Discern What's Real

From the Victorian Fairy Tarot, the Knight of Spring (Wands); from the Haindl Rune Oracle, 'Sig/Sowilo:'

          This fellow's mount says a lot about him - the European hare can run 37 body lengths per second. With his eye to the telescope, the Knight of Spring/Wands is always eager to see what's over the next hill or around the bend in the river. Full of energy, charisma and fun, there's never a dull moment with this guy. But anything that makes him have to settle in one place and take care of too many details will make him restless and irritable. He might plan a huge party, but he assumes others will set up and clean up afterward. He's exciting to be around, but you better bring your dustpan and broom if you tag along. Sig/Sowilo represents the power and energy of the sun. The Nazi SS corps adopted a double sig as their symbol, as they saw it as a symbol of victory. While they were behind much violence and many deaths, they were not successful in the end (thank goodness). Symbols might be impressive, but they mean nothing if the person or group behind them don't stand for something worthwhile. While I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, neither should I judge a package by its brightly colored paper and ribbon.

 During training you're not taught to study the thousands of fake bills, for example, you are taught to KNOW the authentic ones. So, no matter how the counterfeit is disguised, you will immediately discern that it's not real. ―Yvonne Pierre 

The Balanced Way of Action

From the Sacred Sites Tarot, Strength:

The location of this site is the Summer Palace in Beijing, China. The Chinese call it Yiheyuan, meaning Garden of Health and Harmony. The Chinese lion (often referred to by Westerners as a Foo Dog) is generally seen in pairs. The male lion has a ball underneath one paw, representing power and dominance, while the female lion (seen above) has a paw restraining a playful cub, symbolizing nurture and training. Both of these statues are guardians; the male guards with courage and perseverance while the female protects with an inner strength fueled by love and compassion. Strength reminds me to use my passionate energy in a balanced way, one that builds relationships instead of destroys them.

From the Haindl Rune Oracle comes "Sig:"

The Icelandic rune poem describes Sig as a "shining ray and destroyer of ice." In other words, it not only brings clarity, it also paves a smooth road over all the obstacles I've been fighting in an attempt to reach my goal. The rune's form resembles a lightning bolt, a fitting symbol for a breakthrough that leads to success. Yet the card above cautions me that it is not force that will cause this development, but a strength that originates from courage and compassion.