Advocating Persistence

From the Animal Totem Tarot, the Eight of Pentacles; from the Blum/Gern Rune Cards, Taiwaz/Tiwaz:

          This adolescent mountain goat becomes more surefooted and confident as he climbs each day, learning which stones will crumble and which will bear his weight. Likewise, the Eight of Pentacles encourages us to keep practicing our skills and adding to our knowledge. This year the pandemic has forced everyone to adapt and learn new information (though some are more skillful and willing than others). Yet in the future, another generation might look back at ours to see if we became proficient or failed at our task. Adjusting isn't easy for anyone, which is probably why Taiwaz has appeared, a rune representing the warrior god Tyr. He advocates persistence, order and balance. "Keep doing what is right for the good of all, regardless of the naysayers. Rationality will eventually bring success."

The mark of a true practitioner is not what arises in your life and mind, but how you work with what arises. —Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche