Earlier today I encountered1 the following quote from Charles Darwin:
“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”
I shuffled my Tarot deck while pondering the quote, and drew the following card to explore it:
Seeing the Four of Cups, I am reminded that there is a big difference between resting and wasting time. Rest is not a waste of time, for we require it to function at our optimum. Likewise with silent contemplation, which can certainly look like wasting time to an outside observer. But without contemplation we can not truly learn and grow. Despite appearances, these things are not wasting time.
Contemplation is of course related to imagination. Could Darwin, from whom we get today’s quote, have ever made his discoveries had he not first imagined the possibilities?
My point in mentioning these things is that to be honest with ourselves, we need to accurately draw a line between what is actually a waste of time, and those things that are not.
So what is?
Mindlessly watching television for sure. Mindlessly doom scrolling a social media feed, undoubtedly. Investing belief into that which is not true, certainly. These are the things that dumb us down, that rot our minds. Of course these are just a tiny handful of examples, there are a myriad more.
I remember as a child, thinking that my childhood would seemingly never end. A year lasted forever. Time dragged on, moving with excruciating slowness for one who sought adulthood.
But that was the folly of childhood. Now I’m rocketing through middle age. A year is gone in a seeming instant. I look backwards a few months, and realize that instead it has been a few years. As the old saying goes, time flies.
And that is what Darwin is warning about with his quote. We have very few hours, so if we value our life here on earth, we won’t waste them.
And certainly that is reflected in the symbolism of the Four of Cups. All the character in the card must do is reach out to seize what is offered. To seize the day. To seize the hour.
But he does not.
He wastes that which is before him, and that which is additionally offered.
And when it comes to time, that is a tragedy for once it is gone, it is gone forever.
Wow its amazing to be able to read other peoples views on cards. Another card that when it turns up in readings, I think I will be a bit gentler depending on the cards next to him. Thank you for the insight.