Maturation

From the Fey Tarot, the Eight of Pentacles; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Seven of Clubs:

We can't see what this fey is diligently working on, but judging by the paint supplies and spatters, she's quite focused. She knows what every artist knows - you have to keep adding to your knowledge and skill set to be successful. Today is my daughter's birthday, and I see myself in this fey as I continue to learn how to be a good mother. No longer do I parent a toddler or a teen, but a grown young woman. I too am diligently learning - how to offer advice only when it is asked for and how to let her fight her own battles. It seems a listening ear and emotional support are my roles now. The Seven of Clubs is translated as 'great consolation' and implies security after a time of instability. I would definitely say that describes our relationship; we've become close friends as we've both matured in our roles.

Dual Nature

From the Fey Tarot, the Seven of Swords; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Six of Spades:

The shore has a dual nature, changing with the swing of the tides,

belonging now to the land, now to the sea. ~Rachel Carson 

          Like this half solid, half translucent fey, we all have the same dual nature as Carson's shore. There's a part of us that thinks we are basically good, but there's also an often hidden part that thinks we're entitled to much more (like always being right, or sticking it to someone we consider an ass). We would do best to heed the words of Dwight Morrow: "Remember, that we are all inclined to judge ourselves by our ideals; others by their acts." If we had someone recording all of our thoughts, words and actions each day, would it be as easy to rationalize how we behaved when replayed each night? 

          The Six of Spades has been given the keyword 'sighs,' the kind caused by the anguish of waiting. Impatience is another way that can tempt our entitled self out of the closet. That kind of thinking means we believe we deserve to wait less than anyone else. Perhaps both fey and human would do well to sigh about what is beautiful instead of worrying about boxes to tick off.

Ask for Advice

From the Fey Tarot, the Ten of Wands; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Ace of Hearts:

          On the plus side, all that inspiration and effort this fey has put forth has paid off with a bumper citrus crop. But the abundance has created more work and more to manage, which seems to be weighing her down mightily. Yet before she gives up, she might take Pema Chodron's advice to start where she is and work openheartedly with life just as it is. No need to pre-plan worry, but taking stock of one's resources can be helpful. One often forgotten resource is the experience of friends and acquaintances. As the Ace of Hearts ('conversation') suggests, we shouldn't let pride keep us from tapping into the knowledge and advice of others. We might just find a new strategy to help us with the workload.

Connections with others loosens the bonds of self-concern and helps us find

our best course of action in the world. ~ Henry Shukman

Everything Leans

From the Fey Tarot, Justice; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Ten of Diamonds:

This being, that becomes;

From the arising of this, that arises.

This not being, that becomes not;

From the cessation of this, that ceases.

—the Buddha 

The Buddha's quote is often illustrated with two bundles of reeds that are upright and leaning against each other. Each bundle supports the other; if one is taken away, the other would fall. The point Buddha was trying to get across is that everything and everyone coexists in a relationship (everything is interdependent). As Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel explains, this has important repercussions:

• Nothing is self-defining. Everything leans. Everything depends on something else.
• Because everything is leaning, everything we do must matter.

Justice is all about protecting what matters. The Thief (Ten of Diamonds) is just the opposite. He (being completely self-centered) rationalizes what he does in order to deny any wrong-doing. Yet he creates for himself 'karmic propensities,' or reflexive habits that will create suffering. Karma is simply an activity (thoughts, words, or behavior) that will produce an effect - like a seed and the fruit (vipaka, the result of intentional action) that ultimately emerges from it. Buddhist psychotherapist Miles Neale states, "Karma is how we subjectively experience reality based on how we have acted in the past." What we do matters, not just because it may harm another, but because it causes us to suffer as well.

The Hurting Heart

From the Fey Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Ace of Spades:

Both of the cards drawn today speak of sorrow, but each person seems to take a different approach in dealing with it. The Fey is belly deep in his pain; his gaze is solely focused on the water (his suffering). The only story in his head is the one in which he got hurt. He tells it over and over to himself (or anyone else who hasn't got tired of hearing it), thinking that he is the only person in the world to feel such crushing pain. He is caught in the web of self-pity, an excessive and self-absorbed unhappiness over his troubles. The woman on the Ace stands near the water but not in it. She engages in life but does not try to hide from her grief. By maintaining her relationship with the rest of the world, she does not imagine that her sorrow, while very real, is unique. She intentionally moves the story-line in her head when it gets stuck to something else; walking outside often helps her. Self-compassion will be the path she takes to heal her heart.

Learning and Listening

From the Fey Tarot, the Knave (Page) of Pentacles; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, 'Two of Spades:'

          This Page of Pentacles seems to have created a new transportation device. She may be called 'the student,' but she doesn't just want to write journal articles about what she creates. She wants to test things out and use them herself. She's a very 'hands-on' kind of learner. This Page seems to be buzzing off in the direction of an elderly woman (who seems to be watching for her). While the Page knows her elder might not know what an iPhone and iPad are, she knows this woman is wise in deeper, more lasting ways. The woman has much to teach when it comes to inner strength, a wide and long perspective, and tenacity.

Coming from an Asian culture, I was always taught to respect my elders,

to be a better listener than a talker. ~Lisa Ling

New Starts, Lighter Loads

This week I'll be using the Fey Tarot, a book and deck set created by Riccardo Minetti and Mara Aghem. This set was published by Lo Scarabeo. The oracle deck I'll be using is the I Misteri della Sibilla, created by Ettore Maiotti and published by Dal Negro. Today's draws are the Fool and the Seven of Diamonds:

          The Fool represents the blank page or the empty container - there are no opinions or rigid beliefs, so an abundance of possibilities exists. On the other hand, there's little knowledge and experience, which means there's a chance of being gullible and undiscerning. The collection of keys he wears will eventually unlock his mind as he makes his way, some in good ways and some in not-so-good ways. Yet his potential is as wide as the sky, and he is willing to learn even if it brings some hard knocks.
          The Seven of Diamonds is illustrated with a small child and offers the same opportunity as the Fool - the chance for a new beginning with an emphasis on curiosity and simplicity. A child has no expectation of perfection and willingly engages in all sorts of exploratory activities without worrying about messes or mistakes. Sometimes the best new starts involve a lighter load.