Satisfaction and Love in the Face of Change

We have a surprisingly deep reading this week, at least deep for something that features so many hearts and rainbows. I have to be more specific here, though. In reading tarot, I’ve found that it’s easier to delve into challenging cards (have you noticed the most popular posts here are about upsetting cards like The Tower?) and far more difficult to explore the positive and good. What do we have to say about hearts and rainbows? And why don’t we take them seriously?

This week is asking us to stretch our focus and consider what it means to be happy and to examine what we’re aiming for. The Ten of Pentacles shows an arrival point, the unfolding of a full life. It reminds me of a saying that my friend’s parents have. When life get especially chaotic, they call it “rich and full,” with sly knowingness, as if all the dentist appointments, unexpected bills, and chaotic family comings and goings are the true measure of something beautiful. Sure, it’s chaotic and often frustrating, but it’s undeniably life - rich and full with love and joy and annoyance and responsibility.

Take time at the beginning of week to notice the rich fulness of your life at this moment. Recontextualizing all the stress and chaos as an integral, even beautiful, part of the picture will help soothe any angst and disappointment and uncover some strength and self-respect. Is a lot of what’s on our plate quotidian and grinding? Sure. But is it also touching and a sign of a life being well-lived. There’s something about this moment that’s calling out for attention; be aware of where you’ve continued to show up in the pursuit of something meaningful. This week, it seems like you’ve arrived at your goal without really knowing it. Look around and take it all in. How different do things look when your underlying assumption is that you have everything you want and need right now?

More specifically, we may be finding that grounding ourselves in our experiences of joy and satisfaction is surprisingly effective, a serious strategy for ensuring our wellbeing. I’m seeing this represented by the pair of tens in our reading, one from the Minor Arcana - the Ten of Pentacles - and the other from the Majors, The Wheel of Fortune. Change is on the horizon, as this impish card shows a big shift approaching. The change here is outside of our control, which makes me think that our work via the Ten of Pentacles - taking care of business, being steadfast in our dedication to work and life - is grounding us to withstand and maybe even benefit from whatever turning point we’ll be experiencing.

The tarot reader in me is tickled by this connection. Tarot is a practice that never stops surprising you, and I’ve never considered these two as connected archetypes: Happiness and change. What’s more, the Two of Cups represents love - via relationships and connections, romantic or platonic - bridging these two tens. Our connections with others are helping us to face and navigate the change of The Wheel of Fortune. Who is there to reach out a hand to you as you grapple with facing what’s next? How can you do this for others? Pay attention to how we all help one another through the ups and downs of life; this is a week to rededicate yourself to close relationships and open up to new connections that spring forth as life continues to shift and evolve.