Being Naked to the World is Strength

Card of the Week: 4 – The Emperor

Handles business • Protects what’s his

“Strength you can lean on.”

This Week’s Theme is “Healing Requires Honesty” at the Center of the Heart.  It is said by many that “The truth will set you free”, but first you have to be able to handle it.

Most of the time in my life – especially in my early years I could not meet my own eyes in the mirror. There were various and sundry reasons for this : such as shame, lack of confidence and a lack of comprehension of my own personal value. What I have come to know since then is that a person could hear a thousand insults and believe them down to the bone, but one compliment can be seen as a lie or a way to get past one’s armor.  That same person who dismisses good reports of themselves also holds suspicions and mistrust towards others.

The  DHCW Emperor card states that there is “ a strength you can lean on”. It is speaking to the strength within your mind, heart and spirit that knows you are enough.   The spirit of this archetype called the Emperor is someone who can handles their business and protects what is theirs.  The truth of the matter is you are unable to do that if you don’t believe and value yourself.  If you cannot accept your own strengths and weaknesses, you cannot accept another’s.

The Emperor doesn’t pick and choose which parts of the self to honor or respect – He chooses all of himself (and so should you).   This is how you become  someone who can face the truth and still show up, fully present.  Someone who will remain even-tempered, clear-eyed, and leading with all of their heart.   Because you don’t have to be perfect to be worthy of love, respect and honor.

How does this card connect with you?   The Emperor's strength isn't armor. It's nakedness.  It is standing in your truth with nothing to hide, no lies to remember, no roles to maintain. Just you, unvarnished, heart shining the way forward. That's the nurturing, the protection. Not building walls. It’s being so grounded in what is real and true,  that you can hold yourself and hold others too.

This is a superpower very few people fall back on. You're being called right now to step into that nakedness. Find your freedom and your strength in representing all that you are, unvarnished. And you'll find you can withstand whatever's in front of you.

AFFIRMATION:

“I am honest and I am strong enough to face my truth.”