A simple seeker was meditating on the mystery of Tarot.
“How did you manage to move your focus from The Hermit, as a solitary seeker, of enlightenment to comparing Aces?”
“The Major Arcana, which includes The Hermit, relates to general personality characteristics, while ..”
“Did I ask ..?”
“The Aces introduce each of the four suits of the Minor Arcana, and offer a sacred gift – a promise, almost.”
“How could a gift, or promise, be sacred, and still be no more than an almost?”
“It’s not a freebie.”
“Then what does it cost?”
“It’s not for sale, at least it can’t be purchased.”
“Then how does one receive a gift that isn’t free and yet can’t be purchased?”
“It’s a promise of reward if effort is made to follow one’s dream, or path, and is meant to inspire self-confidence.”
“How does Tarot differ from I Ching.”
“You’re asking me?”
“Yes.””
“From my limited understanding?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. They have little or nothing in common.”
“How so?”
“I Ching explains and supports social stability within a system of generally accepted rules of order.”
“And Tarot?”
“Tarot explains inner dimensions of personal experience; feelings, desires, needs, fears, and interests, and helps us to make sense of them, and then to learn to blend them together. And more, It encourages us to believe in our individual values, and inspires us to reach for success and happiness.”
“And I Ching does not?”
“Personal satisfaction and happiness don’t seem to be high priorities, from an I Ching perspective.”
“Then why study both?”
“We seem to need both individual and collective general rules of order. But we also need personal and emotional satisfaction.”
“Where does awareness fit into this two-sided view of the ideal society.”
“I didn’t call it ideal.”
“No. I did.”
“Then I’ll let you explain where and how awareness fits into the picture.”
“Awareness is understanding the reality that the individual and collective are as two parts of an infinite oneness, within which they share a dynamic relationship to each other.”
……..
Simple Seekers 