The World

The card shows a woman surrounded by the wreath of success, each corner holds the four elements, the lion for fire and passion, the eagle for wisdom and self-knowledge, the bull for determination in earthly matters and the angel signifying the energy of air and spirit.  The woman is the centre of her world and has everything she needs. A moment of completion, all the pieces of the puzzle fit into place... she is enough. Her world is a wonderful place.

It is also a funny old world, because while we know how lucky we are to be here so often we forget.

 Last week I forgot. 

The night before two old friends had come to dinner, both special people who had been hugely successful in their fields. One happily retired enjoying the pleasures of family in her house in France where she generously gathers friends to share in her well-earned abundance, the other following his passion for writing and performing with his band, they had just finished their first ‘tour’ of England.

Old habits die hard, in my case the habit of comparing myself with others, especially others’ achievements.  I went to bed feeling I wasn’t doing enough and I certainly wasn’t rich enough.

The next morning still feeling disgruntled, I pulled an advice card for the day. It was was The World. I did laugh.  There I was getting all caught up with what others were doing when only the week before I’d had a day being at one with the world, grateful and deeply satisfied with life.  I even text a friend late that night, looking at the almost full moon saying I was savouring a precious feeling of completeness.   So I knew what the Tarot was saying, stop this nonsense and get back into the centre of your world.

My understanding of The World, as the 21st and final card of the Major Arcana, is that it reflects a moment of enlightenment if you will, no need for pushing, wishing, wanting more, wanting less, you have everything you need, rather like the feeling you can experience in meditation, being totally present and accepting of what is, far better than feeling successful or rich . 

It doesn’t last long of course because there is always something new to learn or something to distract 