No Filter

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Moon; from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, Wi (Sun):

           If you spend any time caring for someone in the beginning stages of dementia, you notice one thing right away: no thoughts or feelings are filtered from their behavior. The frontal lobe of the brain, responsible for helping us making good judgments, is what usually prevents people from doing and saying socially unacceptable things. As dementia progresses, this lobe loses its filtering ability. In a similar way, my more primitive urges and instincts (represented by the Moon) can appear from the unconscious when my rational side has its guard down - usually brought on by hormones, stress or exhaustion. It may give me a peek at the feelings and motives (created by past experiences and memories) that lay hidden beneath my 'socially approved' side. Yet care needs to be taken that I don't allow the 'wild one' to cause irreparable harm on some unsuspecting person. The Sun represents clarity and awareness, but also the personal power that comes as a result. I may begin to understand why I have certain patterns of behavior, but the power comes in making different choices once I've found the causal root.

Connections slowly emerge. Like distant landmarks you are approaching, cause and effect begin to align themselves, draw closer together. Experiences too indefinite of outline in themselves to be recognized for themselves connect and are identified as a larger shape. ~ Eudora Welty

Preparation and Acceptance

From the Buckland Romani, the Nine of Koshes (Staves); from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, Cha Wakan (Tree of Life):

          This fellow has quite a few branches from which he is making koshes (whips). It's not like he doesn't have some already, but he knows he could probably sell a few and have some for back-ups in case the one he uses breaks. The Nine of Staves is about being alert and prepared. Here is wisdom that has come from experience; while there's no need to panic, it does help to have a plan that is ready to be put into action. My eye is on Irma today, as it appears to be making its way to our side of the street. Tropical Storm Alberto was a wake-up call in 1994 for us; our river rose 24 feet over flood stage and covered an area the size of Massachusetts and Rhode Island combined. Coffins were unearthed, homes submerged, 450,000 acres of farmland were destroyed, and the lives of animals and people were lost. I won't worry, but I will get some things done just in case. The Tree of Life represents acceptance: circumstances beyond my control will happen (that I need to accept). But it also helps to recognize that I am connected to every living being (no matter how different we look on the outside). When I acknowledge that connection, it is much easier to reach out or in turn grab the hand that is extended when the there are hardships.

Don't Look Away

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Five of Bolers (Wheels/Coins); from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, Yum (Whirlwind):

          Even the pronunciation of the word 'destitute sounds hard and abrasive. The unemployed, the disabled (mental or physical) and the addicted seem to be found everywhere these days, holding signs that ask for food or money. Most I can easily ignore - except when they have kids with them. Sure, maybe it is just a con to rake in more money, but it's hard to overlook those little faces. It reminds me there are lots of reasons to be desperate that don't always have to do with money. Whirlwind represents that rush of tenderness and love we can suddenly feel for others, like when watching the news and seeing the losses caused by floods or tornadoes. It can be overwhelming to observe, whether that devastation appears on a street corner holding a sign or standing in front of what used to be their home. I am reminded by these cards that ignoring the problem does not make the problem go away. I can't solve these issues, but I can do small acts of kindness such as give a donation to the Red Cross, buy someone a meal or support legislation that will provide better mental health services for veterans, addicts and those with mental illnesses. Above all, simply acknowledging their existence goes a long way.

Walk Forward

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Fool; from the Lakota Sweatlodge Cards, Inyan (Stone):

          Walk forward into uncertainty. There is no reason to cower in fear of life's challenges or rage at life when change or loss occur. You're here to embrace it all with an open mind and heart, and when you do, compassion and wisdom will come. Open all of your senses and stay curious even with what seems unpleasant; when you do, you will learn. Listen to the small voice that whispers inside: "This is why you are here." There will be periods when you want to shutter your heart and mind against the pain and problems, but try to keep them open. Inyan, the stones of the earth, can show you how to support and ground yourself during these trying times. Move slowly, with great patience. Stability is found in the present moment, not in the memories of the past or the fantasies of the future. 

Each day presents a new confrontation with reality. I want to run; instead, I breathe. One breath—the freedom to choose my response in that moment. —Marilyn Buck   

This post was inspired by a conversation I had with a friend yesterday. I asked her, "What would your life look like it if wasn't weighed down with stress and worry?" I then suggested she try to live as if this were already true. Seems like it is good advice for me as well!

It Isn't "Them"

This week I'll be using the Buckland Romani Tarot, created by Lissanne Lake and Raymond Buckland; this book and deck set was published by Galde Press. Along with it, I'll be using the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, created by Chief Archie Fire Lame Deer and Helene Sarkis; this deck and book set was published by Inner Traditions. Today's draws are Strength and Hanwi (Moon):

Facing the monster. And recognizing it. Knowing that it was not a vile few.

It wasn't "them." It was us. ~ Louise Penny, Glass Houses

          Rage, greed, jealousy, grief, fear - the beast within wears many faces. It's easy for me to see this face on others, to point it out with self-righteous satisfaction and pretend it doesn't live within me. But it does (and it has large teeth and massive claws). If I pretend long enough that it isn't there, it's easy for it to escape and do irreparable harm. Everyone has a tipping point, when the iron door to the beast's cage opens. I may try to deny that these instincts are alive and well in me, but what happens when I reach that point? I have no way to calm the beast and no way to close the door. Hanwi, or "night sun," represents cycles. The companion book states that "We cannot sustain one mood, one way of perceiving, one action only, throughout our lives or even throughout our day." For better of for worse, humans are emotional beings. I must befriend the beast inside me, and learn how to ground and center myself when it roars and wants unlimited independence.

Responsible Thinking

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Six of Swords; from the Victorian Flower Oracle, Lilac:

          A woman, twisting off her wedding band, is shuttled by boat to another shore. What's amazing about this particular Six of Swords is the swords have all been left behind. In cases of infidelity, the hurt seems to bring out obsessive behavior in the unsuspecting spouse. They will secretly follow the other, Google them or their new partner, and ask mutual friends for information about the situation. But that kind of thinking and behavior is like constantly sticking your hand into a pot of boiling water. The hand never gets a chance to heal. So I'm happy to see the beliefs and ideas that caused this woman pain aren't coming with her in the boat. Lilac symbolizes news or a message. People in turmoil tend to have tunnel vision and can't really pay attention to anything but the chaos within themselves. Now that the waters around this woman are becoming calmer, perhaps this woman can hear what she's been missing.

You may believe that you are responsible for what you do, but not for what you think. The truth is that you are responsible for what you think, because it is only at this level that you can exercise choice. What you do comes from what you think. ― Marianne Williamson

Making Sacrifices to Fulfill Intentions

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Three of Wands; from the Victorian Flower Oracle, Scabious and Marigold:

          Three men haggle over the price of a ram; the man who is selling it needs a part for his tractor. There are always hard choices to be made when trying to reach a goal. The ram was once a lamb that this man raised himself, and I don't imagine it is easy for him to let it go. But fields won't get plowed and planted on time without the tractor running. Scabious is also known as pin cushion flower; its Latin root means 'the itch' as it was once thought to soothe skin conditions. Marigold is a flower often seen during Dia de los Muertos celebrations. People use the blooms to decorate the ofrenda ('offering' -a ritual altar) in the home, honoring deceased family members. Both these flowers symbolize sympathy and compassion for a loss. I'd rather take a money loss and have the ram go to a farmer who would care for it rather than see it as a 'thing.' Where there is a history of pleasant memories, it's often hard to let go of whatever is associated with them.

I have to say goodbye to things in order to take on bigger things that I've always wanted to do. ~ Mahershala Ali