On Adversity

I was reading this passage from The Book of Talismans:

Most scientists are agreed that Pearls are formed in the endeavour of certain bivalves to obtain relief from the irritation caused by some foreign substance which has penetrated the shell and which the Oyster, by covering with a pearly secretion, forms into a beautiful gem. The idea that Pearls are symbolic of tears arose from this fact, and illustrates the old adage that the most noble achievements have their origin in painful and enduring effort.

It caused me to realize that, just as precious pearls are formed of grit and water, so too is Fortuna Major is the sum of Tristitia and Albus: the greatest blessings are bestowed by suffering and reflection. We tend to think of Fortuna Major as the most positive figure in geomancy, but it is not so simple as that, I think.

Fortuna Minor

Juno then went to Gargarus, the topmost peak of Ida, and Jove, driver of the clouds, set eyes upon her. As soon as he did so he became inflamed with the same passionate desire for her that he had felt when they had first enjoyed each other's embraces. [...] And Jove said, Juno, [...] let us devote ourselves to love and to the enjoyment of one another. Never yet have I been so overpowered by passion neither for goddess nor mortal woman as I am at this moment for yourself. [...] She exclaimed, What are you talking about? Would you have us enjoy one another here on the top of Mount Ida, where everything can be seen? [...] And Jove answered, Juno, you need not be afraid that either god or man will see you, for I will enshroud both of us in such a dense golden cloud, that the very sun for all his bright piercing beams shall not see through it. With this the son of Saturn caught his wife in his embrace. [...]

[Iliad, Homer, tr. Samuel Butler]

[Jupiter and Juno on Mount Ida, James Barry]