TAROTSCOPES | JULY 29 - AUGUST 4
III OF PENTACLES
The mundane world is a goldmine for the happenings of magic. The medicine of making. The sauce of synchronicity. Pentacles, representing earth, often appear to typify some of the more dull or tedious elements of life. Yet, when we look deeper into this suit, we see that earth embodies the various combined expressions of the other three elements. The Three of Pentacles in particular introduces us to the idea that fire, air and water need earth as a vessel for realization. Earth is a unifying, grounding and connecting force. True to the paradox contained within the three, the material realm, as a container for the nonmaterial, is not limited to matter. Within this puzzle, we discover the necessary elements of collaboration.
In chapter 3 of The Womanist Idea, Layli Maparyan describes seership, “the ability to see through the mundane to the divine,” as a fundamental element of womanist ontology.* I often define threes in the tarot as visioning cards and the Three of Pentacles embodies the womanist style of material perception. Maparyan explains that “spiritual stuff is the substrate of all reality...spirit is what is “real”.” If we consider the element of earth in this context, noting that it also acts as a container for the other elements, we are able to understand the inherent interconnectedness and sacred quality that underlies our universe. Spirit is “at the bottom of things or what is behind everything.” You are embedded with spirit, made of the same substance as the stars.
In contemplating the Three of Pentacles, we are invited to engage the notion that everything we see, do and feel has an innate life-force or god-quality. When we act from the principle of “innate divinity”, of being naturally infused with a ‘knowing spirit’, we emulate the harmony of the triangle presented by the Three of Pentacles. Interestingly, we see this card at play in certain events at the forefront of our news. For example, this intelligent spirit expresses itself through the Hawaiian people devotedly protecting the sacred land and mountain Mauna Kea. We see it in their profound connection with, rather than possession of, the earth. We see it in their greeting to each other, known as honi, pressing the bridge of their noses together, inhaling and exhaling. A practice of sharing the breath, called ha, of life, thereby seeing and affirming the divine life-force in one another.
Expounding on the triangular theme inherent to the Three of Pentacles we might note Maparyan’s description of The Womanist “Triad of Concern”* which includes human-human relationships, human-nature relationships and human-spiritual relationships. Maparyan writes that “the human condition sits at the interface of the visible and invisible realms,”* requiring us to engage the work of developing these relationships to each other, to spirit, and to nature.
This week, as we pass through three squares to Uranus, Wednesday’s New Moon in Leo, and Mercury’s station direct, we are asked to do the work to rest in the awareness that all beings are sacred and interconnected. Deeply rooted in this seat of knowledge, we are compelled to take physical action that affirms collaboration, co-creation, co-protection and symbiotic relationship to nature.
As ICE escalates its actions detaining both undocumented and documented immigrants, the Three of Pentacles begs us to consider our place and capacityin the order of things. In womanist epistomology, “humans play an agentive role in the unfolding and maintenance of this order.” Recognizing the spiritedness of everything does not mean resting on our laurels and letting the cosmos do the work. Rather, it means understanding our agency and taking action from a deep knowing core, in conversation with the cosmos. The Three of Pentacles teaches us to combine the labors that cultivate personal development, expansion of knowledge and spiritual intimacy. When we harness our innate ability according to these three pillars, we draw on a healthy inner conscience to become agents of change in the wild, universal web.
*Maparyan, Layli (Ph.D.), 2012, The Womanist Idea, pgs. 33-37, New York, NY: Routledge
WHAT EVEN IS A TAROTSCOPE? We often think of horoscopes as predictions that are specific to each astrological sign. In Ancient Greek, the term horoscope simply means "I watch the hour." To astrologers today, a horoscope is a chart that maps the planetary bodies in the sky. From this chart, we derive meaning that can influence how we work with energy. Regardless of our unique individual charts, we are ALL working with the same energy from above. Each week, I examine this energy, pull a tarot card and write a guided meditation with the collective in mind. My tarotscopes are meant to be read as inspiration. Please note that because we are all operating with our individual energy, some elements will resonate more than others. Take what you like and leave the rest. Tarotscopes are offered freely in an effort to cultivate collective healing. I am always grateful for your support in sharing this work with anyone you think it might help. If you are inspired or find support here, please consider making a donation to help sustain these weekly offerings.