One of the plot lines in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice concerns how Portia is to be married. Suitors are to pick a casket of gold, silver, or lead. The gold casket bears this inscription: “He who chooses me will get what many men want.” The silver casket says, “He who chooses me will get what he deserves.” The lead casket bears a blunt warning: “He who chooses me must give and risk all he has.” Like Bassanio in the play, choose lead today.

Cast your circle with ordinary “leaden” objects in the four elemental corners. Light a gray candle. Speak aloud the inscription on the lead casket (altering the wording as you wish):

He who chooses me must
give and risk all he has.

Say it several times and contemplate your ordinary symbols of earth, air, fire, and water. For what part of your ordinary life would you risk all you have? Meditate on this question until you find at least one answer. Open your circle and return to your valuable ordinary life.