Rationalizing the Inevitable: A Case Study
In contemplating the issues of “conflict and compromise” in a tarot reading, I’m exploring the idea that the cards that show up in these positions can challenge our self-confidence or trust in our ability to surmount the difficulties depending on how well-attuned we are to the energies of the cards. If they are cards we “like” or feel comfortable with, we are more apt to proactively apply their guidance, but if we don’t recognize them as being necessary to the situation we may try to squirm out of dealing with them. This can create a dysfunctional reaction that defies an easy solution, and may by default throw us back on our instincts in adapting to the circumstances. It will often go beyond simple denial of a plain truth and invite rationalizing as a way to bolster our self-assurance.
Here is an example reading using my recent “Five C’s Conflict-Resolution” spread to illustrate this point.
Because we have a pending small-claims court case, I intentionally selected Justice as the “Concern” or “heart of the matter” card.
The 5 of Cups reversed in the “Conflict” position and the King of Swords reversed in the “Compromise” position both suggest being compelled to take a non-confrontational stance in the matter. The 5 of Cups reversed makes me think “You can’t get blood from a stone” in that there will be nothing left to distribute when the court is finished with the case. The King of Swords reversed most likely means that we will have to accept the judicial mandate even if we don’t like it; there is not much sympathy in this card, although the reversal does suggest a little forbearance.
In both cases the answer is a “bitter pill to swallow” but we have already reconciled ourselves to it instinctively, we just have to wait for “due process” to play out.
The Ace of Cups in the “Consequences” position shows that we won’t be emotionally damaged too much by the short-term outcome and will be able to rise above our gut reaction to the setback. There won’t be much else we can do except “grin and bear it” since I doubt the judge will hand out consolation prizes as implied by the image. But this Ace does encourage putting the best face on the outcome.
The “quintessence” card (which shows the “Conclusion” or long-term result) was the Chariot reversed. I sometimes interpret this card when reversed as meaning “The wheels came off and we’re going nowhere.” It confirms that trying to push this issue against the odds would only bring us to a “dead end.”
This is a rather dour forecast, but it aligns well with the reality of the situation. We certainly don’t like the “conflict and compromise” scenario but we aren’t going to deny its accuracy. I find it fascinating that, in The Way of Tarot, Alejandro Jodorowsky commented on Justice followed by the Chariot, observing that “we could say that the Chariot is trying to escape Justice.” With the reversal in this case, the Chariot is just “spinning its wheels” and reaching “escape velocity” is improbable. Perhaps it’s just waiting for Justice to catch up since there are several hundred small-claim cases in the queue ahead of us.
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on March 21, 2023.
