Kalevala Tarot - Six of Stakes
By Kalervo Aaltonen & Taina Pailos
US Games Systems

The six of stakes shows a young blond man with a bloodstained shirt holding the antler of a moose, which has its head cocked to the side at what seems to be a painful angle. The boy's foot rests on six stakes, all meeting at the point his foot rests. His right hand holds the mane of a horse with its head down, though not as painful a position as the moose is in. A black swan flies overhead.

LWB: You have achieved what you set out to accomplish.
Reversed: You are nearly there! You are about to achieve your goals.

The journey so far: The ace, Kaukomieli's Blade, a shape that almost looks like a sword, made of writhing snakes. Elemental energy, the spark is born. The two, a man holds a flame over his head and the call is answered by someone or something on the sea. Still a lot of energy, the beginnings of direction. The three, two men square off holding wands of fire; an insubstantial woman watches the contest, holding a flame-wand of her own. She is either judge or prize. The four, a couple stands under a canopy marked with signs, held up with birch poles. Commitment. The five, people fighting with the birch wands that held up the wedding canopy, strife that invades even the most peaceful places.

And now the six, one has won. He has mastered it all. But what do you really do with a pet moose? Mastery over the horse and the wands, I understand, they are useful. But the moose? They are quite impressive animals. Absolute ferocity when pushed, yet utterly peaceful when feeding in a stream. The black bird flies overhead, a symbol of death?

So I see our victory, while hard-earned, is temporary. Death will claim us all in the end. Enjoy it while you have it. The contrast makes us appreciate our lives more, our victories more. Not to live all our lives in fear of death, but just to recognize that every breath could be our last, there is no way to tell, so start living your life now, don't wait.

kerry