Hand Washing

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Master Tarot, the Man of Power:

          The subtitle for the Two of Wands is 'Dominion,' meaning supreme power or authority. Such sovereignty allows for freedom of choice in the way our lives unfold. In this card, two paths intersect between two crystal columns; one represents sticking with the traditional, tried-and-true way and the other is taking a new, unorthodox route.The companion book describes this point as "creative energy waiting to be channeled." The Man of Power (Pontius Pilate) implies a pause before choosing. Pilate, the Roman governor of occupied Palestine, was known for dealing harshly with those who caused trouble in his domain. When Jesus, a zealous social reformer, came to the attention of Jewish leaders and challenged Roman rule, he was brought before Pilate. Pilate tries to give him a pass, but the crowds insist Jesus be crucified. Pilate washes his hands of the matter and permits him to be put to death. The booklet states that Pilate was a man "who sees yet claims not to see." In other words, "Don't blame it on me. It's not my fault." But the choices and decisions we make are our own, so our motives need to be thoroughly checked beforehand. In real life, there is no washing of hands to pass the buck.