Watch for the Follow-through

From the Prairie Tarot, the Seven of Swords; from the Medicine Cards, the Whale:

          The white man, standing in front of a group of teepees with swords hidden behind his back, automatically makes me think of the many promises given and broken to Native people. As Maya Angelou once said, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." Whale, known as the Record Keeper (having been around for millions of years, first on land then migrating to the water), would agree. When there is a history of betrayal, trust should not be quickly extended just because someone says they are sorry. As Dale Carnegie encourages, "Pay less attention to what men say. Just watch what they do." Trust is earned by consistently following through with what has been promised.

Enjoy the Ride

This week I'll be using the Prairie Tarot, created and self-published by Robin Ator. Paired with it will be the Medicine Cards, a deck and book set published by St. Martin's Press and created by David Carson and Jamie Sams. Today's cards are the Ten of Cups and Rabbit:

          A family admires the view from their new homestead. Home is the place we can breathe deeply, relax and unwind. It gives us a place to recharge and a feeling of belonging. But Rabbit has shown up, a totem associated with fear (as it is a prey animal). I've been watching the months creep up to hurricane season, and there is a tiny bit of anxiety roaming around my mind about what is to come. I don't want my place of refuge to become a prison surrounded by flood waters or damaged by high winds. But I have no control over the weather, and right now things are okay. My focus must be on what is here and now, not consumed about what may happen in the future. I'll keep the insurance paid and acknowledge that today, life is good.

But rather than being disheartened by the ambiguity, the uncertainty of life, what if we accepted it and relaxed into it? What if we said, “Yes, this is the way it is; this is what it means to be human,” and decided to sit down and enjoy the ride? 

 ~Pema Chodron

Other Options

From the Tarot of the Master, the Page of Wands; from the Paracelsus Oracle, 'Carcer:'

The Wands are a symbol of action, so it's no surprise that this young Page is out in the fields looking for an adventure with his trusty, canine sidekick. He's not content to sit at home, waiting for excitement to find him; he's on the move in search of it. Carcer is literally translated as 'prison' and represents restriction. Due to finances, health issues or obligations, it can often feel as if we are imprisoned and unable to have any adventures of our own. But usually what that means is that we have our minds set on something we can't do at the moment rather than looking around us at other options that are available.

Practical Kindness

From the Tarot of the Master, the Queen of Coins; from the Paracelsus Oracle, 'Puella:'

          The Queen of Pentacles is not much of a collector of 'dust-arounds.' She is practical and believes that if you have it, it should be used. Resources should have a function, in her opinion. Now beauty and comfort might fall under that category, however, as she is definitely not an ascetic. Puella means 'girl' and can refer to a softening of the heart and kindness. The booklet suggests an intervention of sorts, help offered to improve a situation or person's life. The Queen would probably say we should wait to offer help until it is asked for; no need in wasting resources if the person or group isn't interested.

Anticipating Charity

From the Tarot of the Master, the Knight of Coins; from the Paracelsus Oracle, 'Fortuna Major:'

          The Knight of Coins has been given the keyword 'responsibility' because of his dependable nature and hard work ethic. He could teach America a thing or two, as its citizens have become enamored of their rights but conveniently forgotten they come attached to responsibilities. Fortuna Major means 'greater fortune,' and in this particular card, it is associated with good fortune that arrives through aid or philanthropy. These draws seem like illustrations for the writings of the philosopher Maimonides on charity:

the most meritorious of all, is to anticipate charity by preventing poverty, namely, to assist the reduced brother, either by a considerable gift or loan of money, or by teaching him a trade, or by putting him in the way of business, so that he may earn an honest livelihood and not be forced to the dreadful alternative of holding up his hand for charity. . .

Handing Down the Buck

From the Tarot of the Master, the Seven of Coins; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Laetitia:

          The framed coins remind me of how family businesses often display the first dollar they make. But the Seven of Coins is primarily about taking stock of our resources at the moment. The skull on the wall makes it seem as if this business has passed through several generations. Laetitia literally means 'joy' and indicates a time of harmony and balance. The booklet suggests this may come about through discussion and compromise. Whatever resource is changing hands, it can't hurt to listen to the previous owner's ideas and information. You might learn some helpful hints that keep you from finding things out the hard way.

It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. 

― Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Willing and Doing

From Tarot of the Master, the Five of Wands; from the Paracelsus Oracle, Rubeus:

          This Five of Wands seems like the ceremonial end to a competition, with one winner and four other runners-up. Rubeus (literally 'red') refers to a passionate fierceness, a necessary ingredient for stepping out from the crowd. But this particular Rubeus warns that there is a difference between idealism and practicality, between fantasy and reality. Getting in the winner's circle requires a continuous effort, adaptability and a concrete expression of one's talents. Go for the gold, but don't expect a smooth and easy ride to get there.

Knowing is not enough; we must apply.  Willing is not enough; we must do.
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe