XVII. La Prudenza - Prudence

[fire cat pickles]

Williams Minchiate: “Prudence gives sight and insight. Her mirror of wisdom shows things as they truly are; her serpent translates that sight into wisdom. The ancients defined virtue as ‘the proper medium between extremes.’ Prudence is courageous, but not foolhardy. She is cautious, but not cowardly. Wit her aid we can act in ways that are similarly forthright.”

We are the sum of our life experiences. And experience is the best teacher. Along the way, mistakes are to be made and successes gained. This is how we gain confidence. Prudence is an essential skill to aid in this journey. In the pursuit of our dreams, as we look at ourselves, she warns us not to be prideful or arrogant in our quests and to remain humble, perhaps to remember where we come from. Henry David Thoreau says, "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined." The mirror can be symbolic of that which we can manifest for ourselves. We only need to find the determination and wherewithal to go for it. This card is as much about persistence as it is about wisdom.

What am I doing to manifest my dreams?

Who around me facilitates my needs and who are those that do not?

How do I draw strength from my experiences when I fail?

Where are my challenges in life that push me to succeed or to achieve my goals?

When does the risk justify the reward?