Don't Take Mussolini's Advice

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Knight of Stones (Pentacles); from the Rune Cards, Beaver (Ior):

We become strong, I feel, when we have no friends upon whom to lean, or to look to for moral guidance. ~Benito Mussolini

Potter's Knight of Stones is represented by a wolf and the Pictish rendition of a wolf; in Gaelic, wolf is Mac Tire, meaning "Earth's Son." The Celts thought of the wolf as a guardian and guide (Cormac - the Irish King - was said to have been reared by wolves). As much as we like to think of ourselves as independent and self-sufficient, we all need guidance and support at various points in our life. Otherwise, we may end up like Mussolini who followed no one's suggestions but his own and plunged Italy and most of Europe into darkness. True mentors don't tell us right the path to take but hold up a light so that we can see what lies down each path. The rune Ior is represented by a beaver, an animal that spends its time on land and in water. It suggests fluidity, an ease and ability to move between different thoughts and responses. Rather than being locked into one mode, we are able to choose what is most skillful and beneficial in each situation.

Learned Helplessness

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Five of Stones (Pentacles); from the Rune Cards, Elk Sedge (Algiz):

In psychology, learned helplessness is a state that occurs after a person has experienced a stressful situation repeatedly. They believe that they are unable to control or change the situation, so they do not try, even when opportunities for change are available. —Jayne Leonard

In this Five of Stones, a person hides while multiple lightning strikes occur. Potter suggests that there are times we all have to pull back when health or finances go off track, but we need to be careful that we don't become overly passive. Even when things are out of our control, we can direct our thoughts and attitude in a more beneficial direction. And although there are many things we can't fix or change, we may be able influence them in some way. But this all hinges on us not curling up in a ball like a roly-poly. The rune Algiz is represented by a sedge with razon sharp edges, implying defense and protection. The deck's companion booklet suggests that we should be wary in times of need, when we may grab quickly at any support we easily find. We should be careful our desire for comfort does not bring us more suffering.

The Mind's Creation

This week I'll be using the Greenwood Tarot, created by Chesca Potter and published by Thorsons. The oracle I'll be using is the Rune Cards, created by Tony Linsell and Brian Partridge and published by Anglo-Saxon Books. Today's draws are the Seven of Arrows (Swords) and Homeland (Othila):

Our mind creates our world. An angry mind sees an angry world. A fearful mind sees a threatening world. But when mind is stable, we see a world as that world is. We see a world that is open, fluid, workable, moveable. —Tim Olmstead

Rather than the RWS version of someone stealing swords from another, Potter's illustration shows an insecure person letting her peace of mind be stolen. I recently corresponded with a friend to let them know what was going on with my husband and my fears surrounding his health crisis. I was looking for, in all honesty, support and encouragement. What I got was mostly a litany of all the bad things happening in their life. It felt more like a slap in the face than comfort. But the words of Olmstead and the rune Othila (native land) remind me that my true peace lies within the 'borders' of a stable mind, not any external source. As Charlotte Joko Beck bluntly put it: "Nothing in the world will ever protect us; not our partner not our life circumstances, not our children. After all people are busy protecting themselves. If we spend our life looking for the eye of the hurricane, we live a live a life that is fruitless."

Enduring Courage

From the Swietlistej Drogi Tarot, the Ten of Wands; from the Mirrors of the Heart, Courage:

Don't despair: despair suggests you are in total control and know what is coming. You don't – surrender to events with hope. – Alain de Botton

This is a new twist on the Ten of Wands; the heavy burden usually seen has now become the fuel for a bonfire. But when we're still in the middle of the struggle, it's easy to let our attitude sink into resentment or despondency. When the road ahead is long, it can help to make our goals small instead of focusing solely on the finish line. Then we can celebrate the small successes of each day. The Courage card is paired with a timepiece, suggesting that enduring courage will be needed for the long haul.  The words of Eleanor Roosevelt are an encouragement in this regard: "We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down."

The Process

From the Swietlistej Drogi Tarot, the Hanged Man; from the Mirrors of the Heart, Sexuality:

Patience doesn't mean making a pact with the devil of denial, ignoring our emotions and aspirations. It means being wholeheartedly engaged in the process that's unfolding, rather than ripping open a budding flower or demanding a caterpillar hurry up and get that chrysalis stage over with. 

―Sharon Salzberg

The ladder leaning against the tree in this illustration suggests this man has acknowledged his position of powerlessness; he no longer battles what he can't control. Like the caterpillar who wraps itself in a chrysalis in order to transform, he needs time to cultivate a different perspective and gain a broader understanding of what is going on. Patience, watchfulness, and listening with an open mind are what will create his metamorphosis. The Sexuality card encompasses gender identity, orientation, attitudes, and behavior. The great divide between those who accept those who identify as LGBT and those who denounce them squeezes my heart. I long for the day when people are judged by their kindnesses and cruelties rather than their sexuality, but that will take patience, openness and getting to know rather than label others. As Amandla Stenberg put it, “The continual process of unlearning heteronormativity and internalized homophobia can be difficult, but one of the biggest blessings lies in the magic that comes from having to understand love outside the confines of learned heterosexual roles.” I regret that some of the more hardhearted folks might die in their cocoons.

More Than the Basics

From the Swietlistej Drogi Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the Mirrors of the Heart, Earth:

People first concern themselves with meeting their basic needs; only afterwards, do they pursue any higher needs. ―Abdolkarim Soroush

It's hard to be concerned about collecting art when you're barely able to keep a roof over your head and food on the table. The Nine of Pentacles illustrates that point in life when there is enough time to engage in education, enjoy the arts or hobbies, take care of one's health, or simply relax with friends. Yet it is all too easy to have arrived in this place, have a bad day, and think our life sucks because it is not meeting our expectations. If we take a breath and open our eyes, we just might see how fortunate we are. Earth suggests something that has been planted and given the chance to grow. If we are not happy with the fruits of our labors, perhaps we need to check what seeds we've been planting and cultivating.

It Makes A Lighter Load

This week I'll be using the Swietlistej Drogi Tarot (Tarot of the Radiant Path), created by Alla Alicja Chrzanowska and published by Studio Astropsychologii. I'll also be drawing from the oracle Mirrors of the Heart, created and self-published by Lily S. May. Today's draws are the Queen of Pentacles and Helping:

Asking for help is never a sign of weakness. It's one of the bravest things you can do.  

~Lily Collins

This Queen seems to be infusing each gift basket with a compassionate wish for well-being to its recipient. Her assistant, with one gift already in hand, waits patiently. As Rosalyn Carter reminded us, we either have been a caregiver, are currently one, will be one, or will need one. We all be asked to help provide for the needs of another at some point, in a small or large way. My husband has been in the hospital for the last four days with a life-threatening infection (but is now home). Sometimes we are required to step up to the challenge life presents us. But this is what I've found - Love makes all loads lighter.