IV of Swords Spell
Slinking down into my spot up top,
I settle down and my eyelids drop.
After the savagery of every yesterday,
my bones and brain ache to rest their ways.
Always on high-alert!
Always panicked and feeling hurt!
Running away but can't get far enough,
my fear still can't quite shut the fuck up.
It cries within me all the day
and stays weeping without delay.
But that song is tired,
just like me,
and even though it kills
I'll find my sleep.
I'm resting while the snakes
shimmy up my tree.
I'm nesting in the crook
while the crooks go free.
They're wriggling around,
giggling in town,
cackling without shackles
laughing about their tackles
until later, I'm found.
I hear the scales scratching the surface,
but I don't let on that I'm nervous.
Because I know the drill
I keep my mouth chill.
I let them think I'm not awake
as they get closer to what they want to take.
But, I don't need eyes to see their lies,
their filthy greed, and their plan to burglarize
the pretty parts of me, inside.
Tongues stretch out, trying to lick
but I just keep still, even if it's sick.
There's strength in being still.
I still.
I still have my free will.
I didn't take it; I didn't choke down that awful pill.
It lives under my tongue in my silent mouth,
filled with knowledge but not any doubt
that this family of serpentine secrecy
will strangle themselves with their own indecency.
You can't corrupt something this solid;
Steel is still strong even if borne from a home, squalid.
The truth will be told until it's hollered.
And then the guilty will finally be collared.
Try your best to interrupt my rest,
but your evil can't suppress the hope in this chest.
One day I'll strike when I'm no longer enmeshed.
When it's safer,
when it's later,
when it's what you no longer expect.
There’s strength in being still.
I still.
I still have my free will.
WITHDRAWAL, RETREAT, RECOVERY
Fours have to do with stability and firm building blocks. An old oak trees is super solid and usually safe unless a reckless storm out of nowhere comes and crashes it down. For now, you’re okay. The III of Swords is still part of you, but you’re able to move past it now. You’re feeling a little steadier after the turbulence of the last war. After the emotional and mental destruction of the last sword, it’s time for a much-needed break. It’s difficult to know if this is a planned time-out or a forced one, but it’s welcomed however it occurred. Even though you know more swords are coming your way, you understand that you feel secure enough to let down part of your guarded mind to get some moments of tranquility. Although it’s a temporary relaxed state, it will allow you to at least heal the parts that will be needed for the next intense challenge approaching you. When you’re so hurt it can be so trying to actually rest, but in this case it might just be your only chance before more swords come at you.
Eight’s Insight: You’re still feeling the pain of the three of swords and might feel like fighting now. However, the stress that causes you will definitely backfire. Your mental state can’t handle that type of battle. If you freak out, all the swords in the tree might fall upon you when all you need is to stop and wait. Don’t shake up the tree. Stay solid. Don’t let your tormentors know they’re bothering you. There’s also power in silence and stillness. The strategy you need currently is to pause, get that self-care in order, and allow yourself the recovery period you desperately require. Don’t get so wrapped up in the unfairness of your story that you forget that you’re still the survivor. You have the power here. Before you completely armor up for the next combat, make sure you’ve healed the stabs from yesterday first. Sometimes you have to NOT fight to win.