The Resource of Friendship

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Puffin/Three of Cups; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Nauthiz:

The puffin spends a solitary life on the ocean until it is breeding season. On island colonies they become social birds, often placing their nesting burrows within a couple of body lengths of each other. This fits with the rune Nauthiz, literally 'needs-fire,' a lesson in constraints and hardships. The sociability of these birds come at a vulnerable time; they need each other for support. As Rick Hanson wrote:

 There's a fundamental model in the health sciences that how you feel and function is based on just three factors: your load [current challenges], the personal vulnerabilities it wears upon – such as health problems, a sensitive temperament, or a history of trauma – and the resources you have. As a law of nature, if your load or vulnerabilities increase – over a day, a year, or a lifetime – so must your resources. Otherwise, inevitably, you will get strained, depleted, and ground down. 

A Bigger Container

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Beaver/King of Cups; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Perth:

The Beaver's message is that what we build with our skills can literally change the landscape around us. In the King of Cups' case, his ability to listen with compassion and offer wise counsel without getting emotionally tangled helps those around him live more peaceably. Just as one angry person can incite a mob, so one calm person can promote composure and clarity in others. Yet Perth is a rune that suggests a dice box from which lots were cast. It is a reminder that although wise choice and skills can help create a better future, there are many external causes and conditions over which we have no control. But isn't that where this King's talents really shine, when the unexpected is faced? What we build and sustain through spiritual practice is what can aid us in staying grounded and calm until the storm passes.

As our faith deepens, the 'container' in which fear arises gets bigger. Like a teaspoonful of salt placed in a pond full of fresh water rather than in a narrow glass, if our measure of fear is arising in an open, vast space of heart, we will not shut down around it. We may still recognize it as fear, we may still quake inside, but it will not break our spirit.

—Sharon Salzberg

True Quest

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Knight of Cups/Blue-footed Booby; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Mannaz:

This Knight believes that the best, most exciting quest is one of the heart. Like the blue-footed booby who makes spectacular dives from the air into the sea for fish, he's willing to dive deeply into relationships and be vulnerable. But like this seabird's name (booby - because it is tame around humans), the Knight of Cups can also be naive. No two hearts and minds are going to fuse together and permanently become one. Mannaz, or humankind, refers to the intelligence, awareness and rational mind that each person has been given.  Relationships expose and express both the strengths and weaknesses. Can this Knight maintain his love when they disagree or see from different perspectives? Can he allow the other to be an individual rather than a subset of himself? This is the true quest, the fulfilling maturity of love.

Don't Push

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Ostrich/Knight of Wands; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Jera:

Did you know that an ostrich sticking his head in the sand is a myth? This flightless bird might lie on the ground and pretend to be a bush if they have chicks who can't run at the speed or distance of their parent. But even then, an ostrich has sharp eyes and can deliver a powerful kick if needed. Like the ostrich, the Knight of Wands has the confidence and grit to protect what he is trying to create or make happen. The confrontational look on this bird's face seems to say "bring it." Jera is a rune associated with harvest, however there is an understanding that what is growing must mature first. While the Knight is good at perseverance, patience is not a trait well-honed. He will have to learn - as the saying goes - that you can't push the river.

Don't push the river, it flows by itself.

― Frederick S. Perls

Pause for Clarity

This week I'll be using the Animal Totem Tarot, created by Eugene Smith with a companion book by Leeza Robertson; the set was published by Llewellyn. I'll also be using the Blum/Gern Rune Cards created by Ralph Blum and illustrated by Gabrielle Gern with publishing by Connections. Today's draws are the Page of Swords and Isa:

Runs with scissors - phrase seen on a t-shirt

The Page of Swords as a roadrunner made me chuckle; it's not that he isn't intelligent, it's just that he's impatient. This Page wants to know everything and inform everyone all about it by yesterday. He may hear the tail-end of a conversation then think he has the whole story. Or he may learn a concept and attempt to apply that idea to all without exception. While he is learning, albeit in a helter-skelter sort of way, he's liable to create some chaos as he goes. Isa is a rune that refers to ice, a time of being frozen. Blum suggests the keyword 'standstill,' a good reminder for the Page of Swords to pause for clarity and do a deeper dive on what he thinks he knows.

It’s wonderful to have the freedom to continually widen our interests. But like many luxuries, it has an insidious downside. Ever-branching possibilities make it harder for us to explore any given one deeply, because there’s always more “newness” to turn to when the old new thing has reached a difficult or boring part. —David Cain, "Go Deeper Not Wider"

Into the Light

From the Tylwick Tarot, the Hermit; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, the Ring:

The time will come when diligent research over long periods will bring to light things which now lie hidden. ―Seneca

A fountain statuary of Seneca is seen in a garden wall niche. Seneca was an enigma, living a life of riches, politics and ambition while also taking time for philosophy, introspection and self-awareness. As a high-ranking financial clerk, he was exiled by Claudius. Years later, he would be hired as a tutor for Nero, whose paranoia would later demand Seneca's death. The Ring suggests his commitment to his philosophy, no matter if he was the recipient of accolades or condemnation. He knew how easy it was for humans to hide their motives (including himself). As he wrote, "we don’t want to change because we believe we are already excellent." The potential for compassion, wisdom and goodwill is definitely there, but without any type of self-reflection and willingness, we won't be likely to find it.

  

Intelligence Doesn't Always Mean Wisdom

From the Tyldwick Tarot, the Knight of Swords; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, the Lily:

The Knight of Swords is elementally Fire of Air, so there are symbols of both fire (fireplace, phoenix statues) and air (peacocks, bellows). He's intelligent and well-read, as well as being an eloquent speaker when it suits him. He sees himself as a truth seeker. Unfortunately, he can also be as impulsive as his knight cousins. At times, that bellows can fill him with hot air, and what he might pass off as knowledge is simply pure opinion stated as fact. When his ego is involved, his tongue can cut as sharply as any sword, and many will be intimidated enough to go along with him. The Lily has been associated with the fleur-de-lis of heraldry, and thus it is sometimes interpreted as the wisdom of elders. While the Knight might be full of knowledge, there is something to be said for life experience, an open mind, and a willingness to learn from others with different skills and training. Intelligence does not always reside in the same container as wisdom.