The Archetype and the Tarot: The Bully and Ace of Pentacles
Through the Bully and Ace of Pentacles, this week we’re being called to examine the way we relate with empowerment. Can we confront our struggles with self-worth and cultivate a new foundation of security?
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The Bully Archetype
This is an archetype that often elicits strong reactions. We are likely most familiar with this archetype from its shadow side, which is characterized by a need to assert dominance and control, often through intimidation or aggression. But, at its essence, the Bully is all about power dynamics, which isn’t always a negative thing.
One of the gifts of the Bully archetype is their incredible ability to detect vulnerabilities. Almost like a superpower, they can sniff out the soft spots in themselves and others. What they choose to do with that information once they have it will depend on whether they are operating in the light or in the shadows.
Coming to understand the Bully within ourselves and others can help us navigate these all dynamics more effectively—empowering us to set boundaries, stand up for ourselves, and foster more compassionate and equitable relationships. By acknowledging the dual nature of the Bully archetype, we can transform its energy into a force for positive change and connection.
On the light side, the Bully is keenly aware of their own patterns surrounding power dynamics. They understand at a fundamental level that true empowerment can only come from within oneself, not through having power over another. When their superpower alerts them to nearby vulnerabilities, they step in to offer help rather than take advantage. The Bully in the light teaches us about boundaries and strength. They bring in a sense of order and structure, ensuring that boundaries are respected and chaos is minimized. This side of the Bully can foster a sense of security and stability within a group or community. In the light, this archetype encourages us to assert our power in healthy ways and to use our influence to create safe environments for those who are vulnerable, including ourselves.
On the flip side, the Bully in the shadow does not know their own innate sense of power and so they turn towards domination, or having power over others, in order to feel okay about themselves. This side of the Bully is marked by manipulation, a desire for control, and even outright cruelty. This could look like the vicious schoolyard bully or the abusive partner, the ones who dominate through fear. But it could also look like the colleague who undermines others to climb the corporate ladder, the boss who doles out meaningless tasks, the friend who uses guilt to control social situations, or even the inner voice that criticizes and belittles us. At the root, the shadow Bully is driven by their own sense of unworthiness and need to feel superior to others.
When the Bully archetype appears, it invites us to reflect on our relationship with power. Are we using our strength to uplift and protect, or are we falling into patterns of manipulation, control and intimidation?
Some questions to consider this week:
How do you assert your power in your life?
Do you relate with your own vulnerabilities through the light or shadow side of the Bully?
Can you identify areas where you can transform the shadow Bully into a force for good?
How do you respond to bullying behavior in others?
Ace of Pentacles
In this card, we see a giant hand coming out of a cloud in the sky holding a single, enormous, gold pentacle. In the foreground is a lovely flower garden with a path leading out through a flowered arch.
The aces of the tarot give us the gift of the suit in its purest form; the essence of the suit before it has been impacted by experience. The suit of pentacles is all about the physical, material realm.
The Ace of Pentacles, then, is our physical foundation. It is the ground upon which we stand and grow, it is what nourishes and sustains our physical selves. It keeps our feet steady and gives us the promise that we’ll have all the resources we need as we leave the garden to have our full life experience.
When it comes up in a reading, I believe the Ace of Pentacles is asking us to remember our foundation, to recall what rooted us when we began this journey, and allow ourselves to feel nourished by this once again.
How does this pair work together?
What I see here is the Bully moving from village to village, terrorizing everyone they encounter out of a desperation to feel empowered. Eventually their journey leads them to garden of the Ace of Pentacles. The giant hand places the big pentacle on the ground and the Bully steps onto it.
The big pentacle shines a light that illuminates all of the Bully’s shadows. All at once, the Bully remembers their own value. They become aware that vulnerabilities (maybe even especially their own) are where true strength lies and that domination is not an act of real power. The Bully has found their foundation of security and can now go back into the world as a force for good.
I believe this is our call this week: Where can we find our ground—our foundation of security, comfort, and nourishment—that will help us see our own power issues clearly? Is there a sense of stability we can cultivate so we can silence the whispers of comparison in our minds? What choices can we make this week to create a supportive environment around ourselves so that we don’t have to react to life from a place of feeling devalued?
Thank you very powerful and revealing!
Hi Jenna, again thank you! You gave me a very different and extremely useful insight into the ace of pentacles. Ta heaps Arpana