Six of Pentacles - Generousity

Although the Six of Pentacles has to do with the monetary generousity, I have to say, if we do not have a generousity of spirit our physical gifts are rather empty. There is a way of thinking of generousity that is making allowances for another's behaviour because of their intent. We can easily 'take' offense to what another does to us and we allow their behaviour to dictate how we behave. Instead of response we react but wanting to lash out, or start spinning our psychological wheels, feeling wronged or hurt, and maybe even feeling a little sorry for ourselves.

The Six of Pentacles is the perfect card for me at present. It is a good reminder for me not to take things personally, and be generous of spirit. God only knows there have been and are many folks being generous  with me.

It is very important for me to really know and understand, I am not perfect nor is anyone else, and so we need to be forgiving of one another in the generousity of spirit.

Hindu deity Lakshmi - the goddess of prosperity, wealth, purity, generosity, and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm.

Six of Wands - Success

The Six of Wands is a heady kind of card. It is about triumph, recognition and validation from others. You are rewarded for all your effort and hard work This card is very satisfying on an individual basis, because it heralds validation for perhaps some kind of creative work that one has achieved. However, it is important to remain humble, to keep you feet firmly planted on the ground, and know that there is still work ahead.

Success never comes without hard work, and if it does, it's often not appreciated particularly if it's given on a sliver platter. I have seen this on more than one occasion, where individuals take advantage of another's generosity, or their new found windfall is taken for granted. I think the reason for this behaviour can be partly attributed to human nature, however I do believe there are two kinds of people in life, those who give, and those who take. When I think about success I ask myself, what will my legacy be when I leave this mortal coil?

The Six of Wands really makes me contemplate what happiness and success mean. Life does not come with a manual for success. Many define it monetarily, and they follow this path, pursuing material richness, as opposed to inner treasures and gifts. Many do not simply perceive happiness as the thing that makes you successful.

 I have no desire to be wealthy, but like most folks would not choose poverty either. If we believe the meaning of success is happiness, then I think we can choose that for ourselves. But as Abraham Maslow' s hierarchy of needs indicates, we need to have the basics covered, such a food and shelter, before we can move forward in our pursuit of that elusive bird of happiness and on to self-actualization.

Five of Pentacles - Loss

Daedalus is skulking away from his hideout. He has done a terrible thing. Symbolizing the inability to accept the loss of material wealth, social position, and the loss of faith in oneself. This card represents the need to come out of the dark and to not continue to hide from others or from ourselves.

Being so focused on our own problems, can cause us to not be able to see the forest for the trees.  Our sight is obscured, even blinded. We walk alone out of the darkness, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The brightness of the moon lights the way.
Material things and a sense of self may be lost, but there are spiritual riches to be gained along the road. There is always hope, and many gifts of the spirit.

 I have heard it said, that the Five of Pentacles is the worst card in the deck, but I don't think there is any particular card that is the worst, nor necessarily the best. The cards are the cards. What is important is that we pay attention, and what we decide to do when presented with the message they give us.

 Yes, this card could indicate mistakes made, and opportunities missed. But we can not focus on the negative, or we will not be able to move forward. Regretting the past, and projecting into the future is a useless endevour. We need to focus on the present, forgive ourselves, improve our attitude and circumstance. We can not allow false pride to stop us from asking for help either. These proactive behaviours will free us from the burden of our loss.

Often the person who is the most difficult to forgive, is ourselves.