10 of Wands

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 11 Dec 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

ros	11 Dec 2003
Just would like some ideas. When someone draws the 10 of wands (& other cards together )so you get the general idea that they have be carrying a lot of burdens & worries, I'll say to them, "If the big guy upstairs would call you up & say you have 1 week to live, would you put down you're burdens & forget what you worry about?" Most people tell me that their problems wouldn't matter, so I tell them "why are you carrying all of this, you never know when it may be your last day & you're wasting too much time on things that don't matter in the big picture" Am I being too Blunt??? Thanks for any replys.

Sulis	11 Dec 2003
No, I don't think you're being too blunt. I don't necessarily think that there is a need to put all of the burdens down though. the man in the card is carrying his burdens in a very uncomfortable and inpractical way - if he were to shift the load onto his back he'd find that he could actually see were he's going which would make a lot of difference. Sometimes all we can see are the problems, we need to 'shift the weight' and then the problems won't seem so great. To me this is one of the main lessons of this card. Love and light Sulis xx

HudsonGray	11 Dec 2003
It's almost like you slog along for so long you stop thinking because the end is in sight ahead of you & all the focus is just on reaching that. Nobody thinks about efficiently reshuffling & carrying something, or that they can possibly make two trips so dump half the load.

Jewel-ry	11 Dec 2003
I always think that those burdens can be shared. J :)

gloria	12 Dec 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Sulis if he were to shift the load onto his back he'd find that he could actually see were he's going which would make a lot of difference. 'Not being able to see the wood for the trees' always come to mind when this card appears.

Agathe	04 Jan 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Jewel-ry I always think that those burdens can be shared I don't think it's the case when the card is reversed. I think then it means that this person is all alone in dealing with all those prolems.

paradoxx	04 Jan 2004
it may also point to the need to put things down for a moment and take a break and then start up again. this time with teh bundle over the shoulder instead of right in front of you. Also, the bundle of wands is not tied together, referring to multiple problems at once or just being plain disorganized.

Majecot	04 Jan 2004
I also think of this card as the " you bitten off more than you can chew" card. Or that they have taken on unnecessary burdens, perhaps someone elses problems, or have allowed someone to take advantage of them by adding to their burdens. Depending on the other cards in the spread of course.

TemperanceAngel	04 Jan 2004
Sometimes people want to continue carrying burdens and not let them go. XTAX

WalesWoman	05 Jan 2004
Can't remember where or when, but it seems like I heard this card described as a self imposed martyrdom type condition, I can't remember if using it as a guilt trip for others was part of it, but it seems apt. Shouldering the whole load and making a big deal about it, "See how I suffer? See how heavy this it? See what I do for you and everyone else?" Maybe it's "If you want something done right, do it yourself" attitudes, rather than letting others do things. I'm still thinking of Mom's here, not willing to put up with not having the dishes perfectly clean when their kids wash them, or chores haphazardly done, just do it themselves, not realizing that even if it means more work for them, that they are also denying others a chance to learn responsibility themselves. That they are denying others the self esteem and pleasure of contributing and sharing and giving of themselves too. Not asking for or accepting help or maybe worse, the person who can't say "No, I'm sorry, but I have way to much going on right now to take on extra." Don't know why but it makes me think of suburban Mom's with carload of kids, taking them to the daily after school sports, ballet lessons, social work, clubs, that whole whirlwind of life when no one has any time to call their own or time to really have a life because it's so filled with activity that there is never time to take the time to enjoy it. Definately taking on more than you can chew. I also see this as a stubborn refusal to change anything to make carrying these burdens more effectively. "But I've always done it this way" kind of attitude, rather than looking for ways to do the same things with less effort and more gain.

skytwig	05 Jan 2004
Ros... I love that image!!! Someone carrying tons of problems and the Angels fluttering along saying "Why?" If we view life in terms of Joy, that we are to be Joyous, no matter what, problems take their position.... Things like grief, death of loved one, illness of a loved one are such that that Joy needs to be channeled into activities of Care and Self Care.... but the worries we tend to pile on are just that..... piles of worry... burdens.... I really don't think our Higher Powers intend for us to 'survive'... we are here to LIVE and live fully..... thank you Ros for that perception.... I love it!!!! :D wuhoooo!!

Little Baron	05 Jan 2004
A bundle shared is a bundle halved. Maybe a few court characters in the spread could help lighten the load???

Little Baron	05 Jan 2004
Just looked at this card and I am probably being a complete idiot but in the background, next to the left foot, what is that stripy red object? It doesn't look connected to the bundle or the guy. Any ideas? I am looking at the RW in the blue and gold box. Yaboot

The 10 of Wands thread was originally posted on 11 Dec 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.