy killed, but Zeus and the boy's mother sent a golden ram capable of flying to take the boy to another kingdom where he found refuge.  The boy sacrificed the ram in honor of Zeus; it's fleece would later become the treasure sought by Jason and the Argonauts.  This card indicates the beginning of an adventure - not one well-planned, but one that could be described as "flying by the seat of one's pants."  Sounds like a morning to make sure I eat my Wheaties...

     From the Symbolon Deck, the "Strategist:"

A man plays with human figures on a chess board; some have been dismissed and tossed under his table.  He tries to figure out what each person's move will be in advance, and the counter-moves of others that result.  The only problem with this "game" is that humans are, well human.  We change our minds, our goals, and our behavior quite frequently, and often with no warning.  If I am going to plan for a specific scenario to happen in a particular way, I better have a Plan B (and C, D &E), because the only thing certain is the unexpected.

Vengeance is Mine?

This week I'll be using the Mythic Tarot, created by Tricia Newell with a companion book by Juliet Sharman-Burke and Liz Greene.  Today's card is the Ace of Cups:

In this card Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, is depicted as rising from the sea foam.  Most people see this card as a positive one, representing an overflowing cup of compassion.  But like Aphrodite, this ace is the raw power of love, and can be channeled into something beautiful or something terrifying.  There is a common phrase that goes, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," but that is nothing compared to the wrath one will feel when you hurt someone that woman loves.  This card reminds me that I must be aware of overwhelming emotions that stem from the affection I have for others and direct them in productive rather than destructive ways.

     The oracle I'll be using this week is the Symbolon Deck created by Peter Orban, Ingrid Zinnel, and Thea Weller.  Today's card is "The Furies:"

It's quite a coincidence that I drew this card this morning along with the Ace of Cups.  In Greek mythology, when the Titan Cronus castrated his father Uranus and threw his genitalia into the sea, the Furies were born from the drops and blood and Aphrodite from the sea foam.  The Furies were the avenging goddesses, described as having serpents twined about their waists and eyes that dripped with blood.  Though their job was to torment evil-doers, they were renowned for being fair.  Their lesson for me today is that I should not try to take retribution into my own hands, but instead allow justice to pursue its natural course.

Choose Your Direction

From the Motherpeace Tarot, the Crone (Hermit):

This Crone/Hermit has come to a crossroads; the priestess statue on the sign is based on a pre-Columbian terracotta piece from Mexico.  She's at a turning point in her life that is going to require some serious self-searching and evaluation.  Has she matured and gained wisdom on her spiritual journey?  Or is her ego the only thing that's shown growth?  Is she still teachable, or does she think she has nothing left to learn?  Such an inventory is going to require raw honesty - pats on the back from well-meaning friends will not be helpful.  Like a vision quest, this is something she must do alone.  Hopefully this retreat will bring insights, like the celestial spirit who lights up the night.  

     From the Ogham Oracle comes "Vine - Muin:"

One of the phrases associated with this ogham is "path of the voice."  Muin in the positive sense can refer to self-expression, finding and using one's voice, listening patiently, and clarity in communication.  But there is a shadow side to it as well - persuasive flattery, manipulation, deception, and concealment of the truth.  Like wine that can be produced from the grape, for some it can have a beneficial effect but for others it can be damaging and destructive.  Caution, integrity, and self-awareness are indicated by this ogham.

Maturity and Wisdom

From the Motherpeace Tarot, the Priestess (Queen) of Cups:

The queen of this suit is pictured as a mermaid, singing with a lyre in hand.  If you were to speak in detached, analytical terms about a project or relationship, she would listen politely but then ask, "And how does it make you feel?  Does it bring you joy?"  She is an emotional creature, but don't expect her to appear on some reality show and spew every feeling that moves through her all over the screen.  The whale indicates a depth of maturity in the her expression of this suit.  She's willing to dig below the surface to find out why certain people or situations trigger emotions, or why there are protective walls around a heart.  Yes, she's got more going on than wanting to be the star in a Kleenex commercial - her intuitive insight can often be surprising.

     From the Ogham Oracle, the "Yew - Idad / Idho:"

Idad has no translation in Irish, but it is usually associated with the yew tree, longevity, and transition.  The Taxus baccata is the longest living tree in Europe, with some reaching over 2000 years of age.  One characteristic that contributes to its longevity is the new shoots that grow at  the trunk's base.  These shoots combine with the trunk as they develop; when the inner trunk decays, this secondary growth forms a new tree.  I'm a firm believer that you can teach an old dog new tricks, if they're willing to learn.  Growing older hopefully means growing wiser, and sometimes that requires a transition of ideas, skills or beliefs - leaving behind what has become inadequate or ineffective and replacing it with something better.

Keys to Change

From the Motherpeace Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune:

In her book, Noble explains the idea for this wheel is based on the round zodiac of Denderah from ancient Egypt, although the Motherpeace uses goddesses from various cultures to represent the different houses.  For me, this card represents turning, movement, and change.  For months now I have felt stuck, stymied and in  a rut.  Then last night I had an epiphany of sorts - perhaps the transformation is going to have to come from within rather than outside of me.  So I will be making some changes...  Nothing too drastic, but enough to allow some fresh air, stimulation, and inspiration to come in.

     From the Ogham Oracle, "Ash - Nin / Nion"

Nin has been roughly translated as "letters" or "forked branch" (that supports the weaver's beam).  Both writing and weaving represent how I am interconnected with others and my environment.  As John Muir wrote, "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe."  During the winter, brown winged seeds called "keys" hang on the ash tree.  The key of this ogham is in remembering the web I live on, and how my actions and attitudes can change not only me, but the world I live in as well.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

From the Motherpeace Tarot, the Seven of Discs:

Looks like this woman's garden has produced quite a crop of melons, and she has another seed growing inside her that is yet to make its appearance.  The melons, while large, aren't ripe yet,  just as she is still waiting to give birth.  The fruits could end up tasting sweet or be mealy and bland; in the same way, her pregnancy could result in a healthy child or miscarriage.  The harvest and her delivery will tell the tale, and until then patience is needed.  This card reminds me not to place all my expectations on how things seem on the outside.  A woman (I don't know her name) once said, "Expectations are just premeditated resentments."  I can make plans, but if I make my happiness and fulfillment dependent on an outcome, I'm likely to be disappointed.  Sometimes life is good, sometimes not so good...  My reaction to the outcome is what will be important in the long run.

     From the Ogham Oracle, "Ivy - Gort:"

The Irish translation of gort means "field;" it is related to the Welsh word for garden, garth.  Any field or garden needs to be tended so that it doesn't become overgrown or have weeds choke it out.  I planted ivy in a few pots that I forgot about, and now it has escaped and climbed up trees and covered ground.  It seemed so harmless when I first put it out in the yard...  This ogham reminds me that I need to tend the thoughts and attitudes in my head, weeding out the harmful ones and keeping others in check so they don't grow to extreme proportions. 

An Oasis in Time

From the Motherpeace Tarot, the Nine of Cups:

Somewhere behind those willows, there are some speakers blaring Cindi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun."  This card is an example of pure, unadulterated pleasure.  Everyone needs uninhibited moments when we can relax, laugh until our cheeks ache, dance, sing at the top of our lungs, and not worry about the rest of the world for a few hours. These fun and games won't last forever, but they let my playful side out, allowing me to heal physically, mentally and emotionally.  Cutting loose will free my spirit from all the burdens I've forced it to needlessly carry.  

     From the Ogham Oracle comes "Apple - Quert / Ceirt:"

The translation of this ogham means "shrub," and one of its kennings is "dregs of clothing (rags)."  Laurie associates this with the clootie trees in Ireland and Scotland, where a piece of cloth is tied to a branch as an appeal for healing.  In Celtic tradition, the Otherworld of Avalon was known as the Isle of Apples and was the place King Arthur was taken to be healed.  This ogham's lesson is that sometimes there is a need to retreat, take a break from life, and heal.  Even if its just a small oasis of time, it will prevent me from forging ahead with self-destructive behavior, giving me an opportunity for the fog in my head to clear.