Readjusting Judgments

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Two of Wands:

When I have a "two" that shows up, I always think of choosing, joining or compromise. But as I look at this foppish fellow, I find myself judging him by his appearance. I think, "You better not take the path less traveled with its rocks and forests; you'd best stay on the paved road with rest stops at every mile." Yet I have often been proved wrong by such appraisals. Folks I've thought weak have surprised me with their tenacity and courage, and those I've thought strong have buckled under fear and stress. This card reminds me there is an inner fire that drives most of us, a force that may not always be outwardly obvious. And looking at the arch over the two rods as well as the roots growing from each, I feel I must reconsider my first assessment.

From the L'Oeil de Lotus comes "Death:"

There are events and situations over which we have control (such as the Two of Wands) and those over which we don't (such as this card). Yet we still have a choice about whether we will be reactive or proactive in each circumstance. A reactive choice means I dwell in the past, and I allow what has happened to keep me from progressing forward. A proactive choice means I learn from what has happened and take steps to prevent it or prepare for it happening again. The butterfly and shaft of light brings hope that all is not lost, but I may have to adjust my attitude to be able to see from this point of view (as Persephone did after eating the pomegranate seeds).

Watching from Windows

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Three of Wands:

This woman has certainly created what appears to be a miracle - three lotus blooms in a desert. The triangle of rods suggests the beginning of stability with her endeavor. But how in the world did she do it? I am reminded by this card of the magic that can happen when you add three ingredients together: self-confidence, support and effort. But like a three-legged stool, things aren't quite as secure as they could be. More work is going to be required (I'm thinking she may want to find an underground water source for a sprinkler system).

From the L'Oeil de Lotus comes the card "Expectation:"

The little booklet that comes with this deck describes this image as "nervous tension," a perfect way to define expectation. I don't suppose humans can suppress the habit of expectation, but a problem develops when we attach emotions to it. "I'll be so happy when this happens." "I'm going to be so sad when he goes away." Life is so full of chance and change, it's impossible to make an accurate prediction sometimes. Like the lady above, her flowers may die or multiply so fast she can hardly take care of them. Hope is fine, but it may be better to focus on developing equanimity in dealing with whatever is around the next corner.

Unfolding Wisdom

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Queen of Swords:

What I noticed even more than this self-assured queen was the dove in the bottom corner. In our area we have mourning doves, named for the mournful calls they make. (Perhaps the couple in the background stirs a memory of a former lover or husband.) Yet the dove has long represented peace, which makes me conclude this queen has come to terms with the losses in her life. She's well aware that emotions can lead people around in circles, which is why she chooses rational thought to cut those unhealthy ties. It's not that she doesn't fully enjoy life, she just realizes it is a continuous cycle of change. As she has been made aware, pain often precedes the unfolding of wisdom.

The card from the L'Oeil de Lotus this morning is "Betrayal:"

We Southerners become well versed in always being polite, and such an effort can require pretending with some people. But if I get in a habit of masking my feelings with others, I may start trying to hide them from myself (self-betrayal).  It's easy to get out the scrapbook and photo albums when it comes to the good feelings, but it's tough to do so with the painful ones. The Queen of Swords would encourage me to be willing to sit and have an open conversation with these difficult memories. There may be something more to them than just pain that I need to hold onto.

Keep It In the Middle

From the Cosmic Tarot, Justice:

Instead of being blindfolded, this Justice has two bright spotlights that shine from her eyes. Nothing will be hidden from her. The sun/moon and yin/yang combinations reflect the harmonious balance of coexistence. However, it's tempting (and human) to take sides and prefer one to the other; if I have to decide between mercy or severity, my answer would likely depend on whether I am the victim or perpetrator. Group rights or individual rights, ethics versus religious creeds, conserving or spending, our lives are constantly bombarded with a push to choose one over the other. But the tower behind Justice's head reminds me of what is to come if I don't try to keep things equitable and unbiased. Imbalances will be addressed and corrected with or without my consent. Perhaps instead of "this or that," I can find a toggle switch that can slide to a position more towards the middle.

From the L'Oeil de Lotus comes "Gifts:"

At first I had a hard time understanding the connection between the blinding light of Justice and the warm, cozy feeling of this card. But then I read this line in the deck's booklet: "Some gifts come as a reward for being just." Being just can often cost me something - my opinions, favoritism and intolerance. But paying that price can result in getting more than I imagined; those gifts are priceless.

Passing Up Pot Shots

From the Cosmic Tarot, the Five of Wands:

I always groan inwardly when I pull this card. It generally means my opinion about how, when or where to do something is about to collide head-on with another person's ideas. It often starts with me making a suggestion (trying to be helpful) that is usually shot down rather quickly. Of course this offends me (because I have a tendency to think I'm right), and I counter with another comment. Sometimes this exchange clears the air and produces a compromise, but other times only bruised and battered egos are the result. I notice the two fellows here are enclosed in a circle of stones, and the extra rod is inside. My first instinct would be to bonk them on the head to get their attention, but perhaps the circle's boundary warns this is not my battle to fight.

From the L'Oeil de Lotus comes the card "Choice:"

A road forks, forcing the traveler to decide which way to go. The cross memorial at the "V" makes me think something must be put to rest in order for progress to continue. In pondering my habit of wanting to be "helpful," perhaps this trait is what needs to be buried. I can't protect everyone all the time, and I can't guide them in directions they don't want to go. I imagine people will learn much more from their own mistakes than they will from my meddling. Today I will try to allow them to do so (but I might need some duct tape over my mouth, just in case).

Clinging and Avoiding

This week I'll be using the Cosmic Tarot created by Norbert Losche. Its companion book was written by Jean Huets, and both deck and book were published by U.S. Games. Today's card is the Two of Swords:

Under a full moon, a woman sits beside a channel of water. The water and weeping willow in the background suggest she is flooded with emotions, yet the two swords indicate a decision must be made. The swords are firmly planted in the ground, advocating a need to make sure her thoughts are based in reality instead of assumptions, projections or expectations. Her companion the cat purrs as she strokes him; the sound helps calm her mind and heart. The bright moon with the silhouettes of two birds show the value of tapping into her intuition for the answer. Neither choice will bring a perfect solution, so for now she waits. Patience will play in her favor, but can she resist making an impulsive decision just to get out of this uncomfortable limbo?

The oracle deck I'll be using this week is the L'Oeil de Lotus, create by Colette and Gerard Lougarre and published by Heron S.A. This morning's draw is "Justice:"

While the woman above ponders what choice to make, Justice asks the hard questions:
~ Which of the two is the most fair and equitable choice?
~ Would this choice reflect one's integrity or hide a motive?
~ How would this decision help restore balance and harmony?
~ Does this choice create a way toward restitution or does it cause more injury?
Balance includes both blue skies and thunderstorms; we can't cling to one and avoid the other.

Creating Mindfully

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Greenwoman (Empress):

At first glance, I thought this was the Greenman until I noticed the feminine face. I think it is important to realize these two cards are not literally male and female, but represent two sides of the same coin when it comes to nature and creation. The feminine side produces growth and abundance; the masculine side protects and provides limits. The head of the Uffington horse on the large, golden torc suggests the Greenwoman moves at a gallop. Plow under a field, ignore it for just a while, and upon your return it will be full of weeds, flowers and tree saplings. This force of nature is what supplies us with beauty and sustenance, but as the dragon represents, sometimes that force can be overwhelming and rampant (think of the kudzu vine). The Greenwoman encourages me to create in whatever ways my talents and passion lead me (indicated by the Sheila-na-gig on the cauldron). Yet I might keep in mind that perhaps one bowlful is all I should try to handle right now, otherwise I might accidentally spill something important along the way.

From the Pictish Oracle comes the "Arch:"

Eleven stones have been identified with an arch, each one slightly different from the others. Scholars have suggested this symbol might represent a bridge, rainbow or torc (neck ring). Although it resembles a horseshoe, there has been no evidence uncovered that Pictish horses were shod. Again the card and the tile reflect each other with a torc and a torc-like image. For Iron Age Celts, the golden neck ring identified the wearer as a person of high rank and status. The symbol of the Arch reminds me that to some extent, I enjoy self-sovereignty. The decisions I make and the actions I take are my responsibility. There is no higher authority to blame; the majority of the good and bad things I've experienced lead directly back to me. I need to be mindful of the consequences that might be produced by what I create. Such freedom always comes with the price tag of accountability.