tarot work diary: three of pentacles, queen of pentacles, the emperor
I’m starting a tarot work diary — where I pull cards for the week, and reflect on the insights and questions it gives me on the creative and entrepreneurial life.
This week, I want to write about my 3 card pull. Here’s a brief summary:
three of pentacles — as embodying the hybridity of 3 selves
queen of pentacles — as focused materialization of what’s ready to be born
the emperor — effortless power and certainty, without control
where I am now
lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about both art and business as ways of being. as in: how can I embed my practices and rituals so deeply into my embodied life — such that it doesn’t feel like work, or the mindset of work, which means effort, but instead, simply a way of existing, in full relationship with creative energy, and with the world?
the question that follows, then, is a question of future-self visioning:
if that were the case, how would I exist in the world? how would I want be?
that future me — which has already done all the things, materialized all the dreams; what habits would I have? how I would I feel, on a day to day basis? how would I spend my time? what thoughts would I be thinking?
I’m currently digesting my own answers to this question — but today, I’ll take a look at these cards (my pull for last week), and reflect on where they lead me.
Three of pentacles — the hybridity of three selves
in this card, a monk, a sculptor, and an architect gather together to work on a creation project. when I think about these 3 selves, I think of the distinct, yet interconnected selves within me, and how it might map onto these archetypes:
monk = the spiritual, purpose, vision, energy work, divine, surrender (Water)
architect = structure, organizing, planning, mastermind, strategy (Air)
sculptor = the materialization, birthing, executing, finishing and sharing (Earth and Fire)
in other words, every project in art or business needs these three energies:
That of the monk: connected to the otherworldly domain of purpose, vision, and energy work. That of the Architect: in charge of meticulous organization and step by step, thoughtful planning. And that of the sculptor: who sit down with the raw materials (an idea, words, images, text) to make it real in the world. These three selves need to exist in a state of balance — or the project is (a) never built, (b) built, but poorly thought through, or (c) lacking in soul and purpose.
For me, perhaps what’s missing is the archetype of the artist (Water) who lives in the realm of tsunami, intense feelings, inspiration, unconsciousness, beauty, and poetry. But, then I remember that I drew this card specifically thinking about my core identity as an artist, so perhaps, this card reflects the core ways of being within that larger self.
I’m reminded that the work is not just one way of being, or a constant juggle of on-off switch for each self, but the larger question of how to exist gracefully in that hybridity.
I’m thinking about this insight from 78 degrees of wisdom, by Rachel Pollack
“Part of this card’s meanings lies in the fact that such symbolism of psychic development should occur in mundane Pentacles, rather than the more often exotic images of the other suits”
Journaling Questions
What are the different selves that live within me, with regards to my work?
Where do I feel the tensions between my different identities?
How can those tensions be a meeting place for new, hybrid, inter-being possibilities?
The queen of pentacles — focused materialization
the queen of pentacles is about materialization of core visions and purposes. I think of the queen as caretaker of a garden — she’s earthly and semi-magical, so she doesn’t shy away from doing the physical gardening work, AND she can direct her energy to do it for her. in other words, she knows how to leverage systems and resources, and she knows how to lead.
She isn’t scattered. To be a queen is to know, with feminine intuition and grace — exactly that which needs attention and focused care into material reality, and what needs to be left alone.
She has inner clarity, and is a master at taking consistent, aligned action (as opposed to scattered action, as an emotional reaction to things). She’s slow and steady. I love how Jessica Dore writes about it in Tarot for Change:
“Imagine if in therapy you could just say what mattered to you and then be done. No, you spend time envisioning what you’d like life to look like and why so that you can notice any discrepancies etween that dream and how you’ve been acting. And then you carefully consider what resources — internal and external — it will take to start to change your behavior and make different choices… Defining what’s precious is a first step, not to be mistaken for the journey itself.” (Tarot for Change)
The Queen of Pentacles feels like empowered, focused action of thoughtful materialization. She’s not rushed. She knows how to take her time, to wait until an idea is ready to be birthed, and to move forth from her center.
Therefore, it makes sense that not EVERY project is ready for Queens of Pentacles energy.
Reflection Questions
Which visions, projects, or endeavors are asking for the materialization of this Queen energy? Which projects would I ask her to take on?
What would be her response to my request? Which projects would she accept?
What guidance would she give me?
The emperor - effortless power and certainty
when I pull the emperor card, I feel soothed by a deep, masculine strength — not that of a tyrant, but of a wise, calm, and powerful leader. I think of the emperor as evoking the divine masculine within me — and how, if I were a man, I’d ideally like to be. (however, of course, not ALL of my desired “masculine” qualities belong to that of the emperor.)
The emperor qualities that come to mind are:
wise counsel and guidance — to steer a vision forward, even in its nascent stages. he doesn’t do the work of a general or king, but instead, is the one directing energy.
the clarity of logical detachment — to see beyond and through a situation, no matter how tangled. he cuts through fear, insecurity, and confusion.
extreme patience; he plays the long game (if he needs to play games at all), and is swayed by nothing.
extreme focused — only on the long-range vision of what’s best for his empire.
a sense of absolute certainty — as in, there is NO room for doubt.
the emperor has a deep sense of conviction that makes those who follow him feel calm, safe, secure. he is the quintessential father figure — as in, you can totally relax around him, because he seems to have everything under control.
But this control feels effortless, because he’s not using his earthly willpower to control anything — but a divine, otherworldly (spiritual) will. I think about the difference between the two — power and control — and how power is borne from that otherworldly place (cultivated through energy work), and control is the ego trying to exert rules, and make other people and situations adhere to them.
True power does not need control. This is what the Emperor makes me think of.
Jessica Dore writes in Tarot for Change:
“A person who holds true power is one who is able to occupy spaces of intense uncertainty, and all the feelings that brings up, while remaining stable in their actions, that is, renouncing one’s need to react in a way that will give them a false sense of control.”
Reflection Questions:
Where in my life do I need the Emperor energy?
What would I say to him — this archetype — about my current situation and problems? How would he respond? What would he direct me to do?
How can I embody him in everyday life? What is the overall advice he’d give me?
…
I’m looking at these three cards — 3 of pentacles, queen of pentacles, and the emperor as a nudge from the universe/life to practice playing with the intertwinement of selves, like theatre selves — to act their five parts, until they feel real. I feel inspired to keep a practice, an ongoing dialogue with these different selves — and to let their energies guide me forward.
This is, essentially, a practice in my own fluidity and capacity to expand, and to hold my own expansion, both in creative work, and as a human being.