Owner vs. Employee vs. Owner

Daily Draw: Da Vinci Enigma Tarot ~ 3 of Earth

Subtitled Perspective, this 3 of Earth is a poignant pointer of our situation this month as we deal with all the ramifications of being on strike. I could write for days...on how and why this has come to pass, plus all the history of unions and unionizing and how and why they came to be. But I won't.

I am reminded by this card of the heartbreak of men and women who have worked together peaceably for years now literally on opposite sides of the fence. Of surprise and outrage and one-sided viewpoints. Of lost income and lost accounts. Of the funny side (Washburn coming down with a professional bullhorn and entertaining security with the story of his fishing trip...from the time he woke up, buttoned his plaid shirt, zipped his worn denim pants, tied his brown tennis shoes...) and the heartbreak side. Because at this point neither side has any perspective, everything is narrow focus, me me me and them them them, no us at all. I weep as I write this because there will never be a winner, only losers.

"Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes." ~ Abraham Lincoln 1809-1865

Can Incomplete = Victory?

Daily Draw: Da Vinci Enigma Tarot ~ 6 of Fire

Subtitled Victory, this image shows sketches for the Trivulzio Monument. Which was never finished, along with many many other works Da Vinci was commissioned to do. He was no speed demon; he had tons of commission requests which he did not or could not do, but in his own way perhaps this is a form of Victory.

I'm reminded by this card that anyone who is good at anything gets lots of requests, far too many to fulfill. We can say no which may be a premature answer, and we can say we will think about it as Da Vinci did with this one, and eventually life and the world takes care of the situation for us. The client is no longer interested or doesn't have the funds or the world changes and the request is a moot point. Or client, funds, time, materials, all come together at the same moment and everyone has a Victory.

"In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves...self-discipline with all of them came first." ~ Harry S. Truman 1884-1972

Cream rises to the top...sometimes

Daily Draw: Da Vinci Enigma Tarot ~ 2 of Air

This card is subtitled Respect. Da Vinci was the illegitimate son of a notary and a peasant woman; those three things would normally doom the child to obscurity. Yet his name and works are known and respected world wide. How did he break away from the path the world would have placed him on?

I'm reminded by this card that cream rises to the top in nature but in man that cream is often obscured by preconceived expectations. I'm positive our country and world is chock full of budding genius but the only way we'll ever know is if they are determined to rise. Friendly mentors are thin on the ground. Imagine what marvels we would see if all the Leonardo's were to live up to their possibilities.

I don't know why I've never thought of it before but a web search for IQ test brings up acres of sites with free tests. I just took one here and got 103. Not such a much, but I do with it what I can...

I have another Da Vinci tarot and I notice when I introduced it I noted it was one I'd been shoving to the back of the pile. Obviously I haven't changed much, I've done the same thing with this one. It looks like a gorgeous deck, the card stock is wonderful, the companion book is excellent, but for some reason many tarotists do not like it at all. Well I'll know by the end of the week...

"Let those who are dismayed at the outset of their studies prepare to devote themselves patiently to those studies with great results" ~ Leonardo Da Vinci 1452-1519

The Da Vinci Enigma Tarot, art by Leonardo Da Vinci, companion book by Caitlin Matthews. Published by St. Martins Press 2005. It is dedicated "To John Matthews in the year he regained his full sight". ISBN 0-312-34937-8

Know Thy Self

Daily Draw: Radiant Sun Oracle ~ Endurance

Scorpio ruled by the Sun in the 8th house
Passion, self mastery
Drive to succeed
Self knowledge

This card has me so nailed I'm not even clear what to write about. Except I'm not the same person I was 10 years ago, nor the 10 years before that. The three points above are truly what guide me: If I am part of something I give it my all, no waffling or lurking. If I tackle a project or task I carry it to its completion. As indicated by this blog I work daily at being the person I want to be and then improving on that. Pretty boring stuff, but me in a nutshell.

I'm reminded by this card that I know people who have forgotten who they are. They have no purpose or goals or dreams, they just float through their days. For me that would be belly up in the fishbowl life. I make my own life so hard sometimes, but I'd still rather be me...places to go people to see things to learn, I'm glad to be alive.

"Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do." ~ Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal 1972-

Announcing: 8th Wonder of the World

Daily Draw: Radiant Sun Oracle ~ Harmony

Libra ruled by the Sun in the Seventh House
Easy going
Fortune
Justice

I was a little worried earlier in the week, there were such grim cards turning up but yesterday and today the sun has come out truly. From the companion book: "When one selects the Harmony card it often indicates a gain from a close relationship, although it can show that one party is pushily dominant. It can also point to a talent in public relations."

To show how eerily that reflects today...remember that story I told you last year about the gentleman who got his cattle barn cleaned and his response was "you forgot to wash the shovel"? We've come a long ways baby. After a complete year of my unfailing work on our public relations so to speak we have had 3 landmark moments this month. He let me drive him somewhere, He honored my request to wait until I was there before he climbed any ladders, and today he said thank you for your help when I was leaving. That is the first thank you I've ever gotten from him in 38 years and only the second time I've heard the words come out of his mouth. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. A-mazing progress.

"You cannot add to the peace and good will of the world if you fail to create an atmosphere of harmony and love right where you live and work." ~ Thomas Dreier 1884-1976

Working Wall

Daily Draw: Radiant Sun Oracle ~ Resourcefulness

Cancer ruled by the Sun in the Fourth House
Emotion
Life Spirit
Home and Family

I am a quilter. On one end of my quilt room I have a flannel covered wall where I work on layouts, color combos, pattern choices and more. Sometimes blocks will remain in place for weeks; I look at them from all different angles as I walk by. At some point the penny will drop and I'll either see what is wrong or I'll birth a better idea. I do the same thing mentally, I call it the working wall of my mind. I can make snap decisions and live with the consequences but for the big things I much prefer to pin the problem or situation to the virtual working wall.

I'm reminded by this card of our every day resourcefulness, how each of us are so unique and special and come to our decisions by myriad different routes. Our knowledge and experiences of the past, research, pure instinct, hope...all of these things go into each choice we make, 200 small ones through the day, the really big ones that alter our life. As I prepare to head out to my in-laws this morning I pray for resourcefulness in the three positions given me by today's card.

You still stand watch, O human star,
burning without a flicker, perfect flame,
bright and resourceful spirit.
Each of your rays a great idea -
O torch which passes from hand to hand,
from age to age, world without end. ~ Karel Capek 1890-1938

Aren't You A Pretty Little Thing

Daily Draw: Radiant Sun Oracle ~ Flattery

Gemini ruled by Venus in the 3rd House
Multiplicity in partners, friends, tasking

Ever wonder how some people seem to keep so many balls in the air at the same time? Those energies channeled or harnessed can permit these people to achieve anything they set their mind to. Allowed to go unchecked they leave a wake of broken hearts and friendships behind them.

I'm reminded by this card that all of us have a little streak of this personality type. Swayed by a pretty face, charmed by a coffee cup Romeo, tempted to go over the bounds of common sense with very little provocation. This is where our true mettle and morals are exposed for better or worse.

"We swallow with one gulp the lie that flatters us, and drink drop by drop the truth which is bitter to us." ~ Denis Diderot 1713-1784

Power Corrupts

Daily Draw: Radiant Sun Oracle ~ Egotism

Leo ruled by Mars in the fifth house
Leadership
Need to act
Creativity

I'm reminded by this card of the week's financial news. It is said that power corrupts. What we see as institutions fail is where those at the top have been not true leaders but greedy creative egotists out to get all they can get for themselves, too bad 1000's or 1,000,000's will suffer for it. And they all must be cut from the same cloth as the politicos rush to bail them out there is no talk of forgetting about the golden umbrellas of safety they all operate under. Nor is there any talk whatsoever about tightening up the loose credit laws that have gotten so many people so deep in debt they may never get out. What a weird world we wander.

"Ego has a voracious appetite, the more you feed it, the hungrier it gets." ~ Nathaniel Bronner Jr

Emotional or Intellectual?

Daily Draw: Radiant Sun Oracle ~ Intuition

Cancer ruled by Mercury in the 4th house
Emotional decision making
Change
Home and Family

I'm reminded by this card that big decisions based on emotion rarely end well. Big changes involving home and family require studying all the pros and cons, taking friends and family into our confidence and considering their feelings. In the end it still feels like a jump off a cliff but there is no need for recriminations and blame if we did the best we could do in both heart and mind.

"Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world." ~ Joel Barker

I'd Rather Not, But I Will

Daily Draw: Radiant Sun Oracle ~ Manipulation

Scorpio ruled by Jupiter, in the 8th house:
Tackling formidable challenges.
Sisters brothers inheritance.
Our place in the world.

I'm reminded by this card of the untenable position I've put us in when assuming the task of caring for my in-laws. It is a huge challenge yet has given us better insight into 2 people who were pretty much cyphers prior to this commitment. It has made us figures of suspicion to the sisters and brothers and has already caused a break with one sister. My place in the world right now is where I've put us, regardless of what comes later. Truly, it is a tough job but someone has to do it. And as sure as there is sky above and earth below we are going to be accused of manipulation.

Another beautiful deck this week from the Smith/Astrop team, Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Astrology cards to illuminate your life. The set contains 84 cards and 144 page soft cover book. Connections Book Publishing 2002. ISBN 1-85906-071-4

Tradition

Daily Draw: True Love Tarot ~ Hierophant

Subtitled tradition. Having reflected on my one and only true love this week with this deck, we might seem steeped in the ideal of the perfect marriage. There is no such thing, its a myth and we could make ourselves truly unhappy if we tried to measure up to the storybook standard of marriage. I think the only reason we are so happy and have gotten this far together is because we both work at it every day.

It isn't something we've inherited either; While Rob's folks have been married 61 years now and my folks were married 42 when my dad died, we are surrounded with 11 siblings, only one of which has stayed married to his original wife. I wasn't able to have children so it isn't staying together for the kid's sake. We've had a number of true Tower moments that could have blown our marriage to pieces, but after a day or two our sense of humor usually kicks in and we've managed to work it out. Jobs have kept us apart at least 1/2 of our married days, a real hurdle to climb because it is easy to expect too much in too short of a time and to grow in opposite directions and interests. It mostly comes down to that illusive thing called Love. Plus, like the Hierophant, we concentrate lot of thought on the subject, we never take our relationship for granted.

"And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye." ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery 1900-1944

Perspective and Maturity

Daily Draw: True Love Tarot ~ Judgment

I once told a friend if we put all the men she'd dated (and married) in a locked room the world would be safe for womankind. She was absolutely lovely; thoughtful, kind, hardworking, had raised 5 children on her own, beautiful...but her judgment in men was terrible because it was obscured by her desperation, she didn't feel complete unless she had a man in her life.

I was 17 when I met Rob, even that young I knew unwaveringly what I didn't want in a husband, which left a place for Rob to fall into. I already had no patience for hot rod drivers, guys without ambition or ethics, guys whose idea of the perfect weekend was a kegger. Rob, who was only 3 years older than me had been working since he was 13 and had already served 2 tours of duty in 'Nam; at 20 he had maturity a lot of guys don't have at 50. And he has only gotten better with age. I was incredibly fortunate to have found a man who was tailor made for me and by a miracle of some sort also wanted me.

I'm reminded by this card that maybe I haven't used the best judgment over the years in other areas of my life but in True Love my personal Perspective stood me well.

"The heart has reasons that reason does not understand." ~ Jacques Benigne Bessel

I Know What You Are Thinking

Daily Draw: True Love Tarot ~ High Priestess

Subtitled Intuition, this card asks us to recognize that bond we 'old married people' have. We can be anywhere, doing anything, we will hear or see something and we just look at each other and nod or laugh. We both know what the other is thinking.

I'm reminded by this card all the special benefits 38 years of marriage brings. And I often wonder why in the world people are getting divorces after just a couple of years of marriage. They don't even know each other yet! I love being married to Rob and while we often know without saying, we are each often surprised by a new facet or opinion the other had no idea about. So we can enjoy the comfort of companionship of being best friends, we can also always look forward to something exciting and interesting in the relationship too.

"To love someone is to see a miracle invisible to others." ~ Francois Mauriac 1885-1970

Yes My Lord

Daily Draw: True Love Tarot ~ Emperor

When Rob asks me to do something, sometimes to make him laugh I say "I leap to your command my Lord" and jump like a ballerina. He does laugh and says "you've never leaped to anyone's command in your life". He's right and I'm right. He is correct in that I bow to no one and follow my own path. But I'm right in that I do what Rob asks because I love and honor him. And because he always asks, not commands.

I'm reminded by this card that marriage is a partnership, signified by the half shield representing peaceful intent and weapons signifying the willingness to stand and fight when it is of importance.

"Love naturally reverses the idea of obedience, and causes the struggle between any two who truly love each other to be, not who shall command, but who shall yield." ~ Frances P. Cobbe 1822-1904

Kama Sutra Babe

Daily Draw: True Love Tarot ~ Devil

Well I don't much resemble a Kama Sutra babe, but this card, subtitled seduction is sort of a make it or break it for many relationships. When the physical relationship is good it's importance is minimized, but when it is bad it assumes great importance and that dissatisfaction can color everything else.

I'm reminded by this card that sex doesn't have to mean intercourse. It can begin with a promise and a look at breakfast, a neck nuzzle mid-day, not making a big fat fuss about who takes the garbage out, and foot play during dinner. Just jumping on at 10 PM can be pretty off-putting.

"Platonic love is like an inactive volcano." ~ Andre Pevost

Love At First Sight

Daily Draw: True Love Tarot ~ World

Rob and I have been married 38 years. He knocked my socks off the first time I laid eyes on him in September 1969. He says he saw me in April 1969 when he was home on leave and swore when he was discharged that fall he was coming home from 'Nam to marry me.

I'm reminded by this card, with ancient pyramids below and timeless stars above, having a solid strong personal and emotional base in the bedrock of my marriage is one of the basic cornerstones of my life. One that I am supremely grateful for and work hard to nurture and maintain each day of my life.

"True love is like ghosts, which everybody talks about and few have seen." ~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld 1613-1680

The True Love Tarot by Amy Zerner and Monte Farber, 2006 St. Martin's Press. I used their Enchanted Tarot in June and as a fiber artist myself, really enjoyed working with it. I was given this True Love Tarot kit awhile back and was dreadfully disappointed because of their treatment of the pip cards. Yesterday I decided to use the deck this week and then sail it right on out of here. I separated the pips out, choosing to just use courts and majors. But when I sat down this morning and my first draw was the World card, I realized since this is the True Love Tarot I'd use each card drawn to reflect...you got it...True Love. Now I'm excited to use the deck and see what transpires. It's all how you look at a task isn't it?

Lazy? Moi?

Daily Draw: Osho Zen Tarot ~ Laziness

I honestly believe Americans work harder and longer as a whole than any other nation in the world...at their work-for-pay jobs. At home, ummm, that might be another story. I believe most of the nation could use a set of those 50's tea towels or underwear that said Monday is wash, Tuesday is iron, etc. We seem to have forgotten that a little daily discipline is required, preferring the life as a couch potato instead.

I'm reminded by this card of how deep in consumer debt and how huge the mortgages are of a lot of Americans if the news media is to be believed. Maybe people no longer know how to properly care for their things and their homes because they know they will never own them? Why oh why are so many homes in such a complete state of disaster? We DO have time...if we've got an hour to surf we can find 15 minutes to pick up a room. I think we've just forgotten to read our weekday underwear.

"I will work when failures seek rest. I will act now for now is all I have. Tomorrow is the day reserved for the labor of the lazy. I am not lazy. Tomorrow is the day when the failure will succeed. I am not a failure. I will act now. Success will not wait. If I delay, success will become wed to another and lost to me forever. This is the time. This is the place. I am the person." ~ Og Mandino 1923-1996

Sawing logs or Twisting and turning?

Daily Draw: Osho Zen Tarot ~ Exhaustion

Recognize this picture? Anyone who deals with insomnia would. The mind just grinds on and on and on, relentlessly until it feels like the eyes have been scrubbed with sand and the limbs must weigh a ton and still there is no respite.

I'm reminded by this card for whatever cold comfort there is, I'm not alone. This kind of exhaustion crosses all lines, rich poor great grim. Here's to a good nights sleep, bless all our hearts. We fight a strange kind of solitary battle.

"Their walk is slow, for they are dead weary, as you can tell even when looking at them from behind. Every line and sag of their bodies speaks their inhuman exhaustion." ~ Ernie Pyle 1900-1945

Snap Out Of It!

Daily Draw: Osho Zen Tarot ~ Going With The Flow

You'll note there is no image. My computer that is hooked to a scanner will not wake up and I'm pretty torqued off about it. Going with the flow is the furthest thing from my mind, but I keep looking at the card as I go about my business.

I'm reminded by this card that unless I'm dead nothing that happens in the course of a day is the end of the world. As Cher said in MoonStruck, "Snap out of it!".
edited to add later in the day, a kind passer-by gave me a link to all the images of this deck, Going With The Flow is number 50 on this page. Thanks Gary!

"Life flows on within you and without you." ~ George Harrison 1943-2001

Don't tell me what to do, tell me what you think

Daily Draw: Osho Zen Tarot ~ Guidance

When you are the journeyman, the go to person when anyone else has a question or problem, who do you go to when you need Guidance?

I'm reminded by this card there is always help and opinion nearby...if I am willing to drop the I don't need anyone attitude. As I typed the first paragraph above my mind was completely blank, as I started the second one I realized I often draw on the brainpower and advice of 1000's. 1st I ask for my Rob's thoughts. He and I usually arrive at conclusions by a totally different route, so his opinion always gives me food for thought, a view of corners I haven't looked around. My 90 year old father-in-law has a great brain, I might ask him the best way to do a task. I have an on-line group of friends that have been together a long time, I can ask them anything, any time. And for Guidance about subjects I'm completely blank on I pose my question on my favorite forum. For instance I have 1000's of golf balls I've picked up out of our 10 acre pasture which abuts a public golf course. So I asked the forum community who golfed and what were good balls to cherry pick for friends.

In a standard tarot deck this is the 3 of coins, but I wouldn't have arrived at the above from the standard view. And I wouldn't have realized just how much all my resources lighten my load. Cool.

"Another possible source of guidance is television, but television's message has always been that the need for truth, wisdom and world peace pales by comparison with the need for a toothpaste that offers whiter teeth and fresher breath." ~ Dave Barry 1947-

Strongest Trait, Weakest Link

Daily Draw: Osho Zen Tarot ~ The Mind

Fess up, sometimes you think you've lost your mind, right? Other days you are sure this is the day you conquer the world. Your mind is sharp, quick, clever, wise, creative, a incisive problem solver and solution maker. Then something happens...

I'm reminded by this card of the day a few months ago when I was addressing a letter by hand to Palace Press. When I got to the second P my hand kept moving but I no longer knew how to make a P. I had to practice on a blank sheet of paper with a good P in front of me before I could write it correctly. My brain didn't know how to tell my hand to form the letter. Scared the bejabbers out of me. Still does. For that five minutes I knew what dementia was, what a brain injury was like. I never want to go there again.

"Sometimes my mother seems completely "normal," conversing the way she always has. And, certainly, she believes that she is "normal," and is complaining more and more loudly about the presence of caregivers in her house. Yesterday, because she was doing well, we cut back from 24-hour care down to 18 hours per day of in-home care, so that she has from 3pm till 9pm on her own. And, when I called her at 6pm, she demanded that I go over to her house to "turn down the refrigerator... because it is old." Delany Dean, JD, PhD

Lurkaroonie

Daily Draw: Osho Zen Tarot ~ Participation

I've mentioned before that I'm sort of a loner, mostly by choice; I have a lot to do and I like to get it done. One place I have been social is on-line with other quilters, and occasionally on a forum of some other interest like tarot.

I'm reminded by this card of how much information and companionship I've gained since I got my first computer in 1996, including meeting many of those friends in person. If I sign into a group I make it a point to become part of that group, to pull my own weight so to speak. So what's with lurkers? Studies have shown that only about 10%-15% of the members of a list or forum participate. I'm completely baffled by what lurkers get out of such a one-sided relationship. And they announce they are 'coming out of lurkdom' to make a post like they expect everyone to give them a crown or something...I don't get it.

"I feel that there is reason lurking in you somewhere, so we will patiently grope round for it." ~ Arthur Conan Doyle, Sr. 1859-1930

Closed Mind

Daily Draw: Osho Zen Tarot ~ The Fool

I'm reminded by this card that we can learn from anyone, anytime, even those we disagree with, dislike, or hold in contempt.

I've avoided this deck for years. I lived nearby when the Rajneeshi took over the tiny city of Antelope Oregon, I saw a cult in action, I observed the disdain Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh held for the thousands of followers who gave up everything to toil in his people preserve. The Bhagwan is long gone now, his lieutenants have probably finished their prison time for trying to poison the locals and this deck team have apparently developed a new money machine source by writing and illustrating a series of publications based on the Master.

I was recently gifted with the Tao Oracle, art and copy by several Ma Deva's, those of Bhagwan's inner circle. I didn't even open it for awhile, being so repulsed by the events I'd witnessed, but loving cards, I of course eventually did pop the lid and have a look see. It was such a beautiful deck, and the companion book is well written and provides many thought provoking pages. So I hunted down a cheap used copy of this tarot deck and find it also very well done with great art and interesting reflections on the card meanings.

So...all those words to say that a closed mind on any subject does not serve us well and makes us the Fool. We can listen and reject, but to not even listen does a disservice to our own life. It doesn't alter the fact that I'm glad the Bhagwan/Osho is gone, but I'm also happy to find something good that came from his life and have my mind pried open a bit.

"Zen knows only a vast life which contains all kinds of contradictions in a deep harmony." ~ Osho 1931-1990

The Osho Zen Tarot, 1994, is published by St. Martin's Press

Your Big Bulging Brain

Daily Draw: Tarot of the Master ~ La Papessa

I don't know about you, but most of us have someone we admire, emulate, work hard to live up to the standards we see them set. One for me is Linda Franz. I met Linda (in the internet sense of meeting) about 10 years ago. She leads by example and I've learned so much by modeling my own internet behavior on her shining example. She's no saint or female pope, heaven forbid, but I'm proud to call her a friend and I want to be just like her when I grow up.

I'm reminded by this card of that small handful of people in my life whom I use as benchmarks for myself. Some are devils and some are angels but all have that special something extra that make them stars in my firmament. Thank you for being who you are.

"We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine." ~ Dwight L. Moody 1837-1889

The Party Is Over

Daily Draw: Tarot of the Master ~ 7 of Spades

With this seven we are asked to recognize whatever we've been fully involved in is over and we need to make some decisions and get on with our life. There is always a feeling of let down along with satisfaction and the temptation to rest on our laurels when a big project is completed.

I'm reminded by this card that to simply bask in the glow is alright for a day but we need to use that forward momentum and tackle the next thing. Life isn't stationary, we shouldn't be either. If scoring a winning touchdown is the high moment in your life, you haven't had a life. Get busy and get on the next thing before life steals completely away from you.

"Commitment is the ignitor of momentum." ~ Peg Wood

Time To Play

Daily Draw: Tarot of the Master ~ 3 of Cups

All these cups! Surely because starting today it is time to play. I have three internet friends coming together this week, the first joins me today here, two more in Seattle Friday. Email or snail mail pen pals are special because I think we reveal more about our real selves in a letter so when we finally meet it isn't really like it is for the first time.

I'm reminded by this card of the strings that bind, the fullness of relationships, how different we are, and how much the same. I've met quite a few internet friends and even longer term pen pals and it's always been with great joy. I look forward to all the week brings~

"Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world." ~ John Evelyn 1620-1706

What Was It I Was Doing?

Daily Draw: Tarot of the Master ~ 8 of Cups

This card traditionally shows a figure walking away from the cups, often over rough terrain. While I was wondering if I could connect that image to today's cheerful cups I wandered off to YahooGroups to get a piece of information from a group I own. 43 minutes later I realized I had turned my back and walked away from my cups...

I'm reminded by this card how easy it is with today's busy lifestyles and fragmented attention spans to loose track of what we should be doing. It makes it difficult to learn new things, to complete tasks, to build a cohesive day we can look back on and identify progress. One of the many things I'm attempting to put right in my life. Focus...

"By a tranquil mind I mean nothing else than a mind well ordered." ~ Marcus Aurelius Antoninus 121-180 AD

Big Gulp

Daily Draw: Tarot of the Master ~ Knave of Chalices

The Knave is full of a genuine willingness to lend a hand. To help a friend, as another way to be with a parent, as the extra shoulder to the wheel in the community.

I'm reminded by this card that we sometimes shoo youth away because it takes time to show someone how to do something. Or like the 50 gallon drum of Pepsi at the quickie mart, we think it's too much for them. The world would be better served to take the time, to let them bite off what they think they can chew. They are our future and the more they learn now the better equipped they will be for what comes. And being around youthful enthusiasm is just plain good for us.

"There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age." ~ Sophia Loren 1934-