EXERCISE CT #11: Strength spread
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 01:50:34 +0200
From: Moonchild
To: Comparative Tarot http://comparativetarot.com
Spread from Power Tarot by MacGregor & Vega, p.196.
For this exercise, I'll use Cosmic Tarot.
> Strength Spread
>
> 3 4
>
> 2
>
> 1> 1) Your greatest strength.
Hermit--lots of possibilities:
~ I don't require constant companionship--human or electronic--to keep from having to face myself. (I know people with
TVs in every room.)
~ My influence on society is indirect. For example, in regard to community issues, I would rather speak to mothers on the
playground than call the mayor, or write a letter to the editor.
~ I'm not part of the world. Or I should say, I'm in another part of the world. I don't expose myself to random mass media
messages. I don't even automatically load images when I browse the web.
~ Flow of wisdom as Hermit learns and teaches. It feels a bit presumptious to be calling myself a teacher, but as a mother I
guess I'm a teacher by default. Thing is, the Hermit sees the light of the lamp in the same instant that he's shining it for others.
It's not *his* light, he's just carrying it in his lamp.
~ My job, and hopefully my strength, is not just to pass on wisdom, but to gain the insight to help others find their own
capability for obtaining wisdom.
~ One thing I have to quote from the book: "The solitary Hermit conserves the energies of his body as fuel for his spiritual
journey." Can you say E=mc2? I'm not good at math, but I guess if the energy remains the same, and the mass is reduced,
the speed/motion or time is greater. Hmm.> 2) How you can enhance this strength.
Hierophant--the thing that stands out in this card is the beam of light coming from the Hiero's eye. This reminds me of a
Bible verse, also connected to the Hermit, which I'll now have to go look up ...
Luke 11:34: "The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but
when [thine eye] is evil, thy body also [is] full of darkness."
As I recall, in this instance Jesus is condeming the Pharisees for their making the Law a burden, rather than a benefit.
They are focused on the letter, rather than the spirit (Love). It's not Love versus Law, it's Love is the Law. I've heard it said,
"people don't care how much you know unless they know how much you care."
So, a way to enhance my strength would be to bring the lamp down from the mountain and into the community. I have a plan
for this already, to start an English Club this fall, and organize voluntary tutoring for kids. And I've already started teaching
my neighbor's 3-y.o.> 3) How you can apply it to a relationship, project, or event.
Seven of Swords--The book talks about this being a card of uncertainty. What strikes me is that the figure on the card
continues on, despite the uncertainty.> 4) What this strength brings you.
Eight of Pentacles--Again, I have to turn to the book: "The eight of pentacles indicates the possibility of putting one's
physical resources to the service of a higher cause. ... On the highest level, such work is done humbly, without the wish
for return or reward. Generally, though, even the most modest person appreciates the gift of appreciation."Fulfilling work. Apprenticeship. It brings me the wisdom and prudence to use my physical situation and opportunities to hone
my spiritual skills. And an occasional post from someone who can relate.One Love All Love,
Moonchild
EXERCISE #8 Strength--Follow-up
Mon, 30 Aug 2004 20:14:13 +0200Moonchild wrote:
> ~ Flow of wisdom as Hermit learns and teaches. It feels a bit
> presumptious to be calling myself a teacher, but as a mother I guess I'm
> a teacher by default. Thing is, the Hermit sees the light of the lamp
> in the same instant that he's shining it for others. It's not *his*
> light, he's just carrying it in his lamp.As fate would have it, today my daughter insisted that "we" make a jack-o-lantern
out of one of the small pumpkins from the plant her great-grandmother gave her.
So interesting the way my life gives me these follow-ups. From theory to practice.OLAL,
Moonchild
This page is excerpted from my original contributions to the Comparative Tarot discussion group.
Graphics created and generously shared by Full Moon Graphics.
http://www.moonchild.ch/Tarot/personal/exercise/EX11.html
