Tuesday October 22nd, 2024

A vibrant, lush garden illuminated by the gentle glow of twilight. A South Asian young man sits contentedly beneath a towering tree, studying six gleaming cups arranged ritualistically on an antiquated wooden table. Each cup brims with brightly coloured flowers in full bloom. The man's expression is a poignant mix of nostalgia and tranquility. Behind him, the charming outlines of a sun-bleached cityscape conjure feelings of a long-cherished childhood hometown.

Stoic Tarot Reading: Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024

Welcome to today’s cosmic guide, dear seekers. Our trio of guiding stars for the day are: The Six of Cups, The Ace of Cups, and The World. Together, they weave a profound story of understanding, renewal, and fulfillment, and offer you a wealth of deeply insightful suggestions for reflection.

Let’s begin with our first guide, The Six of Cups. This card, in the classic imagery, is filled with echoes of the past, of simple pleasures, and joyful childhood memories. It is a call to return to the purity of heart, to the time when everything was new and full of wonder. Through the lens of Stoicism, this card is an invitation to rekindle and foster that sense of joy and innocence, whilst reminding you that while you can appreciate and learn from your past, it cannot be changed. As Epictetus said:

“Don’t seek for everything to happen as you wish it would, but rather wish that everything happens as it actually will - then your life will flow well.”

Our second card, irrepressibly effervescent, is The Ace of Cups. With its overflowing cup, it signifies a powerful beginning, a fresh start, filled with emotional and spiritual energy. Within the realm of Stoicism, it is a reminder that our emotions and the energy we put into the world, are under our control. Recognize that this new beginning carries with it the potential for profound emotional growth. Let yourself be in the present moment, open to opportunities for emotional discovery. To echo Seneca:

“The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.”

The final beacon lighting our path today is The World, a remarkable tarot card symbolising the completion of a meaningful journey, and the achievement of enlightenment or understanding. In its stride with Stoicism, it summons us to stay humble, to understand that achievement does not always breed fulfillment, and that genuine contentment comes from within. Remember Marcus Aurelius’s wise words:

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”

The overall spirit illuminated by today’s tarot guidepost encourages you to embrace your journey of self-discovery, to remain present, and to understand that genuine fulfillment does not rest in external achievements, but in your inner self.

As we bring today’s readings to a close, I propose a journaling prompt to serve as a release boat to carry you through the rapids of this heady emotional journey:

Reflect on your past, how does all that has happened nurture the person you are in this moment? And looking ahead, set out one way you could channel your emotional energy constructively in the coming week. Lastly, question yourself, ‘What does fulfillment look like for me?‘. Until next time, dear seekers.