Sunday Tarot Stoic Journal: April 7th, 2024

Today, we delve into the realm of shadow and light, examining fears, preparing for change, and embracing the power of discernment. The three cards drawn were the Nine of Swords, the Knight of Pentacles, and the King of Swords.

Our first card, the Nine of Swords, represents worry, regret, or guilt, yet it also invites us to confront and transform these negative emotions. As Seneca once said:

“We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.”

However daunting this card may seem, remember, it paints a picture of internal strife, not external circumstance. The Nine of Swords calls upon us to recognize that our fears are often self-created. The swords that pierce the darkness of our minds are typically spawned from our imaginings, not our realities. Embrace this card as a challenge to unmask these self-imposed chains of angst and transmute them into tools of self-growth and understanding.

The Knight of Pentacles rides into our spread, symbolizing hard work, routine, and a devotion to practicality. This Knight speaks wholly to the stoic acceptance of the work at hand and a daily commitment to bring about the changes desired.

”He who labors diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labor,” wrote Menander.

Allow this Knight to inspire a sort of patient persistence within. The progress you are making may feel slow, but rest assured, success often comes to those who steadily and devoutly cultivate their dreams.

Our final card today is the King of Swords. This card represents clear thinking and intellectual power. This King invites you to embody discernment, adhere to truth and logic, and use wisdom to make fair judgments. According to Epictetus:

“It is not events that disturb people, it is their judgements concerning them.”

The King of Swords directs us here; it is not the circumstance, but our perception that frames our world. Leverage this understanding to guide your thoughts and actions, for it is the keystone of Stoicism and the beacon of personal enlightenment.

In closing, the cards urge us to navigate our internal landscape, calmly face our fears, embrace the power of steady progress and lean into the clarity that cogent thought provides. When we remain patiently persistent and discerning, we can weather any storm that life may conjure.

Journaling Prompt: Reflect on the fears that the Nine of Swords has brought up. Are these fears based in your current reality, or are they imagined? How can you embody the stoic persistence of the Knight of Pentacles in your daily activities? Lastly, in what areas of your life can you apply the clear thinking and judicious nature of the King of Swords?