Monday July 8th, 2024
- July 8, 2024
Date: Monday July 8th, 2024
Today’s Tarot Reading: Conquests of Intellect and Abundance
We greet this week standing in the court of Kings and Knights as the air of our intellect meets the abundant earth of our practical endeavors. We correspondingly draw King of Swords, Knight of Swords, and King of Pentacles.
Our first sojourner, the King of Swords, is a ruler of intellect and communication. Visually, he is represented clasping a double-edged sword, symbolic of his clear thinking and his ability to cut through illusions and arrive at the truth. He reminds us of the Stoic principle of “discernment.” As Marcus Aurelius proclaimed,
“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”
He encourages us to use our mind as a discerning tool, assessing our perceptions, judgments, and how we make decisions. Remember, stoic philosophy urges us to differentiate between things within our control and things not in our control. This can be a day of using logical reasoning to overcome any challenges you face.
The Knight of Swords rushes into our spread with urgency and conviction. He represents ambition, swift action, and progress. His energy can feel overwhelming, reflecting situations where we are driven by ideas, thoughts, and beliefs with haste. However, stoics remind us that speed is not always the best method. Epictetus aptly declared,
“No great thing is created suddenly.”
Our Knight implores, not mindless haste, but the channelling of our intellectual energy into productive avenues. It’s a day to set goals, devise strategies, and take action - but all with measured prudence rather than frantic hustle.
Completing our courtly trio is the master of the material world, the King of Pentacles. Arrayed with imagery of prosperity and abundance, he represents success, business acumen, and wealth. But let’s remember Seneca’s wise perspective on wealth:
“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.”
The King of Pentacles invites us to acquire wealth and achieve success but also to remain grounded. It’s an excellent day to focus on your career, business, or financial goals, while instilling the virtue of gratitude for what you already have.
Reflection and Journaling:
As you navigate your Monday, I invite you to reflect on these questions: How can the stoic principle of discernment help you make better decisions today? In your ambition and quest for success, are you being prudent or are you giving in to frantic haste? As you strive for abundance, are you expressing gratitude for what you already have?
Remember, dear readers, philosophy isn’t merely for contemplation - it is for living. Let your life be your proving ground.