Do Not Be Afraid To Blossom
A poem from a hopeful place + Card Of The Week
I do not have to run from anything that welcomes the idea of me blossoming into the person I’ve longed to grow into.
I do not have to fear the fire in my belly. It is how God connects to me.
My desire for more is not rooted in all this world can offer. It is rooted in expansion and expression.
A space to give my fire a place to burn with no limits.
Creating a world where “limit” does not exist in my babies’ vocabulary.
Giving them the freedom to run barefoot with laughter as loud as thunder.
Liberation.
Loving on the land that loves me back.
Love who I want out loud.
I do not have to run from anything that pushes me further into the liminal space I often attempt to avoid.
God was whispering, but now they scream
“Use the gifts; stand in your truth.”
I can no longer neglect who I was destined to become.
For it will follow me in every lifetime hereafter.
*Note: The card above was initially pulled as a reversal, but I decided to post the photo upright for the newsletter.
There is a certain eerieness that comes from the Ten of Swords card. Upon first glance, you could easily assume this image hints at danger or suffering, but I would encourage you to think deeper. As I mentioned before in my writing, I like to put myself in the shoes of the image depicted in the cards. What would I do if I were in this situation? Objectively, it’s clear that there is an excess of swords staked inside the flesh of this being. Why have ten swords done the work of one? I would not know how to move forward in such a dangerous situation. What could a person do that would warrant this type of outcome? Internally I would wonder, “Why me? What did I do to deserve this treatment?” and that is what I feel is the overall theme of this card. The excess of swords (the mind) makes us feel trapped and a victim of whatever circumstances are presented.
When we look at the reversal of this card (which is the actual pull for this week), we see more of a release rather than being pinned into place. Acceptance for the betrayal or hurt we’ve experienced and the willingness to move ahead in spite of it. If we are the victim in a situation or experiencing what I like to call “the shorter end of the stick,” Ten of swords reversed is an indication that through our ability to lean into resilience, we can make it a lesson learned rather than a matter of loss and unfortunate circumstances.
Over the last few months, I had convinced myself that I was a victim of unfair treatment from the universe. I was angry and bitter that no matter where I looked, there was no solution to the problems I was experiencing at the time. I wanted more out of my life, but I was met with disappointment, shame, and sadness at every corner. Looking back, I can say that there was plenty of validity in my experience, but honestly, I can take accountability for the fact that a lot of my internal turmoil at the time led back to the overidentification of my struggle. However, I’ve found peace in the idea that now, even in the midst of what still feels like a hard time some days, there is redemption on the other side of my struggle. That’s the beauty of the Ten of Swords; even in its reversal, you are still dealing with swords piercing through you, but you gain a new perspective and a new appreciation for the situation that you thought would end it all at one point. For some, the problem could be heartbreak or an opportunity not going the way you may have anticipated. For others, the situation could involve loss on a large level, sickness, or a struggle with mental health. Still, the one thing that all of these instances have in common is that they are here to teach us, push us to our limits, make us uncomfortable, and force us to break out of the box that we’ve built a comfortable home out of.
I didn’t have to pull a Ten of Swords card a few months ago to know what it felt like, the same way that I didn’t need this reversal to give me the confidence that I needed to know that everything would be okay. Instead, I can look at these cards and ask myself, “How can I relate to what I see before me?” I can look at the cards and see the versions of me that knew exactly what it felt like to feel trapped and a victim situation that felt like a big defeat. Still, I also see my current self and the future version of me who will find peace in my Ten of Sword situations.
This week, think about your relationship to victimhood. What lies just beneath the surface? Do you want to identify as a victim of every shortcoming or unfortunate circumstance in your life, or is there a more profound longing for your pain and hurt to be acknowledged by others? I encourage you to welcome the thoughts and refrain from negative self-talk. Allow your truth to surface and realize that we will all experience pain, betrayal, loss, and unfortunate circumstances in this life. Still, we do not have to root our identity in this pain that only wants us to hold space for it; it wants to teach us and offer opportunities to increase intimacy with those we love and hold near us. Although the card this week is a reversal of the Ten of Swords, please reflect on the side that resonates the most with you in your current form. There is no wrong or right way to approach it. Open your mind, open your heart, and trust in your journey.
Thank you so much for welcoming my energy and thoughts into your inbox. If this newsletter was a good read, I encourage you to share it with a friend, and if you find yourself more curious about the card of the week, I encourage you to become a paid subscriber to access our Tarot Chat, where we discuss the card of the week AND the card of the day!
Until next time,
Ty ♾️