Shrugging is a virtue in becoming quietly effective
Reflections of the Four of Swords reversed and a look at the pivotal majors guiding this week
These timeless Tarot and Lenormand collective reading journals present a foundational insight into an issue you may be experiencing and reflect on the psychospiritual energy for a grounded transition. Be empowered to trust in your self authority and to know you’re enough.
This week:
A personal journal reflection from last week’s card with contemplative inquiry: Uncomfortable lessons in both self and external emotional victimisation for personal authority
The cards guiding this coming week: An all-major arcana pivotal energy you’ve been ‘in training’ for
In action: An inspired exercise to gain the most from it
“It’s been a funny old day…”
…as Arkwright used to muse in Open All Hours as he mindfully shut up shop for the day. Except for me it’s been an entire week that’s been ‘funny’.
Last week’s single card to reflect on was the Four of Swords reversed which was not one of my ‘stalker’ cards. So I was intrigued as to the experiences and lessons this energy would present, because as I said in the last article, I’m here to lightly share my own resonance in a way that contributes to the energetic awareness the cards ask us to notice for our growth.
I noticed an energy shift the day after I turned 48, which was the day I wrote the last article. I encountered an old wound around money that not only asked me to reflect on my worth, but enquired as to where I was taking on the responsibility of others to my own detriment in acts of self-victimisation. That threw up some stuff that made me want to actually throw up. By the time the following day arrived I’d wrestled that one to the ground in a semi-victorious air-punch and spent the rest in recovery (aka, a continuous flow of tea and talking nicely to myself). I say ‘semi’ because the lesson highlighted where I still have more work to do. Noted.
The next lesson happened two days later. I’d stopped at a secondhand bookstore I’d been wanting to visit for a while but the timing had never been right. As I attempted to venture inside full of enthusiasm for the treasures that awaited, I was hit with a shocking wall of control from the owner that ranged from derogatory remarks and hate speech directed at previous customers that didn’t comply, to victimising material presenting his stance on political warfare currently being experienced here in New Zealand. And there stood a lesson to me on an attempt (reminder) at being externally victimised.
I promptly-ish left to his oppressive demands, but not as promptly as I would have liked since the word-battle in my mind had kept me rooted to the spot with adrenaline-fuelled throwbacks of childhood victimisation that nudged me to respond in a way that served who I am now, and not the me of then.
So much of my week has been spent reflecting on where I can now strengthen my behavioural sovereignty by choosing to move more in the direction of victor, i.e. non self-victimisation, no matter what my thoughts, emotions and urges were attempting to default to.
“Shrugging is a virtue; learn to overlook things. If you allow yourself to be seduced into arguments, expecting to make people understand your position, you’ll almost always end up the victim. You will never win if you have to prove that you are the winner”.
- Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
I’ve reflected on the fact that urges don’t last and the more I can ‘act like a boulder’ and remain still until the urge to defend, or allow myself to be offended, passes, the faster my body will learn to stay committed to where my mindful intention wants to be and remain in tandem with my truth.
The Four of Swords reversed was a reminder of the double-edged sword of choice versus discernment. I needed to accept and heal yet another layer of painful emotions still buried in my subconscious around being an emotional victim to other’s manipulative behaviour requiring a conformity that attempts to erode my very essence.
I’ve been grateful for the time given to me to reflect on how my previous ways of dealing with the stress of victimisation no longer served me, and how far I’ve come over the years in standing my ground. I’m thankful for how the latest chapters of this lesson were brought to enquire where I can remain secure by turning my back on the indoctrination that muted my voice, and thus, empower my sense of validity, worth and personal authority.
“…that is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you’ve understood all your life, but in a new way”. - Doris Lessing
If your experiences are also around the toughie of victimisation, feel free to share in the comments or email me. A victimising energy is often depicted by the Eight of Swords and when this energy arises as part of our week, I will go into more detail. For now, the energy has been around the downtime to focus on the how and what the Four of Swords space was allowing for us in our own individual ways.
The remainder of the week left me with time to be still; do personal readings, read books, research and gather myself to re-emerge with increased compassion and understanding for the situations that hold residue to pour love into. And I’m grateful for the spiritual lessons that whilst left me uncomfortable, have increased my awareness of where to place my focus in strengthening that behavioural sovereignty within me, and for the wisdom I can share with others around this.
What awareness did the Four of Swords reversed present for you?
From what situation or past experience have you been perhaps forced to take a break from, maybe from exhaustion following a repeated challenge that’s left you burnt out, emotionally, physically or mentally? What was your reflection around this?
How have you found ways to be gentle with yourself? How was your self-talk? What have you noticed about the consequences of remaining in a situation, whether physically or mentally, that was no longer in your best interests, or aligned with the person you’re in the process of becoming?
Where did you re-enter ‘the circus ring’ with renewed optimism, vitality or strength having gained the wisdom you practically applied that changed your response patterns?
The all-major pivotal energy guiding this week
True Black Tarot: 1. Wheel of Fortune (Destiny), 2. Emperor reversed, 3. High Priestess
I thought this week we could incorporate the foundational lesson I teach those that are new to reading Tarot for themselves, in the format below. As the cards for this week are all Major Arcanas, there’s a good chance you’ll be experiencing a pivotal point in your life. The Majors take us on a path from innocent oblivion to self actualisation that shape the very essence of who we are.
1. Where am I / what am I learning?
I use this question at the end of each day to reflect on my experiences. This gives me depth into how the cards communicate and take me way beyond any keywords held in memory. When we connect a card with an experience, the awareness deepens and means so much more.
So this week the energy is centered around the Wheel of Fortune, or Destiny as it’s been renamed in this deck. Like last week, my light interpretation is designed to invite the formation of your own.
The Wheel of Fortune indicates fate, serendipity, cycles and unpredictability. Something inevitable is upon you in the form of a turning point. This card, in conjunction with the High Priestess, empathises the secrecy around situations unfolding, so we learn how to be present rather than preempt, control and bend events to our will. We are being led to use our intuition first and foremost.
2. Why, how, or for what reason is this energy presenting?
This card gives insight into the nature behind the main focus and in this week’s case, the Emperor reversed is asking you to release control over that which is transient, indicated by the primary card of the Wheel of Fortune.
Where may you witness feelings of avoidance, or even dominance when it comes to allowing events to come and go? Where may fear be taking a grip that leaves you attempting to control a situation? Or on the contrary, where and why might you need to strengthen your boundaries that leads you to communicate your needs effectively?
3. Bottom of the deck card reinforces the focus
It’s entirely up to you as to whether you pay any attention to the card on the bottom of the deck, but I like to as I find it asserts the focus card. The High Priestess represents your relationship with your inner world; the voice, feeling, sensation, or gut instinct that shows you how to trust in your intuitive wisdom. In a world that would prefer you to conform to other’s ideals for their convenience, what does the whisper of your body say that leads you to make the choices that are right for you?
Exercise
Consider pulling an extra card at the end of each day that clarifies your own daily experience to work in with the energy cards of this week. You could focus on all three and pull one of your own, or choose one and pick one of your own. Keep a daily note to record, remember and to discover any patterns by the end of the week.
For added simplicity, here are some thoughts to consider when summarising all the cards together for this week:
What is your relationship with change? Do you prefer to avoid in favour of continuity, or do you embrace the flow of life? Where does the root of your response lie? Does it serve you, or go against you, and with each case, how?
Where and how can you become your own authority by noticing ways in which you’re personally responsible in voicing your needs, irrespective of the opinions of others? What sensations do you notice in your body when you consider this?
If your inner voice had a volume dial, and you turned it right up, what would it be saying that you’ve been drowning out with the noise of your daily life?
Remember who you are. Know that you are never required to apologise to anyone for being yourself.” - Iyanla Vanzant
Alison Jeavons is a professional intuitive, certified Transpersonal Coach, Practitioner in Trauma Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (TFACT), Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), plus a variety of humanistic and alternative models. Learn more about Soulchology or to book a session.