All My Relations

From the Buckland Romani Tarot comes the Five of Chivs (Swords):

Two men lay down their knives, walking away from a fight they have lost, while the winner smirks as he watches them retreat.  Many readers see the Sword suit as representing ideas and thoughts, but for me, it can also represent the words used to express them.  I wonder how long it will take before the victor realizes that what's been done and said can't be undone; he may have won the battle, but he has lost something much more important in the process - integrity and respect.  I was not happy to see the Five of Swords this morning after running from crisis to crisis yesterday with a metaphorical first aid kit and fire extinguisher; today my nerves are frayed.  In this condition, its easy to let my emotions do the talking before my brain catches up.  There is a thin gossamer thread that my equanimity is hanging from, and one quick slice can sever it.  Perhaps I should take that red bandana around that fellow's neck and stuff it in my mouth just in case...

The card drawn from the Lakota Sweat Lodge is "Buffalo Nation: Man - Tatanka Oyate:"

The Lakota were called the Buffalo Nation because of their relationship with the animal.  They depended on the buffalo for their survival, not wasting any part of it.  They were grateful for the herds, and realized they must not kill them indiscriminately.  If the people were to thrive, then the buffalo must thrive as well.  Last night I got a call from a woman who asked me who I voted for in the Presidential election.  I responded that I chose the man I thought would take care of all America, not just a part of it; who realized that our country would become strong and healthy again if everyone benefited, not just a few.  It is easy to let this philosophy slip my mind in my day-to-day interactions.  But truly, Mitakuye Oyasin - we are all related.

The Power that Pulls the Load

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Nine of Koros (Cups):

This young fellow places dairy cans on his wagon, and it appears he has a full load.  What I don't see, however, is a horse, truck or tractor to pull the wagon.  Will he be the power that pulls the load?  I am reminded by this card that relying on other people, places or things to bring me happiness will end in disappointment every time.  Either I'll get what I want briefly only to find it doesn't last, or things won't go as I expect them to and I'll be frustrated.  The power of happiness lies within me, not "out there" waiting for me to purchase it or make its acquaintance.

From the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards comes the "Fire Pit - Pita Hochokan:"

The fire pit is used to heat the stones that are used in the sweat lodge ceremony.  Water is poured over them inside the lodge, releasing their heat and steam.  The Fire Pit teaches about motivation - what inspires and prompts me to take action.  I have been studying the Bhagavad Gita for the past several weeks, and one of the messages repeated over and over is not to base what I do or don't do on the fruit I think will result.  Instead, I should take selfless action (what will benefit others rather than only me) without attachments or expectations.  Simple to grasp, but hard to put into practice...

Planting Seeds

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Six of Cups:

On a wagon's steps sit six cups; a young girl looks off dreamily in the distance.  Perhaps she is thinking of places she's been and people she's met.  She relives the past through her memories.  The young boy however, holds the one cup that isn't full of flowers.  In it he plants seeds - flowers for the future.  This card reminds me that while it may be nice to visit the past, it is the present where I live.  And if I want to have any flowers blooming in my future, I need to pay attention to what's going on in my life right now.

From the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards comes the "Four Directions - Wani:"

I am the wind that travels from the Four Directions,

carrying and depositing the seeds of life.

Like the snow, my seeds disappear into the earth

only to reappear in a new form.

Life is constantly planting seeds.  Some may end up being a thorny bramble if I don't dig it up quickly.  Others I might think are a weedy nuisance, but later discover they have the potential as herbs to be tonics and medicines.  Then there are those that require extra nurturing - weeding, watering, and fertilizing.  These seeds will produce what is beautiful, what will bring me lasting joy.  The test for these special seeds lie in the ability to persevere in their care and be patient...

New Perspectives to Make Progress

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the King of Koshes (Wands):

This king is busy whittling away at a staff; he doesn't like to leave things unfinished and enjoys seeing all details are carried through to completion.  And while he has no problem delegating tasks, he takes pride in being skillful and talented enough to do things himself.  His trusty dog sits patiently by his side, an indication that this man is extremely loyal to his those he rules over.  He may keep them in line, but every plan and project he starts is for their protection and benefit.  Little bumps in the road don't deter him - he'll just sharpen his knife and figure out a new way to meet those challenges.  He reminds me that no matter how wonderful my goal or project might be, I need to get started, then finish what I start.

From the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards comes "Sweat Lodge - Inipi:"

Each day you may be made anew.

The sweat lodge was a way for the Lakota to purify themselves - mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally.  They went in the cave-like, sacred structure for the ceremony and emerged renewed afterwards.  It was like wiping down one of the old chalkboards we used to have in school; everything was erased and made clean.  This card teaches me that when I am stuck, I may need to erase my opinions and beliefs about how to move forward.  Sometimes I need another person's perspective or ideas to get me where I want to go.

Living Life Productively

This week I'll be using the Buckland Romani Tarot created by Raymond Buckland with artwork by Lissanne Lake.  Today's draw is the the Two of Bolers (Pentacles):

A young man holds two wheels in the air with a taut rope attached to both.  This image made me think of the belts on my car engine.  I know from experience what happens when the tension in the belt becomes slack and loose - a trip to the mechanic.  It seems like it would be great to have no stress in my life, no obligations to juggle, and no responsibilities to take care of.  But no stress would mean no challenges, which would result in mind-numbing boredom.  For me I need the tension of balancing both sides of the equation - work and play, challenges and creative solutions.  I need that taut rope to operate efficiently and productively.

The oracle deck I'll be using this week is the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards.  This morning's draw is "Wi - Sun:"

You seek from me words to enlighten.

I live beyond words.

Look at me. Feel me. Exerience me.

There is the knowledge you seek.

I am the Light.

I am a person who likes to learn, who likes to analyze and draw conclusions.  But the Sun tells me what I need is not another book to read or more information to intellectually slice and dice.  I need to experience life beyond words, beyond my mind.  What I seek will be found in living life rather than writing a thesis about it.

Spinning a Life

From the Anna K. Tarot, the Nine of Cups:

This is one of the cards in the Anna K. that at first confused me, because it seemed much more like the RWS Ten of Cups rather than the Nine.  But as I look at the picture, I see flowers which are transitory and a party that might last all night but won't go on forever.  There are days I feel so full of happiness, I want to twirl under the trees like a young girl in the sunshine.  I appreciate those days, and try to enjoy each moment, yet I know time doesn't stand still.  That emotional feeling of fullness will begin to spill out of my cup as I deal with whatever life tosses in my lap.  But not to fret, the frustrations, worry and sadness won't last forever either.  Soon I'll be twirling again...

From the Green Man Tree Oracle comes the "Spindle:"

 

Weaving with destiny

From this tree was carved the tool from which it got its name - the spindle used to spin raw fibers into yarn.  It would later become a part of the spinning wheel.  The fibers are attached to the spindle which is spun like a top in a clockwise direction, twisting them into the thread that can be used later in knitting or weaving.  My destiny is a bit like the raw fibers - I don't have control over certain things, like my genetics or where I was born.  But I do have choices over the attitude I will have and how I will handle what comes up in my life.  I alone get to choose what to create with my yarn...

Coming to a Conclusion

From the Anna K. Tarot, the World:

This simple colored pencil image is perhaps one of my favorite World illustrations; the phases of the moon surround the world tree with the sun glowing behind it.  I am instantly struck by the similarities to this card and the Wheel of Fortune.  In the Wheel, we humans are constantly dealing with change and what comes with it - pleasures and the unpleasant, attachments and aversions.  The World shows change too, with the cycles of the moon, but there is a sense of security and stability with the tree.  Here, even with constant change, things make sense and there is a grounded balance.  Klaffinger writes that this card represents that spiritual place where you no longer feel that restless longing to search for what is missing, that something that you need to feel complete.  I hope the spiritual soil I'm tilling will allow my roots to begin to grow deep, and though I'll never stop learning, will allow my search to arrive at a satisfying and meaningful conclusion.

From the Green Man Tree Oracle comes "Holly:"

I have two huge holly bushes on each front corner of my house.  Each spring when it flowers, it is covered in honey bees, and each winter the birds enjoy its bright red berries.  Except for last winter.  Here in the South we usually have at least a few weeks of below freezing temperatures, but not last year.  And as a result, the holly berries didn't experience enough of a deep freeze to reduce the toxins in them.  So the birds ignored all of them, and they stayed on the bushes until they rotted and fell off.  I am reminded by Holly that sometimes I must go through certain struggles and challenges to make me change inwardly, and only then will I find that feeling of wholeness I'm searching for.