Our New Truth

Daily Draw: Art of Life Tarot ~ Judgment

I wrote a couple of paragraphs arguing with this quote. Then erased them as I so often do. Because there was always a but. Which negates anything said before it.

I'm reminded by this card the quote is true. But. Events change us in spite of any happy slappy attitude we can pull together. We become our new truth and drag ourselves toward the new attitude. Over and over.

I'm reminded by my search for attitude quotations the first couple of pages were listed as positive, hopeful, career. success, inspirational...a good attitude isn't the norm, it is the norm we seek.

Quibbling

Daily Draw: Art of Life Tarot ~ 4 of Coins

Again I take umbrage with this deck, and Wilde, unless stolen is a quibble word.

I'm reminded by this card the people we most deeply care for can exit our life in a heartbeat. Soul is a debatable thing with no sure way of proving we possess one. I can assure you deep depression can suck the light out of life like you wouldn't believe. Perhaps yesterday and today's card are presented to me as reversed...

"My turn of mind is so given to taking things in the absurd point of view, that it breaks out in spite of me every now and then." ~ Lord Byron 1788-1824

Not Buying It

Daily Draw: Art of Life Tarot ~ 8 of Cups

Gain will add up to loss, loss adds up to gain.

I'm reminded by this card I'm just not buying it this morning.
Much of what and who I am comes from my decision making process. I choose A because it fulfills a need, makes me laugh, makes me a better person. Making that choice does not automatically mean an earlier choice is tarnished. Or preclude letting go of something that no longer fits. Choices don't create invoices and paydays. This card seems skewed to fateish nondecision thinkmode of it isn't my fault.

"Of all the people you will know in a lifetime, you are the only one you will never leave or lose. To the questions of your life you are the only answer. To the problems in your life you are the only solution". ~ Jo Coudert 1923-2015

Stink Eye

Daily Draw: Minchiate Etruria ~ 7 of Cups

Leap for the brass ring. If I had to think about it how many opportunities have I missed by dithering, and how many have I gained by just leaping in regardless, I think the totals would be about even.

I'm reminded by this card we are apt to not leap because our near and dear say "that will never work", and  "are you kidding?". I wonder what promotes that kind of safety in the known advice in the first place? Is it that our nearest and dearest don't want us to be hurt or appear foolish, or is it outside the box thinking shakes their own tree? One raised eyebrow combined with 'the look' has surely sank many valuable and brilliant ideas.

"I live for myself and I answer to nobody."~ Steve McQueen 1930-1980

Strategy, Revised

Daily Draw: Minchiate Etruria ~ Ace of Swords

Painful situation.
 Who could forget the perk from Maxwell House coffee?
For fifty years Avis auto rental used the slogan "we try harder".
Life cereal suggested we "let Mikey try it".
Tom Bodett always "left the light on" for us at Motel 6.
To get the work done we could have a "Miller party".
Hallmark shaming, "When you care enough to send the very best."

All those companies have changed their slogans by now, for better or worse. Mostly worse. I'm reminded by this card, when things seem to be going south, or pear shaped, we should address what needs to be fixed, not tie a new ribbon on what is broken.

"You shake a slogan at an American and it's just like showing a hungry dog a bone." ~ Will Rogers  1879-1935

Worst We Have To Offer

Daily Draw: Minchiate Etruria ~ Devil

A simple recognizable word for the worst we have to offer.

I'm reminded by this card to wonder if bad rides on our shoulder more often than good or is that the impression because bad is the much heavier burden?

"I am not an angel and do not pretend to be. That is not one of my roles. But I am not the devil either. I am a woman and I would like so to be judged." ~  Maria Callas 1923-1977

Final Solution

Daily Draw: Minchiate Etruria ~ 9 of Wands

Trying too hard. My Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen is entangled in the EPA diesel cheat drama. I alternate between fury and sorrow.
Fury that we live in a world where money is everything and no one is to be trusted. Sorrow 400,000 cars are destined to be crushed into blocks and stacked somewhere to rust until the end of time.

I'm reminded by this card some solutions are so wrong on so many levels I'm amazed thinking humans came up with it.

"The solution of every problem is another problem". ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe  1749-1832

On The March

Daily Draw: Minchiate Etruria ~ Page of Swords

He is listed as a "young man that causes suffering". My mind went in a different direction, wondering if he was wearing short leggings. And if he were on-site somewhere practicing feint and parry, stab and hack.

I'm reminded by this card, until very recently, if you didn't have employment you starved. Joining the military was often a lifetime career; if you were posted to distant lands to keep order, that was likely where you'd spend the rest of your life. And on that march you carried and wore everything you owned and needed. And I think the leggings are shield shadow.

"The history of any one part of the earth, like the life of a soldier, consists of long periods of boredom and short periods of terror. " ~ Derek Ager 1923-1993

Adolescent

Daily Draw: Minchiate Etruria ~ Gemini

One of the suggestions for this card is maintaining adolescent behavior.
Oddly enough this seems to be the conversation going around today.

I'm reminded by this card, the recognition that I remain young mentally has it's good side and bad side. The bad side is I continue to make stupid mistakes, the good side, my brain, pitiful as it is still thinks it is younger than my body.

"We do NOT know the past in chronological sequence. It may be convenient to lay it out anesthetized on the table with dates pasted on here and there, but what we know we know by ripples and spirals eddying out from us and from our own time." ~ Ezra Pound  1885-1972

Bulling On

Daily Draw: Minchiate Etruria ~ Strength

Stubbornness.

I'm reminded by this card how many times I've just bulled on, sure I was on the right track. Instinct isn't everything. Common sense helps.

"Our instincts are at war. Each instinct, if you listen to it, will claim to be gratified at the expense of the rest." ~ C.S. Lewis 1898-1963

Short Ears

Daily Draw: Chakra Oracle ~ Impatience

Blue is the throat chakra, communication and the ability to be heard and understood.

I'm reminded by this card of Thursday. We stopped in to visit with my aunt and uncle. We did this a few weeks ago too. My uncle is in fragile health at the moment and his communication to me was "I'm not going anywhere" and "I'm not dying".  Went completely over my head. Because we weren't there because he is ill, but because we are doing things we always wanted to do and couldn't before we both retired. Just because you haven't seen us for forty years...I did hear your feet are two different sizes. Who knew? Not us, we were out of communication range.

"You're short on ears and long on mouth." ~ John Wayne 1907-1979

Life Itself

Daily Draw: Chakra Oracle ~ Miracle

We can find miracles every day if we look and listen. I've had a few of my own, probably more I didn't notice because I was focused somewhere else.

I'm reminded by this card if murder and mayhem and conflict didn't make more interesting news than miracles we'd probably have a better opinion of life on earth and indeed, life itself.

"I am the miracle." ~ Buddha 563-483 B.C.

Jell-O Americana Custard

Daily Draw: Chakra Oracle ~ Trickery

Did you know Jell-o Custard no longer exists? Around 2010 it disappeared from grocer's shelves. Rob is still cross about it and checks the shelves just in case, every time we pass the Jell-o section.

My best trick? Whip around the corner before him and shout "Custard is back!"  He was a classic image of joy coming around the corner with his cart. That I was responsible for crushing that look hurt my green heart chakra and I was so sorry I'd caused it.

"The craftiest trickery are too short and ragged a cloak to cover a bad heart."  Johann Kaspar Lavater 1741-1801

Boatload

Daily Draw: Chakra Oracle ~ Growth

I usually think of growth as learning something new. This green chakra heart wants us to grow by acceptance of what is.

I'm reminded by this card I had a growth spurt when I recognized I loved Rob for what he is rather than in spite of. Focusing that attitude to the next person and the next person and the next person released a boatload of pettiness and time wasting.

"Did you ever wonder if the person in the puddle is real, and you are the reflection?" ~ Bill Watterson 1958-  Calvin and Hobbes

Green

Daily Draw: Chakra Oracle ~ Grief

Green. The heart chakra.  This post has been on my mind lately.

I'm not even sure I'm capable of grieving for her while I can still hear the mother who died in the grip of dementia.

Seedrocks

Daily Draw: Chakra Oracle ~ Recovery

As yesterday, another sixth chakra. I know as much about chakras as I do about astrology. Which is to say bupkus. Apparently six is the brow chakra and houses all that is within, our knowledge, instinct, intuition.

This card reminds me on some level I need to open that third eye. Since I haven't by now I suspect I won't. Ever. On the other hand I have four little seedrocks here on my desk that remind me everyone has a burden and many recover.

 "Her mind shied back in horror." ~ David Eddings 1931-2009 Crystal Gorge

Where Will It End?

Daily Draw
Astrological Oracle and Chakra Oracle

Planned to use the Astrological Oracle. Drew Mars. All war and crankiness. Wondered about Mr. Trump, astrological-wise. Not Mars but still all war and crankiness.
Pulled a card from the Chakra Deck. Wondered why it looked like the 8 of Cups. Scanned it, picked it up, that was the back idjot. Turned the card over to be met by Despondence.

I'm reminded by these cards I am sick at heart the Affordable Care Act is being torn apart over politics. Which specifies equal cost for everyone regardless of preexisting conditions. I'd be dead now if it weren't for affordable insurance.

This is not my usual mode of expression, and I'll probably come back and delete the words later, but I am despondent, I feel like walking away; a pox on infantile politicians.

5:07 AM

Daily Draw: Ancient Feminine Wisdom~ Pythia

Prophecy

Relax, you'll find out soon enough.

Life Hours

Daily Draw: Ancient Feminine Wisdom ~ Circe

Wish in one hand, spit in the other, see which one fills up first.

Circe alerts us of the very real potential of fantasy and dream worlds, while the living world is passing us by. It has been years and years (70s?) since I've done it, but a clear signal is preferring to sleep in until ten or eleven AM and back sleeping by five or six PM. I wish I had those life hours back. But, wish in one hand...

Dressed

Daily Draw: Ancient Feminine Wisdom ~ Charities

Beauty, charm, and grace. When is the last time I saw a woman in a dress? Maybe a photo of Mrs. Obama? I suppose as a whole we could shout out "comfort" or "liberated", "freedom" or "cheaper", in that we feel no need to dress up.

I'm reminded by his card I miss the feeling of putting on a dress or suit; dressing well influences my attitude and behavior accordingly.
My favorite dress of all time, creamy background with travel icons and maps, sounds horrible doesn't it? I think it is beautiful and took the time to sew on a spray of buttons over the left shoulder. When it fits I wear it.

"Without black-velvet britches, what is man?"  ~ James Bramston  The Man of Taste 1733

Creation Quo

Daily Draw: Ancient Feminine Wisdom ~ Eurynome

Eurynome is the first of six chthonic goddesses in this deck. She arises with the creation myths; egg was laid, land and sky separated. They reside in the subterranean underworld, and create or quell chaos.

To create or contain chaos, something has to change. To all intents and purposes I've had periods of virtual stasis. And periods of creativity I've had to beat feet to keep up with. I prefer the latter, even if I go wildly awry it is always interesting.

"Status quo. In some cases it’s kicked to the curb, making room for radically different perspectives." ~ Shawn Murphy 1982-

Loose in the Labyrinth

Daily Draw: Ancient Feminine Wisdom ~ Ariadne

What I learn about these women will have faded from memory by the time this deck's turn comes again. Such is the life lived as a B-12 deficient. What is new will be  new again. And again.

I'm reminded by this card I do know this myth, because it is the basis of Stephen King's novel Rose Madder. I need to find more information parallels that will stick to  my brain pan. More likely, when something is found I'll forget why I was looking.

"Hope is an essential thread in the fabric of all fantasies, an Ariadne's thread to guide us out of the labyrinth ... Human beings have always needed hope, and surely now more than ever." ~ Lloyd Alexander 1924-2007

Scathed And Blushing

Daily Draw: Ancient Feminine Wisdom ~ Harmonia

Opposites attract, so aptly obvious in Harmonia's life. War and peace, kind and cruel, sorrow and laughter.

I'm reminded by this card what is old is new is old again, and we muddle through it all, endlessly clawing to the other side. Scathed and blushing, but sometimes wiser, and always with a good story to tell. Makes a change from weather as a main topic of conversation.

If you're alive, you got to flap your arms and legs, you got to jump around a lot, you got to make a lot of noise, because life is the very opposite of death. You've got to be noisy, or at least your thoughts should be noisy and colorful and lively.” ~ Mel Brooks 1926-

Myth in the Myth

Daily Draw: Ancient Feminine Wisdom Deck ~ Penelope

Condensed story: Penelope and Odysseus were married because Odysseus meddled in the outcome by making extravagant oaths to the king. Trojan war began requiring Odysseus to fulfil his oath. Ten years of war and ten years making his way home. Leaving Penelope twenty years of singlehood raising their son.

Fake news indicating he had fallen in battle; she flung herself in the sea but was pulled out by ducks. I've read four different myth sources and none contain the sea episode. I'm reminded by this story I'm reading Bulfinch's Mythology, written by Thomas Bulfinch in the mid-1800s. It clocks in on my Kindle app at 658 pages. He had to have been incredibly faithful to his subject to narrow it down to that many pages.

"For Mythology is the handmaid of literature; and literature is one of the best allies of virtue and promoters of happiness." ~ Thomas Bullfinch 1769-1867

Sand, Again.

Daily Draw: Tao Oracle ~ Modesty Hexagram 15

"Our efforts to discern what is right and then do it as a constant.
Holding onto innocence, sincerity, and openness in all situations." Brian Browne Walker

A dream world. We aren't there yet. In this case a grain of sand can make a difference, if there is enough of it.

Pinch Ego's Ear

Daily Draw: Tao Oracle ~ Development Hexagram 53

"The ego tempts us to believe we can influence another by forceful words or actions."  Brian Browne Walker

Ahh. Me and the word well.
When I start a sentence with well, I should put a sock in it.
It's invariably my lead word to unasked for and unappreciated advice.

I'm reminded by this card, I'm up at four AM because I had another idea. Perhaps a way to laugh at ego working at its own game.

Grain Of Sand

Daily Draw: Tao Oracle ~ Clinging Hexagram 30

We march around our days, all pride filled over our independence. Except shelter, water, air, food...We aren't much more independent than when we were babes in arms.

I'm reminded by this card a grain of sand under a microscope is a thing of unique beauty but on a beach we'd never know it. I accept I am a grain of sand also, any independence arises out of free will. Or determinism.

Beautiful Flaws

Daily Draw: Tao Oracle ~ Discipline Hexagram 7

"Proper conduct in the face of adversity" Brian Browne Walker

Our personality may lie in a grey zone, our actions are more primal, black or white and prone to switching. One day we are perfectly willing to give our seat on the lifeboat to a child, another day we might decide to be the first one in and stick like a limpet.

We are human. Flawed in the making. Recognizing the weak parts, honing the strong parts. I wonder just how strong and gentle we could achieve in two lifetimes? Three lifetimes? Not half as interesting is my bet.

"Love your curves and all your edges. All your perfect imperfections ..." ~ Toby Gad, John Legend  All of me 2014

Seventeen

Daily Draw: Tao Oracle ~ Standstill Hexagram 12

"Inferior influences sometimes prevail" Brian Browne Walker

Mother once said, when she disapproved of a friend, "rise up to your betters, rather than lower yourself to lessers".  Sounds like a real putdown but I understood her advice. I just didn't take it.

I'm reminded by this card she was right. Linda was a wonderful friend, but much older, a bad influence on a seventeen year old on a tear to get to life. Today's ten year olds seem to know and experience more than I did at seventeen.  I'm sorry for them, life arrives soon enough.

A Little Club

Daily Draw: Tao Oracle ~ Hexagram 33 Retreat

Time for disengagement, in stillness you are out of the reach of danger. Brian Brown Walker Book of Changes

I talked to my little brother yesterday, the first time since his very nearly successful suicide attempt. I shared a few of my own ideas from my mini-hobby of thinking up ways to do it. Got a laugh, always good.

I'm reminded by this card those outside can't see in and those inside see no way out.

Letter In The Mail

Daily Draw: Tao Oracle ~ Hexagram 42 Increase

Powerful improvements are underway. The nature of humans is to relax and grow careless. Brian Brown Walker Book of Changes

I'm reminded by this card I've completely changed how I do something which I'd guess frees up at least one hour a day. Rather than grow careless I've chosen to resume letter writing to my cousin Margie and friends Joan and Eluned. One a month.  I can do this. I hope. I'm using a yellow legal pad. I'm not able to find pretty stationary.

"I should like to follow a letter one day,' she said, 'just to see where it goes." ~  Julia Quinn 1970  A Night Like This