Beauty and Harmony

Daily Draw: Santa Fe Tarot ~ 6 of Wands/Rainbows

The suit of Wands is called Rainbows in this deck, and the Wands are represented by prayer sticks. Confused? That's why I have lots of decks. I could read with a poker deck if I wanted to but each deck brings a different viewpoint and a greater understanding.

This Yei is showing me a measure of success in understanding there is more to life than just the utilitarian, a lesson I learned over the last two years which I only recognized upon going home and seeing all the ways I was squeezing beauty away from my life. Function is good, function with beauty is better.

"The difference between utility and utility plus beauty is the difference between telephone wires and the spider web. ~ Edwin Way Teale 1899-1980

Ancient Slayer Can't Save Us Now

Daily Draw: Santa Fe Tarot ~ Strength

I can't think of a nation that couldn't use the help of Nayenezgani, the slayer of natural catastrophes and anything that doesn't serve beauty and harmony. When the Old Peoples walked the earth natural disasters were the only kind to fear.

I'm reminded by this card that modern catastrophes are much larger than natural, and twice as frightening because we set them loose with malice of forethought, thinking as individuals we can outrun them, they won't touch us. Sorry Charlie, they will overtake and doom us all.

"Everything has changed save our modes of thinking and we thus drift toward unparalleled catastrophe." ~ Albert Einstein 1879-1955

Peace Breaker, Friend or Enemy?

Daily Draw: Santa Fe Tarot ~ Knight of Coins/Buffalo

This knight dwelt on the old damages inflicted between the tribes rather than the new treaties worked out by the Elders He gathered other dissidents to him and once again waged war. When he saw the truth and horror of battle he realized this was no way to protect his tribe.

This is a story we see each day in the news. Peace breakers can be seen as heroes or murderers depending on how you skew your vision.

"There were no dissidents then in the USSR because they were all killed." Natan Sharansky
"You measure a democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists." Abbie Hoffman
"You are cast out of the existing structures and placed in a position of conflict with them. It begins as an attempt to do your work well, and ends with being branded an enemy of society. ~ Vaclav Havel

Fulfilled

Daily Draw: Santa Fe Tarot ~ 9 of Cups/Water

This card is so me today. For the most part I have to day to myself, by myself. I crave the peace and quiet and the opportunity to absorb my own work and play.

I'm reminded by this card when we are unable to self-nurture, we also have nothing left to give anyone else. Common sense self-care is as necessary as food and water and shelter. Note the cups are upside down but the beauty and magic of completeness keeps them full, thirst is slaked.

"You are unique, and if that is not fulfilled, then something has been lost." ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy 1917-1963



Changing decks to The Santa Fe, by Holly Huber and Tracy LeCocq, published by U.S. Games Systems 1996, out of print. The kit included soft cover 175 page book which tells the story of the five stages of the emergence of the native Peoples with card images presented as sand paintings. Last seen here in May 2007. The suits are Buffalo/Coins, Rainbow/Wands, Water/Cups, Lightening/Swords. Each card is presented face on and considered to be facing East.

Blind Woman Walking

Daily Draw: Victoria Regina Tarot ~ 8 of Swords

Rather prosaic today, but this image reminded me of trying to price things for our garage sale. My selling partner has 2 dozen duck decoys priced at $1.00 each, like new with carry bags, and shoppers have been trying to get them for .25 cents. These particular ones sell for $32.00 for a set of six. I have vintage ladies hankies priced at $2.00 each and the shoppers were fighting over them, one woman offered to double the price if I'd sell them all to her.

I'm reminded by this card that we are pricing blind because neither one of us go to garage sales...on the other hand, except for the sneery snotty dealers we've had a lot of fun with our customers, met many neighbors for the first time, hugged friends, and had the pleasure of touching bases with old clients. Not a bad way to have spent a Friday.

"Price is what you pay. Value is what you get." ~ Warren Buffet 1930-

Let It Go

Daily Draw: Victoria Regina Tarot ~ 5 of Swords

Rather than fighting or arguing as is often seen, these people seem to be searching for something amidst ruins.

This pretty well reflects here today. We are having a neighborhood garage sale and people are already lining up. My house lays like rubble in the aftermath of pulling sale stuff out. All to the good though, I feel lighter and freer with every box that heads for the garage.

"I release the need for this in my life'." ~ Wayne Dyer 1940-

Rabbiting From One Thing To Another

Daily Draw: Victoria Regina Tarot ~ 9 of Wands

At some point we have to stop and wait. To see what the value or result is of whatever cogs we've been turning.

I'm reminded by this card sometimes the cogs were pointless. And sometimes we've found home, heart and mind. Quiet analysis can help us recognize and appreciate those sweet spots in life. Quilting and Rob are mine.

"To find your own way is to follow your bliss. This involves analysis, watching yourself and seeing where real deep bliss is -- not the quick little excitement , but the real deep, life-filling bliss."

Instability Or Opportunity?

Daily Draw: Victoria Regina Tarot ~ Princess of Coins

Ahh. This is where I am this rainy summer. As an entrepreneur Princess I always have an eye out for a new opportunity to turn a dollar, while in the Queen's position I cultivate and nurture older sources of income.

I'm reminded by this card and other pulls this last year or so, time is ticking. And it's pretty obvious I'm scared silly of the idea of retirement, or worse yet no chance of retirement at all. Life goes on, it always has and will, but I need a more stable plan.

"The American has no time to tie himself to anything, he grows accustomed only to change, and ends by regarding it as the natural state of man. He feels the need of it, more he loves it; for the instability; instead of meaning disaster to him, seems to give birth only to miracles all about him." ~ Alexis de Tocqueville 1805-1859

Gifted

Daily Draw: Victoria Regina Tarot ~ Princess of Wands

Wands are the suit of doing, and the figures in this scene seem to be creating words, paintings, sculpture, products of personal creativity. I finished a quilt yesterday and that makes me happy...but I'm more excited about getting on to the next one.

I'm reminded by this card personal creativity is a two times gift. A gift of gene or study to myself, and how gifted I feel when I can appreciate the completed product of someone else's effort.

"Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." ~ Henry Van Dyke 1852-1933

Information Or Knowledge?

Daily Draw: Victoria Regina Tarot ~ Ace of Swords

New knowledge. My mother said I needed to learn one new thing a day. I always look forward to it. Yesterday I learned a new side effect of my medicine. Knowledge I can use and grow. Today I learned there are no successful alternative newspapers in Japan, online or print. Information that will probably never be of use, simply an interesting fact.

This card reminds me what marvelous pieces of machinery our brains are, I think I'll treat mine to some fish today.

"Information is not knowledge." ~ Albert Einstein 1879-1955

Hunger And Gratitude

Daily Draw: Victoria Regina Tarot ~ 5 of Coins

There but for the Grace of God go I. I've been pondering how to write this post without it sounding like puffery for I have been broke, cold, frightened.

I am reminded by this card how very and truly blessed I have been overall. Never been truly hungry and never had a shelterless night. I acknowledge this and am each day grateful. And know unless I've been there I can't really understand hunger and hopelessness, no sense pretending I can.

"Rich folks always talk hard times." ~ Lillian Smith 1897-1966

The Victoria Regina Tarot appears again, last seen May 2007 here. Steel engravings from the time of Queen Victoria, seamlessly collaged into a beautiful and workable deck. Long out of print and highly sought after, it is too bad Llewellyn has not reprinted this beauty. By Sarah Ovenall and Georg Patterson, kit comes with 270 page soft cover book.

Passionate Pursuit of the Nonessential?

Daily Draw: Baroque Bohemian Cats Tarot ~ 7 of Wands

At least they didn't include shoes with the rest of the outfits in this silly deck. In the basis for this card, the 1909 Rider-Waite deck the protagonist is so busy dealing with all on his plate he even wears two different shoes.

I'm reminded by this card, and the comment Pam left on yesterday's post, we can eat an elephant with a spoon...if we narrow our focus and do it one bite at a time. It is a matter of recognizing priorities and picking the right wand.

"The necessary has never been man's top priority. The passionate pursuit of the nonessential and the extravagant is one of the chief traits of human uniqueness." ~ Eric Hoffer 1902-1983

Self-Imprisoned

Daily Draw: Baroque Bohemian Cats Tarot ~ 8 of Swords

I feel trapped today. There is so much to be done here it is overwhelming. My practical conscientious side says I should already be hours into the work. My me me me side says I need a break so badly I reek of it.

I'm reminded by this card either or situations come up all the time, it is part of life. No one is going to die if I'm not here working today. On the other hand it just leaves twice as much to do tomorrow...oh this golden prison of my own making.

"A man can be imprisoned in a room with a door that's unlocked, as long as it does not occur to him to pull rather than push." ~ Ludwig Wittgenstein 1889-1951

Nurturing

Daily Draw: Baroque Bohemian Cats ~ 7 of Coins

A relationship can be cherished but not nurtured.
Poor diet can sustain while not nurturing the body.
Families can breed yet completely skip nurture.

I'm reminded by this card nurture should play a huge part in who we are and what we do. Yet it is the extra step of mentoring, supporting, encouraging that so often gets skipped. And it shows. We can all look at a project or person and know if they have been nurtured or not.

"If I nurture the newness while I have it, perhaps, I won't lose it — at least not for something less. And if I nurture what I keep, perhaps, I won't miss what I have lost." ~ Jan Denise

Another Day In Paradise

Daily Draw: Baroque Bohemian Cats ~ 10 of Coins

I read the news today, it was all bad. Of course bad news is what used to sell newspapers, today sells clicks. Most northern nation's currency is being held together with duct tape and fast talk. Many southern nations are held together with bullets and blood.

I'm reminded by this card in reverse that we are waving the Golden Age good bye. We can be as green as we possibly can, it won't save a world drenched in petrochemicals and funny money and me first, last, and always.

"Through clever and constant application of propaganda, people can be made to see paradise as hell, and also the other way round, to consider the most wretched sort of life as paradise." ~ Adolph Hitler 1889-1945

Seeing Life Both Ways

Daily Draw: Baroque Bohemian Cats Tarot ~ 9 of Cups

Ever feel like the cat who got to lick the creamer? I felt that way some years ago when one of my quilts was hung in the La Conner Quilt Museum for three months. I also felt like the 9 of Cups reversed because I wasn't able to go view the exhibit.

I reminded by this card that life is a bitch and then we die, and after my Tower event in February I'm not planning on letting much get in the way of the things that are important to me. No more Mrs. Last Place.

"I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be." ~ Groucho Marx 1890-1977

Home And Hearth

Daily Draw: Baroque Bohemian Cats Tarot ~ 4 of Wands

QUICK!
Name three things you love about your home.

1. The uniqueness of a big A-Frame
2. The size of the acreage (2.5 acres)
3. The upstairs loft area

Name three things you don't like about your home.

1. The uniqueness of a big A-Frame
2. The size of the acreage
3. The kitchen and baths

Now that was an interesting exercise, I had no idea the first two would be the same. I'm reminded by this card that a pro/con check list is probably a good idea for any number of ideas/projects both current and future.

"If 'pro' is the opposite of 'con' what is the opposite of 'progress'?" ~ Paul Harvey 1918-2009

Marvelous Mundanity

Daily Draw: Baroque Bohemian Cats Tarot ~ 10 of Coins

I like ordinary days when the fun starts early. When I have tasks to accomplish, projects to carry on, and sunshine if I want to take a catnap on the deck.

I'm reminded by this card that the mundane is the largest part of my life yet I'm excited and pleased by the prospect of what the day will bring.

Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous." ~ Bill Moyers 1934-

As it was last week, this deck is from Magic Realist Press also known as Baba Studios. They assure us no cats were harmed in creating this deck, the magic of computerdom has brought together all the cat images and married them to a rich tapestry of baroque clothing. Baroque Bohemian Cats also appeared here in May 2007.

Fall From Grace

Daily Draw: Fantastic Menagerie Tarot ~ 3 of Swords

J.J. Granville's editorial cartoon showed the French people being betrayed and seduced by the greed of their leaders while those who could do something about it just looked on.

I'm reminded by this card it can and does happen on the personal level too. The big and little sins we commit that discredit our honor can cause our own world to shake and fall leaving us to wonder just what we were thinking of.

"The fall from grace is steep and swift, and when you land, it does not make a sound, because you are alone." ~ Cari Williams 1984

Dry Well

Daily Draw: Fantastic Menagerie Tarot ~ Tower

My mind is a dry well today. An ancient tower scrubbed clean by time and wind and dust and a neighborhood that needed the stones. It is surely time for a fresh Artist's Date to refill the well so my mind can even recognize and acknowledge a Tower event should one occur.

This card seems confused also. The wind is blowing to the right, the bonnet ribbon is blowing to the left. The dog's gunna bag has had a blowout and contains nothing but air. The wolf looks as nice as can be, perhaps he is simply helping a lady home. Often tower moments are triggered by just such small seeds of misunderstandings.

"In human intercourse the tragedy begins, not when there is misunderstanding about words, but when silence is not understood." ~ Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862

Hand Over Your Lunch Money

Daily Draw: Fantastic Menagerie Tarot ~ Devil

He has everything she owns but the dress on her back and he still won't let her go. What is it with bullies and abusers?

I'm reminded by this card that I'd like to stomp them into the ground, each and every one. And what would that make me?

"The world cannot afford to damn its sinners, nor will it be saved without their help. Humanity is one, and not till Lazarus is cured of his sores will Dives be safe. Whoever will thrust Magdalen into the pit will find that he has dropped with her into the flames the key that should have opened heaven for him, and assuredly shall he remain outside until she, her purification completed, shall take pity on him and bring it thence." ~ Celia Burleigh 1829-1875

Wheels Within Wheels

Daily Draw: Fantastic Menagerie Tarot ~ Chariot

At first glance all I saw was the big snail being pulled by two slugs. When I really looked at the card there are four different Chariots peopled and pulled by all manner of creatures.

I'm reminded by this card of the last two years of my life. I'm back home, doing exactly what I was doing before, same spot same computer same cards but there have been huge fundamental shifts in my life that don't show. The same is probably true for each person I'll meet today. They will have won battles, lost wars, and it won't show. Our life Chariot moves invisibly and it is only in retrospect that we can see the advances. This is a good day for pondering the rear-view mirror of life.

"Grief charts its own miserable, invisible progress." ~ Charlotte Rampling 1946-

Bee In My Bonnet

Daily Draw: Fantastic Menagerie ~ Hermit

What an amazing tool the computer is, with it's on-line connection to untold resources. I inherited my FIL's bee hives and I've been shining the light of knowledge on current beekeeping practices. Bee care has seen some changes since the 70's when I last had hives.

I'm reminded by this card as I sit here alone in my Hermitage, I am never alone. Unless I choose to be.

"The bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others." ~ Saint John Chrysostom 347-407

For Good Or Bad

Daily Draw: Fantastic Menagerie Tarot ~ 9 of Cups

A fat self satisfied elephant, who thinks all is well and all is well with his world. Unfortunately, with his nose in the air he fails to see that all his champagne bottles are blowing their corks.

I'm reminded of the baby boomers coming into retirement and the piper they are facing. I sincerely hope it isn't as bleak for my generation as I think it will be. For good or bad we have no one to blame or congratulate but ourselves.

"It's a perfect day for a kite, but unfortunately we will not be going outside today." ~ Nicole Ambrosini

Soldier On

Daily Draw: Fantastic Menagerie Tarot ~ 3 of Coins

This looks like our place today, activity and rubble; we are hosting a three family garage sale later this month. In the activity of pulling things out to sell rather a mess is being created. One member is co-ordinating, one is in charge of signage, one in charge of advertising.

I'm reminded by this card that many of life's projects look like a muddle in concept and creation. What we need to remember is not give up when our idea gets to that ugly changeling look, but to renew the effort. The end results are well worth it when everything comes together. Faint heart never won anything.

"My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint." ~ Erma Bombeck 1927-1996

Last seen here April 2007, the Fantastic Menagerie Tarot is created and published by Magic Realist Press, Prague Czech Republic 2006, soft cover 240 page book by Sophie Nussle, Xymbio Ltd. UK. Both clever and interesting, each tarot card is based on an original work of art by J.J. Granville (Jean Ignace Isidore Gérard) 1803-1847

Death Of Another Sort

Daily Draw: Llewellyn Tarot ~ 8 of Swords

I'm reminded by this card of Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, Valdez, the Gulf Coast. No high ground, no human barrier can keep the results of greed, corruption, and sloppy business practices away. Nothing will be learned, nothing will be changed, it is always another day, another dollar, another rube.

"I do not think there should be a limit on the rig's liability, because they are sitting on top of unlimited amounts of oil, and thus, there could be an explosion occur that could do untold damage. ... The amount of damage that an offshore oil rig can do is infinite. ~ John Chafee ,Senate Floor Debate, 135 Cong. Rec. S9689-S9716 (3 Aug 1989).

Brain Cells, Two Each, DOA

Daily Draw: Llewellyn Tarot ~ Death

12:08 and I just realized I haven't even done my daily draw post, which means I haven't followed through with my secondary post about it elsewhere.
Rob has been up and down the stairs a number of times this morning trying to refresh his brain about what he went upstairs for. Is it something in the air or the water?

I'm reminded by this Death card that people with crummy memories to begin with, need reminders.

"A reminder that art is not the same thing as cerebration." ~ George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair) 1903-1950

Recognize The Value

Daily Draw: Llewellyn Tarot ~ King of Coins

This King does. He knows where his own talents are and knows their limits. He isn't a plumber or carpenter and he doesn't try to jerry-rig a new bathroom into his house, with it's fix and/or repair daily results. He doesn't cut his own hair, or mend a bashed rear fender. On the other hand he may be a whiz at furniture upholstery and cake decorating.

I'm reminded by this card that sometimes 'can't afford it' costs a lot more in the end. Knowledge and skill are valuable commodities, same as gelt.

"If I had more skill in what I'm attempting, I wouldn't need so much courage." ~ Ashleigh Brilliant

On The Fly

Daily Draw: Llewellyn Tarot ~ Knight of Swords

My favorite court card, the Knight Of Swords is always on the fly, no farting around when associated with this guy. His life is a mission and he always knows where he is going next.

That is usually me, but right now I'm unfettered and ungrounded. I even slept until my first client phone reminder at 8 AM. I'm usually up between 5-6 AM and have a bunch of stuff done by now. On the other hand I was dreaming that a stranger left me $657,000. Anyway, now I fly...

"Sleep is when all the unsorted stuff comes flying out as from a dustbin upset in a high wind." ~ William G. Golding 1911-1993

Proceed With Caution

Daily Draw: Llewellyn Tarot ~ 9 of Wands

I wonder if we could stand it if we'd never been hurt, never been betrayed, never been blindsided...would we appreciate life's joy and wonder or would we eventually Garden Of Eden ourselves right out of paradise?

I look at this card and I wish for paradise of heart and soul but I know it will never happen in this lifetime, in this World. I particularly need be on guard from the family busybody. If you've got one you'll know what I mean; if you don't, count your blessings, they are many. And Lord? Remind me a fixer is the last thing I need be also.

"But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters." ~ 1 Peter 4:15