The wisest men follow their own direction. ~ Euripides
Hexagram 19: Land rising above a marsh.
Instead of a battle of wills between several fellows, Livingstone uses a painting of a man walking alone. For those who find it hard to be assertive in a group, to speak out loud their version of how to get from point A to point Z, it can feel lonely. Yet the information in a problem-solving session needs input from everyone, no matter how far off the beaten path some might go. Different perspectives can give different views of the problem, thus a solution agreed on that incorporates wisdom from all sides has a greater chance of making a difference. Having the courage to adamantly express one's ideas might be the difference between solving a problem or putting a band-aide on it. The Tao card shows a doorway leading from a dark hall leading to a bright, spring day. There is a sense of almost reaching something that has been desired, but there is still a need to actively do what will continue the progress. In adding this card to the Five of Wands, I think of diplomacy, the skill of managing a situation tactfully. No one will listen if they are not given the courtesy of being listened to as well. Aggression has no place here, only respect; confident insistence without arrogance may open previously closed ears.
That five of wands makes me think of going on a 'walkabout' So much clutter can be cleared on a walk, especially if we stay in the moment. "where do those stairs go?" "UP" a line quote from the movie Ghostbusters. Anytime I see a set of stairs like in this card it reminds me to - go up.
ReplyDeleteNothing like it (walking) to find clarity for me!
DeleteFor me the five of wands is often more an internal process so your post reminds me of creating mindmaps: jotting down the sometimes craziest idea's just to loosen up the thinking muscles and then when your all out of idea's you take a walk and let everything fall into place
ReplyDeleteMind maps are an incredibly useful tool!
DeleteI'm often amazed at how very dumb some of my great ideas are when spoken aloud. We need people to bounce things off of, glad I've never needed five people with sticks
ReplyDeleteAmen sister. I've got one husband who generally thinks differently from me when it comes to doing things; he's enough without a stick!
DeleteThese two cards work so well together.
ReplyDeleteThese two decks do! :)
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