There’s a lot of bullshit talk about authenticity in personal growth-landia. What does it really mean to be authentic? Truly authentic people are the ones we call strange. They actually do not fit in, and do not try to. They are funny looking funny talking and totally weird. How many of us are actually dancing on the artificial edge of authenticity but too afraid of the real consequences of not conforming to social standards?
The Queen of Swords says WHAT?! WTF are you trading your truth for? Really? Now I have to come in with my sword and cut the crap.
Queen of Swords is here to remove the masks. In one hand, she holds what looks to be a chopped off head. She resembles the brutal Hindu goddess Kali – a representation of the fierce aspect of the divine feminine.
Queen of Swords does not fall for your fake talk, your persona, your masks. She has seen and felt way too much in her life to be able to tolerate your superficial crapola. Swords is the realm of the mind, often equated with mental suffering. The Queen feels it all, and has risen above her own inner battles. She is fiercely determined to access clarity, objectivity and true authenticity. The only way she can access this wisdom is through her own work within the realm of her own consciousness.
Around her head is a beautiful crystal crown, and who sits on top of her crown? I imagine it is her inner child, with whom she has a wonderful, nurturing, empathetic relationship. She has healed her relationship to the inner child, by acknowledging the truth of her feelings. All of her intuitions, instincts and inspirations are unquestionably true. How many of us can say that? How much time does the average person spend telling their feelings to feel different? By allowing the feelings, and listening to what they are trying to tell us, we will be able to start to build our own practice of authenticity.
In the awesome Non Violentbook, “Don’t Be Nice, Be Real”, Kelly Bryson explains how we betray ourselves by trying to please others. When we are in the habit of behaving a certain way, based on what we imagine other people want from us, we build resentments and anger that can only eat away at us from the inside. True empathy, Bryson explains, starts with getting deeply in touch with our own feelings and needs. That is our only responsibility. Making sure we are honoring our own feelings and needs.
Queen of Swords says “Cut the Crap!” Honor your feelings and be true to yourself. Tear off your masks, your desires to appear to be anything other than what you are. Bare your breasties with pride! And stay vigilant to any self abandonment!
Each of us must take full responsibility for our own feelings and needs. And Never let anyone believe you are responsible for anyone else’s!~ NEVER!
Margot Darling 