Dew Drops

From the Gaian Tarot, the Ten of Water (Cups); from the Goddess Oracle, Shakti:

          As a card of transition, the Ten of Water shows salmon completing their life cycle: swimming from the ocean to freshwater where they spawn and die. Even in times of normalcy, we lose loved ones through geographical moves, death, or disinterest. It is the nature of life to be impermanent, though that doesn't make the grief easier to bear. Shakti represents the universal energy that animates and energizes everything, yet even her power moves in a cycle of creation, maintenance, and destruction. To reflect on the fact that everything which arises will pass away is not morbid; it allows us not just to get our worldly affairs in order, but our inner affairs as well. Yet it also allows us love more deeply and offer compassion without conditions, knowing that we all share the same fate.

Like dew drops

on a lotus leaf

I vanish.

–Senryu

Diving in and Embracing Grace

From the Gaian Tarot, the Star; from the Goddess Oracle, Pele:

          The Gaian companion book suggests the phrase 'Opening to grace' for the Star. What is grace when you don't fall under a Christian umbrella? For me, it is the opposite of mental and emotional constriction. Instead, grace involves tenderly opening and accepting what is around me, seeing and appreciating the innate goodness in life even amid the filth, carnage, and suffering. But like the little kingfisher bird in the card, sometimes we have to dive deep to find and embrace it. Pele appears as an old woman who lights a cigarette with the flick of her gnarled fingers when she rests, but as a beautiful and vibrant woman when she erupts. Her message is to awaken; added to the Star, she suggests an active effort of rawness and courage in seeing the good shining beneath the grime.

For his heart was in his work, and the heart giveth grace unto every art.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Trowel in Hand

This week I'll be using the Gaian Tarot, a deck and book set created and self-published by Joanna Powell Colbert. I'll also be using the Goddess Oracle, a deck and book set created by Amy Sophia Marashinsky and illustrated by Hrana Janto. Today's draws are the Gardener (Empress) and Minerva:

We spend decades of our lives wanting happiness, peace, and contentment—without sowing the causes for that aspiration. Why did we not plant the seeds of the fruition we aspire to?

~ Khandro Rinpoche

          The Gardener (Empress) asks me what seeds I've been planting in my garden. If they have been seeds laced with fear, anger or delusion, will it be a surprise when I reap thorny brambles? These seeds have a way of spreading, causing harm not only to myself but others as well. And like the reseeding they will do, similar future experiences may trigger me to continue the same pattern over and over if I'm not mindful. Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, asks me to consider the beliefs that might be nurturing these seeds:

My life is shaped and formed

by what I tell myself.

The contents of my mind

are what I choose.

I make sure that what I carry

is of my own careful choosing.

The world may not be spinning according to my wishes, but that's irrelevant to what I'm planting in the garden of my mind.

On the Fly

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Two of Pentacles; from the Beasts of Albion, Hound:

          The fox's tail on this fellow indicates a need for cunning, the ability to artfully change paths and adapt as necessary on the fly. The fox rarely moves in a straight line, nor does life. The companion book suggests that we 'think on our feet,' in other words, have several alternate plans and strategies if our primary one doesn't work out. It means we can't hide under the bedcovers - we have to take action in a new direction. Balancing responsibilities requires such constant readjustment. One plan is to know who is trustworthy (like the Hound) and who is willing to temporarily accept some of our obligations when we are overwhelmed. This is the person who is credible, consistent, and considerate. In turn, we can repay them with our own loyalty and aid when they find themselves in need.

If you can’t feed a hundred people, feed just one.

– Mother Teresa

Endless Possibilities

From the Llewellyn Tarot, Judgment; from the Beasts of Albion, Bear:

          One legend of the death of King Arthur describes how the bodies of Arthur and his men were put into a special cave. It is said that when the world is in need of admirable leadership, they would rise again. Likewise, Bear represents a dormant quality or ability that is awakened and emerges. It is easy to point the finger at political leaders and the self-serving management they presently offer. But what if this is personal - not 'out there' - but something that needs to be nourished and cultivated within me? The list of possibilities is endless, but perhaps today I could just choose one to water and nurture.

Grace, respect, reserve, and empathetic listening are qualities sorely missing from the public discourse now. ~Meryl Streep

Flotation Device

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Queen of Cups; from the Beasts of Albion, the Dolphin:

          Another nice pairing today: the Queen of emotions and relationships meets the Dolphin who represents intelligent caring. This queen's cloak floats out toward the waves while she remains stable in her chair. Like the lifeguard who carries a floatation device to extend to someone who is drowning, she realizes that becoming submerged with a person in emotional distress does no one any good. Her compassion allows her to sit with the suffering of someone else, offering them advice if wanted, but without becoming engulfed. Sometimes the best she can do is tell them she will bear witness so they don't have to suffer alone.

The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.

― Henri Nouwen

Inventory and Right Action

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Hermit; from the Beasts of Albion, the Wren:

          Today's two cards seem to be a study of opposites: solitude and self-examination versus a song sung loud and proud. The Hermit encourages a look within, to see assets as well as areas that need improvement. Before he can teach others anything, he must have a clear view of himself. From a center of calm and clarity, he can then become a vocal advocate or activist while avoiding dragging his own baggage into the situation.

The only sane response to the facts is radical confidence. Radical because it emerges on the other side of despair after you have confronted the facts and accepted your feelings about them. Confidence because you come to the realization that it is not too late to act meaningfully.

 ~James Thornton

Tap into the frustration, outrage, and anger—to go deeper to the place where we really care, and then move that caring into action.

~James Baraz