“Uphold You with My Victorious Right Hand”
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There is a card called ” The Ace of Swords” in the Herbal Tarot. It shows a hand coming from a fluff of white clouds, holding a red hilt-sword with a crown suspended at the tip. The image floats above a blue mountains below, a wiry, curl of chamomile weaves around the entire image like ivy climbs.The hand is a right hand. It is Caucasian.
The card can mean lots of things depending on the questions asked, but I often wonder how the designer of the card imagines we can trust a card that is predisposed to a given religion. Can one draw an abstract racially and uncolored truth from an image that assumes you accept and believe in the representation in the card?
In other words, how can one avoid imposing white Christian belief inherent the readings? How can it be ignored in favor of an unprejudiced reading? Because these images only mean in the context of the seer’s mind or the viewer’s mind. The crown,the sword,the heavens(clouds) and mountains (high place) may be interpreted independently from history or as profane symbols.
For God is not a hand (or any other body part–not even the proverbial Heart of God). God is not a throne or a place. God is not male or female, God is not God, but All: toothpicks to cement, babies to ants, raindrops to candy bars.
There is no thing, no one, no idea and no thought prehistoric, ancient,or modern that is not fused with the It of God, inseparable, indivisible, unfathomable God.
God may be visualized, conceptualized as I do here, but it is the face that moved on the deep which was no face at all. It is the mighty winds that cut a path through the Red Sea, and the Voice,that spoke from the burning bush and at Jesus’ baptism. God is myth and magic and neither. And yet, Present, present, more real than reality, and we (cultures world wide) are open to hearing and knowing It; we embody a variety of Beliefs that make holy the Presence of God in our lives. So be, it.
Call it “Almighty” the Creator, the Maker, the Author of our Faith, or don’t. Hold God in your own good right hand–or pocket or wallet or in your heart.For He, She, It will always be holding you in some inscrutable way–in ITS hand (which is as good an image as any). Here’s your Daily Word
Victorious
God is my strength; I am victorious.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Many athletes succeed because, along with consistent practice, they picture themselves performing to the best of their ability. They visualize crossing the finish line, hitting a home run, or scoring the game-winning point.
When I have a weighty task before me, I picture myself completing it successfully. My practice sessions include prayer and meditation as I tap into the unlimited power, strength, and wisdom of God within.
Athletes are victorious because they give it their all. As I reach for my goals, I pursue them with perseverance and optimism. I visualize success, stay attuned to Source, and I am victorious!
Do not fear, for I am with you … I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.—Isaiah 41:10