Ancestral Advice on Confidence & Ambition

 

 

    The Queen of Wands is a card of confidence, expression, and beauty. Hardship is something we all must struggle with in life, and at times those difficulties can impact our self-confidence and our self-expression, our motivation to shine like the Queen of Wands. This card pull made me think of Grandma Debi, who was a bold and vibrant soul like the Queen of Wands. Grief is a hardship we all must face at some point whether losing a grandma, a sibling, a parent, a spouse, or a friend. I have noticed that at least for me, my grief has caused me to withdraw more, to talk less (and for those who know me, that is saying a lot for someone who already doesn't talk much lol), and to become more easily frustrated not having the mental or emotional energy. This Hardship card makes me think of the song "Surface Pressure" from Encanto: 

I'm the strong one, I'm not nervous 

I'm as tough as the crust of the Earth is 

I move mountains, I move churches 

And I glow, 'cause I know what my worth is 

I don't ask how hard the work is 

Got a rough indestructible surface 

Diamonds and platinum, I find 'em, I flatten 'em 

I take what I'm handed, I break what's demanded 

But under the surface, I feel berserk as a tightrope walker in a 3-ring circus 

Under the surface, was Hercules ever like, "Yo, I don't want to fight Cerberus?" 

Under the surface, I'm pretty sure I'm worthless if I can't be of service 

A flaw or a crack, the straw in the stack 

That breaks the camel's back, what breaks the camel's back? 

It's pressure like a drip drip drip that'll never stop, whoa 

Pressure that'll tip tip tip 'til you just go pop, whoa oh oh ... 

    The King of Wands represents ambition, success, and inspiration. Sovereignty is personal power, self-control, and autonomy. This card pull made me think of a podcast episode of Hidden Brain about stoicism. It is a philosophical idea about understanding and accepting the limitations of our control. In life, shit happens, and loved ones die. We cannot control the people or circumstances that we face. However, we can control how we choose to react. We can impulsively lash out when someone is rude, complain to loved ones, and stew in our negative thoughts and emotions or we can take a moment to be aware of how and why we feel a certain way, take a deep breath to collect our thoughts, and consider what we can do. This Sovereignty card makes me think of the song "The Next Right Thing" from Frozen 2: 

... This grief has a gravity 

It pulls me down 

But a tiny voice whispers in my mind 

"You are lost, hope is gone 

But you must go on 

And do the next right thing" 

Can there be a day beyond this night? 

I don't know anymore what is true 

I can't find my direction, I'm all alone 

The only star that guided me was you 

How to rise from the floor 

When it's not you I'm rising for? 

Just do the next right thing 

Take a step, step again 

It's all that I can do 

The next right thing ... 

    The Devil is a card of fear, indulgence, and manipulation. While Important indicates value, ambition, and accomplishment. This card pull made me think of Bridgerton, which I have been rewatching lately. In a society with strict social norms, the characters struggle with the fear of going after what they truly desire whether trying to find a husband, going to art school, running a successful business, trying to live up to the family name, and so on. Sometimes we can self-sabotage with negativity or unrealistic expectations. Our self-worth can get so tied up in our ideas of what it means to be successful and important, that when we fail, it diminishes our self-confidence and in turn our goals. Happiness isn't some grand far off achievement to strive for and then always obtain. Life is full of ups and downs. Happiness is about learning to cherish the good moments and finding joy in the little things. This combination of the Devil and Important makes me think of the song "This is Me" from the Greatest Showman: 

I'm not a stranger to the dark 

"Hide away," they say 

"Cause we don't want your broken parts" 

I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars 

"Run away," they say 

"No one'll love you as you are" 

But I won't let them break me down to dust 

I know that there's a place for us 

For we are glorious 

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down 

I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown 'em out 

I am brave, I am bruised 

I am who I'm meant to be, this is me 

Look out 'cause here I come 

And I'm marching on to the beat I drum 

I'm not scared to be seen 

I make no apologies, this is me ...

    I know I struggle with self-doubts and fears that I am not worthy of success. This Ancestral Advice spread was a great reminder that we can honor the legacy of our beloved dead by shining with elegant confidence like the Queen of Wands, chasing our dreams with creative ingenuity like the King of Wands, and following our hearts without shame like the Devil. We can cherish the memories of our loved ones, and continue to live with joy. Life will still bring hardships, but we have the personal sovereignty to navigate the turbulent waters. Our importance is not defined by others, but rather by who we choose to be. 

With love, 

Autumn Rose Surratt 

The Ancestor Witch