Healing, Waking and Moving On

From the Jolanda Tarot, the Star; from Bird Signs, Migration:

          I suspect this woman is a representation of Artio, a Swiss bear goddess associated with Spring. An ancient figure uncovered in Switzerland shows her feeding a bear that has emerged from hibernation. The idea of down time (like hibernation) fits with the Star's emphasis on a period of rest in order to heal and rejuvenate hope. The creator of the deck describes this as a stage that renews one's faith. I've been reading a book on this topic by Buddhist teacher, Sharon Salzberg. She suggests there is a difference between belief (an untested assumption) and faith (a practice), which she explains as "a willingness to be open, to explore, to investigate."
          When life has knocked us down (once we've recovered and  dusted ourselves off), we often try to run fast as possible in the opposite direction. There's no plan other than to get far away from where we are. While the Migration card is about movement, it is moving with intention toward a certain place, not merely running away. It may be a physical movement, or it may involve moving away from beliefs that have caused suffering. It fits well with Salzberg's idea of faith in that we leave behind what didn't work while testing and exploring new ground.

Self-Immolation

From the Jolanda Tarot, the Ten of Wands; from Bird Signs, the Pelican:

          This man has become a self-made martyr because of obligations and projects that now leave him wondering how in the world he will handle it all. Why has everyone left him holding the bag? Due to a case of egoitis or people-pleasing, he didn't refuse anything. But realistically, is there anything or anyone that would be irrevocably damaged if he takes a break? I'd be willing to bet his would be a short list. However I'm sure there's an old tape playing in his mind that chants, "Don't be a quitter. What people think about you matters." Perhaps he needs to add a new one to the playlist: "Admit you're human and made a mistake."
          Have you ever noticed how two words that mean approximately the same thing have different values of good or bad placed on them? The keyword given to the Pelican is "spontaneous," which seems to suggest a bit of unscheduled fun. Yet "impulsive" implies roughly the same thing as far as something unplanned and spur-of-the-moment goes (but is often seen as an immature trait). Whenever I see a pelican, I think of the rhyme, "the strangest bird is the pelican; his beak holds more than his belly can." This sounds just like the Ten of Wands guy, who took on more than he was capable of managing. Time to step down off your pyre, do some long-range planning, and make a priority list.

Throw Off the Bowlines

From the Jolanda Tarot, the Seven of Cups; from Bird Signs, Hummingbird:

          Who hasn't read a book or magazine and dreamed of visiting some far off place, having an exciting job or making a difference in the lives of others? Reading always feeds my fantasies. I suppose that's where change starts - in the dreams of what could be. But Hummingbird shows up with the keyword "energy," suggesting my ideas need more than just imagination to fuel them. In Buddhism, a vow (or commitment) is composed of four parts: basis (the object of focus), intention (the wish), endeavor (acts of effort), and completion (the fulfillment of the objective). The Seven of Cups has the first two parts covered, but to make what I envision a reality will require physical work and perseverance. So while I agree with Dr. Seuss who said "Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living," I also need to heed the words of H. Jackson Brown Jr.:

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. 

Nest Cleaning

From the Jolanda Tarot, the Six of Swords; from Bird Signs, Egg:

          The truth has been laid bare, as evidenced by this sky-clad young witch zipping past the row of swords. She's finally realized all of the opinions she's swallowed are detrimental rather than beneficial. Yet it won't be easy to let go these ideas, especially if they're shared by others (just look at those judgmental eyes on the butterflies). Or, she may suddenly have recognized what she was proclaiming wasn't being acted upon. As the Dhammapada (1:17) explains, "One who recites many teachings, but being negligent doesn’t act accordingly, is like a cowherd counting others’ cows, and does not attain the benefits of the contemplative life." Whatever her present mindset is, it's making her miserable; she's ready to trade it in for something better.
          The Egg card suggests the birth of something new, which I'm sure is what the Six of Swords woman is seeking. Yet I am also reminded of the behavior of avian brood parasites who lay their eggs in another bird's nest, tricking them into raising the chick as their own. In some cases, the parasitic chick will even push the others out of the nest. It would be a shame for this young woman to clean out her nest only to welcome more of what she just got rid of. Discernment will be required to make sure the ideas and beliefs she considers are her own, not something she was manipulated into accepting.

Survive and Thrive

This week I'll be working with the Jolanda Tarot, created by Jolanda Den Tredjes with Hans Arnold and published by AGM Müller. I'll also be using the oracle set Bird Signs, created by G.G. Carbone with Mary Ruzicka and published by New World Library. The cards drawn today are the Three of Cups and Pheasant:

          Three cups rise like lotus blossoms from a pond; the central larger cup holds a winged horse with a butterfly above and a snake below. I have a friend who speaks of spending time with her "tribal group." I think most people have such associations, and often the parts that make up the whole are decidedly different in various ways. Yet such a "tribe" is held together by an affinity or common purpose. It blends diversity together in wonderful ways that offers a container for celebration and support.
          The pheasant was originally from Asia but was introduced elsewhere as an ornamental and game bird. Though capable of flying, they prefer to run along the ground with great bursts of speed if startled. Pheasants, like other hunted birds, form loose flocks outside the breeding season. The deck creators have given it the keyword "opportunity," suggesting such congregant behavior grants favorable circumstances. In the bird world, it offers protection; in the human world it can do the same. Yet shelter among people is not just a place to survive, but a place to learn and try new things - a vessel in which to thrive.    

Refilling Dry Wells

From the Daniloff Tarot, the Two of Swords; from the Kuan Yin Sticks, Verse 25:

          A blindfolded woman hovers above rocky waters; the banner above the two crossed swords she holds is blank. When my adrenaline is pumping, it can feel like I need to make an important decision NOW. Yet if I am physically tired, emotionally drained or don't have enough information, I can make a disastrous choice. Michelle Obama, when asked about her husband being a possible assassination target replied, "You can't make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen." There are times when the best choice I can make is to wait before deciding anything. Otherwise, my mind will be tainted by anxious projections of the future. The waning crescent on the woman's shield suggests there is little light for seeing clearly at present. But if she's patient, that moon will shine brightly once more.
          The 25th Verse reads:

The crisis has passed. A broad mind can work out an effective solution, just as an old, dry well is once again replenished with spring water.

When my mind has been hijacked by emotion, whether anger, grief or fear, my world becomes very small. Possibilities, once as wide and spacious as the sky, get reduced to the size of a thimble. If I am aware this has happened, I can pause instead of react. Instead of writing story lines around what is, I can take the Two of Swords advice and wait until the stormy waters have calmed. Then my mind will become wide open again, able to see the potential in whatever situation is in front of me.

*Kuan Yin artwork created by Sue Halstenberg

Jumping the Gate

From the Daniloff Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Kuan Yin Sticks, Verse 20:

          In Daniloff's version, Fortuna stands on a sea dragon, suggesting she is immune to the moods, desires and aversions of humans. Her wheel is going to turn regardless, because it is the nature of the physical world to change and be impermanent. Yet within the hub is a symbol of the four elements - tools we have for adapting to and learning from the constant movement of life. I can be like the masks (bouncing back and forth between being ecstatic or miserable), or I can learn to play the hand I've been dealt with the resources I have.

          Verse 20 reads:

The long rain ends. The sky is clear - joy for all! The sun and the moon gradually become bright. Gone are the days of sadness; be happy and gay, with only one leap you'll clear the dragon gate.

In Buddhist and Hindu iconography, figures are often seen riding on or seated beside an animal. These animals represent their strengths because they have learned to become a master over rather than a servant to these attributes. Kuan Yin's verse suggests that things are looking up, yet there is still a "dragon gate" I need to jump over. After being in a situation that is unpleasant for an extended period, it can be tough to enjoy any good times without constantly worrying about when it will all go wrong. Yet that is the gate I must leap over; I can choose to appreciate good fortune while it is present rather than wasting my time being anxious. And when the wheel turns again, I can be patiently present knowing that I have the tools to make adjustments wherever necessary.

Life is not merely where we find ourselves. It is also what we bring to the moments where we find ourselves. ~ Omid Safi

*Kuan Yin artwork by http://www.brycewidom.com/