Turn Around, Don't Drown

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, the Devil; from the Secret Language of Color Cards, Jade:

Even the friendliest snake will strike.

― Sabrina Newby

We all, at some point, crave relief or a bit of pleasure. That's a natural response to stress in our world. And the Devil is always ready to supply us with bliss or comfort, but we need to be wary. If we stay on his path for too long, we can become lost in his forest or be led right over a cliff. When our longing becomes an intense obsession, entirely motivating our daily actions, we are in danger of losing our way. Jade's message is that to heal, we must take action. Simply being aware will not save us; as Socrates said, “Knowing is not the same as doing.”

Hard Truth

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, Death; from the Secret Language of Color Cards, Black:

The hard truth is, terrible things happen in life that we can’t control, and somehow we do bear them. We bear witness to them.  –Frank Ostaseski

Theravada Buddhist teacher Ajahn Chah taught his students about impermanence by holding up a glass and saying, "The glass is already broken." In other words, everything that we can touch or see will one day be gone. Is it possible to grieve our losses with mindfulness (without judgment)? If so, we might sense "a deep, deep loneliness and at the same time the connectedness of everything" (Robert Chodo Campbell). The message of the Black card suggests we "find richness from the dark night." Do we recognize the benevolent impact our loss had on us before it disappeared? Can we hold onto the meaning and gratitude that remembrance provides? And are we aware of those who support and encourage us as we grieve?

What Isn't Ours

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, the Seven of Swords; from the Secret Language of Color Cards, Coral:

Some people steal to stay alive, and some steal to feel alive. Simple as that.

― V.E. Schwab

When is it okay to steal what isn't ours to take? If someone has more than us, are we entitled to take some of theirs? There is a growing problem with people stealing and selling intellectual property these days (creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, etc.), made easier via the internet. I've unintentionally bought a tarot deck from Etsy and an oracle deck from Amazon that were pirated. But the big companies do little more than offer a refund, which seems a heartless response to the artists and writers. Simply because someone's work is popular and well-known doesn't mean they're rich; they are likely just trying to make a living like the rest of us. Coral suggests we allow for flow and synchronicity in our lives. Yet if we are too busy being envious of what others have, we'll never notice the openings and opportunities that float past us. When we are grateful for what we do have, we can more easily spot our resources as well.

Time Will Turn Things

From the Prisma Visions Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Secret Language of Color Cards, Cherry:

Life is simple, it's either cherry red or midnight blue. 

―Lou Gramm

Peacocks and snakes are natural enemies; snakes eat the birds' eggs and fledglings, and the peacock will kill and eat the snakes to protect them. Likewise, the Wheel of Life constantly shifts fortunes and the holders of power. No one stays at the top or bottom forever, as change - though sometimes incremental - happens daily. I've been caring for an older, sick cat, a very ill husband, and a daughter with a neck injury. I'm ready to rest, but life requires that I hang in there a bit longer. The Cherry card exhorts us to "Live an extraordinary life." The problem comes in thinking that we should always get the sweet fruit and not have to deal with the pits in life, which is unrealistic. The extraordinary part comes when we aren't consumed by our aversion or craving for whichever one we receive. Time will turn the Wheel.

Filtering Information

This week I'll be using the Prisma Visions Tarot, created and self-published by James R. Eads; the companion booklet was written by Katherine Tombs. The oracle I'll be using alongside it is the Secret Language of Color Cards, created by Inna Segal and published by Beyond Worlds. Today's draws are the Hierophant and Purple:

hierocracy: government by the clergy; ecclesiastical rule.

This horned celestial being brings to mind the Emperor and hierocracy. The companion book states that the Hierophant represents the enduring traditions that have shaped history. He invites us to learn and conform to his man-made system. Although humans are not infallible, we naturally seek connection and belonging. Do we trust this wisdom and institution enough to pledge our allegiance to it? It doesn't hurt to sincerely listen as long as we use the filter of discernment. Purple suggests cultivating mental clarity, implying that our firmly held opinions, intense emotions or what we crave might affect our ability to see clearly. Before we sign up for anything, we need to make sure we're not under the influence of anything that might bias our perception.

The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it. ― Terry Pratchett

Interests that Stick

From the Spacious Tarot, the Guardian (Queen) of Wands; from the Phenomena Oracle, Blizzard:

You can't really predict with certainty what will capture your attention and what won't... Without experimenting, you can't figure out which interests will stick, and which won't.

― Angela Duckworth

The Queens are devoted nurturers, especially when it comes to their suit. The Guardian of Wands believes everyone should have an interest, a hobby or a cause - something that brings them joy and fulfillment. She loves to expand people's exposure to new ideas, places, and things to do in hopes that it will widen their possibilities for developing a passion. Yet Blizzard's card shows a white-out, when both visibility and mobility are stymied. It can be tempting to push what we are fervently interested in onto people close to us. But kids may care less about the sports their parents are nuts about, and a friend may prefer painting to a book club. What stokes our passion can be our own; we don't need to force anyone else into its flames to still enjoy it. 

No Gold in this River

From the Spacious Tarot, the Eight of Cups; from the Phenomena Oracle, Decompose:

There ain't no gold in this river

That I've been washin' my hands in forever

~Adele

The heart often pulls us in a new direction, but it can take our mind some time to catch up. We drag our feet, rationalizing that we've invested too much time and energy into a job or project or have too long a history with a person to give up. But the heart knows that if we have not found fulfillment by now, we likely won't in the future. It's time to move on before we miss the opportunities that are waiting for us that may bring us contentment and meaning. The Decompose card is a reminder that everything will break down at some point, but it will provide the nutrients to grow something new. Knowing what doesn't work can help guide us towards something that will.