COTD - 4 of Pentacles reversed (Golden Rider & Hallowquest)
"Earthly power; conscientious ambition; material gain; possessiveness; selfishness; spiritual miserliness; time to be generous with others." - Caitlin & John Matthews
"You are privately taking action in order to create the kind of security you want to have. You are doing whatever you need to do to feel safe, secure and stabilized. You are connecting with the physical earth or taking other action related to feeling grounded and centered." - Gail Fairfield
The number 4 symbolizes earthly reality, basic structure and orientation, and stability - think of the 4 seasons, 4 directions and 4 elements of earth, air, fire and water. Pentacles are associated with the material world, acquisitions of wealth and possessions, our connection to Earth and Nature, sensation, matters pertaining to the physical plane and the element of earth. Pentacles can also be connected with practicality, groundedness and being realistic. The 4 of Pentacles is often a card of being stable and balanced but also somewhat solitary and reserved. It can describe a situation where someone is holding on to things, afraid of what will happen if she lets go. This card is reversed which may be showing that it's time to let go of whatever you are holding on to.
Both these cards speak of hidden gifts and treasures - either actual financial treasures or the skills and treasures that each person possesses. The reversed nature of this card suggests that these treasures are hidden and unappreciated; not being shared with the world and not fully expressed. One of the things I've learned is that the only time having wealth, possessions or skills is actually beneficial is when they can be shared with others.
In today's economic climate, I think many people are clinging to what they have in hopes that it will provide safety and security for themselves. The reality is that there are no guarantees in life. The victims of Bernie Madoff are proof that even people and organizations with a lot of money, a "war chest", can lose it all. In some respects I think America's entire economy is based on consumerism. If people don't continue to buy things then the house of cards tumbles. Maybe this isn't a bad thing right now. If everything falls apart then maybe we can rebuild with a healthier approach. Then again I think there is something innate in human nature that makes use competitive and greedy. It may not be a factor for all us but it happens in enough of us that it ruins it for the rest.
The older I get the more I realize that the statement "all it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing". This is particularly true when it comes to politics and economic situations. People get overwhelmed and confused by the complexities of the stock market and political shenanigans. But if the Obama campaign has taught me anything, it is that people are tired of the status quo. We're tired of not feeling as though we have any say in what happens in our world. Maybe if we were each more willing to share with each other, we'd fine that there is enough for all as long as we're not fearful. Unfortunately the reality right now is that we're all fearful. We're all afraid of losing what we have and fearful people are not likely to be generous with other. Perhaps that's when we need to be most generous. No so much that we put ourselves at risk but I have often found it interesting that those who have the least are the most generous. It might be a very useful message right now.
"You are privately taking action in order to create the kind of security you want to have. You are doing whatever you need to do to feel safe, secure and stabilized. You are connecting with the physical earth or taking other action related to feeling grounded and centered." - Gail Fairfield
The number 4 symbolizes earthly reality, basic structure and orientation, and stability - think of the 4 seasons, 4 directions and 4 elements of earth, air, fire and water. Pentacles are associated with the material world, acquisitions of wealth and possessions, our connection to Earth and Nature, sensation, matters pertaining to the physical plane and the element of earth. Pentacles can also be connected with practicality, groundedness and being realistic. The 4 of Pentacles is often a card of being stable and balanced but also somewhat solitary and reserved. It can describe a situation where someone is holding on to things, afraid of what will happen if she lets go. This card is reversed which may be showing that it's time to let go of whatever you are holding on to.
Both these cards speak of hidden gifts and treasures - either actual financial treasures or the skills and treasures that each person possesses. The reversed nature of this card suggests that these treasures are hidden and unappreciated; not being shared with the world and not fully expressed. One of the things I've learned is that the only time having wealth, possessions or skills is actually beneficial is when they can be shared with others.
In today's economic climate, I think many people are clinging to what they have in hopes that it will provide safety and security for themselves. The reality is that there are no guarantees in life. The victims of Bernie Madoff are proof that even people and organizations with a lot of money, a "war chest", can lose it all. In some respects I think America's entire economy is based on consumerism. If people don't continue to buy things then the house of cards tumbles. Maybe this isn't a bad thing right now. If everything falls apart then maybe we can rebuild with a healthier approach. Then again I think there is something innate in human nature that makes use competitive and greedy. It may not be a factor for all us but it happens in enough of us that it ruins it for the rest.
The older I get the more I realize that the statement "all it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing". This is particularly true when it comes to politics and economic situations. People get overwhelmed and confused by the complexities of the stock market and political shenanigans. But if the Obama campaign has taught me anything, it is that people are tired of the status quo. We're tired of not feeling as though we have any say in what happens in our world. Maybe if we were each more willing to share with each other, we'd fine that there is enough for all as long as we're not fearful. Unfortunately the reality right now is that we're all fearful. We're all afraid of losing what we have and fearful people are not likely to be generous with other. Perhaps that's when we need to be most generous. No so much that we put ourselves at risk but I have often found it interesting that those who have the least are the most generous. It might be a very useful message right now.
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