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.