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1.4 Seven, Eight, Nine

Today’s Activity

Spend time with each of the Pentacles below to generate your “tarot encyclopedia” notecard for each. I recommend the following process, which only takes ~10 minutes per card. You do not need to complete all (or any) card in a single sitting.

  1. Look at the image on the card and examine its details.
  2. Read the page in the companion book for that card.
  3. Read the description provided here.
  4. OPTIONAL: Read other descriptions of that card online or in other books.
  5. Reflect on the questions posed.
  6. Write down the details of the image that have meaning to you and the 2 or 3 interpretations (perhaps 1 heavenly, 1 upright earthly, and 1 reversed earthly) that resonate most strongly for you. Feel free to write down your own interpretations based on what comes to you!

Seven of Pentacles

Name: Success Unfulfilled

Astrological Correspondence: Saturn in Taurus

Position on The Tree: Earth of Venus. Victory in the Active World

Notes to Consider: Endurance and restraint concerning material comforts, delaying gratification now to ensure the future. It’s a hard decision to “leave something on the table,” hoping it will bear fruit later. Working hard but not getting what we want from it is a real possibility. How do we know it’ll work out that way and that this isn’t the best we’ll get?

Is the farmer happy with the crop and deciding how much to invest in the future? Or is he disappointed in the fruits of his labor?

Eight of Pentacles

Name: Prudence

Astrological Correspondence: Sun in Virgo

Position on The Tree: Earth of Mercury. Splendor in the Active World

Notes to Consider: Motivated to do what is necessary in order to be able to express one’s unique talents in practical ways. There is significant time and effort required to master one’s craft to such a degree that it provides a stable income. This kind of stability may not be the most exciting, but there’s deep fulfillment in the pursuit of perfection.

What kind of effort did it take to be able to attain this level of expertise and perfection? How does the smith feel now that he can exercise his passion for a living? Has he managed to do it without developing a “smallness” in greed and conservatism?

Nine of Pentacles

Name: Material Gain

Astrological Correspondence: Venus in Virgo

Position on The Tree: Earth of Moon. Foundation in the Active World

Notes to Consider: It’s all come together for this person. She is well-dressed and looks to be in a lavish, comfortable life. The journey through gain, loss, and stabilization has neared its end.

What was given up along the way? What constraints does that material gain place on the figure? What will she do with her time now that she no longer needs to run the rat race?