Believe Nothing.
Entertain Possibilities.

SPLITTING APART ~ 23

~ Impermanence ~ Collapse ~ Deterioration ~ Separation ~

~ Let Go ~ Surrender ~ Eliminate the Old ~ Death ~

The hexagram of SPLITTING APART means that something in your life is at an end. Without endings there would be no possibility of a fresh beginning to bring new life, for everything is cyclically restored by letting go of the old. We love the colors of spring, summer, and autumn, but once winter sets in and the trees are stripped bare, it is harder to appreciate their stark beauty. Just as winter is the season of naked, unadorned truth, so too, the time of splitting apart forces change upon us by exposing the cold facts - heartache, disappointment, death, decay - that are seldom seen as beautiful. If you are dealing with separation or deterioration, you are in a vulnerable place, pushed by external forces too momentous to be denied. On some level you are facing the inevitability of death and you need to let go.

Instead of seeing things that are naturally in opposition, such as light and dark, as simply two sides of one coin, we tend to place positive and negative values on them; hence we see sadness as a threat to happiness, death as the defeat of life and so on. The dualistic mind keeps us caught in a mental game of Ping-Pong, fearful and at cross-purposes with Nature, in denial of wholeness and continuity, and of the restorative cycle of death and rebirth that is rhythmic heartbeat of life.

 
Our bodies are in a constant cycle of death and regeneration at the cellular level, yet when we face this process in our daily lives, it can seem excruciating. Nature in her dispassionate wisdom does whatever is needed to continue her ongoing rhythm. Yet if it were up to us, we would cling to everything and everyone we ever loved, forever. Even though we learn that holding on is a source of pain, we desperately resist letting go.

 
When the “due date” on a product is past, we don’t hesitate to toss it out. But if it is a relationship, our health, or a job that is at issue, we experience shock, rage, or fearfulness at being caught lacking, naked, and vulnerable. Nothing is more distressing to the ego or threatening to the inner equilibrium than being exposed as weak or disadvantaged.

 
Under the circumstances, the only choice is to let nature run its course. Put all your energy toward facilitating the process. Be very firm with your self, avoid self-pity, and get ready to move on. Whatever is being put to rest now needs to be. Although things are deteriorating, you need not collapse with them; instead, appreciate the transformative power of this time. “Let go so that you may be restored” is the dynamic of SPLITTING APART. Withdraw now from any thoughts, situations, or people that are obstructing the process of letting go, and surrender to it.

 
If the time for splitting apart has arrived, it is unavoidable. By accepting and working with it, we naturally grow in maturity. As you recognize and integrate the fundamental reality of death and decay in your life, the spectrum becomes whole and you become wiser. This experience, however painful it may be right now, is an invitation to respect all of life’s colors, not just your favorites. When impermanence is accepted as an integral part of living, you are in tune with the Tao.

CONTEMPLATION ~ 20

~ Gaining Overview ~ Detached Observation ~ Solitude ~

~ Increased Understanding ~ Integration thru Reflection ~

An enlightened perspective doesn’t differentiate between the self and the whole of existence. There are no lines of separation. The approach is one of “I am all that I perceive; all that is, resides in me.”

 
This is a time for reflecting upon life, retreating from activity and involvement with the busy mind, and experiencing the profound nature of cool detachment.
 

Retreating into the silence and majesty of nature fills the cup of being to overflowing, lightens the mind, and brings serenity to the heart. The wise know that there is a time for everything, including time for contemplation. They accept things naturally, as they are, without feeling the need to make improvements. Humbled by the awesome luminosity and perfection of IS-ness that is Tao, they approach these times of solitude with reverence.

As long as we are living life by speeding over the surface, we never have a chance to visit the depths. Often we move from one event to another without taking time to reflect on the influence each of those events has on our lives. In doing so, we cheat ourselves of the enrichment of experience that comes from taking the time to pause from our daily activities and take stock. Changes are not always obvious; they can move silently like hidden streams from deep within the being. We miss so much when we are estranged from silence.

  
It is far too easy, when we are busy and preoccupied, to take life for granted and forget that it is a gift. The willingness to participate silently in nature’s rhythmic unfolding and to receive her revelations will realign you to wonder. Contemplative observation will strengthen and center you. Once you have learned the knack of discerning wisdom that can see through any darkness, it is finally possible to be at home with who you are, wherever you are. You no longer feel like an outsider to life, as though you are waiting for something to happen or someone to invite you into the play.

 
Now is the time to contemplate the inner realms of your being, to become familiar with the landscape of yourself, to recognize what your truths are today and nourish them. Let go of any past patterns of behavior and activity that no longer have relevance. You might be surprised to discover that profound shifts have been taking place in your consciousness while you were busy making other plans. This time of contemplation is like the gap between the in-breath and the out-breath, a precious interval that sustains the very flow and vitality of life.

 
A contemplative space can be facilitated by meditating on a symbol, a work of art or music, your own heartbeat, the sound of silence. Experiencing an atmosphere of contemplation does not necessarily mean venturing into nature but it surely helps. Be like the full moon now, silent and serene. Reflect the world but remain at a distance from it. You will taste a very different quality once you perceive yourself, your life, and all of nature as complete and whole and intimately conjoined.

MODESTY ~ 15

~ Moderation ~ Humility ~ Keep it Simple ~ Sincerity ~

~ Lack of Pretension ~ Self-Respect ~ Respectability ~

We live in a world that reveres extraordinariness. Sooner or later nearly everyone fantasizes about being admired for their brilliance, and the guarantee of happiness from gaining fame, fortune, and adoration because of it. Rarely do we come across anyone who is content to be simply ordinary. Craving anything new, exciting or glamorous, we imagine how our lives could be different; worrying about how the world sees us or wondering whether the grass might be greener in the other fellow’s garden keeps us discontented and preoccupied to the point of distraction.

 
Paradoxically, persons who live simply and who wholeheartedly focus on attending to life in the moment already stand out from the crowd.

Modest individuals aren’t concerned with the doings of others; they simply get on with living their lives to the best of their ability. A modest approach now will ensure your success, perhaps surpassing those who are busy creating a reputation. Be willing to remain in the background, not calling attention to yourself or your efforts; the nature of your efforts will be respected once it comes to light.

  
Modesty is a virtue that is highly respected in leaders, because their moderation works toward the common good and can be counted upon regardless of circumstances. As a natural consequence of their balanced nature, moderate individuals have a healthy self-respect, taking care not only of others but of their own needs as well. Look within for clarity while remaining open to what is happening, and weigh all things in the balance before drawing conclusions. Even if that means going against prevailing opinion, follow the guidance of your intuitive knowing.

  
If you act immoderately by overextending yourself physically, mentally, or emotionally, exhaustion and complications are sure to result. Moderation is modesty in action that keeps things simply, enabling us to discern more easily when we are moving toward extremes and what to do about it. Simplicity creates spaciousness; whether we are clearing unnecessary clutter from a room or from our minds, the result is not only refreshing and expansive but a new perspective is gained as well.

  
Meditation will realign you to the intrinsic spaciousness within yourself, allowing you to become alert and attentive to the present moment as it unfolds. It restores inner equilibrium that has been lost by stress. Keeping your awareness in the present moment puts an end to struggle and provides you with room to respond creatively from moment to moment. It gently and subtly engenders nourishing qualities of self-acceptance and forgiveness, while diminishing negative habits like seeing yourself as a victim of circumstance. A good deal of humility, alertness, and patience is required for any transformation, and these qualities are nourished by meditation.

  
It takes maturity to understand that specialness invariably becomes a prison, and that equanimity is freedom from extremes. Taking responsibility for the choices you make can be the beginning of an overdue humbling process. Start where you are now, and correct any imbalances brought on by immoderate thoughts or behavior. Then you are in alignment with the modest quest for what is sincere & true in yourself.

DELIVERANCE ~ 40

~ Release ~ Relief ~ A Fresh Approach ~ Exhilaration ~

~ Liberation from Obstruction ~ Finding a Solution ~

The time of DELIVERANCE is captured best in the image of a thunderstorm. As in nature, when there has been a long dry spell, and thunderheads are gathering on the horizon, the time for deliverance is at hand. Before a storm breaks, the accumulation of energy and tension can build to a point where it feels almost unbearable. Then, the sudden release of pent-up energy in lightning and thunder delivers the earth from the oppressive conditions in the gusts of wind and cooling rain.

  
Awareness and grounding are especially needed at a time like this, lest you get swept off your feet by your own overwhelming sense of relief and euphoria. The small, ordinary things of life still need careful and ongoing attention - and taking care of business is the best preventative medicine to ward off the let-down that can often follow such a high.

That’s not to say it’s inappropriate to rejoice or feel unburdened now - rather, enjoy and keep your feet on the ground. When a thunderstorm has passed, there is an uncommon freshness and sense of renewal in the air ... and there is often a fair amount of debris on the ground that needs sorting through and cleaning up. It is vital now to identify and clear away any destructive thoughts or actions that might have created the heavy atmosphere that lead up to the storm. Taking time for reflection will strengthen your ability to learn from your actions and help you gain the clarity not to repeat the same mistakes in the future. No matter what the sources of past tensions, it is now possible to observe them with less passion and greater equanimity. And it is from this detached perspective that you can best understand what steps you need to take to move forward.

  
A word of caution: “detachment” is cool, free from emotional storms and drama, but it is not cold and unfeeling. In the aftermath of all the storms and interplay of energies in life, it is always important to maintain a spirit of open-heartedness and compassion. Forgiveness is a healing force, and it is just as important to forgive ourselves as it is to forgive others. In fact, the two often go together. By letting go of the past and its turmoil, you will clear the ground for the lessons of DELIVERANCE to take firm root in the soil and grow into a deeper and more profound liberation of the spirit.

  
If any hurts or misunderstandings remain unaddressed in the current situation, it’s time to acknowledge them, do whatever is possible to heal the wounds or clear up the misunderstandings and move on. There is a window of opportunity now to move quickly and decisively into a new order of things, and this is best accomplished with heartfelt gratitude for all the lessons learned.  

TREADING ~ 10

~ Conduct ~ Self-Awareness ~ Act Responsibly ~

~ Proceed with Caution & Sensitivity ~ Correct Behavior ~

There are basically two modes of conduct in human life: conduct that arises from ego, and conduct that arises from essence. While it can be a lifelong endeavor to acquire the inner awareness, centering, and integration that enable you to act from essence, the hexagram of TREADING characterizes a situation where the differences between these two modes of conduct come sharply into focus.

  
When you feel impatient or irritated with someone or something, it is a sure sign that the ego is agitated by the possibility its desires won’t be met. The ego isn’t hard to identify once it begins aggressively promoting its own cause and pushing others aside to get its way, regardless of the consequences.

Cut off from any influence other than its own wants, the ego fuels an inner attitude that undervalues other people and, consciously or unconsciously, oversteps their personal boundaries. You tend to believe you have special dispensation to go for it regardless of whether “it” is in sync with the rest of life or not. Anyone who is seen to be working at cross purposes to the ego’s agenda is self-righteously dismissed as irrelevant, inept, or impossible.

  
In situations involving the completion of a project, or working together with a team, ego-driven conduct never takes responsibility for the glitches, but it is quick to claim the credit for any success. In situations of private unhappiness, it is the ego that wants to avoid all responsibility by placing blame on some other person, superstition, or outside force like fate.

  
Once we have lost the awareness and integrity of essence and become distracted by the demands of the ego, we tend to start acting like robots, using old conditioned-behavior patterns that are so entrenched that we start thinking this is what makes up “me”. For the ego, functioning from habit is trouble-free because it can play out its favorite program of fantasies and projections without interference from the risky reality that opens up when sensitivity, spontaneity, and trust are allowed to lead the way.

 
The essence, on the other hand, is so self-assured and at home in its own skin that it has no need to prove itself by advancing its own goals against the goals of others. It is happy to move on the middle path and takes great interest in the challenge of remaining aware of each step on the way. When you act from essence, in other words, you act with awareness and sensitivity to all the variables in play, including the feelings of those around you, the demands of the times, and how your actions might best promote a greater sense of harmony and understanding. This is particularly true when you sense that there is trouble brewing somewhere “out there: or within your Self. When you act from essence, you understand that marching to the beat of your own drum is not contradictory to playing in harmony with the band. We tread this fine line between egoistic drives and essential awareness throughout the whole of our lives. Getting savvy to these individual attributes of human nature makes the going a lot less treacherous, and a lot more rewarding.  

If you look closely at what Butterfly is trying to teach, you will realize that it is the never-ending cycle of self-transformation. The way to discern where you are in this cycle is to ask yourself:
1. Is this the egg stage: Is it just a thought or idea?
2. Is this the larva stage: Do I need to make a decision?
3. Is this the cocoon stage: Am I developing and doing something to make my idea a reality?
4. Is this the birth stage: Am I sharing my completed idea?

 
By asking yourself these questions, you will discover how Butterfly is relating to you at this moment. When you understand where you are, the symbol can teach you what to do next to continue in the cycle of self-transformation. If you have found the position through which you are cycling, you will see the creativity of Butterfly.

 
Using the air, or mental powers, of this medicine is done with ease. As an example, if you have been feeling exhausted and have asked how to heal your fatigue, take notice of the colors you have been drawn to lately. Does your body feel better in green? Could this mean you need to eat more green vegetables? This type of thinking is an inspiration from Butterfly medicine.

 
Butterfly can give clarity to your mental process, help you organize a project you are undertaking, and assist you in finding the next step for your personal life or career. The main message to be obtained from drawing this symbol is that you are ready to undergo some type of transformation. To discern what your next move is, use the Butterfly spread.

CONTRARY: If you are operating from Shadow ...
  

If you have drawn Butterfly reversed, your lesson is a simple one. There is a need for change in your life that you are not recognizing. This could be a possible need for freedom, for a vacation, or for a new job. You may believe that change is too difficult, and you may rule it out to preserve the comfort of old habits. But in ruling out any possibility of change, you are saying that the courage of Butterfly has been lost. Why does Butterfly represent courage? Because there is a totally different world outside the cocoon, where the known realities of the chrysalis are no longer applicable. This new world demands that you use your newfound wings - and fly!

Skunk is teaching you that by walking your talk and by respecting your Self, you will create a position of strength and honored reputation. The carriage of your body relates to others what you believe about yourself. There is no need to bully, aggravate, torment, or overpower other beings when your sense of “self” intact. As with Skunk, the resonant field of energy around your body is relayed through the senses. Self-esteem permeates the body’s energy, and is instantly recognized on an extrasensory level by others.

  
Learn to assert, without ego, what you are. Respect follows. Your self-respectful attitude will repel those who are not of like mind, and yet will attract those who choose the same pathway. As the odor of Skunk attracts others of its kind, it repels those who will not respect its space.

 
Skunk medicine people have the ability to attract others, and they are very charismatic. At the same time, the other side of their natural power is to repel those who seek to take energy from them without recycling the gifts they have taken.

 
Skunk medicine people also know how to use the energy flows that will attract a lover. Some people call this sexual magic, as it is akin to the musk scent that animals excrete to attract a mate. It can be dangerous to leak sexual energy if you are not looking for a mate. It puts you into a games condition that may feed your ego but not how others feel about you. If you are attracting others who have an interest in you, you are in a sense saying, “I’m available.” This can cause hard feelings when the truth comes out. It also leaks energy that you could have used in a more constructive way.

 
In Skunk medicine, it is good to learn how to handle energy flows. Modern psychologists call this body language. In tribal teachings, this is your personal medicine which you are showing to others. Use your medicine well, and know that you are known by your reputation. How you use your energy will attract either honor or disgrace. You may want to examine what energy you are putting out that creates your present situation.

 
If you have chosen this symbol, you are being asked to notice the kinds of people who are attracted to you. If they emulate favorable characteristics, have enough self-esteem to recognize those characteristics within your Self. Walk tall and be proud of the accomplishments you have made. Bear in mind that what you believe about your Self is your ultimate protection. Project self-respect!

CONTRARY: If you are operating from Shadow ...
   

Skunk medicine operating through the contrary or reversed position indicates that your self-esteem may seem to others as if you are putting on airs. Observe whether or not you are repelling others in your vicinity because of envy, jealousy, or a projection of THEIR low self-esteem. Examine your feelings. Be truthful with your Self. Right the situation by assuming the attitude of Skunk: NONCHALANCE. In assuming nonchalance, you are neutralizing the effect of leaking energy.

 
In leaking vital energy, you may be stinking up your environment. This is similar to dumping all of your woes on anyone who will listen. If you are doing this, it may be time to shut your mouth and go within. You may also be leaking sexual energy and repulsing the object of your interest. That person may be too shy to tell you to lay off. Look deeply at your self-image and how others are reacting to it.

 
To balance the causes and effects of your actions and energy flows, you must decide whether or not you need to spray in the direction of others to repel their envy, greed, jealousy, or over-amorous tendencies. On the other hand, you need to always maintain your “right to be”. Self-respect is the key to all of these situations, whereas ego is merely what you believe yourself to be. Skunk says, “If your ego is not your amigo, you know it stinks!”

The basic idea of ancient initiations was to break down all the former notions of “self” that were held by the shaman-to-be. This could entail brutal tests of physical strength and psychic ability, and having every emotional “button” pushed hard. Taunting and spitting on the initiate was common, and taught him or her to endure the duress with humility and fortitude. The final initiation step was to be buried in the earth for one day and to be reborn without the former ego in the morning.

 
This ritual is very similar to the night of fear practiced by natives of Turtle Island. In this ritual, the shaman-to-be is sent to a certain location to dig his or her grave and spend the night in the womb of Mother Earth totally alone, with the mouth of the grave covered by a blanket. Darkness, and the sounds of animals prowling, quickly confronts the initiate with his or her fears.

 
As the darkness of the grave has its place in this ritual, so does the cave of Bat. Hanging upside-down is a symbol for learning to transpose your former self into a newborn being. This is also the position that babies assume when they enter the world from the womb of woman.

 
If Bat has appeared in your cards today, it symbolizes the need for a ritualistic death of some way of life that no longer suits your new growth pattern. This can mean a time of letting go of old habits, and of assuming the position in life that prepares you for rebirth, or in some cases initiation. In every case, Bat signals rebirth of some part of your Self or the death of old patterns. If you resist your destiny, it can be a long, drawn out, or painful death. The Universe is always asking you to grow and become your future. To do so you must die the shaman’s death.

CONTRARY: If you are operating from Shadow ...
   

If Bat is still hanging upside-down in the cave and immersed in darkness, you have met its contrary medicine. This position leads to stagnation of the spirit and a refusal to acknowledge your true destiny - which is always to use the talents you have to the fullest. Is there some area of your life that has dammed up and therefore stopped your desire to create? If so, look at surrendering to the death of that stagnation.

  
Bat can also imply that in the reversal of your natural cycle of rebirth you are trying to go at life in a backward mode. This is a breech birth, in a sense. This type of occluded understanding of how to go about freeing yourself can lead to a still birth if you struggle too long in the birth canal. The final outcome can be death of the body. Some people think themselves into a corner with obstacles that are illusionary. By the time they decide what to do, the opportunities are gone and old age is upon them. All of their dreams have passed them by. Reversed Bat says to use your mind, courage, and strength to insure an easy labor and quick delivery into your new state of understanding and growth. Surrender to the new life you have created from thought and desire, and bravely greet that dawn.

 
If you are concerned with today and tomorrow but not much further, you may forget to see further down the road. Tribal teachings say that you are responsible for future generations because you are the ancestors of the future. Whatever you do today will affect the next seven generations. Every decision, every thought, is to create a state of stagnation or rebirth for those that follow you on the Good Red Road. If you are blocking yourself, you may be blocking the generations to come.

 
Bat flies at night, and in the night are born your dreams. These are the dreams that build future civilizations, so nourish them well.

By observing the graceful pounce of Mountain Lion, you will learn how to balance power, intention, physical strength, and grace. This relates, in human terms, to the balance of the body, mind, and spirit. The giant feline never wastes anything. It only kills what it needs for survival. The female lion is the hunter who graces her table in a style akin to mother energy.
  

If Mountain Lion has come to you in dreams, it is a time to stand on your convictions and lead yourself where your heart takes you. Others may choose to follow, and the lessons will multiply. If you have pulled the card of Mountain Lion, you may be asked to review the purpose behind your personal beliefs. You may need to discover whether or not your plans include a pride of cubs wanting to be like you or to share in your dreams. If you are already a leader, the question may be whether or not the time has come to push the cubs out of the cave. If you are aligned with cat medicine, you are considered to be “kind of the mountain”, and never allowed to be human or vulnerable. The pitfalls are many, but the rewards are great.

  
In assuming the place of power that Mountain Lion affords, you must constantly be aware of keeping peace. However, you can never make everyone happy unless you lie to yourself or others. This is human nature. Therefore the first responsibility of leadership is to tell the truth. Know it and live it, and your example will filter down to the tiniest cub in the pride. Responsibility is no more than the ability to respond to any situation. Panic is not a part of this sacred medicine.