Tarot Card Lady

THE KNIGHT OF DISKS - That Which You Sow, So Shall You Reap

Today I pulled a card from my tarot deck as I was thinking about what to write on. It was the Knight of Disks.

When I do a reading and the Knight of Disks comes up, often the person I'm reading for assumes that the card is negative. This is probably because in the deck I use, the Knight of Disks is dressed in a black suit of armor and sits on a black horse. The meaning of this card is not inherently negative. The Knight of Disks is the harvest card. It represents a culmination, reaping the rewards and the lessons of the work you've done. Of course, there can be negative consequences if the work that you have been doing is negative. Thus the expression "we reap what we sow." This is an ancient idea - from the Bible. In Buddhism, it is referred to as Karma. Whatever we put out in the world, good or bad, comes back to us the same way. Therefore, for those of you interested in serving your Self, it is in your best interest to walk your path with love and generosity!

But wait! Let's remember that in the cosmic realm, all action is "good" because all of it serves to teach us important lessons about living. If you sow pain in one form or another and later receive pain in return, then you have learned something about what a profound affect your actions have, no matter how unimportant or insignificant you may think that they are. So ultimately your harvest is wisdom. Keep that in mind the next time you discover that your actions have had a negative outcome. Keep that in mind the next time you make a "mistake." Wisdom is the byproduct of every planting season, if we are consciously trying to learn as we live.

May your fields be fertile!

Amanda

Monday - THE TEN OF CUPS

Last week, two events brought to mind the 10 of cups. Both were spiritual, which is fitting because in the Tarot, 10's have a spiritual component to them. They represent the Pinnacle. The first event was an I-Ching reading that a friend was giving me. In it, the I-Ching advised me to think of the Cosmos (Higher Power, God, etc.) as broader rather than higher. Instantly, I saw the Cosmos spreading out all around, with me in the center. The Cosmos contained all of my human, four-legged and spirit helpers - an infinite community there to support me, if I would only acknowledge it. This felt much more secure, calming and supportive than the idea of the Divine above me, looking down. I am not subordinate; I am a part of.

Two days later I participated in a non-traditional sweat lodge ceremony. This particular one was a women's sweat. The sweat lodge ceremony is an ancient tradition that symbolizes rebirth. As we crawl into a lodge built low to the ground, we enter the womb of Mother Earth. Sitting in total darkness inside this small space, we sweat out toxins, both physical and psychic and re-enter the world reborn and cleansed. On this day, I sat with my spiritual sisters huddled together around glowing hot stones. We sang, calling in our spirit helpers. Once again, the image came to my mind of an infinite circle surrounding me, filled with my helpers. I was not alone. I was supported. All was well.

This sense of serenity, well-being and infinite support is represented by the 10 of cups. It is the ability to live each moment in that wisdom - regardless of the particulars of your life. There may be chaos; there may be drama; there may be instability; but at the center of that tangible reality is the truth of infinite support, love and community. When we can walk through the fire fully conscious of that truth, we are solid, mighty and whole. And we are living the energy of the 10 of cups.