Cut Those Apron Strings Now!
Dear Maribeth,
I’m starting to think my mother is nuts. I’m in my second year at URI and still she calls me like 8 times a day checking to make sure I am wearing a sweater and eating right. Today she randomly asked me to go outside and make sure my headlights are working. She is afraid I am going to get frostbite and lose a digit. I feel like I may lose more than just a digit! Maybe my mind or my temper! I know it is because she cares about me, but how can I deal with this and make her stop worrying?
Annoyed Son
Dear Annoyed Son,
It’s very considerate of you to realize that this behavior is based in love, even though you find it (understandably) annoying. Your reading brought up the 5 of Cups, the 4 of Swords and the 4 of Cups. Cups, showing love, are on either side of your spread. You are well surrounded with love.
The 5 of Cups shows someone focused on what is gone. Your mom misses you terribly. I picture her flipping through the old photo albums and reflecting on your youth. It is going to take some time before she starts looking forward. She is stuck in what used to be. The way you can help is by making suggestions for how she can bring about her own happiness during the next phase of her life. She needs your help picking up her head, shedding the big black cloak and seeing those cups behind her. They are opportunities for her to grow, evident by the green grass on the other side of the bridge in the distance. You can help her get there.
The Four of Swords represents your own inner sanctuary. You may be more tolerant than necessary during this transition. While it is great to be understanding of your Mom’s feelings, you may need to use your backbone and stand up to her. That sword running along the bottom of the card shows the strengthening of this knight’s backbone to prepare him for his next battle. The other 3 swords are pointing downward, energizing his 3rd eye, heart and solar plexus chakras. You will need balance and faith in yourself to resolve this issue.
The key is to help your mother discover her own abilities and what she can do now that will bring her joy. She is obviously an excellent care-giver, perhaps she could work with people who can benefit by her concern. As shown by the body language of the person on the 4 of Cups, it may not be an easy sell. She is not quite ready to grab that cup being offered. But knowing you love her, along with her pride in you, will help her to get closer to accepting opportunities to share her nurturing abilities with others.
You are very blessed to be so loved and I’m sure you appreciate it. It is up to you to get her off your back if you are truly feeling annoyed. You can do it gently without hurting her feelings by distracting her with new activities. It will take some time, but by the spring things should see a great improvement. Don’t be surprised if you suddenly feel neglected after getting so used to all the attention! Good luck!