I can’t see this card without remembering something my husband said to me many years ago.  I was worried for our kids after we lost custody, knowing ultimately they would be completely deprived of the sanity and stability we had been able to provide. Without our influence in the mix, I was (reasonably) afraid of what kind of people they would become.

“Some flowers have perfect soil and never bloom. Some blossom on the rocks,” he says. “It’s up to the flowers.”  I knew instantly he was right. It’s up to the flowers.

Falling on the heels of looking for roots, the Courage card seems particularly apropos, even reversed.  In the influential Rider-Waite deck, this is the Major Arcana card of Strength. While the traditional version points to overcoming our lower nature by facing inner demons, this card emphasizes the role of choice and the courage to reach your potential,  regardless of external support.

We come into this world as seeds, full of potential that may—or may not—be expressed. Some have tremendous hardship that has to be overcome to even survive. That doesn’t even come close to predicting what kind of people they will become. Some wither, some bloom.

It’s perfectly easy to blame parents, upbringing, family, work, children, or even society as getting in the way of fulfilling our potential. “If only” is an easy game to play. I know, because I’ve played it plenty myself. That game, of course, is a huge cop-out.

If my life is not what I want it to be, it’s nobody’s responsibility but mine. It doesn’t matter if my dreams and convictions are supported elsewhere. In fact, I’d say it’s my responsibility to build support for what I want to do by surrounding myself with like-minded people along the way, much as I can. But regardless of my clan’s preferences, it’s my job to be me. Nobody is better qualified.

I’ve come a long way in working up the courage to be who I am, exactly and without apology, regardless of environmental conditions. It’s become something of a Saturn in Virgo quest of me, as I am aging and realize my other option is live out my life hiding. The courage card reminds me I’m on the right track, inverted telling me I still have work to do. That’s okay. It’s pretty pleasant work, really. It just requires the faith that my life will not only be better, but I’ll have more to give, provided I’m willing to give up the safety of remaining a seedling and bloom in full color.

Who’s in bloom?

Osho Zen Tarot by Osho

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