Don't Fear the Friction
Happy Monday, Honeybees! I hope you are well and in the wake of this weekendās powerful Full Moon in Libra. It illuminated some issues for me so Iāve decided to get stronger and stop using negative self-talk (this is a decision, I have to keep making, I find). Funnily enough, our cards for the week ahead reflect this decision:
š Opportunity (The Nectar): 5 of Wands (Saturn in Leo) from the Keeper of the Sacred Bee Tarot
š Shadow/Challenge: Strength (Leo) from the Biblical Tarot Shadows of the Soul
Letās dive deeperā¦
šÆ Where the Nectar Is: 5 of Wands
This week offers healthy friction and creative competition as the source of nectar. Thatās right, this isnāt chaos for chaos' sakeāitās a call to play, spar, and test your strengths in a way that ultimately sharpens your vision and awakens new ideas. Think of it like bees jostling inside the hiveāitās noisy, but it keeps things dynamic and productive.
In terms of self-talk, I see the positive side of the 5 of Wands as pushing myself to do hard things that will benefit me as I grow older and kill the excuses. Itās about creating fun (Leo) challenges (Saturn) that help me grow stronger.
š Message: Donāt shy away from a little friction this week. Dive into debates, test your ideas out loud, and let yourself grow through the tussle. Your best inspiration may come in the heat of the moment.
š¦ Shadow Work: Strength
Now hereās the twist: Strength is in the shadow position. When Strength shows up reversed or as a challenge, it can point to burnout from holding it all together, misplaced pride, arrogance or even the tendency to try to suppress emotions that need a little space to roar.
In terms of self-talk with Strength as the shadow, I see this as keeping my inner talk very compassionate, especially when I notice a tendency to push too hard. If Iām kind to myself, it becomes very hard to be arrogant toward othersā¦
š Are you clenching your jaw trying to āstay strongā? Are you ignoring your inner beast to avoid rocking the boat?
This week asks us to stop managing our emotions with white-knuckled control and start making peace with our wild side.
š Hive Wisdom for the Week
This dynamic between the cards feels like a tension between sparring (5 of Wands) and inner containment (Strength). You might be navigating difficult conversations, creative collisions, or team projects that rub your ego the wrong way. Thatās okay. This is a golden opportunity to learn to hold your own without losing your centre.
Mantra:
āI let passion move through me, not consume me. My strength is in my flow.ā
šæ Essential Oil Allies
Hereās your scent support squad for the week:
šŖ For the 5 of Wands ā Black Pepper
Bold, invigorating, and confidence-boosting. This oil clears mental fog, supports focus in fast-paced or competitive situations, and helps you show up with clarity and courage.
Use it when: Youāre about to step into a situation where there might be tension or need to assert yourself without aggression.
š¦ For Strength (shadow) ā Roman Chamomile or Rose
Roman Chamomile soothes nervous tension and helps you release the urge to over-manage. Itās the oil of spiritual purpose and emotional surrender.
Rose is your go-to if you're feeling raw and need deep, heart-led compassionāespecially toward yourself.
Use it when: You feel like youāre āwhite-knucklingā your way through the week or struggling to let emotions surface gently.
For tips on how to read ānegativeā cards in positive positions and vice versa, check out this post.