Fear vs. Love

From the Revised New Art Tarot, Death; from the Viking Lenormand, "Bear:"

          The booklet speaks of the "irresistible impulse of Nature;" the physical realm wears down, breaks and dies. There are endings that keep pace with the beginnings. Yet the authors claim this is only "reabsorption" - what is destroyed is form but not life. Matter moves to spirit (the square merging with the triangle). I've always viewed Death as symbolic, but seeing it this morning gave me a jolt. My mother-in-law (age 94) had a fall last night and is now in the hospital. It is a tenuous thread from which we dangle in this physical world. Yet the she-bear shows up and reminds me of the strength of love, of the sturdy shoulders that can carry weight that would otherwise seem impossible. As Omid Safi expressed, "the path of love is not being impervious to fear. It is simply the stubborn refusal to let fear have the last word."

Inertia into Action

From the Revised New Art Tarot, the Queen of Wands; from the Viking Lenormand, "Clover:"

          The triangle in the top right corner is the alchemical symbol for fire with a vesica piscis penetrating it. Fire suggests a transforming energy and the vesica piscis a gateway for that energy to be used in practical and purposeful ways. The lovely queen wears an alchemical sun symbol on her chest, an emblem that also relates to her solar plexus chakra. Here is a woman who is confident in her personal power and knows how to meet challenges. She has no problem in transforming inertia into action.
          In my area, we have patches of white and red clover growing all over the place, probably because of the farming communities that surround us. Clover is an organic way to fix nitrogen in the soil, is an excellent forage crop for livestock and provides honey bees with a good source of pollen. No wonder this herb symbolizes good luck and an auspicious turn of events. Combined with the queen, it suggests I make haste in taking advantage of an opportunity. That door won't stand open forever.

Snake Oil Salesman

From the Revised New Art Tarot, the Hierophant; from the Viking Lenormand, the "Dog:"

          The two monks groveling at the feet of the high priest make my skin crawl. The smug expression on his face doesn't help any either. Beside the priest is a pentagram; this symbol was said to have been used by followers of Pythagoras to make themselves known to each other. They called the sign hugieia, meaning 'health' or 'wholeness.' Is that what the high priest is peddling to them? I notice he has a veil behind him like the high priestess, but unlike her you have to play by his rules to have access. As with all groups, conformity is expected to some degree. The Dog in Lenormand represents loyalty, trust and guardianship. The Ten of Hearts indicates the motivation behind this faithfulness is great love. The high priest is on a pedestal, both literally and metaphorically. Does such heartfelt devotion make you blind to truth and reality?  Okay boy, bark once for yes and twice for no...

The Pause in the Middle

From the Revised Art Tarot, the World; from the Viking Lenormand, "Lilies:"

          The numbering of this card is unusual, as it has been given both numbers 21 and 22. The wreath represents a gateway - an ending and beginning in the dance of life. The guardians outside the wreath each have a minor suit emblem, implying all these areas must be used with skill and balance to successfully complete one cycle and begin another. The shield at the top holds a cross within a circle, a symbol of the ancient geometer's attempt at "squaring the circle" (constructing a square that is equal in area to a circle). In everyday use, the phrase means finding a solution to a problem that originally seemed impossible.
          The Lilies suggest maturity, wisdom and a peaceful, relaxing time. In adding this meaning to the card above, I am reminded how easily humans are bored in the space between finishing one task and beginning another. We are impatient to fill the time, to find some purpose that keeps us in motion. But perhaps the wisdom offered in that space allows for gestation. A time for inspiration to come naturally instead of chasing after it.

Attitude of Alliance

From the New Revised Art Tarot, the Four of Wands; from the Viking Lenormand, the "Woman:"

          The square shape of the rods, as well as the small triangle above, indicate stability. The shape makes me think of the phrase "square up," which could suggest settling a bill or making something conform to a set guide. The "T" inside the triangle represents a Masonic T-square, a symbol of measurement and order. Well-planned thought and action are necessary if a solid foundation is to be created. The Woman (read as an oracle rather than Lenormand) would represent nurturing, receptive and cooperative qualities. So what does the Ace of Spades above her have to do with the feminine? The T-square gave me a clue - measured words. Women do tend to be more verbal than men. In this case, whatever is said needs to be based in truth with an attitude of alliance. Clear, respectful communication rather than assumptions will be a top priority.

Spraying Napalm

From the Revised New Art Tarot, Force (Strength); from the Viking Lenormand, "Man:"

          This definitely isn't someone's pet lion - look at all those broken bones around his feet. When was the last time your anger became rage, burning everything around like napalm? I remember clearly; it makes me physically ill to dwell on it. Like the lion, I left metaphorical bones in my wake too. There were no wrongs made right, no defenseless person protected and no acts of valor - just destruction. The Force card reminds me that this power can be contained and channeled to help rather than hurt, but only if the situation is viewed through eyes of compassion. 

          The Man card made me think of an excerpt I read of Robert Augustus Masters' book, To Be a Man, on Spirituality & Health. He lists the factors our society uses to identify manliness: "Showing no weakness; emotional stoicism; aggressiveness; holding it together and not losing face, no matter what’s going on; sucking it up." But the irony is that today's women in the West are taught these same ideals, particularly if they want to be successful. Show any female cop, lawyer, politician or soldier that list, and they would probably recognize themselves in it. I surely do. Masters suggests how to redefine masculinity in order to make it healthy: "True masculine power is rooted in this dynamic blend of 'soft' and 'hard' attributes — showing up as a potent alignment of head, heart, and guts. When head (thinking, rationality, analysis), heart (caring, compassion, love), and guts (resolve, resilience, bravery) all inform each other and work together."

Intellect and Industry

This week I'll be using the Revised New Art Tarot (also known as the Revised Knapp-Hall). Originally created by J. Augustus Knapp and Manly P. Hall, this deck was republished by the Philosophical Research Society. Besides the booklet that comes with the cards, I'll also be using "Oracle of the Tarot" by Paul Foster Case that makes use of the Knapp-Hall. The oracle deck I'll be pairing with the RNA is the Viking Lenormand, hand-drawn and self-published by my talented friend Carole Beasley. Today's cards are the Eight of Coins and the "Anchor:"

          If one square represents a firm foundation, then two means the walls have been added and the house is almost finished. The Knapp-Hall booklet states the cube with the sign of Mercury suggests: "the full potentiality that the intellect could achieve in density and matter." Or in plain words, with knowledge at full capacity, you can accomplish much in this world. Case uses the keyword 'prudence' for the Eight of Coins, implying common sense and good judgment. Hard work using both brawn and brain are going to be needed.
          The Anchor suggests if both industry and intellect are used, stability and security will be the result. Reading the Nine of Spades from a tarot perspective, it would be wise not to let paranoia or anxiety get the best of me as I work toward my goal. These rewards won't be served up on a platter - determination and perseverance will be required. I've got to keep both engines running and not be tempted to sail into the harbor just yet.