Creating Balance, In Action

Daily Draw: Tarot of the III Millennium ~ Temperance

From the wooden getas to the hairsticks and umbrella this woman evokes elegance and grace. Yet nothing is overdone, nothing cries out that she is more or less than the next person. And she is a beautiful statement to balance, in action. 

I dreamed of an old friend last night, I haven't seen her for 15 or 20 years. I know where she lives, and because of her work I expect she is there. I'm reminded by this card of the 2 of Coins from January 28. The excuses I might of had last week are non-existent, at least today. Will I go? It's 6 AM, I'd need to be on the road by 9:30 to do this small act of rebalancing my life in a day. Or will 11 AM find me doing what I did yesterday, balancing action gone from my mind. 

"Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one's thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world." ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1749-1832

Cry Havoc, Let Loose The Dogs Of War

Daily Draw: Tarot of the III Millennium ~ Knight of Swords

This is just the deck for a woman in black depression. Well, better thoughts out than in...Weapons of mass destruction. Reds under the beds. Damn Yankees. Dirty Commies. Filthy Bosch. Southern Slavers. There has and always will be someone fanning the winds of war with  battle cries designed by the equivalent of Halliburton's marketing team. As with religion, fear is always the underlying motivator to get the great unwashed to run in a herd and lay their necks on the line.

I'm reminded by this card war is about oil and before that real estate. And what has it gained for the men and women who fight or are overcome on all sides? Nada. There is obviously no oil under Darfur or Somalia or some big white country would have already been and gone shouting some great idiot war cry to cover the theft.

"Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt with modest warrant." ~ William Shakespeare Coriolanus,1607 

New Century, Same Old Long-Johns

Daily Draw: III Millennium Tarot ~ 2 of Swords

This figure has been involved in something and regardless of reasons it turned out to be a poor choice; he is tattered and bandaged, the flag appears to have been replaced with worn long-johns, stumpy is being carried by the drummer or perhaps clinging to the company keg.

I'm reminded by this card I've often lost the Medieval to technological battle, can anyone say Sony Beta? iPod? Dotcom bust? Edsel? Somewhere someone is no doubt using all these things successfully, me, those are my long-johns of surrender. I still carry the flag though, they'll pry the technology that does work for me, whatever form it takes, from my cold dead hands.

"I really didn't foresee the Internet. But then, neither did the computer industry. Not that that tells us very much of course--the computer industry didn't even foresee that the century was going to end." ~ Douglas Adams 1952-2001

Tarot of the III Millennium, published 2000 by Lo Scarabeo as their nod to Y2K, Art by Iassen Ghiuselev, the whole deck is as much an unfinished puzzle as is our III Millennium. Most of the courts are in full color with pseudo web links that lead nowhere; minors are black and white with small Marseilles inserts, many of the scenes depicted form puzzle pieces with other cards, but quoting Ric Minnelli at Lo Scarabeo those groupings do not form a complete or symbolic image, they just are. Quoting the little companion leaflet the deck is made up of Medieval iconography, technological elements, fragments, and color choices. The majors are what draw many readers to this deck, art by the same hand but more minimalist in style and stunning. 

Moon Howling

Daily Draw: Harmonious Tarot ~ 2 of Coins

She seems a little pensive, yet is obviously doing something that makes her feel good, or purposeful, or fulfilled in some way.

I wonder how many good things in life I've passed on because I was too lazy or busy. Or because they were at night. Billions I'm sure. Stupid. But I'll be the same way tomorrow and next month and next year. It's just my personality, I'm never bored at home. I do dance and howl with the moon though, of course all I have to do is step off the deck, even a lazy person who doesn't much care for driving at night can manage that...

"The day, the sun, the moon, the night; I do not have to purchase these things with money." ~ Titus Maccius Plautus 254-184 BC

Butt Out

Daily Draw: Harmonious Tarot ~ Emperor

He fell out when I picked up the deck, I stuffed him back and he came out again on my fan and draw. If the Moon is my favorite card, the Emperor is my least favorite. And this one is chief of the disliked Emperors.

I'm reminded by this card to wonder why it gets my back up so regarding voluntarily subservient women. It's none of my business, live and let live, right? I'll work on remembering that today.

"The man of power is ruined by power, the submissive woman by subservience." ~ Hermann Hess 1887-1962

Redoubling

Daily Draw: Harmonious Tarot ~ 6 of Wands

I'm still pondering how to take the worst day of my life back and make it special and personal again, not tainted by rage and disappointment and grief and betrayal.

I'm reminded by this triumphant couple, having made the decision to do something about it has already softened the grief. I slung the rage from me last year. The disappointment and betrayal are only in my mind anyway.  My little hens, who quit laying last summer, have given me two big brown eggs this week. A good omen indeed.

Fanaticism consists of redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim." ~ George Santayana 1863-1952

RL

Daily Draw: Harmonious Tarot ~ Justice

Justice might be about putting the hurt on the person who hit and run someone leaving them with no legs. But it is also about harmony and discipline within ourselves.

This card reminds me I often hear myself justifying why I should or shouldn't do or have something. Like I need to 'earn my air' before I'm allowed any. That isn't good, need to work on that. On the plus side we don't have TV and I limit myself to 2-ish hours a day online. That takes discipline but it allows true balance and harmony living space in my real life, or RL as it's been dumbed down to.

"If this were the last day of my life would I be content with it? To live in a harmonious balance of commitments and pleasures is what I strive for." ~ Jane Rule 1931-2007

Indignation Armor

Daily Draw: Harmonious Tarot ~ Knight of Swords

Would you believe a full suit of armor or it's predecessor chainmail weigh 45-55 pounds? The weight of the clothing of a fully tricked out woman of the era was also between 45-55 pounds. I find both facts astounding, but I'd have guessed the armor much heavier. 

I'm reminded by this card the indignation we dress ourselves in varies by subject. I can wear it all, on my very highest horse if the subject is child or animal abuse. For self abuse, I might armor up in a light scarf. 

"One's life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation, and compassion." ~ Simone de Beauvoir 1908-1986

Hanging Around

Daily Draw: Harmonious Tarot ~ 4 of Swords

Waiting for someone to arrive, waiting for a letter, or a paycheck, waiting for a vacation, or lunch...

I'm reminded by this card for a number of years I'd set the timer for fifteen minutes when I had some time wasting time on my hands, and work like mad at something until it dinged. Amazing what you can get done in fifteen minutes, I think I'll start doing that again.

"Regret for wasted time is more wasted time." ~ Mason Cooley 1927-2002

Am I Or Aren't I

Daily Draw: Harmonious Tarot ~ 5 of Swords

A stay or go image. Think about it or do it. Can or can't. I chose the Harmonious Tarot this week because it is probably the pinkest deck ever made and I'm celebrating being finished with my radiation treatments.

I'm reminded by this card of the cancer patient? victim? carrier? survivors mental crossroads. I've never met one that could take the path and walk away. Mentally we are tied to the disease for life. I could say: it was caught early, the surgery was successful, the margins were clear, the radiation is complete so I'm cured. I don't believe it for a minute though. There is no such thing as early detection, by the time cancer is found you've already had it 3-6 years. If the surgery was successful I wouldn't need radiation. If I was clean and clear I wouldn't need to be tied to five years of tamoxifen and extra mammograms. But for this week...I'm Pink. And clean.  I can believe it for seven days, surely.

"I never thought of losing, but now that it's happened, the only thing is to do it right." ~ Muhammad Ali (Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.) 1942-

This week's deck is the Lo Scarabeo Harmonious Tarot 2005, based on the art of Walter Crane, with tarotization by Ernest Fitzpatrick.

Sit Up, Stand Up, Show Up

Daily Draw: The Classic Tarot DellaRocca ~ 8 of Coins

Autonomy;  independence or freedom, and to carry it further the willingness to be independent or free. Ahh...at that point it is no long a seldom used word but a life style, a choice that requires action.

I'm reminded by this lovely card of my gallons of buttons, sorted by color. The least useful? The gold metal ones. They are shank style rather than having standard buttonholes, so when attached to something they flop. They don't sit up, show up, or stand up. So they don't get chosen when I grab a jar for projects, they just live life on the shelf. Autonomy without action.

"Drink from your own well. Speak from your own heart. Know your own mind. For each man has his own pathway, and whoever would be your guide cannot help but lead you astray." ~ Marcus Tullius Tiro 103 BC-4 BC

I Write It Out Loud

Daily Draw: The Classic Tarot DellaRocca ~ 7 of Swords

Lo Scarabeo suggests the keyword secrets on this card. 

Lo Scarabeo is famous for wonderful decks,

infamous for their keyword-ridden accompanying little books.

That's the biggest non-secret I know.

I have no personal secrets; rather I blog, to myself, for myself. 

When I think a secret might be getting hold of me I write it out loud, 

it robs the fear by exposure or doubles the joy by voicing.

No username here, but the real me, with no secrets. 

"To Nobody, then, will I write my journal! Since to Nobody I can be wholly unreserved." ~ Frances Burney 1752-1840

Turkey Wattle

Daily Draw: The Classic Tarot DellaRocca ~ 9 of Wands

The only time I look at my own face is morning and evening teeth/face/hair ritual at the bathroom sink. So I've been tracking the interest my wrinkles have been earning by following the same progress in my Rob's face. We can put up all the barriers against age we want, but those fine and deep wrinkles are a map of our heart and life.

I'm reminded by this card I'm not crazy about the turkey wattle my neck sometimes becomes, but my facial wrinkles bother me not. When little I used to position myself to the side of my grandmother so I could watch those lines, I just loved them. And if my face is becoming my Grandma Pearl's it's ok by me, I couldn't be following a finer path.

"I like the idea of growing old gracefully and full of wrinkles, like Audrey Hepburn." ~ Natalie Imbruglia 1975-

Well Trained

Daily Draw: The Classic Tarot DellaRocca ~ Strength

How many of us would be likely to find ourselves in a situation like this? I guess that is why for many readers this has a rather hazy meaning in a spread. Overcome obstacles? Hang in there? Or the pop-psychology of 'You can do anything if you really want to'? And what is the lion's point of view?

I'm reminded by this lion and the handsomely dressed youth who isn't even breaking a sweat of what it's like trying to train unsocialized puppy mill dachshunds. Xavier and Xing Xing found us in October 2008. Daily dedicated work has now brought us to the point where they will allow us to carry or lift them without desperate struggle to get away/down. We can now touch their mouths and inspect their teeth and still have all our digits when finished. Yet after three plus years, Xavier clamped down on my fingers just this week; I forgot to show him his good boy treat, approach his mouth slowly with it, remind him of his manners, and brush the side of his mouth with the back of my hand before turning the fingers to offer the treat. He forgot he was socialized. Their good points far outweigh the few remaining rough ones, but I'd never let a stranger reach for their mouth, let alone contain them between their legs. That wouldn't be strength, but sheer foolhardiness and the fastest route to life as a eunuch.
"It has never taken long for a dog to train me." ~ Corey Ford 1902-1969

Raggedy Ace Raggedy Hearts

Daily Draw: The Classic Tarot DellaRocca ~ Ace of Wands

I thought this ace looked familiar so I searched my blog for "Ace of Wands" and among the many returns, yes this one was there. I had the same impression of it this morning as I did in December 2008, this ace is way past it's pull date.

I'm reminded by this card it is once again approaching February, the month I've been wanting this quilt on my bed since 2005. It is the last quilt I'll hand quilt and one I've loved since it's inception. So why isn't it finished already? I guess I thought I had all the Februarys in the world. Silly me. I'm quilting madly on it, this is the year I literally put this old project to bed.

"I know now why Franz Schubert
never finished his Unfinished Symphony.
He would  have written more but the clock struck four
and everything stopped for tea." ~ Long John Baldrey 1941-2005

I Have To Ask

Daily Draw: The Classic Tarot DellaRocca ~ Queen of Wands

I look at the raiment; silk, brocade, satin, elegant trims, dainty little shoes, and wonder how they ever got them clean. There isn't anything cloth in her attire that wouldn't require dry cleaning today. And the ancient Egyptians with their beautiful linens, much of which was worn knife pleated. Ever own a linen skirt? You look at it, it wrinkles...what did they use to press with?

I'm reminded by this beautiful queen the scientists and archaeologists don't have a lock on the why and how questions, I'm full of them.  I think I'll give this queen a ring, see does she want to do lunch. I'll bet she'll literally give me the clothes off her back in trade for my modern wonder fabrics.

"Would that you could meet the sun and the wind with more of your body and less of your raiment." ~ Kahlil Gibran 1883-1930

Kilroy Was Here

Daily Draw: Classical Tarot DellaRocca ~ Tower

I don't remember seeing this before in the Tower, a little Kilroy sort of person in the upper window. And what in the world is that sticking up attracting the lightening? And have I noticed a cannon on the roof before, or what appears to be a deck off the back? And where did the blue fragment come from by the figure on the ground?

I went through a streak in the '80's reading everything John D. McDonald wrote. All of the Travis McGee novels have tower moments to the nth degree, but his 1985 novel Condominium is about the tower itself. And my eye keeps coming back the figure inside, hanging on with all his thumbs. Will the base hold? Or would he have a better chance just jumping?

"They say I leave at night by the window of my tower, hanging from a red unbrella." ~ Camille Claudel 1864-1943

Last seen here December 2008, this is one of the beautiful historical decks Lo Scarabeo has reprinted over the years. Those few decks are a real gift as most of us could never hope to see, let alone own one of the originals. Published 2007, based on the 1835 Carlo Dellarocca deck.

Viewpoint

Daily Draw: Druidcraft Tarot ~ 9 of Swords

Talk about a novelty, I slept like a log last night. So instead of seeing someone sick or worried or frightened, I'm full of sass and see someone wealthy enough to afford that stunning carved sleigh bed, rich coverlets, and not one but nine incredibly crafted swords.

I'm reminded by this figure I'd like to flip him out of his pity party into the street where he can observe people with real problems who don't have time to have a moan, they are too busy scrabbling just to eat. It's all in the viewpoint isn't it, such a moan I had with the 10 of Swords this week, today, no patience with wimping out whatsoever.

"Of all the various delusions, the sense of discrimination between oneself and others is the worst form, as it creates nothing but unpleasantness for both sides." ~ Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso 1935-

Appease or Confront

Daily Draw: Druidcraft Tarot ~ 2 of Swords

Appease or confront?

I'm reminded by this card how often we stand at this path over the course of a lifetime. We can go along to get along, we can run away to live to fight another day, we can order our thoughts and marshal our feelings and say our piece and live with the results, or we can leap up and go in with pinwheeling fists or words and likely get the same and achieve nothing. The ancient Ent has seen it all before and is having a slow chuckle at our expense. On the other hand we can get up and move, we aren't pinioned in place except by choice.

"One sure way to conciliate a tiger is to allow oneself to be devoured." ~ Konrad Adenauer 1876-1967

Brain, Back, Heart

Daily Draw: Druidcraft Tarot ~ Emperor/Lord

This leg crossed over knee is called the Jupiter position, the same stance in the Hanged Man is called the crane position. One of the reasons I don't pay tons of heed to symbology and go with what my uneducated eye sees, hears, and chooses to deal with.

I'm reminded by the fallow dry earth behind this leader that knowing and directing isn't enough, there also has to be nurturing action of some kind to achieve any results at all. Brain, back, and heart are all needed or the person in power is no more than a robot or dictator.

"There isn't any symbolism. The sea is the sea. The old man is an old man. The boy is a boy and the fish is a fish." ~ Ernest Hemingway 1899-1961

Whose Agenda?

Daily Draw: Druidcraft Tarot ~ 9 of Coins

Ever try to train a falcon? Its soaring spirit combined with ingrained distrust of man and no wish for human companionship leaves the trainer with one result. A weapon. 

I'm reminded by this falcon of our perceived need for established community filled with people who think and look like us. And what a weapon that is in the hands of political and spiritual leaders. Sheeple can be herded as easy as water runs downhill. This woman recognizes our personal control over mind body spirit is an illusion until we release the tethers that bind us to outside thought patterns with an agenda. The snail of forward motion is missing in this image...

"I tried to like it. For me, it was like being smacked around the head by a piece of IKEA furniture. It hurts, but you've got to admire the workmanship." ~ Bill (Mark) Bailey 1964-

Going Away To Get Away

Daily Draw: Druid Craft Tarot ~ 6 of Swords

Sometimes you don't have to go away to get away. This card is generally shown from the side or rear, moving away, toward something else. The sixes can be about the power of patterns and so often we box ourselves into one even doing happy stuff.

I'm reminded by this card, serendipitously, that to sidestep that rut myself I've done my 'puter stint in reverse today, coming to this card and my blog last. It feels weird...like  having jeans on that are still damp from the dryer. But it didn't hurt a bit, I'm sure was good for my character, I'll close down the 'puter now and no doubt will feel like I'm ahead of the game all day. Cool. 

"Habit is necessary; it is the habit of having habits, of turning a trail into a rut, that must be incessantly fought against if one is to remain alive." ~ Edith Wharton 1862-1937

The Same Only Different

Daily Draw: Druidcraft Tarot ~ World

I feel better today, which this card reflects.

I'm reminded by this card even if all the learned minds combined said "you have 18 months to 3 years to live" I could still walk out of the office and get flatted by a bus ten minutes later. So for the nonce, today is what is important. And shortly I'll have a second helping of Qi Gong and that will help. And December 31st's quote, the same only different here, will help. Perspective is a good thing. And in 2020 we'll get together and have a good laugh on me.

"If there is a problem and there is a solution, there is nothing to worry about,
if there is a problem and no solution, there is still nothing to worry about." ~ Tao Te Ching

Ruminating Pessimist

Daily Draw: Druid Craft Tarot ~ 10 of Swords

What have we done, what has been done to us, to bring us to this state of affairs? There are four dramas going on in my life: I have breast cancer; in February further testing will show if what is on my lung is or isn't cancer, odds are 75% it is; my mother is swiftly sliding into dementia and obviously can no longer safely live alone, yet at this moment I'm in no position to honor my commitment to keep her here; and my beautiful relationship with my in-laws is dust in the wind. I should be strong enough to put that one out of my mind, and I do in the daylight, but it's the one that keeps me awake in the wee hours, filling me with doubts and recriminations for I know not what.

In 2112 no one will know or care, but it is 2012 and it all seems outside my control and shouldn't be. I've always been the one to tackle the dragon head on, now I slouch in its shadow watching a slow-motion movie of my life implode in front of me. I want to run up behind this figure, kick it's arse, and force it to quit playing opossum. You aren't dead I scream at it. While I think about who to give my quilts and jewelry to and if Rob is strong enough to do home hospice for me. I barely recognize this person as me. Think it could be depression? Chances are good...

From the blog Sources Of Insight, J.D. Meier "Here’s how the pessimism-rumination chain leads to depression: First, there is some threat against which you believe you are helpless. Second, you look for the threat’s cause, and, if you are a pessimist, the cause you arrive at is permanent, pervasive, and personal. Consequently, you expect to be helpless in the future and in many situations, a conscious expectation that is the last link in the chain, the one triggering depression."

The deck this week is a favorite old friend, beginning to look a little chipped and worn, like me. Art by Will Worthington, 192 page softcover book by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, published by St. Martin's Press 2004 and in steady production ever since which speaks to how popular this deck is. Used here in 3/07 and 11/10.

Lonely At The Top

Daily Draw: Tarot de Paris ~ 7 of Swords

Thomas makes a good point with this card; by the very choices that move us to where we want or need to be, we often manage to cut ourselves off from someone or something else.

My hindsight is fine, I can look back on my life and see lots of actions and choices that put me in the loner category. That was never the result I was working toward but it's what I got. As a side issue I wonder if someone who is really at the top, say Hillary Clinton, has made any true friends in the last 30 years or just knows millions of people. Oprah Winfrey? She likes lots of people, it's in her nature, but as far as I can tell Stedman and Gayle King are her friends. And go back to 'before' the climb.

"The stoical scheme of supplying our wants by lopping off our desires, is like cutting off our feet when we want shoes." ~ Jonathan Swift 1667-1745

Unviable Option

Daily Draw: Tarot de Paris ~ 9 of Swords

Thomas tweaks his 9 of Swords to show someone who is reaping the wind of ill-advised behavior. Someone who has pushed with no consequences until late in the game.

There are grownups who seem determined to live life as jerks but mostly this is the posture of a child taking a step closer to adulthood; it's just part of the path. It saddens me so many children, unable to deal with or comprehend consequences, reach for that sword of suicide as a viable option.

"Sever the ignorant doubt in your heart with the sword of self-knowledge. Observe your discipline. Arise." ~ Bhagavad Gita

Flux

Daily Draw: Tarot de Paris ~ 2 of Coins

This version of the 2 of Coins is a good example of the state of earthly flux in which our existence resides. Rise and fall, come and go, yet matter is still there. Burn wood get ash, but the energy of heat is received in exchange.

In a convoluted way, I'm reminded by this card our life is akin to a plastic bag. There is room for jostling but when we put something in we may have to take something out. Our time is not infinite...a new baby might mean no fly fishing for a while. Buy a house, less weekend getaways, home maintenance never ends. Discover the internet and a whole lot of things fall by the wayside. The key is making a choice, being sure our sack is still full of quality life and not an empty bag of lumps and shadows.

"Make your mold. The best flux in the world will not make a usable shape unless you have a mold to pour it in." ~ Robert Collier 1885-1950

Capering

Daily Draw: Tarot de Paris ~ Nine of Coins

It's been awhile since I've had a true capering day, one of those days when you can't put a foot wrong, serendipity rules, and plans or hopes seem to fall into place. What a joy they are to look back on when the grims get a grip on us.

I'm reminded by this card I'm working towards remedying the worst day in my life. It was so bad on so many levels I've refused to acknowledge that day exists in fact or memory. Cancer pales by comparison. I had the bright idea New Year's day to stage a do-over. It is akin to poking a sleeping dragon with a sharp stick; if I can get close enough to take it back before it consumes my heart I will be the one capering indeed.

"We that are true lovers run into strange capers" ~ William Shakespeare 1564-1616

The Things That Matter

Daily Draw: Tarot de Paris ~ 10 of Coins

The things that matter is a movable feast depending on the weather and which side of the bed we arose from...at this particular moment in time my top 10 are, in no particular order of importance:

Rob, first foremost and forever
Our animals
Shelter and sustenance
Family and Friends
Clients and work ethics
Mental and physical health

"If you count all you assets, you always show a profit." ~ Robert Quillen 1887-1948

Grieve For An Illusion

Daily Draw: Tarot de Paris ~ 5 of Cups

What it was, vs. what it is vs. what it could be. We will be at the farm later today and I'm hopeful as ever, that our broken relationship with my mother-in-law can be restored.

I'm reminded by this card the heart hurt she has done my Rob is probably irreparable in this life time but this statue's pose is not in our repertoire. To grieve for the illusions that were probably temporary to begin with is the fool's errand embedded in the fives.

"Sometimes illusions collide with reality against which they are dashed to pieces." ~ Sigmund Freud 1856-1939

All Aboard, Wands To Cups

Daily Draw: Tarot de Paris ~ Ace of Cups

In review, 2010 was a year of Wands, full of actions creating both big closures and renewal. I'm not surprised to see the Ace of Cups for the first day of 2011, I fully expect it to be a year packed with emotion.

Like this dove at the grail, my decks give me unlimited food for thought. I hope you find something here, thank you for visiting, encourage you to say hello occasionally and wish you the very best 2011 has to offer. Viva la Journey.

As far as I know the first of the photo-collage decks, J. PhilipThomas began photographing Paris with this deck in mind in 1981. Thousands of images later his 78 final choices were inspired. This first edition Tarot de Paris and 160 page hardcover book was published by St. Martins Press 2002. The rights have reverted to Thomas who has published a newer tweaked version.

Also used here July 2007 and September 2010. Suits are titled Swords, Water, Wands, Coins, courts are Spirits, Stallions, Queens, Kings. A number of the majors have been retitled.