A simple seeker was enjoying the privacy of her secluded patio garden. She sat surrounded by several perspectives on the study of Tarot, with each author seemingly confident that she/he was presenting the final word, more and/or less.
“How did you manage to move your perspective from a focus on The Hermit as a solitary seeker of enlightenment to a comparison of Aces?”
“The Major Arcana relates to general personality characteristics, while the …”
“Did I ask ..?”
“The Aces introduce each of the four suits of cards, that represent the four major energies of Fire (Wands), Air (Swords), Water (Cups), and Earth (Pentacles, or coins). Each Ace offers 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 freebee.”
‘Then what does it cost?”
“It’s not for sale. It can’t be bought.”
“Then how does one receive a gift that’s not for sale, and 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.”
“With my limited understanding?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. They have little or nothing in common with each other.”
“How so?”
“I Ching explains, and supports, social stability within a system of generally accepted basic laws, or rules of order.”
“And Tarot?”
Tarot describes and explains inner dimensions of personal experience; feelings, needs, desires, fears, and interests, and helps us to make sense of them, and to learn to blend them together. And more. Tarot encourages individuals to discover and believe in their personal values, and inspires them 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?”
“Humans seem to need both individual and collective general rules of order. But we also need personal emotional satisfaction, sometimes referred to as needs fulfillment.”
“Where does awareness fit into this scenario of a 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 the collective are as two parts of an infinite oneness, within which they share a dynamic relationship.”
………….
A simple seeker’s note to herself
I wish I more clearly understood what Spirit was explaining to me re the relationship between I Ching and Tarot.
“What don’t you understand?”
“How they can harmonize with each other.”
“They do not.”
“Then what does a dynamic relationship mean?”
“It means that they each serve a personal need, and a societal purpose.”
“What personal need would I Ching serve?”
“Security, protection from real or imagined enemies of any particular collective society, and a sense of inclusion within a group of like-minded people.”
“What societal purpose would Tarot serve?”
“Societies are groups of interrelated individuals. If the individuals develop a sense of self-satisfaction and confidence from studying Tarot, or whatever so-called mystery school, then the society in which the satisfied or enlightened individual lives benefits from the positive attitude of those individuals.
……
Simple Seekers 