Back in December, the card was popping up and catching my attention in a strange way… as in I had this feeling it didn’t quite fit in with everything else that was going on in my life and that I was somehow missing its message. After a few times of that, I tried to clarify it and I had gotten cards like 5 of Pentacles and 9 of Swords when I was finally hit with a certain feeling that Strength was telling me to go get my teeth checked (quite literal in its message with the woman prying into the lion’s mouth and all). Still, I was quite busy at the time with a business trip, a wedding, and Chinese New Year all coming up so I ended up neglecting the message even though it continued to pop up for me all over the place.

Come the end of January, I was quite suddenly overcome with a really bad toothache that I couldn’t eat or sleep. It also happened during Chinese New Year when all the dental clinics were closed and I had to wait for 3 more agonizing days before I could do anything about it. Definitely the 5 of Pentacles and the 9 of Swords going on there. In the end, I had to do a root canal AND also discovered a few other serious dental problems, including an issue with my jawline structure gone wrong, also caused by said issues. Here’s also the 5 of Pentacles telling me I’d be going really broke trying to pay for it as it’s really expensive and my insurance won’t cover the procedures.

Anyhow, Strength hasn’t made another appearance since I went in to see my dentist even though I’ve been needing to go in about 3 times a week. I reckon the cards think I finally got the message and listened to it, even if I only did because of the unbearable pain. Today, having the card pop up again next to the 10 of Swords is strangely reassuring as I’m hoping it means the pain of the surgery’s recovery time is ending soon and the worst is or will be over soon (hopefully today). The 4 of Pentacles, I think, is a reminder for me to take it easy though. Just because I would be feeling better doesn’t mean I should let up on all the strict instructions my dentist has given me. Certainly makes sense as I do have the tendency to slack off until it smacks me in the face and makes me pay attention (read: agonizing pain). Either way, here’s to hoping for the end of pain!