Tiny Tarot Story
Read a short story inspired by the Two of Wands.
There’s a path in the woods outside his house. Where it ends, he can’t say, because until now he’s always always had to make it back home for dinner. The farthest he’s gone was to a massive oak tree two hours away, and that’s only because he left early on a Saturday. But all that’s going to change, because his parents are leaving him alone for the weekend, and he’s going out overnight.
✨
He prints out a list of everything he needs. Finds what he can (granola bars, water) and improvises what he can’t (a blanket instead of a sleeping bag). Packs it all. Sets forth. Three hours in, the path branches. He has many supplies in his backpack, but nothing could have prepared him for a decision.
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At the clearing he sits and tries to imagine where the paths lead. The right fork might go up the mountain, the left to the valley. Or maybe the right goes to the highway, the left to another highway. Right to a river, left to a spring. And so on and so on. He shakes at the thought.
✨
He picks the left one simply because it slopes downward and after four hours outside, he’s tired. Above him, the trees grow more dense. Below him, moss sprouts. Finally, he makes it to a pond. There, listening to frogs, he wonders where his other self would be now, the one that went on the right path.
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The boy makes it home without a scratch, aside from a few sticks in his hair. His parents never know a thing. Later that summer, he learns the right fork goes to a lookout. From there, he can almost see his house.
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The rest of life will be like this. The itch to move, the journey forward. But that will be the last time he can take both paths. There's only room for him on this trip. His other selves—he’ll think about them as he goes alone on his way. Might wave at them. But he’ll know that for him, there’s only one path, and he’s already on it.
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Two of Wands Musings
Reflections
I’m writing about the Two of Wands because it’s the first time I’ve been in a position where I can internalize its message to the fullest extent. Last March, I left my apartment in Brooklyn and moved back in with my parents in New Jersey. I’d been following the virus’s path for weeks. I’ve long been anxious about living to see the end of the world and this was the first time I felt I could hear the opening credits start to roll. So when news of the first case in New York broke, I was ready. This was my time to shine as an overly cautious person.
The way I coped was shutting off the door to the future. The way I lived was in the present. I paid attention to the seasons more than I ever had—literally saw flowers blooming over the course of a week; noticed which bloomed when. When the winter came, I despaired because I thought the nature show was over, but actually, it just kept changing.
Sanity came only once I forgot my old definition of possibility and shrunk down my world to my house. Gone were the nights that started, only so you could be surprised by where they ended. Gone were the dates, the parties, the “living for the weekend,” the weeknights that felt like a weekend. Once, in the summer of 2020, I listened to the song “Watermelon Sugar” and cried because in that moment it seemed to embody all the possibilities I didn’t have access to.
The Two of Wands is every moment perched on the edge of possibility. Sometimes you stay perched for a while and can gather resources and energy. Other times you don’t have the luxury of time. You leap off the side of the ship and hold your breath and hope your body is enough to carry you to the shore. No matter what, it’s exciting.
The Two of Wands is the feeling of pulling the lever back on a pinball machine. The buying of airplane tickets. The pulling up a destination on Google Maps, and knowing you might get lost anyway, but you’ll end up there.
Earlier today, I was speaking to a friend. I said, “It’s going to take the same amount of time to get to the age of 50 no matter what route you go.” The Two of Wands is all about planning the route. Be wise, sure, but mostly be true.
Journaling Prompts
When was the last time you felt life offered possibility? Did you like that feeling? If so, what would have to change in your current situation to get that back?
What rituals do you have to pump yourself up or motivate yourself?
Easy question and a hard one: Where are you going?
Start a Story of Your Own
Write a story of your own inspired by the dynamics present in the Two of Wands, starting with this sentence. If you email me your story, I’ll share it in the next newsletter.
The woman took a look at her palm and paused before saying anything. “A journey is about to start,” she said. “But you already knew that, didn’t you?”
Extra Credit
Listen to the song “Send Me on My Way” by Rusted Root and pretend you’re a character at the start of a movie. Real Two of Wands + the Fool energy. Optimism and excitement at the start of a journey. You’re on your way!
Read the poem “A Journey” by Nikki Giovanni
Join a Facebook group dedicated to solo travelers. I’m a lurker in a few, and am inspired daily by the group members’ boldness and ability to seize the day, for we only have so many.