Five of Bowls
in the "Self" Position
Main (positional) Meaning:
Patterns of conflictedness that once confused and constrained you can be overcome, but you must take determined action to change them.
The card in the Self position touches on an aspect of how you perceive yourself right now, including how at peace you are with and within yourself.
When the Five of Cups is in this position, you are becoming aware of many conflicting messages from your personal past. You sense an emotional legacy of highs and lows that you may now be inclined to repeat. This is not uncommon. In fact, every family creates an emotional climate that ultimately shapes the character and style of each child.
Early confusion about whether you were loved or wanted colors how you react to and interpret people in your present life. The Five of Cups suggests that you may be agonizing over a pattern from the "bad old days" which is arising in your present life. Don't let yourself simply sink into feeling miserable. Draw on your inner resources. Get up and do all you can to make it right again. With concerted effort, harmony will be restored.
CARD 2
Two of Arrows
in the "Situation" Position
Main (positional) Meaning:
Resist the impulse to judge or blame, or to adopt an us-versus-them attitude. Be open to hearing the same old information presented in a fresh, new way.
The Situation position refers to the general set of influences that surround you and affect your personal experience of peace. We all have to deal with conflict and are affected by the process.
The Two of Swords in this position suggests that you may have to take action to avoid being pulled apart by the current situation. Resist black and white thinking at this time. The swords deadlocked on the face of this card are the left and right halves of your own brain, locked up tight and at odds with each other.
The forces opting for a yes vote are exactly equal to the forces that say no. At least momentarily, there is nothing you can do. Perhaps that is a good thing because if you just wait this moment out, the energy will relax, opening up into the next step toward peace and balancing the opposites. You need to trust the process and let go of the urge to struggle, either with yourself or with others. In this way you may move past this situation to a more positive and peaceful place.
CARD 3
Six of Stones
in the "Challenges/ Opportunities" Position
Main (positional) Meaning:
Give a hand up to those who are willing to improve their situation, but don't nurture dependence.
The card in the Challenges/Opportunities position reflects how you can use creativity and skill to turn conflicts into harmonious understanding.
The Six of Coins in this position bids you to find a way to be helpful without creating dependence. It is a challenge to detach oneself enough from the outcome of one's own efforts to promote self-sufficiency and success among others.
In some situations people need assistance or support, and it is good to help them. But if we spend our energy doing for those who can help themselves, we are actually performing a disservice. Your best contribution will not result from saving or rescuing others. Your best contribution lies in encouraging and challenging others to rise above their current limits. See if there is a way you can create incentives for higher performance.
