Walk Forward

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Fool; from the Lakota Sweatlodge Cards, Inyan (Stone):

          Walk forward into uncertainty. There is no reason to cower in fear of life's challenges or rage at life when change or loss occur. You're here to embrace it all with an open mind and heart, and when you do, compassion and wisdom will come. Open all of your senses and stay curious even with what seems unpleasant; when you do, you will learn. Listen to the small voice that whispers inside: "This is why you are here." There will be periods when you want to shutter your heart and mind against the pain and problems, but try to keep them open. Inyan, the stones of the earth, can show you how to support and ground yourself during these trying times. Move slowly, with great patience. Stability is found in the present moment, not in the memories of the past or the fantasies of the future. 

Each day presents a new confrontation with reality. I want to run; instead, I breathe. One breath—the freedom to choose my response in that moment. —Marilyn Buck   

This post was inspired by a conversation I had with a friend yesterday. I asked her, "What would your life look like it if wasn't weighed down with stress and worry?" I then suggested she try to live as if this were already true. Seems like it is good advice for me as well!

It Isn't "Them"

This week I'll be using the Buckland Romani Tarot, created by Lissanne Lake and Raymond Buckland; this book and deck set was published by Galde Press. Along with it, I'll be using the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, created by Chief Archie Fire Lame Deer and Helene Sarkis; this deck and book set was published by Inner Traditions. Today's draws are Strength and Hanwi (Moon):

Facing the monster. And recognizing it. Knowing that it was not a vile few.

It wasn't "them." It was us. ~ Louise Penny, Glass Houses

          Rage, greed, jealousy, grief, fear - the beast within wears many faces. It's easy for me to see this face on others, to point it out with self-righteous satisfaction and pretend it doesn't live within me. But it does (and it has large teeth and massive claws). If I pretend long enough that it isn't there, it's easy for it to escape and do irreparable harm. Everyone has a tipping point, when the iron door to the beast's cage opens. I may try to deny that these instincts are alive and well in me, but what happens when I reach that point? I have no way to calm the beast and no way to close the door. Hanwi, or "night sun," represents cycles. The companion book states that "We cannot sustain one mood, one way of perceiving, one action only, throughout our lives or even throughout our day." For better of for worse, humans are emotional beings. I must befriend the beast inside me, and learn how to ground and center myself when it roars and wants unlimited independence.

Responsible Thinking

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Six of Swords; from the Victorian Flower Oracle, Lilac:

          A woman, twisting off her wedding band, is shuttled by boat to another shore. What's amazing about this particular Six of Swords is the swords have all been left behind. In cases of infidelity, the hurt seems to bring out obsessive behavior in the unsuspecting spouse. They will secretly follow the other, Google them or their new partner, and ask mutual friends for information about the situation. But that kind of thinking and behavior is like constantly sticking your hand into a pot of boiling water. The hand never gets a chance to heal. So I'm happy to see the beliefs and ideas that caused this woman pain aren't coming with her in the boat. Lilac symbolizes news or a message. People in turmoil tend to have tunnel vision and can't really pay attention to anything but the chaos within themselves. Now that the waters around this woman are becoming calmer, perhaps this woman can hear what she's been missing.

You may believe that you are responsible for what you do, but not for what you think. The truth is that you are responsible for what you think, because it is only at this level that you can exercise choice. What you do comes from what you think. ― Marianne Williamson

Making Sacrifices to Fulfill Intentions

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Three of Wands; from the Victorian Flower Oracle, Scabious and Marigold:

          Three men haggle over the price of a ram; the man who is selling it needs a part for his tractor. There are always hard choices to be made when trying to reach a goal. The ram was once a lamb that this man raised himself, and I don't imagine it is easy for him to let it go. But fields won't get plowed and planted on time without the tractor running. Scabious is also known as pin cushion flower; its Latin root means 'the itch' as it was once thought to soothe skin conditions. Marigold is a flower often seen during Dia de los Muertos celebrations. People use the blooms to decorate the ofrenda ('offering' -a ritual altar) in the home, honoring deceased family members. Both these flowers symbolize sympathy and compassion for a loss. I'd rather take a money loss and have the ram go to a farmer who would care for it rather than see it as a 'thing.' Where there is a history of pleasant memories, it's often hard to let go of whatever is associated with them.

I have to say goodbye to things in order to take on bigger things that I've always wanted to do. ~ Mahershala Ali

Timing is Essential

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Ace of Coins; from the Victorian Flower Oracle, Honeysuckle:

          Planning a garden - looking through catalogs, choosing seeds or plants and imagining the end result - can be much more fun than planting it. But at some point if we want more than a fantasy garden, we're going to have to get our hands dirty. The coin's imprint is unusual, showing  a cupid-like figure with bow and arrows set aside while gearwheels turn over his head. Obviously there is an emphasis on doing rather than feeling (I may not want to be out in the hot sun plowing and planting, but I need to do it anyway). The sundial behind him symbolizes a limited time frame for getting things done. Honeysuckle's message is 'fun and games,' which seems in conflict with the 'get moving' nudge of the Ace. Yet bodies need rest and minds need to unwind when work is hard, or it's likely the work won't every get completed. However honeysuckle (especially the invasive Japanese species) can easily take over an area if left on its on. Better set a timer so work doesn't get completely pushed aside in favor of play, if whatever project I'm working on is to get off the ground.

Do you like tacos?

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Eight of Coins; from the Victorian Flower Oracle, Tuberose and Daffodil:

          All these students seem to be studying different things in this classroom. Though I'm sure they all have to learn a basic core curriculum, they also branch out and follow an in depth course of study in what interests them. Thank goodness for that; I wouldn't want my electrician to give me a flu shot. Tuberose and Daffodil represent love or warm friendship, though they are very different flowers. Tuberose is considered a night-blooming plant that flowers in the summer while Daffodil is a spring flower that can be seen all day. However both flowers are bulbs. Though we all have our differences, it can help us get along if we look for at least one similarity or common interest, even if it is as simple as liking tacos.

Trimming the Overgrowth

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Five of Wands; from the Victorian Flower Oracle, Hawthorn:

          All she wanted was an estimate for an irrigation system for her garden. Now these knuckleheads are getting nothing accomplished because they are too busy arguing (likely trying to impress her) about the best way to do it. From that 'hands on the hips' posture, she will likely be knocking some heads together soon. I can't stand to be in a group argument that simply revolves around beliefs; I much prefer discussions that center on facts and logic. We don't have Hawthorns in my area, but we do have pyracantheas (aka 'firethorn'). Unless you want an impenetrable thorny wall, at some point they must be cut back to be kept in bounds (thus the keyword, 'necessary evil'). These two cards don't bode well for my trip to 'cousin camp' hosted by my mom every summer. She believes in keeping family together whether we like it or not. I do love my cousins, but our ideas about all of the touchy subjects (politics, religion, etc.) are miles apart. I would prefer not to talk about them at all, but one of the group has big opinions that she enjoys sharing. Normally I sit in mute silence (inwardly churning) in order to keep the peace. But the second card suggests I might respectfully speak my truth, not to debate, but in an effort to cut off the never-ending flow. Or at the very least I could simply say, "I don't see it that way," and leave it at that.