Architecture is basically a container of something. I hope they will enjoy not so much the teacup, but the tea.
~Yoshio Taniguchi,architect redesign MOMA
It is a long and complicated history that we experience here, busily establishing our selves upon this planet of abundance. Exploring the nooks and crannies, gliding over the seas and launching our selves to the heavens. At the same time we have gone deep within to understand the human being and everything about existence. We expose our selves to the darkest places of the human psyche en route to accessing the lightest. In the moment of realization, the crack in the wall, through which the ‘light’ materializes, disappears. There is only what is and nothing relative to anything else leaves us without thought.
Upon the infinite and eternal “I” am but a pencil mark.
Though we discover new things daily, there is much we bring with us from the past, this having a profound influence upon our actions and serving to define our values to the extent that we are limited by definition. The edges define us, provide us with security, are our stories. Our stories are finite representations in infinite presence. Our edges or beliefs are what create the illusion of separation and suffering. If we soften those edges or even allow them to disintegrate, there is no separation. Peace prevails, love flows. We are of service here as only we can be.
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
~Mother Teresa
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Image: Daniel Eskridge[/caption]
The month of May is for three weeks under the influence of Taurus, ruler Venus and its domain, the second house. “I have” is the catch phrase that describes Taurus and what we love and how we want to be loved are features of the second house. Possessions and values are key to this. Sense of self worth is the basis for our understanding of relating to others and all situations. From this place we act and react in the world around us. With a centered sense of self we navigate our environment with ease and grace. With the knowing of our true nature we find peace, balance and stillness. Eventually we come to know that essence is always and is impervious to external influence. Therefore security has nothing to do with anything material I may attain. When established in this knowing, the question of security does not arise. What arises is ‘love’ for all things and a desire to share that; to nurture the world through love and compassion.
Mother Teresa has Saturn and moon (exalted) in Taurus. The call to be of service to the poor and ‘unloved’ motivated Mother Teresa to provide for thousands that which might assist them to greater sense of worth. Though food is necessary for survival, without love our experience here is incomplete. The moon represents our instinctive nature and emotional reactions. Saturn shows us where we have work to do and limitations that we may have to overcome. For Mother Teresa these planets contributed to a dedication to serving others in need with patience and perseverance also Taurean traits.
All these are characteristics that lend them selves to tolerance, support and establishing compassion as a way of traversing the many landscapes on our journey. It is thought that Gautama Buddha was born in the sign of Taurus. He denied him self everything, to be nothing and know truth and freedom from the illusion of material security. The second house is the place where we discover our true sense of values. It represents the various levels of exploration on the road to freedom. First to establish the physical self here in physical reality en route to realizing that this is not where the journey ends but is rather just the beginning.
The Emperor, number IV of the major arcana, is a card of establishment in physical reality; having authority over one’s environment and being successful at being here in a way that is grounded, practical and dominant. The number four is one of strength and stability. The square is a solid base from which to further one’s growth and expansion. If one becomes overly attached to what one has attained at this level, stagnation occurs. Resistance to movement will manifest in different ways.
When using the tarot to discover how I am being limited, one or more of the fours may appear. The Four of Pentacles represents physical reality and shows someone who is attached to what he has gathered in the material world. This is good but allow what you have attained to provide the substance for greater awareness.
The Four of Cups represents what we have experienced on an emotional level; that has served its purpose, we have learned well and it is time to move on, to let go of whatever emotional patterns have been our experience and open to greater emotional maturity.
The Four of Swords indicates where we may lack communication skills; where fear may prevent one from self expression and how patterns of thinking can create a limited experience based on past experience that leaves one paralyzed in terms of relating. Here it is necessary to let go of thoughts that are not true of present experience and move on.
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The Wild Unknown Tarot[/caption]
The Four of Wands is an indication that we experience abundance based on the marriage of all elements and represents a maturity level that ushers us into new opportunities and awareness. Rather than a letting go here there is joyful acceptance and appreciation for all that has come before with a desire to reach out for what may still want to be discovered. Fire, the suit of wands, is movement by nature. It purifies and sets the stage for whatever may arise from the ashes. Here the container is consumed leaving just the ‘tea’ and the ability to enjoy that and a profound desire to share in our enjoyment.
Happy May, savour the tea and thank you for your presence.
