Buzzing Along

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Fool:

The Fool has an aerial view, like that from a Google Earth map, that allows her to see the big picture.  She sees how everything touches everything else and understands the interconnection of all.  No wonder she has such a childlike trust.  It seems like the longer we humans live in this world, the more likely we are to forget that we are all part of a web rather than just individual threads.  As John Muir wrote, "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe."  There are times in my life when I feel very lonely and isolated, yet I must not lose sight of this wholeness.  My emotions are not reality - they are transient and will pass.  My inner connection is what can keep me anchored in times of doubt.

The animal chosen from the wooden tiles this morning is "Bumblebee (Bombus sp.):"

Unlike honey bees, in the autumn all bumblebees in a colony die off except the fertilized queen.  She alone is responsible for finding an underground site, building a nest, and raising a new brood of workers.  She must go out and find the nectar to feed her young until they have developed into workers.  There is no "woe is me" buzzing about in her little insect brain.  She knows there are resources she can use; her job is to find them so the colony will thrive.  The bumblebee reminds me to keep looking for what I need and not give up.  Though I may be at low point thinking that nothing will ever change or get better, a new cycle is just around the corner.  I just need to keep buzzing along, doing my part to prepare for it.

Offerings Required

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Three of Wands:

How appropriate to draw the Three of Wands on Mother's Day.  Pythagoras considered the number three to be unique in that it equaled the sum of the two numbers preceding it.  Three was the "fruit" of One and Two, and though it may represent a child produced by parents, it could just as easily symbolize a pet adopted by roommates or a business begun by partners.  The decision to expand, no matter what the manner, will require an investment that goes far beyond  the initial excitement of something new.  Pollack uses three manitokans to illustrate this card, wooden spirit figures created by the Ojibwa people of Canada.  They were placed along rivers and hunting or traveling trails to indicate places of prayer and offerings.  For me, their wide arms represent opening to the challenges a new venture will require, as well as the sacrifices (offerings) that will be required of me.

From the wooden oracle tile chosen this morning is "Beaver:"

Anyone who has ever had to use a handsaw to cut down a tree will appreciate the effort a beaver expends in building a dam.  Dozens upon dozens of trunks and limbs are cut and interwoven to produce a lodge; damage done by weather, humans or predators result in constant damage control and remodeling.  There is never any complaining, just continuous hard work to do what must be done.  The beaver reminds me that I too need to avoid procrastination and take care of my obligations.  There will be time to enjoy the fruits of my labor, but first I must nurture and care for them.

Forget the Magic Wand

The tarot I'll be working with this week is the Shining Tribe, a deck and book set created by Rachel Pollack and published by Llewellyn.  Today's draw is the Magician:

Outside a village, a shaman stands with one hand pointing to a red flower and the other raised holding a wand.  He has connected with his purusa, his pure, inner light of awareness; from this place, he can tap into isvara, the unlimited, universal intelligence.  From these, he receives knowledge and inspirational energy that can be used to create in the physical world (the flower).  But there's no magic trick here that produces something from nothing.  Beside the shaman are a flute, bowl and a stone that represent the resources he'll need to create the vision he holds.  No simple "abra-cadabra" is going to do it - he's going to have to combine the knowledge he's received with the tools he has and do it himself.

The oracle I'll be using this week was created by my multi-talented friend Carole, who painstakingly pyroetched animals on wooden tiles.  Today's animal is the "Box Turtle:"

The eastern box turtle, Terrapene carolina, is primarily a land turtle though it prefers moist habitats.  Slow to mature, it is extremely long-lived - the average life span is 50 years, but a significant number live to be over 100 years old.  The box turtle's dome-shaped shell is unique in that its bottom is hinged, allowing it to close itself off from predators.  Like the Magician-Shaman who is alone outside the village, this turtle reminds me that sometimes I must close myself off too.  Although I don't have predators, there are people who will "eat" my time and provide plenty of unwanted distractions.  My solitude will help me maintain my focus, enabling me to make progress on my projects or goals.

The Test of True Love

From the Tarot of Durer, the Lovers:

Nothing is difficult for those who love.

Pan plays his music and a woman reaches out to him, looking (in my opinion) like a twitchy meth-head in need of another fix.  Her submissive posture makes my skin crawl - call it addiction, manipulation, or control, but don't call this love.  Even the doves have their backs turned to them.  Authentic love is a bond that creates two strong individuals, not two unhealthy ones.  It doesn't require a person to leave his or her brain at the door, because the relationship is based on an equal partnership.  I will always have choices in my relationships, unless I choose to surrender them to someone else. 

 

From the Philosopher's Stone comes "Solution:"

Up against a brick wall, a question mark becomes an exclamation point when seen from a different perspective.  The value of relationships, besides companionship and compassion, is they allow a variety of ideas to be shared between people.  For instance, when I do the Sunday crossword puzzle with my mother-in-law, it helps to have another viewpoint when considering the clues.  If the clue deals with "diamond," I might think of the gemstone, but she might also consider a baseball field.  However, solutions are more likely to be found if both partners feel comfortable in sharing their thoughts and opinions. 

Common Sense Setting

From the Tarot of Durer, the Five of Pentacles:

On a cold, snowy evening, a tired-looking man and woman knock at a door.  The man doesn't look like he's dressed warmly enough, and the cloak he wears looks ragged.  Over the door is a bas-relief of an eagle, a symbol of strength and power, something this couple seems in short supply of at the moment.  Today I have plans to do some landscaping work in the yard, and I am reminded by this card to be humble enough to ask for help when I need it.  A few years ago, my stubborn "I can do it myself" attitude resulted in a torn rotator cuff - an injury I don't care to endure again.  My strength and stamina might not be what it was, but hopefully my common sense has been reinforced to make up for it.

From the Philosopher's Stone deck comes the card "Sharing:"

The two stone people sharing the weight of a boulder again emphasize the need for support.  Why would I refuse such help?  I can think of three reasons right off the bat: pride, the desire to have things done "my way," and the fear that I might bother someone by asking.  None of these excuses are worth much.  When I try to to go there, I need a default circuit in my brain that automatically takes me back to a common sense setting.

Repeat or Replace

From the Tarot of Durer, the Nine of Swords:

The three swords over this fellow's head reminds me of the Three of Swords card.  Does he keep a constant reminder of a past pain around, physically or in his head?  He's polishing six other swords like he's preparing for battle.  Now I understand learning from the past so mistakes don't get repeated, but this seems to be more of a paranoid obsession.  Like the pouncing fox carved at the top of the column above his head, he seems sure that impending disaster will fall on his head at any time.  I don't want to ruin the joy in my life by waiting for the other shoe to drop; I need to stay out of the past and future and focus on the present.

From the Philosopher's Stone deck comes the card "Skill:"

Now here's a neat trick - instead of carrying something on his head, this stone person has learned to levitate a rock over it.  In combining this oracle card with the tarot card above, I see the need of letting thoughts and worries become lighter so I don't carry their load around.  I know I can't control what thoughts pop into my head, but I can replace them with something else when they arrive.  It's like a hotel manager turning the way potential guests because there are no rooms available.  But therein lies the solution; I must replace the worrisome thoughts with something else, leaving no room in my head.  A mantra, a gratitude list or even a grocery list will do, as long as I consciously place my focus on something else.  I'll repeat until I replace.

Listen to the Clash

From the Tarot of Durer, the Two of Wands:

 Should I stay or should I go now?

If I go there will be trouble,

But if I stay it will be double.

~ The Clash

I can almost hear this conversation now (in of course growling lion-speak): "Larry, what are you doing?  It's past time for our nap - let's go."  "But I've never seen anything like this before!  I want to play with it a bit and see what it does."  And then in a very timid, hedgehog voice from atop the pole, "Yes Larry, listen to your pal.  Your complexion isn't looking good, and I think you need some rest."  These three figures  represent all the inner parts of me - the one wanting to stick to the routine and maintain the status quo; the part looking for excitement and willing to take a risk; and the one that thinks I'm probably doomed no matter what I do.  I think I'll listen to the Clash - I might have trouble if I make a change, but it won't be nearly as bad as if I stay in my rut.

From the Philosopher's Stone deck comes "Existence:"

This painting makes me think of man emerging from the primordial soup.  I think there is something intrinsic in humans that makes us want to evolve.  Sure, some of us have our fears and doubts, and we may try to sit on the sidelines.  But I think eventually we'll experience that feeling of restlessness and discontent and be tempted to at least stick our toes in the water.