I have had an immense amount of work to do this week (and will so throughout next week). This paired with trying to get things back into gear for the upcoming school year (and have a little last bit of fun before school starts) has meant things have been non-stop. So I pulled a card this morning asking what I need to do to get my shit finished and not just finished but exceed expectations if possible.

I reached for my deck this morning and pulled the 8 of Pentacles.

This card is, traditionally, one of the more straightforward cards in Tarot. It's about apprenticeship, dedication, and hard work. But I think this can be refined to bring out more insight - I mean, that's really what this card is about anyway, gradual and steady refinement.

There are some primary points I've come up with for this card to flesh it out a bit more. The 8 of Pentacles encourages:

• Dedication: Sometimes we're tasked with something intense - whether that be something at work, home renovation, or personal/spiritual growth. Without dedication, we would set our project aside at the first hiccup, and it would just gather dust in the corner; it's obviously something we didn't feel warranted much of our attention in the first place. However, when we have dedication, we may stop and rest for a bit, but we always pick things back up and carry on.
• Attention to Detail and Quality: When you start on a hobby or learn a new skill, you cannot expect to be an expert straight out the gate. Some people think that watching a few YouTube videos is like learning skills Matrix-style. We all know it doesn't work that way. It works by learning the basics and then paying close attention to select details and overall quality, making improvements, and learning as you go. The practical experience, learning what to pay attention to, and learning what quality is (which may be completely subjective) is how you make true progress and find mastery.
• Investment in Yourself: The 8 of Pentacles can also symbolize investing in your own growth and development. It's a reminder to allocate time and resources toward learning new skills or expanding your knowledge.
• Resilience: Sometimes shit gets real. We can face barriers (in knowledge, financial investment, energy) that slow our progress and make things more difficult. Maybe we even face physical barriers like lack of equipment, getting sick, or needing to redirect our attention to more unrelated priority tasks. Resilience is what keeps the frustration to a minimum and keeps you coming back to the table to improve what you can.
• Finding Balance: When we are in our "zone" (mentally or physically), it's important that we remember not to silo ourselves in our task. We must remember to find harmony in balancing our responsibilities and time with the other things that provide value in life. This is also how we avoid burnout.

From a personal growth perspective, the 8 of Pentacles is also a reminder to keep your eye on the prize and remember what you are working to achieve. You're in it for the long haul, and it's important to remember all of the points listed above so that you stay focused and on track, and do so in a healthy way.

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