Summary

The website content discusses a personal reflection on the significance of the body as a vessel, inspired by the Tarot card "The Chariot," in the context of the author's recent knee injury and surgery.

Abstract

The author, E. Katherine Kottaras, shares a profound contemplation on the body's resilience and vulnerability, drawing parallels between her own experience with a dislocated knee and the symbolism of The Chariot card in the Tarot's Major Arcana. Through the metaphor of the body as a chariot, she explores themes of control, endurance, and the interplay between being driven and being the driver. The article emphasizes the importance of embracing rest and gratitude for our bodily journeys, acknowledging the uncertainties of life and the mixed influences of luck, genetics, choice, and destiny. Kottaras also introduces her project of learning and internalizing Tarot, aiming to connect its ancient wisdom with contemporary life, and invites readers to engage with her work and provide feedback.

Opinions

The author views the body as a vehicle for life's various endeavors, akin to the ancient use of chariots in war, racing, and private life.
Pain and challenges are seen as invitations to participate in rest and reflection, rather than purely negative experiences.
There is an emphasis on the duality of being both driven by external forces and acting as the driver of one's own life.
The author believes in the importance of steering one's life with intention while also allowing for moments of being carried by life's flow.
The project is approached with a blend of seriousness and playfulness, as indicated by the inclusion of the author's cat in each Tarot card collage.
Kottaras is open to learning and growth, welcoming supportive feedback from her audience.
She advocates for mindfulness, bodily self-determination, and health equity, especially for those with invisible illnesses and neurodivergence.
The author's identity as a queer immigrant's daughter informs her belief in holistic and inclusive approaches to expression, healing, and growth.

Undomesticated Tarot — The Major Arcana: The Chariot 7

Bringing Back the Wild to a Domesticated World

digital collage by writer w/ writer’s own injured leg & images c/o Smithsonian Open Access

two weeks ago, i dislocated my knee which resulted in surgery for a torn meniscus (yesterday) and an at least eight week recovery period. as i recline here on my couch staring at walls, i have most definitely been giving good thought to this one precious body that i have been gifted with, with its strengths, kindnesses, flaws, and invitations.

i am in pain, but i am *trying* to perceive this pain — this challenge — as an invitation to participate in rest.

our bodies are our vehicles, like those of the ancient kind “used in war, racing, and private life,” as per the etymology’s definition.

our body chariots are for war and for racing and for private lives.

we fight with our bodies; we run with our bodies; we live inside our bodies.

we are energy inside these vehicles; we are transported, conveyed, lifted.

we are born, and then we are “carried, sustained, endured” — we endure; we are borne.

is it luck? genetics? choice? destiny? all of the above? none of the above? the plain answer is: yes to all — and also, we will never know.

we are driven, and we are also the drivers.

push and pull; forward and backward; uphill and downhill and uphill again.

we can steer and direct and plan and brake, as needed — what a gift!

we are also invited to allow for the coasting — for the moments of being carried, of being pointed in directions that perhaps we would not have chosen had we been able to.

we are invited to gratitude for this ground and road, sidewalk and cobblestone, ramp and highway.

modern paths, wild paths — we are moving either way. set your gear and breathe in the ride.

digital collage includes images: Apollo in Chariot with Aurora and the Hours | Smithsonian Institution via & Chariots and Horses via Smithsonian Open Access

About this project: I’ve been wanting to take the time to learn Tarot for a long while. I pull my cards regularly, but I have a hard time remembering the meanings. I am embarking on this project so that I can dive in deep, internalize, and personalize the lessons of the deck. I’m especially curious about how the poetry of centuries-old intuitive knowledge fits in with our modern lives.

Collage and words by me — Eighth in a series — Taking it seriously, but also trying to lean into play, a bit like a kitten — 🐈‍⬛ therefore there will be a cameo of my cat in every single card. Can you find her?

Open to learning via supportive feedback —

E. Katherine Kottaras the writer, voice, and co-creator of Yoga with Eleonora on PillowFortTV and the co-writer with Vanitha Swaminathan of the forthcoming picture book, A RAINBOW INSIDE MY BODY, illustrated by Holly Hatam (Viking 2024). She holds an M.A. in English and an M.S. in Kinesiology with a focus on Integrative Wellness, and she is a contemplative writer and holistic teacher, having worked at the K-12 and community college levels for over two decades. She is a yoga teacher, personal trainer, and health coach while also living with invisible illnesses and neurodivergence, and as such, she is passionate about mindfulness, bodily self-determination, and health equity. As the queer daughter of an immigrant, Katherine believes that holistic and inclusive approaches to expression, healing, and growth should be accessible to all.

Connect with Katherine on the social medias: IG, YouTube, FB, LinkedIn, or at katherinekottaras.com.

Read every story from Katherine (& thousands of other writers) by signing up for Medium. Your $5/month membership directly supports writers (ad free!).