Strength, The Sun, and Liminal Death

Strength by Cat Rocketship. Strength is all about compassion. It is about conquering your reactive self, not through the weight or threat of violence, but through love. In the journey of the Fool, it comes after the Chariot, and is the beginning of the second epicycle (8th through 14th) in that journey. Part of facing your fears means preparing yourself for Death.

The Sun, reversed, by Isabel Hayes. What a mess of a card. I love it. It represents joy, victory, and the light of the sun. Toss in some rebirth, too, while you're at it. The moth in this card represents a final evolution in this moment. Here’s the problem: the Sun is reversed, meaning all that wondrous energy is blocked. Gone. Victory is not here, and your princess is in another castle.

Liminal Death by L0st Vegas. I feel like I have pulled this card a dozen times. This card really focuses on the small changes. Now is not necessarily the time to change jobs, but look at small areas within your control. This is the motel on the road trip, the small moment of sleep surrounded by the smoke of past cigarettes. When you wake up, you grab a beef stick from the vending machine and head off into the desert. Your choices now will make a difference and prepare you, but they aren’t the choices you need to make. Imagine the results of your vision quest if you made poor choices at the motel or if the beef jerky makes you sick.

Here you are. You need to consider what you have done that brought you success, especially mollifying your animal side with compassion. What worked? What didn’t? Then you need to consider why you can’t move forward. What is blocking you? Why does what worked in the past not work now? Maybe you’re just older, in a different city, or with a different partner. In the end, you can prepare to start moving forward again by making some small changes. The real question is: What changes do you need to make? That, unfortunately, you’ll have to figure out for yourself.

I am loath to tell you, dear reader, what to do with your life. But if you are at a complete loss, start working with all the little things for your mental health. Meditate. Get enough sun. Exercise. Take your pills on time. Gratitude Journal. Make your bed in the morning. Pet your pets. Try anything and everything until you find what you need.