Monday June 10th, 2024

Good day, seekers of the Stoic path. The theme for today’s reading is Balance. Our journey for wisdom and composure today leads us through the transformative message carried by the Temperance, the sharp clarity found in the Ace of Swords, and the burdensome weight carried by the Ten of Wands.

Our first guide is the Temperance card. This beacon asks for equilibrium, calm, and patience. It whispers to us a message of harmony, compelling us to unite all the various fragments of our experiences. As we walk this path, it is important to remember the words of Roman stoic philosopher, Seneca:

“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have.”

Dwell under the shadow of Temperance for a moment, and ask yourself: where might this call for equilibrium be revealing itself to you? In which aspects of your path do you need to pour the soothing, calm waters of patience? The stoic path heeds us to be content, yet strive for continuous improvement — a balancing act indeed!

The second milestone along our journey today is marked by the Ace of Swords. With its piercing sharpness and clarity, the card symbolises the emergence of a world-changing idea or an elusive insight that you needed. It couples brilliantly with the words of another stoic stalwart, Marcus Aurelius:

“The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.”

This swords calls out for you to trust in the power of your ideas. The stoic route advises us to remain humble in our ambition. Yet, surrender not the brilliance of your sword. Emerge from self-doubt and brandish your innovative ideas with pride. The balance pitches here too - between humility and self-confidence.

And alas, we arrive at the Ten of Wands. These wands lay heavy and burdensome, a direct opposition to unencumbered freedom. It coaxes us to reevaluate how we perceive challenges, imploring us to look within and, perhaps, lighten our load. Epictetus, a great teacher of the stoic way of life said it best when he pronounced:

“We are not disturbed by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us.”

The call in Ten of Wands may be a sign to heed Epictetus’ wisdom and recalibrate our thought process. Stoicism teaches that our reaction to experiences resides within our control. Strive to seek the balance of carrying just enough wands, so they neither rule nor ruin you.

Today’s reading encourages us to reflect on the balance that exists in multiple forms within our lives. Our journaling prompt for today is: How are you maintaining balance in your thoughts, actions, and responsibilities? Moreover, are there areas in your life where you need to strive for equilibrium? Reflect, journal, and explore. Let the stoic path guide you to a peaceful state of equilibrium.