Tender Clarity

From the Wayfarer Tarot, the Page of Earth; from the Curious Oracle, Echo:

Ultimately, this is what I wish for all of us: that we live and act and love with a fierce and tender clarity. 

― Vanessa Zuisei Goddard

The Page of Earth is learning about his world. He knows that all of nature is subject to seasons of birth, growth, fruition, decline and death. The change and impermanence part are a little scary for him, yet it fuels his curiosity and tenderness toward the earth and its creatures. He is hungry to learn all it has to teach him. Echo represents reflection, a time to consider our ideas and actions. Have they passed through seasons as well, developing as we grow and changing as we gain new understanding? Or do we think we can remain fixed in our ways in a world that undergoes constant transformation? As Koshin Paley Ellison reminds us, uncertainty is our ground, so "how do we walk in a way with integrity, thoughtfulness, and tenderness?"

Not Victory, Progress

From the Wayfarer Tarot, the Five of Air; from the Curious Oracle, Nazar:

The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress. 

―Joseph Joubert

It is a common belief that crows collect shiny objects, yet this is a myth. While tame crows have been known to supply humans they trust with trinkets, they don't collect baubles for themselves. There are many personal stories of crows stealing things like golf balls, but this is usually because they mistake them for food (an egg). As the saying goes, an anecdote does not equal data. But the Five of Swords contender will argue about everything they believe, read and heard, even if it all came from social media or a personal (likely biased) experience. Fly away quickly from these folks; they don't want to discuss anything; they just want to be right. The Nazar is an amulet to ward off the evil eye, a curse caused by jealousy or envy. How do you protect yourself from intellectual contenders? Refuse to argue, as this is delectable ambrosia to them. 

World of Wonders

From the Wayfarer Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Curious Oracle, the Rose:

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. – Jawaharial Nehru

The Two of Wands is a stepping off place between the same and new, the known and unknown. It's exciting, but also a little nerve-wracking to not know what lies down the path ahead. Even our maps and goals don't tell us everything. I had my own adventure not too long ago down unfamiliar roads. I encountered my first roundabout (four, in fact) and felt like I'd entered a revolving door spinning at Mach speed. When we face such new challenges and feel less than adept, it can be easy to decide we should turn back. But Rose reminds us not just to focus on the obstacles, but the beauty, wonder and good things as well. Those are what help make ups and downs of the journey worthwhile.

Benevolence

From the Wayfarer Tarot, the Empress; from the Curious Oracle, Gargoyle:

Love conquers all difficulties, surmounts all obstacles, and effects what to any other power would be impossible. —William Godwin

The Emperor uses force to bring people under his control and laws to keep them in order. The Empress uses love to bring people to her, and unconditional benevolence keeps them in her favor. In her world, there is no "mine and yours," just "ours." Yet the Gargoyle - symbolizing a guardian - warns that people can overuse and take advantage of her resources. Often, those with the most want more, while others are barely holding on. The Empress might be a creative nurturer, but she cannot tolerate such imbalances. She'd agree with Bruce Springsteen: "Nobody wins unless everybody wins."

Before Blooming

This week I'll be using the self-published Wayfarer Tarot, created by Stacy Salpietro-Babb with Margaret Shipman. I'll also be drawing from A Curious Oracle, self-published and created by Holly DeFount. Today's draws are the Queen of Earth and Lotus Fire:

People first concern themselves with meeting their basic needs; only afterwards, do they pursue any higher needs. —Abdolkarim Soroush

The practical Queen of Earth knows that no large project will be finished, and no family or community will be stable until bodies have the basics of food, rest, shelter and clothing. Taking time for daily needs is not a luxury but a requirement. Lotus Energy represents the fuel and resources needed for the seed to embed its roots in the mud, climb its way above the water, and then flower in the sun. No matter how we want to bloom, we must first take care of the bodily conveyance that will get us there. 

Do This First

From the Tarot of the Abyss, Temperance; from the Nature Mandala Cards, Change:

Combine the extremes, and you will have the true center.

―Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

In the fires of rage, the depths of despair, or the icy clutch of fear, what we think we should do is usually some extreme reaction. It's not that we should eliminate these feelings, as they may contain useful information. But we need to let them mix with a bit of calmness, hope, and courage to give us a clearer, more balanced view. Somewhere between "Off with his head!" and "I'll just be hiding under the bed covers," there is a solution that might be more effective. Effective Change is not brought about by getting hooked by our emotions, allowing our old habits and patterns to take over. It comes when we allow the mud to settle. As Jimi Hendrix put it, "In order to change the world, you have to get your head together first."

Newly Defined

From the Tarot of the Abyss, the Fool; from the Nature Mandala Cards, Radiance:

I will define my life not by fear, loss, or scarcity but by potential. 

― Saeed Jones

Open-minded, full of eagerness and excitement, this young woman walks off the cliff with confidence as she enters a new phase in life. How do we begin a new venture this way? Jones (quote above) writes that his single mom wrote 'determinations' on notecards, with an explanation of why she was so determined, and placed them by her altar. He writes, "More than the goals she’d write down, the act of summoning her determination with clear eyes and at full volume is what I continue to cherish and honor." What a warrior's spirit! Yet it also helps if we surround ourselves with people who shine with cheerfulness and hope, as the Radiance card implies. When we experience hard falls and encounter obstacles, we'll need an injection of their optimistic practicality.