“…because he hears a different drummer.”

Walden, Henry David Thoreau

Symbols & Color

• Fireman’s Helmet: Server Set
• Bullseye Target: Goals Group
• Penny: Ordinal Orientation- Personal
• Heart: Inspiration Axis
• Color: Green

Implications in the Upright Position or Positive Pole

Sometimes, less is more. Paring down to the simplest form, in math the “lowest common denominator” produces an insight or realization, that can take one far deeper, and with far less baggage, than what is considered the latest or greatest (like Growth). The compass signifies a simplification of directions to be taken, a slowdown to look for familiar landmarks. This metaphor is the underlying purpose of the Goal of Re-evaluation in the positive pole. Here the analogy of a car slowing down in its evolutionary progress, instead of speeding up like its paired Inspiration Goal, Growth. In this pole, the route chosen is a back
road rather than a freeway. Slower progress, occasional braking, will serve to “stop and smell the roses.” Even an active and brilliant mind like Stephen Hawking, a person in Re-evaluation, employed this goal to its ultimate advantage, reducing his distractions and devoting all his resources to discovering his many theories.

Card messages in the Illuminated position.

+ Simplicity

(Deceleration, Circumscription, Contraction, Minimalist, Atavistic, Retiring, Reduction, Monastic, Frugality)

1. Reevaluation is a time for review and retreat. The nature of this experience calls us to go internal and remove extraneous distractions from our consciousness.
2. It may be time to reduce one’s reliance on outside experiences and determine: Is what I am doing really worth it?
3. After a setback, it is useful to take a moment and re-evaluate. If what you are doing comes up short, simplify.
4. Simplifying in mathematics means locating the lowest common denominator. In Buddhism it means detaching from form. Re-evaluate a situation by detaching from complex explanations. What remains when you stop analyzing?
5. It is time to reevaluate your experiences and determine: Is what I’m doing really worth it? If the answer is yes, continue onward with joy and gratitude. If no, do not hesitate to apologize.
6. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…this is the credo of the Conservation movement. It is simple: instead of acquiring more be stringent with what you have already.
7. Learn what you can do without. With that freedom from stuff and waste; you’ll realize that less is more.
8. Oscar Wilde said, “Life is not complex. We are complex. Life is simple, and the simple thing is the right thing.” Ditto! Nuff said!
9. Simple should not be confused with simplistic, nor when applied to a person as a simpleton. What you behold right now is a minimal yet essential character. Don’t underestimate it.
10. Get frugal with what you have. You don’t have to hoard but it would be really wise if you used what you had as if it were the most precious things you possess. What do you really use/value? How is it significant to you? Why would it matter if you didn’t have it? These will reveal many of your beliefs, rationalizations and attachments.

Quotations relevant to this Pole

Implications of the Reversed Position or Negative Pole

The allegory of the ostrich hiding its head in the sand, as a way of dodging awareness to danger, serves perfectly as the example of the negative pole withdrawal. Where Withdrawal is considered by many an act of retreat, denial, or even cowardice, just like this image, that conclusion would be wrong. The ostrich has never exhibited this behavior! It is a projected fiction verbalized in story lore that anthropomorphizes a human characteristics onto this animal. A common human trait of projection, as is denial, but not for the ostrich. In fact, the ostrich’s standoffishness is more akin to the protective introvert, like a person on the autism scale. Yet, it is an animal of great power and speed which reacts to uninvited incursions into its space. And so to withdraw is equally necessary to human existence in order to recoup one’s energy, reassess one’s position, or reduce to a bare minimum what one carries on their journey. Using the analogy of slowing your vehicle, this is like slamming on the brakes and hitting the wall.

Card messages in the Shadow position.

– Withdrawn

(Retarded, Confined, Internalized, Agoraphobic, Reclusive, Restricted, Constricted)

1. Perception may become clouded because one has withdrawn their awareness, it retards one’s ability to function in life. Fear causes contraction like a snail or a turtle retreating into its shell. Where has there been a retreat back into a familiar cover?
2. Contraction is a retreat deep into oneself. What talents are not being utilized?
3. Perception has become clouded because one has withdrawn their awareness from the situation.
4. In a world of continuous stimulation, extraction from it may feel difficult. But do a retreat soon.
5. Your ability to function has become retarded because of fear, It causes one to contract like a snail or turtle retreating into a shell. Who has retreated back into a familiar cover or position?
6. Emotional withdrawal is a retreat deep into oneself. Pain has prevented their talents from being utilized. Who’s not playing due to injury?
7. Stop avoiding. This is your task. Get to it!
8. Hiding from danger is understandable. Staying withdrawn after the danger has passed will suffocate you. 
9. Socrates, a known non-materialist once said in exasperation “How many things are there which I do not want?” Try this approach. Begin sorting on stuff you absolutely do not want or use. As you clear things out, things become more clear.
10. Time to come out of the safe shelter of your inner world. Whatever is going on around you is mostly the MAYA (Card 69) of posturing and shadows perceived as monsters. Shed some light on what you fear. Break it down.

Quotations relevant to this Pole

by Stephen Cocconi © 2011, Updated 2024

For a Motivations Card Reading or Channeled Consultation call: 209.768-4956 or email Stephen at channeling@themichaelteaching.com