Six of Wands - You've Got A Friend

 I couldn't have ever reached my successes or achieved my goals without the help of my friends. Regardless of what form this help comes, in big or little kindnesses from others it can be monumental, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant. This love, support and encouragement should never be underestimated or taken for granted because it can change our lives.

 It's certainly changed mine in too many ways to count, and I am so grateful for my friends and even for those who are not friends because they too have taught me so much about life and love.

Recently I had my 64th Birthday, and was given a surprise party, something that I've never had before in my life. I was completely overwhelmed by the kindness and generousity shown to me, and it will be one of the most memorable Birthdays ever.

 I can say that the kindness of others has changed my life, in that I'm so grateful, because it has deepened my humanity, it makes me want to be a better person and to continue to pay it all forward in whatever way possible.

There couldn't be a better card to draw today than the Six of Wands. Wands represent Creativity, Fire and growth all enveloped in self-confidence and progress.

In the Six of Wands, we see Jason who has finally achieved the goal of finding The Golden Fleece, but he could never have accomplished this difficult spiritual pursuit without the love, support, and encouragment from his friends that enabled him to fulfill his creative vision quest.

Six of Wands - Creative Growth and Self-Confidence

Six of Wands symbolizes creative growth, self-confidence, progress and some kind of public acclaim. It is seen as the most satisfying of the Minor Arcana cards, because focused action yields results and results yield self-confidence . When we are recognized for our accomplishments it can often come with it's own dilemmas and further challenges, like envy and jealousy from others.

Achieving a creative vision can be a heady moment, and it can be a celebratory occasion, justifiably so, however it's important to remember, this too shall pass and we can look forward to taking on the next challenge.

I can't allow myself to be caught up in what others are thinking, whether it be positive of negative. Growth is progress and process, not a destination of perfection. I know will never graduate from life, but I strive to keep on learning and growing, I learned how to survive my painful and joyful experiences and now am learning how to thrive, through the mystery of creative growth.This is the real journey of life for me.

Six of Wands - I Need a Professional!

We all have a basic need for recognition. But sometimes you just have to give yourself some positive affirmations for a good effort done, no matter how big or small the job, and no matter if it's far from perfect, because there might not be anyone else around to tell you, hey that's a good effort!


The Six of Wands speaks of this recognition and simultaneously needing to remember their are still challenges ahead to overcome, and accomplishments to be made in the days to come.

I had to patch up my ceiling, and I mean patch, in a back room were there was a lot of draft coming in, and I needed to get it fixed before the Winter arrives.

Oh boy, I don't even try to be miss fix it, but I do what I can, and it will have to do, until I can afford to get my ceiling fixed.  I am waiting on hearing about a home heating grant.

When you are single, you have to either do it yourself, or depend on someone else's help, and this can be very frustrating, discouraging and humbling on so many levels. And so, whatever I can get done,I do it sooner, or later. But it isn't always easy, and there are a lot of things I just can't fix. If any one could see my ceiling right now, they'd laugh, but hey, the draft is gone! Well most of it any way.


I just came in from the mail. I found a letter in my mail box with some very encouraging news that I really needed to hear! I will be getting a home energy grant to get my ceiling fixed! In the meantime I'm glad I managed to do an amateur "fix up", for now until I can get it my ceiling repaired, cause I need a professional!

Six of Wands - Power & Recognition

Everyone needs a strong sense of personal power that comes from recognition, being a basic human need. Some constantly crave attention, never being able to get enough to fill what seems like a bottomless pit. Other folks are not comfortable at all with any recognition, are self-deprecating to the point of having very little self-worth or confidence. I have seen this many times working with troubled youth for many years. Adults need to impart basic needs to children in order for them to grow into people who have a real sense of personal power.

We all want our fifteen minutes of fame, it is often stated. Regardless, the fact is, it makes little difference to our self-confidence if we are not our own biggest fan, believe in our own abilities, and our capacity to be creative, talented or accomplished, in what ever way.

In the Six of Wands we see Jason who has finally retrieved the Golden Fleece and he is being praised for having fought, and triumphed over the Dragon, which he met head on, including all of the other challenges, and obstacles he faced before finally capturing the Golden Fleece.

His journey is not over however, and there are still new challenges to face.
Jason received great public acclaim for his accomplishment, however he needs to continue to maintain his conviction to be all he can be, to have courage and faith in himself, intuition and an inner spiritual vision.

We can get carried away with public recognition, or our desire for it. Ego can get the best of us with the heady moments and intoxication of praise, acclaim, and much collective validation for efforts made. Public affirmation presents it's own dilemma.
As well, we may experience having to deal with the competitiveness, and envy of others, including our family and friends.


Success is measured in many different ways, depending on how it is defined. Though recognition feels like success, and in some ways it is. It can be a wonderful feeling, because one feels validated, and can give us a sense of belonging.
Ultimately true success, and validation comes from within, and we all have to find the courage to find our own personal power.

Circle of Courage - George Blue Bird - Lakota Artist

Six of Wands - Success

The Six of Wands is a heady kind of card. It is about triumph, recognition and validation from others. You are rewarded for all your effort and hard work This card is very satisfying on an individual basis, because it heralds validation for perhaps some kind of creative work that one has achieved. However, it is important to remain humble, to keep you feet firmly planted on the ground, and know that there is still work ahead.

Success never comes without hard work, and if it does, it's often not appreciated particularly if it's given on a sliver platter. I have seen this on more than one occasion, where individuals take advantage of another's generosity, or their new found windfall is taken for granted. I think the reason for this behaviour can be partly attributed to human nature, however I do believe there are two kinds of people in life, those who give, and those who take. When I think about success I ask myself, what will my legacy be when I leave this mortal coil?

The Six of Wands really makes me contemplate what happiness and success mean. Life does not come with a manual for success. Many define it monetarily, and they follow this path, pursuing material richness, as opposed to inner treasures and gifts. Many do not simply perceive happiness as the thing that makes you successful.

 I have no desire to be wealthy, but like most folks would not choose poverty either. If we believe the meaning of success is happiness, then I think we can choose that for ourselves. But as Abraham Maslow' s hierarchy of needs indicates, we need to have the basics covered, such a food and shelter, before we can move forward in our pursuit of that elusive bird of happiness and on to self-actualization.

Six of Wands - Recognition & Humility

" Success has many fathers while failure is an orphan. "
Everyone wants to feel they are responsible for success, but not for failure.

" Success is never final ".
After success you can't afford to become complacent and sit on your laurels. Hard work is still ahead, and is just as important as it ever was.

Proverbs provide words of wisdom and insight, acting as guideposts, giving direction along the spiritual path.

The Six of Wands is a very good reminder to always remain humble regardless of one's success and recognition, though it is a very satisfying card in the Minor Arcana, as it heralds public recognition.
There are always many others that we can attribute to our success, and to be grateful for their help in so many ways. The old adage of what goes around comes around comes to mind, and when we can, we  pay it forward.


Jason has been victorious after his battle with the dragon and retrieved the Golden Fleece with the Argonauts by his side, cheering and showering him with accolades. However Jason must remember, he cannot take credit alone and needs to accept his success with humility and grace. His hero-companions supported him completely, providing him with support and contributed their individual strengths and efforts. Jason could not have done it without them.

I have always loved and deeply appreciated what Thomas Merton wrote about humility in his book New Seeds of Contemplation.

"Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real."

- Thomas Merton

The Minor Arcana and Creative Donkeys

I have been drawing a card a day in order to help me to learn about, and to get familiar with the cards. Today's drawn card was very appropriate for me, and I definitely got the message!

In the days to come, each day, I will be going through and posting each of the remaining 56 cards, which are called the Minor Arcana, these 56 cards, out of the 78, from the Mythic Tarot Deck  and workbook written by Liz Greene and Juliet Sharman-Burke, tell of the common events in our lives - the people, events and forces we encounter every day.

As you can see, working with 78 cards in a deck, there is a lot to remember! It's essential to study, and become familiar with the cards, however it's not about memorizing each card, and meaning. I am pretty hopeless when it comes to memorizing, and have always been this way, so I can't blame it on my age! You could memorize each card and meaning, but a good reader, this does not make, nor does it make for a good reading necessarily.

There is an intuitive relationship with the cards, that happens over time, with experience, encountering each  card, and with regular reading, as often as possible.  Giving a reading with too much information, is overwhelming for the seeker, and for the reader as well I believe, so I want try to keep it simple, succinct and hopefully we will learn together.

Today's drawn card was very appropriate for me, and I definitely got the message!

The Six of Wands is a card that symbolizes reaching a goal worked toward with great effort, and finally it has been achieved. It's vital not rest on your laurels, because there is still lots of work to do!

The suit of Wands represents growth, creative energy, action, ideas and expression of spirit. Creatively moving forward, results in fruitful rewards and benefits.

I won't get too personal here, suffice to say, I know there is an important message here for me to internalize and actualize. I will to pay attention, listen and apply the suggested message given!
I'm a creative donkey!