River Guides

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Speaker of Rivers (King of Cups); from the Animal Tiles, 'Green Anole:'

          The big fish leading the others through the river is like a therapist or anam cara who can guide us through emotionally turbulent times. The Speaker of Rivers has enough experience and wisdom to help without becoming swept away in the drama. It is important, however, that this guide has been vetted and found trustworthy. Anoles are ectotherms, meaning they must use the sun or an environmental heat source to regulate their body temperature. In the same way, the King must regulate his relationship with those he helps to avoid becoming enmeshed himself. Like the anole's tail that can break off to distract a predator, emotional detachment is a skill that this King needs to develop. Such detachment does not cut off compassion or kindness. It is the realization that one person does not have the power to create change in another - that is solely the responsibility of the individual.

Beginning Flier

This week I'll be using the Shining Tribe Tarot, a deck and book set created by Rachel Pollack and published by Llewellyn. The oracle I'll be using is a wooden set of Animal Tiles, hand pyroetched by my multi-talented friend Carole Beasley. My draws this morning are the Fool and 'Hawk:'

          This young Fool follows the bird right off the side of the mountain. There is no hesitation or question that this is her path; her ego is not strong enough to sway her from instinct. She is completely comfortable with uncertainty and even finds it exciting. Every moment is a wonder and feeds her insatiable curiosity. Though she will eventually fall to earth, literally and figuratively, hopefully she will retain some of her child-like openness. Hawk flies in to lend some clarity to the Fool's trust. It's almost a guarantee that her earthly bumps and bruises will bring some emotional clouds. Yet mistakes and challenges can be useful for her development if she sees the lessons clearly without becoming saturated by the emotions they bring.

Feeling compassion for ourselves in no way releases us from responsibility for our actions. Rather, it releases us from the self-hatred that prevents us from responding to our life with clarity and balance. ~Tara Brach

Fine Print and Compromise

From the Tarot of Durer, the Knave (Page) of Wands; from the Philosopher's Stone Deck, 'Contrast:'

          The Page of Wands is a go-getter who doesn't dally when it comes to getting things done. For procrastinators and indecisive hesitators, he's a good archetype to embody. Yet for those who use him as a model, they should make sure to read the fine print: "not liable for any breakage or destruction that might occur." The plant behind him that's had its stem broken is a good example. His excitement and enthusiasm easily override common sense and caution when he gets moving. The two face stones on the Contrast card - one new and one weathered - remind me of the differences between generations. The youngsters complain that the older folks don't want to try anything new, while the elders reply "if it's not broken, it doesn't need to be fixed." Yet both sides have wisdom that might benefit the other. It doesn't necessarily have to be only one way or the other, it can be a combination of both.

Mental Upgrade

From the Tarot of Durer, the Six of Swords; from the Philosopher's Stone Deck, 'Impression:'

 No matter what god or doctrine you believe in, if you become attached to it, your belief will be based more or less on a self-centered idea.

― Shunryu Suzuki

          This fellow is following Suzuki's definition of 'beginner's mind,' as he leaves all his swords on the shore. His strategies, fundamental beliefs, and ideas about how things should be have been left behind. He has realized that the self-centered thoughts he tightly held greatly limited his world. Most every belief framework has a dividend plan of sorts - if you do this, you get that. Serve God well and go to heaven. Study hard and make good grades, then get a diploma. Be a responsible employee and be rewarded with a paycheck. Seems simple, right? But what happens if you're gay, and God thinks it's sinful? What if you struggle in school because of a learning disability? What if your employer wants you to do something unethical? Sometimes we must step out of the framework and into something more spacious. The handprint impressed upon the stone face is a reminder that every experience (good or bad) leaves a mark in the memory. Knee-jerk reactions are a strong indication that we are operating from an experience of which we may not be mindful. As Pema Chodron says, "they're like messengers that show us, with terrifying clarity, exactly where we're stuck." Yet once we're aware of them, we can choose to allow their influence or not. 

Get a Move On

From the Tarot of Durer, the Eight of Chalices; from the Philosopher's Stone Deck, 'Movement:'

          Several cups wash downstream, as a dove huddles against the rain from above. This card always makes me think of the sadness of resignation; we know that something is over and have accepted it. I've spent several days down among the cypress springs and swamps of Florida with three of my cousins who are like sisters. We were celebrating my mom's eightieth birthday. It was a relaxed holiday, walking on boardwalks and trails and taking a slow boat ride to enjoy the sites - alligators, manatees and a variety of birds that would make birders drool. I feel a bit of that sadness today, though I'm glad to be back home. Yet those two cups still standing on the rock are the memories I'll always have. The Movement card made me chuckle - I might want a few days to chill out after our trip, but there are things that need my attention. The small stones lined up in front of the stone face imply that there is no question about what needs to be done and the direction to move in. Time to get a move on and take care of what's waiting.

Every Lid Has a Pot

From the Tarot of Durer, the Knave (Page) of Swords; from the Philosopher's Stone Deck, 'Complement:'

          I know what you're thinking... "Why is this older guy still a Page?" He definitely has the intelligence and skill to move up in the ranks, and nothing gets past his sharp eyes or ears. What he lacks are diplomacy and tact. If there is a pink elephant in the room that everyone else is politely trying to avoid noticing, he points it out with gusto. Whatever passes through his mind comes straight out of his mouth with no filter. The Complement card implies the adage that "every lid has a pot." Though this Page is not everyone's cup of tea, he works well with folks who have a hard time speaking up. He can also be a refreshing change when surrounded by people pleasers who can't utter an honest opinion about anything. He may take some getting used to, but he'll never deliberately lie or sugarcoat a thing.

I'll be out of town for the next several days celebrating my mom's 80th birthday and likely won't be able to post anything until I return. Just didn't want anyone to think I disappeared! 

Shadowed Decisions

This week I'll be using the Tarot of Durer, created by Manfredi Toraldo and Giacinto Gaudenzi and published by Lo Scarabeo. The oracle deck I'll also be using is the Philosopher's Stone, created by De Es and published by AG Muller. Today's draws are the Two of Swords and 'Confrontation:'

          The question is not which came first, but whether to eat the chicken or the egg. The fox's hunger dictates his desire to eat, but he might slip away without notice if he chooses the egg. Yet the chicken would provide the better meal. Unfortunately, all the flapping and clucking won't go unnoticed, and he might get killed in the process. Is it wiser to take a greater chance and grab the more fulfilling meal? Confrontation shows a smaller rock blocking the light from the larger stone's face. When faced with tough decisions, we end up confronting those parts of ourselves that we would rather leave in the closet - fears and insecurities, anger and resentment, instincts and desires. We stay in the shadows until we do, because they won't be ignored. Sometimes the questions that should be asked is, "Will the consequences of this act fall on others too? Do the benefits serve the greater good or one person? What longterm repercussions could either choice have?"