Keywords
Conflict, decision, option, individuality
Range of Meaning
Light: Having a choice. Offering or being offered an option. Seeing the value of another person’s approach. Understanding there’s more than one way to “skin a cat.” Successfully doing more than one thing at a time. Being empowered to make a choice.
Shadow: Misrepresenting your intentions. Doing one thing while desiring another. Changing course mid-stream for no good reason. Refusing to change your goal even when pursuing it no longer makes sense. Disregarding the input of others.
Correspondences
Numerology: 2 (The Other: division, debate, duality)
Astrology: Mars in Aries
Affirmation: “With my goals in mind, I make confident choices.”
Story: The Main Character is confronted with an alternative goal.
Advice
Relationships. To what extent does everyone involved in your situation want the same thing? The actions people take reveal their true inclinations. To gain insight into the goals of others, study what they do. Are their actions in line with their stated goals? Are yours?
Work. No one can serve two masters. Before proceeding, determine exactly how much authority you have in this matter. In addition, it’s time to decide which “To Do” items move you closer to your personal goals…and which ones are merely consuming your limited time and energy.
Spirituality. Others will have their opinions, but ultimately, you must decide what spiritual practices are right for you. Speak your mind and share your own views with courage and honesty. Answering the call of Spirit may dictate taking the road less traveled by.
Personal Growth. While others become slaves to fashion and convention, you should work to express yourself. What sets you apart? What makes you unique? These are qualities worth celebrating. Rather than give in to brow-beating and peer pressure, set your own standards in all things.
Fortune Telling. Beware false friends. Don’t be mealy-mouthed; say what you think and do what you want to do.
When? Between March 21st and March 30th.
Symbols and Insights
The Bolted Wand. In RWS-inspired decks, one of the two Wands is bolted to the wall. Do you need to abandon old habits for new, more flexible ones?
The Rose and Lilly Cross. Here again, male and female energies are shown at odds, as masculine activity comes into conflict with the classically feminine energies of reflection and intuition. Consider both points of view, but only for a time; eventually, you must choose a course and move forward.
The Moment of Choice. When the road divides, which way should you go? Developing a clear picture of what matters most will help you make the right decision when the time comes.
The Globe. The figure on RWS-inspired decks carries “the whole world in his hands”—literally. He enjoys a clearly-defined value system, enabling him to make difficult choices with ease. Can you say the same?
Differing Goals. Some people feel their needs outweigh the needs of the many; others feel the needs of the many trump the needs of the one. When goals conflict, what criteria will you use to plan your own response?
The Marseilles Image. Two solid Wands form a cross, diving the square card into four three-sided slices. Take a moment to appreciate the stark clarity of this simple illustration: progress will be barred until someone finds a way to align the two opposing forces.
Questions to Ask
- In a conflict, how do you decide who wins?
- What values govern your decision-making process?
- What choice will you make if you make no choice at all?