No pictures today, except for our daily draw. I stayed inside and then I went to the pool. My only radio-like offerings in this post are going to be the introspective kind. So welcome, once again, to my smooth brain.
This swimmy-exercisey class coming back is the same, but different. We are a known quantity, a regular group of folks who constantly show up. And yet, we have been away for months now, and things have changed. It gives the feeling, for me, of an odd dichotomy of sameness with a tweak of time to it.
One of my fellow splash-abouts made a point this evening of thanking me for coming back and saying that I was doing a wonderful job of leading, making it my own but keeping the basics in tact. I was very touched by this. Even though I was CALLED and was specifically ASKED to return and be the instructor, it still wasn’t quite as real as this one woman reaching out and telling me in just those words.
These small gestures, that, as we’ve discussed here before, don’t seem like much to the giver, are often entirely massive to the receiver. The action of it sends waves (pun accidental) of good out and past just those two beings. I could feel it happen tonight. (It has happened a few times recently when I’ve heard from friends who have simply said, in one form or another, ”hey, I’m here and I care.”)
All of this brings us to our triple treat. As I looked at this selection there was one single word that jumped out at me. Read the parts of the guidebook I’ve included with this photo first though.
“Creativity ~ III ~ Major Arcana
Creativity is the quality you bring to the activity that you are doing. It is an attitude, an inner approach… the experience of creativity is an entry into the mysterious… the key is to abandon oneself to the energy that fuels the birth of all things. This energy has no form or structure, yet all the form and structures come out of it. It makes no difference what particular form your creativity takes… the important thing is to be open to what wants to be expressed through you. Remember that we don’t possess our creations; they do not belong to us. True creativity arises from a union with the divine, with the mystical and the unknowable. Then it is both a joy for the creator and a blessing to others.
The Burden ~ Six of Clouds ~ The Mind
When we carry a load of shoulds and shouldn’ts imposed on us by others we become like this ragged, struggling figure trying to make his way uphill… If life these days feels like just a struggle from the cradle to the grave, it could be time to shrug your shoulders and see what it feels like to walk without these characters on your back. You have mountains to conquer, your own dreams to fulfill, but you will never have the energy to pursue them until you release yourself from all the expectations you have gathered from others but now think are your own. Chances are they exist only in your own mind, but that doesn’t mean they can’t weigh you down. It is time to lighten up, and send them on their way.
Beyond Illusion ~ XX ~ Major Arcana
The butterfly in this card represents the outer, that which is constantly moving and that which is not real but an illusion. Behind the butterfly is the face of consciousness, looking inward to that which is eternal. The space between the two eyes has opened, revealing the lotus of spiritual unfoldment and the rising sun of awareness.
This card reminds us not to look outside for what is real, but to look within. When we focus on externals, we too often get caught up in judgements… These judgements keep us trapped in our illusions, our sleepiness, our old habits and patterns. Drop your opinionated mind, and move inside. There, you can relax into your own deepest truth, where the difference between dreams and reality is already known.”
Okay? You ready for this? Authenticity! This entire message is about being the most genuine and authentic self we can be. Shrugging off the burdens that are not ours to carry, allowing our creativity to flow and build and flourish, and finally, seeing all there is to see without the blinders of the physical (the materialistic) bullshit to mess with our loving and positive true selves.
It’s an inspired and rich message. One that we can all work with, no matter what our faith or beliefs or followings. It’s also one that we can take along with us, out into every part of our lives and share everywhere we go, just as we are able to share that generosity of the heart, much like the gift I received earlier. One small smile, one kind word, one genuine and authentic loving moment will, and CAN, make all the difference. The trick is to do it honestly.
Today’s Deck:
Osho Zen Tarot
Also, in case anyone was wondering, the added down number for this draw is a 2. The perfect balance.
LATENIGHT Outrage Alert: it is literally minutes to post time and yet I had to add this last thing. Our Hurricane wrote an article about domestic violence and is getting trolled all over the damn place – go here - and speak your mind, and truth.
I added a couple comments to Han’s article, although they might be a little buried. They were both replies to other comments. I’m interested to see if they garner any response.
Nice! I’ll go check. Did you mark the little box so you know when they reply?
Your comments were good. I added one, but I don’t know if it went…
You both are awesome. Thank you for posting these comments! I really did not realize how many DV apologists are out there. It…makes me a little nauseous.
Eh. Most people don’t really think like that. Granted, that’s because they don’t think about hard stuff AT ALL, but they still aren’t actual APOLOGISTS. It’s just that the majority of people won’t ever consider anything that isn’t placed directly in front of their faces.
Moreover, the majority of the people who had negative things to say were clearly just Chris Brown fans who probably wouldn’t care if he murdered a puppy on camera with a hammer. They were incapable of gleaning the actual meaning of your article, despite the number of times you literally spelled it out for them.
Plus, also, the internet is full of idiots, unlike the real world, which is also full of idiots, but at least they probably won’t shout mean things at you at random.
No, they haven’t started yelling mean things at me in person, yet. When they do, I’ll know I’ve made it.
But whatever. That article is poised to get the most of the months, which means I get props from the higher-ups. Every time an ignorant ass-clown reads one of my articles to write a mean comment, I win a little more.
Alright, well Hanny, speaking of disturbing….
This is the first reading that I’ve seen out of Osho’s deck that hasn’t offended me. Not surprisingly, I do get tired of his internal/metaphysical focus, but that’s just me.
And I am delighted that you’ve gotten some feedback about your return from other folks. Nothing like a thoughtful, heartfelt comment like that to make the sun shine.
One of the original issues with this deck was my concern about how much influence he had in the making of it, turns out, not much, if any. It was put together after he died. In the guidebook there are two (different, and facing) pages to get information from, I rarely include the portions that are transcribed from his teachings. The majority of the definitions are more broadly based on, and drawn from, Middle Eastern Zen and Meditation type of teachings in general, which appear to be very useful and worthwhile.
The deck does still have his (new) name on it, but it sure doesn’t have hardly anything to do with him.
Mostly, cuz he’s dead.
Okay, I read this http://thestir.cafemom.com/big_kid/132584/lesson_32_the_authentic_you then I read your post. And I laughed.
So happy to hear the people at your splashy class appreciate you.
I so love her, Delia. And this line is priceless: “Think of kindness as your Kevlar, and karma as your shield. And patience is your battle helmet. And your pants are made of flame retardant love.”
Oh I adore Jenny!!! And wow, how funny was THAT non-coincedence?!
This authenticity concept it a big deal to me right now. In fact, my last 2 blog posts were basically about being authentic and how to define my authentic self.
Plus, I’ve been struggling hard with what to do with myself because nothing in my life is going the way I want or feel I need it to. I’m struggling with what to do with myself and my life. So seeing my struggle in these cards is rather cool. (Yes, I’m going to go reread my reading; I forgot to yesterday.)
I love that someone told you how glad they are to have you back leading the splashy class! Being genuine is like having the sun shining out from your spirit.
Skye – Don’t know you, but hang in there. Maybe just letting go and free-falling without expectations would lead you to a path you are happier with? It’s scary as hell, but also (I have found) sometimes the only thing that works when you’re stuck. ((HUG))
Oops, damn Skye, I got more behind than I realized.
(Blame your buddy Dan, you KNOW how distracting he is!)
Catching up by tomorrow, pinky swear.
Great read off of those cards. I’ve never gotten the Burden before!
)
Isn’t the Mind/Cloud suit peculiar but fascinating? There are sometimes remnants of traditional tarot in some of these, and it’s been fun recognizing them, but seeing this slant applied.
So I’m cranky and crabby today, too much shit, and I was just going to scoot on through here. But as I was scrolling down I saw, “The Wiccan Rede”. I only know bits and pieces, here and there, of all this. Do you have a specific book or author you would recommend?
Sadly I do not have one, but way too many. On tonight’s post I put in a link for the site where I found the Rede, but quickly here I’ll just tell you who I’ve met and who I think is worthwhile.
Dorothy Morrison is a friend of mine and she is fabulous. Anything by (the late great) Scott Cunningham is wonderful, if somewhat dated. Ted Andrews, Marian Green, Z Budapest are all names on my bookshelves, all founding folks and all well loved. Hope this helps, as I think of more I’ll add them.
(Judy might have some suggestions as may Deb.)
I’m not a practicing pagan anymore and yet I STILL love Z. Budapest. Grandmother of Time is one of my favorite books.
Starhawke is good, too. The Spiral Dance is pretty much a classic.
I have one of Deb’s books http://deborahblake.blogspot.com/ and it’s really good, too. Planning on sending it to Julie shortly. Deb writes very practical, user-friendly books for wiccans on a budget.
The Spiral Dance IS a classic, and it’s EXCELLENT!
Thanks!
I am thinking deep thoughts, but can’t put them into words. Just wanted you to know I am paying attention, even when I don’t comment!
Deep thoughts without the words I totally get. Thank you for letting me know you are there.
I love this read. And so happy that the universe is delivering some love your way. And what you had to say about giving of compliments, love, caring, etc. with honesty is absolutely right. If they aren’t genuine then they’re meaningless.
There was a man in my neighborhood who used to drive by me as I walked my dog. He’d put down his window and say, “Do me a favor. Have a really nice day.” He may have been genuine, but it always came off creepy to me. : ) But then again, I’m a bit weird, and way private, so it could have been my wrong interpretation of his greeting.
Ow, that IS odd. Has an uncomfortable feel to it for sure, not just you. Probably because it FEELS like a line, not like something spontaneous or real.
Once many moons ago I was in a meeting. This woman was speaking and of her entire speech all I heard her say was “If I’m not true to myself, I get angry.”
At the time I was very angry (although I didn’t consciously know it) because I was married to husband #2, (my favorite despite this fact) who had a major agenda to change me. He had pushed me to the point that I no longer knew myself; forget about being true to myself or authentic.
2 years after divorcing him, when I finally was completely my ‘authentic’ self again, he made get-back-together noises which I pretended not to hear. He and I are very good friends. Spouses, not so much.
Very similar to the idea of loving our selves before we can love others, being our true and authentic selves helps us to draw true and authentic others to us, enabling our lives to be richer for the genuine interactions that come from those honest and loving relationships.
So glad he is a good friend now.
Authenticity is good. Compliments that are truly felt are a gift.
I couldn’t read through all the comments on Hanna’s post – I need to not grind my teeth. But she wrote well.
No worries, I had to come back later to read the rest of those comments, couldn’t get through them all in one sitting.
Both kids did VERY well, makes me all sparkly proud.