Bug Eyed

Daily Draw: Tarot of the Magical Forest ~ Chariot

There they are, tearing along, big wooden wheels juddering down the faint path, no doubt with a squeak that would make  eyes bleed.

I'm reminded by this card to wonder how many miles I've driven beginning with the farm tractor at 9 years old. More than many, not nearly as much as some. But safely arrived from each for which I am very grateful. My eyes have looked like this a time or two, probably not quite so often as my passengers...

"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." ~ Louis L'Amour 1908-1988

Tarot of the Magical Forest, Lo Scarabeo 2008. This is a reproduction of the Asian Hsu Chi Chun deck, artwork by Leo Tang. Suits are renamed: Frogs/Wands, Bunnies/Cups, Foxes/Coins, Cats/Swords

Shooting For Compassion

Daily Draw: Etruscan Tarot ~ Judgement

Where do we fall today? The judgeor or the judgee? Or are we both, as the angel offering redemption or death?

I'm reminded by this card we often fall into all three of these slots. And seldom is any of it any of our business. Do we allow ourselves to become embroiled in situations that offer nothing but an opportunity to blow hot air so we don't have to think about our own failings? I try for compassion but mostly fail. Yet here is a new day to try again...

"In life, redemption was walking up the down escalator: stop to congratulate yourself, and back you slid." ~  Amy Waldman 1969- The Submission

Fire In The Belly

Daily Draw: Etruscan Tarot ~ Ace of Wands

Budding action is afoot. Action with a passion. Maybe possibly perhaps kind of bordering on obsession.

 I finished a queen size quilt top yesterday with 1500 pieces in just the 5 inch border. In the night I seriously thought about getting up and working on the next one. I chose a spool of thread and needle for an icon by my name on my tombstone.

"When a needle falls into a deep well, many people will look into the well, but few will be ready to go down after it" ~ African Proverb

I'm The Only Syndrome

Daily Draw: Etruscan Tarot ~ 3 of Cups

Another figure dancing, a theme that runs through this deck. It is a good theme as we can dance alone, dance with a partner, dance with a thousand people, even choose not to dance.

I'm reminded by this card we can also substitute the word dance with grief, illness, joy, enthusiasm, fear, singing...the list is endless and regardless how much we might think we are the only ones in the world doing it, we never are. Look up, we all have everything in common, there aren't any strangers under the skin.

"Poor me. There's nothing so sweet as wallowing in it is there?" ~ Jeanette Winterson 1959- Why be happy when you could be normal

Woman With History

Daily Draw: Etruscan Tarot ~ High Priestess

Instead of stonily sitting and keeping her own counsel this High Priestess is stepping out into the future, prepared to nourish both her own comprehension and that of those she meets.

I'm reminded by this card, being an info junkie, I threw myself into research when diagnosed with breast cancer. Where was that eager beaver when it came to lung cancer diagnosis?  Hiding under the bed, ignoring the elephant in the room.
Like our High Priestess, this week I went to the cancer clinic and borrowed three books on BAC and ordered a cancer fighting cookbook. Because now I am a woman with a history of cancer rather than a woman who beat breast cancer. Whole different planet whose residents still walk and talk and look to the future.

"What we find changes who we become." ~ Peter Morville 1973- Ambient Findability

Fragile

Daily Draw: Etruscan Tarot ~ Magician

Yesterday's Fool danced because he wanted to, our Magician dances formalized complicated movements as part and parcel of his occupation.

I'm reminded by this card of the son who has been my stand-in for one of my clients this month while I recover. It has been good for them both, her being able to spend time with him and he to see what is involved in her fragile and complicated balance we work so hard to maintain.

"The sun is simple. A sword is simple. A storm is simple. Behind everything simple is a huge tail of complicated." ~ Terry Pratchett 1946- I Shall Wear Midnight

Watusi Moonwalk

Daily Draw: Etruscan Tarot ~ Fool

Every day alive is a day worth dancing.
Air Drum on your dashboard
Head Bob at your desk
Couch dance
Funky feet moves in class
Torso twists

I'm reminded by this card dancing, however we manage it, isn't a foolish thing.

"Dancing in all its forms cannot be excluded from the curriculum of all noble education; dancing with the feet, with ideas, with words, and, need I add that one must also be able to dance with the pen?" ~ Friedrich Nietzsche 1844-1900

Sit Bums

Daily Draw: Etruscan Tarot ~ Queen of Coins

Chairs, in the time of the ancients were only found in the homes of the very rich. The upper middle class might have a few stools and pillows. Everyone else sat on the floor and thought nothing of it.

I'm reminded by this card to think about what today's rich might have that I don't. My versions are modest, but I can't think of anything. Airplane? I can however think of four things many poor, by government thresholds, have that I don't. Funny old world...including the guidelines below. I suppose they think I'll be eating more often than Rob?

"For one- and two-person family units, the poverty thresholds differ by age; an individual under age 65 with income of $11,702 qualifies as poor, whereas an individual age 65 or older is poor at $10,788 annual income." ~ U.S. Census Bureau Poverty Thresholds, 2011

 This week it is the 2006 tarot from Lo Scarabeo based on ancient Etruscan art. The Etruscan civilization predated the Romans and the art for this deck was inspired by or came from tombs and necropoleis in what is now Tuscany. Art by Silvana Alasia, booklet by Riccardo Minetti

Think On The Fly

Daily Draw: Enchanted Tarot ~ Princess (Page) of Wands

This Page is a live-wire, if she thinks of it she does it.  Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.

I'm reminded by this card of some of the disastrous, pointless, painful, fun things I've tried. I'm a little older and wiser now, but I still like to think and do on the fly, learn from the process. If all we ever did was what someone else had done safely, what point to life?

"It is a hair-bridge between captivity and escape; safety and danger; life and death." Anne Morrow Lindbergh 1906-2001 North to the Orient

Moxy

Daily Draw: Enchanted Tarot ~ 9 of Coins

When I drew this card my mind went to the money fairy (direct deposit) and being the last person on earth app-less. But what this particular card addresses is self sufficiency.

I'm reminded of all the women who make their way in the world alone; I admire and respect each and every one. I went from my fathers house to my husbands house, in hard times one could always catch the other. Managing year in and year out being your own safety net...that is moxy in my book.

"I think the girl who is able to earn her own living and pay her own way should be as happy as anybody on earth. The sense of independence and security is very sweet." ~ Susan B. Anthony 1820-1906

The Axis

Daily Draw: Enchanted Tarot ~ King of Coins

A fellow who has worked hard to gain his worldly place and goods, what the book refers to as a son of the soil. Not for him palace intrigue and high fashion, he would notice the curve of a knoll and the color of a flower before he would swoon over a lady's exposed ankle.

The headlines would have me believe there are no men like this left. I don't believe it. They aren't muckraking fodder so pass under the radar. Lucky them. Lucky us. True men who hold our world on it's axis.

"Nor need we power or splendour, wide hall or lordly dome; the good, the true, the tender, these form the wealth of home."
Sarah J. Hale 1788-1879

Interesting point about this deck, this king leans on a huge stave, the king of wands has an enormous sword.

No Bailout

Daily Draw: Enchanted Tarot ~ Judgement

This card says in effect lift our own hand to save our self.
To review our actions plus the consequences of those actions.
If we aren't agreeable to those results change the actions. Don't look for a bailout, it isn't coming.

Speaking of idiots, I'm starting my recovery all over again. The I'm invincible, I can do more, no goldbricking, get this show on the road plan...had a wreck.
I deserved what I got and have restarted with new actions.

"We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master." Ernest Hemingway 1899-1961 The Wild Years

Memory and Wisdom

Daily Draw: Enchanted Tarot ~ High Priestess

Memory and wisdom. Would that I had some of both.

I'm reminded by this card what an idiot I am.

"On reflection,’ Crake said to Frey, as they huddled behind an upturned table, ‘this wasn’t one of your better plans." ~ Chris Wooding 1977- The Iron Jackal

Letter From Home

Daily Draw: Enchanted Tarot ~ Hermit

The companion book asks us to open at random the book we are reading to receive Hermit advice. That would be my Artist's Way morning pages. It fell open at January 28, 2002. Which presented the task of writing a letter to ourselves at eighty years old.

Three oversize pages, if I decide to pitch the journal I'll keep these, which cover everything from grief and acceptance, to Charles Manson, Emporium t-shirts to grace and growth... I would recommend this Hermit-ish task to anyone. 

"The present letter is a very long one, simply because I had no leisure to make it shorter." ~ Blaise Pascal 1623-1662

Running From Or Running To?

Daily Draw: Enchanted Tarot ~ World

What an interesting World card. She can be doing nothing but running from something. The companion book says she is dancing, looking back at the leaf in her hand. Erm. I don't think so.

I'm reminded by this card of having breast and lung cancer and how it puts other things in perspective. Rob's raggediest ragged shirt for one. If he is happy wearing it what business is it of mine to seek and destroy?
And I'll never feel guilty again for spending the day in my quilt room when I get the opportunity. What or who could it possibly hurt? So I may be picking up speed, but I'm also creating a kinder balance in my world.

"This means that I don't have to run faster than the psychotic-maniac-vampire-cannibal, I just have to run faster than whoever is with me when the psychotic-maniac-vampire-cannibal starts chasing us." Jim Benton 1960- Okay, So Maybe I Do Have Superpowers

The Enchanted Tarot; textile fiber card art by Amy Zerner, 182 page book by Monte Farber. The cards are based on fiber art, the book is one of my favorite companion pieces. St. Martin's Press

Some Things Never Change

Daily Draw: Shaman's Oracle ~ Ancestor of Memory

My memory was jogged about my huge thick journal of Morning Pages, from 2002 when a group of us worked though Julia Cameron's Artist Way. This isn't a well ordered journal, it is blank pages filled with stream of consciousness for three minutes upon rising for the day. Written so fast probably a quarter of it I can't even read.

I'm reminded by this card on the third page there is a comment that I didn't encourage visitors because there isn't any furniture in the front room. Hummm. Twelve years later there still isn't, it never has made the priority list. Bits about people it takes me awhile to even remember. And some deep thoughtful pieces about creativity which are a pleasure to read. Memory is a magical thing and it's fun to have an infusion of it. And to put it in perspective...

"Not a single one of the cells that compose you knows who you are, or cares." ~ Daniel C. Dennett 1942- Sweet Dreams: Philosophical Obstacles to a Science of Consciousness

Go Ahead, Knock My Block Off

Daily Draw: Shaman's Oracle ~ Hunter of Conflict

The Hunters in this deck are companions who defend or caution, not instigators of bullying, torture, side-taking.

I'm reminded by this card I walk away from conflict obviously enjoying itself. Those type of conflicts self feed and because it is so common, obviously the aggressors receive some kind of mental reward.

"Do not think of knocking out another person's brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you differ from yourself ten years ago." ~ Horace Mann 1769-1859

There Will Always Be A Mystery

Daily Draw: Shaman's Oracle ~ Hunter of Mysteries

We occupied ourselves for the better part third grade with my mother's postcard collection and my burgeoning stamp collection, creating mysteries and solving them. Considering how little we knew about the world (nothing) we created some highly amazing adventures.

I'm reminded by this card of her and how far she went. She now works for the Gates Foundation, how cool is that?

"Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?'
'To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.'
'The dog did nothing in the night-time.'
'That was the curious incident,' remarked Sherlock Holmes."
Arthur Conan Doyle 1859-1930

Keep Her Close

Daily Draw: Shaman's Oracle ~ Dancer of Friendship

I don't make friends easily. Of course I have tons of reasons excuses...

I'm reminded by this card of my cousin Margie. We spent much time together as kids, and wrote copious letter in our young adulthood, then our paths diverged for thirty some years. When my little sister was dying last summer Margie stepped in out of the blue and was an incredible support and now we maintain a strong contact. I'm going north to see my mother today, she is going to meet me mid-way. Margie is a perfect friend and I plan on keeping her close.

"'Now isn't that nice!' said the old lady. 'If cousins are the right kind, they're best of all: kinder than sisters and brothers, and closer than friends.'" ~ Elizabeth Enright 1909-1968 Gone-Away Lake

Better Than Good

Daily Draw: Shaman's Oracle ~ Spirit of Initiation

There are many firsts in life; birth, first day of school, first day driving, first day on the job, first day dead...

I'm reminded by this card first days are stressful, often we end up in overload and full of fear. But first days are also a chance to be enlightened and transformed. If we think we are already good enough, then isn't an opportunity to be better than good worth the effort?

"You're very hardy to have made it this far the first day. Has anyone said what we try to learn in here?"
Alanna said the first thing that came to her lips. "The only thing I know is that I jump when I'm told to and I have no free time." ~  Tamora Pierce 1958-

Rose Colored Glasses

Daily Draw: Shaman's Oracle ~ Hunter of Vision

Would that we had a Hunter of Vision at our side.

• To side step life's cowpies
• To remind us we've already made that mistake
• To tell us our rose colored glasses aren't helping

I'm reminded by this card all of the above are negatives. Not one positive came to mind because I don't believe we need anyone hanging over our shoulder when we step outside the box. That is where the fun and excitement is.

"If I paint a wild horse, you might not see the horse... but surely you will see the wildness!" ~ Pablo Picasso 1881-1973

Taking Me Back

Daily Draw: Shaman's Oracle ~ Dancer of Life

This card speaks of so many things, where to start? Recognizing joy, respect, possibilities, a full awareness.

Out of respect to my mind and body today I begin to let go of the anti-depressants. I never ever want to experience that black place again, but I feel like the person who doesn't understand the punch line. I need all of me back, whoever that is.

And I'm taking a second week with the Shamans, I like how they take a stick and poke the dusty part of my brain.

"I don't think there's a punch-line scheduled, is there?" ~ Monty Python's Flying Circus

More Life Please

Daily Draw: Shaman's Oracle ~ Shaman of Courage

Where does our inner fortitude and grit come from in adversity?

I'm reminded by this card, we grow it ourselves, or don't as the case may be. When little, most things happen to us against our will, but we learn unpleasant life happenings are of short duration. We learn even sooner how quickly the good things pass. The solution? More life please.

"She fastened the invisible corset of her composure snugly around herself and prepared to move forward with her plan." Amanda Quick 1948-, The Perfect Poison

Nada, Out Of Here

Daily Draw: Shaman's Oracle ~ Hunter of Death

From the book: I am death only to dullness and routine and when you choose me to walk with I can show you ways of changing your old life for a new one.

I'm reminded by this card many of us are touched by a near death experience, a brain awakening experience, a second chance to do more than sleepwalk through life.
I had breast cancer, modern medicine says it is gone.
I had a lung cancer, Dr. Tse says it is all gone, nada, out of here. The rest of my life waits, what exciting things can we do today?

"It was then that I realized I wasn't afraid to lose my life; I was afraid to lose the life I could've lived." ~ Amanda Nuri, Emerald Butterfly

Exorcise It All

Daily Draw: Shaman's Oracle ~ Shaman of Purification

What do you do when there is rot in your heart or mind? That rot could be fear or hate or envy or regret...

I'm reminded by this card and my own past egging the rot on is counter productive to living a life. It is also entirely possible suckling the rot can turn it into physical equivalents. Like cancer. I've exorcised my rage long ago, but the idea that long black time could have triggered cancer cells to reproduce remains.

"Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn't mean the circus has left town." ~ George Carlin 1937-2008

Is It Memorex?

Daily Draw: Shaman's Oracle ~ Shaman of Reflections

This card calls on us to reflect out rather than in, to see other pathways, other truths.

I'm reminded by this card when I stand in front of a mirror and see the world reflected, it is a small pinched world indeed. Look away from the mirror and me me me; look at reality and the big picture.

"Did you ever wonder if the person in the puddle is real, and you're just a reflection of him? ~  Bill Watterson 1958- Calvin and Hobbes

A lot of Tempur-pedic, A Little Coffee

Daily Draw: Shaman's Oracle ~ Spirit of Love

It is 3 AM and Rob would have a fit if he knew I'd come downstairs by myself. He is sleeping through the best part of the day...and what doesn't kill me will make me stronger, right?

This card encompasses every aspect of love, both good and bad.
I've had a few Judas experiences. Once I got my head out of the ground, I realized I was better off without any of them.
I love many things that aren't human, been told I can't, but tough noogies, it is my heart. I can spend time just looking/loving at a tree, marveling at it's structure and what they give us.
I can spend hours watching/loving my hens + Peanut.
Rocks. Oh I love rocks. Big 'uns and little 'uns...
I can read great classic books, disagree with everything they say and still love the wordsmithing.
I love my tempur-pedic  mattress, which is calling to me...
And I love being held in the pocket of so many strangers hearts, how can that not be an incredible bit of love?

"No one really knows what mattresses are meant to gain from their lives either. They are large, friendly creatures that live quiet private lives in the marshes of Sqornshellous Zeta. Many of them get caught, slaughtered, dried out, shipped out and slept on. None of them seems to mind this and all of them are called Zem." ~ Douglas Adams 1952-2001

Viewpoint

Daily Draw: Shaman's Oracle ~ Shaman of Tradition

I think this was the card I drew several years ago and said I disliked any kind of hidebound ritual. Carla left a comment that said my morning coffee and blogging first thing when I get up is a ritual.

I'm reminded by this card she was so right. I'm having lung surgery in a few hours, and here I am, can't wait to get to my favorite ritual. I really appreciate comments that shine a light on a different viewpoint.

"There are times when the greatest change needed is a change of my viewpoint." ~ Denis Diderot 1713-1784

Begats

Daily Draw: Shaman's Oracle ~ Ancestor of Guidance

What can I think of right off the bat that could be considered influence of ancestors?

Grandpa Woods and Grandma Ruth, how to make do with very little of anything.
Grandma Pearl, family intrigue and toast and needle and thread
Father, try harder, work longer, laugh lots, curly hair and Mallow nose.
Mother, do it right the first time, true grit, wordsmithing, body type.

"The recently departed whose time on earth overlapped with people still here are the sasha, the living-dead. They are not wholly dead, for they still live in the memories of the living, who can call them to mind, create their likeness in art, and bring them to life in anecdote. When the last person to know an ancestor dies, that ancestor leaves the sasha for the zamani, the dead." ~  James W Loewen 1942- Lies My Teacher Told Me

From the mind and pen of John Matthews and paint brush of Wil Kinghan my deck this week is the Shaman's Oracle, Watkins Publishing, London England 2010. Beautifully slip cased with hardcover 88 page book and 52 cards based on ancient cave art. Five suits of ten cards each: Spirits, Ancestors, Dancers, Hunters, Shamans, plus the Journeyer and Companion cards.

Nebulous Nonentity

Daily Draw: Mystic Meg Tarot ~ Devil

Too stylized to be scary? The devil we like to blame is often incredibly attractive. I see a feral cat that needs to be neutered and would like to be socialized enough to get 3 squares a day. I see a fellow that thinks with his little head rather than the big head. I see two figures linked by anything but love.

I wonder when the idea was planted "the devil made me do it"?
Once again off-loading our sampled temptations onto someone else's back. The devil, like a hypnotist, can't make us do anything we don't want to do. Even eating too many Whoppers Robin Eggs...that is a temptation I've never been able to overcome. But it's me, all me, no nebulous nonentity at which I can throw shoes and blame.

"Truth cannot be defined or tested by agreement with 'the world'; for not only do truths differ for different worlds but the nature of agreement between a world apart from it is notoriously nebulous." ~ Nelson Goodman 1906-1998

Morning, Fresh Baked

Daily Draw: Mystic Tarot ~ Page of Wands

I love the smell of invigorating energy in the morning (to paraphrase Robert Duvall)

I'm reminded by this card I love mornings. When I wake up I get up, which is usually sometime between 3-5AM. That first cuppa joe and goofing with my blog and cards. Hearing my little six inch rooster blasting the news of a new day. Tearing into the fresh baked morning keeps me going all day.

"Yesterday's failure is redeemed at the sunrise." ~ Todd Stocker, Dancing with God