Don't Expect It to be Easy...

This week I'll be using the Wildwood Tarot, created by the writing efforts of Mark Ryan and John Matthews, and illustrated by Will Worthington. Today's draw is the Nine of Bows (Wands):

In legends and lore, the hero or heroine must always face a great challenge, not just to prove how tough they are, but to see if their heart is truly committed to this quest. In this Nine of Wands is the Woodwose, a large and hairy wildman of the forest, who has come to see if I have the courage and determination to reach my goal. Will I earn his respect and be allowed to pass, or will I whine and complain about how life isn't fair and give up? Perhaps if I can maintain my sense of humor and realize that such trials happen to everyone, I'll soon find that sunny spot where I can let down my guard and rest.

The other deck I'll be using is the Shaman's Oracle, created by John Matthews and Wil Kinghan. Today's card is the "Spirit of Love:"

The image on this cave wall looks as if someone rolled flower petals into balls and used them to create a figure with its arms open in acceptance. I am reminded by this spirit that feeling forced to do something out of fear will only create anger and frustration, but acting from love creates respect and kindness. Love doesn't mean I can't have boundaries (such as you might impose on a child), but even those can originate from the heart. As I work toward my goal, I imagine my challenges will be met and resolved much easier through an attitude of love.

No Effort, No Reward

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Five of Wands:

The smug-looking fellow in the front looks as if he's thinking, "Hmph! What a bunch of ruffians!" What he doesn't tell you is that he's the one who started the ruckus then stepped back to watch the entertainment. In families, groups and on forums, there is always a person like this to be found. He or she loves to stir the pot or shake the hornet's nest. Nothing gets accomplished by this type of free-for-all because it involves circular arguments that go nowhere. If those men in the back really wanted to make some progress, they should figure out how to ignore this fellow and the bait he dangles in front of them.

From the Oracle of the Grail Code comes "Partnership:"

Marashinsky describes this card as the harmony of cooperation. The tapestry here shows a party going on, and everyone seems to be playing a part except for one person. The woman filling the bowl at the fountain grasps the cloak of a man as if to say, "Hey, where do you think you're going?" Whether among two people or a group, a partnership requires everyone to pull their own weight. Using distractions (as the argument in the Five of Wands above) or excuses (as the fellow in the tapestry) to avoid responsibilities implies a person who is not committed to the mission of the group. So why should he or she get to enjoy the fruits of their labor?

Marching Onward, Plugging Leaks

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Six of Wands:

The sprouting leaves and wreath suggest that a victory has been won in the Six of Wands. The pennant's tail curls into a circle, mimicking the wreath and indicating completion. Yet I imagine if you talk to these knights, they would say their success didn't come in a blaze of glory but by slogging through each day without giving up. If I can just keep doing what is right in front of me and continue taking small steps forward, I will eventually find that projects have been completed and solutions found. The stag reminds me of power and strength, though it may be of a gentle variety. Like the trickling stream that wears down the stone, I need to continue marching onward.

From the Oracle of the Grail Code comes "Guardian:"

This lovely, kick-ass lass (Joan of Arc) warns me not to take off my armor quite yet; there is something I need to protect. Marashinsky writes in the companion book: "Too much of your energy, time, health and/or resources have been leaking away... Do you feel drained and exhausted after spending time with a certain person or people?" Obviously if I'm going to continue making progress, I need to take care of myself. There are some people and situations which drain my battery rather than recharge it. In these cases, I often don't make a difference anyway - what I expend is wasted energy. Joan tells me to make sure my actions are worth the effort I'm making, otherwise I need to plug the leaks.

Grievances or Gratitude

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Hanged Man:

The man in this image is taken from a painting done of St. Sebastian by Tiziano. Sebastian was a captain of the group of bodyguards used by the Roman Emperors. When it was discovered he was a Christian, he was tied to a tree and shot with arrows. Although left for dead, a widow nursed him back to health. Unfortunately, Sebastian later confronted the Emperor about his treatment of Christians and was clubbed to death. I truly understand Sebastian's desire to change another person's ideas, attitude or actions. But there are just some things over which I have absolutely no control; my only option is to surrender to reality rather than fight it.

From the Oracle of the Grail Code comes "Gratitude:"

What do people normally do when they feel powerless in a situation? Some feed on their anger and imagine scenarios when they will get their revenge. Others choose the role of a victim, and tell their pitiful story over and over to whomever will listen. But this card gives me a third option: gratitude. While I'm in a holding pattern, I can count my blessings instead of listing all my grievances. My life might be far from perfect, but I'm sure there are many people who would swap their lives for mine in a second. And gratitude has a way of putting things in a new perspective, which is exactly what the Hanged Man would like for me to see.

Clearing a Backlog

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Empress:

What a lovely image for the Empress - flowers, a hare, a cornucopia and a very pregnant woman. As I turned over this card, my first thought was, "I wonder who or what will need my nurturing today." But a clear thought rapidly followed it: "You." I always have good intentions of taking time for myself, but if there is someone else who needs help, I'll generally push my intentions aside for later. The only problem is there is always someone who needs something, so I end up with a backlog of those self-care plans. Yet there is a sickle in this image, reminding me that I need to harvest all those ideas instead of shelving them for later. After all, even Mother Earth takes a bit of a break in the winter.

From the Oracle of the Grail Code comes "Creativity:"

Sometimes the combined daily tarot and oracle cards are so bluntly obvious in their meaning they make me laugh - as today. In the Grail Code card, one woman holds a baby, two others play musical instruments, another holds a book of poetry she's written, and another (unseen) paints the whole picture. I am convinced creativity is as much a necessary part of me as breathing and eating. If I am feeling restless, bored or irritable, expressing myself creatively always seems to help. I might not play the bodhran like Tommy Hayes, write poetry like Mary Oliver, or draw like Will Worthington, but I have a lot of fun doing all those things. It's not about making money, it's about nurturing my spirit.

Borrowing Trouble

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Eight of Swords:

Kat Black gives this card the phrase "a prisoner without a prison." Though this rather staid-looking woman might think she has no options, the reality is she could easily slip out of her blindfold and ropes and walk away. The swords next to her seem almost like a collection of sorts instead of a danger. The stormy skies indicate her turbulent thoughts have put her in this place. Having a mother-in-law with failing health and another family member dealing with mental health issues, I find myself in this woman's predicament often. I must constantly remind myself to stay in the moment, because right now there are no emergencies to deal with.

From the Oracle of the Grail Code comes "Temperance:"

 Instead of the deck's image, I decided to use the actual painting (by Sir Edward Burke-Jones) because it showed the flames at the woman's feet. Yep, that's me alright - running around putting out fires. But Temperance reminds me that I don't need to solve all the world's problems, and I don't need to borrow any trouble from the future. All I need to do is take care of what is immediately at my feet today.

It Sounds Good, But...

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Knight of Swords:

This tough guy looks like he has issued an ultimatum, "Stop your whining and excuses, and tell me the truth!" Behind him on a wall beneath the window is a moth. Though these insects are attracted to bright lights (positive phototaxis), they don't actually incinerate themselves in most cases. Instead, they move around the light at a distance of approximately one foot. The Knight of Swords demands that I cut through the emotional dust storm and look at a situation from a realistic viewpoint (the moth's bright light). I don't need to fall on my sword when I see the truth, but I will need to take positive action.

From the Oracle of the Grail Code comes "Forgiveness:"

Forgive, sounds good.

Forget, I'm not sure I could.

They say time heals everything,

But I'm still waiting.

~ Dixie Chicks

Funny that the moth from the top card has now turned into a butterfly on this card. Can a person forgive while at the same time protect themselves from being emotionally manipulated and hurt again? I personally think it is naive to trust an untrustworthy person again, even if I let go of the hurt and anger. The irony is that my forgiveness is not a gift to the other person but to myself. Otherwise, they get free rent in my head.