What's Growing?

From the Tarot of Pagan Cats, the Queen of Wands; from the Brownie Wisdom deck, Finest Chance:

This queen, surrounded by a garden of flowers asks: "What are you planting, watering and tending in your life? What is growing due to either your endeavors or lack of effort?" I have been doing a lot of yard work, and when the storms roll through, I've been working on a new library display. What I haven't been doing very consistently is my spiritual practice, and I can tell because of the thorny thoughts I've had springing up lately. I have excused myself because I'm tired, but I know if I don't get back on track I'm going to find myself in a brier patch. The Brownie offers some advice to point me in the right direction - find someone to whom I can offer comfort and kindness. There's no antidote like reaching out to someone else to get out of self-orbit.

It's Found in the Moment

From the Tarot of Pagan Cats, the Nine of Cups; from the Brownie Wisdom deck, The Fray:

This pair of cards explains why contentment can only be found in the present moment. One minute we're in the fine dining car of a train, eating a delicious lunch, and watching beautiful scenery from out window. In the blink of an eye, the train becomes the world's highest roller coaster without seat belts that's making a terrifying drop. It reminds me of the Eight Worldly Winds: gain or loss, status or insignificance, blame or praise, and pleasure or pain. We revel in the good times but rage against the bad. Such fluctuation doesn't mean we should spend the satisfying moments waiting for the other shoe to drop. Rather we should see them as a gift to embrace and enjoy fully, while understanding our pleasant train ride will eventually change tracks. As Judy Lief explained, "It is unrealistic to expect your life to be free of stress, but there is a real possibility that you could transform the way you deal with it."

Leaving for Greener Pastures

From the Tarot of Pagan Cats, the Six of Swords; from the Brownie Wisdom deck, Free as Air:

After the bully from the Five of Swords (who is only interested in submission, not discussion), this mama cat is leaving the territory. It's no wonder so many people have left their homes and countries for an opportunity to live and think freely. My elderly neighbor's cat with four kittens has moved them all into my yard under the cover of night (probably because her great-grandson kept picking them up). I discovered them when I noticed the cast iron plants were swaying wildly back and forth. Now I'm trying to take this Brownie's advice and smile rather than show my displeasure by frowning. It's not that I dislike them - how could I not like such fuzzy cuteness? But I feel responsible for their welfare, and at the moment my plate feels overly full. 

Unrecognizable

From the Tarot of Pagan Cats, the Devil; from the Brownie Wisdom deck, Pleasure Bright:

We all have ways of handling stress and fear, and sometimes the behaviors that get triggered are more harmful than helpful. Using drugs and alcohol to excess is the most obvious, but we can also become intoxicated by cynicism or rage just as easily. To make matters worse, such reactions tend to get repeated over and over. We discover the thing we thought that we were using is in fact using and controlling us. It doesn't take long for us to turn into someone that our friends and family no longer recognize. The Brownie hints at one of the ways we can keep from getting triggered - a gratitude practice. Not the 'make a list' kind, but mindfully setting aside time to see what is in our lives that is good, beautiful and touches our heart. When the heart is right, the mind isn't as easily tugged in the wrong directions.

Hunt Instinct

From the Tarot of Pagan Cats, the Nine of Pentacles; from the Brownie Wisdom deck, Small Deeds:

The Nine of Pentacles is a card of accomplishment due to hard work and discipline. But what catches my eye in this card is the size of that falcon. Like the cat, it is a predator with an intense focus; once locked on to its target, it swiftly catches and dispatches its prey. But in this card it is hooded, meaning a time of rest from the hunt. Yet sometimes we have a hard time turning off our 'hunt' instinct. Research has shown that people have forgotten how to relax and enjoy their leisure time; others stress out about planning the perfect vacation. Rather than over-analyzing or scheduling, just putter around exploring what is fun. No time is ever wasted if it is fun. Even the Brownie seems to focus on those small things we can do, which often brings the greater rewards. 

Dewdrop World

From the Tarot of Pagan Cats, the Three of Swords; from the Brownie Wisdom deck, The Sacrifice:

This dewdrop world

Is but a dewdrop world. And yet, and yet—

~Kobayashi Issa

Issa was a Japanese poet whose life was marked by tragedy, including the death of his wife and three children. His poem expresses the understanding that life is by nature impermanent, yet humans will still grieve when what we love is lost. In our transient world, love is a sweetness mixed with the sharpness of sorrow. However, we have two antidotes to help us heal: equanimity and compassion. Yet as the Brownie points out, it will require a sacrifice - in this case, of self-absorption. Equanimity is a balance born of wisdom, a tender understanding that our loss is not abnormal in our world. Compassion is being willing to sit with the suffering of others with a desire to bring them comfort. It helps us recognize that this deep grief is experienced by all beings.

Good Intentions?

This week I'll be using Lo Scarabeo's Tarot of Pagan Cats (mini) with booklet by Barbara Moore and art by Lola Airaghi. Paired with it will be Brownie Wisdom, the smaller deck included with The Brownies Oracle created and self-published by Doug Thornsjo. Today's draws are the King of Swords and Hands and Hearts:

The King of Swords is a decision maker and judge; his sword points downward to suggest that he deals with concrete facts and figures. He's not very tolerant of spin doctors who just want to present a small view of the whole. The Brownie card suggests that the courage to take action is what creates beneficial change and progress, not visions of grandeur or positive intentions. Both of these fellows would likely agree with Aldous Huxley: "Hell isn't merely paved with good intentions; it's walled and roofed with them. Yes, and furnished too."