Plumbing the Depths

  This week I'll be using the Nigel Jackson Tarot, named after its creator.  Today's draw is the King of Staves (Wands):

Normally when I think of the King of Wands/Staves, I think of a go-getter, a person full of vim and vigor.  But this guy looks pretty sedate and a bit on the wimpy side, until you notice how he is cradling that orb.  The king's orb represents sovereign power and was a symbol of world domination.  I like the addition of the cross on top - in my cynical mind I see it as a way to justify taking what you want, as long as it's in the name of religion.  For some reason, I don't think that whole "love your neighbor" idea involved crushing him underneath your boot.

     The oracle I'll be using this week is the Sabian Symbols described in Lynda Hill's 360 Degrees of Wisdom.  I have a 12 sided die of astrological symbols and a 30 sided die for the degrees that I'll be using instead of a deck of cards.  Today's roll is "Scorpio, 7th Degree:"

Deep sea divers with special machinery.

This description made me think of the divers who went far below the ocean to look at the remains of the Titanic.  This symbol reminds me that if I want to discover my real motivations, sometimes I must plumb the depths.  It is too easy to rationalize or hide a bad intention with a good one - kind of like covering up a cake disaster with a ton of icing.  A quick surface look will not do, and will require the tools of honesty, open-mindedness and willingness.

Waking Up vs. Holding Back

From the Llewellyn Tarot, The Sleepers (Judgment):

Ferguson based her rendering of Judgment on The Sleepers - a legend of King Arthur and his men who sleep in a hidden cave until they are awakened by their country's need of them.  It is my belief that we are all needed for unique purposes, but like these men, we are asleep to what that role may be.  As humans, we tend to be a tad on the self-centered side, rather than outward-looking.  But sometimes our ears and eyes are open to a need, and we acknowledge and take action - we wake up.  I don't think I'm destined to do anything that's going down in a history book, but I might just do something that will be written on someone's heart.

We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love. ~ Mother Teresa

     From the Beasts of Albion, the "Hedgehog:"

I don't think it was an accident that Gray illustrated this animal with a shield.  The hedgehog's defense against predators is much like a shield - he rolls into a ball with only his spines displayed for protection.  The need to safeguard ourselves reminded me of a heartbreaking story I heard from a woman recently.  Her one-year-old son died in his sleep from some mysterious illness still unidentified.  She said she finds it difficult to love without reserve anymore, because she never wants to feel such pain again.  It is a tough task to let such overwhelming grief and hurt open your heart wider instead of trying to protect it from ever being vulnerable.

It's Not a Cushy Job

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Emperor:

Ferguson based this image of the Emperor on Bran the Blessed, the king of Britain (and a giant) in Welsh mythology.  In one legend, Bran was leading his men against the Irish when they discovered the bridge across the river Shannon had been destroyed.  Bran told his soldiers, "he who will be chief, let him be a bridge," then laid his body across the water so all could cross.  This card reminds me that being in a position of true leadership is not only about wielding power, but service, organization and protection as well.  It's not a cushy job, but one that requires commitment, a thick skin and a responsibility to all rather than a select few.

From the Beasts of Albion, the "Eagle:"

Gray states that the Eagle represents "the triumph of the mind and spirit over physical restrictions."  The message here is that the brain (intellect) can win over brute force or other physical challenge.  Knowledge is power, and it is important to wield it as wisely and carefully as a sword.

Recharging

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Four of Cups:

A young woman sits by a stream; her posture indicates a feeling of apathy and disenchantment.  Her emotions are like the little eddy beside her - whirling round and round without making progress.  It's interesting that the card right before this (3 of Cups) shows a celebration of sorts.  I'm at my best when I have a creative project going on.  When I finish I feel great - a sense of accomplishment - but soon thereafter, I find myself in a funk, feeling without purpose.  The cup overhead reminds me that my inspiration hasn't dried up.  My creative endeavors will find a niche, and I'll be happily entertained and challenged once again.  The activity must stop for awhile so I can recharge; it's just part of the process.

     From the Beasts of Albion, the "Lion:"

Gray writes that the lion represents the maturity "to use strength in a measured and controlled way."  While power and ferocity is generally what I think of with these animals, lions actually only spend about 4 hours a day in activity - the remainder they spend resting.  The lion's lesson is that intensity must be moderated with restraint.  Balance is the key. 

Pacing Myself

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Knight of Swords:

It's a good thing this fellow has the visor up on his helmet, because he's in a hurry and needs to be able to see where he's going.  The black cape that swirls out behind him reminds me of a dark storm cloud, and makes me wonder just who he is in a rush to meet.  The problem with speed is that it can sometimes cause mistakes and accidents.  I may speak or behave rashly before I have a chance to think things through.  Like this knight, I may feel my cause is just and my ideals true, but I'll never have a chance to discuss or consider alternative views unless I slow down.

     From the Beasts of Albion deck comes the "Bull:"

My grandsons have become enamored with bull riding, so when they come for a visit, we put on cowboy hats, watch bull riding on TV, practice with lassos (with the cat's scratching post), and let them "ride" large stuffed animals.  One of the things I've noticed on the rodeos is the riders are only allowed to stay on the bull 8 seconds.  I was under the impression this was for the safety of the cowboys, but recently learned it is to protect the bulls.  It prevents the bulls from becoming overly stressed and keeps them from having their spirit broken.  The bull teaches me to pace myself; I'm more likely to maintain my drive and enthusiasm if my gait is steady than if I pour all my energy into one burst of speed. 

View from the Mountaintop

  From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Universe (World):

Ferguson based this image on Cadair Idris (roughly translated "chair of Idris"), a mountain in Wales.  In Welsh mythology, Idris was a giant skilled in astronomy, poetry and philosophy who used the mountain as an armchair to gaze at the stars.  Looking down below and up above from that height would be inspirational indeed.  It reminds me of hiking trips where we used a topographical map, with all its squiggly lines, that showed the elevations of natural and man-made features.  But to look at such a map and to be on top of such a mountain would be two very different experiences.  The map might give me intellectual knowledge, but the mountaintop would connect all the dots mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

     From the Beasts of Albion, the "Crane:"

At the pond I frequently visit, there are no cranes, but there are small blue and great blue herons.  I've almost overlooked them before, as they can stand still as a statue waiting for a fish or a frog to wander by.  It's no wonder these birds are associated with calm, poise, and patience.  In Gray's rendering, the bird holds a crane bag in one foot - a pouch modern-day druids use to store and carry their spiritual objects.  This symbol implies that the spiritual resides in me, and if I want to make that connection (or ascend the mountain above), I'm going to have to learn to be still, quiet and composed no matter what's going on around me.

A Web of Ideas

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Ace of Swords:

Ah, the tool of the visionary....  She's been to the top of the mountain and has seen the lay of the land.  The sword will cut away any fluffy nonsense, because she's interested in ideas that bring fruit (as shown on the branches).  The sword pierces the center of the crown, implying that these ideas came from a source other than ego (crown chakra).  The sword is held in the right hand, indicating the active masculine side; she'll need this quality to bring these ideas down to earth to make them practical.

     From the Beasts of Albion, the "Spider:"

This particular spider has a mark on its back that looks very much like a sword.  She is the physical representation of ideas - she weaves the web to create what her inspiration imagined.  There is a spider web across two bushes in front of the gate I use before dawn every morning, when I take out the trash.  In the dark, I can never see it, but I feel it on my face when I pass through it.  The spider reweaves it every day - my morning intrusion and damage doesn't seem to deter her a bit.  Sometimes weaving those ideas into reality require us to be quite persistent...