9 of Spades.

Now here's an evocative image: a woman lies on her side, head on a pillow, facing us. One eye is open and staring, with bags under it. Above her is a night sky with a crescent moon. Below the pillow, there seems to be a "mattress" with an imprint of laurel leaves, and a blanket with an edge made of fabric with little spades on it (9 in total). Beneath that: 9 swords, pointy end up, balancing the mattress, the pillow, and the lady herself on top of them.

To state the obvious, this doesn't seem comfortable. The way the woman is lying seems to suggest being unable to sleep. Being kept awake at night by thinking, perhaps? Worrying?

The pamphlet reads: "The Thoughts that Keep a Person Awake" and "A Struggle to Make Sense of Events".

Well... Lord knows I've had more than a bit of these in recent months. Thankfully, I have moved through that and am headed towards a better mental place. But I've been in that lady's position. It really is like your head is being poked by swords, isn't it? And given the era that we are living through... it's going to be a recurring theme, I expect.

Having said that - at this moment, I am doing OK. I am learning how to survive on a smaller income. I am working daily on my spiritual practice, which is bringing me structure and comfort. I am learning new skills left and right, walking through the doors that are still open, even as others close (Canada is looking exceedingly unlikely at this point... but on the other hand, I might be able to escape working in tech (!!) which I have grown to despise. And... perhaps there are others out there, other escapees from the PMC, who want to live more meaningful and balanced lives. Perhaps I can even find them?

Much to think about, but in the end... thinking doesn't bring much. Just action. All in good time.