Walk Humbly

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Masters, created and self-published by James Ricklef. (I'll also be referring to Ricklef's Tarot Affirmations book.) The oracle deck I'll be using is The Key to the Kingdom, a transformational cards and booklet set created by Tony Meeuwissen and published by Running Press. Today's draws are Justice and the 'Joker:'

          Lady Justice sits with the sword of truth and right action in one hand and the scales of balance and discernment in the other. Looking at this card, a verse from the prophet Micah popped into my head when he told the people what was expected of them: "To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Justice is balanced with mercy and humility. Part of being humble means I realize that it is nearly impossible not to let my beliefs and opinions influence any decisions I make. My stuff will always have an effect on how I perceive the world. Perhaps that's why we need mercy too. The Joker is paired with verses written by Mary Howitt. A spider invites a fly into its parlor in a friendly way, but the fly knows its motives and doesn't accept the invitation. Should the spider be punished? He only acted as nature created him after all. Both these cards remind me that if I know who I'm dealing with (and it is someone untrustworthy), I shouldn't want revenge if I get involved and then taken advantage of. Would the fly think it could outsmart the spider once it was in its web? My energy would be better used to warn others away and expose this person.

Fanatics

From the Songs for the Journey Home, the Five of Flames (Wands); from the Raven Cards, 'Bind your wounds:'

           A fault line opens; on one side a volcano erupts while on the other side a woman sleeps. Ever had an argument that resulted in an anger hangover? Yet there is a good chance the other party involved slept deeply and didn't think too much more about it. The owl sees the wisdom in 'letting it be' rather than continuing to rehash and ruminate. The Raven card suggests we 'bind our wounds,' meaning we realize that what has been hurt is only our pride. The ego is concerned with being right all the time, but the Raven card reminds us that our 'innermost being' cannot be hurt. My opinions (and my demand they be accepted as truth) are not what make me a worthy person, but rather my acts of kindness.

History has shown that the most terrible crimes against love have been committed in the name of fanatically defended doctrines. ― Paul Tillich

Wellspring

From the Songs for the Journey Home Tarot, the Ten of Waves (Cups); from the Raven Cards, 'Wellspring:'

          The eggs and the succession of swan pairs made me think of karma. Karma in the mainstream is generally thought to be something negative - be mean and it will boomerang back to you. My understanding is that karma is the process by which our past intentional actions influence what we experience and do in the present, and how in the present they influence our future. These karmic seeds (habits) produce karmic fruit, such as connection and kindness or separation and cruelty. If we become aware of our tendencies that aren't beneficial or positive, we can change them and our future. Yet our intentional actions also affect generations to come. We can leave a legacy of love for others to follow or a heritage of hate for others to endure. Our habits can be passed on even easier than an inheritance. The Raven card suggests that we 'go to the wellspring' - a source of continual supply. This is not something external but internal that is much wiser and more compassionate than our ego. It fills us with a beneficial living water that we can share.

What we all need to do is find the wellspring that keeps us going, that gives us the strength and patience to keep up this struggle for a long time. ~Winona LaDuke

Life Preservers

From the Songs for the Journey Home Tarot, Wave Awakening (Knight of Cups); from the Raven Cards, 'Open up your heart:'

          Knights represent a highly charged enthusiasm for their particular suit, but unfortunately, the wisdom of how to use it is lacking. The Knight of Cups dives into the ocean of emotions over and over; he hasn't figured out the usefulness of a life jacket or that a flotation device to extend to others would be helpful. A large part of his worthiness is tied up into 'saving' others, though he can often need saving himself. He's got the first part of the Raven card down pat - 'Open up your heart' - but he needs to mature to understand what 'give your blessing' means. John O'Donohue writes that a blessing "suggests that no life is alone or unreachable" and that its purpose is to "embrace and elevate whatever is happening to someone." That means we compassionately commit to sit with someone's pain but not drown in it. Sinking in their sorrow would prevent us from 'elevating' the situation to a more positive, beneficial place. One day this Knight may learn most people don't need saving; they just need to know that there's someone who will hold their hand when life gets overwhelming.

Absolutely Unique

From Songs from the Journey Home Tarot, Flame Resolving (King of Wands); from the Raven Cards, 'Keep your beak shut:'

          The creators of the Songs deck state that the Kings represent wisdom and the ability to see with compassion one's personal strengths and weaknesses. What is the King of Wands strength? He knows how to inspire others, breathing into them passion like the glass blower's breath that helps form the vessels. But the Raven card warns that it would be smart to keep our beak shut and listen to our inner voice (that isn't controlled by the ego). This King of Wands has obviously done just that by not trying to shape people with his personal passion but allowing them to follow their own interests. Each glass piece takes its own unique shape instead of being manufactured with conformity in mind.

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. 

~Margaret Mead

Window Watching

From Songs for the Journey Home Tarot, Flame Innocence (Page of Wands); from the Raven Cards, 'You can't hold your breath:'

          A young lass looks longingly at the mountain landscape outside her window. She operates on instinct and is full of inquisitiveness, yet the closed gate and fence symbolize her lack of resources to go exploring. For now, she dreams, wonders and learns. She makes a promise to herself that one day she'll see what worlds lay beyond the mountains. The Raven card prods us not to just sit around pouting when our dreams are delayed ("You can't hold your breath."). There are plenty of adventures waiting in our own backyards, neighborhoods, and communities if we'll open our mind wider than our wishes. 

Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. ~Earl Nightingale

Family Dinners

From the Songs for the Journey Home Tarot, the Eight of Waves (Cups); from the Raven Cards, 'Respect your fear:'

           Doesn't this remind you of those holiday dinners and get-togethers with family, perhaps not literally but symbolically? We sit around with people we are supposed to feel connected to, but instead, we feel completely alienated and separated from them. While no one may actually leave the table, there is often the slamming sound of closed minds and hearts. Before pointing the finger of blame, the Ravens card suggests we look beneath our fear about feeling that we are not accepted or don't belong. Do we aggressively push our ideas or clam up and stew about another's closed mind? Perhaps it would be more beneficial to start a respectful discussion about why each person feels the way they do. Though people still may try to push their agendas, being an example of an alternative communication method couldn't hurt.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

~Nelson Mandela