Catching Salmon

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Five of Cups; from the Druid Animal Oracle, Otter:

          We are wired to be more sensitive to the negative than the positive; it's something our brain came up with hundreds of years ago to keep humans alive ( known as negative bias). As neuropsychologist Rick Hanson explained, good things are like Teflon in the brain (they slide right out) while bad things are like Velcro (you can't hardly shake them loose). Researchers have found we need a five to one ratio of good to bad to just balance things out. Seeing the positive in life will take a great effort that involves intentionally dwelling on each small thing that's good and experiencing it fully. The Otter gives an extra push towards joy by encouraging play and wonder. What activity makes you giggle or your heart sing? What is it that makes you stop in your tracks with awe? What engages you so fully with curiosity that your focus becomes like a laser? The authors suggest that the salmon (pictured in both cards) is the wisdom that comes from breaking routine and having some fun.

Get Hopping

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Druid Animal Oracle, the Frog:

          The  Long Man of Wilmington is used to illustrate the Two of Wands. With a staff in each hand, the figure appears to be pushing open a doorway in the hillside similar to holding elevator doors open. This card implies that progress has been made, and because of it, a new opportunity has arisen. The authors write, "although you are satisfied in having everything you need, you also long for more." The urge to do, to create never stays quiet for long. But which pull will be stronger: the comfort and stability of the known or the drive to explore something deeper? The Celts thought the Frog represented healing because of its association with water and rain. Yet this healing requires a transformation of sorts (from egg to tadpole to frog). Sometimes before we begin something new, unfinished business must be tidied up. Leaving things undone can cause problems later that could affect new endeavors. Time to get hopping.

Forgive and Forget?

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the Druid Plant Oracle, Agrimony:

          Have you ever intentionally forgotten a deep wound someone caused (as in 'forgive and forget')? Not me. I have however remembered it less and less as time goes by. Those kind of sorrows leave a scar, whether we're aware of it or not. The authors suggest heartache is considered part of the Druidic triad of learning: seeing much, studying much and suffering much. If I can move beyond self-pity, my pain can teach me about compassion. Agrimony was considered a 'dispeller of sorrow' by the Druids. It was supposed to liberate a person from depression and lethargy. I've learned that the greatest tool to dispel my anguish is my mind. Normally I replay the event, rehearse what I would have liked to have done differently, and talk endlessly to others about the incident. I'm not referring to the natural process of grief, but to being caught in an endless loop of it. This continuous circuit serves to blow on the embers of my pain, fanning them into a flame rather than letting them cool. Distracting myself with a new interest and deliberately turning my mind from the incident allows the embers to eventually grow cold. Changing my mind's course helps me move on with my life, while discernment can keep me from being susceptible to the same suffering again.

Truth Teller

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Druid Plant Oracle, Borage:

          The winds of the coming winter blow through this Queen, but she appears unruffled. She's a lover of truth and unafraid of reality. Probably the first cognitive therapist ever, this Queen looks at life straight on and knows how to tame emotions by keeping rein on her thoughts. Whether life tosses the unpleasant or pleasant at her, it is all a natural part of living which she doesn't take personally. Borage leans toward her with a message of courage. She's got that in spades for herself, but this plant is also an admonition to stand up for those who don't have a voice. In the basket rosemary grows (for remembrance) and below it thyme (for protection). It is not enough to speak one's own truth; sometimes we have to be willing to stand with others who need to speak theirs as well.

Slowing the Pace

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Princess (Page) of Wands; from the Druid Plant Oracle, Madder:

          This lively, outgoing lass is not a "let's wait and see" kind of gal, but a "let's go check it out" type of girl. She's up early because she doesn't want to miss a minute of the day; she knows each one holds an adventure, and her eyes are wide open to see it. She's walking alone now, but her magnetic enthusiasm will have others following behind her soon. The Plant Oracle shows Madder, an herb with a thick, reddish root used for dyeing cloths, such as the clootie tied in the tree above it. Because of the red coloring it provides, it is associated with strength and rites of passage. The Princess will soon become a woman, and perhaps one day a queen. It's easier to be eager about those rites of passage when one is young - they seem exciting then. But what about as she moves into the stages of becoming an elder, when her strut slows down and her body aches? Hopefully by then she will have developed a resource within that provides her with strength, one that keeps her curious and still wanting to explore.

Deep Roots

This week I'll be using three decks, all created by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm and illustrated by Will Worthington. The Druidcraft Tarot and the Druid Plant Oracle were published by Connections; the Druid Animal Oracle was published by St. Martin's Press. I've combined the two oracles and will be using them as one deck. Today's draws are the Hanged Man and Earth Dragon:

          I was curious as to why this particular Hanged Man had his mouth stuffed full of oak leaves. The authors suggest it represents a vow of silence and imply that such an experience of absolute surrender goes beyond any words. Everyone comes to this point at some time in their lives: when our body is wracked with pain, holding a loved one's hand as they die, watching those we care about make destructive choices. It is both humbling and frightening to reside in that space where there is no control, where no words or actions make any difference. Nearby, the Earth Dragon lies curled in his cave. The treasures around him symbolize the young man's potential - not in some airy, fantasy world but in reality. I think it is only when we run out of options that we stop trying to outmaneuver life and accept life on life's terms. Then we find the hidden treasure of inner strength that allows us to adapt and adjust with grace.

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

― J.R.R. Tolkien

Don't Stop Now

From the Tarot of Pagan Cats, the Six of Wands; from Brownie Wisdom, Never Be Late:

          A cat has caught what appears to be a wharf rat (a non-native rodent whose body is about 8-9 in length). Growing up in the country, we had farm cats who were too afraid to go after these large rats. I'd say this kitty did meet and conquer an impressive challenge. The only drawback to being successful at the first stage of a project is the tendency to become complacent, so pleased with ourselves that we don't follow up (because there is never just one rat). It's much easier to sit contentedly with what we've already done. The Brownie's offers a warning about procrastination; delaying an action that requires attention could put all the plans back at the starting point. I've heard of people who seem to relish the idea of being a procrastinator, saying they like the rush of meeting a deadline. But Tim Urban explains why nurturing this characteristic is not such a great plan:

 Even if the procrastinator is in the type of career where the Panic Monster [embarrassment, disaster or other scary consequence] is regularly present and he’s able to be fulfilled at work, the other things in life that are important to him—getting in shape, cooking elaborate meals, learning to play the guitar, writing a book, reading, or even making a bold career switch—never happen because the Panic Monster doesn’t usually get involved with those things. Undertakings like those expand our experiences, make our lives richer, and bring us a lot of happiness—and for most procrastinators, they get left in the dust.