Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. — Zen Proverb This week we have yet another visit from the Three of Pentacles. This is its fourth appearance in 2010. In a year fraught with high drama, it keeps showing up, as if to keep us grounded as we make the … Read more
True compassion is not just an emotional response but a firm commitment founded on reason. — His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) This is a profoundly important week that begins with the Sun entering the sign of Cancer. That means it is the Summer Solstice in the northern Hemisphere, and the Winter Solstice … Read more
The Buddha’s insight into the middle way is not simply about a balance between extremes. This conventional understanding misses the deeper revelation of the middle way as being the very nature of unexcelled enlightenment. The middle way is an invitation to leap beyond nirvana and samsara and to realize the unborn Buddha mind right in … Read more
The Master sees things as they are, without trying to control them. She lets them go their own way, and resides at the center of the circle. — Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching This week we welcome the Two of Pentacles. In it, we see a young man dancing as he juggles his two disks. … Read more
When good people in any country cease their vigilance and struggle, then evil men prevail. — Pearl S. Buck This week, we are visited by that fierce, smart, sometimes naive youth, the Page of Swords. Does he come to liberate last week’s damsel in distress? Pages in the Tarot are often messengers and risk-takers, with … Read more
Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy. — Dale Carnegie This week, we receive a very rare visit from the Eight of Swords. This is a card that at first is rather disturbing, … Read more
The foundation of justice is good faith. — Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BCE Our guide for this coming week is a powerful Major Arcana card. The Justice card represents justice and fairness and finding balance in all things. Justice is one of the three cardinal virtues represented in the Tarot. The others are Temperance and … Read more
Expect your every need to be met. Expect the answer to every problem, expect abundance on every level. — Eileen Caddy This week, we are visited by a card that has only appeared once before, and that was back in 2006. The Ace of Pentacles represents the power of the Earth, for the Pentacle is … Read more
If equal affection cannot be, let the more loving be me. — W. H. Auden Another visit from the Two of Cups, which just came calling back in December. This is a gentle card that shows the tender attraction between two people. If we consider the Ace as being the beginning of the suit’s potential, … Read more
Once again, we are visited by a Major Arcana card! The Chariot makes an encore appearance this week, having just come calling the last week of December. Because that was so recent, I am offering an alternative interpretation. For a more traditional discussion, you can go here. May The Chariot speak for us as individuals, … Read more