Saturday May 18th, 2024

A Tarot Reading for May 18th, Saturday

Good day, friends! The energy of this day, this sacred moment in May, brings us three powerful tarot cards: the Ten of Wands, Three of Cups, and Five of Wands. Let’s unravel the stories they tell and how they may influence your day.

When we consider the Ten of Wands, we encounter an image of burden and overwork. This card represents the striving spirit carrying heavy loads, sometimes to the point of exhaustion. We are reminded of the wisdom of Seneca here, who said:

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

In our path to progress, we sometimes forget that overwork doesn’t always mean progress. Today may be a day to reassess your burdens - are there unnecessary stresses you’re shouldering? Taking full responsibility doesn’t mean getting lost in the effort, but knowing when to step back is as important.

Our second card, the Three of Cups, brings into focus cheerful sociability, celebrations and the joy of companionship. There’s a stark contrast to the first card, empathising the need for balance between ambition and personal well-being. Ancient stoic, Marcus Aurelius once enlightened us with this perspective:

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”

Tap into the energies of this room today - nurture your social bonds, bask in the joy of human connection and let yourself unwind. Your personal well-being plays a vital role in your striving ambitions.

Finally, the Five of Wands presents disagreements, competition, and strife. Though it seems disruptive, consider this in relation with our previous cards’ wisdom: a taste of rivalry can motivate us, lead us to innovation and fuel our ambitions. Epictetus, the stoic philosopher, once said:

“Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.”

Perhaps, today’s strife is a hint you’ve outgrown your current circumstances and are ready for bigger challenges. This day might present a conflict — internal or external — and it is up to you to channel these energies into personal growth.

Reflecting on this day, through the wisdom of tarot and stoic philosophy, we realize the importance of balance between striving and resting, ambition and enjoyment, and competition and cooperation. It is within our power to determine how these elements influence our lives, shaping us into the best versions of ourselves.

Journaling Prompt: Reflect on your burdens—are there any that aren’t serving you or your larger purpose? How can you make space for joy and connection in your busy realm? Can you see competition as a catalyst for growth rather than a stumbling block? Write down insights and actions you’d like to take based on these reflections. Remember, the tarot doesn’t predict your future — it empowers you to create it.