Ready, Set, Grow

From the Ancient Tarot of Lombardy, the Ace of Batons; from the Lenormand de Marseilles, the "Child:"

       Bursten gives Staves/Batons the keyword "Creating" and Aces the phrase "There's a first time for everything." For me, there's a big difference between having an idea and being inspired. With an idea, I can sit comfortably on my couch and play around in my mind with it. Inspiration tends to poke and prod, wanting to motivate and get me moving. Those green leaves on that hefty hunk of wood tell me something is about to start growing, so I better strap on my safety belt.
       The Child can represent a student, simplicity or the early stages of something. In the Lenormand de Marseilles, this card is paired with the Knight of Swords. Here is where the passion becomes more than just a restlessness to do something.The knight uses his intellect to help shape my inspiration (possibly through study and research) so it can become form. The Child appears to hold a sapling, suggesting that knowledge will help it grow. Looks like I'm going to need a notebook and pen today as well.

Separate but not Equal

This week I'll be using the Ancient Tarot of Lombardy, originally made for the publishing house of Ferdinando Gumppenberg in 1810 but now published by Lo Scarabeo. Lee Bursten's Marseille Tarot Companion will be my guide booklet. I'll also be using the Lenormand de Marseilles, created and self-published by Edmund Zebrowski. (As a side note, I will be reading this as an oracle rather than traditionally.) Today's draws are the Nine of Swords and "House:"

       Bursten assigns the Swords suit to the keyword "defending" and the number Nine to the phrase "you deserve it." Looking at the lone sword in between the other two groups, it does seem to be protecting one side from another. The "deserve" part is an encouragement to look at my thoughts and beliefs honestly and objectively. What is real and worth my concern, and what is pure speculation with no evidence to back it up? It appears that half those worries can be discarded.
       The House card represents family, home and safety. Ah, here's the root of my anxious ruminations. Life has been full of challenges lately in this regard, but those swords warn me to keep fact separated from fantasy. If I'm going to protect what I hold dear, I need to know the right place to focus my energy.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

From the Norse Tarot, the Star; from the Wolf Pack, "Cycles:"

       During Ragnarok, the Norse cyclic destruction of the cosmos, two humans hid in a forest. Lif and Lifthrasir were the only surviving male and female of the species. As the cycle once again turned to rebirth, they would eventually emerge and repopulate the new world. From their hiding place, they saw the stars return to the night sky. While there would be much work ahead, the fact that they survived it all brought them hope.
       The wolf in the Cycles card looks ragged and hungry. The cactus emphasizes just how sharp and unwelcoming life has been of late. Yet the message is that this cycle is ending and beneficial change is coming. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars." Funny how crystal clear things can get when you're in those places; it suddenly becomes very obvious what is important and what isn't. And maybe that's the real blessing of the calm after the storm - clarity.

Leave, But Take the Lesson With You

From the Norse Tarot, the Eight of Cups; from the Wolf Pack, "The Fool:"

       This card could be titled "The Echo of Emptiness." There's nothing personal to make this room cozy, everything is stark. The empty cups tell the tale of an unfulfilled relationship. It may be hard to leave it behind when I've poured myself into it, when I've made every possible effort to make it work. But how can I relate to the other side when they only orbit themselves? How can there be any form of connection when they can't see past the mirror? Or perhaps the problem is not them, but me; their lives may have changed and expanded while I sat comfortably complacent in one spot. Leaving allows me to begin again, hopefully a little wiser than before.
       The foolish wolf wants to be buddies with the bear, though any objective observer would realize this friendship will never happen. Why is it that we can't stand it when someone doesn't like us? We may say we don't care, but in our heads we obsess over it and try to uncover the reason. We may attempt to manipulate through people pleasing or go to the opposite extreme of seeking revenge. Yet it all boils down to me being responsible for me. I can't make someone else happy, and they aren't accountable for my joy either.

Check Under the Hood

From the Norse Tarot the Princess (Page) of Discs; from the Wolf Pack, "Crossroad:"

       A young girl gazes at a battle shield as if testing its merits. Her court rank of Page/Princess and suit of Discs combine to make her "Earth of Earth" - you don't get much more grounded than that. So while she wants the shield to be a beautiful work of art, she is more concerned that it protects the wearer for the reason it was created. She cautions me that just because something looks good on the outside doesn't mean it's worth any of my time, energy or money.  

       Should the wolf go left, right, back or blaze a new path? The phrases on the card suggest I should be practical, not emotional. Years ago, I had an old Chevy Impala. It wasn't a sporty red color but a dull brown. The seats had the stuffing coming out of them, so I had stretchy seat covers from Kmart over them. Yet the car was dependable and ran like a dream. As a college student with no money to spare, it was practical. Being a visual person, it's hard not to be drawn to what is beautiful. But the Princess and the wolf would remind me to always check under the hood first, so I don't run into any unwelcome surprises later. 

Can I Get a Do-Over?

From the Norse Tarot, the Five of Wands; from the Wolf Pack, "Carelessness:"

       The rods used in this competitive struggle meet to form a star/pentacle, the symbol for the human's physical existence. I think it is in the nature of people to want to do things their way (translated: the right way), so opposition is likely. But can we present our viewpoints and reasoning behind them without drawing blood? Such a discussion is a hallmark of maturity and can encourage choosing the best possible solution or plan of action.
       The wolf is so intent on digging up an old kill, he's oblivious to the mountain lion coming up the hill. The irony is that he's eating to survive, but because he's not alert, he's liable to be killed. It is easy to lose sight of what's important when we're too focused on the wrong things. Both these cards remind me that getting my way doesn't always mean I'll get the result I was hoping for.

Awakening to a New Version of Love

From the Norse Tarot, Judgment; from the Wolf Pack, "Love:"

       After Ragnarok ("The Doom of the Gods"), the children of Odin and Thor meet on the plain of Ida. The old gods are gone, and now their offspring will take their place. Unlike Christian mythology where there is a creation and end of creation timeline, Norse mythology moves in cycles like the seasons. Just as the spring comes after a harsh winter, so Judgment implies a reawakening. It is more than a new beginning, it is a chance to change and make things right.
       When I saw the Love card, I instantly heard the Beatles singing All You Need is Love in my head. Could it be that easy? Yesterday I was listening to a talk by Thich Nhat Hanh who described holding a hammer with his right hand while holding a nail in his left as he tried to hang a picture. When the hammer hit the fingers of his left hand, it didn't shout at the right hand "You did that on purpose!" Instead the right hand instantly took care of the left, as if it were itself. Do you think we humans will ever accept such an idea?