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Perfection, Wealth, and Its Affiliation to Divinity
In modern spiritual and New Age circles, there is often an unspoken belief that wealth is a divine blessing—a marker of alignment with the universe, a sign of being in tune with the flow of abundance. This belief can create a dangerous dichotomy, where those who possess wealth are seen as divinely favored, while those without it are viewed as somehow lacking in spiritual merit. This notion, though subtle, perpetuates a harmful narrative that equates financial success with spiritual worth and creates a barrier to genuine equity and compassion.
At the heart of this narrative lies the archetype of the Empress, particularly in her shadow form. The shadow Empress is receptive, but without awareness. She accumulates wealth and resources, but she does not nurture or share them, believing that everything must be perfect before she can extend her hand to others. In this shadow, wealth becomes a fortress, a shield against the vulnerability of helping those in need. The idea of "cleanliness" emerges—a desire for relationships and interactions to be free from the messiness of dependency, of need, of asking for help.
The Myth of Self-Sufficiency and Perfection
This concept of cleanliness—insisting that others be self-sufficient before approaching, that they attain a certain level of perfection before they can receive support—reflects a deep misunderstanding of wealth and abundance. It is rooted in a fear of contamination, the belief that to help others, especially those who are struggling, is to somehow diminish one's own purity or success.
In the shadow of the Empress, wealth becomes something to be protected rather than shared. There is an underlying fear that if resources are given away, they will not return, and so they must be hoarded until the perfect moment arises—a moment that often never comes. This creates a barrier to true equity, as the Empress in her shadow form waits for the "right" circumstances, for others to prove themselves worthy of her help.
But the truth is, perfection is an illusion. Waiting for the perfect conditions to distribute wealth only perpetuates inequality. It assumes that those who are struggling are responsible for their own suffering, that they must somehow fix themselves before they are deserving of help. This belief system is not only flawed but harmful, as it prevents the natural flow of abundance that comes from giving and receiving freely.
The Divine Misconception: Wealth as a Marker of Spiritual Worth
In many spiritual circles, there is a pervasive idea that wealth is a sign of divine favor, that those who have it are in alignment with the universe and those who do not are out of sync. This belief creates a hierarchy of spiritual worth, where financial success is equated with spiritual achievement. It fosters a sense of superiority among the wealthy and shame among those who struggle financially, reinforcing the idea that only those who are self-sufficient are deserving of help.
This perspective ignores the complexities of life and the many factors that contribute to a person's financial situation. It also overlooks the responsibility that comes with wealth—to use it not just for personal gain but to uplift and support others. The idea that wealth is a marker of spiritual worth creates a barrier to genuine compassion and equity, as it encourages the wealthy to withhold help until others have "earned" it.
The Challenge of Cleanliness: When Receptivity Lacks Awareness
The shadow Empress, in her pursuit of cleanliness, becomes blind to her own responsibility. She is receptive to wealth but lacks the awareness to understand its true purpose. Wealth, in its highest form, is meant to be circulated, to flow through the hands of those who have it and into the lives of those who need it. When the Empress hoards her resources, waiting for perfection, she disrupts this flow and creates stagnation.
The challenge of cleanliness lies in the fear of being tainted by the needs of others. It is the belief that to give is to lose, that helping others somehow diminishes one's own worth. But true wealth is not diminished by giving—it is expanded. When the Empress embraces her role as a nurturer, she realizes that her abundance is not just for herself but for the benefit of all.
Breaking the Illusion: Embracing Imperfection and Equity
To move beyond the shadow of the Empress, we must break the illusion of cleanliness and embrace the messiness of life. This means recognising that wealth is not a divine marker of worth but a tool for creating equity and supporting others. It means understanding that perfection is an illusion and that waiting for the perfect moment to give only perpetuates inequality.
True equity requires us to see the needs of others as valid, regardless of their circumstances. It challenges us to distribute wealth not based on merit but on humanity. By embracing the imperfect, by allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and open to the needs of others, we can create a flow of abundance that benefits everyone.
The Responsibility of the Empress
The Empress, in her highest form, understands that her wealth is not just for her own comfort but for the well-being of her community. She is a steward of resources, not a gatekeeper. Her role is to nurture, to give, and to support, not to withhold until perfection is achieved.
As we move forward into a new age of individuality and spiritual awareness, let us challenge the narratives that equate wealth with divine favor and that demand perfection before equity. Let us embrace the responsibility of the Empress and recognize that true cleanliness comes not from withholding help but from giving it freely and with compassion. By doing so, we can create a world where abundance flows to all, and where the shadow of the Empress is transformed into a beacon of light for others.