Listen Too

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Page of Swords; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Vav:

Vav painting by Victor Brindatch

The wind is picking up and flocks of birds are on the wing; something is happening, and this Page is alert to it all. Probably one of the most important parts of communication is listening, but we get so caught up in proving we know stuff we often forget that detail. We miss clues in our relationships when we don't listen carefully and can find ourselves flummoxed when folks suddenly get frustrated and angry. The Hebrew letter Vav means "hook" - when used as a prefix to a noun, it means "and." This letter is a reminder of connection and unity, and in this time of discord, it is more important than ever. Yet it also asks me to question myself when I feel disconnected from others whether I'm doing all the talking or if I am genuinely listening what they have to say too. There is no relationship if we're not truly relating.

The Ones That Break

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Five of Cups; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Kaf:

Kaf painting by Victor Brindatch

In despair, a man focuses on the three spilled cups at his feet, ignoring the two standing behind him. When we're distraught, it seems the only thing we can focus on is what is causing our pain. We're like a leaf caught in the eddy of a stream, stuck and unable to move forward. Part of this is a normal grief response that all humans have. But part of it may be the idea that life is not fair, the part that demands we shouldn't have to deal with such issues (and probably why he doesn't notice the other two cups). Kaf is often associated with the palm or a spoon because it is bent, suggesting the ability to curve or bend in order to accommodate a situation and be useful. Life is hard on everyone in different ways. Folks who can accept its natural vicissitudes and keep flowing down the stream are the ones who learn to be content in any circumstances. But those who are rigid and inflexible are the ones that break.  

A New Awareness

From the Restored Order Tarot, Judgment; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Shin:

Shin painting by Victor Brindatch

This Judgment card refers to an initiation into a new level of consciousness - we see there is no real "I" and "you," only an interconnected and interdependent "us." It is similar to the finger pulling a thorn from the foot, not because it was told to but simply because it is a part of. Such a change in awareness might come from trauma or from something wondrous and beautiful. It transforms our motives, relationships, ways of looking at material possessions, and the way we think (as indicated by the four elements in this card). The three prongs of Shin symbolize flames; 'shinui' refers to change. Even if we have an awakening, the obligation of change is on us, not the outer world (though the changes we make in ourselves can't help but affect it). As the Buddha explained:

This being, that becomes.

From the arising of this, that arises.

This not being, that becomes not.

From the cessation of this, that ceases.

Open Heart and Ears

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Ace of Cups; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Zayin:

Zayin painting by Victor Brindatch

The wafer of bread the dove brings to the chalice brings to mind the Eucharist, yet it also is symbolic of something or someone that comes into our life and touches our heart. It is a connection that can grow if we pay attention and nurture it, or one that will dissolve if it is ignored. Zayin is often assigned the meaning of 'weapon' and is equated with the number seven (a number of completion in Jewish mysticism). This letter begins the charge to "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy." The knife used to cut the challah (bread) is covered on the Sabbath as a sign of peace. Both of these draws suggest that when we meet someone different from us, we should be open-minded rather than mounting an aggressive challenge. We don't have to give up our values, but we might just learn something new and beneficial if we listen with our heart and our ears.

 

Roots of All Goodness

This week I'll be using the Tarot in de Herstelde Orde (Tarot in Restored Order), created by Rob Docters van Leeuwen and Onno Docters van Leeuwen; it was published by Servire. The second deck I'll be drawing from is the Oracle of Kabbalah, a deck and book set created by Richard Seidman and published by Thomas Dunne Books. Since the Kabbalah letter cards are rather plain, I'll be using the paintings of Victor Brindatch. Today's draws are the Queen of Pentacles and Nun:

The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.

~Dalai Lama

This Queen seems to be contemplating with gratitude all that she has. She pays attention to what and who is in her life, and through that attention has come to appreciate it all. Appreciation's natural course is to want to protect and nurture what we love. It's a shame that most of us have to be separated from these things (at least temporarily) before we realize how wonderful they are. Nun ("fish") refers both to the myth of Jonah and fruitful abundance (fish as fertilizer). Like Jonah, we are often cut off from seeing beauty and goodness because of the walls created by our hatred, fear and ignorance. But Nun suggests we can tear down those walls if we are willing to sincerely question our opinions and assumptions and instead see with fresh eyes the wonders and benevolence that still exist in the world.

It Matters

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the King of Pentacles; from the Druid Plant Oracle, Heather:

The King of Pentacles revels in the comforts of hearth and home, yet he also enjoys the natural world. To him, matter matters, regardless of whether it is something human formed or a creation of the earth. He believes in good stewardship, taking care of things rather than taking them for granted. Heather is a hardy shrub beloved by bees; beekeepers have been known to transport their hives to the moors to allow the production of sweet heather honey. Thus Heather represents that which is sweet and enjoyable. Yet sometimes we can become overwhelmed with our obligations and tasks. The companion book states: "We spend much our our time thinking about the difficult aspects of relationships and of our life... But try thinking about your life with a different focus. Spend time dwelling on all the positive aspects..."

No Influence

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Hanged Man; from the Druid Plant Oracle, Borage:

The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control. 

—Epictetus

Naked, mouth stuffed with leaves, and hands bound, this hanging man illustrates those situations in which we are powerless. His legs form an upside-down four, the number of stability, suggesting there is nothing to be done to secure and steady the present circumstances. Why drive ourselves crazy trying to wage a battle that we won't ever win? Borage (aka Starflower) is an herb that has been used for centuries to 'comfort the heart' (depression). Thus this plant is associated with courage, not the kind used in wars, but the type that helps us deal with the vicissitudes of daily life. This type of fortitude reminds us that things will eventually change and permits us to engage in self-compassion.