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A Stoic’s Tarot: Your Reading for Friday August 9th, 2024

Dear Readers,

For today’s tarot reading, we’ve drawn a compelling triptych of life’s dazzling panorama. Let us find solace in the wisdom of the Stoics and the illumination of the Tarot.

Our first card is the Nine of Wands. Renaissance Tarot often depicts this card as a formidable individual standing firm, a wand in hand, despite the visible signs of a hard-fought battle. It serves as a symbol of resilience and determination. In the realm of stoic philosophy, we’re reminded of Seneca’s words,

“A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.”

Here, we are confronted with a symbolic representation of our inner strength and resilience. These are qualities we’ve already been fostering throughout our life journey. The challenge today is to recognize that strength within yourself, to tap into it and let it guide you. This might mean standing your ground, asserting your boundaries, or enduring in the face of hardship. The takeaway is not to shirk from difficulties throughout the day, but to treat them as the polishing agent to your uncut gem.

Our second card, the Three of Swords, invariably induces a sharp intake of breath. Often interpreted as heartbreak, separation, or sorrow in classical Tarot, it’s natural to feel a sense of trepidation. Fear not, for as the Stoic philosopher Epictetus tells us,

“Man is disturbed not by things, but by the views he takes of them.”

Remember, feelings of sorrow and pain are not to be avoided; they are part and parcel of our existence, and to live fully is to feel deeply. In true stoic fashion, we must focus not on the pain itself, but on our reactions to it. Is there a situation causing you hurt? Look at it objectively and dispassionately. Can you change it? If so, then do. If not, accept it as it is and allow it to pass through you. Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.

Last but not least, we come upon The Hierophant. Traditionally, this card embodies the values of tradition, conformity, and moral guidance. It speaks to our inner sense of order, urging us to consult the wisdom of established traditions, or perhaps an influential figure in our life. For the Stoics, there was a deep respect for wisdom acquired through time and experience. However, let us recall Marcus Aurelius’s counsel,

“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.”

Tradition can provide us with a solid ground, equipping us with time-tested wisdom. But, we must balance respect for what has been with a clear, open-eyed view of what is ethical, just, and true to our own experience. Perhaps today, seek the advice of a trusted elder, but remember to scrutinize it through the clear lens of your own insight and intuition.

Let us wrap up our reading with a simple yet profound journaling prompt. Reflect on these questions and pen down your thoughts:

How often do I recognize and tap into my own strength and resilience? How can I cope with difficult situations more effectively? What traditional wisdom has shaped my belief systems, and to what extent do those beliefs truly align with my intuition and experiences?

May this reading illuminate your path and provide you with the wisdom and resilience to meet the day with grace.

Stay Stoic, dear reader!

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