An Evening In

From the Tarot of the Cat People, the Three of Cups; from the Insectorum Divinorum, Nest/Fall Webworm:

The Fall Webworm moth lays its eggs on the underside of deciduous hardwood trees. When the larvae hatch in the late summer and fall, they create webbed nests on the tree limbs. Larvae feed inside the tents, which offer thermal regulation and some protection, until the late instars. In my neck of the woods, they seem to prefer pecan trees. Since the leaf munching happens right before the leaves would normally drop, they do little damage to trees. Their silk nest and the relaxed look of the woman with the purring cat on her lap remind me that fun and connection doesn't necessarily mean crowds, loud noise and imbibing. Sometimes it's just a relaxed evening in with your favorite people (or cats).

Hitched to Everything

From the Tarot of the Cat People, the Knight of Wands; from the Insectorum Divinorum, Arachnid:

The bobcat sniffs the air but also engages the sensory organ in the roof of its mouth to analyze scents. He knows his rider is about to head off into an adventure, but unlike his rider, he likes to get the lay of the land. This Knight's mindset is all about putting his ideas into action - less thinking and more doing is his motto. Yet the Arachnid attempts to send him the same warning given to hikers: leave things as they were found. In a new environment, even small changes can have big consequences. As John Muir stated, "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." 

More than five centuries ago, Pope Nicholas V, in his Doctrine of Discovery, told European Christians to go forth and conquer even those “in the remotest parts unknown to us all.” He gave permission to “invade, search out, capture, vanquish, and subdue” all nonbelievers, take their possessions, and “reduce their persons to perpetual slavery.” Hence we have this myth of someone “discovering” a place that’s already there, where people already are. (A fellow once said to me, “If you want to see how much of a myth it is, just leave your purses and your wallets here, and let me discover them.” See how that feels.) —Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Getting My Wings

From the Tarot of the Cat People, the Seven of Cups; from the Insectorum Divinorum, the Caterpillar:

Expectations are the shackles that will not permit something to be what it actually is.

― Craig D. Lounsbrough

In my younger years, I've had relationships, jobs, and experiences that might have been truly fulfilling if it weren't for my unrealistic expectations. I assumed these things would make me feel happy, secure and content without much effort on my part. It was as though I expected them to have some sort of power or capability that I lacked. Much like the Caterpillar who fails to become a butterfly, I gave up before the real magic happened, before I realized my own agency. As Rod Stewart sings, "I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger." But I know now, and so I'll be on the lookout for attitudes that will suck the life out of anything that could bring satisfaction and joy. I'm going to work on getting my wings.

How You Look At It

From the Tarot of the Cat People, the Devil; from the Insectorum Divinorum, Ladybugs (Symbiosis):

The Devil makes me think of the Three Poisons in Buddhism: attachment (craving that is never satisfied), aversion (aggressively trying to avoid anything that causes discomfort or displeasure), and indifference (a 'don't care' attitude that ignores others and often leads to a feeling of restlessness or boredom). They originate as normal human feeling tones - pleasant, unpleasant, neutral - but then we feed them with our thoughts and add emotions to the mix. I recognize myself in those cats with the flattened ears as I count down the minutes to my endodontist appointment this morning. But do I want to be chained to that feeling? The Ladybugs represent symbiosis, an interaction between two different organisms that benefit both (as these beetles eat aphids that harm plants). Their message would be to ask, what happens to this aggressive energy when I stop self-identifying with it? Can I just see the moment as a brief discomfort that can help eliminate a pain that will only get worse? 

Get Rolling

From the Tarot of the Cat People, the Two of Wands; from the Insectorum Divinorum, the Scarab:

The gateway made by the rods this man holds and the priceless expression on the feline's face make me chuckle. Present a cat with a closed door and she will meow or scratch on it until its opened. But once opened, the cat will likely just sit there as if to say, "I just wanted the option." I think it must be the same with humans too. The Scarab is a type of dung beetle that collects dung into balls, then rolls them to an underground chamber to eat (or if its female, to leave for newly hatched larva to enjoy). The Egyptians connected its behavior to the early morning manifestation of the sun god Ra. Its message is that the sun will eventually set on our opportunity; if we do want to take advantage of it, we need to get rolling.

Taking Refuge

From the Tarot of the Cat People, the Star; from the Insectorum Divinorum, the Mimic (Leaf Insects):

In the Cat People world, the Star Cat brings hope to those who need to find their feet again. The card seems to ask where we find refuge and encouragement when we're battered and worn out. Buddhists 'take refuge' in order to see with clarity, wisdom and compassion:

I take refuge in the Buddha, a role model for awakening.

I take refuge in the dharma, guideposts for the Way.

I take refuge in the sangha, a spiritual community of support.

A mentor, some guidelines and a support group can be good ways to find healing, comfort and guidance. Yet the Mimic (Leaf Insect) card is a caution to be discerning. These insects look incredibly like leaves (sometimes even with a fake bite mark) and sway when they move like a leaf blowing in the wind. They remind me of a story: A woman went to see a friend she had known for years to ask for guidance; afterward she was given a bill because her friend was now a 'certified' life coach. We need to make sure where we seek refuge is actually a safe haven. 

Everyday Duties

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Cat People, created by Karen Kuykendall and published by U.S. Games. I'll also be drawing from the Insectorum Divinorum, created and self-published by Esmeralda Rupp-Spangle. This morning's cards are the Emperor and the Nightcrawler:

The Emperor's companion cat is a snow leopard, a powerful animal that evolved to live in harsh conditions at high altitudes. The Emperor has similar qualities, proving himself to be brave in battle and capable of inspiring respect. He knows that a society needs room to advance and make progress, but they also need some limitations and rules to prevent discord and disorder. He would agree with Shunryu Suzuki, "To give your sheep or cow a large spacious meadow is the way to control him." The Nightcrawler is a beneficial earthworm that aerates the soil while helping to recycle nutrients and fertilize the soil. It has a mundane rather than flashy existence, but it provides a much needed service. As any leader, teacher or mentor knows, it's usually the day-to-day duties that provide the foundation for all the rest.