The Hierophant - Humility, Humanity, Humour

The images of the Tarot deck often depict figures that are half human, and half creature or have both a earthly and a divine nature. This I think is a good reminder of our human state. We are all deeply connected,  are no less, or no better than any other living beings on earth. We have a delicate relationship with nature and are all part of the animal and natural world.

The Hierophant is kind of a funny looking fellow being half horse and half human. If he actually existed people would either run the other way or there would probably be a lot of laughing going on. This spiritual representation of the Centaur with his beard and long hair, suggests the mature face of a priest and a wise teacher. This is Chiron embodied in this Major Arcana card. He is an inner spiritual teacher, an immortal educated by Apollo the sun-god and Artemis the moon-goddess. Chiron affirms the nature of the laws by which we must live in order to be in the right relationship with the divine.

Reflecting on the Hierophant, I'm reminded to use three important tools in life that help me to accept and understand my imperfection. The first one being humility, second to be mindful and appreciative of being a part of humanity, and lastly to avoid taking myself too seriously by maintaining my sense of humour.

The Star of Hope - How Not to Ruin Your Life

 It's synchronicity that caused me to draw this Major Arcana card, The Star of Hope today. Since I learned of the death of my friend Lillian, I've thought about how death can bring us unexpected inspiration and hope. These are the lessons in the fragility of life, often giving us the deepest sense of meaning that grows out of unhappiness, pain, shame, crisis, depression, and loss.

 Life is full of irony and we can often think that these are unexpected sources of inspiration and personal transformation, but the truth is, they certainly can be. Things aren't always as the appear to be.

 The Star is a card of waiting, which offers hope, urges us to to trust our intuition and to have faith in the midst of difficulties and that there will soon be a dawn.

Life if really about a series of losses, but with loss are also gains, but I believe it depends on our own level of acceptance, grace, and it helps a lot having a really good sense of humour that enables the ability to not take yourself so seriously and can be a powerful healing tool for some.

 J.P Sears has really learned how to do this. Simultaneously he seriously coaches a whole lot of people, helping them to find hope and to understand that pain, shame and broken hearts don't have to ruin our lives.

Listening today to a great program about aging versus ageism, midlife crisis, and transformation I thought the topic this program Out In The Open is aligned with much of the general meaning to be found in The Star.

Three of Wands - The Humus Pile

Humility is the main theme of the Three of Wands. I'll call it the humus pile, because the three aspects of this pile comprise of three things, like the three wands, humility, humour and being human. The root word of all these words is humus.

We see here King Pelias who usurped Jason's position as King while he was gone, and now Pelias humbly returns to Jason his rightful crown that he stole and now willingly abdicates.

Jason appears to be almost handing Pelias the wands he is holding. 
 Pelias might not find this all so funny right now, but hopefully after learning this lesson he will be able to see the humour of this situation in the future, learning to laugh and forgive himself for being human.

The Three of Pentacles card is such a good reminder.
There is still much room for the development of creative ideas. Hard work lies ahead. Although there is initial completion with strides made, one can't get complacent, self-satisfied, arrogant, deciding this is as good as it gets, having attained a level of accomplishment.

True humility and open mindedness are essential in life. They act as motivators and antecedents to growth to ensure the continuation of creativity. We are always learning lessons, if we are passionate about what we are doing. At the same time, acknowledgement and respect for others accomplishments allows for humility and responsibility.

Eight of Wands - Release Creative Energy After Anxiety and Struggle

The Eight of Wands depicts very turbulent seas surrounding Jason's ship the Argo while dolphins play, and jump midst the foaming waves. They are happily accompanying the Argonauts as if guiding, protecting and perhaps even coming to rescue them along the journey.

Dolphins in Greek culture, are see as being rescuers of humans. They like to bring things to the surface, and there is strong evidence that they do actually rescue people in danger.

This card causes me to think about the importance of play, fun and pleasure in order to live a more creative, balanced and harmonious life. For me life it is also about having a balance between these three things, humility, humour and humanity.

It is easy to loose sight of being in tune with our intellect and our instinct. There is a tendency for us to get so caught up in the crazy making storms in our lives we can get too busy and serious about life. We can lose or way. Approaching life with gentleness, peace, humor and joy will give us a deep inner strength that will help us to release that creative energy after anxiety and struggle.

When It Flows It Flows - Artist Jonas Gerard

Three of Swords - Lighten Up!

Upon seeing this card initially, of course I have a kind of visceral reaction to it, because well lets face it, the poor dude that has being impaled, is dead in the water, has come to his demise and end of life in a very undignified and gruesome way.

The Three of Swords is the culmination of what went wrong in the Two of Swords, a  kind of paralysis or standstill, dictated by fear, when it comes to making a decision, and moving forward.

This Minor Arcana numbered card, has come to be one of my very favourites, because it isn't about death, it is about life and recovery. It represents the end of a solitary journey of the soul, like Persephone, embodied in the mythic figure of Psyche to descends to the underworld, who has come out the other side transformed, and the healing can now begin. Now the stream of goodness, a new path can be taken, that leads to infinite light, that the individual tries to find a way to share through one's experience, strength, and hope with others.

Though this card may appear dark, and the journey taken may be very daunting, there is an abundance of light to be found at the end of the tunnel.
Humour is the great gift waiting, that we are also given in this transformation. We learn to laugh at ourselves, after having feelings of self-pity, and ego-feeding deceptions. We learn to lighten up, not take ourselves so seriously, and we begin focus on our recovery, and healing.


   “When love is lost, do not bow your head in sadness. Instead, keep your head up high and gaze to heaven for that is where your broken heart has been sent to heal.” ~ Author Unknown.

 Cat Reading Tarot Cards -  B.Kliban

Five of Wands - Don't Worry Even Monsters Have a Soft Underbelly

Struggling with, and fighting our dragons, demons or monsters, whatever you want to call them, is what the Five of Wands is about. Some are of these critters are bigger, badder, and meaner than others. They all call for certain skills, weapons, and the means to overcome them, if not completely defeat and eliminate them. Then, there are others that will go away for a time, giving you a reprieve, only to return in the future, maybe bigger, badder and meaner than ever. These can be the most troubling and stressful. They are like the thing that came to dinner, and wouldn't leave.

Being prepared is the best defense. We might even create our own monsters. In this case, prevention is worth a pound of cure. Many of us can be our own worst enemy. So finding a way to avoid that by addressing a particular personal problem, perhaps in the form of a network or support group, can make all the difference to our happiness and peace of mind. Sharing a problem with another, can help lessen your load. We can't always solve our problems on our own.

These are not easy circumstances to deal with, but all part of the journey of life. We sure don't need being placated to, with maudlin platitudes. Solutions, and resolutions are certainly needed, but sometimes what we really want and need is a lend of an ear, someone we trust, who can sit and listen. When we talk to another person, it can help create some kind of order to our world, and often we can find an answer to problems, having talked it out. Reaching out to ask for help is the hardest part for many of us.

The three things that have helped me with my struggles and my monsters.

1. Having a sense of humour, is always therapeutic.
2. I'm human, and so is everybody else, not super human, as much as we might try.
3. Drop the false pride, because humility isn't humiliation.

Don't worry, even monsters have a soft underbelly.

We Are All Worm Poo - Four of Swords

This morning my frustrations caused me to ask a specific question before I drew my daily card. I was feeling impatient. I was wanting the answer to my question to, what I wanted to hear. 

The Creator has a sense of humour.. We might not appreciate that, but it's true, and this is a good reminder, to wear the world as a loose garment, not to take ourselves too seriously or allowing ourselves to be too bothered by what is happening in our own lives, getting our underwear in a big knot.

It is my experience that, if can only focus on being truly grateful, this keeps me humble.
This sounds a lot easier than it is. It takes practice, soul practice I'll call it.

I always remember one of those life changing kind of books I read, The Spirituality of Imperfection by
Kurtz and Ketcham. Ernie Kurtz relayed a story about the root of the words humour, humility, and human. The root of each word is humus, which means worm poo. This made me laugh. It has always really helped me to remember these three words, and to keep them at the forefront of my mind. Applying these words to myself helps me to accept life, on life's terms, which has become my way of living, and as Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said:

 And so again today I drew the Four of Wands, twice in one week, with the same message, don't get your underwear in a knot. I smiled and had a little chuckle, and just got on with my day.

Love Never Dies - Queen of Swords

The Queen of Swords continues on bravely in spite of loss.
She is very much the idealist, in that she can expect a lot from others. This can be a big disappointment if these expectations are unrealistic. My experience has shown me that people will, and do disappoint, because they will never measure up to unrealistic expectations.  I have to accept my short comings, know and understand, that I have in the past, and no doubt will continue to disappoint someone in some way, simply because I am a human being. I need to forgive and love myself and others for not 'measuring' up.

On the other hand people can surprise, delight and display loving kindness that will restore faith, and my belief in the capacity for love. In this troubled world today, I need to hold fast to this, because it gives hope.

 I don't have to expect others to believe in what I believe, but if they can truly love others, and show human kindness, this is what is important to me.

I lost a close friend to death yesterday, and though I know he was not so much a believer in God, he displayed more generousity of spirit, gentleness, and love than many people who don't, but profess to love God. I never expected this of him, and accepted him as he was, as he accepted me, warts and all.

I certainly will miss him, very, very much. He had a lot to teach others about love, and I hope he knew just how much he was loved. My friend had three essential qualities in order to live a full life, a love for his fellow man and woman, humility, and a great sense of humour. It was a privilege, and a great blessing to have known him.
Howard helped to show me the way, and to know that love never dies.

Knight of Swords - The Hero

 

We all need a hero. I have been fortunate and blessed to have had an big brother, who was ten years older than me, and he really was my hero. He was not one like Sir Lancelot, or like the Knight of Swords, and never really rushed in to save the day,  without thinking, except on a few occasions, when I was young. Ralph however was very protective, charming, and everyone who met him, loved him.

 Why I consider him my hero, is because of the example he set for me. He embodied all the characteristics I admire in another, and in those we call heroes. He possessed perseverance, courage, and faith, in spite of all the odds, and was never afraid to show his emotion and affection.

My big brother was the salt of the earth, shot straight from the hip, and his wonderful sometimes dark sense of humour always came shining through regardless of how bad circumstances became. For me, Ralph set the bar, the standard for the way a man and a hero should be, and for that matter, he was an example for anyone.

Sadly, I lost my loving brother to Multiple Sclerosis 12 years ago, when he 59. I miss him more than words could ever express. He will always be my hero. <3

Page of Wands - Time To Get A Backbone!

Being assertive is a hard life lesson for many of us. Most it seems, learn to either be aggressive or passive in our families of origin.

As Canadians, we are often self-deprecating, and make fun of ourselves, always apologizing and chronically saying "sorry". There is a funny element to this, but is also a kind of sad commentary.

I think humour is often our outlet, and maybe why we are known for our comedians. Comedy can be aggressive, misplaced, diverted anger and I understand that, being a huge comedy fan, but it needs to be more than hiding behind the mask of satyr, and cynicism.

Learning to use humour to get my message across,  I also have learned and am still learning, how to be assertive, and not fall into the black hole of apathy. Aggression and passivity are my enemies, and so here in the Page of Wands, is the message to let your voice be heard. If we do not speak up, then what ever is bothering us festers, and we can become bitter. If someone is really creating a problem or disruption and we don't tell them how we are feel about it, we don't give them the opportunity to change their behaviour.

The Page of Wands also encourages us to realize, that it's time to discover a new creative capacity within. Restlessness or a vague feeling of dissatisfaction may be present. It is important to pay attention to these feelings, and to take them seriously and to nurture these harbingers of creative inspiration.

It is essential that I listen and encourage my own inner voice as well, and not let it be squelched out by the noise, resentment and things that cause me to loose my focus. Time to get a backbone!

The Fool - The Journey Begins

The Fool exits the solitude, and isolation of the cave wide eyed, with an open heart and mind. He is not afraid of risk, and is full of enthusiastic, contagious optimism.
He has all the tools he needs, and energy abounds within his carefree being, with pure intentions. Willing to leap into the unknown, and to start anew, he is eager to develop his capacities and potential. Lacking in foresight and being naive, makes no matter, as he is ready for the journey, the journey of life, and he is not fearful of getting lost along the way.


I have to say I love The Fool. For me, my identification with him goes back to my early life of studying Mime, and Commedia dell'Arte. Originally back in the late 70s, I had hoped to travel to a beautiful place called Paris Maine, to study with Tony Montanaro at the Celebration Barn. Instead due to financial, and geographical constraints, I went to Toronto and studied Commedia dell'Arte.

There are no regrets really, but I so do wish I had the chance to have met and studied with Tony. I believe he was one of a kind. A man who understood what it really meant to be The Fool, with humour, humility and humanity.

 The Fool has an ancient history. which I believe is very worth learning about, because there is much to learn from these so called agents of change, as the journey begins.

The Tower - Radical Transformation

The sixteenth card in the Major Arcana, the Tower, ruled by Mars, the Roman god of war. Lightening hits the Tower and there is a bolt that knocks the golden crown to the ground. It augers outmoded structures, inner and outer, being smashed cleanly away, leaving the way for complete change. Radical transformation is at hand. The Tower is symbolic of false or outgrown values, which must fall away. Out of this destruction comes the creation of a new structure. Possibly a dissolved partnership, or the structure of your home is problematic, or in jeopardy.

The bolt of lightening represents inspiration and realization. Change as a result of trauma, brings growth and clarity of perception, depending on the attitude of the individual and how painful the situation.

We can often become complacent in the familiar and can have some sort of shocking event that happens place and it shakes the very foundation of our values  our beliefs, and what we thought was normal. This can be a positive opportunity, the heralds change, and positive growth, depending on our attitude. Introspection  with humility, honesty and definitely having a sense of humour is essential. Getting real with ourselves, and with others, is the only way we can move forward with integrity. But regardless of what we do, the Tower is sure to fall away.