The Ten of Wands captures the essence of achievements coupled with the weight of the responsibilities it entails.
It symbolises the journey towards completion,
Often laden with the burden of expectations and duties.
This card prompts us to evaluate our commitments and understand their impact on our lives.
In this active imagination exercise,
You will embark on a metaphorical ascent up a mountain,
Carrying a pack that represents your responsibilities and goals,
Allowing you to interact and reflect on these aspects of your life.
So first,
Just finding a comfortable place to sit or lie down.
Close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths.
We're going to start this exercise just by taking a few deep breaths.
We're going to start this exercise just by clearing out the mind a little.
So allowing the breath to return to a natural rhythm and keeping your attention on the sensation of the breath.
Whether it's the air moving through the nostrils,
Or the rise and fall of the abdomen.
If at any point you do get distracted,
Simply bring the attention back to the exercise.
And now imagine yourself on a mountain path.
This path represents your life's journey towards your goals and aspirations.
Take some time to soak in the environment around you,
And take note of the appearance of the mountain before you.
You notice a pack lying on the path.
This pack symbolizes the tasks,
Responsibilities,
And ambitions you carry.
This pack can take any form.
So take a moment now to imagine its appearance and how it feels as you begin to carry it.
Begin your ascent up the mountain.
Begin your ascent up the mountain.
As you climb,
Feel the weight of the pack and how it influences your journey.
Observe any changes in your pace or posture.
And now find a comfortable spot to rest on your journey.
Perhaps a ledge with a view,
Or a flat rock.
Carefully open your pack,
And take out a single item.
This object represents a particular responsibility or goal.
Examine this object closely,
And ask yourself,
How does this item contribute to my journey?
Is it essential?
Or is it adding unnecessary weight?
And having examined this first object,
Take out a second object,
And examine it in detail.
Again,
Ask yourself,
How does this item contribute to my journey?
Is it essential?
Or is it adding unnecessary weight?
Repeat this process for as many objects as you need to.
Repeat this process for as many objects as you need to.
And now reflect on which items to keep,
And which to leave behind.
As you do this,
Notice how the pack feels different.
And observe any immediate changes to your feelings or outlook.
After taking this action,
Resume your ascent.
Notice how any changes you made affect your climb.
Does the path seem more manageable?
Do you feel more agile?
Eventually,
You reach the summits of the mountain.
Take in the expansive view around you.
Observe any changes in the landscape that might reflect the adjustments you made in your pack.
How does the world look from this new vantage point?
Having spent some time here,
And taken in the view around you,
Begin your descent back down the mountain.
And notice how the journey back differs from the climb up.
So just allowing the scene to fade now.
And just slowly bringing your attention back to the mountain.
Noticing any sounds or sensations.
Taking a deep breath.
And opening your eyes again in your own time.
And now,
Taking a deep breath.
And opening your eyes again in your own time.
