Empowerment in Strange Packages

From the Transformational Tarot, the Tower; from the Celtic Book of the Dead, the "Island of Recognition:"

The Tower card show's Ando's quirky rendition of Kali, Hindu Goddess of Time and Change. Normally I groan when I pull this card, but having Kali on it (even with all her skulls) makes me feel strangely comforted. She is the personification of feminine creative power in divine form. She knows I've lost my mojo, and she wants to help me get it back. Yet to do so, she's going to have to destroy what I think is my protective covering; I'll be exposed and vulnerable. But I'll also be free.
The voyagers never even got to land on the Island of Recognition. As soon as the islanders saw them rowing to shore, they started pelting them with nuts in fear. Maelduin and his men gathered the nuts and rowed back to their ship. In Celtic lore, nuts represent knowledge and wisdom, which the islanders were throwing away because they were afraid. Ignorance of the unknown does create fear, but Kali reminds me that knowledge is power. If I run now before giving the unknown a fair shake, I might miss out on something wonderful.

Check List

From the Transformational Tarot, the Lovers; from the Celtic Book of the Dead, the "Island of Plenteous Salmon:"

 Ando's Lovers card shows all the ways love is seen by humans - from deep, spiritual love, to lust, to intimacy and companionship. When I feel a hole in my life, it is easy to want to fill it with something, anything to make that void go away. I often don't look at how my choice may affect me later, I'm just fixated on feeling good now.
The Celtic voyagers came upon the Island of Plenteous Salmon when they were near death from starvation. Here they found an abundance of food and drink to satisfy them, yet they also found huge beds (large enough for three men) in which to sleep and rest their weary bodies. This combination of cards reminds me of an acronym in 12 Step programs - HALT. The letters in the word are a reminder not to get too hungry, angry, lonely or tired, or else unwise choices and decisions may be a result. Sounds like I need to check in with my body and heart before I do something I'll regret later.

Distractions, Pleasurable or Otherwise

From the Transformational Tarot, the Prince (Knight) of Coins; from the Celtic Book of the Dead, the "Island of Many Birds:"

The Prince/Knight of Coins is hardworking and trustworthy, focused and methodical. He's the go-to guy if you want a job carefully planned and successfully carried out. What could possibly go wrong with this fellow in the saddle? The damsel in distress he carries back to the castle is a hint, as is the card from the oracle deck. The Island of Many Birds was where the voyagers landed when they were hungry and in dire need of something to eat. Here they found thousands of birds of all kinds, so many that they didn't know which to choose. Their dilemma reminds me of the huge supermarkets here; if you want a box of cereal, there is such a multitude and variety it mimics the Great Wall of China. The Prince could easily lose his focus if he has too many distractions, good or bad. He encourages me to keep my eye on the objective today and not get caught up in all the diversions around me.

From Translation to Transformation

From the Transformational Tarot, the Sage (Hierophant); from the Celtic Book of the Dead, the "Island of the Revolving Beast:"

 

The two man-made statues with the backdrop of fall foliage is an expression of humans trying to find purpose and meaning in their lives. We create icons, build cathedrals and write books filled with myths and creeds. Which would all be fine if folks looked at it as man's attempt to find truth instead of Truth itself. Humans don't want to just find it, we want to mass produce and sell it. I have tried "Truth in a Box" and it didn't work out very well. My beliefs come from my own spiritual practices. This is not to say that mentors and sacred writings aren't helpful, but my convictions today are based on my own experiences.
The Island of the Revolving Beast was a place the voyagers encountered an animal that could shape-shift faster than thought. It pounded the sailors with rocks, so they hurried back to their ship. I see myself in this beast, constantly shifting my spiritual ideas as I grow older. But I no longer have extreme shifts, say from one religion to another. Now I concentrate on practice instead of beliefs. As a priest who is a friend of mine explains, "move from translation to transformation." What will help me change so that I become more kind and compassionate? That doesn't have much to do with dogma at all.

Tend the Fire

From the Transformational Tarot, the King of Wands; from the Celtic Book of the Dead, the "Dragon Stone:"

 The King of Wands is just as adventurous as the Page, passionate as the Knight, and enthusiastic as the Queen, but he has one more added trait - perseverance. He has a reputation for being a "Closer," one who finishes what he starts. The tarot card shows a man performing a ritual in front of a large fire, and I think of all the times I have started a project or made a goal with such fiery eagerness. But either life would interfere with other obligations, or I would lose my interest and put things aside (where they would inevitably gather dust). Yet this King reminds me some things are worth the extra effort, and I should nurture the passion that keeps me moving toward my objective.
The Dragon Stone represents a gift that empowers, a stubborn strength that overpowers any challenges. Its invincible quality symbolizes the courage that comes from convictions. Now I know something about being tenaciously stubborn <grin>, so here is my chance to use it for something worthwhile.

The Future's so Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades

From the Tranformational Tarot, Alchemy (Temperance); from the Celtic Book of the Dead, "Island of the Cats:"

Alchemy is more than just blending, it is taking two elements and making a third that is totally different from the first. This woman mixes water with earth, but more than mud will be produced. She appears to be shedding a snakeskin, further emphasizing this transformation. All around her flowers grow that need both water and earth, not just one or the other. Perhaps these blooms symbolize the beauty that can be created with receptive compromise instead of "all or nothing" demands.
In the Celtic Book of the Dead, the voyagers came upon the Island of the Cats when they were exhausted and starving. Inside a fortress there, the men found a feast laid out on a table and a cat leaping about. Maelduin, the leader, asked the cat if the feast was for them and intuited that it was, so the men ate heartily. There was also great treasure all around, and one of the men secretly slipped a necklace in his pocket (though warned by Maelduin not to take anything). As they were leaving, the cat jumped through the thief, turning him to ash. This tale emphasizes the obligation of hospitality to others, but underscores the duty of those visiting not to take advantage of what has been offered. Adding this card to Temperance/Alchemy, I am reminded that such an accord doesn't mean the scales are weighted in another person's favor. The Middle Path is not a sneaky way for one person to fleece the other; it should bring harmony, not create more distrust.

Swinging and Singing

This week I'll be using the Transformational Tarot created by Arnell Ando and published by U.S. Games. The oracle I'll be using with it is the Celtic Book of the Dead, created by Caitlin Matthews, illustrated by Danuta Mayer and published by Edison-Sadd. Today's draws are Karma (Wheel of Fortune) and "Island of the Singing Birds:"

An ancient sundial is surrounded by a snake, a symbol of regeneration; a girl swings from the bottom, oblivious to the precarious laws of change. I suppose growing older allows us to objectively witness cycles and patterns, and hopefully we will realize that we're responsible for a lot of what happens to us. Sure, life deals out some stuff that we have no control over, but still a lot of it goes back to our actions (or nonaction) and words we have spoken. Clueless at the time, we often set the ball rolling for circumstances that will affect us later. Will we wake up and be accountable or keep mindlessly swinging?
The Island of Singing Birds is part of an immram, or mystical voyage. This island was not filled with the random, raucous calls of birds, but with birds singing in harmony as a chorus. There is an important message here that can only be heard by stopping and listening closely. It is quite likely a call to stop blaming life for what's on our plate and instead change our attitude or behavior.