2.3-2.9.2026: Lamps, Lifeboats, & Ladders
Driving to pick up groceries yesterday, I found myself behind a car covered in bumper stickers. Not an unusual sight. But one of them caught my eye—a small, black square with white text. There was nothing flashy or particularly special about the look of this bumper sticker, and I’m not really sure how I even caught the tiny words while both vehicles were in motion, but since my word of the year is “Notice,” I thought it was probably significant. So I noted the words in my mind:
Be a LAMP
or a LIFEBOAT
or a LADDER
I had never heard that saying before, so I said it over and over in my mind, committing it to memory so it didn’t slip away before I had a chance to commit it to my notes app (“Lamp, lifeboat, ladder… Lamp, lifeboat, ladder…”). Later that day, the Google AI Overview told me that “this profound quote, often attributed to the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi, serves as a call to action for service, compassion, and leadership.” And I thought to myself, that would make a great Tarot spread.
That’s right folks, today’s collective Tarot reading is brought to you by… a bumper sticker.
Last week, I channeled my inner Mr. Rogers and reminded you to “look for the helpers” as we continue to face the ongoing crisis created by “Operation Metro Surge.” This week, the reading is geared FOR the helpers. “Be a lamp or a lifeboat or a ladder.” Three options. Three different ways to make an impact on your community and those within it who are most vulnerable right now. These three options have me thinking of the advice I saw early on in the crisis: “1. Protest 2. Resist 3. Help those in need. CHOOSE ONE.”
And so I encourage you to read and take inspiration from the messages brought to you by this week’s Tarot Teachers—Ace of Wands, Queen of Wands, and Ten of Pentacles. May they move you to action.
Lamp (Ace of Wands)
What can you illuminate? Where can you shine a light? How can you use YOUR light?
The Ace of Wands points to what lights you up and encourages you to let your passions spark awareness of an important cause or message.
Passionate about clothing? Design a t-shirt. Passionate about art or graphic design? Create protest art like this amazing campaign targeting Target by @matthewcermak Passionate about music? Join a Singing Resistance group (or create your own, using their brand new toolkit!) or host a therapeutic sing-along or make a playlist for the times and share it far and wide or be like my friend Sam and write/record a protest song. Passionate about baking? Be like my friend Sammy and organize a resistance bake sale. Passionate about parenting/caregiving? Share age-appropriate resources with your kids and continue pouring into them to help them to grow into good, kind, resilient, anti-racist humans. Passionate about food? Commit to supporting one immigrant-owned grocery store or restaurant each week. Passionate about reading? Support your local library or curate a booklist for the resistance. Get creative! There are all sorts of ways to use your passion for the cause. The Ace of Wands also suggests that perhaps you’ll be inspired to try something new this week, or maybe your own passion-work will inspire someone else. Passion is contagious!
Lifeboat (Queen of Wands)
How can you—literally or metaphorically—provide safety, security, or shelter to another? How can you help those most vulnerable?
The Queen of Wands is a big presence.
Think Mama Bear energy. Think sassy, witchy, Auntie energy. She takes up space. She’s bold, energetic, passionate, loud, maybe just a little bit kooky—and not one tiny bit preoccupied with whether or not she’s “too much.” She’s authentic. She’s protective. She’s influential. She uses her charm to conjure up freedom and justice and equality for all. You are more powerful than you give yourself credit for. How can you use your power of persuasion, your very presence, to make a positive difference in someone’s life? What protection spells can you brew up in your social justice cauldron?
Ladder (Ten of Pentacles)
How can you use your position to lift up others? Where can you give a leg up to someone who could use a boost? How might you help the helpers?
The Ten of Pentacles represents the culmination of physical resources, a strong foundation, a legacy in the making.
The first and most literal translation of this card? If you have the flexibility in your bank account to do so, donate to a good cause. Not just a one-time pat-on-the-back donation—set up a regular, consistent, sustaining donation that you can realistically budget into your life (and that an organization can count on). Can’t afford a monetary donation? Donate your time or your talents. Sign up for the Kids Snack Packs drive hosted by Wise Womxn Walking Club Stillwater this coming Sunday. Offer to babysit someone’s kids so they can go donate their time or talents. Other things coming to mind: Plug into existing organizations and leverage established connections rather than starting from the ground up. There are so many groups, charitable foundations, and organizations already in existence. You don’t have to start from scratch. See where you can pitch in! If only for this moment, consider setting aside your own personal interests in favor of the greater good. To quote the late Senator Paul Wellstone, “We all do better when WE ALL DO BETTER.”
