The Force of Friction

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Ace of Wands:

Potter calls this card the "Spark of Life" and illustrates it with a bow drill. This tool was an ancient way to start a fire by using friction to convert kinetic energy into heat. Friction is simply a force that holds back the movement of a sliding object. Think of the physical resources you might have at hand - these would be represented by the stable surface (or the base board of the bow drill). Then we have our creative ideas and inspirations, which are the sliding object (or the rotating shaft of the bow drill). Add the two together, and we will have enough heat to motivate us to action. What will you do with the sparks you generate today?

From the Pictish Oracle comes the tile "Crescent and V-rod:"

It is interesting how this symbol and the card above resemble each other. The Crescent and V-rod appear approximately 32 times on Class I stones, indicating its importance to the Pictish people. Experts have suggested a wide range of theories about its meaning, from death to weather magic. However, Jason N. Bellchamber makes a compelling argument that it may have been used as a seasonal sundial or farmer's almanac. As such, I've assigned the keywords "right timing, pace, schedule, and preparation" to this symbol. In applying these ideas to the card above, I instantly think of how quickly you must act once an ember is created by the bow drill. It is carefully placed in a tinder bundle and then coaxed into a flame. As the flame grows, twigs and then branches can be added. The message from this combination today is to move into action, but do so at a slow, patient pace. What I want to create must be nurtured, rather than rushed into being.