A Monday of Reckoning: Tarot For Monday, October 21, 2024

Dear seekers of wisdom and clarity, as I lay these three powerful cards in front of me, the chill in the air only intensifies their potent meanings. Our stoic journey today is guided by The Devil, Three of Swords, and The Chariot.

The Devil is a terrifying figure in our culture, often synonymous with evil, liability, and giving in to our activities that don’t bring us towards our optimal self. However, stoicism reminds us that “externals are not the problem. It’s your assessment of them. Which you can erase right now,” a quote from the grandmaster Marcus Aurelius himself. The Devil card invites us to confront our self-imposed binds, the little twisted comforts that keep us from reaching our potential. Are these addictions, procrastinations, or negative patterns as terrible as they seem? Or do we relinquish our power to them?

Next, we encounter the Three of Swords, the card of heartbreak, sorrow and grief. Ah, a formidable symbol of emotional pain and negativity. However, as we steep in our stoic ethos, we remember, “never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present,” famously stated by Marcus Aurelius. This card, when viewed through the lens of stoicism, isn’t about the suffering itself. It is an invitation to understand and accept sorrow as a human emotion. An opportunity to put our own adversities in perspective, to understand our resilience, and come out the other side stronger. Can we face our worst fears, disputes, or losses with courage and integrity?

Finally, we meet with The Chariot, a wonderful symbol of victory, control, and determination. The mystical narrative of triumph echoes with Epictetus’s quote: “The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.” We can invoke this card’s energy to balance our drive and ambitions with the grounding forces of compassion and wisdom. The Chariot energizes us through its embodiment of determination, urging us to understand ourselves and our journeys better. Can we stay focused on our paths, not get swayed by external pressures, and remember our ultimate goals, no matter how difficult the terrain gets?

Today’s tarot reading asks us to grapple with our inner demons, to bravely face our emotional afflictions, and find our inner warrior spirit. If we stay steadfast in our commitment to self-growth, maintain our courage in times of despair and have faith in our resolve, we can navigate through life’s complex labyrinth.

Reflect on these questions in your journal and seek your answers:

• Journalling Prompt: “What holds me back? How can I courageously confront my fears, affirm my resilience, and use this strength to forge ahead towards a determined goal?”