Your Week Ahead: December 10 to 16, 2023 – Pressed To Act

The skies are full of promise and hope. They seem to beckon and call our name, and in turn, we want to participate in its new messages for us. We sense our potential and have a desire to expand our world in some tangible way. It all feels very ripe and abundant. But what steps should we take? Where to from here?

This week’s reading opens in a garden where we have time to contemplate many things. Perhaps we want to change something, or simply expand upon what is already present. The dichotomy here is about sending out our desires and receiving the next impulse, or new information about what we can do to grow from that which we have sent out into the universe.

Here is where I would look at the cards that follow or aspect the 3 of Wands. Are we headed in the right direction? What environment are we moving into and how can we prepare for that? To me, it feels like there’s a bit of pressure to act. Likely, we could be feeling this with the New Moon and Mercury going retrograde at the same time. Caution is very much in order because it is very likely that the information we are interpreting is coming from the past and the ego’s need to have it “now” or “right”.

The 7 of Wands portrays a woman wanting to rest in safety, but alas, her guards are asleep. This is a card about courage and preparedness. It is usually a call to step up and show that one is ready to rise above challenges or inadequacies. Here, we see this as a subtle reminder to ensure that what we are doing is in alignment with our heart. Otherwise, we could just run on autopilot and slip into reactivity. That won’t serve us; we need to bring awareness and mindfulness to what we are doing.

Preparing to act is the pivot point in this spread. However, the decision not to act is also desire in action. What we refrain from doing, or what we hold ourselves back from getting pulled into, could be what this reading is about. The Knight is about action. In the Swords suit, he is bold, brash and a little too quick.

Buttons are easily pushed and there is an easy outlet put in front of us. When I see the Knight of Swords, I always say “count to 3 before acting, or better yet, sleep on it.” Admittedly, there are times when we need to be swift. If there is a need to address one’s safety and to ensure that our wellbeing is guarded, then take measures to address this, albeit with control and restraint.

There might be the illusion that we are under threat where none exists, or that we are pushed by something or someone that says “are you just going to stand there and take it?”. The sensation lies in our past, hence the button being potentially exposed. What maybe important to remind ourselves of is that we are not our past; we are in the present. What we do now is the most important. How we define ourselves now takes us into a very positive and solution based mindset. Going back to the past only drudges up pain and old identities, most of which are not even relevant anymore.

If you can use this pivot point well, then your action will be wise and tempered with clarity. If not, you could lose yourself to fear and destruction. Do what feels good, not what feels reactive. Most things can wait. If it can’t then it might be good to ask why. Taking time for yourself to know why is wisdom in action. That is honouring yourself that brings rewards and stability.

This is not a time of worry. Rather, to know and feel that what you are doing is being directed by your desires, not by something external to you. The best results come from being easy and relaxed about a situation. When we apply a degree of force is to take ourselves away from the flow of the universe, and our power, that is holding us in its loving embrace at all times. Knowing the difference between power and force will be very meaningful to you now.

Affirmation: I take myself into my future with loving guidance. I open my arms to the potential in all things and I feel ready to take steps towards my empowerment. If I need to act and to come into alignment with my heart centre, then I take the time I need to proceed with clarity and integrity. All things are flowing well and I come to the right information I need for me at this time.

Thanks for reading, and I wish you a wonderful week!

Daniel Palmo

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