It's been a long time since I've been in this area -- I remember a cool used bookstore in downtown San Jose; will probably try to find it again. I'd head over to San Francisco but I don't want to risk the traffic.
We went to the Texas Renaissance Festival this weekend -- we had some really nice weather, too. Usually I worry about the heat when we go this early, but it was actually cool in the morning. We made and wore some new costumes this time -- had made a "pirate/cavalier" costume for my daughter who decided not to wear it at the last minute. Hope to get her in it later so I can take some pictures, though. Watched the LSU game that afternoon/night (our group were all alums) and ended up completely worn out after the three overtime loss to a really good Kentucky team.
I got spoiled last week in Salt Lake City enjoying the mountains all week -- it's nice to be able to do the same this week too!
On to the reading -- we'll again pull two cards -- the first suggests something we should focus on for the week. The second suggests things we might consider in order to fully benefit from the attributes of the first card.
The cards are:
| |  | |  |
You've heard of "comfort food"? I think of the Eight of Pentacles as a "comfort card". It suggests a peaceful and enjoyable time to me. It's not a "sit and relax" type of comfort -- it's the type of comfort you get from doing and accomplishing something. When you become involved in some enjoyable task, you really don't notice the time passing. You become completely absorbed by the project -- suggesting attentiveness and interest. Whether you're learning something new or applying something known, you're able to apply the type of drive and focus necessary to complete the task the right way -- and to check your efforts to cover all the important points. This card also suggests self-improvement -- since this type of activity certainly helps you improve yourself and your capabilities.
All good news, right? Well, there is a slight danger here -- and our second card helps to point this out. The Knight of Cups is normally an emotional card -- but it can also suggest someone who is focussed inwards too much. You see the connection with our first card? The Eight of Pentacles is having such a good time focusing on a project that he runs the danger of missing what is happening around him. The Knight of Cups is warning us that while it's good to focus on a task, we should not do it to the exclusion of all else. Another way of saying this might be "Apply yourself at work -- but don't neglect your life!" You really can have both. If you find you don't have time for yourself, it's because you're spending too much time elsewhere. Be sure and reserve time and space to nourish yourself.
