Freeing Up Joy

From the Vision Quest Tarot, Integration (Temperance); from the Bird Cards, the "Bluebird of Happiness:"

          Spider Woman weaves on her loom; the weft (horizontal thread) is inserted among the warp (vertical thread). Only together do these create a solid fabric. Integration reveals the necessary alliance of light and dark, masculine and feminine. Apart from each other, the opposites only reveal their flaws and deficiencies. They are different, but one is not better than the other. Together, they create something strong. Balance is beautiful and liberating, and judging by the birds flying free from the loom, it adds a third dimension to things. The flying Bluebird of Happiness reinforces this idea. The myth of this omen of happiness has been found in many cultures. Toerien suggests it represents a place in the heart that knows deep, abiding joy. In order to liberate it, I must accept that this is a natural part of me. But I must constantly work to clean off the "dust" that surrounds it.

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. 

When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.

~ The Dharmapada

Fire Bird, Water Bird

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Daughter of Fire (Page of Wands); from the Bird Cards, "Crane:"

          What a pairing today: in one card is a hazy symbol of a thunderbird, with eyes of lightning and wings of thunder; in the other is the crane, a water bird associated with good fortune, longevity and peace. The Daughter of Fire is Earth in the element of Fire - quite a combustible combination. That crane appears to be keeping an eye out, probably aware that the burning smudge could erupt into a forest fire at any moment. This Page/Daughter is fearless and thrives on pushing the envelope. Her highly fueled enthusiasm is good for getting people off their bum, but her passion can be destructive without any boundaries. The VQ's author associates this go-getter with self-actualization.
          When I think of cranes, I automatically associate them with the Japanese origami ones. The crane card made me remember a touching article in the Washington Post:

During the chaotic days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Basim Elkarra was passing by an Islamic school in Sacramento when he did a double-take: The windows were covered with thousands of origami cranes - peace symbols that had been created and donated by Japanese Americans. Amid the anger and suspicions being aimed at Muslims at that time, the show of support "was a powerful symbol that no one will ever forget," said Elkarra, a Muslim American community leader in California.

After experiencing the trauma and horrors of internment camps during WWII, Japanese Americans knew all too well what the combustible combination of fear and prejudice would produce. The combination of the Daughter and Crane suggests that while I passionately try to fulfill my potential and needs, I need to be very careful I don't trample on the rights and potential of others.

Hopeful Futility

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Seven of Air (Swords); from the Bird Cards, "Rooster:"

          Like the Thoth Tarot, this version of the Seven of Air/Swords is called "Futility." It's that feeling of being caught between a rock and a hard place, knowing that no matter what I do the final outcome is going to be the same. Yet there are still decisions to make and actions to take, though I might spin my wheels because I feel so stressed. This card made me think of an acquaintance whose husband was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. Without an operation, he would live three months; with it, he could live possibly five years but with functional deficits caused by the surgery. The disease will kill him either way, quickly or slowly.

          The Rooster card is a call to wake-up and take some action. Trying to keep a pillow over my head in hopes all my troubles will disappear is not an option. Toerien describes hen energy as "putting up with" while rooster energy breaks through that sense of restriction and drudgery. There are things I can't wish away, situations over which I have little control. But what I can do is work on changing my attitude about them; I might not be able to change the outcome, but I can bring comfort and calm to aid in making that journey.

The Mines of Minds

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Father of Water (King of Cups); from the Bird Cards, "Canary:"

          This fellow is described as someone who is perceptive, patient and sensitive. No wonder people seek him out for advice. Being able to listen deeply with empathy, then tap into intuitive insights for solutions is a rarity. Like the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand with just a basket of food, this King feeds his people too in a way. He is their calm harbor during storms; a person who loves without prejudice.
          The canary's cheery color and song represent optimism for the creators of this deck. Yet I also remember that it was used (up until 1987) as an early warning system for coal miners. Birds would be affected by the toxic gases (such as methane or carbon monoxide) before the men and would alert them to the unsafe conditions. Even today there is a term - "climate canary" - that refers to a species affected by environmental conditions before other animals and serves as an alarm. I am often the calm harbor for other people; they rely on me for emotional stability when their lives are in turmoil. But the canary suggests that too much time spent in these "mines" could have a detrimental effect. I need to walk in the green world and find renewal in the sunlight and fresh air. Such a dose of optimism can help balance out the darkness.

Undiminished Overflow

This week I'll be using the Vision Quest Tarot, a deck created by Gayle Silvie Winter and Jo Dose (Illustrator); it was published by AGM Müller. I'll also be using Bird Cards, a deck and book set by Jane Toerien (Author) and Joyce van Dobben (Illustrator); it was published by Altamira-Becht. Today's draws are the Three of Water (Cups) and "Cuckoo:"

The mind constricts and love unbinds. The mind says, "Don't let go or overflow." Love says, "Be free without formality." ~ Rumi

          Inside myself is a small, tightly capped container labeled "conditional joy and love." Like a million dollar bottle of wine, it is shown off but never shared; its purpose is to try and support my self-worth when it is sagging. If the bottle ever breaks, all is lost. But there is another vessel inside, one that is more like a hollow tube. Joyfulness flows in and out without ceasing or diminishing, because its source is not based on external conditions. The overflow begs to be shared, to be offered "without formality." Like the breath, it seems only natural to send out what has been freely received.

          The only information I've ever learned about cuckoos is that one of them really loves Cocoa Puffs. As the Bird Cards book is full of New Age ideas but no practical information, I did a bit of research about these birds. I found that the cuckoo family gets its common name from the call of the male Common Cuckoo (goo-ko) - no connection at all with breakfast cereal. The feathers of the cuckoos are generally soft, and often become waterlogged in heavy rain. As a result, they must sun themselves to dry out and relieve the heaviness. This card reminds me that emotional treasures aren't meant to be hoarded. As Reba McEntire sings:

Smile's not a smile until it wrinkles your face,

Bell's not a bell without ringing;

A home's not a home when there's nobody there,

A song's not a song without singing;

Love isn't love till you give it away.

Wise Conservation

From the Badger's Forest Tarot, the Four of Crows (Pentacles); from the Gemstone Oracle, "Crazy Lace Agate:"

          Crows cache food by burying it in the ground or hiding it in vegetation. It could be a temporary storage (if they have more to eat than they need, they'll save some for later), or it could be for winter storage. Crows are more methodical than other birds or squirrels when it comes to caching. They will lay a marker (such as a twig or tuft of grass) near the food to help create a mental image of its location. Though many RWS interpretations see this card as being miserly, I would instead describe this particular card as being prudent with one's resources. After all, I've never heard of a crow calling Jenny Craig or joining Weight Watchers.
          The quote and keywords chosen for crazy lace agate are:

Adaptation is a profound process. [It] means you figure out how to thrive in the world.

~ Charlie Kaufman

relocation, adjusting to new surroundings or people, adapting to change

Why would I need to conserve my energy, time, health and finances? It's not just the times that are changing, so is my body. In my thirties I could work all day outside in the heat of summer; I could enjoy high impact activities and exercise. Now I have to be careful what and how much I eat, as well as how I move my body. I can still do the things I enjoy, but I have to do them differently and with more care. If not, those berries under the stone might have to be used for a doctor's bill.

Independence Even in a Crowd

From the Badger's Forest Tarot, the Nine of Crows (Pentacles); from the Gemstone Oracle, "Tiger Eye:"

          The flock of crows over the field of grain remind me of the ribbons of blackbirds I often see on summer evenings winding across the sky. As my friend Sharyn says about crows, "they all go to work in the morning and come home together at night." Independently the crows may seek their food sources, but when the day is done they come together to roost in massive numbers (except in nesting season). Such groups offer protection from predators and allow the crows to communicate with each other about what they've experienced during the day. When my dad died unexpectedly several years ago, my mom quickly learned to be self-sufficient. Yet she realized she still needed the company of others; she said she never turned down an invitation that would include her in a group heading out for some fun. The freedom of autonomy can be enjoyable but inclusive involvement has its pluses too.
          The quote and keywords for tiger eye are:

Taking the decision-making process away from people disempowers them. It also makes them much less likely to buy into the decision, however right it may be. One’s own conscience remains the ultimate arbiter. ~ Lama Surya Das

personal freedom, independence, self-reliance, disciplined approach

The message of tiger eye appears to caution against getting caught up in the herd mentality. There's nothing wrong with hanging out with others and listening to their ideas and opinions about things. I have plenty to learn about the world, and like the crows, could benefit from any reliable information I might receive. Yet I still need to rely on my own conscience instead of jumping into any emotionally charged rally. I need to think with my head, not fly by feelings only.