Flag Planting

This week I'll be using two self-published decks: the RochesTarot created by Jay Lincoln and the Animal Shaman Visions Cards by Carole Beasley. Today's draws are the  Two of Wands and American Bison:

          What is it about most humans that makes us restless and discontent with simply maintaining the status quo? Perhaps it is because deep down we know that change is always happening, and we try to keep up with it. The Two of Wands is astrologically connected with Mars in Aries, meaning a lot of fiery energy is combined with a spirit for adventure. This guy has already been to one mountain top and planted his flags (is that like a dog peeing on a bush, I wonder?). His choice of transportation - a male big horn sheep - suggests that his quest for power and domain has only just begun. He's already got his eye on another mountain to conquer.
          The American bison (commonly known as buffalo) has long been considered a symbol of abundance and the sacredness of life to the Lakota Sioux. The legend of White Buffalo Calf Woman tells of of holy woman who appeared and gave the people a pipe that she used to explain the interconnection of life. She should have also used it to whack the white Europeans over the head with it, as they nearly hunted the bison to extinction in the 1800s. The combination of these cards reminded me of the biblical encouragement in Genesis to “to subdue the earth and exercise dominion over it.” Now doesn't that sound like a good excuse to take whatever you can use without regard to what's left behind? The holy woman's advice is just as relevant today as it was then. Being at the top of the brain chain means we should aspire to be good stewards rather than earth scorchers. The yin-yang symbol the rider holds is a nod not to forget the sacred balance as we plant our flags along the way.

Dance in the Sun, Kiss the Earth

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Sun; from the Haindl Rune Oracle, Wunjo:

          Weatherstone explains that the fairies dance in celebration of the source of light, warmth and growth. The sunflower they are using as a maypole reminds me of its ability to absorb toxic metals and radiation out of the soil. The Sun makes me feel like I've got a chance at a new beginning, a time to see with clarity and focus my energy accordingly. The rune card for the day seems purposefully paired with the Sun; Wunjo is translated as "joy." Look closely at Haindl's painting and you will see a wizard and a rose, an admonition that the happiness is one's own creation. People who understand this concept may seem hermetically sealed from all that's bad in life - stress, worries and woes appear to slide right off of them. But actually they are like the sunflower, able to thrive even in the worst situations. They don't hide from the truth, but seek it out. They choose to do the next right thing even when it would be more beneficial or easier to do what is wrong. They seek out companionship because they know such joy is even better when it spills over to others. It's so much easier for most of us to focus on what is lacking or negative. But Weatherstone reminds me to take a look from a different angle: "You may not fully realize exactly how fortunate you are." Her words are timely: my spiritual principle to work with for March is gratitude.

Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet.

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Choose Your Battles

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Seven of Spring (Wands); from the Haindl Rune Oracle, Lagu (Laguz):

          A fairy farmer defends his wheat field against a flock of birds that would like to take advantage of his hard work. He reminds me of my efforts to keep the squirrels off my bird feeders - an endless task. Weatherstone suggests we should "Defend what is yours with righteous courage." Her choice of words make me pause mid-stride and question whether I'm being protective or just plain selfish and narrrow-minded.
          Lagu/Laguz is associated with water in all the Rune Poems; the Anglo-Saxon version reads:

The ocean seems interminable to men,

if they venture on the rolling bark

and the waves of the sea terrify them

and the courser of the deep heed not its bridle.

This verse describes the feeling of being out at sea - its vast expanse and the inability to control it. While it did provide them with food and transportation, it also humbled them and reminded them of their powerlessness. These cards suggest I should pick my battles wisely. There will always be factors beyond my control, and trying to manage them will only wear me out physically and emotionally.

Right and Fitting

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Eight of Winter (Swords); from the Haindl Rune Oracle, Odal (Othila):

          According to Weatherstone, this poor maid is being harassed by the children of the fairy family she serves. It's winter and the kids have been cooped up in the burrow for too long. Their boredom has shown itself in their antics and the mistreatment of the hired help. The woman feels like she has no choice but to take whatever they dish out, because she doesn't want to lose her job. But is this just a projection she's made based on an assumption? Is there any hard evidence to back up this conclusion?
          Haindl's painting for Othila/Odal gave me the impression of peeking through a keyhole (perhaps from behind a locked door) and seeing a light that gives hope for release. It is generally translated as "estate" or "homeland," which can be seen as a measure of power and success. Yet a reading of the poem associated with it hints at something else:

An Estate is greatly dear to every man

If what is right and fitting there

He may enjoy at home

With most prosperity.

The second line strongly suggests that responsibility comes with power. The maid's responsibility (if she wants to stop being a victim) is to talk to the parents of the children. The parents (who hopefully want to do what is "right and fitting") could possibly give the children some activities to occupy them. Feeling victimized so often comes down to the hesitancy to communicate, which could easily clear up any misunderstandings.

Compassionate Clarity

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Ace of Winter (Swords); from the Haindl Rune Oracle, Kan (Kaun, Kenaz):

          Winter is a tough season on plants. In the forest, the canopy that normally shades the earthen floor becomes open to light when the deciduous trees lose their leaves. Where there was once a dense thicket, only bare bones of branches and trunks are left. The only hint of color besides the dull browns and grays comes from the evergreens. Places to hide among the brush and leaves are few, as the woodland's underlying structure is revealed. This Ace suggests a time for clarity and truth-telling; a need to see without the encumbrance of the ego or emotional drama.
          Kan/Kenaz can represent the heat and light of fire, which can be understood as inflammation or a source of light. I thought of the unkind way I often view myself after realizing I've strayed from the spiritual principles I hold. Insight and awareness is a good thing, but I don't need to "burn down the forest" because I screwed up. It reminded me of a story Pema Chodron told; she was trying to encourage her students to be gentle with themselves when they realized they were off fantasizing rather than focusing on the breath. A cowboy came up to her later and said he took her words to heart. Now when he catches himself ruminating or planning, he tells himself, "Thinking, good buddy." What a great tool this would be if I were to use it every time I've slipped off the path! I could own up to what I've done, but rather than self-flagellation, I could use tenderness. "Time to change course, dear one."

Slow Shifts

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Herald of Autumn (Page of Pentacles); from the Haindl Rune Oracle, As (Ansuz):

          This Page of Pentacles is a herald, the fairy who pays attention to the signs of nature and announces when a new season has begun. New seasons require new activities, so a shifting of gears is required. Weatherstone writes that this Page is "the one who finds answers that may allude others simply by taking the time to observe and think things through." Outside my window, the deciduous trees are still bare, but if you look closely, swollen leaf buds are on the branches. The robins arrived last month, and the other birds of this area have already built nests. I'll soon be heading to Lowes for gardening supplies.
          As (Ansuz) is one of the runes for which the main source of knowledge comes from the Rune Poems. I've chosen the Old Norse version to work with:

Estuary is the way of most journeys;

but a scabbard is of swords. 

An estuary is the lower part of a river where its current meets the ocean's tide; it is a transitional zone. This part of the poem parallels the Herald who announces the change of seasons. The second part of the verse speaks of a scabbard and sword. The sword is a symbol of sovereignty, yet the mention of the scabbard suggests there is no need for action just yet. When there are shifts from one phase to a new development, my enthusiasm can make me want to jump in with both feet. However the Page/Herald cautions me to patiently observe and gather what I need, but hold off on making any major moves just yet.

Sticky Human Dilemmas

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Hanging Fairy; from the Haindl Rune Oracle, Man (Mannaz):

          A young fairy has gotten caught in a spider web among a field of poppies. He seems to have ceased his struggle and appears to be listening intently. The opium poppies remind me of how tempting it is to numb myself to avoid thinking about what I can't control. But that will only make me miss the message. Pema Chodron wrote:
Maybe the only enemy is that we don’t like the way reality is now and therefore wish it would go away fast. But what we find as practitioners is that nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know. If we run a hundred miles an hour to the other end of the continent in order to get away from the obstacle, we find the very same problem waiting for us when we arrive. It just keeps returning with new names, forms, manifestations until we learn whatever it has to teach us about where we are separating ourselves from reality, how we are pulling back instead of opening up, closing down instead of allowing ourselves to experience fully whatever we encounter, without hesitating or retreating into ourselves.
          The painting for Man (Mannaz) gives me the impression of two trees saluting each other. This rune speaks of the human dilemma found in families and societies. We depend on each other for survival and a sense of belonging, yet we also have a tendency to rip each other apart because of our obsession with "I, me, and mine." Rarely does positive change happen when individuals are self-absorbed; as Gandhi suggested, such change starts within the individual. Reality is what it is, and while I may not be able to rewrite the script, I can choose whether I respond with an open or closed heart and mind. In the VF companion book Weatherstone writes, "Your spiritual growth demands a new vision. Release your hold on what you thought was true..." That just might be the solution for getting unstuck from that web.