Thresholds of Change
Embracing Creative Hesitancy and Liminal Space
In this edition of The Artemisian, I'll be answering a question submitted by a paid subscriber. If you'd like to submit one of your own, consider joining the community of paid members. Upgrading allows you to engage further with my work via in-depth monthly classes, discounts on 1:1 services and more. Your support also allows me to devote more time to these offerings and ensures that the resources here remain accessible.
A paid subscriber writes…
Something that I've been noticing lately is a hesitancy to pursue active imagination. I've been feeling called to do something more right-brained and creative, but I've noticed what feels like a block in my pursuit of these activities; I feel overwhelmed about starting a new process, which I know is very common. I would be curious to read more about how to address the types of blocks we might encounter when starting a new endeavor and ways to work with the fear or hesitancy.
I’ll draw upon the tarot suit of Wands to begin this exploration. Within these cards, we see the dynamic themes that arise when the psyche is drawn to unleash the libidinal fires of creation. For me, the Wands are the suit of pure psychic energy, the animating life force that fills our endeavors with drive, meaning and purpose. The first moment of inspiration is the Ace of Wands. It begins to illuminate a path of expansion, growth and potential in our lives. We feel attracted to the warmth of that flame; how its presence seems to activate parts of self that have lied dormant.
One might assume that with such fiery excitement, walking this road would be effortless, without resistance. And yet, the tarot tells us otherwise. Here, we have insight into an archetypal pattern that is constellated when the energetic forces of psyche are stirred up. From inspiration and optimism (the Ace) we next move into inertia, uncertainty, questioning, boundaries (the 2 of Wands).
The imagery of the Rider Waite Smith is subtle at first. But sit with the card for a moment, place yourself as the figure in a state of imaginal reverie, and look about. You stand behind the safety of the castle walls. The structures of the known world guard against uncertainty. A tension of what can be (holding the loose wand in one hand, the world in your palm) stands in contrast to what is (the other wand bolted to the rampart).
In the definitions I have constructed around the cards, I look at the 2 of Wands as:1
“The Call” - Standing on the threshold of change, visualizing the first steps upon a new path, mustering the courage to say "yes", seeing the potential at hand, considering limitations and comfort zone
This is the threshold of change that we all stand upon when tasked to bring new, generative practices into our life. The fear is a natural reaction to challenging the status quo. The hesitancy is an indicator that the process has begun. To me, that feels like a relief. Because often, when we run into the block, it is easy to become dejected. To believe the path is insurmountable, maybe even futile.
I think the disorientation can be particularly heightened when turning towards the unconscious. Is the threshold like Pandora’s box? Are we about to unleash a torrent of inner material that will swamp us with its intensity and suffering? The fear distorts our vision and we project wild potentials into the darkness of unknowing. Development of consciousness, however, demands that we are cast out of the garden, that we open Pandora’s box. It helps us to see the fullness of inner and outer reality, its beauty and its shadows; the shades of multiplicity that make up the very fabric of our being.
What if this experience was reframed as the first important initiation into the creative depths? Heeding The Call means we are met with aspects of our being that don’t yet know how to evolve or adapt. They resist the change it brings, the loss of old ways. But something within holds a deeper wisdom, knows that destiny awaits and that evolution requires sacrifice. The Ace was the gift but the 2 of Wands is the liminal space we inhabit before we gain a sense of new ground.
Characteristic of this period are thoughts, struggles, and emotions that are flavored with a dualistic or splintering of opposing sides: I am ready but overwhelmed. I am curious but scared. I have time and yet none at all.
Being present with these contrasting elements is key. Acknowledgement gives the shadows a forum to be heard. And rather than trying to overcome or transform them, I say, take them as they are. Let them be the creative seeds that you bring into your active imaginations.
What might this look like? Some considerations…
Visualization: Imagine yourself within the imagery of the 2 of Wands. You stand behind the safety of the castle walls. As you gaze upon the distant landscape, ask yourself what lies beyond those boundaries. Visualize the possibilities and limitations. Notice if anything emerges that feels surprising or curious.
Journal prompt: Consider your hesitancy as the moment of opening Pandora's box. See it as the release of inner material that contains transformative opportunities. What might emerge from this box? Finish the scene by free writing, journaling in a stream of consciousness style, allowing insights and words to bubble up spontaneously.
Artistic expression: Create a piece of art that captures your inner environment regarding these topics. Choose a medium you feel drawn to such as painting, sketching, playing music, or dancing. What colors, shapes, figures, movements, sounds want to emerge through the process?
Returning back to the arc of development within the Wands reminds us that we are participating in the necessary steps that eventually lead to creative attainment and integration. The stalemate contains the roots of change, providing us with the skills, insights, and resources necessary to make the journey.
Join the conversation
All comments are welcome, but here are a few questions to consider:
What has helped you work with hesitancy on new, creative endeavors?
What’s your experience with active imagination? Have you had similar struggles?
What are your thoughts on the tarot suit of Wands and its parallels to the creative process?
For more on active imagination:
From Tarot Definitions - a practical companion and "cheat-sheet" for working with tarot. Designed by
and I.
I've always thought about the thresholds of attention and creativity when it comes to the Two of Wands, too (what we know vs what we can imagine, what we can give our energy to vs what has to wait, what we can approach vs what we feel separated from). Bringing Pandora's Box into the conversation adds a whole new layer. I never considered a relationship between this myth and this card, and now I can't unsee it - thank you for this.
Interesting how different packs interpret the energy of 2 wands. In Wildwood tarot (where wands are bows) there is a far more active, fiery image that gives the impression of full-on confrontation rather than the reverie-like Rider-Waite.
I tried active imagination for the first time this year. I left it until very late at night/early hours and wrote down the conversation between myself and a rat who had appeared in a troubling dream. It was difficult to overcome fear, not that the content could be overwhelming, but that the whole exercise was a 'box of woo'. Nonetheless, the conversation that emerged was surprising, not least for the rat declaring 'Down here I am king. It is my domain. I am a lord of the underworld. A denizen of the depths. I rule down here.' Re: your suggestion of subsequently working with the active imagining by doing something creative - I was once told to paint only with my non-dominant hand. I get that she was thinking this allows creativity to come through, but I find it more engaging if I put my best efforts into the painting/drawing. Do you have any thoughts on that? Thanks again for a helpful and thought-provoking post.