In the cards this week: Workaholism

Welcome to the modern world!

I flipped these cards over this morning and thought, “Here’s modern American life in a nutshell.” Probably modern life in other places, too.

This is an interesting pair. The first card says you’re doing too much and should let some of it go, and the second card says you’ve achieved a lot by working hard and should enjoy it.

But if you stop doing so much, will you be as successful? And if you’re constantly working (overworking), how can you enjoy it?

If you follow the unwritten rules of modern American culture, this is an impossible task. You can’t both work as much as the Calvinist streak that underlies our culture wants you to, and let go and enjoy the fruits of your labors.

But I think that’s the secret. The puritanical Calvinism that’s hidden beneath phrases like “Protestant work ethic” doesn’t really want you to enjoy anything.

Enjoyment is a sin.

It’s hedonism. Self-indulgence. All those other bad things that so many authority figures (parents, Sunday school teachers, ministers) warned us about.

Best to keep your nose to the grindstone and be a good little office or retail drone, or full-time parent or caregiver, or whatever your job is.

I call BS.

Life is meant to be enjoyed. Sure, we need to work and generally be responsible adults. But what’s the point of putting in the effort if you can’t step back, take a breath, and relish what you’ve achieved, whatever it might be?

So this week, I encourage you to take whatever time you can to enjoy the fruits of your labors. Examine the ways in which you might be able to set aside some responsibilities, or share them with others, to lighten your load.

That’s not always easy, of course, and some people are likely to be disappointed if you decide not to do a few things or to take some time off.

For that issue, I direct you to Mariëlle S. Smith’s recent post. The quote about disappointing others struck me so hard, I felt compelled to make a graphic with it:

I wish you a week where enjoyment is in balance with labor, and where you find the value you need in the things you do.

This week’s cards:

Five of Labryses: You've taken on too much. It's time to let some of it go. You can't be all things to all people. It's time to take a step back and determine what really makes you feel happy and fulfilled, and release some of the things that don't meet that criterion.

Nine of Horns: You've done well so far. You've worked hard to get where you are, and you've achieved some - perhaps many - of your goals. Now it's time to allow yourself to enjoy it.

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About Laura Perry

I'm an author, artist, and creator who works magic with words, paint, ink, music, textiles, and herbs. I'm the founder and Temple Mom of Ariadne's Tribe, a worldwide inclusive Minoan spiritual tradition. My spiritual practice also includes spirit work and herbalism through the lens of lifelong animism. I write Pagan / polytheist non-fiction and fiction across several different subjects and genres. I'm currently working on an illustrated book of modern Minoan myths and a Minoan entry in the Moon Books Pantheons series. I’m also an avid gardener and living history demonstrator.