Look Deeper

From the Fountain Tarot, the Lovers; from the Devas of Creation, Uranus:

          The two people in the card appear to be in a protective bubble, a place they can relax and just be. Gruhl describes the Lovers as "recognizing our Selves in a person or a place intuitively." While this kind of love may be romantic, it also includes much more than that: partners, friends and small groups that accept, understand and allow us to be ourselves without reservation. This choice goes far beyond external looks, labels or categories; from the outside, the pair or group may appear as not having nothing in common. The connection comes from within. Uranus is the only planet with a name from a Greek deity - the mate and son of Gaia, known as Father Sky. It is an unusual planet that lies on its side rather than spins on an axis. Summer on Uranus is two decades of non-stop sunlight, and winter is an equal amount of time spent in total darkness. It has an unruly magnetic field, and extreme temperatures. Deeper cloud layers get as low as 360F degrees below zero, colder than any other planet in the solar system, and yet the outer-most layer can reach more than 500F degrees. The deva of this planet represents original and revolutionary thinking. These cards suggest that even the oddest and most unconventional among us has another bookend. We just have to be careful not to let what's on the outside deter us.

Patient Presentations

From the Fountain Tarot, the Five of Swords; from the Devas of Creation, Saturn:

          A man balances precariously on two swords while holding three others. Anyone can see this isn't going to end well. The shadows in the background are the folks with whom he's battled intellectually and won, but it doesn't look like his victory will be a happy one. The booklet suggests making sure I am not short-sighted and can see the bigger picture when I disagree with others. Before I argue my case, I need to make sure I can live with the outcome, and that my choices reflect my personal integrity. But above all, I need to present my side respectfully and without intimidation. Saturn was named after the Roman god of agriculture; his Greek counterpart was known as Cronus ("time"). The astronomical symbol of the planet was meant to represent this god's sickle of harvest. Patience is the message this deva brings. It takes time to present and hear different viewpoints, yet to understand with a wider perspective it is necessary. Patience is not my strong suit, but it sure beats balancing on sword hilts.

Gentle Justice

This week I'll be using the Fountain Tarot, created and self-published by Jonathan Saiz, Jason Gruhl, and Andi Todaro. Along with it I'll also be drawing from Devas of Creation, created by Cilla Conway and published by CC3 Publishing. Today's cards are Justice and Plant Kingdom:

          This Justice seems stark and full of sharp edges. The creators assign her the keyword 'fairness' and write that she is "concerned only with what is needed right now for your life, in reality - not your mind." In other words, my ego may feel I'm entitled to certain things that don't really fall under 'basic rights and needs.' In this regard, Justice encourages me to examine motives and sort out truths without the extraneous clutter that keeps these hidden. In the pursuit of equality and impartiality, what fat can be trimmed from muscle and bone? Self-righteous indignation is not always a good indicator that I've been wronged; it could mean only that my ego's been pinched. The Plant Kingdom card reminded me of lichen, a complex organism composed of a fungus in symbiotic union with an alga. Conway states that plants give their gifts of food, medicine and shelter, but humans have a responsibility to accept them with gratitude and awareness. Along the same vein, this deva implies that "something needs to be said - a difficult truth needs to be addressed, gently but firmly." A gentle approach will be the best strategy for getting through the ego's locked door rather than a battering ram.

Cautious Progress

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Knight of Coins; from the John Waterhouse Oracle, Tristan and Isolde Sharing the Potion:

          This fellow is a well-traveled knight judging by the looks of that globe behind him. Possibly his sketchbook is full of people and places he has visited on his journeys. His arrival (and the hourglass) is a push to get moving and put my hand to the plow. Yet even he would toss out phrases like "Make haste slowly" and "Move at the speed of guidance." He obviously knew of Tristan, a knight who was to escort a promised bride (Isolde) to a king. Along the way, they both drank of a love potion meant for the soon to be wedded couple and fell for each other. Tristan, being loyal to his king, didn't follow his heart; this tale of romance did not have a happy ending. Some versions of the story say the two drinking the potion was accidental, but others say Isolde chose to give it to Tristan. The first card suggests making progress, but the second cautions to keep a close eye on details along the way. Not all choices can be undone once made.

Just for the Fun of It

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Nine of Coins; from the John Waterhouse Oracle, Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May (1908):

          Black describes this card as "a time to savor," and James Ricklef says the same in Pithy Tarot: "Take time to enjoy what you have. Why else did you work to get it?" Indeed the hooded falcon that represents self-discipline (and why this woman has become independent and self-sufficient) also serves as a reminder to take some time off and do what one loves. Sounds crazy to think we have to train ourselves to relax, but consider the mindfulness movement, seminars on stress, and self-help books that abound to help us do just that. Waterhouse's painting is based on a poem by Robert Herrick ("To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time"):

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,

   Old Time is still a-flying;

And this same flower that smiles today

   Tomorrow will be dying.

Again the emphasis seems to be on taking time to enjoy this life instead of just slogging through it. Looks like a beautiful day ahead to do just that.

What's Left Behind

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Eight of Cups; from the John Waterhouse Oracle, Pandora:

          Under the light of a full moon, an owl flies over eight golden cups. A young man has resolutely turned to walk in the opposite direction, knowing those cups only contain the brine of his tears. I had such a need to be liked and loved when I was young, I never abandoned my cups no matter how bad things got in my relationships. As I got older, I not only turned my back (and heart) on those who angered and hurt me, I burned the bridges as I left. Today I will still leave relationships to protect my physical and emotional health, but I try not to withdraw my compassion too. If I can change, surely others have the capacity to do so too? Pandora, the first female created by the Greek gods, was given all sorts of gifts - including curiosity it seems. She let loose all the evils on the world, but closed the box/jar before Hope got out. Does that mean Hope was locked away from mankind or kept in safety? If it was expectant hope, the kind of with conditions and specifics attached, it may be good thing that it wasn't let loose.

Hope and fear is a feeling with two sides. As long as there’s one, there’s always the other. This is the root of our pain. ~ Pema Chodron

Wrap It Up

From the Touchstone Tarot, the King of Coins; from the John Waterhouse Oracle,  A Sick Child brought into the Temple of Aesculapius:

          I'm a bit miffed today after corresponding with my lawyer (for the accident I was involved in on the first of July last year). I have several large medical bills still in limbo, waiting to be paid. The problem is that two of the folks I owe (the hospital and the chiropractor) are places I depend on when I get sick or injured. When I had the allergic reaction to poison ivy several weeks ago, I had to go to a walk-in clinic to be treated instead of my usual doctors. The lawyer wants to get the most money he can out of the settlement, while I just want to pay the bills and get on with life. I told him that in an email yesterday. Like the King of Coins, I like my debts to be settled rather than hanging over my head. Even though most of the physical injuries have healed, the emotional healing can't happen until all the paperwork and settlement is complete. I'm beginning to think hiring a friend to do this wasn't the best idea!