Cards: Reckless & Embrace Desire
Normally I would specifically draw cards for one of these. However, today I wanted to build a particular lesson while providing you with an example of how the Jedi Sextant works (I’ve been slacking the last couple of months!). So for this week, the cards are “Reckless” and “Embrace Desire”.
These two cards fall under the “negative" category and are inspired by the fictional Jedi Behaviors “Conquer Recklessness” and “Conquer Materialism”. These two cards came to mind last week when I reposted an article that called for people to stop shaming those that stay behind. The article was very well thought out, and the point was towards those who couldn’t get out, rather than those who willing stayed. In fact, the article specifically called out those that had the means to leave but decided to “ride out the storm”. What surprised me, however, was that a long-time member of the Jedi Community broke out with (paraphrased) “I’m not leaving my castle” (castle was their word, not mine). This individual went on to compare Hurricane Harvey, of which they were subject to last year, to a siege.
The word “Siege” has two different definitions in relation to the individual’s comment- military and illness. Both of which humans can fight- either physically or medicinally. A Natural Disaster, however, is not something we can fight. We can only prepare, provide aide and rebuild- a process Americans are working hard to evolve when these disasters hit.
So where do the Jedi fit in? How do these cards fit into my point?
Let us first agree, not ever Jedi is going to have the ability to get out. Some are confined by financial issues. There was at least one story of an individual who didn’t have gas money to leave. Some may be confined due to lack of transportation. Although many places were providing it, getting to a bus can be difficult, and contrary to popular belief- not everyone has a vehicle. While still others were confined due to medical issues. These are not the Jedi this piece is targeting.
The Jedi that have the capability to leave a highly probable area of impact, always should. To stay at home because it’s yours (Embrace Desire) is the height of Recklessness that puts more strain on relief efforts to get to the people that couldn’t leave. In the best case scenario, your home is unaffected, in the worst you lose your life- and at that point you leave a gaping hole in whatever mission you’ve set out to accomplish in your life.
Tying this all in to the Jedi Compass, we can see that leaving fulfills a “Duty to All” because you’re giving time back to rescuers to find those who were victims of circumstance rather than their own doing. It also gives you an opportunity to be of assistance to others if you so choose.
In closing, your castle will either stand after the naturally occurring storm or it will fall. Where you are, inside it or far away in safety, makes no difference. Mother Nature will do what she wants.