The Process

From the Swietlistej Drogi Tarot, the Hanged Man; from the Mirrors of the Heart, Sexuality:

Patience doesn't mean making a pact with the devil of denial, ignoring our emotions and aspirations. It means being wholeheartedly engaged in the process that's unfolding, rather than ripping open a budding flower or demanding a caterpillar hurry up and get that chrysalis stage over with. 

―Sharon Salzberg

The ladder leaning against the tree in this illustration suggests this man has acknowledged his position of powerlessness; he no longer battles what he can't control. Like the caterpillar who wraps itself in a chrysalis in order to transform, he needs time to cultivate a different perspective and gain a broader understanding of what is going on. Patience, watchfulness, and listening with an open mind are what will create his metamorphosis. The Sexuality card encompasses gender identity, orientation, attitudes, and behavior. The great divide between those who accept those who identify as LGBT and those who denounce them squeezes my heart. I long for the day when people are judged by their kindnesses and cruelties rather than their sexuality, but that will take patience, openness and getting to know rather than label others. As Amandla Stenberg put it, “The continual process of unlearning heteronormativity and internalized homophobia can be difficult, but one of the biggest blessings lies in the magic that comes from having to understand love outside the confines of learned heterosexual roles.” I regret that some of the more hardhearted folks might die in their cocoons.

More Than the Basics

From the Swietlistej Drogi Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the Mirrors of the Heart, Earth:

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

It's hard to be concerned about collecting art when you're barely able to keep a roof over your head and food on the table. The Nine of Pentacles illustrates that point in life when there is enough time to engage in education, enjoy the arts or hobbies, take care of one's health, or simply relax with friends. Yet it is all too easy to have arrived in this place, have a bad day, and think our life sucks because it is not meeting our expectations. If we take a breath and open our eyes, we just might see how fortunate we are. Earth suggests something that has been planted and given the chance to grow. If we are not happy with the fruits of our labors, perhaps we need to check what seeds we've been planting and cultivating.

It Makes A Lighter Load

This week I'll be using the Swietlistej Drogi Tarot (Tarot of the Radiant Path), created by Alla Alicja Chrzanowska and published by Studio Astropsychologii. I'll also be drawing from the oracle Mirrors of the Heart, created and self-published by Lily S. May. Today's draws are the Queen of Pentacles and Helping:

Asking for help is never a sign of weakness. It's one of the bravest things you can do.  

~Lily Collins

This Queen seems to be infusing each gift basket with a compassionate wish for well-being to its recipient. Her assistant, with one gift already in hand, waits patiently. As Rosalyn Carter reminded us, we either have been a caregiver, are currently one, will be one, or will need one. We all be asked to help provide for the needs of another at some point, in a small or large way. My husband has been in the hospital for the last four days with a life-threatening infection (but is now home). Sometimes we are required to step up to the challenge life presents us. But this is what I've found - Love makes all loads lighter. 

Inner Well-Being

From the Tarot of Mystical Moments, the Six of Cups; from the Inner Eye Oracle, Commitment:

One of the best ways to make yourself happy in the present is to recall happy times from the past. 

―Gretchen Rubin

It's funny how certain smells or sights can trigger a memory. Scientists now know that the brain uses a space-saving technique when storing memories - only key features are stored, not all the details. When retrieved, the brain uses its simulating capacities to make the memory seem whole. This rebuilding process allows us to shift our interior emotional landscape. Other things that are in our mind at the same time - particularly if they are pleasant or unpleasant - will shape the memory. As psychologist Rick Hanson explains, "every time you sift positive feelings and views into painful, limiting states of mind, you build a little bit of neural structure. Over time, the accumulating impact of this positive material will literally, synapse by synapse, change your brain." The Six of Hearts indicates commitment, a decision to sincerely dedicate ourselves to someone or something. What could be more worthy than devoting ourselves to our emotional and mental health?

It Can Be A Gift

From the Tarot of Mystical Moments, Strength; from the Inner Eye Oracle, the King of Hearts:

Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength. 

— Francis de Sales

This young girl, with her cat ears, nose and tail, knows she is part beast. To her, it is a gift. Intense emotions that make her want to wound with sharp claws and teeth can be tempered with practice. That energy can then be channeled into patience, courage, resilience and receptivity. The real struggle, she realizes, lies within. When life gets overwhelming, she reminds us of Dieter F. Uchtdorf's words: "It's your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how your life's story will develop." The King of Hearts represents a guide to our emotions. His ram horns indicate that he won't back down from strong feelings; the armor he wears on his chest is his heart. He models calm behavior and gives us a safe space to explore the root of our emotions and see how our impulsive reactions create more problems than solution. He knows that it is only by working through our challenges that we will find an inner strength that will keep us grounded. 

The Lure

From the Tarot of Mystical Moments, the Devil; from the Inner Eye Oracle, the Two of Spades:

This is the lure of all things destructive, in that they have us equate what feels good as being good.

― Craig D. Lounsbrough

A lure is, by necessity, attractive and enticing as this lovely spider woman dangling cherries. The Devil promises bliss and soothing relaxation, but he fails to give the full story of how our craving may in time poison us like this amanita mushroom. There has been a pushback in some cases; I've noticed stores posting signs like this in front of all tobacco products:

Will we get hooked by what lures us? The Two of Spades shows a crossroads post and represents an important decision. Do we follow the false information that our brain is giving us, that we desperately need what we intensely desire? Or can we tell ourselves this is a tainted message that we would do well to avoid and go in different direction?

Connecting the Dots

From the Tarot of Mystical Moments, the Seven of Pentacles; from the Inner Eye Oracle, the Six of Diamonds:

No incident, however seemingly trivial, is unimportant in the scheme of things.

― Jodi Taylor

The Seven of Pentacles offers us a pause to assess the fruits of our work. It gives us a chance to connect the dots - actions taken or not taken, resources used, effort expended - to see whether we are making progress, stagnating or moving backward. It appears the young lady in the tree has many fruits and flowers to show for her exertions. But perhaps just as important, she has seeds to reinvest. In other words, her work is sustainable. The Six of Diamonds' tree symbolizes family and our ancestors. It is a neutral card, but it might suggest we look at our work ethic and other beliefs we've inherited to see if they are constructive or destructive in our endeavors.