Saturday July 20th, 2024

Craft an image showing a solitary, brave Caucasian man standing firmly on the crest of a hill. He is encircled by seven staffs, indicating resilience. His posture conveys courage and resolve. The backdrop is a twilight sky, blooming with hues of purple and blue, bringing depth and emotion to the scene. The overall lighting evokes feelings of obstacles yet also hints at forthcoming victories.

Strong Judgement and Fierce Determination: A Tarot Reflection for Saturday, July 20, 2024

Card 1: Seven of Wands – Standing Your Ground

The first card drawn today is the Seven of Wands, a sign of bravery and resilience when faced with challenges. In classical imagery, this card denotes a lone figure holding a staff aloft, maintaining his standing against many opponents. This reminds me of Marcus Aurelius’s stoic advice:

“When jarred, unavoidably, by circumstances, revert at once to yourself, and don’t lose the rhythm more than you can help. You’ll have a better group of harmony if you keep going back to it.”

Accept where you are in life and whatever challenges come your way. Don’t falter or let setbacks undermine your determination. Keep going back to your core, maintain your rhythm and you’ll retain a beautiful harmony in your life.

Embody the spirit of the man on the card and hold your staff high, even if you’re feeling surrounded or outnumbered. Your principles and values will be your staff, allowing you to stand strong and ward off any adversities that come your way.

Card 2: Queen of Swords – Strong Judgement and Clear Communication

The second card, the Queen of Swords, represents a person of clear vision, sound judgement, and unwavering honesty. This card is typically seen as a stern, yet fair, mother figure, brooking no nonsense from anyone. Epictetus’ words ring true here:

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”

Your ability to persist, judge wisely, and communicate effectively is more important than any obstacle you might encounter. The Queen of Swords calls on you to harness your intellectual power to overcome challenges, discarding any illusions or falsehoods.

When life presents difficulties, react with the clarity, judgement, and honesty of the Queen. Remember Epictetus’ advice and understand that you have the power over how you react to what happens in your life.

Card 3: King of Wands – Bold Leadership and Visionary Approach

The final card drawn is the King of Wands, a symbol of courageous leadership, passion and a charismatic approach towards life’s challenges. The King of Wands embodies the fiery determination of a leader who is not afraid to go after his dreams. This calls to mind the stoic philosophy of Seneca:

“It’s not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It’s because we dare not venture that they are difficult.”

The King of Wands dares to venture, to push past the norm and follow his vision with unwavering conviction. Make use of this blazing energy in your own life. Take bold decisions, trust your instinct, and pursue your goals with diligence and the audacity of a king.

This card reminds us that courage fuels action. Like Seneca’s sentiment, we must dare to venture, to embrace the difficult and to hold steadfast in pursuing our dreams.

In conclusion, these cards collectively inspire us to be resolute and bold, with clear judgement, unwavering honesty, and visionary determination. Your strength and dignity are your secret weapons. Never let them falter but keep them honed sharp as a sword and as sturdy as the staff of the Seven of Wands.

Journaling Prompt:

For today, take some time to write about a challenge you are currently facing and how you can apply the lessons from the Seven of Wands, Queen of Swords, and King of Wands to navigate your way through it. Reflect on various aspects: Where do you stand? How can you judge wisely and communicate effectively? How can you approach this challenge with leadership and tenacity? Remember, we don’t control what happens to us, but we control how we respond.