Superficial Differences

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Three of Cups; from the Cedar Runes, Ansuz:

"Raise your glass if you are wrong in all the right ways, all my underdogs..." 

—Pink

Sometimes we don't need a special occasion to commemorate, we can just celebrate the belonging we find in companionship. It is a gift of grace to find friends who share our quirky sense of humor, understand the hardships we face, and have similar goals or interests. Ansuz is often associated with the Norse god Odin and thus represents spiritual insight and wisdom. After being locked in a jury room for several days and many hours - unable to discuss the case until testimony was complete - I was reminded of something important. No matter how different people seem on the outside, our inner lives cross over a lot of those boundaries. Before we get too particular in our judgments about who should or shouldn't be included in our friendships, we should take the time to get to understand them on more than just a superficial level. A bow to those 16 men and women jurors I got to know a little better.  

Crossing the Finish Line

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Chariot; from the Cedar Runes, Uruz:

Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live in.

—Jim Rohn

Moore envisions this Chariot driver as Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. By focusing on intent and will, obstacles can be overcome and triumph ours. But while self-confidence is grand, it must be paired with self-discipline as well. Uruz represents the aurochs, an ancient wild ox. It symbolizes strength, endurance and health. I've been stuck in a chair dealing with an intense situation for three days from sun-up to sun-down (not by choice). I've got a lot of arthritis in my lower back, and sitting with little movement locks joints up and causes intense pain. But today, I've been given an unexpected reprieve - a day off. While I'd love to lie in the bed, I think a visit to the chiropractor is in order if I'm going to make it through the next two weeks and cross the finish line. Discipline it is.

Life is Movement

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Six of Pentacles; from the Cedar Runes, Laguz:

Life is never stagnation. It is constant movement, un-rhythmic movement... Things live by moving and gain strength as they go. —Bruce Lee

This piper plays a tune that rains down relief to a parched earth below. The earth responds, greening and rising up to this unexpected but welcome boon. The piper finds joy in his giving, yet he is unaware that the plants he nourishes also support and hold up the cliff he sits on. Laguz means "water," in the form of waterfalls and rivers, streams and the ocean. Its shape resembles the cliff on the tarot card and a waterfall. Laguz teaches the importance of flow rather than hoarding and stagnation. Like the piper, we often don't realize how far our generosity will travel, eventually trickling back to us in interesting ways.

Bonded Pair

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Seven of Cups; from the Cedar Runes, Ehwaz:

Wants worth pursuing are carefully measured, intentionally disciplined, and thoughtfully organized.

—Scott Shumway

Two people dream - perhaps of finding a mate, building a home, and having stable finances. But while one is wishing on a star for such happiness, the other seems to be making a plan. Whatever we think will bring us emotional fulfillment will require more than plucking it from a tree. There will need to be steps taken to achieve what we wish for, possibly even changes made in us. Ehwaz ("horse") suggests a bond between rider and horse as well as movement. It underscores the necessity of pairing action with our passion. As Amelia Earhart stated, "The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity."

Without Imbalance

This week I'll be using the Shadowscapes book and deck set published by Llewellyn. The artwork is done by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and the book is written by Barbara Moore. I'll also be drawing from a set of Cedar Runes and using the book The Serpent and the Eagle by Chris Travers. Today's draws are the Four of Pentacles and Algiz:

Real giving is done from a place of true generosity and because we have an excess of something to offer (time, support, energy). It tends to be an impulse we don’t have to overthink. And the giving leaves us feeling good and energized.  

—Andrea M. Darcy

Tis the season of giving, as all the TV ads and social media tell us. Yet this dragon has curled around his treasure with his wings used as a cover. Is this response a prudent protection or miserly tightfistedness? People often use generosity to boost their self-esteem, wanting to feel appreciated and loved or less guilty. Yet this is not sincere altruism because it comes with expectations that often leave us wanting. Algiz ("elk") represents protection and suggests that it is okay to save some time, energy and money for our own needs. Creating imbalances isn't beneficial for anyone.

Choosing Blindness or Clarity

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Devil; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Aleph ((artwork by Barbara MacMillan):

We are only as blind as we want to be.

—Maya Angelou

Life can be hard and challenging, so it's no surprise that people want to balance that out with some pleasure. Yet we can become so afraid of dealing with what scares us that we attempt to hide in these diversions. The result may be that we may put our self in chains because we fear reality. As we bury ourselves in our habits, we begin to lose our will, our character, and our passion. We start to resemble what has chained us. Aleph is the source from which everything emanates; it brings form to the formless. Acting on our fears can manifest more struggle and hardship, but acting on the truth can bring solutions and a way forward.

Behold!

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Oracle of the Kabbalah, Hei (artwork by Andrea Beloff):

Attention, taken to its highest degree, is the same thing as prayer.

―Simone Weil

A successful businessman, judging by the bolted-on leafy staff, looks to his future. With the globe held aloft, he seems to be thinking of Shakespeare's words: "The world’s mine oyster." Should he be content with all he has, or should he dive into the opening he sees for having more? The Hebrew letter Hei means "behold," as when looking at a great sight; it can also mean breath or sigh as when one sees something wondrous. It reminds us to pause in our busyness, in our frantic attempt to get more done, add extra goods to our overflowing homes, and build up an already hefty bank account. What have we missed because of our ambitions? Will there be later regrets for joyful moments that have passed us by?