Stoic Tarot Reading for Saturday, January 27th, 2024

Greetings seekers of wisdom and truth. On this Saturday, let us delve within the mystical, the mundane, and the marvellous realms of tarot. Today, I’ve drawn the Knight of Pentacles, the Ace of Swords, and The Devil. Together, they bring a potent blend of energy, awakening, and challenge.

1. Knight of Pentacles

Our journey today begins with the steady and reliable Knight of Pentacles. Traditionally, this card represents diligence, routine and productivity. The knight is known for his practical approach towards solving problems and utilizing resources wisely. In the landscape of stoic philosophy, this card carries the echoes of Marcus Aurelius’ wisdom:

“Do every act of your life as though it were the last act of your life.”

This counsel becomes potent given the current world scenario. It calls us to be present, firm, and pragmatic like the knight himself. To harness the power of the Knight of Pentacles, ensure each action you undertake today is dictated by attentiveness, detail-orientation, patience, and practicality.

2. Ace of Swords

The second card of our spread is the Ace of Swords, a card of clarity, truth, and breakthrough. It bursts upon us with the energy of a blade slicing through layers of confusion and inertia. The Ace of Swords invokes Seneca’s words:

“Truth stands invincible.”

This card’s arrival could signify a necessary ‘cutting away’ or decision to be made today. This could mean shedding a behaviour, a thought pattern, or perhaps, an unwarranted association. Release what doesn’t serve you anymore, and like the blade, cut through illusion to make the way for truth.

3. The Devil

The final card, The Devil, may appear alarming but remember: in tarot, as in life, every card has light and shadow. Here, The Devil symbolises temptation, bondage, and material obsessions. In our modern context, it could signify our collective enslavement to social media or consumerist behaviours. As Epictetus reminded us:

“Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.”

Unshackle yourself from whatever is binding you. The Devil’s presence could indicate a need to confront our shadows, attachments, and unhealthy habits. It’s a call to seek freedom, both externally and internally.

With the Knight of Pentacles helping us stay steadfast and dedicated, the Ace of Swords illuminating our path with truth, we can surmount the challenges the Devil symbolises.

<* Journaling Prompt: Reflect on the areas in your life where the Knight’s steadiness is required. What illusions or extraneous elements need the exacting sword of truth to cut away? What changes should you bring to free yourself from the Devil’s bondage?