Twos symbolize formation, polarity and the coming together of opposites. 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. Affirming and nurturing a new form of financial or material security.  Conserving and maintaining physical resources or physical energy.  Saying "yes" to a new direction for home, career, money, resources or your physical body.

The Shining Tribe 2 of Stones shows two circles one of which contains a frog and one of which contains a turtle.  The turtle shell bears the image of Earth as seen from above.  The frog bears a purple streak on its back which aligns with its tongue.  I love the symbolism of these two creatures who balance life in the water and on the land.  They are a reminder that all life requires a balance; a blending of two extremes.  The turtle who bears the world on its shell speaks to me of needing to balance the responsibilities in our lives (the weight of the world) with our own personal interests and desires.  This card is in direct contrast to the attitude that "the heart wants what it wants".  It is about accepting the decisions we've made and balancing them with the goals and dreams we have for the future.

The Druid Craft 2 of Pentacles shows a woman standing in a woodland setting and balancing two balls or pentacles in the air.  She seems to be keeping them afloat with her mind - her hands do not touch the floating spheres.  She seems almost casual in her approach - as though it does not require much effort.  She is combining her mental skills with the physical world around her and finding a way to balance herself between the two.  She is not practicing her exercises in a room with no other distractions; she does it in the middle of a forest.  Her skills are honed to such a degree that she can block out the distractions inherent in nature.  She is also able to blend and balance her practical nature with her mental skills.

This can be quite a challenging skill to achieve - the ability to blend and balance the real and the dream; past choices with future hopes.  Instead of working to find the way to achieve this balance, some people either stay lost in the past never able to move beyond it.  Or they become lost in an impractical dream world - never able to manifest their dreams because they can never take the practical steps needed to achieve them.  They can't keep two balls in the air at the same time, can only follow one task or strand of reality at a time.  In some respects the 2 of Pentacles may be the ultimate multi-tasker's card.

I think right now what I might be guilty of is keeping two balls in the air but not really focusing on either one.  It's become rote, habit.  I don't really take the time to appreciate and enjoy the skill because I have begun to take it a bit for granted.  Maybe what I need to remember is that just because I am able to achieve this with minimal effort (at least some of the time), doesn't mean I shouldn't respect and appreciate this skill.  I don't think this makes me superior to anyone, it's simply something I am able to do, a talent.  Some people can sing or play an instrument, I can do this. 

At the same time I think this card is reminding me that I need to be more directed and goal-oriented in what I'm juggling.  Instead of letting life throw me the balls, I need to decide which balls I want to juggle.  I need to take a more active and progressive approach in this process and not just allow myself to be a victim of fate.  As Sarah Connor would say "no fate but what we make".  It's time for me to start making m own fate, claim my future.