Open Wider, Please

From the Vision Quest, the Seven of Air (Swords):

Because this deck is based on Thoth-type meanings, this card is subtitled "futility." Instead of action and decision-making (which is needed), the Seven of Air represents passivity and apathy. I can relate to thinking and feeling this way, especially when it doesn't seem like what I'm doing is making a difference. I sit in my self-pity while I point at that broken spear tip and sing:

Gloom, despair, and agony on me
Deep, dark depression, excessive misery
If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all
Gloom, despair, and agony on me
(Roy Clark and Buck Owens)

Instead of singing, I need to shed the "poor me" mentality and take responsibility for my life. No knight is going to rescue me, so I might as well start working on a new spear head.

From the Bird Cards this morning was drawn the "Pelican:"

A funny old bird is a pelican. His beak can hold more than his bellican.

~ D.L. Merritt

The Pelican has been associated with attachment in this deck. But it can involve more than being attached to the constancy of people and things in my life. It may also refer to rigid thinking - I believe a situation should be resolved in a certain way. I can imagine no possible deviation from the solution I've decided will fix the problem. The Pelican reminds me it may be time to open my mind wider to incorporate other options and answers.

Do I Need to Draw You a Picture?

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Six of Air (Swords):

A Native American medicine shield, such as shown in this image, is different from a battle shield. This is a personal mandala of sorts, with visual symbols that represent the spiritual strengths, gifts and intentions of its owner. It is a reminder of who he is and his purpose. As I thought about this card, the phrase, "Do I need to draw you a picture?" came to mind. I am a visual person, and sometimes I have to create through writing, drawing or other outlets to see clearly who I am, what I desire, and what I want to do with my life. If I don't know myself, how can I possibly communicate this to others? I need a way to find clarity, which is why I have been thinking about doing a few of the exercises in a book I discovered in our clean-out the other day - The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Perhaps her Morning Pages and Artist Dates might be helpful in my quest.

From the Bird Cards deck this morning comes the "Bluebird of Happiness:"

Well geez, it doesn't get more positive than this, does it? The creator of this deck suggests that drawing this card is like a "bubble of joy" that is trying to rise to the top. And here I was thinking it was just a bad case of indigestion. :) But to be honest, I usually do feel restless and agitated when I need to change my course, do something differently or begin something new. Well if I want change to happen, I suppose I better get cracking.

Tenacity with a Little TNT

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Son of Earth (Knight of Pentacles):

The creator of the Vision Quest suggests this young man has wisely invested his energy to produce something worthwhile. The Son (or Knight) of this suit may seem quite boring to some folks, but they sure do love the results of his labor. Like the postman, he plods on through rain, snow, sleet or hail (which may be translated as mind-numbing monotony, exhaustion, lack of encouragement, and an avoidance of distractions). While his tenacity might not rate as exciting as a fireworks display, what he creates will most definitely be appreciated and acknowledged.

The bird drawn from the Bird Cards today is the "Shrike:"

The shrike is also known as the butcher bird, because it impales its prey on thorns or barbed wire to kill it. It's not surprising to learn the energy of this bird is rather harsh and formidable, though it can be beneficial if employed wisely. What happens if (like the fellow above) you encounter a block to your progress, especially one that serves no purpose? It could be that someone has convinced you that what you're doing is useless or hopeless. It may be you've become distracted from your goal by a new plaything. The shrike is the TNT that helps us move beyond those obstacles and continue toward our objective.

Dead Meat

This week I'll be using the Vision Quest Tarot, created by Gayan S. Winter and Jo Dose and published by AG Muller. Today's card is the Ten of Air (Swords):

We have turkey vultures here in my area; they are one of the few birds who have a strong sense of smell. High above the treetops, they can circle and pick up the smell of a gas given off by dead animals. Winter connects this card to negative thinking, and explains how we can create mind-loops of thoughts that keep us feeling fearful, frustrated and overwhelmed. For some strange reason the image of Lady Gaga in her meat dress came to mind. Is that what I'm like as I walk around replaying old, worn-out beliefs and stories in my head? Are those destructive thoughts the dead meat I adorn myself with?

The oracle deck I'll be using this week is the Bird Cards deck and book set created by Jane Toerien and Joyce van Dobben and published by Altamira-Becht. This morning's draw is the "Pheasant:"

Toerien associates the Pheasant with power and authority - not the kind lorded over others, but the sort that allows us to recognize our own free will and determination. Added to the Ten of Air above, I am reminded that I am the one who created and continues to power the negative mind-loops. Do I think that by holding onto them it will somehow change the past or lessen the hurt? Logic tells me otherwise. No matter what the external cause, I cannot blame another person or situation for my thoughts. The responsibility for flipping the switch on or off lies at my door step.

Spilling Over

From the Thoth Tarot, the Three of Cups:

Lotus blossoms fill "fruit" cups, and as each fills to the brim, it overflows into the sea below. Abundance is a perfect title Crowley chose to describe this card. It's been freezing cold and rainy here, so I have been in clean-out mode inside the house. All day yesterday and the day before, my daughter and I have been going through mountains of books (many from when she was just a toddler). Between the two of us, we had six large boxes of books to give away. Our local library accepts donations which they sell (very cheaply) to the public, so we dropped them off there. Our abundance will be shared, which will then spill over to others. Today I'll be hunting more boxes, because Goodwill will be my next destination. It feels good to lighten our load, but even better that the things we enjoyed will be recycled so that they can be appreciated by someone else.

From the Vertical Oracle comes the card "Mercy:"

A feminine face peeks out from the soft petals of a white rose. The author describes mercy as "the forgiving power of compassion." I couldn't wrap  my brain around this card at first, until I realized I have been frustrated by others. I've been in an upbeat mood while many of those around me are channeling their inner Eeyore. I'm irritated because I feel they are raining on my parade. Yet I can travel on my merry way and respectfully allow them the same opportunity. After all, they are not responsible for my happiness, as I am not responsible for their joy and contentment.

Transformational Touchstones

From the Thoth Tarot, the Aeon (Judgment):

Instead of the young becoming old, the ruler Horus has been transformed into the child Horus again. The term "aeon" refers to a new age, a time when I acknowledge the old self (warts and all) and shed it for a new self. It is both an awakening and a turning point, but unlike fate over which I have no control, this involves a decision and change instigated by me. I am reminded of my grandsons who always want a "do-over" when we are playing - begging for another turn for a chance to do better. Yet every morning or every moment I can choose a "do-over" when I wake up and see that a change in attitude, belief and behavior would be beneficial and healing.

The card from the Vertical Oracle this morning is "Ritual:"

A ritual marks a rite of passage or can clarify one's intention. I would imagine most people have them even if they don't label them as such. It can also remind me of a spiritual change I am attempting to make in my life, and becomes a "touchstone" to act as a post-it note. I wish I could say that I didn't need any physical reminder of the transformation I am working on, but I do.

Unrestricted Perspective

From the Thoth Tarot, the Three of Wands:

The orange color of this card shows its energy, and the lotus blooms in their first stages indicate progress is now noticeable. Hajo Banzhaf, in his book The Crowley Tarot, suggests the Three of Wands is much like the beginning of spring - projects and goals are not yet completed, but there is evidence of successful movement towards that end. The number three is different from two in that there is now some stability (think of a three-legged stool). Yet if I were to sit on the edge of that stool instead of in the middle, it would likely tip over. So while this card is an excellent report on how things are proceeding, it reminds me to stay centered and focused on the objective.

From the Vertical Oracle comes the card "Hope:"

Again the color orange (of the flowers) is dominant against a background of gray. The author labels this card with the phrase "vertical perspective" and advises that inspiration and encouragement can be found from a bird's eye view of things. It's like being so caught up in a belief or idea that I overlook the obvious. It reminds me of an X-Files episode in which Mulder and Scully are stranded on a rock in a river, where they stay huddled all night. Finally one of the locals informs them the water is quite shallow, and they can just walk to shore. Hope and tenacity may well depend on not limiting my perspective.