A very interesting card as the ‘Starting point’ for the June reading. We have the King of Swords here which indicates an authority establishing ‘justice’ in a rational way. It is interesting, given that the Knight of Swords (obviously a less ‘mature’ energy than the King) showed in both April and May in the 2020 overall reading, pointing to reckless energy and actions, even violence. We have seen that in the recklessness of the corona-virus spread in many parts of the world, racial violence in the US, followed by protests and massive unrest across many countries in May.
However the King indicates that we will see systemic and institutional actions starting June. Given my experience with the King of Swords, this can sometimes translate into seemingly harsh measures which do not fully address the deep emotional issues underlying situations, and remaining alienated from people. However I remain hopeful because the July card in the 2020 overall reading was King of Cups which balances out the social responsibility and taking people along.
I also kept seeing the Queen of Swords a lot in the post-shuffle, so I do believe there is an emphasis on seeing the truth of situations. It can be uncomfortable, sure, and yet the truth is what it is. In fact the rest of the reading pretty much exhorts us to stand in that discomfort and face it fully. It’s time. I also feel that this reading applies simultaneously to the collective, and to the individual. Both need to happen together, for either to happen.
* Leading to: Judgment
* Challenge: Page of Pentacles (Reversed) clarified by Strength
* Tools: 8 of Cups (reversed) clarified by 6 of Swords (reversed)
Where is all this leading to? An awakening, a turning point (Judgment card). The Judgment card says that a change is already here. Situations have already changed, all that remains is acknowledging it. Acknowledging it opens the way for a renewed life. The clarion calls, but we can choose to stay buried, or rise to new life. The call to awaken is happening the world over, across a multitude of dimensions all at once. How can you participate? Hear the call that is for you. What are you being called upon to recognize? What change are you being called to step into? What does renewal mean in your life? There is no collective change without individual change.
The truth strips you naked (like the figures on the judgment card). It leaves you seeking and opened up to what now, what next.
The Challenges indicate that we may find ourselves unable to take concrete first steps (Page of Pentacles, reversed) in response to the clarity emerging, or may go for ‘band-aid’ actions which seem to do something in the short term, but by no means resolve the deeper issues. Such steps make us feel good about doing something, and trick us into complacence while problems continue to fester. The Strength card encourages us to stand face to face with what threatens us.
The cards in the Tools placements (8 of Cups, reversed, and 6 of swords, reversed) indicate the same- do not turn your face away from the messy emotions and difficult feelings. Do not allow your mind to create arguments to run away from what is here to stay. Stay with it. Gently, calmly, in your strength. Whatever is showing itself demands exactly this. There is renewal on the other side, but not before you sit with yourself in the darkness of the uncomfortable feelings it brings up. The awakening is here (Judgment). On the other side of the dark pool of our deepest fears, failings, prejudices, pains.
Go within, examine your own darkness first. Go with love.. with patience, with strength. The darkness is trying to shine a light on something. Do not reach out for the band-aid solutions just yet. You will know once it’s time- and you will know what needs to happen next. In light of your inner darkness, how will you make the world around you better?
Some questions to meditate on this month:
- What truth has become clear to you, and what responsibility does it place on you?
- What actions are you inclined to take? How do they resolve the situation in the short term and the long term?
- What difficult feelings are you burying or turning away from? What feels too hard to sit with? Allow yourself to sit with that difficult feeling for a whole minute. Notice what happens. Do it for 1 minute every day. Something will start to emerge within you in response. Sit with that. See what happens.
Stay well, stay safe everyone!
