As Above, So Below for Monday 15 January 2024
The reading notes for today’s reading are below. You’re welcome to watch the video here.
- Significator runes: Gebo (7th rune, gift, reciprocity, marriage, partnership), Tristitia (grief, sorrow, sadness, stuck in emotions, grudges, condemnation)
- Cards: 5 of Pentacles, The Hermit, Queen of Cups, 6 of Cups
- Patterns: One card from each group (Minor, Court/Minor, Major Arcana), run on Cups. receptive energy
- Overall numerology: 7+5+9+6=27; 2+7=9 (endings, completion, generosity, spirituality)
Beginning with today’s significator runes, Gebo invokes balanced energy exchange or reciprocity with others. Tristitia, on the other hand, suggests being stuck in grief or sorrow and being unable to move forward. Energetically the two runes are at either end of the continuum from each other. However, we can also see Gebo as the answer to the emotional restriction expressed by Tristitia.
Moving on to the cards, the 5 of Pentacles depicts two people walking in the wind and snow. A church appears to their left, but there doesn’t seem to be a way in from the elements. Both people appear destitute and wounded given that they are wearing tattered clothing, no coats, and bandages or cloth wraps for shoes. The five numerology for the card indicates change, Pentacles involves material security, and in this case, the change in material security of some kind (homelessness possibly) is significant. However, although help seems to be beyond the stained glass window, it’s either unavailable to them or they don’t see it which may align with Tristitia and the tendency to stay stuck in one’s emotions or perceptions.
At this point, I decided to take another card because it felt like there needed to be more information relating to the 5 of Pentacles to explore before moving on to the Queen of Cups. I drew The Hermit, card 9 from the Major Arcana. The Hermit, as a soul archetype card, describes retreat, withdrawal, and accessing higher consciousness and inner counsel. It suggests that if you’re stuck in your emotions or perceptions (Tristitia), you may also become stuck in the circumstances that have befallen you in the 5 of Pentacles, and be unable to acknowledge or embrace the support that’s available to you. The Hermit asks you to retreat to a place where you’re no longer influenced by what’s happened so that you can see the bigger picture from Higher awareness because Tristitia may be indicating that you’ve become stuck in an ego-based response or mindset and it’s difficult to drop resistance and move forward.
Next, The Queen of Cups sits on her beautiful throne next to the ocean. The cape she wears reflects the pattern of the small rocks at her feet and seems to merge with them. Cupids adorn her throne and she gazes at a beautiful chalice she holds in her hands. The Queen of Cups is reflective, observant, and loving. Her empathy for others is strong, even if she meddles a bit, and doesn’t always have healthy boundaries. I think her presence in the reading suggests that not only is compassion for others important but so is having compassion for yourself, especially if you’re experiencing profound change or grief and having difficulty processing it and moving forward.
From there, we end with the 6 of Cups. Here we see two people, one offering a cup of flowers to the other. A white lily appears in each of the cups in the scene suggesting purity of motive, so we can see this as a random act of kindness. Once you’ve changed your perspective about what’s happened in your life, you’re more able to express compassion for yourself (Queen of Cups) and, in turn, for someone else. And if you look closely at the card, you will see an obvious connection between the 6 of Cups with the X on the corner of the fence and Gebo ᚷ and the gift of reciprocity.
SUMMATION
If this reading reflects the extreme weather that’s happening, this may be a time to express Gebo to others to help them through the effects of the storm. Otherwise, it may be that you’ve experienced something profound that has resulted in a lack of material security and you may be so focused on your emotions due to the shock over the upheaval that’s happened that you’re unable to seek support or accept the support that is there for you.
If this involves, for example, a relationship that’s ended, you may be so upset that you can’t imagine moving forward; however, today’s reading suggests that if you consider the situation from a higher perspective, and have more compassion for yourself, it might be the solution to moving forward. From there, you can return to life and embrace relationships in a way that expresses balance, reciprocity, and love.
Blessings!
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Thank you... Jan Erickson
