2 of Wands - Dominion
A person stands on a high balcony between 2 wands that are integrated into the block balustrade. He’s holding a globe of the Earth in his right hand and one wand in his left. He appears to gaze at the globe, at the same time he looks out across a scene of mountains, sea and the village below. He is dressed in a light brown tunic, dark brown cloak and a red hat. The sky is clear and grey.
2 of Wands from the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot
There’s something both enlivening and pensive about this image. A mix of vastness with potential, that’s also contained and restricted. Being a 2 card, it denotes choice - for this or that - and also balance and harmony across these seeming opposites.
What does it feel like in my body, to hold a tension of opposites? What sensations and urges am I aware of?
What am I choosing? Do I feel split between 2 choices or options?
The person holds a high vantage and perhaps also high status based on his clothing. He seems to have dominion over - he casts his gaze across an abundant land, and he ‘holds the whole world in his hands’.
I hadn’t ever thought deeply about the origins of that phrase until this moment. A line from an African-American gospel song based on bible verses, that was made popular by a British child singer in the 50’s. Essentially a phrase that describes how God (or Creator, or Universe, or Mystery) takes care of everything and that all of creation is under the rhythm of this Divine power.
This doesn’t encourage you literally assume you’re God. But, that on one hand, there’s much that’s beyond your control, and on the other, the choices you make matter. How you use your power can make a difference to you and others. So if you were even for a moment to observe your domain from a higher plane, take an expanded all encompassing impersonal (God-like?) view, your choices and actions might take a different flavour.
Try ‘zooming out and up’ so you can get a sense of deep time - where past, present and future, and the interconnectedness of everything, are understood together.
What is within my domain? The history, people, places, roles, authorities, responsibilities, futures?
How might I recognise my power AND achieve a sense of place and balance within it?
What can facilitate choice and balance within your domain is to consider the placement of the wands. Wands being of the fire element, symbolise ideas, inspiration and activity. But here, this vital energy is held firmly in place. One wand seems to be bolted to the side of the stone balustrade, the other set inside it. As if the energy is being held and contained. The person also wears more browns and earth tones, cloaking his perhaps fiery, compulsive nature in deliberate way that encourages slowing down, pause and contemplation and staying with Reality.
Before you move and head in a particular direction, take time to reconsider your deeper values and disconnect from painful gripes and righteousness that lead to reactivity.
How can I use my energy (power) in a practical way in the context of this expanded, omnipotent world view?
If my choices are to mean something, if I am to contribute to my domain in meaningful way - what would that look like in attitude, and everyday real actions, and deeds?
Recognising the tension held between the idea you’re part of something much greater than your small self, and at the same time you matter greatly, creates a kind of freedom that isn’t about doing what you want in an egocentric dictatorial way. It means you can follow your dreams, visions and ideas consciously - and choose your daily doing free from a blinkered world view and small ideas.
Much love
Mendy 🌀