Conscious Change

From the PetraK Tarot, the Six of Wands; from the Astrodice, North Node-Gemini-10th House:

          In my pre-coffee imagination, this painting was a peeled orange in sections. I remember as a kid pulling off parts of this juicy fruit and sharing them with friends. Victory is just as sweet and should be shared among those who helped create the favorable outcome. Each wand has a different top, suggesting the various skills each person brought to the endeavor. The Astrodice bring together the spiritual development of the North Node with the footloose versatility of Gemini in the House of Reputation. The North Node can calm some of the restlessness of Gemini while using their need for variety; the combination can offer a wise, fresh perspective on a situation. The conscious action of the 10th House will make sure the success that comes is not a Pyrrhic victory. What a shame it would be if the slices we shared were tart and bitter rather than delectable.

Every action in this world, every word, every thought, has an effect. But the actor is also

acted upon by his action. The condition on which you are allowed to make a change in the

world is that the world changes you as well. ― Yael Shahar

Going Out on a Limb

From the PetraK Tarot, the Seven of Cups; from the Astrodice, Jupiter-Aries-1st House:

          Does one cup seem to stand out from the other six in this set? I think deep down, we are aware of what will bring us emotional fulfillment. Yet we often have a fear of the unknown or a headful of 'shoulds' that keep us from following our heart. On the other hand are plenty of false promises that we would like to pin our hopes on, even though on some level we know them for the delusions that they are. The center cup will require persistent, long-term effort, which may send those with commitment issues running for the hills. In the Astrodice roll, the expansive joy of Jupiter combines with the impulsive energy of Aries in the House of Personal Character. The mix of optimism with the courage to reach out and include others in my joy ride can result in a life-changing outcome. Looking back, I can see that being willing to take that risk has helped me meet and establish bonds and friendships that are ongoing even today.

Go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is. ~ Jimmy Carter

Light in the Darkness

From the PetraK Tarot, the Ace of Wands; from the Astrodice, Moon-Aquarius-1st House:

          This intricately decorated wand provides a light in the darkness. It is that moment of insight or inspiration when a person says, "Now I know how I'm going to do this!" Notice that the wand does not burn down like a candle; the potential and creativity held within never gets used up (though an opportunity for putting it to use might come and go). The Astrodice pairs the receptive intuition of the Moon with the humanitarian logic of Aquarius. These meet in the House of Personal Character - how one meets and moves with what life presents. The wand can be seen as a scepter for ruling my own life. Being receptive and open can help me be more creative and solve more problems, while objective altruism can help me apply it to benefit many rather than just myself. This is not supposed to be an ego thing, but simply a means to help others find their way out of life's dark tunnels.

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative

altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Be a Bridge Builder

From the PetraK Tarot, the Knight of Swords; from the Astrodice, Saturn-Sagittarius-7th House:

          There is no doubt the Knight of Swords is intelligent and eloquent. The swords on his head and throat suggest he focuses on and speaks the truth - or a least what he thinks is the truth. Because he is still a young man, he tends to use binary thinking; everything fits simply in one category or the other. Yet life is rarely black or white with no shades of gray in between. Such a division can be seen in today's roll: the restrictive and responsible Saturn meets up with freedom-loving and freewheeling Sagittarius in the House of Personal Relationships. Most everyone can relate to being on either the side of practicality and duty or the side of spontaneous fun and having their partner or friend on the other. If the binary thinking of this knight holds sway, fireworks are likely to ensue. But a true relationship requires that we relate to each other, not only talking but deeply listening to find any hint of similarity to build a bridge upon.

What would Gandhi do?

From the PetraK Tarot, the Seven of Swords; from the Astrodice, 'North Node-Aries-9th House:'

          Petra explains the sword in the center is the desired goal, but the other swords hem it in (and one even has cut through its hilt). The great idea we were so enthusiastic about not only has opposing ideas, but all of them appear to be bottled up inside a glass container. No wonder the Thoth version of this card is called 'Futility.' That feeling of having no options and no voice makes me think of a quote by Parker Palmer: "Violence is what happens when we don’t know what else to do with our suffering." The North Node (representing the soul's mission and spiritual progress) pairs up with the headstrong assertiveness of Aries. These two land in the House of Quests (for travel, learning or spiritual development). With the dice roll's strong spiritual emphasis, a question is asked: "What would Gandhi do?"

Violence breeds violence … Pure goals can never justify impure or violent action.

~~~

If the means employed are impure, the change will not be in the direction of 

progress but very likely in the opposite.

~~~

Tolerance gives us spiritual insight...

~~~

Truth alone will endure, all the rest will be swept away before the tide of time.

The Library is Burning

This week I'll be using the PetraK Tarot, created by Petra Reiter-Köck and published by Piatnik. The oracle I'll be using this week is the AstroDice, created by Wessex Astrologer Ltd. It consists of three dice: one for Planets (the 'What'), one for Signs (the 'How') and one for Houses (the 'Where'). From the PetraK Tarot, the Nine of Discs; from the Astrodice, 'Pluto-Taurus-5th House:'

          Petra assigns this card the Thoth keyword of 'Gain;' looking at that solid trunk and sturdy roots, its easy to see the positive results grew from a foundation of hard work, perseverance and discipline. The dark, transforming energy of Pluto meets with the reliable steadiness of Taurus in the House of Creativity (hobbies, self-expression, entertainment). There is great change afoot in an area of enjoyment, but hopefully the dependability of the bull will keep thoughts and emotions from spinning into dire predictions and paranoia. I can't help but tie this card and dice roll with the news I just received about the coming shutdown of the Aeclectic Tarot forum on July 14th. While not every encounter I've made there has been pleasurable, I've learned much from the AT site. I've made several deep friendships on the forum, discovered some gorgeous decks there, and started this blog as a result of encouragement received from a member. One forum member (Elven) said she felt as if the Library of Alexandria was burning, and I have to agree. I will miss those purple pages and the friends I've made there.

To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest. 

~ Pema Chodron

Deep-seated Wisdom

From the Victoria Regina Tarot, the Two of Cups; from the Alchemist Oracle, 'Higher Knowledge:'

           A couple listen intently to each other as they take a country walk decked out in fashionable clothes (thank goodness for hiking boots, jeans and t-shirts today). They are obviously bonding, but it appears the attraction is about more than just sex. The Ball canning jars above their heads have the word 'Ideal' on them, suggesting a relationship that is based on a balance of give and take rather than inequality. I imagine that has a lot to do with developing a friendship in which honesty and communication take priority over a roll in the hay. 'Higher knowledge' has nothing to do with a PhD, instead it is a deep-seated wisdom that doesn't revolve around "I, me and mine." This wisdom sees with clarity and compassion without getting caught up in a world of make-believe. I'm lucky to be married to my best friend; the ups and downs of our relationship have taught me:

• Compromise and flexibility don't mean I've lost a battle.
• Resentment isn't necessary when agreeing to disagree.
• Honesty and kindness are much more important than looks.
• My happiness doesn't depend on another person's mood.
• Empathy is not the same thing as emotional entanglement.
• I am responsible for the choices I make; no one else is to blame.
• Self-care sometimes requires solitude.
• When I extend my circle of friends and interests, I'm more fulfilled.

What has the clarity and compassion of wisdom taught you about relationships?