TAROT

Knight of Swords § Ace of Cups § Six of Wands

The Knight of Swords is relentless, not reckless. She plans for what she can reasonably predict but otherwise trusts herself to face the unforeseen. She is the embodiment of courage. Choose where you will make your stand and commit to it because that kind of focus reserves energy and sets us up for success. Remember, if you wait until you are entirely certain, you will stay right where you are while the years go by. Learning to do meaningful research and validate information lays a foundation for wise action. We need to be teachable, capable of seeking out the right people for the kind of input that will advance both our knowledge and the palpable humility that will keep us the safest and sharpest. Humility is the state of being that allows us to assess situations and people with accuracy. We become myopic and weakened when we focus on the clash rather than the goal. The Knight of Swords offers a message: You will never out-reason those committed to disagreement. Reserve your strength. The Knight of Swords suffers neither fools nor saboteurs. She keeps her mind focused so that she can face the unknown in peace—as should we.

The Ace of Cups arrives to give us advice on how to soothe ourselves both emotionally and psychologically as we meet with the people and the pursuits that are most important to us. We need the ability to give ourselves comfort because if we just power through our feelings constantly, we are missing out on opportunities and courting an inevitable explosion, too. Stress and the pressure to beat the clock creates substantial barriers to awareness of both the physical and emotional bodies, which leads to a lack of tolerance for the natural flow of feelings. Squashing emotional discomfort with rejection will conclude in an eruption over something seemingly unconnected. The Ace of Cups tells us to check in with ourselves and make sure we know what we are feeling throughout the day. Naming what is happening inside of you goes a long way toward easing tensions. The Ace of Cups tells us to find sanctuary within ourselves so that we will have a place to anchor from when we need to decide whether to put our faith into someone or something, or not.

The Six of Wands means victory. It is an achievement that benefits the community as a whole. This card represents a moment when a person’s potential is realized and everyone knows it. If we are to hold a level of esteem among our peers, we need to develop a tolerance for feedback that we might not expect, or like. Constructive criticism is a gift, but it can be tricky to decipher whether the person offering it is doing so in good or bad faith. It is possible to hear true and useful words from someone who wants to bring you down a notch, and it is also possible to take the advice but refuse the spite. If you can do this, you will continue to build a network of support.

If your psyche registers critique as rejection, take a long pause before you respond. Consider how you will present yourself and your ideas and be cautious that you don’t lose sight of your real goal. This is an art, and a delicate one. The Six of Wands accepts the reverence others hold for her with grace and it is this that gives her the wisdom to decline compromise disguised as diplomacy. May our trust lead the way.