TEN OF SWORDS
The Dead Flamingo represents a painful ending, a deep loss and the end of a cycle. A flamingo lies dying in a shallow pond, struck in her head by a sword, surrounded by nine other swords and pools of blood. Someone or something has hurt you, giving a fatal blow with regards to that relationship or connection. This most likely cannot be undone. This is the card of grief. Remember that every ending leaves room for a beginning. With deep losses come new gains, and at the end of any cycle lies the unlimited possibilities that come from learning, changing and growing. The sun sparkles on the water and the Flamingo awaits her new, enlightened and transformed self - the Self that has learned from her mistakes and experiences, has been reborn from the wisdom of her past, and has an understanding of how to move forward from despair. You are strong, and all it takes to keep going is a single step, followed by another one, and another. Soon this abysmal present will be nothing but the past.
IF YOU’RE FEELING BLOCKED:
You don’t want to let go, you don’t want to admit defeat, you don’t want to lose what you’re inevitably going to lose. You’re holding on tight to all the pain and suffering because those things keep what you’re losing or lost with you in the present moment, but they are also keeping you from your future path. You’ve got to release yourself from this pain. Find a ritual meaningful to you. Pack up the remainders and reminders and bury them under a tombstone, send its ashes out to sea or write a goodbye in the void. It doesn't have to be forever, and the parts that were most meaningful and beautiful and impactful will always be in you somewhere, but for right here, right now, know it’s time to move in a new direction in search of what’s next.
CREATIVE EXERCISES:
Write or create a love letter or tribute to what you stand to gain from the pain of loss.
Create a tombstone for something you want to say good-bye or good-riddance to.
Create a sunrise
Deconstruct and repurpose an old or thrifted item or piece of clothing