The first card for this long-delayed latest series of blog posts shows a woman who is prevented from taking any action, making any moves, even looking around her to see where she is. She is restricted, confined, trapped. She’s in a rut of self denial.
Say what? OK, sure she’s bound, blindfolded and imprisoned by swords, but who’s swords are they anyway. With the swords cards there is an indication that at least some of the problems are self inflicted. As bad as the Ten of Swords appears, for example, the indication is that the the victim is making things out to be far worse than they are. The Nine is all about the the things that keep us awake at night – worry, stress, anxiety and other useless activities that we would do well to let go of.
And so the theme continues with the Eight of Swords. The question you want to ask yourself with this card is: Who’s rut is it anyway? It’s easy to convince yourself you can’t make plans for your self, do things for yourself, take care of yourself properly, be yourself because you have too many family commitments, too many work commitments, too little time, etc. etc. etc. And all these things might be valid concerns on one level, but on another level they can keep us stuck and, at worst, serve as excuses for not taking chances, not stepping out into the light where you might be seen.
It can be less scary to be trapped in a routine where you know what’s expected and what to expect at all times, as opposed to being free to determine for yourself who you are, where you go, what you do with your life. Be free, feel the fear and travel into the unknown regardless. Beware the trap of complacency.
Here are some previous thoughts on this card.
Reiki Flow 