A painted portrait of a smiling open-mouthed clown with black and white face paint, set against a desert road with mountains, clouds, sun, and colorful buildings in the background. Text at the bottom reads '47 Sacred Clown' and features a Route 66 shield.

47     SACRED CLOWN     

KEY CONCEPTS:   foolishness, being fooled, fooling self and others, trickery, clowning, playfulness, the lighter side, humor, laughter, embracing joy, folly, extravagance, veiled criticism, gluttony, mimicry, mockery. (Corresponds to Fool)

MESSAGE:  Are you jumping into folly with both ticklish feet?  Only when ego entices you to act contrary to community needs.  Do you dare to boldly venture forth into the unknown without packing all your plans and worries? Or are you still taking your human self too seriously? Within secret religious societies among Pueblo peoples, you’ll find tricksters like this Koshare; they serve as spiritual mediators between human and divine realms.  Sacred Clown arrives in your reading to help you instantly depart from the mundane.  Get ready to abandon mortal limitations; matters of Infinity appear foolish to mere humans.  Are you wrinkling your pretty nose in distaste over superficial appearances?  How silly.  Why not laugh instead at your ego’s kooky posturing? Humor imparts constructive criticism that admonishment never will; remember that before you criticize.  There are many ways to impart your message; Sacred Clown helps folks adhere to shared norms for the betterment of all.  He leads us to deeper joy through unconventional means; his mockery points to ego’s pointlessness.  It’s a hoot to acknowledge the absurdity of selfish existence.

Are you doing the fooling…or have you been fooled, clown?  If you’ve sacrificed your principles to snatch up shiny baubles, you’ve sold out. Why not drop the act?  Live a life you really love to find your deeper purpose:  we’ve all got one.  Does your true happiness lie in the path of the jester? By noticing ego’s outrageousness, we suddenly get wise to the wisecracks;  your playfulness sows laughter everywhere you go.  Welcome the risk of appearing ridiculous and watch everyone race to embrace you.  Even with three teeth missing and standing on your head, you’re so much cuter--and more resilient--when you smile. 

RELATED SITES:  PUEBLO OF LAGUNA, LAGUNA PUEBLO, NM;  SKY CITY CULTURAL CENTER, PUEBLO OF ACOMA, NM; ISLETA PUEBLO, ISLETA PUEBLO, NM; AND SANDIA PUEBLO, BERNALILLO, NM; PECOS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK, PECOS, NM, AND INDIAN PUEBLO CULTURAL CENTER, ALBUQUERQUE NM. (THIS LISTING IS NOT COMPREHENSIVE.  DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFOREHAND WHEN PLANNING TO VISIT ANY PUEBLO.  MANY HAVE PUBLIC SITES SUCH AS HISTORIC MISSIONS, MARKETS, CULTURAL CENTERS OR CASINOS.  MANY CELEBRATE RELIGIOUS FEAST DAYS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, IN WHICH PUEBLO CLOWNS MAY PERFORM.   CHECK FOR HOLIDAY CLOSURES.  LOOK FOR VISITOR ETIQUETTE AND EXPECTATIONS ON INDIVIDUAL TRIBAL WEBSITES OR ON NATIONAL, STATE OR LOCAL TOURISM SITES PERTAINING TO YOUR PLANS.)