Community is Compassion + Support

This week I used a combination of the Literary Witches Oracle deck and the I Ching to explore how to connect more with the divine feminine. (For more on the tools I use please visit the tools of the locksmith page. (https://theramblinglocksmith.com/tools-of-the-locksmith/)

I’m doing this because I believe that the standard leader as an authority figure paradigm is not effective. Authority is not the only way to show strength. Compassion and community also show strength, and so I often look for ways to strengthen team leadership through inviting not only strong intentions, but the ability to be receptive.

First the Literary Witches – a teacup with Leslie Marmon Silko who represents community. When I think about sitting down for others with tea I often think of this as a way to establish community. If you are sitting down for tea, in my mind you are sitting down to share stories and listen to one another. Leslie Marmon Silko shares the stories of her own Native community of the Laguna Pueblo as well as those passed down through her own family. I love the image of sitting down with her over tea to hear all she has to share. Over the course of the pandemic I have started having some of my friend over two or three at a time for socially distanced tea in my backyard.

There are more things than just having tea that we can do to create community, a common dream, a common fight for justice, a common goal on a project or team, a common vision. The work community has the word common embedded in it. Its a shared vision, shared resources, shares support, the ability to listen to and support each other. To strengthen this reading I went to the I Ching which never disappoints me.

The first Hexagram was Hexagram 17 – Following (Lake above, Thunders Below) ( Changing lines 1 and 4). The message is that choosing to follow good influence brings supreme success. Those who want people to follow them and lead in a strong way need to speak the language of the followers.

• Do not bend on your basic principles, but listen to the common good to form the eventual course of those you are leading.
• Self aggrandizement and ego will only be met with resistance, a strong leader checks his/her ego and listens to those around them

Changing line 1 – When a person of vision undertakes a challenge they may need to change course. If this comes from sincere communication with those of different opinions and not just current opinion success will follow. You should be listening to those of dissenting and supporting opinions to decide when to change course, not just those who agree with you – because..

Changing line 4 – Beware of flatterers. They will have a subtle but destructive influence. An insincere viewpoint is not a helpful viewpoint, be wary of insincerity and do not consider it as part of the the overall course of action.

Listen to your community, all of your community. Have that cup of tea with those who don’t agree with you. As long as they are sincere, differing opinions are very important to sharing our visions and goals, and to creating a strong team.

The resulting hexagram from the changing lines is #8 – Holding Together – Water above, Earth Below. High level team work is achieved when the right team shares a clear goal at the right time. The relationships of a team are formed in a delicate manner, chemistry can come from shared experience.

Accept the structure of the team if you want to receive its benefits, and take the responsibility of binding people together. Create community on your team and a strong performing team is sure to follow.