Sweet or Thorny

From the Tarot of the Sidhe, the Ten of Warriors (Wands); from the Green Man Tree Oracle, Blackthorn (Straif):

Where there's service, there is someone being served. The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master. 

—Ayn Rand

The Ten of Warriors/Wands illustrates a great sacrifice, yet also reminds us to ask ourselves: "Why am I doing this?" Is our service for the greater good, or to satisfy the wishes of the few? We may need to check and see if we are prioritizing others' wants while neglecting our needs, or whether we are driven by a need for approval. A healthy sacrifice involves freedom of choice, not manipulation or coercion, but with a clear understanding of our 'why.' Blackthorn has a dual meaning, one sinister and one protective. In Ireland, it was used for making both cudgels and walking sticks. A 14th-century Welsh poem describes both sides: "The blackthorn full of spines—but how the child delights in its fruit." Again, we are tasked with asking if what we are doing is truly beneficial or has a thornier side.