Flag Planting

This week I'll be using two self-published decks: the RochesTarot created by Jay Lincoln and the Animal Shaman Visions Cards by Carole Beasley. Today's draws are the  Two of Wands and American Bison:

          What is it about most humans that makes us restless and discontent with simply maintaining the status quo? Perhaps it is because deep down we know that change is always happening, and we try to keep up with it. The Two of Wands is astrologically connected with Mars in Aries, meaning a lot of fiery energy is combined with a spirit for adventure. This guy has already been to one mountain top and planted his flags (is that like a dog peeing on a bush, I wonder?). His choice of transportation - a male big horn sheep - suggests that his quest for power and domain has only just begun. He's already got his eye on another mountain to conquer.
          The American bison (commonly known as buffalo) has long been considered a symbol of abundance and the sacredness of life to the Lakota Sioux. The legend of White Buffalo Calf Woman tells of of holy woman who appeared and gave the people a pipe that she used to explain the interconnection of life. She should have also used it to whack the white Europeans over the head with it, as they nearly hunted the bison to extinction in the 1800s. The combination of these cards reminded me of the biblical encouragement in Genesis to “to subdue the earth and exercise dominion over it.” Now doesn't that sound like a good excuse to take whatever you can use without regard to what's left behind? The holy woman's advice is just as relevant today as it was then. Being at the top of the brain chain means we should aspire to be good stewards rather than earth scorchers. The yin-yang symbol the rider holds is a nod not to forget the sacred balance as we plant our flags along the way.