Card-Inspired Flash Fiction: Osho Zen

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Saturday, September 26, 2026

2 Men Feudal-Japan in Reluctant Compromise by Teagan via Night Cafe
Reluctant Compromise by Teagan via Night Cafe

Hello, everyone.  The Osho Zen Tarot is among the decks of cards that I’ve had for the most years.  (Only two or three came before it, and all were during a time when “luxury items” were very few.  That means they were important to me.)  Today I have a one-card reading meant for all of us, followed by some impromptu flash fiction inspired by whatever card I’m about to draw.

READING
Compromise

Six of Rainbows (Compromise), Osho Zen Tarot

This deck names its cards and suits differently, but they equate to standard tarot cards.  Compromise is the Six of Rainbows (otherwise known as the suit of Pentacles).  The teachings of Master Osho suggest “Don’t be clever, otherwise you will remain the same, you will not change.”

Is that as clear as mud?  Everyone is familiar with “compromise,” but have we really thought it through?  We are taught that compromise is good, and that is mostly true, especially when we are either negotiating or trying to coexist.

The Osho Zen asks us to look at what we’ve always been told about compromise and see it from a different perspective.  The teaching here is that sometimes compromise is disingenuous, because we never express our true self.  That leads to confusion.  Also, though it prevents us losing ground, we never move forward either.  It can result in procrastination.

This card also reminds us that bad feelings can fester, if one makes a compromise without acknowledging the true feelings involved.

Sometimes we feel backed into a corner (whether in dealing with a person, or with a circumstance)… and compromise seems to be the best way to go.  If you are in such a situation, then perhaps you need to step outside yourself.  Ask yourself whether or not a compromise will benefit the situation — will it buy time to bring needed elements into play?  Will it allow you to regroup, let you have time to see things clearly? Then a compromise is likely in order.  Or, are you putting off something that actually should be addressed in a direct manner, and now rather than later?

Flash Fiction
Hot & Cold

Cold-Hot Living Room by Teagan via Night Cafe
Hot & Cold Room by Teagan via Night Cafe

“My own personal summer…” Mara grumbled under her breath as she looked at the thermostat, which was actually set at a suitable temperature.

She always “ran hot” even when she was twenty.  Like her father, at night her skin was hot to the touch.  Looking at the wintry sky she sighed loudly enough that Toby noticed.  His eyebrows went up in a silent question.  Mara explained her thermal trepidations in a frustrated tone.

“Mara, I love snuggling up with you on a winter night.  You’re so warm and cozy,” Toby said with a grin encircling her with his arms.

“I love that too, Toby, but the fact is that before the night is over, you’re burrowing under two blankets and a quilt, and still shivering, while I’m roasting and trying to untangle myself from the covers.”

“We’ve compromised by setting the thermostat at a temperature that isn’t comfortable for either of us at night.  I put ‘sheet garters’ on the blankets to help keep them on your side of the bed.  Neither of those things has helped.”

They kissed and cuddled for a few minutes before going to work.  Each trying to make sure the other didn’t feel blamed.

Modern city apartment living room by Teagan via Night Cafe

Toby was late getting home.  Mara got a text from him saying that he was on his way, but he had stopped to pick up something.

“Oh no,” Mara groaned.  “I was afraid his feelings were hurt, but he must think he needs to apologize.  He’s probably buying flowers…  Where did I put the vase?” she wondered as she banged cabinet doors, annoyed at herself because she was about to swallow her physical discomfort and still feel like the bad guy.

Half an hour later, Toby let himself in with a cheery “I’m home!”  He carried a large shopping bag from Bedrooms & Beyond.  Toby motioned excitedly for her to open the bag.  Inside was a cuddly-soft blanket.  Mara shook her head, mildly exasperated.  Toby tilted his head and twisted his mouth in the way that meant she was missing something.  Then she felt something hard amid the soft blanket.

“It’s a dual temperature control electric blanket,” he explained.  “Now is that a great compromise or what?”

“Actually no,” Mara replied and Toby looked crestfallen.  “It’s not a compromise at all.  It’s a solution!” she added with a grin and kissed his cheek.

The end.

♦ ♣ ♠ ♥

I mentioned that I have been working on a fiction novelette.  It will be released during the first week of October.  Consider this obligatory shameless self-promotion a hint.  😀 

Friendly comments are welcome.  Hugs!

A Peril in Ectoplasm

Universal Purchase Links

Kindle:  relinks.me/B0BJ9N1GBX

Paperback:  relinks.me/B0BJBXGJ7L

♦ ♣ ♠ ♥

This blog is entirely human-written.  Furthermore, the author expressly prohibits any entity from using this publication for purposes of training AI technologies to generate text.    This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2026 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved.

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author or provided by free sources, unless stated otherwise.

 

 

 

58 thoughts on “Card-Inspired Flash Fiction: Osho Zen”

    1. Hi, Maria. I appreciate you visiting this older post. I agree about the Osho Zen. Even years ago when I did tarot readings regularly (and sometimes professionally), I never memorized the meanings of all 78 cards. (I’m an “intuitive reader” but sometimes look up the reference meaning if I don’t already know it.) Osho Zen renames the standard tarot cards in a way that clearly brings out their “textbook” meanings. Thanks for your kind words. Big hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Hi, Edward. I’m glad you enjoyed it. That’s interesting about the video game. This deck of cards does have distinctive artwork. The picture on this particular card always made me chuckle because of their expressions and how they’re reluctantly, resentfully touching just their pinky fingers. Hugs. 🤗

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

        1. I’ve gathered 10 or 12 decks over the decades, but as “collectors” go, I really don’t have that many. Since they’re something one usually can’t get a good look at before buying (sealed and packaged so I can’t see each card), I find it difficult to get a set that lives up to my hopes or expectations… that resonates with me. One of my big problems is finally finding a set that appears to have good detailed artwork on each card — then when I get it in my hands all those details are so small that I can’t make them out. (Good design ideas but poorly executed.) I was lucky with the first few sets I bought. (Or maybe the volume of products that became available allowed more undesirable sets…) Cheers. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

          1. I bet it’s hard because I’m not sure whether there are collectors out there doing in-depth reviews of cards. If there are, that could help. I hope you continue to find the ones that resonates with you and show them to us so we can enjoy it as well. Thank you, my friend. 🤗

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply

  9. Fabulous fiction, Teagan, thank you!

    And… it’s not so fictiony, we have one of those electric blankets.

    Love the viewpoints of compromise presented here via the card. A wise message.

    HUGS!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. LOL. I’m glad to know the blankets actually work properly, Noelle. I’ve never had one. Even unplugged I can’t deal with a blanket. I keep a small “throw” at the foot of the bed just in case. I need that size so that I can get out from under it fast enough! LOL. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  18. Congratulations on A Medium’s Peril! I can’t wait! And thanks for the tarot reading and the story. The story is perfect, and about compromise… You got me thinking. Osho is right. Big hugs, Teagan, and love to the Scoobies!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Sorry, I meant I am already looking foward to the next in the series and recommend A Peril in Ectoplasm to everybody! It’s wonderful, and I’ve grown very fond of the characters and are always eager for their next adventure. I can’t wait! And I don’t think the congratulations are too early, because I am sure your new story will deserve them. ♥

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  19. You’re making me think today, Teagan. That’s a good thing. I think you’re right about compromise. In retrospect, I’ve done it many times when it wasn’t the solution.

    I like the story. I understand the temperature differences and all the various ways of dealing with them. Your characters came up with a good solution.

    I hope you have a nice easy weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Dan. I know a lot of couples deal with temperature issues. This story started out as my own experience but immediately turned into an ugly flashback. I started to throw it away, but to my surprise, I rewrote it as a caring happy story. Kind of like Neville Goddard’s philosophy of rewriting bad experiences in one’s past. . . I put my back through hell with the front yard weeds this morning. So definitely have to take it easy the rest of the weekend. Hugs to you and The Editor. 🤗

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    2. Yes, indeed, dear Fraggle. They’re a thing. 😀 I’ve never tried one, so I can’t say how well they work. (Although Noelle [above] seems to like hers.) I wear my summer nighties until it’s 22F (-5.5C) at night outside. Then I unpack the ones that have short-sleeves. LOL. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  21. Hi Teagan, this is a great post that certainly gives cause for pause and reflection. We are taught to compromise like we are taught to share. I agree that compromise can make us feel resentful especially if we are the ones always doing the compromising and giving. I tried to compromise in my last job and it was a fail from that jobs perspective. It did have the positive effect of getting me off my backside to do something about resolving the issue and exiting that toxic environment was the best thing I could have done. It took a lot of effort but no effort, no improvement.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I’m glad you got out of that job, Robbie. That took a lot of courage.

      I like that you said “We are taught to compromise like we are taught to share.” That’s true — it feels like we are all taught so many things, but taught in a way that didn’t “think it through.” Here (at least) for many decades we’ve basically been taught *Not* to think through culture and religion. Now we’re paying for that. Critical thinking skills should be taught in school from very early on. Okay… I’ll get off my soapbox now. LOL. Have a relaxing weekend. Big hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a Reply