Friday February 2nd, 2024

Tarot Reading – Friday, February 2nd, 2024: A Lesson in Emotion

Good day, seekers of wisdom. As we embark on this intellectual journey, allow me to offer some insight guided by the Stoic philosophy and the Tarot cards, intertwining them into a dance of understanding and growth.

The first card drawn today is the Five of Wands. A quintessential symbol of confusion and conflict, this card suggests a minor struggle or discord in your life. Remember, from a stoic perspective, misfortune can lead to fortune.

As Epictetus once said,

“Difficulty is what wakes up the genius”.

Look upon this conflict not as a curse, but as an opportunity for growth. Expand your perspective, accept this moment in its totality, and remain confident in your capacity to alter your course. Remember, conflict is entirely based on your perspective, and it is entirely within your power to change your viewpoint.

Our second card, the empathetic King of Cups, advises us to harness emotional intelligence. This King represents equilibrium and control over emotions; his energy serves as a reminder to maintain composure, even in the stormiest waves of life. He exemplifies the stoic ideal of emotional restraint, beautifully illustrated in Seneca’s words,

“You are your master. Only if you decide to be. And you can, if you dare.”

As we sail through the high tides of conflict, channel the King of Cups. Nurture patience, remain calm, and harbor understanding for others in your heart. In intrapersonal struggles, this advice aids in understanding your own emotions better. It is only through understanding emotions can one truly master them.

Finally, let’s dwell on the Seven of Swords. Regarded as a symbol of cunningness or deceit, it can indicate that some caution may be needed. Indeed it reminds us, just as mentioned by Marcus Aurelius,

“We should always be asking ourselves: ‘Is this something that is, or is not, in my control?’”

The card urges you to wisely discriminate between what falls within your dominion of control and what doesn’t. Be vigilant of external influences and mindful of your internal reactions.

Reflect on each card’s wisdom. The Five of Wands encourages you to change perspective in moments of conflict, the King of Cups teaches emotional understanding and balance, and the Seven of Swords demands vigilance and discretion. Embrace this spiritual counsel and align with the stoic teachings.

Journaling Prompt: Reflect on the conflicts you are facing. Are they truly external, or are they possibly internal struggles reflected outward? Can you see a path to emotional balance, patience, and understanding within these conflicts? Write down three strategies you can implement to improve your emotional intelligence, recognize your conflicts, and monitor your actions.