Full-body Condom

This week I'll be using the Sheridan Douglas Tarot, created by David Sheridan with commentary by Alfred Douglas and published by the Sheridan Douglas Press.  Today's draw is the King of Cups:

This fellow made me think of the character Chris Traeger (played by Rob Lowe) on the TV show "Parks and Recreation."  He is upbeat and can find something positive about anything - the ultimate optimist.  The King of Cups is a good listener and full of empathy, but he's not a sponge that soaks up the feelings of everyone else.  He will offer good suggestions to those in emotional turmoil, yet he knows how to retreat to his "happy place" - a place of detachment where he can't be sucked into the drama.  He's the King of Composure, because he puts on a full-body condom to protect himself from being overwhelmed by the feelings of others.  This king reminds me that there's a big difference between compassion and co-dependence.

The oracle deck I'll be using this week is the Pages of Shustah deck and book set; it was created by Ann Manser and Cecil North and published by Shustah Inc.  This morning's card is the "Pale Horse:"

The red color and expression of terror on this horse's face illustrates the fear this card represents.  Yet the underlying meaning of the Pale Horse is don't panic; I need to keep my emotions in check and my feet on the ground.  Before I take Henny Penny's advice to run like hell because the sky is falling, I need to look for the evidence.  I'll have to put on my detective hat and sort through what is fact and what is fiction; only then can I make a sane game plan to deal with what is going on.  Nine times out of ten, it's probably just someone's greatly exaggerated views and not the truth at all.

Blissful Release

From the Medieval Tarot, the Three of Cups:

Here is an interesting choice for the Three of Cups - a woman in labor about to deliver her baby.  When I think of moments when I felt the most blissful release, the times when I felt I had the most to celebrate, it was when I completed a major task, got through an ordeal, or conquered a challenge.  Life has been quite stressful and difficult of late, and most of the cause and resolution is out of my hands.  My task is like this woman's - go through it with the knowledge that joy will eventually replace the suffering.

From the Tea Leaf Fortune Cards comes "Valley:"

While some people may symbolically think of a valley as a low place, for me it represents a place to rest and recuperate.  In my younger years, I was a backpacking enthusiast, heading to the mountains whenever I got a chance.  But with a 35-40 lb. pack on my back, it was quite strenuous going up mountains.  Going down was almost as bad, because of the pounding my joints took.  But when a valley was reached, where there were no ups or downs, it was a place where I could rest and recuperate.  With the Three of Cups above, it looks like I'll have some time for enjoyment and relaxation soon.  Is it too soon to sigh with relief?

Preparing Pineapples

From the Medieval Tarot, the Three of Wands:

Though the use of a crane to hoist a knight upon his horse is more fallacy than fact, the image points to the advantage of planning with precision instead of riding off unprepared.  Does the knight have the right protection and weapons?  Is he strong enough and an able fighter?  Can the horse support the weight of its armored rider and remain steady when the battle begins?  Better to match the task with talent than to throw everything into a pot and hope something edible comes out of it.  This card reminds me that although I might be eager to jump in the saddle in my rush to accomplish a goal, I need to pause, look at the map and check my supplies first.  Then I can say with confidence, "Giddyup!"  

The draw from the Tea Leaf Fortune Cards this morning is "Pineapple:"

Named for its resemblance to a pine cone, the pineapple became a symbol of the return from a voyage and a symbol of hospitality.  While Dole has plenty of cans of this fruit in the grocery store, there's nothing quite like the taste of fresh pineapple.  But unlike an apple, you can't just bite into it - it takes a little effort to get to the good stuff inside.  First you cut off the top and bottom (giving it a flat base), then you carefully slice the sides off.  Like the Three of Wands above, a little preparation and effort can result in the benefits outweighing the costs rather than the other way around. 

Enemies and Allies

From the Medieval Tarot, the Queen of Wands:

This queen follows the "Speak softly and carry a big stick" motto.  But there are two ways to use that stick - as a threat or as a symbol of respect.  If I ask someone to do something, but my unspoken words are, "and if you don't you'll regret it," I might get them to cooperate.  But their agreement will come with the price tag of resentment, and whatever they do will probably be a half-assed effort.  But if my stick is one that has been carved over time, shaped by helping others and showing them compassion, then their response to my request will be much different.  Both ways will work, but in using the first I create an enemy and in using the second I create an ally.

From the Tea Leaf Fortune Cards comes the "Ant:"

As I was sitting on the ground planting seeds the other day, I noticed a long line of ants.  They weren't in a hurry, but they marched along with purpose.  While I'm not fond of these insects, I do have to admire them for their "let's get down to business" approach.  When I think of all the time I have wasted complaining about not wanting to do something and dragging my feet even getting started, I probably could have finished the task I was complaining about ten times over.  The ant encourages me to get moving, and the queen tells me to nicely ask for help when I need it.
 

Assumptions and Accusations

From the Medieval Tarot, the High Priestess:

This woman sits inside an enclosed courtyard, with her hair in such a vertical "do," she could almost be a radio tower.  She holds a huge, open book, a detail that underscores a phrase in the deck's booklet: "Study and knowledge are the first step toward reaching a solution."  We Americans often follow our emotions rather than logic, leading us to demand a vigilante type of justice for any wrong.  Yet making assumptions rather than taking the time to look deeply will only make situations worse.  To find a workable, long-lasting solution will require us to look within instead of just pointing fingers and making accusations.  There is a wealth of information there if we are brave enough to open our minds to it. 

From the Tea Leaf Fortune Cards comes "Chain:"

One link does not make a chain - there must be several strung together to make it useful.  Events tend to be the same way, having several small incidents that culminate with a major one.  Eating a piece of chocolate will not make me gain weight, but eating it every day without any exercise to burn the calories could.  If I want to dismantle the chain, cutting one link won't do it - I'll just have two chains instead.  I need to look at all the factors or links that make up the whole if I want to be free.

Peace and comfort to the people of Boston.

Neither Seen nor Heard

From the Medieval Tarot, the Four of Swords:

While I agree with Donne that no man is an island, occasionally the escape of being alone on one sure would be nice.  And this fellow, gazing across the water, is doing what I do when I want to escape - read.  The message of this card is to remove oneself from all the swirling opinions, "shoulds," and even the creative ideas I want to put into motion in order to give my mind a rest.  Funny how I never think twice about allowing my body time to rest each night, but I expect my mind to constantly keep coming up with strategies, timetables and solutions.  With all the stuff I'm constantly cramming in my brain, intentionally and unintentionally, no wonder it needs a time out to keep me sane and serene.

From the Tea Leaf Fortune Cards comes "Owl:"

The owl is built to be neither seen nor heard.  The edges of its primary feathers are fringed or comb-like, muffling the sound of the air rushing over the wing surface.  The color and pattern of their feathers also allow them to blend in to the surroundings.  When startled from sleep, owls will stand as tall as possible and close their eyes to only slits.  Standing so still, they can blend into the tree branches and escape notice.  Owl reminds me that it is not only my own thoughts I need to take a rest from, but also those of others.  Now where did I put my camouflage pants and shirt...

Musical Chairs

From the Medieval Tarot, the Six of Swords:

I know well that shell-shocked look of the person being led away.  Living in a city that has flooded twice, I instantly thought of the National Guard soldiers who rescued folks and took them to Red Cross shelters.  If you weighed all the natural disasters against the tragedies that occurred because of words spoken or ideas fought for, I can imagine which one has caused the most trauma.  Sometimes fleeing is better than fighting, especially when what is being fought for is just emotionally fueled drama and not of long-term importance.  The two swords above the head of the rescued point upward while those over the soldiers point to the earth, as if indicating who must leave and who must stay.  Looks like I need to keep my head down and find a shelter when the words start flying.

From the Tea Leaf Fortune Cards today comes the card "Chair Filled:"

Do you remember the children's game often played at parties called Musical Chairs?  One less chair than there were people was placed in a circle; music was played then suddenly stopped, while everyone raced for a chair.  Each round a chair and a person were eliminated.  It tested the quickness (and aggressiveness) of the participants, and I hated it as a child.  With the Six of Swords above and this card, I see that where I am now, there is no longer a space for me.  It is time to move on and find a place that resonates with my inner Self, a place that I can grow instead of use words like swords.