I've Got You

This week I'll be working with the Sasuraibito Tarot, self-published by Stasia Burrington. I'll also be using Soul Cards 1 & 2, created by Deborah Koff-Chapin and published through her company, Center for Touch Drawing. The Soul Cards have no titles, so the ones given here are my own. Today's draws are the Three of Cups and Creative Support:

What a lovely card for the Three of Cups. Whether a community of like-minded people or a few close friends, we all need a self-chosen tribe to celebrate our accomplishments and milestones with. Burrington writes in the companion booklet that no matter what kind of group it is, the positive feelings are the same: "feeling like you belong; feeling loved, secure, supported and cherished." The hard part is that we generally have to seek and reach out to these people, yet the deep trust found in these friendships is worth any effort. In the Soul Card, I see a guardian with one arm protecting a child as the child reaches upward. Here again is another reason to have a tribe - support. Whether we are stretching our creative talents or moving on from a loss, it is comforting and encouraging to have a cheering section. Instead of "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine," this is the unconditional statement, "I've got your back."

Resource Responsibility

From the Ellis Deck, the King of Pentacles; from the Brownies Oracle, Temptation:

There is still a lot of the hardworking Knight in this King (notice the new tree sprout he is nurturing in one hand). The boar that was his trusted steed in younger years has passed away, and the King (who wastes nothing) now uses its hide as a cloak to honor it. Having known what it is like to be in need, he is a benevolent man. Yet he wants to see what has been given used wisely, or no more resources will be handed out. To him, these resources aren't just 'things,' but part of the kingdom he protects. The Brownies have their noses pressed up against the toy shop window, planning what they will buy (or steal). It makes me think of the phrase about money 'burning a hole in one's pocket.' Just because we have it, doesn't mean we need to spend it all. But watch what happens when someone receives a tax refund, gets a winning lotto ticket or a new credit card. Self-indulgence is more often the result rather than fiscal accountability. The King would suggest enjoying a few of the fruits but taking care of debts and saving some for later.

Burn Baby, Burn

From the Ellis Deck, the Queen of Rods; from the Brownies Oracle, Inspiration:

With all the flowers and greenery, I might guess this woman was the Empress. But those glowing eyes reveal her fiery passion inside. She's probably an environmental warrior, wildlife conservationist or chairperson of the garden club. Whatever her cause, this queen will be avid about it.  And she'll have the enthusiasm and charisma to get others to join too. I could use a jolt of her energy and zeal; I still have a Four of Cups hangover this morning. Looks like the Brownies are working on that though, with their community bonfire. The root of 'Inspiration' means to breathe into, first as the breath of life (in a religious sense) and later as a way to inflame one's passion. No matter what strong interest inspires us, it can give us a sense of purpose and a reason to get up in the morning.

The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for. 

― Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Controlling Burn-out

From the Ellis Deck, the Four of Cups; from the Brownies Oracle, Control:

Applied Psychologist Paula D. Laack defines burn-out as: "the chronic state of being out of sync with one or more aspects of your life," with the result being "a loss of energy, enthusiasm, and confidence." Researchers have found six common elements:

1. Lack of control (due to a chaotic environment or having no input in decision-making)
2. Values conflict (between your core values vs. what is expected of you)
3. Insufficient reward (feeling taking for granted or under-compensated)
4. Work overload (too much, too complex, or too urgent)
5. Unfairness (favoritism and discussions that keep others out of the loop)
6. Breakdown of community (patronizing colleagues, no mechanism for conflict resolution, and non-existent feedback)

The Brownies bring up number one on the list: control. I've actually seen someone ride an ostrich, but he more or less hung on rather than directed it. My go-to for clarity in these circumstances is the Serenity Prayer:

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Learning Diversity

From the Ellis Deck, the Eight of Pentacles; from the Brownies Oracle, Diversity:

A lone person hangs banners on a bridge. When we are trying to bridge the place between where we are and where we want to be, markers help. It might be grades received or certification granted. For others it may be lab work or steps on a Fitbit. Sometimes it could be ribbons won at an art show or cooking contest. These banners allow us to see how we're progressing and what still needs work. Yet once we get across the bridge, we must keep widening the circle around our focus instead of churning out the same thing or doing it the same way over and over. The Brownies suggest diversity - not just the inclusion of different elements, but the in the way we think about them. Creativity shouldn't just be kept in a jar with the lid on, but poured in a variety of containers.

Ego Protection

From the Ellis Deck, the Five of Swords; from the Brownies Oracle, Surrender:

Birdman is the one left holding the swords after this battle, but he is left standing alone. Those piles of feathers beneath his feet represent just how cutting and damaging his words were. I don't see him doing a victory dance, probably because the reality of what he lost in order to win is sinking in. Ellis suggests learning from our mistakes when we find ourselves in this situation. Being right might feel good in the moment, but the fallout sucks. Surrender is something people in recovery know well, mostly because of the struggle we put up beforehand. We blame, we justify and we rationalize - anything to prevent us from admitting the truth. The longer we play this mental game with ourselves, the more prolonged and intense is the suffering that follows. Many prefer to die rather than admit their wrongs and ask for guidance from another. Is protecting the ego worth all that?

Change only happens when the pain of holding on is greater than the fear of letting go.

~ Anonymous

Tied Up, Untied

From the Ellis Deck, the World; from the Brownies Oracle, Tempest-Tost:

This young dancer has figured out that she in not apart from creation, but a part of it. She rests at the bottom of one loop of the ouroboros, after completing her journey. Her crossed leg in the shape of a 4 indicates stability; what was scattered has been brought together. But the dandelion flowers she holds will turn into puffballs once planted. Seeds will be scattered in all directions, and the dancer will be on the move again. The Tempest-Tost card shows the Brownies dealing with a storm at sea. When a crisis has finally ended or a big project is finished, my first reaction is relief. It feels good to relax and enjoy the peace of completion. But then there comes an uneasy feeling of restlessness, a desire to get off my bum and get moving once again. There is a period of indecision when I may bounce back and forth about which direction to move in. But at some point, I'll spot a dandelion seed that looks promising, and head off in that direction.

'Now' is dropping the agenda and just being completely curious...

~ Pema Chodron