Sparking Ideas

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Panda/Ace of Swords; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Teiwaz:

In the companion book, Robertson states that just as the Panda consumes a lot of food, sometimes we need to consume information in order to have enough knowledge or perspective to see things clearly. Of course this requires an open, playful attitude rather than an intensely focused one. It's not about finding THE answer, but seeing a fuller picture of things. Much like Julia Cameron's Artist Date, such open-ended exploration is designed to spark ideas. Teiwaz is named for the sky god Tyr, known for his nobility of character and personal sacrifice for the greater good. It is the rune of the spiritual warrior, of seeing and acting beyond self-centeredness. As for the Ace of Swords, this would imply engaging with people, books, experiences, etc. that aren't winnowed by our preferences. We don't need to like something or someone to learn from them.

All About Change

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Polar Bear/Hierophant; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Fehu:

It's hard not to compare the polar bear's shrinking ice floes to the shrinking affiliation with Christianity. The Pew Research Center found that Christians accounted for about 90% of the population 50 years ago, but as of 2020 that figure had slumped to about 64%. It is projected to continue its decline, which isn't a surprise. Rigid religious dogma doesn't work well in a world that is constantly changing even as our knowledge expands. Yet Fehu - a rune that represents material possessions - brings up an important point. Wealth and belongings can bring physical comfort and fleeting pleasure, but it doesn't create any lasting emotional or spiritual fulfillment. That doesn't mean we need to cling to organized religion; spirituality can be found in more places or experiences than a church.

It is quite strange that the religion founded in Jesus' name has been very resistant to change and has tended to love and protect the past and the status quo much more than the positive and hopeful futures that could be brought about by people agreeing to change. —Richard Rohr

The Resource of Friendship

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Puffin/Three of Cups; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Nauthiz:

The puffin spends a solitary life on the ocean until it is breeding season. On island colonies they become social birds, often placing their nesting burrows within a couple of body lengths of each other. This fits with the rune Nauthiz, literally 'needs-fire,' a lesson in constraints and hardships. The sociability of these birds come at a vulnerable time; they need each other for support. As Rick Hanson wrote:

 There's a fundamental model in the health sciences that how you feel and function is based on just three factors: your load [current challenges], the personal vulnerabilities it wears upon – such as health problems, a sensitive temperament, or a history of trauma – and the resources you have. As a law of nature, if your load or vulnerabilities increase – over a day, a year, or a lifetime – so must your resources. Otherwise, inevitably, you will get strained, depleted, and ground down. 

A Bigger Container

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Beaver/King of Cups; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Perth:

The Beaver's message is that what we build with our skills can literally change the landscape around us. In the King of Cups' case, his ability to listen with compassion and offer wise counsel without getting emotionally tangled helps those around him live more peaceably. Just as one angry person can incite a mob, so one calm person can promote composure and clarity in others. Yet Perth is a rune that suggests a dice box from which lots were cast. It is a reminder that although wise choice and skills can help create a better future, there are many external causes and conditions over which we have no control. But isn't that where this King's talents really shine, when the unexpected is faced? What we build and sustain through spiritual practice is what can aid us in staying grounded and calm until the storm passes.

As our faith deepens, the 'container' in which fear arises gets bigger. Like a teaspoonful of salt placed in a pond full of fresh water rather than in a narrow glass, if our measure of fear is arising in an open, vast space of heart, we will not shut down around it. We may still recognize it as fear, we may still quake inside, but it will not break our spirit.

—Sharon Salzberg

True Quest

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Knight of Cups/Blue-footed Booby; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Mannaz:

This Knight believes that the best, most exciting quest is one of the heart. Like the blue-footed booby who makes spectacular dives from the air into the sea for fish, he's willing to dive deeply into relationships and be vulnerable. But like this seabird's name (booby - because it is tame around humans), the Knight of Cups can also be naive. No two hearts and minds are going to fuse together and permanently become one. Mannaz, or humankind, refers to the intelligence, awareness and rational mind that each person has been given.  Relationships expose and express both the strengths and weaknesses. Can this Knight maintain his love when they disagree or see from different perspectives? Can he allow the other to be an individual rather than a subset of himself? This is the true quest, the fulfilling maturity of love.

Don't Push

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Ostrich/Knight of Wands; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Jera:

Did you know that an ostrich sticking his head in the sand is a myth? This flightless bird might lie on the ground and pretend to be a bush if they have chicks who can't run at the speed or distance of their parent. But even then, an ostrich has sharp eyes and can deliver a powerful kick if needed. Like the ostrich, the Knight of Wands has the confidence and grit to protect what he is trying to create or make happen. The confrontational look on this bird's face seems to say "bring it." Jera is a rune associated with harvest, however there is an understanding that what is growing must mature first. While the Knight is good at perseverance, patience is not a trait well-honed. He will have to learn - as the saying goes - that you can't push the river.

Don't push the river, it flows by itself.

― Frederick S. Perls

Pause for Clarity

This week I'll be using the Animal Totem Tarot, created by Eugene Smith with a companion book by Leeza Robertson; the set was published by Llewellyn. I'll also be using the Blum/Gern Rune Cards created by Ralph Blum and illustrated by Gabrielle Gern with publishing by Connections. Today's draws are the Page of Swords and Isa:

Runs with scissors - phrase seen on a t-shirt

The Page of Swords as a roadrunner made me chuckle; it's not that he isn't intelligent, it's just that he's impatient. This Page wants to know everything and inform everyone all about it by yesterday. He may hear the tail-end of a conversation then think he has the whole story. Or he may learn a concept and attempt to apply that idea to all without exception. While he is learning, albeit in a helter-skelter sort of way, he's liable to create some chaos as he goes. Isa is a rune that refers to ice, a time of being frozen. Blum suggests the keyword 'standstill,' a good reminder for the Page of Swords to pause for clarity and do a deeper dive on what he thinks he knows.

It’s wonderful to have the freedom to continually widen our interests. But like many luxuries, it has an insidious downside. Ever-branching possibilities make it harder for us to explore any given one deeply, because there’s always more “newness” to turn to when the old new thing has reached a difficult or boring part. —David Cain, "Go Deeper Not Wider"