In times of heightened uncertainty, the external world—often chaotic and unpredictable—seems to close in on us. It’s easy to feel like the familiar pathways of decision-making, routine, and control have dissolved. This can feel unsettling, even threatening. But in these moments, there’s an invitation, though often subtle: to turn inward. We’re forced to seek a key within ourselves, a guide to navigate what feels like an ever-shifting landscape.

Carl Jung spoke of this very dynamic in terms of the individuation process—the journey towards self-realisation. When the outer world presents confusion, the psyche is compelled to reach inward, to face the deeper layers of the self. It’s no coincidence that in moments of global or personal crisis, we often encounter a surge of dreams, synchronicities, or a calling to explore the spiritual realm. The uncertainty becomes the catalyst for an inward pilgrimage.

If we think about uncertainty symbolically, it can resemble the Tower card in Tarot—a sudden upheaval, destruction of what was once stable. The Tower is frightening because it strips away the illusions of control and security. Yet, what often follows is not just destruction but revelation. When the old structures fall, we’re confronted with ourselves, raw and vulnerable but also ripe for growth.

As we’re forced inward, we might encounter the Hermit archetype. The Hermit carries his lantern in the dark, walking a path that only he can walk. It’s a deeply personal journey, and the light of his lantern comes not from outside, but from his own soul. In uncertain times, we become our own Hermits, seeking out the light within to guide us forward. That key, the one we search for in times of crisis, is rarely found in the external world. It’s forged in introspection, in confronting our shadows, and in embracing the unknown parts of ourselves.

The process of turning inward also invites us to question the narratives we’ve built. Much like we’ve explored before, the stories we tell ourselves shape our reality. In uncertainty, these stories may feel inadequate and brittle. But this is where transformation occurs. We’re given the chance to rewrite the narrative, to choose new metaphors that reflect our evolving understanding of ourselves and the world. We’re asked to look at our inner myths—those personal myths that guide our sense of purpose and meaning.

What happens when we allow ourselves to be inwardly focused, to hold space for not knowing? We begin to cultivate a different kind of vision. One that is not about predicting the future or controlling outcomes, but one that trusts in the process of becoming. Uncertainty, in this sense, is the fertile ground for transformation. It strips away the distractions and demands of the outer world, forcing us to confront the self and, in doing so, to encounter new layers of wisdom, creativity, and depth.

Much like the seed buried in the soil, there is a period of darkness and stillness before growth. That key, which we seek so desperately in moments of uncertainty, may not unlock the doors we expect. It might instead unlock a door we didn’t even realise existed—a door leading to a deeper sense of authenticity, connection to the soul, or a new path altogether.

As we are inwardly focused, we realise that uncertainty is not a void to be feared, but a space where the imagination and soul can rise to meet the unknown. We may stumble upon unexpected insights, creative sparks, or new levels of self-awareness. Like the Magician in Tarot, we discover that all the tools we need have been with us all along; we just needed the chaos to reveal them.

Uncertainty, then, is not a barrier—it is an opening, a liminal space, where we meet ourselves in a new way. The key we find within unlocks more than just survival. It unlocks growth, expansion, and the deepening of our personal mythology.