“I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders.”
-Atlas
Burden, responsibility, achievement dampened by challenges
Overview
The Weight of the World
How long have you been holding those stars up, Atlas? Do you ever get tired of keeping everything together for everyone else? What makes you persevere through everything? How did you get here?
Has your back broken under the weight of the world yet? I pray it doesn’t, you’ve come so far and yet you carry so much. The amount on your plate is staggering for anyone, and yet you carry your demons well. There maybe no one to delegate to, and there maybe no end in sight. Keep strong young Atlas; don’t let your back break.
Symbolism
With his back turned, a man in white and red with blond hair hugs ten staffs. He walks towards a kingdom in the foreground surrounded by trees, with no help in sight for his plight. There isn’t another soul present depicted in this card. Though the ground he stands on is flat and stable, the journey to the end will be a hard one carrying the shifting weight of the wands in hand.
Meaning
Heavy is the weight of the world
Everything you know is pressing down on your shoulders, yet you still stand tall. This card is an acknowledgement of the weight or number of burdens you carry, but the universe won’t help you carry it. It knows that these are all of your own creation, or adoption. They maybe the unfairly placed burdens of someone else who doesn’t want to carry their weight.
Working for nothing
Work could have been for next to nothing and could have jaded you. Recognition may never be received, and rewards never reaped. Determination still runs through you like a sand storm of stars. Despite all you’ve gone through, and all you carry this is a dream that you’ll be damned not to achieve.
Shouldering all the responsibility
We are all Atlas when this card comes up. It means we are shouldering a lot of burdens. The positive of this card is it says you are handling it well; maintaining responsibility of our actions. You look at this ending and see a consequence of experiences. You’re moving on, and you maybe a little bitter but you are shouldering your half.
Achievement Dampened by burdens
You made it out of the 9 of wands alive, but for what? Despite having reached the stars, you find yourself forlorn that the road you took was so painful. This is turning a good thing into a subpar moment. There’s no use holding onto the painful memories of what brought you here, especially if it’s turning your crown of victory into one of thorns.
The Moral high ground
In this situation you are being the bigger man. Keep your hopes up high and your head down low. Where there is an ending there is always a beginning. This maybe the heaviest weight you’ve ever carried but you can keep a clear ration head with logic and small solutions.
You’ve got this, we all depend on you, Atlas. Keep the stars up.
Ten of Wands, Reversed
Sometimes you don’t realize the weight of something you’ve been carrying until you feel the weight of its release!
-Unknown
Delegation, release, limitations, easing of the load
Meaning
Reaching your limit
Whether your knees, back, or will something here has got to give. Depending on the influences of the cards around The Ten of wands it can go one of two ways.
Someone to assist
One. You can get a break, someone is going to grant you with a valuable resource or help you’ve been desperately seeking that will lift a tremendous load off your shoulders. There has been recognition of your struggle and reinforcements are coming. Keep holding on, there is hope around the corner.
Falling beneath it all
Conversely, your back could break before you catch your break. This card symbolizes that you’ve taken on too much and you are over-burdened by your responsibilities– but to the point where you can’t cope.
Delegate
It’s time to delegate, disappoint, or succumb to the pressure you’ve loaded on your shoulders. Not even Atlas could hold up the sky forever, Young God.
Release
Sometimes the weight of the world isn’t something physical, like an overabundance of responsibility and needs; sometimes the weight of the world is a secret you carry. It can be pain you refuse to let go of. In the reversed position, the Ten of Wands can indicate that the burden is your own heart. There are a few ways to release this burden so you can find the sun again:
Forgive
Forgiveness is a selfish act. Instead of looking at it in the way of mercy, look at it as self-liberation. By forgiving someone, something or a situation you are saying to the world “I no longer allow this to occupy my energy”. You’ll feel it in your body, your shoulders relax, jaw unclenches, and that which seemingly ails you will go away
Heal
Healing the pain is another way, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. You must find the source. Somewhere inside you, something broke and it was likely broken long before the next wave of agony came along. Look for the original wound and you’ll find your way out of the darkness.
Learn to trust again
Learn to Allow people to come into your life who will be a source of comfort. Let them teach you how to take up space, and move forward in life. Inform them that you are learning something new, and they’ll have patience with you.
