No Standing Still

From the Anna K Tarot, the Six of Rods; from the Meditation Cards, "Energy Use:"

There's nothing wrong in being proud of an accomplishment or allowing others to recognize our efforts and success. In fact, when the next challenge comes along, remembering our past victory can help us stay the course with confidence. Yet "Energy Use" suggests that we not become complacent and rest on our laurels. As Rumi writes:

You have the energy of the sun in you, 

but you keep knotting it up at the base of your spine. 

You're some weird kind of gold

 that wants to stay melted in the furnace,

so you won't have to become coins.

Even the progress we've made will be lost if we simply sit on the couch as this point. We can, however, try something different or do things with a new twist. The idea is to keep evolving as life unfolds.

Restlessness

From the Anna K. Tarot, the Page of Wands; from the Meditation Cards, Energy Use:

          Have you seen the t-shirt that says "Runs with scissors?" It was made for this Page. He's an extreme risk-taker, boundary-breaker and adventure-seeker. He simply can't leave things alone without investigating and poking at them a bit. Already he's scouting out an escape route from the castle so he can go explore the countryside. The Page of Wands would immediately understand the thoughts of  Ursula K. Le Guin, "I am tired of safe places, and roofs, and walls around me." He will never be a boring child, and he definitely wears out any guardian that tries to keep up with him. The card Energy Use is paired with a poem from Rumi:

You have the energy of the sun in you, 

but you keep knotting it up at the base of your spine. 

You're some weird kind of gold

 that wants to stay melted in the furnace,

so you won't have to become coins.

What is it that makes that Page never want to grow up? Does he fear responsibility will take all the thrills and fun out of life? What might help is for him to discover a passionate interest to channel his energy in so that it isn't wasted as restlessness. But that would be a whole, separate post...

Melt or Mint

From the Anna K. Tarot, the Six of Wands; from the Meditation Cards, "Energy Use:"

          I have to admit that I get excited about planning things. I like to compile data and organize resources. But when it comes to actually doing it, I tend to lose my enthusiasm. My fireworks start to fizzle. I am reminded by this athletic champion half the battle of overcoming challenges and meeting goals is just showing up and taking the first step. And having supporters who continue to encourage you along the way is a huge help in persistently taking other steps until the finish line is crossed.
          Energy Use shows a figure with a tiny flame at the top of its head. Rumi has this to say:

You have the energy of the sun in you, 

but you keep knotting it up at the base of your spine. 

You're some weird kind of gold

 that wants to stay melted in the furnace,

so you won't have to become coins.

I can expend an enormous amount of energy complaining and whining about what I don't want to deal with or do. It's akin to turning my oven on without cooking anything in it. All that wasted energy gets sucked down an emotional drain of resentment, anxiety or self-pity. But I can make a different choice - use it to mint those coins instead.