Do No Harm

From the Tarot of the Abyss, the Two of Cups; from the Lantern Oracle, the Unknown:

When most people are single, they crave partnership. When others are in committed relationships, they crave independence. ~Kendall Wood

Tourian describes this card as a meaningful relationship, one that is interdependent but not co-dependent. Their tails resemble the caduceus, a symbol of healing and the vow to "do no harm." It is easy to see new partnerships in a rosy light, but once they are out in the bright of day all the imperfections are seen. Can we still embrace the other without being harsh and critical? The Unknown card suggests that when we experience something new, we fear change. But when we have been in a stable situation, we may feel constricted and stagnant. Yet are either of these judgments true? Or is it simply wanting things and people to be the way we want them to be, according to our will? To change if we change, and to be settled when we are comfortable? Relationships, being composed of two people who've been shaped by different conditions, will always have an air of mystery if both partners feel free to grow and rest in their own natural cycles without the other partner feeling left behind or judged. 

An arrogant person considers himself perfect. This is the chief harm of arrogance. It interferes with a person's main task in life - becoming a better person. ~Leo Tolstoy

No Amount

From the Tarot of the Abyss, the Two of Pentacles; from the Lantern Oracle, Assistance to Access:

A woman is seen with a pentacle pendulum, shown at different times of the day. She has many obligations to fulfill and tasks to complete, and she's well aware of how thinking about one while doing another can lead to distraction. If she is to maintain her health and balance, she needs to deal with what's in front of her, not what lies ahead. Assistance to Access suggests needing help to get through a passage or part of our life. We may fear we look vulnerable, needy and inept if we ask for help, but actually it is just a sign of humility.

The truth is that no amount of money, influence, resources, or determination will change our physical, emotional, and spiritual dependence on others.

― Brené Brown

Turning the Attention

From the Tarot of the Abyss, the Five of Cups; from the Lantern Oracle, Radical Self-Love:

Yep, this is me checking the new cases of viruses - 41 new cases yesterday (a lot in our small rural-metro area). Already the hospital is worried about the overflow, especially since we were a hot spot when Covid started. Yet the two full cups remind me that not all is lost. We have vaccines, and though they're not perfect, they are keeping people from an extended stay in the ICU. And while our governor isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, at least we don't have Florida's fellow (where the cases are sky-high). He is a Trump-wannabe who just signed an executive order keeping any city or county from passing a mask mandate. Pure insanity. The Radical Self-Love card is not meant to encourage self-pity or self-indulgence, but kindness and compassion towards oneself. I would not want to live on a diet of junk food, so why should I feed my mind an unending diet of how awful the world is? It has it's problems, but there is still beauty, joy, and love to be found if I turn my attention in the right direction.

Misaligned Values and Actions

From the Tarot of the Abyss, the Five of Pentacles; from the Lantern Oracle, Misalignment:

          Two people are cast out of their lodgings in the dead of night. What did they do to deserve their eviction? I can't help but think of the eviction moratorium that went into effect with the pandemic, but with the arrival of August has expired. The worst part is this caveat: "As of August 1, 2021 tenants will owe their landlord any unpaid rent and any fees, penalties, or interest as a result of their failure to pay rent during the period of the CDC order." Who in the world would be able to make past due payments as well as pay rent too? Misalignment makes me think of how overworked back muscles can pull vertebrae out of line, creating a lot of pain. Our actions may also be misaligned with our values - saying we believe in kindness but acting with intolerance and mercilessness, for example. I understand that landlords must pay property taxes, housing repairs, and their own bills, but wouldn't it benefit both parties to just start on a fresh page?

Dangling in Front of Us

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Abyss, created by Ana Tourian and published by U.S. Games. Paired with it will be the Lantern Oracle, created by Angelina Mirabito, illustrated by Yuly Alejo, and published through Blue Angel. Today's draws are the Four of Cups and Creative Power:

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. 

– Thomas Merton

          This young man napping in the branches of a tree seems exhausted. A vacation with others, the end of a big project, or the day after a celebration can leave anyone feeling worn out in body and spirit. A bit of solitude for restoration might work wonders, but what if the apathy persists? The Creative Power card suggests this has to do with generating ideas and producing them creatively. Every artist or craftsperson has probably experienced a block that seems to keep them in neutral gear. Focusing on how bone dry we are won't help us make any progress. Pablo Picasso stated, "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." I'd probably change 'working' to 'playing.' Whatever creative work we do, can we try doing it just for fun, not to make something that fits our judgment of 'good'? Or perhaps we could try another form altogether - writing, sewing, painting, woodworking, etc. - just for the heck of it. When we lose ourselves in play, we might just find the thread to our creative power dangling right in front of us.

Seeing the Whole

From the Roots of Asia Tarot, the Ten of Cups; from the Mah Jongg Oracle, Seven Stars:

The creators of this tarot suggest that finding emotional fulfillment has nothing to do with the external - finding the perfect mate, friend or community group. Instead they suggest that it comes from a virtuous mind, one that does not covet, entertain thoughts of malice, or hold distorted views. Those that do these things never can seem to find any contentment because their focus is always on what isn't right in the world. The Seven Stars (part of the Ursa Major) was considered the seat of the gods by the ancient Chinese; it symbolizes creative imagination. Our imagination often creates our reality, seeing it either in a good or bad light. But reality is full of joy and sorrow, birth and death, hatred and kindness. Better to see the whole (and undistorted view) rather than just a part. 

If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you'll never enjoy the sunshine.

~Morris West

Fulfillment, not Filled Pockets

From the Roots of Asia Tarot, the King of Swords; from the Mah Jongg Oracle, Sword:

If we are making spiritual progress, don’t judge by how many visions or kind of lights one sees. What we have to look at is how one behaves. Have I become less selfish? Has my world narrowed down or has it expanded? Do I feel bad for the child next door or is it only for my child?

— Sri Madhukarnath ji 

          The booklet suggests this King represents spiritual fulfillment from earthly endeavors. In other words, he's looking for something more substantial than self-indulgence; he knows that pleasurable feelings lasts about as long as a lightning strike. He represents the middle way when it comes to our resources, neither asceticism nor excess, but a meaningful use of them. But the Sword card - symbolizing a dilemma - suggests what happens when when find ourselves with a surplus. One part of the brain tells us to go crazy and splurge, and the other says to save it for an emergency. The King would tell us to use some, save some and share some. But only if we are looking for fulfillment rather than a momentary high.