January 2, 2022: X of Wands and IV of Cups; Elemental Dignities 6

We've got snow on the way.  Welcome, Winter!

The True Black X of Wands image shows a golden Hercules beetle carrying ten sticks stacked on his back.  In the midst of those sticks is a smaller Hercules beetle, effortlessly riding along within the sticks piled high, and being carried by the larger beetle.  The keywords for this card are overwhelmed, burdened, struggling, and near goal.

The IV of Cups card image shows four Cups filled with clear water partially hidden beneath weeping willow branches.  The water in the Cups is completely still; above the uppermost cup and also hidden within the willow branches is a white flower.  The keywords for this card are withdrawn, passive, introspective, and hidden.  

The X of Wands represents a time when we are just plain out of gas, and that is not good because there are still many things to be completed.  The IV of Cups also tells of a pause, and like the pause represented by the X of Wands, it is not comfortable.  Lethargy can be as difficult to overcome and banish as the feeling that there is no fuel available.  The end result of both is stagnation.

Both numbers, X and IV, also tell of a pause.  The number 10 represents the completion of a cycle, and it could indicate a sort of "slack tide" until the new cycle begins.  The number 4 tells of stability, and stability is good for a little while because it allows us to assess and regroup.  But if we stay still too long, stagnation begins.  Still water left still for too long becomes cloudy and that is the danger here.

The Elemental Dignities of this pair reenforce the message.  Fire is heat that separates and dry that shapes; Water is cold that binds and wet that adapts.  There is no commonality here, which means Fire and Water are unfriendly, and tend to weaken each other's effects.  

Let's think about the effects of Fire and Water in the natural world.  Water affects Fire by extinguishing it. Moisture will put out even the most powerful flame; that's why the fire department uses powerful hoses to spray water when extinguishing a fire.  Granted, if the Water trickles in, Fire will initially cause it to evaporate but of the Water continues to flow, Fire will be put out.  Fire affects Water by turning it into steam.  Now, steam can power generators, move trains and boats, clean and disinfect surfaces, and it can even be used to extinguish fires in confined spaces, but steam, with temperatures at or above 212 degrees, can also scald and kill.  

Our two cards tell of lethargy or of no "get up and go," however each does hint at possible hidden energies.  The X of Wands shows that smaller Hercules beetle riding among the sticks; that beetle has not used up his energies, so while the load is not currently shared in a fair manner, perhaps the smaller beetle could help at some point, as he is rested.  The white flower hidden among the willow branches also could hint at some positive effect approaching.  Perhaps it tells of a more meditative state that will allow some action to be determined.  No matter what, it might be an uphill battle.