By Sarah Taylor
From a period of being out in the cold and locked away from the light of connection and community, the picture has changed and a new set of circumstances have emerged or are in the process of emerging.
The Five of Pentacles speaks to the past. This is the card that describes that separation I referred to in the previous paragraph. It is the foundation, and it is worth looking at it and understanding it as it brings you into the present.
You could perhaps take a moment to feel what it has been like to embody the two people making their way through the snow. You could feel what it has been like to be ostracised — whether by others or self — to the point where it is hard to notice a place of warmth, support and union that remains unwavering despite outer circumstances. And those circumstances may have felt particularly unsupportive — hostile, even.
That is a resonance from the past; now to what is here.
The Eight of Swords is in the same position it was in two weeks ago, albeit the tarot decks have changed. The card describes a state of mind that renders the thinker seemingly powerless. Seemingly. But also compellingly. Swords may represent the mind, our thoughts and beliefs, but they lie at the basis of our tangible reality. We believe something, we tend to see the world through that filter, and then the world, in turn, reinforces that belief for us. Or in other words, we see what we choose to see, and ignore what we choose to ignore.
What is the woman in the Eight of Swords seeing? Or, more apposite, what is it that she is choosing not to see?
More important than her physical circumstances is the choice she is making around her ability to act. Often it is our belief that we are unable to act that is the barrier to movement. It isn’t the indecision over which move to make, but the blindness to their being a move to make at all.
We might not even feel trapped as much as blinkered to the point where the world simply ‘operates the way it always has’. We have never questioned otherwise. These are the hardest beliefs to change because, like breathing, we seldom give them a thought. But if you have ever worked with conscious breath, then you also know that it opens up new worlds of awareness. Such is the case here with your thoughts.
Where have you bought into something unconsciously? Where do you feel trapped by your beliefs?
And where is it that you haven’t considered you may be limiting yourself through your thoughts? The result is the same.
But there is a space there for something to come in — enough space also for you to step out and away from what you believe is holding you at bay. It is the space in front of the woman in the Eight. It is the space through which she can take the wand that the Page holds in his hands.
Because the way out is creativity; it is courage; it is fearlessness. It is the child-like, adventurous spirit that stands in wonder at the power of the force of eros. The Page holds the energy of the Ace of Wands in his hands. He is young, and that energy is like propane. There is an element of risk that implies that a mentor would be of benefit. That mentor is the woman in the Eight. You, in other words; and your inner child, who would spring up and follow the call of adventure.
By listening to and valuing the gifts offered by your inner child, and so reaching out for something that may not be visible, but felt — the flow of Soul — you can join forces and integrate fearless creativity with the guidance, maturity and authority of the inner adult.
In that moment, you remember that it is impossible to feel abandoned. And watch how that change in awareness has the power to change your world.
Astrology/Elemental correspondences: Five of Pentacles (Mercury in Taurus), Page of Wands (the earthy aspect of fire), Eight of Swords (Jupiter in Gemini)
If you want to experiment with tarot cards and don’t have any, we provide a free tarot spread generator using the Celtic Wings spread, which is based on the traditional Celtic Cross spread. This article explains how to use the spread.
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DivaCarla – I don’t see the blindfold as being the part of her that can be a mentor. The idea is to see past the blindfold. I see the potential for her to embody the Adult – she needs the Child to release her from her mental imprisonment. But, once released, the Adult is also released and in a position to love, contain and guide the Child, while still allowing him to be who he is at heart.
Thank you, everyone!
“Because the way out is creativity; it is courage; it is fearlessness. It is the child-like, adventurous spirit that stands in wonder at the power of the force of eros. The Page holds the energy of the Ace of Wands in his hands. He is young, and that energy is like propane. There is an element of risk that implies that a mentor would be of benefit. That mentor is the woman in the Eight. You, in other words; and your inner child, who would spring up and follow the call of adventure.”
I get the first part, and creativity, courage, boldness, and something I barely remember as I wasn’t ever a child-like child … that’s all being confirmed all over the place as my way through.
I am missing how the blindfolded, barefooted one in 8 of swords in the mentor. Me–blindfolded and blinkered and my inner child — unexercised and not quite knowing how to be a child …
conundrum
Sitting now in the storm of full blown Merc Rx moments with a much revered elder woman family member who cares deeply for me yet has strong judgemental opinions about how my life should be and how I should perceive and navigate .. This post comes as encouragement and inspiration to steady on in the face of projected doubt and fear, to trust intuition and insight and see the storm as a necessary cleansing internally such that seize the wand and move into the adventure that calls to me — WITHOUT any further doubt. Thank you, Sarah.
Yes. Another beauty. Thank you Sarah.
Sarah, glad your back and thank you for the reading.
All these cards give such an inspiring message of, “don’t give up”. From what seems like the most disparing points and calls in life, as shown in the V of Pentacles, or in the moments of feeling immovable self blocks, with continued faith, courage and remaining positive to go another step or just let go, is what brings change, growth, self expression and freedom around the next corner.
In looking at these cards and living them as I have experienced in my own life, the Page in the center just seems more immature in his expression to me. It takes the maturity and courage to pass along and through the paths of the two preceeding cards on either outside to hold the potential of even beginning to understand and actually speak to ‘being’ creativity.
Most touching for me is in the V of Pentacles the crippled man following at her side has been given one of her socks she shares. He looks up, and keeps up, in a moment filled with gratitude and faith. For me this shows it all.
Exceptional Sarah
Thanks Sarah….hope your US tarot session on Sat 15 in Maine goes well. I’m sure it will be brilliant. Wish I could fly over for it
Splendid interpretation, Sarah — you have inspired today. Thank you.
Genius! 😛