Ten of Wands

This card appears to be quite positive at first sight. By looking closer, we can recognize that the forehead of the protagonist on this card is breaking from the weight of his crown. This archetype is competent and of great constitution, often both mentally as physically. It can be a time, where we task ourselves with various duties.
At some point, we are burdened by overwhelming responsibility, which can be of a spiritual nature too. Often, we only meant to help others, or thought wrongly, that we knew ourselves so well, that we could cope with a sum of complex assignments – but it has become too much.
We would still appear to be strong, but the look on our faces my already show, that the load can’t be borne any longer.
The problem with too much weight is usually, that the heaviness of our tasks and liabilities won’t go away all of a sudden.
Also, it is not a training, where we get to be stronger, but rather a pressure, which makes us weaker, the longer it lasts. This burden will eventually be too much. Hard work and a „doing it all“ attitude will lead to grand physical success, but the mind, the body and the spiritual development will suffer from too much advancement in a short time.
Usually, the cause of this dilemma is too much ambition and overconfidence.
We should relax, if possible, if not, sharing the burden of the responsibility with others can help. If it is not avoidable to escape this situation, stamina and endurance are necessary characteristics on this path. But we must be aware, that the weight can crush down at any moment. Finding a resolution to this overweight is strongly advised.
There is no shame in recognizing our own borders and limits. It is a core issue of getting ourselves to know better and being honest to each other.
A symbolic archetype, which fits this picture, may be Atlas, bearing the weight of the firmament on his shoulders.
Physical symptoms of our suffering can involve anxiety, palpation of the heart, pyrosis, headache and neck pain. We must remember that this can’t be solved by quickly swallowing a pill – a burnout may be a imminent danger ahead. Only by reflecting honestly on the situation and taking a step back, it may change to the better. Unfortunately, his isn’t an easy task for this (over-)confident and often brilliant archetype who needs relief more sooner than later.