The 2 of Pentacles- Taking a little time

A lot of my practical associations with Tarot come from real life readings which have just stuck in my mind. I remember reading for a lady and the 2 of pentacles was a key card in the spread. She pointed to it and laughed, “that’s me. Juggling and never able to put a damn ball down.” As I looked at the card my mind was caught on the boats in the background.

I used to live in the Orkneys, and ferries were my main form of transport. There was one- horrific- journey when the ferry was caught in a terrible storm. The boat turned into the waves and stayed there for hours, just rising up and falling down. Apparently, it was safer to wait and rise with each wave than to try and continue navigating to the port.

I do associate the 2 of pentacles with juggling two much, being caught in indecision, and trying to juggle finances. But I also associate it with taking a break, distraction, a pause to make the best decision.

As I looked at the card I asked my client, “but what do you do for distraction from your responsibilities?” Her face said more than her words, nothing. Her life had become a constant ‘to-do list’ and she was crumbling under the pressure.

Often times my life feels like that if I’m honest! The income I’m earning should be more than enough, but the pressures from the cost of living crisis, especially in the rental market, means that I feel as if I’m always having to juggle just a little more.

What I really need is a long, relaxing break. With no work, no household or parenting duties. But the downside of self-employed single parenting is it’s hard to take a break.

If you are struggling right now, if this card speaks to you, then maybe a short-term answer is a distraction rather than a solution (which can be hard to find).

I am just back from a two night break, and straight back to shopping, cooking, working, and all my usual responsibilities. I have been away for only 48 hours. It may not have been the rest I crave, but under the circumstances that distraction has helped reset my mood.

I took a boat along the Thames, something I have wanted to do for some years. £20 and two hours well spent. Then I saw an old favourite of mine in concert again- Billy Idol.

48 hours of just me, total distraction, stepping out of the responsibilities of my life. Or as a song I rather love says, “It’s a nice day to start again”.