Come Together

From the Fairytale Tarot, the Knight of Swords:

Bluebeard wanted a wife, but because of his strange appearance (and the fact that his previous wives kept disappearing) he had none. He gave a party, and his hospitality and wealth was enough to convince one young girl to marry him. Later, he left on business and told her that she could have access to all the rooms in the castle but one. But just to tempt her, he left his new wife with the key to the off-limits room. Of course the young woman's curiosity made her open the door; she found the dead bodies of his previous wives. Bluebeard returned and was about to use his sword on her, when she was rescued by her brothers. The Knight of Swords is an intellectual marvel, yet his gift can be used to help or harm. In Bluebeard's case, he used it to bait someone, then attacked when she was caught in his trap. Words can slice and dice as easily as the sharpest sword. If I'm not tempted to argue or match wits with such a bully, I don't have to worry about the stitches I may need later.

From the Tree Affirmation Cards comes the card "Maritime Pines:"

I discover the power of a common purpose.

Years ago, I went camping on Cumberland Island and was impressed by the twisted trees shaped by their environment. Lewis explains how groups of pines on the coast help provide shelter for each other against the constant battering from the salty, sea breezes. There is no doubt that that there is strength in numbers, and joining with other like-minded individuals can help in when it comes to standing up to bullies. It serves not only to give us confidence but to secure our freedom.