Hollow

Daily Draw: Songs For The Journey Home ~ 5 of Swords

I've let a lot of things go the past 5-6 years that no longer mean anything or cause grief rather than pleasure. Why hold on to hollow hallowdays and hollow people?

I'm reminded by this card it was a relief each releasing, to let them go, I don't know why I didn't do it sooner. I'm using the 5 of swords to redesign my life and heart and allowing nature to fill the hollows.

"All things on earth point home in old October." ~ Thomas Wolfe 1900-1938

Middle Ground

Daily Draw: Songs for the Journey Home ~ 7 of Cups

What we want to do vs what we are willing to put quality time into.

I'm reminded by this card of the sweeping differences between cups and coins. In the cups realm of feelings, daydreams are healthy outlets which often spawn creativity, flip over into the coins landscape and daydreams are a drag on progress and fulfillment. Middle ground is a good thing.

" Ah, the things we would do if we could, especially in the secure knowledge that we can't."  ~ Robert Brault 1951-

Endlessly Fascinating

Daily Draw: Songs for the Journey Home Tarot ~ Hierophant/Luminary


Everything we've learned and experienced forms our whole. The Luminary asks us to shine a light on the areas of our life that might play a more fulfilling role.

I'm reminded by this card I'd like to know a whole lot more about the geology of our endlessly fascinating earth.

"For a billion years the patient earth amassed documents and inscribed them with signs and pictures which lay unnoticed and unused.
Today, at last, they are waking up, because man has come to rouse them.
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them. Layers become history and, released from the enchanted sleep of eternity, life's motley, never-ending dance rises out of the black depths of the past into the light of the present." ~ Hans Cloos 1885-1951

Mind Heart Belly

Daily Draw: Songs for the Journey Home Tarot ~ High Priestess

The sense of right and wrong, seeking and living the truth. If it feels wrong mind, heart, belly, don't do it, don't encourage it, don't buy it.

I'm reminded by this High Priestess of copyright and trademarks. Copyright laws go back to 1710 Britain for books and has gone on to include other creative output. USA trademark law goes back to 1870. Laws constantly assailed and riddled with the intellectual equivalent of rotted human woodworm. Some trademarked words I can't use on my blog. Lollapalooza. YUUUP! Super Bowl. D'oh! When was integrity dumbed down to the lowest common factor?

"Those who would pirate what you produce have developed an elaborate sophistry to convince you that they are your victim." ~ Mark Helprin 1947-

Thrumming Potential

Daily Draw: Songs for the Journey Home Tarot ~ Ace of Wands

That living thrumming potential. Perhaps we all have it. Perhaps we didn't have much potential to begin with and we've already reached our zenith. Sad thought that.

I'm reminded by this card of two men who were on the fast track to success and turned their backs on the world's idea of potential, One for drugs and one for an alternate life style. In those worlds there may be potential too, what do I know?

"Not a very pretty world, is it?"
"Which one?" ~ Andrew Smith  Marbury Lens

Don't Like? Get Out.

Daily Draw: Songs for the Journey Home ~ Ace of Coins

First Earth Songs signifies giving yourself fully, wholeheartedly. I wonder what that means at this stage of my life?

I'm reminded by this card, this season of life, I'm working wholeheartedly at detaching from a lifetime of musts and gottas. Driving through a gorgeous blue and red Utah yesterday, and all the states the last ten days, the USA is an amazing country, in every way. I'll not detach from that in any way, thank you.

"My country owes me nothing. It gave me a chance. It gave me schooling, independence of action, and opportunity."  ~ Herbert Hoover 1874-1964

Songs For The Journey Home comes from New Zealand; 197 page excellent book by Catherine Cook, wonderful creative art by Dwariko von Sommaruga. My number one favorite tarot deck.

Baldy

Daily Draw: Roots of Asia Tarot ~ Moon

Threatened by a sense of optimism...

I'm reminded by this card and my hair and my mind the day we left for Mississippi I insisted my oncologist change my long term cancer medicine. Two days later the shower and sink strainers, my comb and brush were no longer full of lost hair. Maybe I'm not going bald after all!  Could it be that simple? I shall be wholly optimistic.
Unlike northern Texas which I think is closed and someone forgot to turn out the lights.

"It's a kind of war where I plant bombs inside
of myself." ~ Anne Sexton 1928 - 1974

Precarious

Daily Draw: Roots of Asia Tarot ~ 2 of Wands

This figure is in a bit of a pickle. Is the figure on the left lending him a hand and another balancing tool or just the opposite? The central character is not only standing on the head of tiger, he is also poised on the windy ridge of a mountain at the top of a long valley.

I'm reminded by this card of how creative many of us need to be with filling our need for tools and resources vs. financial common sense. We can't make beautiful quilts or glorious paintings or astounding sculptures without base materials. But at what point does that requirement become an obsession of getting, far beyond needing? Coins and Wands often have an uncomfortable relationship requiring balance.

"The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life." ~ Jane Addams 1860-1935

Empty Mind

Daily Draw: Roots of Asia Tarot ~ 9 of Cups

Boonyawan would have us empty our minds of the bad in order to refill with the good.

I'm reminded by this card not all tasks are possible. Klanprachar has lived the hermetic life for decades with all the time in the world for reflection and restructuring. In the real world all good all the time would probably get eaten alive.

"He lived at a little distance from his body, regarding his own acts with doubtful side-glances." ~ James Joyce 1882-1941

Observing The Ordinary

Daily Draw: Roots of Asia Tarot ~ 3 of Wands

We often miss what we see commonly and we seldom take a deep look at the uncommon. By the time we've opened our eyes 10,000 mornings auto-pilot is our mode of travel.

I'm reminded by this card of yesterday's mileage between Caledonia and Meridian . The first time I've considered our journey to be mind-numbing. I thought we'd never get somewhere, anywhere, that wasn't four straight lanes bordered with endless pine trees. Of course we did but this morning I'm going to google Mississippi commercial tree farms. Why skinny pulp pines rather than building wood trees like Washington's firs and cedars? Why do so many of the homes have ponds or lakes that seem man-made? Are they pit borrows like sometimes seen at home, left from road building? Another day, to look for the uncommon and interesting, and the blessings of sight and mind.

"We develop all those long-winded ideas which just interpret the reality of our lives in different ways, without really extending our body of worthwhile knowledge." ~  Irvine Welsh 1958-   Trainspotting

Travel

Daily Draw: Roots of Asia Tarot ~ Knight of Wands

This fine knight travels with his loyal trustworthy tiger.

I'm reminded by this card I'm too pooped to pop, riding is hard work.

Headstone Insignia

Daily Draw: Roots of Asia Tarot ~ Death

One of the blessings of being a human, having ego, we seldom see all our own faults. I don't think we could live with full sight....

I'm reminded by this card not only of personal eclectictivities but those regional and national.  I'm in mid-Missouri today and seeing signs campaigning to be able to use the Confederate flag in Southern cemeteries holding Civil War veterans. No problemo here. Also support the pagan insignia on veteran's headstones which was recently approved after a long campaign. After all, who can the dead harm, what do the dead have left? Absolutely nothing but a grave and headstone.

I suppose there are those who think my spool of thread and threaded needle as anti-reverent and even sinful. I don't believe in heaven and hell, only the now, and fabric and thread make me happy. So does our gravestone.

"That's All Folks!"
The Man of a Thousand Voices Mel Blanc 1908-1982 Hollywood Memorial Park; Hollywood, California

Get Thee Behind Me

Daily Draw: Roots of Asia Tarot ~ Devil

Over the past year I've managed to take off the weight I'd gained since the double whammy big C. I don't want to gain it back, and it is always a slippery slope in this nation of good food and yummy treats.

I'm reminded by this card, right out my door is my FitBit Zip's best friend. Motel hallways, Nebraska this morning. Before we even get the car loaded up I've got in at least 2K steps, half of that running. As I pound past the occasional alarmed guest in my pink slippers I gasp out "gettin' in my steps" which always makes them smile or laugh...I don't care if it is at me or with me, it all works for the team.

"Now shall I walk
or shall I ride?
'Ride,' Pleasure said.
 'Walk,' Joy replied."~W.H. Davies 1871-1940

Couldn't Possibly Be

Daily Draw: Roots of Asia Tarot ~ 5 of Wands

Struggle against. Don't we just.

As I tear across America to see my friend Kreth there is no doubt what I'm doing. Denial that she is racing down the same maw that took my little sister.  In many respects I think denial is the one defining descriptor for cancer. It is also the first stage of grief.

"It is the denial of death that is partially responsible for people living empty, purposeless lives; for when you live as if you'll live forever, it becomes too easy to postpone the things you know that you must do." ~ Elizabeth Kubler Ross

Carnal Knowledge

Daily Draw: Roots of Asia Tarot ~ 4 of Wands

The deck I'm using and the deck I have scanned are two different editions. The scanned deck has the keywords carnal knowledge. My deck refers to this card as fruitful creation.

I'm reminded by this card of America countryside 1959, Our neighbor Vicki eloped with Herc. She was immediately kicked out of school for the sin of carnal knowledge. They didn't want the rest of us rubes to know what marriage entailed.
Skip to 1969. Two of my classmates brought their babies to graduation with them and I was so proud of both of them for sticking with school through their full pregnancies.
I hate to think what even small children know now when there are no limits of what they can learn. Probably carnal knowledge is the least of the problem.

"There are no things man was not meant to know. There are, perhaps, things man is too dumb to figure out, but that's a different problem" ~ Michael Kurland 1938-

The deck in use this week is Roots of Asia, republished by AGM AGMuller 2001. The original version was published by Amaravati Buddhist Monastery 1988. Artist is Amnart Klanprachar, the paint technique was done with fingers, knives, and rods. Accompanying 87 page digest by Thaworn Boonyawan.

The Erratic Life

Daily Draw: Mythic Tarot ~ Sun

Like Gollum's Hobbits, these mythic folk are 'tricksy'. Apollo is a shining example.

I lived with mother and her advanced dementia for a year, and I've seen what it is like when there are no buffers or consequences to behavior.  I expect life with gods and goddesses would be the same.

Fish Or Cut Bait

Daily Draw: Mythic Tarot ~ 2 of Wands

Chiron, standing in the cave, has told Jason of his royal lineage. As the 2 of Wands Jason knows what he wants to do, but he doesn't yet know the how and when of it.

I'm reminded by this card, plans/ideas are pointless if we never move forward to the action of the Threes.

"Never confuse motion with action." ~  Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790

I'm So Pretty

Daily Draw: Mythic Tarot ~ Page of Cups

This is Narcissus, so beautiful he fell in love with his own reflection; killed himself because the reflection couldn't love him back.

I'm reminded by this card to wonder about Oscar Pistorius. Is he pure fame and vanity, and can it be possible there is still a place in the world where white is infallible and black is invisible?

"Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty." ~ Edward Gibbon 1737-1794

Firecracker Friend

Daily Draw: Mythic Tarot ~ King of Wands

King Theseus of Athens was son of Aethra and both Poseidon and King Aegeus of Athens. To claim his heritage he set forth on wild and impossible adventures, succeeding at all to which he set his hand and mind.

I'm reminded by Theseus of my friend Theresa. There wasn't anything she wouldn't try and she traveled all over the world doing it. I'm so glad I had ten fun filled years to know her.

 "Damn the torpedoes! Four bells! Captain Crayton, go ahead! Joucett, full speed!" ~ Rear Admiral David Glasgow Farragut 1801-1870

That Moment Of Knowing

Daily Draw: Mythic Tarot ~ 9 of Coins

From the myth of Daedalus, portrayed in this card as satisfied with all his many works and machinations. This is perfection and I earned it, he may be thinking.

I'm reminded by this card of the event I attended yesterday for breast cancer survivors. Probably at every table and certainly at ours was "tell your story". No matter how many stories I hear I always get goosebumps.  How a well lived life is going along and wham, that enormous speedbump where everything takes a 180 degree turn. This 9 of Coins to no coins feeling can occur any number of ways, but there is always that instant...and then the drop.

The Mythic Tarot, original edition, by Juliet Sharman-Burke and Liz Green, illustrated by Tricia Newell. Published by Simon & Schuster 1986 and in print ever since. The deck is based on ancient Greek mythology, the kit includes a 218 page companion book, plus there is a 160 page workbook available

Genes

Daily Draw: Runic Tarot ~ 4 of Cups

Gemini and Cancer; We come into the world made of nothing but family genes and immediately begin the process of reshaping ourselves into the unique beings we are today.

I'm reminded by this card to wonder what I'd leave out and what I'd take more of, had I opportunity to shape myself again. More brains please, but I'm not unhappy with what I've become to this point. Could that sentence be more wishy-washy? Try again... I like who I am today. Much better.

"When someone shows you who they are, believe them." ~ Maya Angelou 1928-2014

Publicity vs. Acknowledgement

Daily Draw: Runic Tarot ~ 3 of Coins

Astrop's keyword is publicity, but I see the 3 of Coins more as acknowledgement of worth and value. We can have that and not have publicity come into it at all.

I'm reminded by this card I've had both and acknowledgement from peer or family is by far the most valuable.

"Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of publicity you receive. ~ Donald Rumsfeld 1932-

Mindful Motivation

Daily Draw: Runic Tarot ~ 4 of Coins

Sensible physical and emotional nourishment. This advice comes up in various cards, probably because it is good advice, and probably because it is advice we most often ignore.

I'm reminded by this card, after I had my breast cancer surgery three years ago this week, I sold the riding lawnmower and bought an electronic start walk behind mower. This year to kick up the game I bought Rob and I FitBit Zips to monitor and motivate getting our healthy number of steps in, 10,000 a day according to the experts. My daily average is 7500, which translates to about 22 miles a week. Can I do better? Yes and often do. But the real point is mindfulness. With my FitBit strapped on I make a point to walk further, more often. Do I feel better? Absolutely. My average steps on a day at home, mostly working in the quilt room? About 2000. I need that motivational kick of the 4 of Coins!

"Like a shadow, my fitbit is always on me & "on" me to keep me going." ~ Kristi Lundeen-Miller

Celebrate

Daily Draw: Runic Tarot ~ 5 of Swords

In many ways I wish I'd learned tarot with this deck rather than the standard Rider-Waite. The majors are more understandable as runes and the minors make a lot more sense using the astrological wheel year. Alas, my poor brain...

I'm reminded by this card we no longer bother with marking any holidays, but we do enjoy and appreciate other people celebrating, cooking, and decorating.

"Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!" ~ Humbert Wolfe 1885-1940

I Am

Daily Draw: Runic Tarot ~ Moon/Birca

Nada. Not a clue, not a whisper of an idea.

I'm reminded by this card of renewal sometimes it is ok to just be rather than be more, be different, be new. After all, the new moon isn't new either.

"I’m alive and just because I can see it all, doesn't mean I know it all." ~ Taylor Rhodes 1995-

Endurance

Daily Draw: Runic Tarot ~ Death/Eoh or Eihwaz

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

I'm reminded by this card I believe that but I also believe you were already that strong if you made it through whatever, so who needs the test?

"Endurance is patience concentrated." ~ Thomas Carlyle 1795-1881

Stitch It Down

Daily Draw: Runic Tarot ~ 10 of Coins

I'm taking a second week with this deck.
Because it is deep and intense?
Because I know squat about astrology?
Nah...because each card makes me want to turn it into a applique quilt block.

I'm reminded by this 10 of Coins comfort in conformity isn't the only answer life brings us...

"Read, every day, something no one else is reading.
Think, every day, something no one else is thinking.
Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do.
It is bad for the mind to continually be part of unanimity." ~ Christopher Morley1890-1957

Nonattachment To Feoh

Daily Draw: Runic Tarot ~ Fool, Runic Feoh

Even the Fool has his equivalent of worldly goods; clothes, knapsack, companion. Buddhist monks who as a whole practice non-attachment, still have a begging bowl and their saffron garb.

I'm reminded by this card things play a bigger part in my life each day than they should. Hard to believe in a world that has so many desperately poor members, that some are actually cursed mentally and physically with so much Feoh.

"Dare to live by letting go." ~ Tom Althous  Frowny Face Cow

Divergent

Daily Draw: Runic Tarot ~ 4 of Swords

The Runic Tarot is astrologically driven, here we have Cancer rooted in comfort and familiarity backed by Sagittarius the eternal wanderer.

I'm reminded by this card the two aren't as divergent a pair as it might seem at first glance. If the ship is watertight and the captain knowledgeable, if I have my cards/computer and warm socks/doggies and needle/thread/fabric, I could stand a little trip around the unknown myself.

Adam and Eve   life or death
back and forth  lock and key
bacon and eggs lost and found
bed and breakfast man and wife
birds and bees   name and address
black and white nice and easy
body and soul   null and void
bread and butter peaches and cream
bread and water pen and pencil
bricks and mortar pork and beans
bride and groom pots and pans
by and large      profit and/or loss
cause and effect pros and cons
cloak and dagger pure and simple
coat and tie       rain or shine
cream and sugar read and write
cup and saucer   rise and fall
dead or alive     salt and pepper
down and out    shirt and tie
first and last      shoes and socks
fish and chips         short and fat
flesh and blood signed and sealed
forgive and forget slip and slide
front and center soap and water
fun and games  sooner or later
give and take    stars and stripes
ham and eggs    suit and tie
hammer and nail supply and demand
high and dry     tall and thin
high and low     thick and thin
hot and bothered tossed and turned
huff and puff    touch and go
husband and wife trial and error
in and out          trials and tribulations
Jack and Jill      up and/or down
knife and fork   wait and see
ladies and gents war and peace
law and order    wine and cheese

Spring Cleaning

Daily Draw: Runic Tarot ~ 6 of Wands

We had our heating ducts cleaned yesterday. 40+ years of dust crumbs mouse bits and more, gone. Other people's stuff is gone. What furniture remains in the front room is shoved into the middle and today starts a deep clean.

I'm reminded by this card a house and a body can both benefit from the sort of cleanout we do to spring garden spaces. All three can get overrun by excess via neglect. A chakra checkup of sorts is due all three.

"Don't compromise yourself.  You're all you've got."  ~ Janis Joplin 1943-1970

Our Own Stewards

Daily Draw: Runic Tarot ~ 5 of Coins

Fiscal responsibility and stewardship.

I wish I'd learned it a lot sooner, but in this case better late then never applies with vigor.

I spent a half hour looking for today's quote. Didn't find one. When did fiscal responsibility and stewardship become keywords for politics and church, and never personal financial common sense? No wonder the middle class seems to be drowning in consumer debt and upside-down mortgages. Are we really looking to pirates and tin men for guidance?