Defensive Stance

From Hadar's Le Veritable Tarot de Marseille, the Nine of Swords; from the Greek Alphabet Runes, 'Phi:'

          According to Bursten's interpretation of the Marseille Tarot, the Sword suit represents 'defending' and the Nine is the result of one's efforts. Looking at the boundary created by the curved swords, there is a sense of being walled inside of a fortress. But is this worry without an evident cause? The flower buds at the four corners point outward as if they too are an attempt to be a part of the boundary. But they have been cut off from the plant and therefore have no chance to blossom. The fortress created may end up becoming more of a prison for the person inside. Phi is the Greek letter in mathematics associated with the golden mean, a special ratio found in nature and intentionally produced in art and architecture. It was thought this ratio made creations more pleasing to the eye, and thus this letter symbolizes an appreciation of beauty. Together with the Nine of Swords, these draws suggest not letting anxiety become so much of a focus that it completely blocks out all else, including the beauty and joy of life.

Avoiding Side Effects

This week I'll be using Le Veritable Tarot de Marseille, restored and reconstructed by Kris Hadar and published by Mortagne. Lee Bursten's The Marseille Tarot Companion will be a resource for reading with this deck. The oracle I'll be using is one I created myself called the Greek Alphabet Runes. AlaskaLaserMaid on Etsy burned the designs on cedar tiles for me. Today's draws are Temperance and 'Zeta:'

          Temperance was a common subject in medieval and Renaissance art. Her title and action symbolize the practice of mixing water with wine to temper the wine's effect. This card is also connected to the Greek theory of the four humors or temperaments; it was believed that an imbalance of these liquids in the human body caused illness. Temperance offers the encouragement to avoid extremes, physically or psychologically, which will result in a more balanced mind and body.  Zeta is a letter that has been used to represent vorticity, the measure of rotation in fluid or air as seen in whirlpools and tornadoes. It cautions us not to get caught up in the kind of busyness or mental rumination that results in 'spinning our wheels.' These two draws are not about restriction so much as being able to enjoy life without experiencing the side effects that extremes cause.

Be moderate in order to taste the joys of life in abundance.     

~ Epicurus

Be Still and Listen

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Four of Birds (Swords); from the Animal Tiles, 'Woodpecker:'

          This tarot image comes from a healing visualization. A woman rests on a ledge and is warmed by the sun, letting the other birds fly freely. We often try to force ourselves to come up with solutions, but the more we anxiously think about the problem, the more muddled things become. Alan Watts wrote, "Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone." Clarity comes when we rest the mind, not through over-analysis or strategy-making. The 'thunk-thunk-thunk' of a woodpecker drilling a tree is a common sound in areas where there are older trees. Yet they often tap on tin roofs, light poles and other man-made objects. They haven't mistaken these things for trees but are using the sound as signals. Thus the message of Woodpecker is that opportunity will knock at some point; we just have to rest and listen until then.

Nature's Pace

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Hanging Woman; from the Animal Tiles, 'Spider:'

          Everything has been put on hold in this woman's life. Instead of being busy, she listens in stillness. Surrender is not an easy mantle to wear, but once we place it on our shoulders, we can relax rather than fight the dish life has served us. Pollack suggests that we "attach ourselves to the rhythms of the universe." Control is not an option, but learning can be. Spider teaches both responsibility and patience. She asks, "What are you weaving in your life? Each thread in your web is a choice you have made, so why blame another?" Spider also knows that waiting (like the Hanging Woman) can have better results than trying to force something to happen. "Let things happen in their own time," she advises.

Don't cross the bridge til you come to it.      

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 

Seeking Forgiveness

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Four of Rivers (Cups); from the Animal Tiles, 'Bumblebee:'

In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls...

Leviticus 16:29

          Pollack associates this card with the Jewish 'Day of Atonement,' Yom Kippur. It is a celebration of one's essence and its indestructible relationship with G-d. Before this day, one must first seek reconciliation with others, righting the wrongs you committed against them if possible. This day of forgiveness is a reminder to be mindful of daily actions, making a choice to do what is good and beneficial instead of what is self-serving. This card represents casting off the old self to find healing and connection. Bumblebees are wonderful pollinators. Yet unlike the honey bee, they produce only the amount of honey they need to feed themselves and their young. These insects are reminders that we can do good work, but we must not hold ourselves to an impossible standard. Sometimes forgiving ourselves can be the hardest work of all.

Realize, right now, that there is a very big difference between doing a bad thing and being a bad person. ~ Michael Davidson

Before Choosing a Cup...

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Seven of Rivers (Cups); from the Animal Tiles, the 'Owl:'

          We all have fantasies about what would make our lives easier: a new job or relationship, paying off a large debt, having our kids become responsible adults or getting relief from a health issue. But the stones on the right bank of this seven lane river caution that wishing won't change reality. There is a necessary effort behind each change we seek. Yet what we often forget is that everyone, no matter how charmed their life looks on the outside, has challenges. True fulfillment comes when we are able to find joy even when swimming upstream. The Owl's night vision suggests that there may be a delusion or two that is hiding. Is there self-pity or a sense of entitlement scurrying around in the corners of the mind? Best to confront it rather than let it continue to grow, or joy won't have a snowball's chance in hell.

From an experiential point of view, what is ego covering up? It's covering up our experience of just being here, just fully being where we are, so that we can relate with the immediacy of our experience. Egolessness is a state of mind that has complete confidence in the sacredness of the world. It is unconditional well being, unconditional joy that includes all the different qualities of our experience. ~Pema Chodron

Drop Anchor

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Ace of Stones (Pentacles); from the Animal Tiles, 'Bear:'

          This standing stone reminded me of the natural formation found in Australia known as Uluru. Sacred to the Aboriginees, Uluru stands less than a fourth of a mile tall yet extends over a mile and a half underground. The Shining Tribe companion book suggests anchoring oneself in ordinary things. Thinking may get a lot of credit in our culture, but concrete action is what will actually help secure and stabilize things. If the weather will cooperate, today may be a good day for digging in the soil; it is one of the best solutions for grounding my body, mind, and spirit. The Bear symbolizes strength, a stable foundation, and healing. Bear doesn't get in a hurry unless there is an emergency situation. She reminds me to go slow and seek progress rather than perfection. It's only when I believe that life must bend to my will that I become panicked. In the words of Baloo the Bear, "Don't spend your time looking around for something you want that can't be found."