EXERCISE: Journal Exercise
Date: Tue, 04 May 2004 13:25:00 +0200
From: Moonchild
To: Comparative Tarot http://comparativetarot.com
Arnell Ando has kindly given permission for me to post her Journal Exercise.
http://www.arnellart.com/journal.htm
> To better aquaint yourself with the Major Arcana archetypes and how they
> resonate within you at every step on your journey, why not take a few
> moments to explore these questions and write down the feelings and
> thoughts they may provoke. I have done this contemplative exercise
> during 'transitional' stages in my life and have gotten surprisingly
> different answers. If you want to share any personal insights, thoughts or
> contributions to this exercise, please feel free to e-mail me.
> The Fool/Dreamer
> Remember a time when you felt careless and free?Yes, most of my life before I became a parent.
> When you followed a hunch and trusted that it would work out just fine. What happened?
My whole life is like that. It brings lots of interesting things.
> The Magician
> What skills are you learning to develop?How to deal with the PTA! Seriously, in addition to all the regular
parenthood stuff that I need/learn day-to-day, I'm now entering the
phase of learning the educational system, how to deal with it and the
people in it.> What talents do you already have at your disposal?
I'm halfway intelligent and literate, and a quick learner. I'm slow to
anger. I'm handy at a few things: gardening and crafts and the like.> Sorceress/High Priestess
> What is the biggest secret you keep from yourself?None of your business! Seriously, I think it's that I won't do it
tomorrow; I'm just saying that so I don't have to do it now.> Empress
> In what ways do you feel you make the world a better, more livable place?I contribute to making the world a better place by raising an awesome
child. I try to do a good deed every day. I'm kind to others, and
especially helpful to children and old ladies. I try to live with a
minimum of negative impact on the environment (except when I take a
shower).> How do you nurture yourself?
Eat chocolate.
> Emperor
> What is your greatest achievement? What are you most proud of?Bearing and raising a healthy, intelligent, beautiful child; taking my
mom to Europe; working as Music Editor for the Clearwater Sun newspaper.> Heirophant/Sage
> Who do you look up to and why?Bob O'Neill. Karin Meyer. They know what they believe and they live by it.
> What has been your greatest truth; your 'motto'?
One Love All Love
> The Lovers
> Think back to a time when you had to make a choice between love and your own needs & goals.
Do you feel you made the right decision?Yes, when I count my many blessings. I have a good life.
No, when I miss my old life, feel homesick, feel selfish, or face other challenges.> The Chariot/Challenge
> Recall a time when you were courageous and overcame your fears. What was that like?It's happened more than once, and it always makes me feel better. I've
learned that fear, nervousness and worry are things that occur before,
rather than during, such times. They are phantoms.> Justice
> What is the most difficult injustice you face in your own life?I can't buy a new mouse because they don't make cables for my old Mac
ports anymore. Also, age spots.> What is the greatest injustice you perceive in the world around you?
People everywhere don't have clean water.
> Do you think you have any power to change this; and if so; how? And if not; why not?
I don't, but the world does. It's too big for me, and the world has other priorities.
> The Hermit
> How often do you make time just for yourself?Every evening, and if I'm lucky, an hour or so after lunch.
> What do you do with this space and time?
Tarot exercises.
> The Wheel/Karma
> Recall a time when you were faced with your own prejudice. Did this awareness alter your views?I'm not sure, but it seems my views (or rather, my experiences) create
my prejudices, rather than vice versa. I don't have any unquestioned
prejudices, but maybe some preconceptions. My prejudices have grown out
of multiple experiences, but I'm pretty open to getting enlightened
about my preconceptions. It's the experience, either way, that alters
my views (i.e. creating prejudice or dashing preconceptions). Awareness
of each is what's important, and sometimes just accepting them, too.> Strength
> Remember a time when you put your own needs, wants; even ego aside to look compassionately
upon another and protected them or defended their honor.A good deed a day.
> Hanged Man/Reflection
> Think of a time when you knew you were right, but then someone's view turned yours upside-down.When I was tripping and discussing the song "Imagine" with Joe.
Acid turned a lot of my views upside-down!> Death
> When was the last time you felt rejuvenated by the possibilities life has to offer?Every spring.
> Temperance/Alchemy
> What aspect of your life seems effortless; flowing?My water supply; indoor plumbing.
> The Devil
> What are your dreams and secret desires? What is holding you back from living them out?For my dream: the mountain of work. For my desire: marriage and family.
*How about this question: To what are you in bondage?
My answer: Cigarettes.> The Tower
> What is the most devastating tragedy you have lived through? How did you overcome this loss?Losing my stuff when I moved to Switzerland. I still haven't totally
overcome it. Some things just can't be replaced. But I've grown to
accept it, and acquired a whole bunch of other stuff.> The Star
> What are you optimistic about? What is the one dream that you will never part from?My child's future. My own future.
*What are your blessings?
Too many to list, in all areas.
> The Moon
> What cycles of change do you feel you move through over and over again in your life?
Besides the obvious female cycle, I can think of two: clothes and
garden. Both are seasonal. I switch out my clothes between the closet,
the attic, and the suitcase. In the spring, I take clothes from the
attic for the suitcase. When I take them out of my suitcase, they go in
the closet, and the clothes in the closet go to the attic. In the fall,
the closet stuff goes to the suitcase, then back to the attic. I don't
think I have to explain the garden cycle.> When are you most receptive to change?
When I have enough time to prepare for its coming.
> What part of yourself do you keep hidden from everyone else?
The bad part. And hopefully the selfish part, with effort.
> The Sun
> Recall a time when you felt completely happy and comfortable with who you are.Italy!
> Judgement/Liberation
> How have you changed your view about the meaning of life over time?I've come to give credit to the Creator, rather than the Created. And
that the Universe is bigger than what I can see.> What mistakes in your life have you still not forgiven yourself for?
Losing my stuff. Losing touch with friends.
> The World
> Think of a time when you felt the awareness of a connection to all living beings. Are you feeling that now?No, but I could if I meditated on it.
One Love All Love,
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/EXaa.html
