In ancient Egyptian times, the Crook and Flail were emblems of the Pharaoh’s authority and a hint of that energy is retained by this card. It carries the same implication wherever it appears – from the smallest private social group to the largest corporation. This card talks about leadership, authority and the self-discipline required to achieve both of them.
If the Crook and Flail card appears as the way you can release tension, usually it’s because you are experiencing some sort of leadership or authority issue. It’s a very ‘grown-up’ energy in that there’s not much room for fun with this card. Just a ‘knuckle down, get it done’ kind of vibe. But acknowledging that you’re a leader, whether you want to be or not is a step towards feeling better about your situation.
It’s likely that it’s time for you to step up and take your place in the world. It also implies authority within the home, club or team and its appearance refers to worldly status. Is it time that you set more boundaries?
Choosing the Crook and Flail to represent something you need to embrace to help you practise forgiveness is an indicator that you need to start putting your own needs before the needs of the people around you – especially if you are going to be able to help them. Put your own oxygen mask on first. That way you can help from your best self – rather than a depleted version. And there’ll be much less resentment around – making forgiveness that much easier.
It’s possible that you are hesitating to more easily practise forgiveness. C&F is about self-discipline. So everything that you’re hesitating doing is exactly what you need to do. And the more procrastination or perfectionism you recognise around a topic, the more important it is to do it. Freedom and success are on the other side of fear. Courage is not the absence of fear, it is being scared shitless and doing it anyway.
Ask yourself what to do first, and then what to do next. And then what to do after that. You already know the answers.