Saturday September 21st, 2024
- September 21, 2024

Saturday, September 21st, 2024: The Journey Towards Independence and Wisdom
Today, we venture through an enlightening path with the Nine of Pentacles, tread carefully across a complicated battlefield with the Five of Swords, and cast our gaze toward the horizon with the Two of Wands.
The solid, shining Nine of Pentacles begins our day. This card signifies abundance, achievement, and self-reliance - the fruit of your diligent efforts. McKinley notes, the woman in the card “who stands in her wealth, symbolises self-reliance and financial independence”. This evokes us to explore the philosophy of Epictetus who stated,
“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”
As we enjoy the fruits of success, let’s remember that it’s not just about possession, but the character built in pursuit of it. I encourage you to consider whether there are aspects of your life where your efforts have manifested into abundant results. Reflect on the journey you undertook and how it nurtured your evolution.
On our journey, though, we are met with the Five of Swords, a card embodying conflict, loss, and betrayal. This card is a reminder that not all battles are worth fighting and not all victories are sweet. Here, wisdom from the stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius resonates deeply,
“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.”
The adversity revealed by this card acts as a moment for self-reflection and self-improvement. What fights are you engaging in? Are they worth the potential cost? Remember, sometimes, the wise thing to do is to retreat and replenish.
As we navigate our way out of conflict, the Two of Wands awaits, symbolising planning, discovery, and decision-making. The person on the card is seen contemplating over two wands - they represent the choices in life. This alludes to Seneca’s words,
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
This card is a call to action to deliberate our priorities and make a choice to pave our path forward. As we move forward from the turbulence of the Five of Swords, the Two of Wands compels us to ponder our next steps and potential.
In summary, today’s journey starts with hard-earned success through the Nine of Pentacles, passes through the battlefield of the Five of Swords, and ends with the promising choices of the Two of Wands. As you navigate through your day, remember this path and use the teachings of these cards to guide you towards wisdom and liberation.
Journaling prompt: Reflect on recent conflicts, what has it taught you about yourself and others? Where in life do you need to exert your independence and make the right choices despite adversity? This exercise will provide you with a deeper understanding of your personal journey towards wisdom and independence.