Gee and Haw

The new tarot I'll be using this week is the Buckland Romani deck and book set, created by Raymond Buckland, illustrated by Lissanne Lake and published by Galde Press. Today's draw is the Chariot:

I went to a meditation group last night made of a widely diverse collection of people. I've been asked to do some "beginners" classes with them, and I have decided to use the idea behind the Chariot as an explanation as to why this spiritual tool can be helpful. Last night I woke up in a sweat with my heart pounding (menopause), and my mind immediately started churning. Those thoughts brought up some not-so-pleasant emotions, which in turn produced more anxious thoughts. The irony of course is that I was still lying in my bed safe and sound; nothing had changed except my thought/emotion meter. And that's how I see these two horses - one as mental and one as emotional. They are a team that can drag me wherever they like unless I get them under control. I've got to learn to use the reins so I can direct them where I choose to go.

The oracle I'll use this week is the Lakota Sweat Lodge deck and book set, published by Destiny Books. The creators - Helene Sarkis, Ann Louise Goulene, Wendy Meg Seigel and Alexander Sarkis - based their information on the teachings of Chief Archie Fire Lame Deer. This morning's card is "Cha Wakan - Tree of Life:"

The keyword associated with this card is "acceptance," and the opening text reads: In me all life is One: There is no demarcation of 'other.' My ego would like people to understand and do things like I do, no questions asked. The meditation group I'm supposed to lead ranges from agnostics/atheists to fundamental Christians, and they are from various races, ages and socio-economic categories. I can present to them the various ways I've found to meditate, but I can't force them to choose to follow any direction I give. My job is going to be to keep my ego (that produces the thoughts and emotions of the Chariot) in line and realize the only person I might have control over is me. Then I can accept these people just as they are without trying to change them.

Resting in an Aura of Love and Light

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Knight of Cups:

This Knight of Cups, who carries a stringed instrument on his back, has stopped to listen to the sound of the stream and enjoy the beauty of the lotus in bloom. What he's oblivious to is his pocket that has turned inside out, allowing his coins to spill out. He's probably singing along with the Kinks in his head, "I'm a lover, not a fighter," but what he surely isn't is practical or realistic. While it's nice to relax and dream while surrounded by a glowing aura of light and love, I still need to take care of my mundane duties.

From the Victorian Flower Oracle comes "Pansy:"

In Hamlet, Ophelia makes the remark, "There's pansies, that's for thoughts" In A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare refers to the wild pansy as "love-in-idleness." The pansy woman is likely dreaming of the knight above, who's fantasizing about who-knows-what. So what's the difference between positive thinking and wishful thinking? I imagine the distinction would be that the first would involve taking action, while with wishful thinking you could just sit on your bottom and sigh a lot. I'm beginning to think I'd better make a priority list and get moving as soon as possible.

I Just Happen to Have a Hankie...

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Queen of Cups:

Some people get upset when they draw the Tower, Death or Three of Swords. I worry when the Queen of Cups shows up. Like her son the Page, she is sensitive; I imagine she has a wad of kleenexes hidden in the curl of her hand. I've never been one to have public displays of emotion; if I do, I can guarantee a deep well has been tapped into. But this woman also has a spiritual side, which I do admire and aspire to emulate. She invites me to look inside myself and find what is loving and beautiful, then to look at others and do the same. Maybe I could use a hankie after all...

From the Victorian Flower Oracle was drawn the "Violet:"

With Spring solidly upon us, there are many white and purple wild violets popping up in areas that are shaded from the heat of the day. When I first glanced at this card, I only saw one flower-woman, but looking more closely, I could see two more in the background. The keywords seem to approve of me finding a safe haven for my feelings, yet at the same time that place of shelter should include other people with whom I am willing to share my vulnerability. Like the violets that seek an appropriate place to grow, I must discern who will hold sacred what is in my heart.

But I Don't Want to Leave My "Happy Place"...

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Seven of Cups:

It's spring here with temperatures at 80F, so I can relate to this woman who wants just kickback and daydream. Honestly some of my best ideas and solutions have come by softening my mind's rational processes and letting thoughts float through. But what happens when I have that creative inspiration, figure out a plan or solve a problem? If I sit on my bum long enough, the opportunity might disappear like that hot air balloon with three of the cups. I've got to pull my head out of the clouds, plant my feet firmly on the ground and do something constructive.

From the Victorian Flower Oracle comes the "Opium Poppy:"

After drawing the Seven of Cups, I had to laugh when this flower showed up. I can just imagine the bug with the lantern trying to wake up the other insects that are in La-la Land. Staying in a dream world is comfortable; I don't have to worry about failure, whether other folks will like my ideas or if I'll have the resources to do what I'd like. But if I stay in this drug-like state, I'm defeated before I even begin. Time to test my thoughts against reality.

Waving Lit Matches and Lighters

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Eight of Cups:

The meeting yesterday about the "Christian" ministry filing bankruptcy was packed with elderly folks and their families trying to make sense of the financial loss and fearing the loss of their homes. Though the corporation's lawyer tried to maintain calm, tears were shed and angry words were fired from almost everyone. I read a Hausa (West African) proverb from the book One Heart that stated, "Those with dry grass on their body cannot help put out fire." Believe me when I say that everyone at the meeting was covered in grass while waving lit matches and lighters. With the Eight of Cups above, I realize that the way forward will not include sitting in all that rage, no matter how justified. Other steps may need to be taken, but they need to be taken with a clear head.

From the Victorian Flower Oracles comes the "Water Arum:"

We have arums that grow in the ponds, lakes and ditches here, usually half in and half out of the water. By summer these plants form a thick blanket that marsh birds enjoy hunting and hiding in. The newspaper had a great write-up about the events of yesterday, and I can't imagine how anyone in our community could read about the plight of those aging folks and not be sympathetic. I have a feeling that they will be outraged and will pull together in support to encourage those affected.

An Auspicious Sign?

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Ten of Cups:

Three generations of a family sit down to a picnic-style meal outdoors. Before they eat, the husband plants an herb, almost as if he makes an offering to the earth for the food they are about to consume. I am happy this card showed up today, as we are going to a meeting about the assisted care facility where my mother-in-law lives. We have heard the owners are filing bankruptcy, and unfortunately many of the seniors there (like my MIL) have purchased their units. Of course they are all frightened about what is to become of their homes. My hope is that a company with morals and ethics will buy the place and turn it into the haven it was originally supposed to be. May this card be an auspicious sign of what is to come.

From the Victorian Flower Oracle this morning was chosen "Flax:"

Until cotton arrived on the scene, flax was the top choice for making linen. It is still used, though its use is more often thought of as a nutritional supplement or wood varnish today. The keywords "skills" and "crafts" the authors assign this plant make sense to me. But what do they have to do with the meeting today? When I am not personally in the middle of drama or chaos, I am capable of being a peacemaker and beacon of calmness. Looks like I better go do some meditation before it hits the fan...

It's Not What You Think

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Moon:

When I use decks that have companion books, I tend to look closely at the card image and come up with my ideas first before checking to see what the author wrote. So my checklist with this one looked something like: "a wolf and a dog, a woman with stars in her hands, setting in a desert-like landscape, and a crawfish coming out of a pool." The book states that both the canines are wolves, the setting is actually on the moon, and the woman is a personification of the moon blocking the crawfish from climbing out. Of course I had to laugh, because the traditional meaning of the card is often confusion and uncertainty because of a lack of clarity. So instead of making fast and hard judgments today, perhaps I should just make tentative ones until the fog clears.

From the Victorian Flower Oracle was drawn "Daisy:"

Daisy is shown with all her flower children, so it's easy to see how the creators associated this plant with family matters. I'll be calling my mother to wish her "Happy Birthday" in a few minutes, and in a few hours I'll be visiting my mother-in-law. These women are both kind and loving, but one always sees the glass half-full, and the other sees it as half-empty (with a crack in the glass). My mom is the kind of person who may not tell me the full story because she doesn't want to worry me. My mother-in-law (in the early stages of dementia) worries about things that aren't even real. With the Moon card above, I'm going to have to finely tune my antennae and ask lots of questions today.