From the Victorian Romantic, the Wheel of Fortune:

This image is based on an engraving of a painting done by Hermann Vogel, entitled "Heinrich the Fowler."  It shows Heinrich out mending bird nets when he is informed he had inherited the German crown.  Life is full of surprises, some good and some not so good.  If I want to serenely ride the Ferris wheel of life with all its changes, I must learn to loosen my hold on attachments and expectations, and be flexible and fearless enough to embrace the opportunities that come my way.  I wonder if King Heinrich ever wished for the simple life back in the forests...

From the Flowers' Messages comes "Chrysanthemums - Brotherhood:"

This week began with the suicide and funeral of a fellow I was acquainted with, and will end with a baby shower for another person expecting twins.  From pain and grief to joy and celebration, the hurt seems more bearable and the celebrations even happier when there are friends to offer support.   

A Restless Joy

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Two of Wands:

A young woman stands on the shore, looking dreamily out to sea.  The two palm leaves she holds symbolize the accomplishments she's made, but now she's feeling a bit restless.  I know when I finish a project, I feel both a sense of relief and joy mixed with regret.  The problem is that I am wired to feel my best when I'm knee-deep in the middle of a challenge.  Not the emotional drama kind, but the creative, think-outside-the-box type.  So even though I may appreciate and feel proud of what I have done, I crave something else to do.  I'm sure this lady's muse already is making plans...

From the Flowers' Messages comes "Bellflower - Inner Joy:"

The bell shape of this flower's bloom has given it its common name; bellflower reminds me to pay attention and wake up to what brings me inner joy.  This is not the type of happiness that lasts briefly, such as what comes when I purchase something new.  It doesn't come from the "pats on the head" that I get from bending to the wishes of others either.  It is what results from following a path and purpose within - one most likely off the main thoroughfare.

Sharing Talents

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Three of Cups:

These women - the scholar/writer, the artist, and the musician - are friends who have gathered to have fun and share their talents with each other.  This card reminds me of my great-grandmother who, with her sisters, left husbands and children to tour Europe in the early 1900's.  Each sister had a task depending on her skills, such as journal keeper, money manager, or excursion planner.  Now, almost 100 years later, I can read all about their adventures abroad in the daily notes that were kept.  I don't have a stadium full of friends, but those I do have are very diverse in their beliefs, knowledge, and skills.  These differences are of no consequence because of our love and respect for each other, and they make our get-togethers even more enjoyable and exciting.  

From the Flowers' Messages, the "Begonia - Self Acceptance:"

Like the card above, my friends have amazing talents, whether as an artist, quilt-maker, nurse, mother, academic, or spiritual trailblazer.  It is sometimes hard not to compare myself to them and find my talents in many areas sorely lacking.  Yet if I am honest with myself, I know that I have gifts as well.  What a dull world this would be if we all shared the same talents!

The Way to Freedom

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Sun:

A woman rides on a white horse, without bothering to use the reins, in a wild area with blooms all around.  She holds a branch over her head bent in the shape of an arch, implying she has made a transition of some kind.  She has found happiness through freedom; she realizes she doesn't need to control people or situations (no reins), and she understands that most of what she thought were restraints and obstacles were only created by her imagination.  Now that is true liberation.

From the Flowers' Messages comes "White Rose - Pure Love:"

Last night I was returning home from a Yoga Nidra session (feeling very serene), when I discovered one of the coaches from the ballpark next door had parked his truck diagonally in the alley.  I narrowly missed hitting the truck as I carefully made my way past to get to my driveway.  Of course as I went by, I let out a string of curse words and laid on my horn.  All that serenity went right out the window.  There are so many people I can choose to hate or be angry with.  It seems easier to hold a resentment than to allow people to be who they are, but for every person I carry a revenge-seeking hatred for, I might as well have an iron ball and chain around my ankles.  I know I can't do anything about those flashes of anger I have - that's just part of being human - but I can choose whether I want to be burdened with a resentment.
  

Staying on Track

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Chariot:

"Know the Self as lord of the chariot,
The body as the chariot itself,
The discriminating intellect as
The charioteer, and the mind as the reins.
The senses, say the wise, are the horses;
Selfish desires are the roads they travel.
When the Self is confused with the body,
Mind, and senses, they point out, he seems
To enjoy pleasure and suffer sorrow.
When a person lacks discrimination
And his mind is undisciplined, his senses
Run hither and thither like wild horses.
But they obey the rein like trained horses
When a person has discrimination
And the mind is one-pointed."
(Katha Upanishad translation by Eknath Easwaran)

As I look at this image, I realize that not only are there a myriad of outer distractions in my life (like the "backseat drivers" in this card), but there are plenty of inner diversions and disturbances as well.  Only through self-discipline and one-pointed focus can I stay on track, as the Katha Upanishad so eloquently reminds me.

From the Flowers' Messages comes "Daylily - Cooperation:"

With the cooler temperatures (as opposed to the "hotter than 10,000 hells" my husband uses to describe our summers), the daylilies have started blooming again.  They remind me of my grandmother and are some of my favorite flowers, even though their blooms only last one day.  The brevity of each flower's bloom reminds me how quickly special moments or opportunities can slip away, particularly if I am distracted by other things.  Groups too can have so many special interests that they never accomplish anything.  Cooperation and working toward a common goal, whether as a group or individual (with my mind, body and spirit on the same page) will accomplish what needs to be done before the chance wanes then disappears.

She Satisfies Like No Other

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Empress:

As I went out for my morning walk, I noticed the temperature was noticeably cooler today - it was finally beginning to feel like autumn was on its way.  Many late summer flowers were blooming, including blue, purple and red morning glories that seemed to climb up every fence and post I passed.  I greeted a flock of Canada geese, two hummingbirds, a great blue heron, a family of redheaded woodpeckers, a crow, and a red-shouldered hawk along the way.  It seemed quite appropriate to draw the Empress card upon my return - Mother Nature herself.  The Empress represents the earthy, sensual aspects of creation that require no college degrees or fancy job titles to appreciate.  Nature satisfies me like few things can.  Whether I'm looking for comfort or delight, She is always ready to offer all She has.

From the Flowers' Messages deck comes "Morning Glory - Telepathy:"

I've never experienced or seen telepathy in action, but I have to admit I do silently greet the trees, plants and birds on my daily walks.  It makes me feel like I am acknowledging their wonder and beauty, and it allows me to show my appreciation.  Interesting that the morning glory is trumpet shaped, as it reminds me both of a musical instrument and an ear horn (like were used before hearing aids became available).  They encourage me to believe that I can communicate with the natural world, if only to be open to Nature's daily miracles and send out a heartfelt "thank you" to them in return.

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Noticing Subtle Changes

This week the deck I'll be using is the Victorian Romantic Tarot, created by Karen Mahony and Alex Ukolov.  Today's draw is the King of Pentacles:

Here is a king who is out and about to check on the state of the land and his people.  Other kings may rely on men who report back to them about the affairs of the kingdom, but this king is so in tune with his surroundings that he will pick up on seemingly insignificant observations that others miss.  Is the water level down from where it normally is this time of year?  Are the animals showing signs of a particularly cold winter ahead?  Some people may find him dull, but all would agree his interests lie in what is beneficial for all the land and its people, not just a select few.  He reminds me that there is a time to be sensible and practical rather than impulsive and unconcerned.

     The second deck I'll be using this week is the Flowers' Messages, created by Annie Marquier and Veronique Dumont.  This morning's draw is "Daffodil - Groundedness:"

In the early spring, daffodils are the first flowers to make an appearance here.  It's almost if they pay such close attention to the subtle changes in their environment, they know when the seasons are changing.  Here in my area, the dogwood berries all have a blush of red, and many of the deciduous trees are slowly beginning to turn colors.  If I spend all my time rushing from one appointment to the next, hurrying through one task to another, I'll have no clue what is going on in my environment.  This flower encourages me to stay in the present moment, aware of what is around me and what is happening now.