I believe the reason that past and present atrocities were and are possible is that things became so terrible, or so confusing, that people are willing to latch on to anything that seems better than their experience. Or at least what they want to believe is a return to normalcy.
Most of us likely grew up learning of fantastical stories well divorced from reality. Then we come to learn that life is more often reminiscent of the brothers Grimm, and rarely offers Cinderella stories.
To experience the kind of fantasy world we likely have only read or heard of we have two choices.
We can either lie to ourselves, accepting these gilded nightmares, or strive to create the things we rarely see outside the pages of our favorite tales. The latter requires open eyes, commitment, and effort that we may never personally benefit from. The former that we merely look the other way, accepting the price our apathy demands, praying that it isn’t one we personally have to pay.
As is true of most things in life, all things come with a cost. The real question is will we take the “easy” road and hope it isn’t coming out of our pound of flesh, or the “hard” road, knowing we will have to make personal sacrifices, that might make things better.
I think the real question is what kind of legacy do we wish to leave behind? Then we must act as our consciences demand.
I agree, we tend to see these things grow to fruition in those cases where things life for people in general has taken an extremely negative turn. They hope for, I imagine, as you say, a return to normalcy.
Another thing that leads to it, I think, is picking a side. Leader #1 does things that Leader #1's supporters cheer on, but had Leader #2 done the same exact thing they would have been horrified. Leader #2 does things that his supporters cheer on, but had Leader #1 done the exact same thing, Leader #2's supporters would have been horrified. This kind of nonsense is always prevalent, and when dealing with a Franco or a Mao can and does lead to disaster. We can't view our political side as if they are our favorite football team, and we can't view our leaders as if they are our favorite football players.
But the masses of people don't see it until it is too late.
The solution is, as you point out. Careful consideration of legacy. What kind of world do we want to leave to our children and grandchildren? How do we want to be remembered? If we carefully think about these things as we move through life, we are much less likely to err.
This really spoke to me, and I love the way you’ve taken the Three of Cups and seen it in a completely different light. You’re right, tarot isn’t fixed. It shifts depending on what we’re looking at, what we’re avoiding, and what truth is sitting underneath everything.
The way you linked Arendt’s quote with the “celebration” in the Three of Cups feels painfully human. It is so easy for people to cling to comfort, distraction, or a moment of pretend happiness, instead of facing what’s actually going on around them. We lie to ourselves because it feels safer, and sometimes it is the only way people cope when the world is too heavy.
Your point about recognising the difference between fact and fiction feels especially important right now. We can’t blur them together just because it makes life easier. Tarot shows that clearly. A card isn’t good or bad on its own, it depends on the truth we are avoiding or refusing to name.
Thank you for this reflection. It feels like a gentle wake-up call, a reminder that intuition isn’t just soft or emotional. It is also the courage to see what is real, even when we’d rather not.
Great post and a topic I have often considered.
I believe the reason that past and present atrocities were and are possible is that things became so terrible, or so confusing, that people are willing to latch on to anything that seems better than their experience. Or at least what they want to believe is a return to normalcy.
Most of us likely grew up learning of fantastical stories well divorced from reality. Then we come to learn that life is more often reminiscent of the brothers Grimm, and rarely offers Cinderella stories.
To experience the kind of fantasy world we likely have only read or heard of we have two choices.
We can either lie to ourselves, accepting these gilded nightmares, or strive to create the things we rarely see outside the pages of our favorite tales. The latter requires open eyes, commitment, and effort that we may never personally benefit from. The former that we merely look the other way, accepting the price our apathy demands, praying that it isn’t one we personally have to pay.
As is true of most things in life, all things come with a cost. The real question is will we take the “easy” road and hope it isn’t coming out of our pound of flesh, or the “hard” road, knowing we will have to make personal sacrifices, that might make things better.
I think the real question is what kind of legacy do we wish to leave behind? Then we must act as our consciences demand.
Thank you for these kind words, and thoughts.
I agree, we tend to see these things grow to fruition in those cases where things life for people in general has taken an extremely negative turn. They hope for, I imagine, as you say, a return to normalcy.
Another thing that leads to it, I think, is picking a side. Leader #1 does things that Leader #1's supporters cheer on, but had Leader #2 done the same exact thing they would have been horrified. Leader #2 does things that his supporters cheer on, but had Leader #1 done the exact same thing, Leader #2's supporters would have been horrified. This kind of nonsense is always prevalent, and when dealing with a Franco or a Mao can and does lead to disaster. We can't view our political side as if they are our favorite football team, and we can't view our leaders as if they are our favorite football players.
But the masses of people don't see it until it is too late.
The solution is, as you point out. Careful consideration of legacy. What kind of world do we want to leave to our children and grandchildren? How do we want to be remembered? If we carefully think about these things as we move through life, we are much less likely to err.
Wholly agreed Brother. When we give room for bad behavior on either side, it can only end in tears for all. Well put!
This really spoke to me, and I love the way you’ve taken the Three of Cups and seen it in a completely different light. You’re right, tarot isn’t fixed. It shifts depending on what we’re looking at, what we’re avoiding, and what truth is sitting underneath everything.
The way you linked Arendt’s quote with the “celebration” in the Three of Cups feels painfully human. It is so easy for people to cling to comfort, distraction, or a moment of pretend happiness, instead of facing what’s actually going on around them. We lie to ourselves because it feels safer, and sometimes it is the only way people cope when the world is too heavy.
Your point about recognising the difference between fact and fiction feels especially important right now. We can’t blur them together just because it makes life easier. Tarot shows that clearly. A card isn’t good or bad on its own, it depends on the truth we are avoiding or refusing to name.
Thank you for this reflection. It feels like a gentle wake-up call, a reminder that intuition isn’t just soft or emotional. It is also the courage to see what is real, even when we’d rather not.