spinningspider
Perhaps one of the most helpful correlations made in Robin's book states that "I often see this card (Five of Pentacles) as the logical extension of the previous one (Four of Pentacles). If you are unwilling to help others, then you frequently find yourself in need of help, with no one to give you a hand." How powerful this message would be if, indeed, both the Four and Five of Pentacles were included in the same reading!
It's obvious that the two people pictured in the Five of Pentacles are oblivious to each other's suffering, let alone what occurs beyond their own miserable existence. They might fare better if they begin to try to help each other! They may choose not to look for help beyond the stone walls (for one reason or another...ie.mental illness, pride, lack of money, etc.) or that help is closed to them (for one reason or another...ie. rigid rules, not "our" problem, cut budgets, etc.)...these are but some of the issues one can ponder when this card appears in a reading.
I must admit that more frequently than not I view the fault of such suffering to be the lack of empathy from so-called helping institutions and those running them. The stone wall often appears VERY COLD to me (emphasized by it being winter and snowing), despite the colorful stained glass. Many people fall through the cracks in programs that are aimed to help the masses. One doesn't have to look far into the health care systems (notably in the US), especially the rotting American health insurance programs, to see that MANY people are left in the dust...victims of lack-of-funds and red tape. These institutions own people-made rules are strangling any of their good intentions.
Also, the cold stone wall occasionally represents higher education, as well, to me...with fees being so high that only the very rich can consider improving their lives through advanced degree programs. Therefore, the injured figures in this card also represent impoverished minds and futures. It was neat to see that Robin used an actual university building to aid her in rendering the drawing on this card.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the cold stone wall also sometimes represents to me conservative-organized-religion-gone-bad...with smug, self-righteous folks turning their backs on anything they view as different from their little world. This isn't a church that celebrates diversity...it squelches it. This kind of congregation may throw a bit of cash to various causes but will turn their backs on needy people in their own vicinity.
If the stained glass feels obviously welcoming to me rather than inconsequential, I often see this as a sign of hope...spiritual and otherwise. It's almost as if the figures, in that case, simply need to begin to recognize that all is not lost and that help IS within reach.
It's obvious that the two people pictured in the Five of Pentacles are oblivious to each other's suffering, let alone what occurs beyond their own miserable existence. They might fare better if they begin to try to help each other! They may choose not to look for help beyond the stone walls (for one reason or another...ie.mental illness, pride, lack of money, etc.) or that help is closed to them (for one reason or another...ie. rigid rules, not "our" problem, cut budgets, etc.)...these are but some of the issues one can ponder when this card appears in a reading.
I must admit that more frequently than not I view the fault of such suffering to be the lack of empathy from so-called helping institutions and those running them. The stone wall often appears VERY COLD to me (emphasized by it being winter and snowing), despite the colorful stained glass. Many people fall through the cracks in programs that are aimed to help the masses. One doesn't have to look far into the health care systems (notably in the US), especially the rotting American health insurance programs, to see that MANY people are left in the dust...victims of lack-of-funds and red tape. These institutions own people-made rules are strangling any of their good intentions.
Also, the cold stone wall occasionally represents higher education, as well, to me...with fees being so high that only the very rich can consider improving their lives through advanced degree programs. Therefore, the injured figures in this card also represent impoverished minds and futures. It was neat to see that Robin used an actual university building to aid her in rendering the drawing on this card.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that the cold stone wall also sometimes represents to me conservative-organized-religion-gone-bad...with smug, self-righteous folks turning their backs on anything they view as different from their little world. This isn't a church that celebrates diversity...it squelches it. This kind of congregation may throw a bit of cash to various causes but will turn their backs on needy people in their own vicinity.
If the stained glass feels obviously welcoming to me rather than inconsequential, I often see this as a sign of hope...spiritual and otherwise. It's almost as if the figures, in that case, simply need to begin to recognize that all is not lost and that help IS within reach.