Yesterday, 20 children and six adults were shot dead in a school in Newtown, Connecticut and 22 children were stabbed (but lived) in Beijing, China. These shocking events are leaving people numb, enraged, sorrowful, confused. At first, I thought, “You know what? Maybe the world blowing into dust on December 21, 2012 wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all. Then Life could start over and do a better job.” Then, I remembered a phrase that teacher, shaman, ceremonialist, and musician Chris Reynolds said to a group of us last week: “When you don’t want to be here, it’s an act of violence toward the Earth.” Remembering that moved me to tears and snapped me out of my cynicism.
We need to process the trauma and grief. Each of us has ways to do so in the face of such moments. My own ways include using the tarot to help sort out my thoughts and feelings, journal writing, and being in collaborative conversation with peers. Here, my intention is to offer what came to me as I asked questions and drew tarot cards from the 1JJ tarot deck. Please feel free to join the conversation in the Comments section. It’s a highly charged event, so let’s please honour each other’s point of view and simply comment on the questions, cards, and responses. Thank you in advance for that.
- What is the root cause of events such as what occurred in Newtown and Beijing yesterday? XXI, The World, reversed. Feeling that the various aspects of self are separate or fractured. Being caught up in one’s own inner world without noticing others.
- What is our first step in healing that separation, fracturing, and lack of awareness of others? 5 of Pentacles, upright. Make changes in health programmes. Interrupt patterns of physical violence or abuse.
- What resources can help us to make those changes? XIIII, Temperance, upright. Inclusivity and integration, making art, willingness to find unity and commonality, meetings between people and groups who don’t usually mix together.
- What is our least healthy or least helpful response to yesterday’s events? 8 of Pentacles, upright. Stinginess with tangible resources. Cutting back anything health-related.
- What is our most healthy or most helpful response to yesterday’s events? XI, Strength, reversed. Do what’s necessary to survive emotionally. Use our strongest inner coping mechanisms to ensure psychological survival.
- What do the survivors of those events most need from us at this time? King of Pentacles, reversed. The termination of our unconscious suicidal tendencies. A willingness to disengage from our outworn security platitudes.
- What questions are we invited to carry with us as a result of yesterday’s events? 4 of Cups, reversed. What addiction(s) am I tempted to act on? What steps am I willing to take toward healing and recovery? How can I embody my relationship with the Great Mystery in this moment? How can I demonstrate self-love here and now? What does acting with depth and intimacy really look like?
Thank you, James. My emotions began to rise before I even read a word so the power was ‘felt’ not ‘understood’. Thank you for sharing possibility and hope and love. Ali
Some knowings are beyond words, Ali. Praise Life that you feel them!
Thank you James – Wise, healing, empowering.
You’re welcome, James. The cards are very helpful catalysts, aren’t they?
Thank you for this post, James. It is part of a catalyst for change, at least in my little corner of this world. Would love to have you join us. I created a Facebook group that will focus on this light and love in order to eliminate the darkness that is… http://www.facebook.com/groups/EnoughDarkness
Please join me. 🙂
Tina Brooks
You’re welcome, Tina. My hope is that what came through the questions and cards will help us all to reflect, then act accordingly. Thank you for starting the group you mention!
It is interesting that the Tarot cards have such common sense answers. And now for me to do my piece.
Rosalba
I simply make the cards’ concepts fit into the questions asked, Rosalba. That’s the beauty of them; they’ll morph into what we need them to be in many situations. What piece can we look forward to from you?
Got chills reading that piece…such honesty.
Thank you, Lisa. To what truth in yourself did the chills lead you?
Profound insights, thank you James it has opened me up to new understandings of how I feel and ‘see’ these situations.
You’re welcome, Tamara. Then posing the questions has been worth it.
The question, how can I embody the great
mystery?
It’s a question to sit with daily, isn’t it? Each response that comes to us as we sit with that question won’t necessarily be grand, but it will be fitting.
Very meaning-filled post, James. Blessings.
Thank you, Tom. May it do what it needs to do within you.