Starry Gardens

From the Tarot de St. Croix, the Ten of Wands:

Only in the darkness can you see the stars. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

A tired, young man moves from the scorching heat of the day into the cool, starry evening. And look at the wand in his hand - it's sprouting leaves! Normally I read this Ten as having too much on my plate or carrying a load that isn't meant to be mine. But this version feels like a struggle with purpose, an effort with a good intention behind it. Life can deal us plenty of cards we wouldn't have chosen for ourselves, and we don't always have an option to fold our hand. I have had moments like this, when I felt like I was going to implode under the pressure while dealing with stuff I couldn't ignore. And just when I thought I couldn't take one more moment, I would experience a deep peace. I would suddenly realize that no matter how things worked out, it would be okay. My ego got out of the driver's seat and allowed my Higher Self to take over. As Nelson Mandela said, "It always seems impossible until it's done."

From the Archetype Cards comes the "Artist:"

Poets and painters, dancers and musicians, writers and craftspeople have learned to channel those soul-searing times into their art. They use whatever medium they work with to symbolically express and work through their feelings and thoughts. But even more important, they may tap into an inner resource that gives them strength and inspiration. Then they may begin to believe the words of the Sufi poet Hafiz: "This house of sorrows will become a garden, do not grieve."