Underneath the Sycamore Tree

: thesycamoretree; May 23rd, 8:56

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Eight of Pentacles:

At first glance, this guy's job seems pretty easy - like sticking Playdoh in the "Fun Factory" and squeezing out a specific shape. But this fellow had to carve the mold, mix the metals in the right combination, melt them at just the right temperature, carefully pour it in, allow it to set, then sand and polish each one. The companion book states that "steady progress and attention to detail is indicated," and instead of focusing on the end result, we should "concentrate on each step at a time." To skillfully master anything, I need to concentrate on the task at hand rather than allowing my attention to be diverted by too many irons in the fire. I'm convinced that the result of society pushing us to multi-task in so many areas is why we produce (and live) at a lesser quality level.

From the Druid Plant Oracle, "Mint:"

Though mint is often used today to settle a stomach upset, in Rome Pliny recommended that students wear a wreath of mint since it was thought to "exhilarate their minds." The minty fresh fragrance of this herb is an attention-getter, and so the Carr-Gomms use the keywords of clarity and concentration to indicate its lessons. This plant reminds me not to become distracted, but instead to keep my focus on my work or what is currently happening in my life.

Tags: eight of pentacles, mint

Peculiar Mental Twists

: thesycamoretree; May 22nd, 8:58

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Four of Pentacles:

This card could range from one extreme to the other - an admonition to be careful with your time, energy and finances or to avoid being a miser. When it comes to myself, I tend to fall in the latter category. Being on a fixed income has made me feel insecure with an intense need to save rather than spend. For months now I've not bought any new "toys," clothes, etc. because of a nagging anxiety about money. But last night, I splurged and bought a cheap scanner on Amazon, which resulted in a feeling of guilt this morning. On some level I think I'm protecting myself, but the effects of this kind of mindset will keep me from enjoying anything, even if I'm deserving of it. Time for a financial overhaul that begins with my brain...

The card from the Druid Animal Oracle today is the "Water Dragon:"

The Water Dragon signifies emotions and those things within the unconscious. Whatever has been lurking deep within, whether feelings or memories, has decided to make an appearance, ready or not. This surge may be overwhelming if I fear it, but if I can step back and look at what comes up objectively, I might learn something beneficial. Guess I better wax that surfboard, because it looks like I have a date with a dragon.

Tags: four of pentacles, water dragon

Pause and Enjoy the Process

: thesycamoretree; May 21st, 9:03

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Three of Wands:

A man pauses to look at the road he'll soon be traveling; beside him three rods with new growth are planted firmly in the ground. This morning in my email inbox I had this note from tut.com:

The very best moment in any long journey that makes your dreams come true comes not on the day you realize they have, but on the day you realize how little they matter compared to loving the adventure they've inspired.

As I look at this card I realize how often I move from one item to the next on my checklist, without pausing to enjoy the process. It is here I will be inspired and feel fulfilled, not when I reach my goal.

From the Druid Animal Oracle comes the "Blackbird:"

In my area, we have red-winged blackbirds; during breeding season, they nest and roost near ponds and marshes like the one near my house. I can always tell if I have this bird at my feeder, as he never fails to announce himself with his loud, buzzing call. The Carr-Gomms describe the blackbird as a gateway guardian who reminds us to frequent the spiritual world as we do this earthly one: "There are times in life when it is important to concentrate on the outer world and your responsibilities in that world, but there are also times when you must attend to the haunting song of your soul which calls you to a study of spiritual truths..."

Tags: blackbird, three of wands

Conception and Community

: thesycamoretree; May 20th, 8:22

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Lady (Empress):

The Empress is the personification of Nature and all that it represents - fertility, sustenance, creation, beauty, abundance and sensuality. The three dots on her throne represent awen, the inspirational force of generation. Her face has an expression of intense focus, and I can't help thinking that she is timing her contractions, knowing that she will give birth soon. She reminds me that what I conceive will require effort and focus to bring into this world. And once here, it needs to be nurtured rather than neglected, if it is to grow and thrive.

From the Druid Animal Oracle comes the "Bee:"

This past Friday I was out at a friend's farm where she maintains a bee hive. She checked it while I was there; it was an amazing feeling to be surrounded by the buzzing of 9000 bees. Once I entered their world, I got so caught up in their activity that I completely forgot about the possibility of being stung. Every one of them seemed to have some important task to do. I envy the bees' sense of purpose, as I seem to be floundering about, wondering what it is I am suppose to be doing and the direction I should be going. But I do think their lesson for me is that I need to be involved with others, not going it alone.

Tags: bee, empress

Battles and Banes

: thesycamoretree; May 19th, 9:18

This week I'll be using the Druidcraft Tarot created by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm and illustrated by Will Worthington. Today's card is the Nine of Wands:

A fire from a battle burns on the horizon, and while it looks like this warrior didn't come out unscathed, he's still standing. The wands in the ground are a tribute to the other battles he's fought and won. His unyielding look of determination and his watchfulness let me know nothing will get past him. He will persevere, because he's willing to give it all he's got. There are times when I feel like this fellow, having to stand up for what I believe in, but in other situations, it is a fight within me. These are where changes in my life are going on now, though my ego would prefer to stick within its comfort zone and maintain the status quo. Too bad I'm going to have to disappoint it...

The oracle deck I'll be using this week is a combination of two decks, the Druid Animal and the Druid Plant. They are also created by the Carr-Gomms and illustrated by Worthington. Today's card is "The Banes:"

Against the backdrop of a full moon are (from left to right) henbane, wolfsbane/monkshood, and hemlock. The meaning of bane is something that causes great distress - in this case these herbs are all extremely toxic. It's easy to look at plants or people who are troublemakers as something I'd like to rid myself of, but they may have a purpose. The Carr-Gomms emphasize that the difficulties they cause may be the trigger or tipping point for me to turn in a new and unexpected direction. Sometimes a catalyst can come in strange packages.

Tags: banes, nine of wands

Loosen Up

: thesycamoretree; May 18th, 8:16

From the Rohrig Tarot, Temperance:

I walk every morning, just as the sun comes up. My body aches at first, and is stubborn about not wanting to keep the pace I set. But as my body gradually warms up, muscles and joints loosen and move freely. My mind can be just as rigid - believing situations should be a certain way and people must behave in a particular fashion. Such thinking makes me feel like my body does before it loosens up - heavy, sluggish and painful. The woman in the Temperance card has dropped all the "shoulds" and "musts" and has become light as a feather. She blends both sides so that there is no longer any duality (right or wrong, good or bad) but only a continuum. As a result, she is like the liquid that flows effortlessly from one bowl to the other. Time to loosen up my thoughts and ideas today...

From the Master Tarot comes the "Devotee:"

This woman clasps her hands in prayer, and I wonder if she is fervently wishing for something to be different or just being grateful for what she has. Prayer is a concept I struggle with, as I do not believe in an intercessory creator. But a woman in the book club I attend created an interesting twist in my views about it. She said her priest (Episcopal) believes prayer is not to get God to take action, but to remind the people praying that there are folks who need us to do something for them - a card, a casserole, a care package, or maybe just some compassion. This card prompts me not to automatically discard ideas because I can logically slash them to bits, as there might just be something hidden there that will be useful to me on my spiritual journey.

Tags: devotee, temperance

Learning from Many Methods

: thesycamoretree; May 17th, 8:31

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Hierophant:

Usually most Hierophant cards make me inwardly cringe, but here there is no pope ornately dressed with people kneeling at his feet. The stars and light above his head make me see him as more of a shaman or mystic than a priest or pope. He's willing to teach all who want to learn, but he refuses to proselytize. This guide looks like a deep thinker, but at the same time I see a smile lurking in those eyes. With that bit of mischievousness, part of his teaching style may be that of the wise fool. There will be no pew-sitting with him as a mentor; it's all about opening to the experience itself while keeping an open mind.

From the Masters Tarot comes the card "Sorrow:"

The sorrow here that Montano speaks of is that of suffering, the kind that we want to ignore by distracting ourselves or putting our heads in the sand. But he encourages us to objectively observe it instead, to suffer consciously (not in a "poor pitiful me" way), allowing it to teach us and transform us. He writes, "For when the intensity of pain is matched by the intensity of watching, we are thrown to our center, and there no pain can reach because we are no longer identified with it."

Tags: hierophant, sorrow

Am I Missing Something?

: thesycamoretree; May 16th, 9:09

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Prince (Knight) of Wands:

This guy has so many ideas and plans that he wants to take action on, they're literally shooting out of the top of his head. He is filled with passion, both the lusty kind and the kind that makes you enthusiastic about whatever it is you're undertaking. The cracked heart underneath him is an obvious clue to the trail of people and projects he leaves in his wake. Relationships or ventures that he originally was on fire about have been left by the wayside for something new and more exciting. This card reminds me that there are plenty of adventures in the "now;" I don't have to constantly search for the latest novelty or feed my frenzied mind with excitement so I can avoid being bored. I don't want to look back with regret on relationships or creative endeavors that I've abandoned to find what I think I'm missing.

From the Master Tarot comes the "Supper:"

Montano uses the illustration of the Last Supper to encourage us to stop and appreciate our incarnation into this life. Have I paused long enough to realize how lucky I am to have five senses to enjoy the world around me? Do I realize how amazing this body is, the way it moves and carries me from place to place? And do I understand what a magnificent machine the brain is, allowing me to read, process information, and keep my body in working order? Sometimes I forget to be grateful for the simple things that bring me the greatest joy...

Tags: knight of wands, supper

The Way It Is

: thesycamoretree; May 15th, 9:24

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Tower:

A tower is ripped apart, revealing a checkered black and white floor inside. The tower represents the walls of protection that my ego puts up. The ego tries to convince me that if it has certain things - education, cars, homes, money in the bank, religion, people who need me, friends and family, etc. - I'll never have to experience anything bad. But those walls have a way of setting my mind in concrete, making me put my fingers in my ears and closing my eyes to anything that doesn't fit my cosmology. Then life happens, and I have no buffer against reality any longer. All the self-centered strategies I planned and moves I made (checkered floor) fall through. I must have something other than the physical to hold on to if I am to ride out these rough waves and maintain my sanity. Such thoughts remind me of a poem by William Stafford called "The Way It Is:"

There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.

From the Master Tarot comes the card entitled "Love your enemies:"

enemy: a person who feels hatred for, fosters harmful designs against, or engages in antagonistic activities against another; an adversary or opponent.

In the bottom of this card, red-eyed horses and people with swords are in a battle so confusing, it seems as if everyone is battling each other. Do I have people I consider enemies? At the moment, I can't think of anyone I would like to harm or see dead. But do I have people who irritate me or who ruffle my feathers? Absolutely. All I have to do if I want to experience this is to have a cruise on Facebook and read the political and religious posts of others who push their opinions and agendas. In this case, "love your enemies" doesn't mean I need to invite them home for supper, but I do need to extend tolerance and allow them be who they are while recognizing the common bond we share - that of being human with all its imperfections.

Tags: love your enemies, tower

Sharp Curves Ahead

: thesycamoretree; May 14th, 9:18

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Chariot:

With your mind power, your determination, your instinct, and the experience as well, you can fly very high. ~ Ayrton Senna da Silva, Brazilian racing driver

Formula One cars are considered to be the fastest in the world, reaching speeds up to 220 mph. Drivers have no roll bars or other type of protection built around them; they rely on their skill and quick judgment calls. Even a tiny miscalculation can result in death. If the driver is to reach his goal safely, emotions that might affect his performance must be left behind. Knowing one's weaknesses and being able to mentally control them are vital. This card emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge, will-power, and discipline when I am trying to overcome my challenges and meet my objectives.

From the Masters Tarot comes the "Wolves:"

The wolves represent false prophets, or people who promote their own agendas for their personal gain. These folks are often eloquent, charismatic speakers who can make just about anyone enthusiastic about what they are selling. But why are we so easily taken in? For me personally, I am vulnerable when I am look for the softer, quicker way of doing things. Instead of being willing to do the hard work to achieve what I want, I risk my money, self-respect and even health to get instant results (which of course never materialize). As I've gotten older, it's become harder for others to take advantage of me - a red flag pops up when I hear honey-dipped words and extravagant promises. I know that success comes through my efforts, not through taking short-cuts.

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Underneath the Sycamore Tree