Prosocial Benefits

From the Tabula Mundi Tarot, the Six of Disks; from the Universe Cards, Galaxy Collision:

          The Thoth meaning for the Six of Disks is material success. It arises after experiencing both gains and loss and leads to a wiser viewpoint when it comes to material concerns. Things aren't taken for granted, yet losses aren't perceived as a crushing defeat either. Galaxy Collision happens when a larger galaxy absorbs a smaller one or when two of similar size merge due to the gravitational attraction of both. The term 'collision' is a bit of a misnomer since stars and planets are spaced so far apart that an actual crash between them is rare. This process happens over the course of millions of years and changes the structure of both. Together, both of these cards reminded me of research published in The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology that showed prosocial people (those interested and engaged in the well-being of others) are more successful than selfish people and tend to have better psychological well-being, physical health, and relationships. It seems altruism does change us, but in wonderful ways. 

Uprooting

From the Tabula Mundi Tarot, the Ace of Disks; from the Universe Cards, Nova:

The desire of craving—the thirst, the fever of unsatisfied longing—is rooted in greed and attachment.

—Joseph Goldstein

          Meleen describes this Ace as "the birth of action in the world of matter and materiality." Everything that has developed has underground roots; everything begins from something sown. Nowhere was this more evident than yesterday when bullies and miscreants invaded the Capitol. Hatred, divisiveness and domination were planted by Trump and nurtured by his followers. Yet the world of matter plainly illustrates that change will happen, regardless of what puny humans desire. Nova shows the eruption on a star nearing the end of its life as a companion star's gravity pulls away matter from it. As one star dies, another grows. As America moves forward, may we remember the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt: ""We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization."

Known and Loved

From the Tabula Mundi Tarot, the Ace of Cups; from the Universe Cards, Binary System:

          Meleen describes the Ace of Cups as receptiveness that leads to form (the manifestation of a relationship). Often what is poured out runs off an overturned cup not willing to be filled. For these folks, past experience has made them believe no one is to be trusted and allowed into the heart. Unknowingly, they have painted with too wide a brush in an effort to protect themselves. Trust is hard to cultivate where there is fear, but consistency of action may create a more open mind - that there is also a chance for joy and devotion. Binary System is a pair of stars linked by mutual gravity, a relationship of sorts. There is a give and take in mutual, healthy relationships, an interdependence rather than an imbalance of dependency or control. Such is a gift not to be missed.

To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is... what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us. ― Timothy Keller

Push and Pull

From the Tabula Mundi Tarot, the Three of Disks; from the Universe Cards, Gravity:

          The Thoth title of this card is 'Works,' thus the illustration of a DNA strand and bricks being laid. There is attainment through effort, and the Three of Disks encourages us to maintain our momentum and pay attention to detail in order to manifest our objective. The energy we expend should be productive, not the spinning-our-wheels kind of busyness that drains us and gets nothing accomplished. Effort must also be paired with patience. As Warren Buffett said, "You can’t produce a baby in one month by getting nine women pregnant." Gravity is the natural phenomenon by which things with mass or energy gravitate toward each other, such as the Earth's pull that keeps the Moon in orbit and the Moon's pull on the Earth's oceans. Our love (attraction) for the job we do can keep us motivated; when our passion ebbs, so will our commitment and focus.

Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else.

— James M. Barrie

Creative Accountability

From the Tabula Mundi Tarot, the Three of Wands; from the Universe Cards, Supernova:

          The two outer staves on this card, each topped with a pine cone, are known as thrysus wands (symbols of fertility). Yet fertility does not mean one should sow seeds of creativity unless there is someone who is dependable to nurture them. Thankfully the caduceus wand (said to wake the sleeping) is topped by a pair of ram's horns (strength of intellect and creativity). The fiery Wands suit now begins to understand its responsibilities - thus its keyword of Virtue. A Supernova occurs when a star draws off matter from a companion star and accumulates too much or when a star runs out of nuclear fuel and its mass flows into its core. The result from either situation causes a massive explosion. The elements from the supernova travel on to form new stars, planets and everything else in the universe. Sometimes we mature into responsible humans naturally; at other times, life gives us a head-slap that wakes us up and helps us develop accountability. Either way, the lessons are not wasted.

Balancing Fire and Water

This week I'll be using the Tabula Mundi Tarot (Nox et Lux edition) with its companion book Book M: Liber Mundi; both were self-published by M.M. Meleen. I'll pair with it the Universe Cards, a set created by Kay Stopforth and published by Thorsons. Today's draws are the Knight (King) of Cups and Red Dwarf:

          The Thoth Knight of Cups is, elementally speaking, Fire of Water. Fire is aggressive and on the offense while Water humbly seeks lower places to rest. No wonder the peacock with its symbolic eye of watchfulness is part of his package. It makes sense that this leader who seeks happiness and love for himself and others is always in the middle of a balancing act. He knows that even when we get what we want, we often find it doesn't satisfy us for long and we begin the search anew. Although they make up the largest population of stars in the galaxy, the radiance of Red Dwarfs is too dim to be seen with the naked eye. Thus Stopforth assigns them the keyword self-doubt, a variable often in play for those who've been burned by love before. The Knight of Cups would encourages us not to hide our light; our hearts might be safe by such an action, but we can still be miserable. Mistakes aren't failures, just guideposts to point us toward a different direction. In the constant shifts we experience, it may be wise to consider the words of Francis Kong: "What comes easy won't last long, and what lasts long won't come easy." 

New Year, New Intentions

From the Primordial Tarot, the Mother (Empress); from the Wisdom of the Forest, Grow:

The Mother/Empress and Grow cards are an auspicious pair to draw for the first day of 2021. The Mother encourages us to create, nurture and love while Grow suggests that we not become complacent but continue to expand our heart and mind. In the words of Rumi, "Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself."

In this new year,

may my daily intentions be 

the pursuit of wisdom, kindness and compassion.

May I choose to act with tolerance and patience,

realizing all have been shaped by life, sometimes harshly.

May I seek to be of service

rather than spend life chasing one pleasure after another.

May I seek to learn from others

and appreciate all the beautiful diversity in this world.

May I see my part in any harm or heartache;

rather than focusing the blame on others,

may I be willing to ask for forgiveness

making restitution wherever possible.

And above all,

may I never forget to tell those I know or meet,

you are loved,

you are loved,

you are loved.

Happy New Year