Over-Correction

From the Ancient Italian Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the Marseille Oracle, 'Amends:'

          The Three of Swords implies intellectual analysis, the kind that leads to a defensive strategy. Like the bush that has borne berries in the illustration, there is something that needs protective boundaries. Usually, such planning begins when someone has appropriated something without permission or selfishly taken advantage of a situation. Yet caution needs to be taken so that paranoia doesn't reign. As Rick Hanson put it, "Staying with a negative experience past the point that’s useful is like running laps in Hell: You dig the track a little deeper in your brain each time you go around it." There's a difference between putting a fence around your yard and nailing a sign to a tree that states 'Trespassers will be shot.' What happens when we cross that boundary into Rambo La-la Land? We often hurt those who don't deserve it. Thus the Amends card shows up. But just in case anyone thinks it is suggesting self-flagellation, the phrase associated with it is 'Save your energy.' In other words, rectify the situation and make restitution if necessary, but there's no need to beat ourselves up over it.