Two Wings

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the King of Chivs (Swords); from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, the 'Spirit of Man:'

          There is an air of authority about this fellow. He is an intellect who also doles out justice. His rational mind looks for evidence, and he is swayed only by the facts and not emotion. Like the knife stuck in the floor, he is grounded in what is real. The Spirit of Man represents the Higher Self in everyone, the witness within that does not take orders from the ego. Similar to the King of Swords, it sees objectively. But unlike him, this Self realizes we need two wings - both wisdom and compassion.

When we are motivated by compassion and wisdom, the results of our actions benefit everyone, not just our individual selves or some immediate convenience. ~Dalai Lama

Rage and Intolerance

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, Strength; from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, the 'Mole:'

         This Roma woman seems not a bit scared by the teeth and roar of this bear. It symbolizes her inner self - the part that feels rage and righteous indignation or the low simmering of frustration and intolerance. It takes courage to look at this side of ourselves, the ruthlessness that bubbles up with a desire to obliterate and completely silence the other. Yet the calmness she expresses suggests she realizes this is just an intense surge of energy that will dissipate if she doesn't feed it with mental stories. Mole, with its barely discernable eyes and ears, has powerful forepaws that make it suitable for subterranean living. Though its eyes only distinguish between light and dark, it has an acute sense of hearing and a sensitivity to touch. Its message is to view the person that causes our emotional reaction through a different lens. Rather than seeing them as an obstacle to our agenda, we can remember they are simply an imperfect human, just as we are. From that perspective, any respectful communication we attempt will have a better chance of being heard.   

A Key to Sanity

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Three of Koros/Cups; from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, 'Sweat Lodge:'

Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you; spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life. ~Amy Poehler 

          As a young child, I was lucky to have my cousins next door to play with, twins a year older and their older sister. The oldest alternated between pretending to be a preacher or a teacher; the wide steps of my grandmother's house designated our grade or the pews of a church. The twins and I played beauty shop one day, cutting my hair above my ears. Scissors were well hidden after this venture. We no longer live close to each other, but we still get together each summer and renew our bond that comes not from shared opinions but from the simple love we have for each other. The Sweat Lodge signifies cleansing and purification that bring us back into balance. My grown-up friends help me do this, reminding me that I am stronger and more resourceful than I think. We share each other's burdens, offer different perspectives and celebrate each person's success.  I heartily agree with the words of Lois Wyse: "A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world."

Try a Little Tenderness

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Page of Cups/Koros; from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, 'Motion:'

          This young lass has had little worldly experience, so each new emotion she feels with her tender heart is like a new color from the giant-size Crayola box. She's not yet learned to harden her heart or detach from drama, so she's open to every relationship. She is like her cousins (the Pages of other Suits) - every encounter is seen with fresh eyes and an uncluttered mind. On the downside, her sensitivity can be a bit much for older adults. But it won't last for long, as the Motion card implies. Everything created or born is always changing. Hopefully, her gentleness won't completely disappear but will be given some balance with discernment. Such tender hearts are what often remind the curmudgeons that life still has some kindness left in it.

When death comes it is never our tenderness that we repent from, but our severity.

~George Eliot

Exceptional Days

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 the Ten of Bolers/Wagon Wheels (Pentacles) and 'Water:'

 Our life is what our thoughts make it.     

~Marcus Aurelius

          I believe many of us often have exceptional days in our lives like this Roma family - a safe place to live, food to eat, a companion or two and the wonders of nature to admire. But usually, some small frustration appears, like a long wait or an annoying phone call. Suddenly that is all we can see, ponder on, and talk about. We lose our perspective as we focus not on all the good around us, but on this one irritation that has suddenly mushroomed into a mountain. The verse for the Water card reads:

I am clarity and purity; therefore I am cleansing.

I am liquid and flowing; therefore I am change.

I bring forth life; therefore I am creativity.

I sustain life; therefore I am nurturing.

It's time for a mind cleanse when our focus becomes so narrow. We can change our thoughts by using our creative imagination, bringing back memories of joyful times in the past and reliving them. We can look with fresh eyes at all that nurtures us that we have taken for granted. If we do this regularly, we might be surprised to find just how many exceptional days we've been given.

The Duty of Love

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Hierophant; from the Victorian Flower Oracle, 'Lily:'

          Notice anything different about this Hierophant? He offers a blessing without anyone kneeling at his feet. Together with Lily (pure motives), I am reminded of Father Joe, a priest who shepherded an Episcopal church made up of a formerly all-white congregation and an all-black congregation after a flood destroyed one of their buildings. In second grade my daughter decided we needed to go to church, and after hearing good things about this one, I hesitantly decided to try it out. When I met Father Joe, I gave him a long list of things I didn't believe in and another list of things I highly doubted. He just smiled and said, "Come anyway." He knew that I needed a spiritual group to belong to more than I needed dogma to believe in. His church reminded me of AA whose preamble reads: "The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking." I wonder what the world would look like if all the churches were concerned with alleviating the suffering of the world rather than saving souls. Father Joe has been retired for several years now (and I haven't been to church in two decades), but I still consider him a dear friend and spiritual advisor.

The first duty of love is to listen.

~ Paul Tillich

Wall Sitting

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the King of Wands; from the Victorian Flower Oracle, 'Wallflower:'

          Deirdre's King was fashioned on the mythical Finn of Irish lore (whose tales sometimes remind me of Paul Bunyan of American folklore).  His advice is not to procrastinate, pretending to plan extensively. But when you're around big personalities (and you happen to be an introvert), you might take Wallflower's timid approach. Yet if we choose either tactic, others will miss out on our companionship and perspective. Share a part of yourself, and give folks a chance to see your inner light.

What is the light? You are the light, with your ability to be conscious and mindful, and to act with wisdom and foresight. To serve the light means to show up—by which I mean, to be present—for yourself, as your best and highest self, and to show up for others in your life as well.

—Dawa Tarchin Phillips