November 18, Mind/Body/Spirit spread
Mind, body and Spirit Spread: Can I have insight into how I am actually doing?
This is my first time trying the spread, so I'm excited to see how it goes!
1 Body: 0, The Novice (aka the Fool).
This card I drew the card I labeled “The Novice,” upright. Now, you may ask me, “A. Moon, my sand witch friend, why do you call the “0” Major Arcana the Novice instead of the Fool? The Fool is so important it shouldn’t be messed with!”
“Simple,” I will tell you, “The meaning of the word fool is ‘a person who acts unwiselyor imprudently; a silly person.’ or (v) ‘To trick, decieve, or dupe.’ Wheras the term “novice” means ‘A person is new or inexperienced in a particular situation.’ I think Novice fits the mood and intent of the card far more than the term fool.
You can read the Wikipedia for the history of the fool card. It at one time meant something to effect of mania, intoxication and frenzy, with the reverse representing negligence and vanity. Now, however, the Fool is most often seen as ‘The Most Important Card in The Deck” and instead of representing the things of silliness and joking, it represents new beginnings, limitless potential. Thus, I used Novices.
My card represents the Novices of the White Tower from Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time. Novices are women who are at the beginning of their study to become some of the most powerful people in the world, Aes Sedai. From the beginning, regardless of Age or experience, all Novices are told that they know absolutely nothing, that this is just the beginning, and sometimes have to unlearn bad
This is a novice who is yelling “Hakuna Matata" or "Bangarang!” as she begins her journey, with the sort of youthful exuberance that tells her that she has already accomplished her goals, everyone else needs to catch up. This is similar to a common trope: a young girl/boy just off the bus in the big city, a young soldier off to the military, the Hero at the beginning of any journey.
The Novice is still a bit naieve, she hasn’t encountered many harsh realities to bring her down. If she has, she just moved along and maintained that sunny disposition and “go-get-’em’ spunk.
She is going to make mistakes. The Upright Novice, however, realizes this and advance and promises herself not to repeat them or let them break her.
If you see her upright, this is a blessing, and a warning. Be joyful that you can remain optimistic. You can be apprehensive when approaching a new situation, but still remember to greet them joyfully.
Reverse: The Reversed Novice is someone who is “in over their head.” Sometimes there is the folly of youth, but Reverse Novice tends towards young stupidity. While she may be acting with the same naivety as she would upright, she makes rash decisions, is easily distracted, and can be careless. She texts while driving, and accidentally tweets her Social Security number. Whatever she does, she (and probably you) need to be aware of your surroundings.
Make sure no one’s trying to metaphorically (or literally) roofie your drink as you go out in the world.
Since the question I asked today is about mind, body and spirit, the Novice is probably telling me that my current optimism is okay, despite things around me telling me otherwise.
2: Mind: Queen of Pentacles, Upright.
The Queen of Pentacles has a good head for business. She can behave in the nurturing motherly role, but does not make her being ‘Mom’ her whole life. She also can plan businesses, investments, and other schemes to make money that put the wealthiest billionaire to shame.
When I read the description of this card in other sources, my mind popped immediately to Moogie, the mother of Quark and Rom in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999). She is a Ferengi woman, and as such is supposed to follow certain societal expectations: stay at home, feed her children (even when they are full-grown), earn no Profit and wear no clothes.
Moogie “don’t play that.” She started wearing clothes, became a vocal feminist about women's roles on her home planet, and began business ventures that ultimately left her as the wealthiest Ferengi in the Galaxy. No, she was the wealthiest PERSON in the galaxy, much to the shame of her sons. (she eventually marries the leader of the Ferengi and basically does the job for him because she is better at it. QUEEN!)
Upright: This Upright Queen shows a a down-to-earth nature that keeps her family happy. While she does want to keep her family happy, she understands that also includes keeping them fed, clothed, and with a roof over their little lobes. If she works outside the home, she tries to keep it separate from her family. She doesn’t want her children to know what she’s sacrificed for their sake. (There is also pride in any obtained resources through the hard work).
Showing up like this, The Queen of Pentacles represents someone, usually in a motherly role, who wants to help you figure out your life and give you the lessons you should have learned growing up. She would like you to learn to be as independent as she is. Moogie sees spreading her independence from tradition, from others, from whatever has bound her as her legacy, more so than the fortune she hides.
Since this card is in a spot to represent the state of my mind, I will say that my finances are eternally a worry for me. I grew up with some money as a small child, but from my teenage years to not that long ago, I was poor. Super Poor. Like, being Poor was my super power. It’s taken time, but I’ve got steady employment, own a house and a car, and I am in the process of getting my money sorted out after a year of disasterous losses. Even though I still live paycheck-to-paycheck, I am still able to provide for myself and my family (Husband, cats, dogs) with the occasional splurge. Where does this apply to my mind? I will say that when I am suffering with more poverty problems, every single one of my problems seems amplified tenfold and I tend to have several anxiety attacks.
Reverse: Here’s the awful side of the Queen of Pentacles. When she’s reversed, she is a jealous, self-absorbed ‘Karen’ who hates to see others succeed. She wields shame and guilt to her children, and at the same time acts in fiscally irresponsible ways .
That, or she smothers her children well into adulthood.
So this could mean there are misplaced priorities, a distraction or lost focus. This card recommends seeking advice from someone who has that experience.
3. Spirit: Ten of Cups, Samwise Gamgee returns home.
: Ten of Cups, Samwise Gamgee returns Home.
The Ten Card in each Minor Arcana is like the post-credit sequence to the film of the first nine: the element it represents has gone through a full journey and in the case of the suit of Cups, it has been
an arduous and emotional journey.
The Ten cups sit in front of an image of Samwise Gamgee’s front door, and Sam sits with his family, giving him the touching final words. Tolkien wrote:
But Sam turned to Bywater, and so came back up the Hill, as day was ending once more. And he went on, and there was yellow light, and fire within; and the evening meal was ready, and he was expected. And Rose drew him in, and set him in his chair, and put little Elanor upon his lap.
He drew a deep breath. ‘Well, I’m back,’ he said.
Samwise Gamgee is content after the years of his life that the Epic Quest that he set out on with his dearest friend Frodo and others years ago. His role in the main story is that of keeping ‘Mr. Frodo’ on track, and making sure they made it to Mt Doom, and back home to the Shire. Now, his friend has gone to the west with the Elves and Samwise is home, the adventure is over, and he can live his happily ever after with his wife Rose and children.
Upright: If you’ve drawn the Ten of Cups upright, then you are in a good place of contentment. You may feel like you are living an “apple pie life” with a white picket fence if you want to, you have what you need to feel completely fulfilled and content with your life. This is the chance for you to take a moment to look around at your miniature palace and smile.
You’ve reached emotional fulfillment. The refreshment you feel at sipping from the Ace of Cups is now in excess, you can share it with your loved ones. You are in a fairy tale “Happily Ever After.”
Ten of Cups could also indicate that you have a harmonious family life.
This card, in the Spirit position, probably reflects the sense of calm I’ve been feeling the last few days.
Reverse: You may have reached “Ever After,” but it isn’t quite happy. Instead of living in a cool place like the Shire, you’re living in Stepford, and are miserable. The bonds between you and your loved ones may feel fake, distant, or strained. You wear a mask of happiness for others to see, but have found stressful to maintain. You want those genuine moments with your loved ones, but something is blocking the path.
The best advice here is to start listening to others when they speak, treat them with love and respect, and care about them.
