Tarot Card of the Day
Temperance (Deck: Tarot of the Divine by Yoshi Yoshitani)
Temperance is one of my favorite cards of the tarot deck. It’s one of my soul cards, too. It’s about balance, compassion, tolerance, and moderation. The figure usually has one foot in the water and one on solid land, indicating that we should keep a balance between our watery emotions and the earthly practical side of life. My life is like this particular image. Many things going on, and keeping the balance between them all. This requires patience, with one’s self, with those around you, and with the situations that come up unexpectedly. We can’t be everything to everyone. We have to be selective in what we choose to spend our time on, and maintain a balance between work, relationships, family, spirituality, and self-care. That last one is important! We have to take care of ourselves before we can be of any use to anyone else.
The Temperance card in the Tarot of the Divine deck is represented by the Buddhist Bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara. (Please don’t make me try to say that out loud!) The Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings that choose to help others along their path rather than be reincarnated. Avalokiteshvara was full of compassion for all beings, human and animal. They wanted to help everyone and everything. They tried, but could not help them all. Full of compassion, and motivated to help as many as they could, they sprouted 11 heads and 1000 arms, each hand with an eye on the palm to see where help was needed.
As much as we would wish to, we cannot sprout 11 heads and 1000 hands, so we have to make due with the one head and 2 hands we have been given. How can you find balance? Look at where you spend your time and money, and that will tell you many things about your priorities. Are your actions in line with your values and priorities? If not, it’s time to reconsider either your priorities, or where you spend your resources. Find that balance between all the areas of your life and you will be more productive and more fulfilled.
-MAJK Mom (majkmom.com)
(Resource: Beneath the Moon by Yoshi Yoshitani)
