First, Lay a Foundation

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Knight of Koshes (Wands); from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, Swan:

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. —Saint Augustine

The Knight of Wands is a natural at showmanship. This fellow is always looking to upstage other acts and even one-up himself. He's decided that he wants to be a fire eater, not just a fire juggler. Yet even his horse seems to be giving him a side-eye over this decision. Swans are a symbol of grace and a peaceful heart. These gifts are a result of humility, a product of a mind free from the turbulence of the ego. Humility allows us to learn from others, rather than thinking we're always an expert. The Knight of Wands would do well to embrace and work on this virtue. It might at least keep him out of the ER.

Baiting Hooks

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Three of Koshes (Wands); from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, Whirlwind and Storm:

When we have done our best, we should wait the result in peace.

—John Lubbock

When we're ready to extend some creative energy outside our normal bounds, we bait our hook and cast our line in the water. Maybe we're looking for a new job, or perhaps we're seeking a partnership in a new endeavor. Whether it's resumes and interviews or background checks and frank discussions, we put forth the effort and see what bites we get. Patient confidence is a must if we're looking for a beneficial return. The Whirlwind card is a reminder that rarely does life move in a smooth, unbroken line. We can respond on a dust devil level to these obstacles, making a few changes and moving things around, or we can go full-tilt tornado, and likely destroy all the good that we've accomplished so far. Directing and focusing our energy prudently will likely land a fish rather than attempting to get things to shift backwards.

Skip the Rocking Chair

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Four of Chivs (Swords); from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, the Sun:

Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere. 

—Folk proverb

Racing thoughts can clutter our mind, causing stress about how we are going to manage our life. In such cases, life is now managing us. This fellow seems to have grounded one of his concerns, but he still has some hanging over his head. He's sifting through them, first checking the reality of the thought - if it is an assumption or projection instead of something concrete. If it turns out to be real, he asks himself what steps he can take to alleviate the situation. If he has no influence over any of it, he reminds himself that he just doesn't know how things will turn out in the long run - there are more possibilities than the few he has considered. And then he takes a nap. Sun represents the power that clarity can bring. It clears the clutter, showing us what is actually important, and clarifies what appropriate response we might take rather than wasting our energy. 

When Urgency Fades

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Queen of Chivs; from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Deck, the Eight Directions of the Wind:

Sometimes we mistake the end of the crisis for the end of the problem. Crisis can clarify what matters, but it cannot make us live by what we have learned. That choice comes later, when urgency has faded and the familiar life is quietly inviting us back. —Yonatan Hambourger

This Queen sits before us with an upright sword and an open chest. She asks us to tell her our stories and experiences, being as honest as possible. When we have finished, the Queen asks, "What did you leave out? What have you purposefully ignored?" She knows information is not necessarily the truth. The Eight Directions include the cardinal directions and their gifts: West (courage), North (endurance), East (illumination) and South (growth). The intercardinal directions are also included, which represent challenges: fear, apathy, rigidity and stagnation. Challenges and difficulties aren't forced upon us as lessons to be learned; they are a natural part of life. But to live a skillful life, we should digest any wisdom we can rather than bypassing them and returning to our regularly scheduled program. 

I'd Rather Know, But...

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, Fire:

I'd much rather 'know', but then again, not-knowing keeps all the possibilities open. 

―Ruth Ozeki

A contractor doing some work inside the house once asked me why I had a small collection of gemstone skulls. I told him that they reminded me of the principle of impermanence - good or bad, things only last for a limited time. The Wheel of Fortune indicates change is on the horizon; like the skulls, it is a symbol of constant transitions. Fire is both a consumer and creator. How does it create? Nutrient-rich ash that improves the soil. Fire opens some seeds so they can sprout It also opens the forest canopy, allowing more sunlight to reach the ground, allowing new plants to grow. We humans hate uncertainty, but we actually can't see far enough down the road to know all the possibilities that might come because of change. 

It'll Take Some Patience

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Page of Koshes (Staves); from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Deck, Hanblecheya:

Doing less is often harder than doing more.  

―Carolyn Rubenstein

This Page craves what is fun and daring, always vying to be the center of attention. He stretches his neck and muscles after a training session with his older brother in learning the skill of plate spinning. When things are new, he can be hyper-focused, but his attention wanes quickly. He'll have to train in concentration as well if he wants to learn this skill. Hanblecheya is a traditional Lakota (Sioux) sacred ceremony commonly known as a Vision Quest. Things that normally keep one busy and entertained are left behind, as the participant spends time alone in a remote, natural place while fasting. Attention changes when there is less of everything; at first, we may feel restless and irritated until we settle. Inner inspiration comes when we become open rather than trying to force it. Both these cards ask us to be patient, stay focused, and become receptive - it'll be worth it. 

Starting Anew

This week I'll be using the Buckland Romani Tarot, created by Lissanne Lake and Raymond Buckland; this book and deck set was published by Galde Press. Along with it, I'll be using the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, created by Archie Fire and Chief Lame Deer; this deck and book set was published by Inner Traditions. Today's draws are the Ace of Bolers (Wagon Wheels) and Mitakuye Oyasin:

There are two ways of meeting difficulties: you alter the difficulties, or you alter yourself to meet them. —Phyllis Bottome

This particular Ace represents new beginnings in the material world: money, career, and health - the physical foundations of life. The abandoned wagon wheel covered with ivy reminds me of the changes that come with aging. I've collected a lot of exercise videos over the years, but recently got rid of a lot of them because I could no longer do them safely or without pain. Elderhood doesn't mean we need to give up but encourages us to find new things we can learn and do instead. This Ace is a reminder that opportunities still abound if we'll stop fretting about what was lost. Mitakuye Oyasin is a sacred Lakota phrase that translates to "all my relations." It acknowledges that everything is connected and a part of one family, that no part is greater than any other, and that our actions can affect the whole. Indigenous cultures have honored their elders, but our modern societies seem to find them more of a burden. Yet while those of us might not have all the technological knowledge that some younger folks do, we have a wider history that gives us a more panoramic view of life. It grants us a different sort of perspective, such as realizing WWII is definitely not the same as the current war we're in with Iran.