Intuitive Tuesday -- Eight of Wands (Reversed)

Every Tuesday I select one tarot card and give you my interpretation of it. See how it applies to your life and ask, "What messages are here for me ?"

As I shuffled the cards to select this week's Intuitive Tuesday tarot card, I said, "Tell me what messages I need to bring to my readers this week."  I selected the Eight of Wands (reversed) from the Gateway to the Divine Tarot deck by Ciro Marchetti.

In its upright position, the Eight of Wands is a card of speed, energy and action...things are happening without delay; all systems are go.

The Eight of Wands (reversed), however, is a different story. It can mean excessive speed, feeling out of control, and too fast of a pace.  Among several other meanings, the Eight of Wands (reversed) can also symbolize an unstable person or unresolved situations. It could also mean breaking a pattern.

Imagine driving down the interstate at 80 mph and having your steering or your brakes go out. The panic, fear and feeling of being out of control and helpless is the feeling I get with the Eight of Wands (reversed).

I've covered the Eight of Wands (reversed) a couple of times on my blog. Click here to check it out. 

When I pulled this card today, I felt its energy. A personal example:

My hubby and I have been feeling the Eight of Wands (reversed) energy for several months. With three teenage boys and all of their activities, I have a spreadsheet that outlines the carpool arrangements between their multiple events. My calendar is sprinkled with games, meets, practices, concerts, and school events, not to mention my hubby's night meetings and my own business and personal appointments.

Tom works two demanding jobs and is often checking/answering email on the sidelines via his phone, sitting at his desk at night, or working late in an effort to keep up...while still remaining present as a husband and father.

The other Eight of Wands (reversed) meaning, "unstable person and breaking patterns," is apparent in parenting our teenage boys. Between hormones, curiosity, girls, etc., a lot of our mental energy goes towards trying to stay one step ahead or reacting to boys being boys. At times we feel as though we've exhausted our parenting toolbox (and our patience levels).

Yes...we have been feeling the Eight of Wands (reversed) energy a lot around our house.

Part of the frustration of the Eight of Wands reversed energy for me, is that I have high expectations of what can be done and how smoothly it should be completed.

Pulling the Eight of Wands (reversed) is a reminder that life is busy, and can be messy...and most times it doesn't flow exactly as I had hoped.  Remembering this allows me to close the gap between my expectations and my reality. It reminds me to release and let things flow.

I can't control everything (duh)...even if I have a very neatly organized spreadsheet to inform the universe HOW things should happen!

FLOW. In my daily reading from the book, "Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga," by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison, I underlined a quote that fits perfectly today:

For the first few years of my spiritual journey, all I could do was show up for work and try to have a good attitude. Over time, as I have matured, I've slowly created a life that is an expression of my deepest beliefs. I started with just an idea, one priority.

For me, that priority was service. I had some ideas about what a life of service would look like, so I worked hard to realize them. Eventually I began to work less, try less, and allow things to happen. I still have my values, my spiritual choice to be of service, but I have let go of the details. Today I simply show up and try to be of service to whoever is put in my path, in whatever capacity the universe chooses. (page 174)

The message for me today is to LET GO, work less, try less, and allow things to happen...to let go of the details.

What message is here for you today?