Inspiration and Honor

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Magician; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Lyrebird:

           A four-armed young man stands on the portico of a temple with the four elements in his hands. He is waiting for what the druids call 'awen' - flowing inspiration that can come when the mind and heart is open to receive it. I imagine everyone has a place they like to go when they need a mind wipe and some fresh ideas. Sometimes I walk outside, but when I'm tired, I often kick back in a reclining chair on the back porch, close my eyes and just listen. Of course the real work of manifestation will come after the inspiration has provided the spark. The Dreamtime story tells of a water spirit trying to break free from its bubble in a stream. Lyrebird sang and helped it emerge. Great Spirit then asked the bird to teach the little spirit (which had become a frog) to sing. Lyrebird spent many long hours singing and teaching until the frog could also sing in a beautiful voice. Yet one day the frog boasted to his wife that he was best singer of all, but when he opened his mouth all that came out was a croak. I am reminded by this story to give honor its due, to offer respect and appreciation for whomever or whatever freely offers me inspiration. Perhaps the best way to do this is to create something beautiful or beneficial with what I've been given.

Damaged Bowls

This week I'll be using the Wheel of Change Tarot, a deck and book set created by Alexandra Genetti and published by Inner Traditions. The second deck I'll be drawing from is the Oracle of the Dreamtime, a compilation of Australian Aboriginal art and Dreamings by Donni Hakanson; this deck and book set was published by Journey Editions. Today's cards are the the Four of Cups and Whale and Starfish:

          In this potter's studio is a bowl of clay, a bowl of water, an unfinished bowl on the wheel, and a glazed and fired bowl in the window. Mix the clay with the water and a temporary relationship forms. It is shaped by time and experience; the glaze symbolizes the joyful moments, and the heat of the kiln represents the hard ones. At any point of the process, the pottery can become misshapen or damaged. What can cripple a relationship? The indigenous story of Whale and Starfish tells of a great need caused by overcrowding. Whale had the only canoe that would allow the other creatures to spread out over the earth, but he refused. His friend Starfish distracted him while the others took off in the canoe. The friendship was doomed because of betrayal and selfishness. Sounds like the same reasons for a lot of emotionally damaged 'bowls' today.

The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them
to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them. 
~ Thomas Merton

Elasticity

From the Fey Tarot, Temperance; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Two of Spades (Old Woman):

          Elements of earth, air, fire and water surround this fey; she is an alchemist, though it's not gold she's after. Living in this world, understanding it, finding our purpose and creating relationships along the way requires balance. Her goal is to mix these elements to create a workable life of joy and meaning without causing harm to anything or anyone. All of her senses are finely tuned to detect any area that may be drifting from the middle path to an extreme. Caught early, it will require only a slight readjustment rather than a major overhaul. The Two of Spades is a card of insecurity, and I can just imagine all that this older woman has to worry about: loneliness, an aging body, finances, loss of career or social roles and lack of mental stimulation. Life is constantly filled with change, endings and beginnings. The only way to stay afloat and balanced is to flow with them and adapt as best we can.

Life requires of man spiritual elasticity, so that he may temper

his efforts to the chances that are offered. ― Viktor E. Frankl

The Secret is...

From the Fey Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Seven of Diamonds (Baby):

          The loss, pain or betrayal this fey has experienced has become tattooed on his trunk; it is a part of his self-identity. Everyone has met people like this (and probably have been that person at some time or other): the widow/widower whose sole focus is the person they lost, the divorced spouse who can only talk of the affair, the person laid off from a job they've had for years, etc. They have become hooked by their experience, reliving it over and over again. Defining oneself by one situation or circumstance can narrow our world considerably. We become our focus. This is why so many people are careful with their labels and say things like, "I am a cancer survivor" or "I'm a recovering addict." The Seven of Diamonds warns that there is a need for boundaries and discipline. My first thought when I saw the baby with the plate of fruit was, "Those grapes are choking hazard!" Just as babies require guidance, we do as well when we are stuck in negative mental patterns. It helps to have someone to be accountable to - a therapist, spiritual mentor, or honest friend - who can help us find a more positive way of re-framing our experience. As Pema Chodron explains, "Don’t get caught in the content: observe the underlying quality—the clinging, the desire, the attachment."

Spending It

From the Fey Tarot, the Ten of Pentacles; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Six of Spades (Longing):

          A multi-generational  fey family (including their pets who look like fur-covered garlic cloves) gather around a giant pentacle sharing stories. Judging by that gold table, they seem to be prosperous, yet from this snapshot of their lives it appears that family is what they hold most important. Perhaps they are aware that as the candle taper burns down, so too will their family be changed by deaths and births. No one has to tell them it takes more than bread to nourish the body. The Six of Spades represents conflict, and this card's keyword - longing - makes it clear the root of it is found within. Adding it to the other card, I am reminded of how often people with gobs of money tend to lose their way. They run out of things to buy (looking for the next 'high' of happiness) and often end up with drug and alcohol problems. Yet there are wealthy people who've found meaning by using their money to support worthy causes and help others. They are the ones whose lives have a purpose, and from that purpose has come joy.

Alert and Agile

From the Fey Tarot, the Nine of Wands; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Three of Clubs (Journey):

          There have been a few times in my life during which I was filled with so much rage, I was tempted to kill someone. All these situations involved protecting a beloved person (or pet) who had suffered abuse at the hands of someone. But like the older fey hiding in the tree with the younger one, I thankfully realized that often it is better to get out of harm's way and stay alert rather than to attack. When my fight is fueled by fiery anger, all of my energy goes to obliterating the enemy instead of finding a solution to the problem. The Three of Clubs represents mental agility, and the journey it symbolizes is an attempt to look beyond the normal boundary of temporary, quick fixes to a more lasting remedy. I not only have to consider my side of the equation, but the side of my antagonist as well. These types of resolutions are indeed a journey, so I might as well settle in for the ride.

The Sibilla card made me think of the recent passing of a Southern Rock legend:

Gregg Allman (December 8, 1947 – May 27, 2017), the original "Midnight Rider." 

May he find peace on the journey ahead.

Everybody Knows Your Name

From the Fey Tarot, the Queen of Chalices; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Ace of Hearts (Conversation):

          Rather than a small cup, this queen sends out water from a giant chalice (reminding me of the practice of tonglen). People know her as a woman of compassionate understanding with the ability to deeply listen - skills sorely lacking in a self-absorbed society. It's no wonder she rarely has a spare moment of solitude. Her biggest challenge, however, is knowing how to gently mother herself, to take time to touch her own emotions tenderly and allow herself to apply the balm of kindness to them. As Brian Andreas poetically describes it, "There are days I drop words of comfort on myself like falling leaves and remember that it is enough to be taken care of by myself." The Ace of Hearts is a card of affection, and in this watercolor is a group sharing an engaging dinner conversation. As much as self-compassion and care is beneficial, we need people. The theme song from the series Cheers explains it perfectly:

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. 

Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. 

Wouldn't you like to get away? 

Sometimes you want to go 

Where everybody knows your name, 

and they're always glad you came. 

You wanna be where you can see, 

our troubles are all the same 

You wanna be where everybody knows 

Your name.