The type of spade or shovel will be of relevance.
A garden spade would suggest being totally pragmatic, whereas a fire shovel would indicate a need to take care.
2- Since a shovel can suggest a degree of introspection, of covering up, what is being shovelled is important. We are needing to be mindful of the content of our lives. Shovelling compost, for instance, would mean considering the sum total and most fertile aspects of our lives, whereas shovelling sand might suggest an experience of time.
3- A shovel is an implement or tool which can be used to help us uncover what is spiritually correct. [1]
The type of spade or shovel will be of relevance.
A garden spade would suggest being totally pragmatic, whereas a fire shovel would indicate a need to take care. [3]