Get a Move On

From the Tarot of Durer, the Eight of Chalices; from the Philosopher's Stone Deck, 'Movement:'

          Several cups wash downstream, as a dove huddles against the rain from above. This card always makes me think of the sadness of resignation; we know that something is over and have accepted it. I've spent several days down among the cypress springs and swamps of Florida with three of my cousins who are like sisters. We were celebrating my mom's eightieth birthday. It was a relaxed holiday, walking on boardwalks and trails and taking a slow boat ride to enjoy the sites - alligators, manatees and a variety of birds that would make birders drool. I feel a bit of that sadness today, though I'm glad to be back home. Yet those two cups still standing on the rock are the memories I'll always have. The Movement card made me chuckle - I might want a few days to chill out after our trip, but there are things that need my attention. The small stones lined up in front of the stone face imply that there is no question about what needs to be done and the direction to move in. Time to get a move on and take care of what's waiting.

Every Lid Has a Pot

From the Tarot of Durer, the Knave (Page) of Swords; from the Philosopher's Stone Deck, 'Complement:'

          I know what you're thinking... "Why is this older guy still a Page?" He definitely has the intelligence and skill to move up in the ranks, and nothing gets past his sharp eyes or ears. What he lacks are diplomacy and tact. If there is a pink elephant in the room that everyone else is politely trying to avoid noticing, he points it out with gusto. Whatever passes through his mind comes straight out of his mouth with no filter. The Complement card implies the adage that "every lid has a pot." Though this Page is not everyone's cup of tea, he works well with folks who have a hard time speaking up. He can also be a refreshing change when surrounded by people pleasers who can't utter an honest opinion about anything. He may take some getting used to, but he'll never deliberately lie or sugarcoat a thing.

I'll be out of town for the next several days celebrating my mom's 80th birthday and likely won't be able to post anything until I return. Just didn't want anyone to think I disappeared! 

Shadowed Decisions

This week I'll be using the Tarot of Durer, created by Manfredi Toraldo and Giacinto Gaudenzi and published by Lo Scarabeo. The oracle deck I'll also be using is the Philosopher's Stone, created by De Es and published by AG Muller. Today's draws are the Two of Swords and 'Confrontation:'

          The question is not which came first, but whether to eat the chicken or the egg. The fox's hunger dictates his desire to eat, but he might slip away without notice if he chooses the egg. Yet the chicken would provide the better meal. Unfortunately, all the flapping and clucking won't go unnoticed, and he might get killed in the process. Is it wiser to take a greater chance and grab the more fulfilling meal? Confrontation shows a smaller rock blocking the light from the larger stone's face. When faced with tough decisions, we end up confronting those parts of ourselves that we would rather leave in the closet - fears and insecurities, anger and resentment, instincts and desires. We stay in the shadows until we do, because they won't be ignored. Sometimes the questions that should be asked is, "Will the consequences of this act fall on others too? Do the benefits serve the greater good or one person? What longterm repercussions could either choice have?"

Time Limit

From the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, the Four of Batons (Wands); from the Pages of Shustah, 'Death:'

          The Four of Batons shows four instruments of creation: a paintbrush, writing quill, sculptor's wire and flute. Each requires the fiery energy and passion of this suit to progress from aspiration to inspiration to perspiration. At this stage, we've been motivated enough to complete the groundwork or infrastructure of what we're doing. It is a time to celebrate the headway we've made; such a break gives us a chance to unwind and relax so that our minds and bodies are fresh for the next leg of our journey. And it never hurts to get an "Attah girl!" of encouragement from others to keep our enthusiasm high. Yet for some of us, it's easy for our pause button to get stuck. We get comfortable and keep up a steady prattle of procrastination instead of getting started again. Here Death steps in to put an end to our laziness, giving us a poke to get moving. She warns us, "Don't ignore limits and parameters" and might even use the words of Anna Nalick, "time's like an hourglass glued to the table." 

High Alert

From the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, the Nine of Batons (Wands); from the Pages of Shustah, 'Witch Hazel:'

           This green man is a balance of stability and alertness in a stressful situation. He may have a calm demeanor, but his senses and instincts are on high alert. How does he keep from freaking out when the heat is on? The vine that wraps around him is rooted in the ground.While he waits, he stays present to what is currently in front of him rather than getting lost in any 'what if' stories in his head. Witch Hazel has a long history of use because of its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. The Mohegan tribe taught English settlers how to use the saplings to dowse for water. This card implies healing and suggests one's 'thirst' will eventually be quenched. There is work to be done now, but rest and refreshment are just around the corner. As the Masai Proverb reminds us, "There is no hill that never ends."

Crossing the Bridge

From the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, the Eight of Cups; from the Pages of Shustah, 'Saggitarius:'

          Why do people stay in miserable marriages, unsatisfying jobs or places that seem to suck the soul from them even when there are other options? Fear of change can be a huge factor; it is easy to believe the devil we know is better than the devil we don't. Chogyam Trungpa suggests we lay fear in the cradle of loving-kindness. In this mindset, there is only tenderness without shame and unconditional friendliness without judgment. This is where we grow the courage to move forward toward emotional fulfillment rather than stagnating in misery. Saggitarius can teach this journeyer much about honesty and outspokenness - a likely cause of how he got and stayed stuck for so long. This sign is also known as the Archer. Hopefully, he'll do a little research before he shoots that arrow into the great unknown. At least he has a firm idea of what he doesn't want; now he just has to explore and find what he does. 

Fluctuation and Flow

From the Sheridan-Douglas Tarot, the Two of Coins; from the Pages of Shustah, the 'Candle:'

          Fluctuation and flow are two words that describe the human experience. If we are to look after our physical well-being, then we must be able to juggle and manage our resources (health, time, energy and finances). This young lass is adept at this task; notice how she keeps her eye on the coin in the air rather than the one firmly in her hand. It is tempting to second guess our decisions and actions rather than move our focus to something that actually needs our attention. "Keep your eye on the bird in the air, not the one in your hand," she encourages. The Candle represents illumination, and tied with the Two of Coins, suggests asking ourselves "How important is this?" The ship far out at sea may or may not dock at this gal's city. If she worries about it, she forgets to concentrate on carrying out what is necessary. As the saying goes, "Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you."