Getting Out of Our Own Way: More Thoughts on Attunement
AUTHOR’S NOTE: In the chapter on “Rhythm” in his book The Tao of Thoth, Ethan Indigo Smith describes being obstructed by the routine “rhythms of the world” and, in order to advance, learning to “move out of our own way, physically at first, and as we progress mentally and emotionally as well. An example of being in our own way is allowing the rhythm of mental and emotional peaks and valleys to take us for a ride. The more we are able to balance the rides down from the peaks and the climbs up from the valley the more energy we have to engage the world.”
Smith argues that, in an unbalanced state, the need to constantly adjust to persistent physical, sexual, mental and emotional stresses takes 90% to 95% of our energy, leaving roughly 5% to 10% for more rewarding discretionary pursuits. He continues: “Consider developing your sensitivity to situations so that you never are in your own way and so that you know what is happening in your surroundings so you never are in the way of incoming traffic and incoming energy.” The ability to anticipate what is coming is essential to this kind of nimble maneuvering, allowing us to shunt some of these stresses aside.
I believe that tarot is perfectly suited to the purposes of achieving situational awareness and alignment. thus putting this harmonious state of equilibrium within reach. As is frequently the case, a client will arrive for a tarot reading with a challenge to be overcome and a specific intention or objective in mind. They may or may not tell the reader exactly what this is (I personally prefer not knowing the details, at most just the general topic area), but the cards will speak to it regardless of the diviner’s level of awareness. As I see it, the opening act in a reading is a private communion between the client and the cards; I don’t become actively involved until the spread is dealt.
Let’s suppose that the seeker wants to know whether love (and its corollary, sexual gratification) will soon appear on the horizon. I chose a simple three-card line for the scope of this essay, although five cards would be better to show incremental developments over time.
In an ideal world, we would hope to see a predominance of sympathetic Water cards for the emotional outlook, with a hint of stimulating Fire supplying the passion. Anxious rationalizing and second-guessing (Air) or cautious resistance to change (Earth) should play no part if this scenario is to unfold according to the individual’s desires.
Here are a couple of hand-picked example readings. The hypothetical question in each case was “What are my prospects for finding love?”
In the top (“best-case”) scenario there are two highly-encouraging emotional cards bracketing a spark of passion. Although Elemental Dignity would suggest an unfavorable climate for a sexual liaison in that the vigor of the Ace of Wands would be diluted by the adjoining Cups, the purity of the Ace is not much bothered by the adjacent Water cards that stand in attendance, graciously parting (aka “getting out of the way”) and letting Fire shine through. The only downside I can see is impatience leading to frustration. Overall, I would read this as auguring success in the not-too-distant future.
The bottom (“worst-case”) row, with two unsettled Air cards and one uneventful Earth card, offers a less favorable environment since there is a strenuous elemental conflict going on. The Air cards convey considerable apprehension while the Earth card indicates an excess of caution. I don’t see much happening with this combination since the energies are much more disaffected. Rational and instinctual reservations get in the way of emotional and physical fulfillment.
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on October 26, 2024.
