12- The Hero

The Hero card shows a mother bat with her child, both of them getting ready to let go as the young one prepares to fly by himself for the first time. Mother bats are tremendous caretakers, usually giving birth and caring for just one offspring at a time, carrying the extra weight with them every time they must fly out to feed.

This card asks you to reflect on the ways we sacrifice our selves, the sacrifices we make for our dreams and why we make those sacrifices. Who is your hero? Do you feel like the hero you are or could be? Or do you need to be saved after giving too much of yourself to something or someone else? This card encourages you to honor those who have inspired and supported you and consider the ways you’ve been strong, resilient, and selfless.

If You’re Feeling Blocked

Are you feeling exhausted, drained, or unappreciated? This card could be a sign that perhaps you’ve given too much of yourself to others or to an idea, leaving little left for you. It’s okay to ask for help—heroes need saving, too. While sacrifice is noble, it must be sustainable, or you risk losing sight of your own needs. Are you carrying a weight that isn’t yours to bear? Have you neglected your own dreams in service of someone else’s? Are you afraid to let go, to trust that the people or dreams you’ve nurtured can now stand (or fly) on their own?

It’s time to remember that heroes aren’t invincible—they need care, rest, and renewal, too. Step back and evaluate your priorities. Letting go can be an act of courage, not failure.

Creativity Exercises

Hero Portrait: Gather images, words, or symbols that represent your personal heroes, whether they’re people, characters, or ideals. Reflect on what makes them heroic to you while creating a portrait that honors what you admire about them.

Character Sketch: Imagine yourself as the protagonist of a story and create a basic character sketch. What sacrifices have you made? What challenges have you faced? What rewards have you gained? In what way have you been heroic? And what are you wearing?

Thank You Letter: Create a thank you letter dedicated to your mother, father or another person who has carried you at some point in time or another.

Baggage Claim: Think of all the different types of weight and responsibility you are carrying. Draw them one at a time as though they are filling a backpack that you must carry. Did you draw them true to the scale of what they weigh?

Sacrificial Altar: Create something worthy that is to be sacrificed as a gift to the Creator in favor of an idea, a wish, a dream, or a need you have. Just because something is to be sacrificed doesn’t mean it will be destroyed. The Grateful and Loving accept gifts with grace. Create a space for your gift to be appreciated.