Tarot, Movies and Books
Hannah Green
HAPPY JULY AND FULL MOON ECLIPSE
Sending my very best to you! I am finding ways to take breaks and have time to myself that are doable like taking a staycation, a walk the beach, enjoying a daytime movie. Studies show that limiting time spent on news media and especially social media can reduce stress and I am doing my best to heed this.
I recently looked up the definition of escape which reads: to break free from confinement or control.
I wonder how many of us are facing some urges to escape right now - I know I am. I think this is a very potent place to explore. I am finding out that so much of my difficulty comes from unconscious attempts to escape. Can I instead befriend the part of me that wants to escape? Can I love her? Can I stop waiting for her to change or behave? Slowly and with reminders...yes. I can love her and this means I can grow up. Growing up means living with more honesty, magic, pleasure and peace.
What are some ways you can take a break and have some time for yourself right now?
"One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious." Carl Jung
EMBRACING THE SHADOW WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN
JULY TAROT READING
Center: Us right now ~ 2 OF CUPS
Left: The recent past. STRENGTH
Right: The near future. ACE OF SWORDS
Above:The conscious material at play. 4 OF WANDS
Below:The unconscious material at play. 10 OF CUPS
We are facing ourselves as never before. The alchemical marriage is alchemizing. We are integrating all aspects of our Self in order to meet our Selves as whole human beings. Staying home and slowing down has given us the opportunity to get to know ourselves better. It has given us the chance to get to know our loved ones better. Anything that needed to be brought out into the open and dealt with has been given that chance. If some of it has been unpleasant we would do well to remember that pain is often the touchstone of spiritual growth.
The recent past may have been challenging due to these factors and due to the fact that the collective is facing it's collective shadow. This work of making conscious what was unconscious has catalyzed this current state of integration and healing. If we had some fight or flight chemistry that is understandable and tolerating it and being compassionate with it has helped us grow.
We are learning to communicate and grow up. When we learn to comment on our process rather than act it out we become relational. For example, "I notice that I have some fight or flight chemistry going and I need to take a break. I am going to get some fresh air and check back with you in a little bit."
Being compassionate with ourselves like this allows us to drink the nectar of wisdom and compassion and move forward with new purpose. We have tremendous potential. New ways of thinking and new perspectives are here. This aha moment is a gift but we worked and have made ourselves ready to receive it.
This month there is an opportunity to examine our commitments. Through careful discernment and spontaneous inspiration we can release commitments that no longer serve us and deepen commitments to what is lasting, sustainable and reflective of our deepest values.
We may be learning that emotional fulfillment is not what we thought it was. It is not looking good in other peoples eyes or being happy all the time. We may be learning that it is the satisfaction that comes from embracing our humanity and finding gratitude for the whole wild and wonderful ride.
Paradoxically emotional fulfillment comes with the ability to take a step back from emotions and practice healthy detachment. If we can take that step back and observe the whole spectrum of our emotions we are no longer compelled to act destructively due to the seemingly unpleasant ones. From this observer place we can live free of complaining and controlling and make friends with reality instead. This practice gives us energy for the process of growing up and being of service.
Journaling/Dialoguing Prompts:
You can gaze at the card noted while you do some free writing on the following questions…
What difficulties did I face compassionately last month? (Strength)
How am I communicating my needs and my feelings to others? (2 of Cups)
How can I share my truth without resorting to complaining or controlling? (2 of Cups)
What am I inspired by right now? (Ace of Swords)
What commitments am I releasing and what commitments am I my deepening? (4 of Wands)
What helps me take a step back and practice healthy detachment/compassion? (10 of Cups)
Favorite Book
Understanding the Thoth Tarot by Milo DuQette
The Thoth Tarot deck was the first tarot deck ever gifted to me by my dear husband. I am partial to its potent magic and symbology. The artwork of Lady Freida Harris somehow sings the fabric of the universe through color, shape and symbol. The Thoth Tarot deck is the result of collaboration between Lady Frieda Harris and Alastair Crowley. Anyone who has tried to read Alastair Crowley knows his writing can be very esoteric and challenging. DuQuette's book brings to light all the background you need to unlock the many doors of understanding and insight contained in the Thoth deck. His book takes some very deep wisdom and makes it accessible, digestible and readable. The book also contains some history about Alastair Crowley and the circle of British occultists at the turn-of-the-century that I find fascinating.
Psychology in the Movies
Dr Sleep
Dr Sleep is a psychological thriller directed by Mike Flanagan. It is the sequel to The Shining and so has been much anticipated by Stephen King fans and lovers of the horror genre. I enjoyed the directors cut which is streaming on HBO. I love a good psychological thriller and this is my favorite one so far this year. I know scary movies aren't for everyone so sit this out if you are not a fan. Pro tip: I like to watch scary movies in the daytime because not only does it feel deliciously decadent but I can relax and enjoy the film without getting too scared and I have time to digest the material before bed.
I love this film because it is ultimately about recovery from addiction and trauma. I love this film because it is about paying recovery forward. I love this film because it takes some heavy duty topics and weaves them into myth and image. Films that do this well help me cultivate my inner observer: the part of me that can sit with and face some heavy shit.
I am not the only person who really liked this film. Stephen King says "Everything that I ever disliked about the Kubrick version of The Shining is redeemed for me here.” Stephen King is an outspoken critic of the Stanley Kubrick adaptation of his novel. After having seen Dr. Sleep I understand more what was missing from Kubrick's rendition. That film is visually gorgeous and the characters absolutely archetypal. I love Kubrick's The Shining. However, the film does not capture the depth of humanity that is so prevalent in Dr. Sleep. King's insights into addiction, family trauma and recovery come through Flanagan's film. Stephen King is in recovery and I always enjoy his allusions to the 12 step process and to spirituality. 12 step references are notoriously bad in films and it is so refreshing to see them woven so seamlessly into Danny's story and into Dr. Sleep.
The film follows Danny Torrence who has grown up and developed some very unhealthy although effective coping mechanisms. The coping mechanisms keep the trauma at bay but also thwart the gifts (The Shining). Danny learns to compartmentalize his trauma and to dull his sensitivity. Both of these tactics work for a time until Danny finds he cannot run from himself any more. He then finds a spiritual community through synchronous good fortune and he begins to heal.
In recovery terms, Danny learns that his dark past becomes his greatest asset when he is in service of another.
How different people deal with trauma and addiction is a major theme in the film. Rose the Hat has made a religion out of it. Snakebite Andi's unresolved trauma turned her poisonous. Danny's father Jack most infamously lost the battle with addiction.
I find the scariest character in the film to be Mrs. Massey aka the lady in the bathtub. I see her as representing addiction. In the first Shining Jack Nicholson's character is seduced by her beauty and it is only once he is in her embrace does he realize the dark truth. How like addiction this is. In the King novels Mrs. Massey represents the seductive power of evil (addiction). Both Danny and Abra Stone (the amazing Kick-ass heroine of Dr. Sleep) have to learn to live with this part of themselves. They must find peace with addiction. Danny tried running from his problems and this only made his addictions worse. Abra has learned from Danny and faces what she fears head on. Watch the last scene to see what I mean.
Shine on...