Today’s title is NOT referring to Santa, because he’s real. No, I’m talking about the not-real person (character?) with the pointy tail and horns. In my mind he’s like that cartoon version from my childhood, the one who stood on one shoulder while an angel person (character?) stood on the other, both giving someone their version of advice. (Side Note to Betties: I just typed “assvice” and had to correct it. Although, in this case it would have been the proper usage.) Yesterday’s blog dilemmas have been in my head ever since the post went up. Even had a chance earlier to reply back on your comments.
So when I went into the room where our card altar resides, and I flipped today’s draw, I actually Laughed Out Loud. Oh yes, it’s be-deviling me alright. When I looked at it I also thought, well JulieLanders, what issues are all of you dealing with that won’t go away? I guess we need to confront some crap that we thought we had already taken care of. Obviously we have not.
For me, it’s not just the updating here, (you will notice I have spent some time clarifying link names) it’s also my damn irritating shift schedule for the kiosk. I want to be a good manager. I want the people I hire to feel as though I am listening to their needs and giving them the hours they require, without over-working them into a damn coma. I am a conscientious boss, or so folks tell me. But shee-it this time it’s difficult! Be-deviling is the perfect word right now.
May I just go back to Santa for one second? Then we can look at the card and move on to our solutions (we hope). There is a movie that I belive (ya know, jokingly, but also kind of really) is the true version of this story. It is the most beautifully, and delightfully done telling. Absolutely lovely to look at, and hysterically sarcastic (as far as I am concerned anyway). It’s old, but it’s still the best. The Santa Clause with Tim Allen.
As a rule, I shun all holiday movies and TV (now that the kids are adults, I no longer have to watch Rudolph or The Grinch [and I don't mean the one with Jim Carrey, who I detest] I know the stories, I can sing the songs, I don’t really need to see them again). But THIS one I must sit down and watch. I can quote nearly every line of the dialogue, with hand motions. The ones that followed were good, in my opinion, just perfectly good. But nothing will ever match the original. If you have not seen this movie, ohmydeargawd go now. Find it. Watch it. It’s true I tell you, the true story. I’m sure of it. (And remember, I know some shit.)
Now, back to what is be-deviling us. 
The Devil
This is number 15 of the Major Arcana, and in numerology, it is a six. Which has to do with balance and harmony, solutions revealed in a calm, unfolding manner. It circles around enlightenment. Fairly fitting here because once we get past one issue, attaining the balance, another pops up. It’s the cycle of our lives here, learning to deal with all aspects of difficulty, all the challenges that are presented, in an enlightened and calm way. So that when we go Home we can say, yep learned that one. Take it off the list. Don’t need to do THAT again.
What I like about this illustration is all the little bits that say the same thing. We’ve already talked about the monkey trap, so let’s look at the bondage perception. The two people here are really struggling. Our first impression is that they are chained, held bound by their troubles. But they are not, bindings are present, but they are NOT anywhere near these folks. They just THINK that the chains are holding them. When we look at what is holding us in place, is it really? Or do we just think it is?
On another level there is the chest full of treasures. It represents what is valuable to us. What we hold dear, in both a physical sense as well as an emotional one. I don’t know what She is reaching for, but we can clearly see that the direction He wants to go is quite lovely. Here’s the deal with their seeming confrontation and disagreement, if either of them let go, walked around to the other person’s side, they could haul that damn box anywhere they wanted, together. All they need to do is help each other, not work against the other person.
We have to look at the issues we struggle against when this card comes up (and when it comes up again apparently). Is the problem in front of us one that we can work with? Or do we need help? Are we fighting against ourselves here? Or do we just need to look down that hallway and see what lies ahead. Because the last option is to walk away. Let go of the box, the treasures, the monkey trap, and the chains. Just walk off, all naked and unencumbered.
Updates galore! First let me wish a happy belated birthday to my friend Lynne in Calgary. It was yesterday, and I dropped the ball. So sorry I missed it Sweetie, hope the family showered you with gifts and love, and all manner of Canadian festivities ensued.
Next, you will notice that I DID get the links really cleaned up, and I also noticed, while I was (still) trying to figure out why I was landing in so many spam folders, that we could adjust way more things than I had first realized. We are now able to “reply” up to five times in the comments here, but let’s use that cautiously shall we? (Betties: remember when we broke Crusie‘s blog?) If you have your own blog I encourage you to check out your Dashboard options. If you are like Bona Fide and Delia, (probably many others as well) and already know these things, well, never mind (said in Gilda Radner’s Emily Litella voice).
