It Needs No Defense

From the Tarot of Caro, the King of Swords; from the Holitzka I Ching, Hexagram 1:

Ego takes everything personally. Emotion arises, defensiveness, perhaps even aggression. Are you defending the truth? No, the truth, in any case, needs no defense.

—Eckhart Tolle

The King of Swords is known to be unbiased, intelligent and logical. Yet all the butterflies that surround this man reminds me of another trait - he takes things lightly rather than personally. Like a scientist, he's listening and observing without getting affected by emotional outbursts or drama. He seeks facts and solutions, and he knows that getting entangled in feelings can be distracting and taint his objectivity. Hexagram 1 - known as the Creative or the Dynamic - suggests that the air is ripe with inspiration and energy, which bodes well for creative movement. However, it is meant to be an interplay of the universe and humans; right timing, focus and a lack of arrogance will be required for success. A shift from self-centeredness to wider awareness can show us a beneficial path. 

Self Examination

From the Tarot by Caro, the Eight of Cups; from the Holitzka I Ching, Hexagram 44:

When meeting contention in another it would be wise to examine oneself.

―Confucius

The cups in this card seem to provide steps as this man leaves under the cover of darkness. Those 'steps' are his reasons for leaving a situation or relationship that is unfulfilling or unhealthy. Yet the shadow that follows him is disconcerting, and reminds me of something a psychiatrist said in a recent online conference: when we search from our wounds we generally find a slightly upgraded model of ourselves. Before he seeks comfort elsewhere, he would do well to take some time for honest self-reflection. Hexagram 44 is often called Temptation and suggests we are about to make a choice that could have volatile consequences. Instead of judging a situation subjectively, we need to look at it objectively. Antifreeze may taste sweet, but it's still a poison. Self-examination, especially a look at our motives and intentions, is the antidote.

Creative Purpose

From the Tarot of Caro, the Queen of Wands; from the Holitzka I Ching, Hexagram 53:

The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning. ~Mitch Albom

The flat ears and narrowed eyes of this panther are probably watching the Knight of Wands stumble out of bed after another night of drinking and a one night stand. The Queen of Wands is a woman of fiery passion, but she's more than a party girl. She believes that each person has gifts that should be nurtured so that they can create something meaningful. There's nothing wrong with fun, she'd say, but what are you growing with your energy and enthusiasm? Chasing pleasures doesn't bring the same kind of lasting satisfaction. Hexgram 53 is called Gradual Progress, and is a caution that nothing grows overnight; tenacity is needed to see things through. 

From Atop the Mountain

From the Tarot by Caro, the Page of Swords; from the Holitzka I Ching, Hexagram 52:

We live in a fantasy world, a world of illusion. The great task in life is to find reality.

~Iris Murdoch

Precocious and intelligent, it's easy for the Page of Swords to think she knows everything (which she'll gladly share, whether you want to hear it or not). Yet the clouds and blowing wind suggest her ideas about life are rather foggy. Our discernment can be skewed by opinions and prejudices, emotions, attachment to desires, or a lack of knowledge. Just because we think it's true doesn't make it so. Hexagram 52 is often titled the Mountain or Keeping Still. It suggests that it if we want to see with clarity we must still our mind and observe it. Are we making assumptions or seeing only a small slice of reality? What is at the root of our beliefs - evidence or something else? The Mountain gives us a higher, wider perspective of things rather than from a single viewpoint. 

Wipe out imagination: check desire: extinguish appetite: keep the ruling faculty in its own power. ~Marcus Aurelius

Looks Like Work

From the Tarot by Caro, the Ace of Pentacles; from the Holitzka I Ching, Hexagram 20

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. 

~Thomas A. Edison

The nice thing about many wildflowers is that they leave seeds for planting after they bloom. But these seeds must be put in fertile soil, watered and given enough sunlight for them to sprout. The Ace of Pentacles offers us a gift, but like the flower seeds, it must be taken and applied or used for it to be of any benefit. Favorable circumstances usually have a 'use by' date. As H. Jackson Brown, Jr. put it, "Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor." Hexagram 20 is often titled either Contemplation or Observation. It suggests contemplating our motives: Are we looking only at the expected harvest rather than the effort that will be required? Perhaps we need to observe what is already on our plate and decide if there is any room for more work. 

Sailing in Storms

From Tarot by Caro, the Two of Pentacles; from the Holitzka I Ching, Hexagram 57:

I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship. 

~Louisa May Alcott

While a tempest rages, a woman mindfully balances the coins she holds. Her bare feet symbolize her groundedness: she manages her emotions wisely and stays in the present moment. Doing so allows her to see with clarity and be discerning in the choices she makes. Though her feelings shout loudly, like a seasoned first responder, she realizes what must take priority. Hexagram 57 is called 'Gentleness' and suggests we must be willing to bend to continue with our progress. We focus on surfing the waves rather than demanding things settle around us.  

Polishing

This week I'll be using Tarot by Caro, created and self-published by Caroline Clarke. The oracle I'll be drawing from is the I Ching, illustrated by Klaus Holitzka with instructions by Marlies Holitzka; it is published by AGM Urania. Today's cards are the High Priestess and Hexagram 27:

Everyone sees the unseen in proportion to the clarity of his heart, and that depends upon how much he has polished it. Whoever has polished it more sees more - more unseen forms become manifest to him.

― Rumi

This woman tends her inner garden consistently, so much so that the pomegranate she holds has grown there. Contrary to popular belief, meditation is not very relaxing and blissful (especially for beginners), and it takes commitment to maintain. We want to battle all those thoughts and urges that arise instead of just allowing them to pass by without attachment. The High Priestess understands that receptiveness means to simply let them be without engaging. Eventually, without force, she will sink down below the ego where true wisdom and compassion is found. Hexagram 27 is often called Nourishment, and asks us what we are feeding our mind, body and spirit. How are we spending our time, who are we spending time with, and what are we putting in our body? What is wholesome, inspiring and strengthening is what will sustain us and help us thrive.