Traditional Meaning: Repetition
The Rod card in the Realms:
Spiritual: Dedicated spiritual practice
Emotional: Old emotions coloring the present
Mental: Circling thoughts, busy mind
Physical: Exercise, habits
Correspondences:
Moon Phase: Waning – Repetition wears away
Astrological Sign: Aries
Element: Fire
Motto: Tribulation enriches
Directional: No
The Rod speaks:
“My rhythmic work sets the cadence for the day. It never changes; my motion is perpetual. I can bring the repetition of arguments and old ground revisited again and again. I can bring the lilting patterns of well-known work. My swing is like a pendulum, measuring out slices of the day, month, or year. My pattern is well established and strong.” Interpretation Advice:
The Rod brings repetition. On the negative side, it represents being intrenched in a rut, experiencing the same thing over and again. It could indicate well-worn repetitive arguments. More positively, it calls to mind healthy habits or traditions that can be very profitable — exercise, meditation, seasonal events. The rod asks us to consider what ground we are running over again and again. Is it healthy and helpful? Or do we need to break free? The Rod’s motto, “Tribulation enriches,” is a gentle reminder that even the difficult experience of breaking free from a rut is beneficial eventually.
A deeper look into the image’s symbolism:
Threshers – the constructive results of repetition, gathered resources and ability
Soldiers – the destructive results of repetition, anger, animosity, misunderstanding
Village – routine is the foundation of society
Empty basket – a container to hold the results of your repeated work