Progress or Restraint

From the Transformational Tarot, the Eight of Wands:

Not only does this woman have carefully drawn plans, but she also has a miniature model of the shop she plans to open.  The calendar on the back wall indicates things are progressing smoothly, and her dream will become a reality soon.  This card reminds me that just fantasizing about grand ideas won't make them happen, but order, preparation, and elbow grease can move things along quickly.  Time to get off my bum and do more than daydream.

From the Celtic Book of the Dead comes the "Island of Sorrow:"

When Maelduin and his men arrived at this island, several people were sent to investigate but never came back.  The reconnaissance team had become enchanted and drawn into the weeping and moaning going on among the island inhabitants.  Maelduin had the next group cover their mouths with their cloaks so as not to breathe the air, and they managed to rescue all the original group but one.  This island's challenge was to learn to grieve loss, but to eventually move on.  Staying in that place of sadness tightly restricts any forward motion.  Whether the past involves bereavement, regret or resentment, it can bind me so that I make no progress in my life.  I need to feel my pain but I must not stay here forever.  

Firm Beneath My Feet

This week I'll be using the Transformational Tarot, created by Arnell Ando and published by U.S. Games.  Today's draw is the Six of Swords:

A knight rides away from a battle, carrying two children to safety.  The Six of Swords speaks of heading toward a place of refuge after a struggle of some sort.  Just from personal experience, I find that even when I leave a chaotic or traumatic time of my life, I sometimes take the ways of thinking that helped me survive with me.  That kind of mindset might have helped me through those hard times, but if I hold on to it, and it can prevent me from living a fulfilling life.  The rainbow in the card is a promise of a new start, and the hawk that flies overhead tells me I must look at the big picture now, not just a tiny piece of it.  There's baggage I need to leave behind to make this journey a lighter one...

The oracle deck I'll be using this week is the Celtic Book of the Dead published by Grange Books.  It was created by Caitlin Matthews and illustrated by Danuta Mayer.  This morning's card is the "Island of the Ancestors:"

In Maelduin's voyage to the Otherworld, he and his crew come to a small island inhabited by a hermit who had been shipwrecked years ago.  He created the island by laying down a piece of sod from his homeland; since then, the island had grown larger each year, supplying him with water and food.  The birds that roosted in the trees there were the spirits of his ancestors.  This card teaches the importance of the element of earth - how it can provide me with not only stability and security, but also a sense of belonging.  When I am adapting to new situations whether through loss or change, I need to find some simple, physical thing that can help ground me and keep the fears of "What's next? What now?" from overwhelming me.  Even some insignificant daily task can keep me tethered to the now instead of drifting into the past or future.  My walks have been helpful in this regard; no matter how the seasons change, the ground stays firm beneath my feet.

Checks and Balances

From the Jolanda Tarot, the World:

This is one of those cards that when I first see it, my initial impression is, "What in heaven's name..."  But as I continue to ponder it, I see: the ocean that supports the whale and other marine animals; the whale's spout on which the earth rests; the woman who comes from the earth adding steadiness to this balance; the woman creating light and stars which in turn light up the ocean below.  In daily life, I tend to focus on the "beads" of the necklace - all the different, seemingly random people and events that I come into contact with.  Rarely do I notice the thread that connects all these beads, that makes it into something whole and complete.  It is hard for me to comprehend and remember that my life is interwoven with everything and everyone else. 

From the Bird Signs deck comes the "Waxwing:"

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
~ William Shakespeare, Hamlet

I was excited to see this bird pop up today, as I just saw a visiting group of them in the neighborhood, happily scarfing down cherry laurel and ligustrum berries.  These birds are unusual in that they can live for months at a time subsisting on nothing but berries.  They always come in large groups; their crested heads and Zorro-like masks make them easily recognizable.  Cedar waxwings can become intoxicated if they eat too much fermented fruit.  These birds remind me that like Horatio, I can become intoxicated with my own philosophy, wrapped up in my own ideas and closed to all others.  Being with groups of people give me a chance to bounce my thoughts off them and listen to theirs in turn, offering a checks and balances system to keep me tethered to reality instead of my own little fantasy world of opinions.

Uncovering Talents

From the Jolanda Tarot, the King of Pentacles:

Two things immediately strike me about this king, the first is the tree he holds and the second is the cobra that wraps around his body and makes a hood over his head.  The tree is full of fruit, indicating this king's  message is literally to "bear fruit."  The cobra in India is a symbol of protection and wisdom, but more than anything else it represents creative energy - the life force.  In other words, do something with the talents and resources I've been given.  Of course my reaction to such a challenge is that "I don't have any talent."  I think most people have untapped potential, gifts never discovered because we don't think we'll ever be "good enough."  Instead of making resolutions each new year, my friend at Quirkeries makes it a priority to learn something new; the whole year she is involved in learning, practicing skills, etc. that deal with this new area.  I can't think of a better way to uncover hidden talents and interests.

From the Bird Signs deck comes "Raven:"

The creators of this deck give Raven the keyword "Illusion," because his tricks of deception muddle up my perception of reality, creating a fantasy instead of real life.  In adding this meaning with the significance of the tarot card above, I am chastised not to dream away my life, imagining all the things I might one day do.  Now I'm not suggesting anyone can miraculously become a master of anything overnight, but I do know that if I spend time actually learning and practicing skills, I'll at least be on a road based in reality and instead of wasting time in Never-never land.

    

There's Bad News and Good News...

From the Jolanda Tarot, the Eight of Swords:

The bad news is there are killer bees heading my way; the good news is I can control them with my mind.  I don't think there has ever been anyone who criticized me, doubted my abilities, or laughed at my dreams more than I did myself.  My mind can be used to creatively enhance my life or to destructively tear it into tiny bits.  But with cognitive training and techniques such as meditation, I can rein in my thoughts and turn them in the direction I wish to go.  It's a solution that has to be simmered, not microwaved, but it will keep those pesky critters at bay better than Off repellant.

From the Bird Signs deck comes "Rooster:"

This studly fowl is protector of the hen house - nothing gets past him without his say-so.  He's also the neighborhood alarm clock; he crows to show his enthusiasm about each morning, almost as if saying, "Bring it on!"  Rooster reminds me to have the same fearlessness in meeting my day.  If there are nameless fears, I should track them down, scrutinize them carefully, and see if they are real or just a figment of my "what if" mind.  If they are real, I need to contact the hen house - I've got good friends and family members who can support and encourage me through whatever challenge I face.

Clarity with Grace

From the Jolanda Tarot, the Ace of Swords:

The sphinx on the hilt of the sword is connected to the solar Egyptian deities, and it emphasizes the need for clear thinking and honesty.  To be honest with others, I must take the philosopher's challenge to "know thyself."  But this bit of advice had nothing to do with New Age navel-gazing; it means I must be fully aware of my limits and weaknesses, not just my strengths.  So instead of letting my ego speak (See how wise I am?  Don't you want me to share all my knowledge with you?), it will come from a place of shadowless truth.  The roses remind me such frankness does not need to be cruel or disrespectful - yes, it may prick, but the benefit should far outweigh the discomfort.  And then there are the mosquitoes, those folks who love to pick apart whatever doesn't rest well with their opinions.  But the truth is founded on bedrock; no matter how much they try to dig, they won't get past it.

From the Bird Signs deck comes the "Swan:"

The swan is associated with beauty and grace.  If I add the tarot card above to this one, I find I am encouraged to offer honesty with an open palm rather than a fist.  I can't force reality (or my perception of it) on anyone.  But if I present it in a tactful, loving way, they might at least take a quick glance at it.

 

Trust Funds

From the Jolanda Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles:

The sun releasing coins like raindrops made me think of the drought conditions we are often threatened with here.  It sounds weird, but air with moisture is lighter than dry air; dry air creates a high-pressure area which deflects storm systems.  Adding to the problem is lack of transpiration when the ground is dry - a process like evaporation where trees and other plants release water into the air (fully grown trees can release hundreds of gallons a day).  Thus no moisture is added to the air, causing an ongoing lack of rain.  I think of this cycle as I look at the Nine of Pentacles; these coins didn't magically appear from nothing - there was effort expended in order for the "rain" to come.  Self-discipline, persistence and hard work is what will allow me to make progress toward my goals.

From the Bird Signs deck comes "Quail:"

Interesting that this bird came up today, as the local plantations have been hosting a quail hunt for bigwigs and celebrities who like to shoot stuff.  In their defense, I will say they are geared toward conservation; they manage the numbers of birds and other game animals to prevent them from disappearing altogether.  Though they hunt the birds, they do so wisely, making sure there will be plenty to hunt again another time.  The creators of the deck tag this bird with the keyword "trust."  While I'm sure they meant another definition of the word, to me I think of something held back and saved, much like the plantations do with the wildlife resources we have here.