THE LILY
KEYWORDS
- Career
- Experience
- Expertise
- Virtue
- Wisdom
- Maturity
- Peace
- Tranquility
- Longevity
- Life Path
OVERVIEW
The Lily has a number of references including one’s life path, career, virtues, and sometimes health. Various combinations determine which of these areas is emphasized though its main theme is our career, vocation, and the path we’re committed to. It’s generally positive, suggesting growth, progress, or reaching a major milestone. It’s a card of time and maturity and its influence is always slower so that matters can develop deeply and without shortcuts.
Any situation affected by the Lily suggests it will need time to come to fruition, so it teaches us wisdom and patience. Whereas we sometimes want to interfere and fix things, the Lily knows better and allows them to play out on their own for a while.
IN THE PORTRAIT & GRAND TABLEAU
In the first or central card placement, the Lily tells us that our career, sometimes our health, or other important life matters take center stage. It invites us to assess our lifestyle and direction. We’re encouraged to think things through and take stock of our achievements, failings, strengths and weaknesses, so we can build on them and plan our next phase in life. Taking a vacation or resting is also well-starred under the Lily. We need to relax, calm down, and take a step back to have a more objective perspective on things.
The Lily near the significator tells of wisdom, virtue, and maturity as well as enduring happiness. But when far, it suggests that we’re shaken and don’t have a good sense of our life direction. Still, because it’s neutral and can represent various life areas, nearby cards must be examined for their influence. Unlike most other cards, we must also take note of whether the Lily falls above or below the significator. When above, its virtues prevail, but when below, difficulties and sorrows could plague the querent and put into question his or her own virtues.
ADVICE
The general advice of the Lily is to allow things to unfold without unduly rushing them. It’s a slow card and things take time under its influence, so we must allow ourselves to learn and grow, and prepare to be patient.
Because the Lily is about becoming seasoned, we should focus on getting experience through practice, not just theoretical knowledge. Success doesn’t happen overnight but through consistent effort spent on the right disciplines.
CARD COMBINATIONS
WITH THE...
THE COMBINATION MEANS...
ANCHOR
Career foundations, sticking with our current career path.
BOOK
Writing and research, education, personal development.
CLOVER
Bliss, enchantment, profound sense of security.
CROSS
The big questions, pondering our life direction.
FOX
Skill, stealth, job success.
HOUSE
Lifestyle, from housekeeping to fitness, home-based business.
KEY
An important career, on the right track.
RIDER
Mission, ambition, direction, success.
ROAD
Lifestyle changes, a new career, career changes, or maturing.
SHIP
Productivity, rewards, success, can mean exploring sexuality.
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