A Stoic Reading of the Ten of Wands, Five of Pentacles, and Page of Wands

Greetings, seekers of wisdom. Today on this fine Thursday we’re delving into a mysterious trio of cards; the Ten of Wands, the Five of Pentacles, and the Page of Wands. Let’s tiptoe through the illumination the mystical cards cast on our path.

Our journey begins with the Ten of Wands, a visual of a weary figure burdened with ten staves. Classically, this card speaks to us of the weight of responsibilities, of tasks undertaken that have since become overwhelming burdens. It is a call to remind ourselves, in the words of stoic philosopher, Seneca,

“It is not the man who has too little that is poor, but the one who hankers after more.”

Think about where you might be overreaching, overstepping and overstressing yourself. Stoicism teaches us the importance of accepting the things we cannot change and working diligently with what we can. Reflect on your workload, are you carrying more than your fair share? It’s never a sign of weakness to ask for help, delegate or indeed, to lighten your load.

Next, we encounter the Five of Pentacles, a pair in ragged clothing enduring a harsh winter. In tarot lexicon, this card traditionally represents financial loss, hardship, and alienation. Yet the stoic voice within us reminds, as Marcus Aurelius once stated,

“Loss is nothing else but change, and change is Nature’s delight.”

Remember that there can be no spring without winter, no highs without some lows. This may seem like a time of adversity, but it could be an invitation to rethink your value systems, reassess your resources, or seek help you’ve been previously adamant about refusing. Your current situation is also a reflection of your thoughts about it, maybe it’s time to change your perspective and focus on the abundance rather than scarcity.

Wrapping up our narrative for the day, we meet the Page of Wands, the young adventurous spirit. The page wields a single wand and gazes at it with wonder and fascination. While it traditionally represents inspiration, exploration, and discovery, it’s also an embodiment of the stoic view:

“Its not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” - Epictetus

The Page of Wands prompts us to approach life with a youthful enthusiasm, to cherish the journey as much as the end goal. This card potentially suggests that this could be a good time to search for a new passion. Maintain that open perspective, be curious, adventurous, and willing to try new paths in your life.

In conclusion, today’s reading invites you to consider your burdens with the Ten of Wands, reevaluate your adversity with the Five of Pentacles, and embrace curiosity with the Page of Wands.

For a little self-reflection, today’s journaling prompt is: “What is one burden I can release, one upset I can perceive better, and one novelty can I introduce to make today better than yesterday?”

May these words guide you, seekers. Untill the next time we meet, remember the wisdom drawn from the tarot today. Keep reflecting, keep inspiring, keep thriving.