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Fool and Hermit: Finding Your Own Way

May 16, 2020 by Leave a Comment

I’m sitting back and watching the world right now. Or maybe “feeling” is a more apt description than just watching, because all the observation has included a hefty helping of emotional tone baked right in.

Everyone is trying to find their way, setting  some sort of new normal and seeking balance in a world where we just don’t know so much. People don’t strike me as not caring about other people’s concerns. They just have different things they are afraid of. It’s not even the struggle that people can buckle under so much as the prolonged uncertainty. The not-knowing is as much pandemic as the viral pandemic.

Many proudly declare they believe in “science,” but right now, it’s easy enough to find credible-scounding presentations of “science” to support whatever you are already prone to believe. I find it’s important to remember this, when others’ versions of expertise doesn’t match my own flavor. There isn’t a perfectly crafted understanding of all this mess.

In the end, I don’t look to what anyone believes particularly, because that’s not my business. What I will say, though, is make sure you follow your own moral compass here.  Nobody else’s will do.

Next Week in Tarot

The outlook this week is covered by The Fool, with advice from this very lovely rendition of the Hermit from the Good Tarot deck.

We’re in uncharted territory, period. The Fool does not know what will crop up along the journey. I will hasten to add, this fact isn’t necessarily good or bad. It just is. So expect dangers, for sure–but in equal proportion, expect potential rewards and meaningful discoveries. It’s never a one-way street with the Fool. The road to change is always prefaced with disruption and this is no exception.

The Hermit for advice is a bit humorous, given the current state of the world. We’re all Hermitted out!

In this context, though, I’m reading him as advising keeping your own council. Make your own decisions. Live according to your own standards of rightness.

I realize it’s tricky to live according to your own compass when you start to factor in others. What if they don’t behave the way you feel is best?

You could be very upset about it all and try to humiliate them into compliance. You could expound upon what you perceive their motives or shortcomings to be. I don’t think I’ve personally ever been criticized into adopting a different perception, but people still try.

I do think setting an example is a much more powerful persuasion technique than shouting down those that disagree. But then again, you’re free to disagree with me.

As far as the advice I’m getting, it’s pretty easy here. Mind your own morals. Live what you feel is right and be measured and judicious about your interactions with others. The Hermit does not speak out of turn. He will counsel those wise enough to seek his opinion out but for the most part, he keeps to himself, does his own research and runs his own life. For me, that’s enough without trying to figure it out for the rest of the world.

Stay safe out there, friends.

And if you’d like to hook up for a personal consult, give me a holler. I’ll never tell you what to do, but I will do my best to help you tap into your own wisdom.

Topic: Everyday Tarot // Tagged: , ,

Hanged Man Rx: Choose Well

March 21, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Before becoming a card slinger, I used to work in mental health. I’ve done stints at crisis hotlines and women’s shelters as well as working in detox for a few years.

In other words, I’ve spent a good hunk of my professional life talking to people in crisis or supporting those who’ve had some sort of major emotional challenges. The training and experiences from this time has proven to be an unexpected blessing.

One thing I’ve noticed consistently: experiences at the more extreme ends of the spectrum will always change people. That’s a given. But HOW those experiences change people varies tremendously. For some, it shuts them down. For others, it opens their heart. That “how” part is largely a personal choice.

If you are feeling a heavy weight of the collective stress right (as many sensitive folks are), I’d encourage you to consider on how you’d like to wear the experience, longer term. Maybe the personal impact isn’t such that you consider the experience “extreme.” I hope that’s true! But no matter what, there is a collective stress right now and it seems to be impacting almost everyone in one way or another.

There aren’t right or wrong feelings–any emotional reaction can be justified–but there are certainly more or less comfortable feelings. I’m going to lean into thoughts and feelings of kindness, compassion and optimism over the coming weeks. If I’m to be changed by any of the experiences in this weird time we’re living, that’s how I want it to change me.

Next week is the perfect time to start practicing this.

Next Week in the Cards

For outlook next week, we’ve got the Hanged Man reversed. Advice is coming in as The Fool, both from the Crystal Visions Tarot.

The collective vibe next week is characterized by sometimes wavering faith–it’s tidal, comes and goes–and an environment where people feel driven to act without clear indication of what action to take. I wouldn’t need to be psychic to predict unease and restlessness, but I’m predicting it anyway.

The Fool as advice next week is ridiculously appropriate. We’re unchartered territory. It feels risky for good reason. But acknowledging risk is very different from becoming overcome by fear. It always behooves us to do the best we can with whatever we have to work with. And if we can cultivate a sense of adventure along the way? All the better!

The Fool steps into the unknown with a full heart and curious mind, understanding there will be challenges along the path. It’s all part of the process of living and growing and becoming. No one undergoes the Fool’s journey unchanged. So we’re not even looking at that question.

Instead, the question to ask is, “How will it change you?”

Look for opportunities to ground yourself, care for your fellow humans, and find something to be grateful for amidst the stress. There is plenty of both ugly and beauty in the world every single minute of every single day. We choose where to aim our attention. Choose well.

Be safe out there, friends. ♥

If you’d like a little help getting your own thoughts and feelings sorted, contact me for a personal consult.

 

Topic: Everyday Tarot // Tagged: , ,

Fool Reversed: Silly Mistakes or Opportunities to Excel?

February 16, 2020 by Leave a Comment

The more I notice, the more I find it stunning how much of our experience is directly driven by perception as opposed to those “cold, hard facts” we think we’re reacting to instead.

It’s not just the obvious like people of different political bents watching entirely different movies when they read the news. It’s not just things like generational differences or how we see the world versus how our parents see it.

It’s more like all of life is a big, fat Rorschach test.

I can especially see this in myself. The difference between considering myself a hot mess versus seeing myself thriving does not really come from the preponderance of evidence. I know this because I have sometimes shifted my perspective when the outside reality is the same.

Instead, the feelings are a function of the conclusions we make about the evidence. This is very good news, because that can be consciously driven.

Next week, we’ll most likely see plenty of room for improvement in your private world. You can either call that “failure” or you can call it a grand opportunity to clean up and level up.

I’m going with door number two here. Hope you’ll join me in the winner’s circle!

Next Week in Tarot

For the outlook next week, we have The Fool reversed. Advice is the Ten of Wands. (Outch!) Pictured here from the Radiant Rider-Waite deck. It’s Mercury retrograde, folks–February 16 to March 9th. The forecast here seemed to notice.

Expect bits and pieces of our world to be upside down. I’m seeing significant potential for foolish mistakes, overlooking the obvious or simply not thinking things through in the coming week.

To deal with this, be responsible for managing important details. If it’s going out with your name on it, I’d advise you to do the final review personally. You might be able to delegate the initial project, but the last (and full) pass-through needs to be personally performed, with full attention.  The Ten of Wands won’t have us skim or multitask our way through the final review.

But what is this period good for (besides taking on extra work)? Edit and rework processes to your heart’s content. Reconsider and revise your work flow, your projects, your management process! Any process is ripe for revisiting during the retrograde, with extra attention to communication flows. Inefficiencies or problem areas will be easy to spot now and the extra effort reworking them pays off.

I’m happy to put in the effort required to clean up my world, though. How about you?

Want to some help with your reviews? Give me a holler and we’ll set up a private consult.

Topic: Everyday Tarot // Tagged: , ,

Fool: Fresh Start, a Step at a Time

September 15, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Well, today didn’t go as planned. When I came over here to write up your weekly, the site was a mess! It took me a while to figure it out. I ended up fixing it the hard way…oops!

A new adventure, I guess. But I learned something and I didn’t get all stressed about it, so that’s a good outcome as far as I’m concerned.

Sort of like the coming week’s forecast. Got a video for y’all.

Next Week in Tarot

Here we’ve got The Fool as outlook, with advice as the Ace of Wands from the Star Tarot Deck.

Now, I like the Fool card, a lot. This site wasn’t named “A Fool’s Journey” by accident.

But there’s one thing to know about the Fool, and that is this energy is really about what you don’t know yet, not what you do know. It’s the sense of seeking, looking for bigger understandings, that sets the Fool apart. His desire is strong.

The Fool is hungry for experience, knowledge and understanding. He knows it’s not always easy to obtain this, but he’s willing to do what’s required because it’s important. He trusts his true feelings to guide him.

With the Ace of Wands as advice, that’s a very good plan!

Don’t reach way out into the future. Take each and every step from the now and the future sorts itself. Expect new experience and adventures in the coming week and allow your heart to point the way. You’ll never go far wrong with that.

Be well, friends! And if you want a little one-on-one, give me a holler.

 

Topic: Everyday Tarot // Tagged: , ,

The Fool or the Emperor: Who is Wiser?

February 24, 2019 by Leave a Comment

I’m in the process of learning more about marketing  (for my low carb business). It’s been enlightening from all sorts of angles because I’m both consuming and deconstructing a whole lot of marketing material as I’m learning.

Naturally, people offering marketing how-to info often are frequently selling more advanced marketing systems. Sometimes, very pricey marketing systems! Some of these, I do feel a strong urge to buy. It’s emotional and I know it!  My rationality is, fortunately, keeper of the credit cards. But seeing this with fresh eyes has made for a fascinating experience.

And it’s exactly the same energy interplay as next week’s Tarot…the Fool wants to buy, buy, buy! Now. He wants to believe every promise and learn every new trick. He seeks the advanced understanding he can gain in the process. He wants to move!

The Emperor shakes his head and says, “No, no, no.” He wants to dismiss every offer as lacking value, full of fluff and shiny only because of how it’s presented, with plenty of psychological triggers that stimulate the urge to buy.

In truth, both elements are a reality to varying degrees and the only way to consistently and effectively divine the difference between promise and the personal value–to a specific individual–is intuitive.

You’ve got to stay grounded and plugged in to make wise decisions. But then again, that’s never bad advice!

Next Week in Tarot: Fool & Emperor

For the forecast, we have The Fool for outlook and advice as the Emperor–note that both cards actually showed up reversed, but I photographed them upright for easier examination. These are from the gorgeous Star Tarot Deck.

The Fool reversed suggests a week with plenty of potential for false starts, confusion, misinterpretation, and partial truths. This isn’t necessarily bad, particularly if you are aware of it.  If you’re prone to impulsiveness, however, it could be a bumpy ride. So you may want to reign that in.

Astro aside: Mercury has already entered his shadow in preparation for the next retrograde in Pisces on March 5, stationing direct on March 28th. The shadow period is where he covers the space in the sky he’ll soon be revisiting during retrograde and you can consider this “setting the stage” for the upcoming retrograde in terms of themes.

The Emperor reversed would have us remain flexible and avoid making a judgment before all investigation is complete. If you feel yourself getting fired up and ready to rain down some fire and brimstone? It would be a VERY GOOD idea to take a step back and engage in some deep breathing. Seriously. Personal boundaries are (always) appropriate to maintain, but I would skip schooling the transgressors this week. In short, you don’t know what you don’t know.

The interplay between these two energies is also very interesting.

The Fool is a blank page, very much wanting to learn everything he can. He’s driven by a desire to fully experience the world and he’s willing to leave the comfort zone of his small life on a quest to obtain knowledge. Dangers to the Fool come largely from his naiveté and lack of real-world experience. He is prone to trust what he’s told and may not always have the sophistication to realize not everyone is as forthcoming as he is.

The Emperor, on the other hand, has gained enough expertise to be sitting in the big chair. He is decisive without question and has a level of confidence in his own abilities the Fool is only hoping to discover through his travels. But the Emperor’s raw authority will only get him so far. His leadership skills will fully blossom only if he’s willing to exercise some of the Fool’s never-ending curiosity and desire for growth. He cannot dismiss new ideas out of hand or his rulership will stagnate.

In the question of who is wiser, Fool or Emperor, the answer depends on when you ask. They both have their good days. Always be open to new experience and learning from other points of view, but remain steadfast in commitment to maintaining personal authority and heeding your intuition. Combining these two approaches will net the best results.

Are you feeling more “Fool” or “Emperor” lately?

If you are ready to hone in on your own answers, give me a holler for a personal consult.

Topic: Everyday Tarot // Tagged: ,

Fool & King of Swords Rx: Just Enjoy the Ride

November 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment

I’ve been buying Christmas presents and second-guessing my choices more than I’d like to admit.

I tend to think this week’s advice is pointed at me but I’m sure some of you could use it as well. Ha! So let’s get straight to it.

Next Week in Tarot

This week, the Fool reappears upright to give us our outlook, along with the reversed King of Swords as advice. I like seeing the Fool here! He suggests a lighthearted, engaged sort of week. I would expect the energetic mood to be generally nice (even if Mercury is in retrograde). Maybe it’s that extra time off for the holidays that does it. The inverted King is taking this advice a step further with the suggestion not to overthink things this week.

Now, when I say, “Don’t overthink it,” that usually means one thing: don’t argue against yourself! So often, we get a notion and it feels good. A nice, clean impulse, right? And that lasts about 3 seconds, until the second-guessing and self-doubt sets in.

“Am I being stupid? Will this even work? Is this a bad idea?” And on and on it goes, until what felt like a great idea a minute ago is now the bringer of sure disaster in your head.

Don’t do that to yourself, okay?

I would suggest you alter the script a little to be more supportive of yourself. Know you’ll figure it out as you go. Understand you don’t need all the answers before you start. Give yourself credit for having good ideas. Expect success. Remind yourself of how you always do figure things out and start paving the way for everything to go more smoothly.

People think that forecasting all possible disaster (and then working very hard to avoid it) is how one stays safe and successful and I would argue it’s the opposite. Success comes about most readily from being plugged in and in the flow. That is what makes things easy. The free-flowing intuition comes from quieting the mind, not thinking all the thoughts and figuring out all the permutations of potential so you can navigate.

This week? Take it easy. Consider your life an adventure. Focus on having good EXPERIENCES and worry less about what they all mean. If the experience is pleasant, you’re doing it right. If it’s not, well, you noticed that. The fact it’s not pleasant is your call to adjust. Therefore, you’re still doing it right. You can get use out of whatever it is, so there is no doing it wrong, here.

The trick is making the turn early on. Before you find yourself completely discouraged, shift from disaster to potential for success. I mean, both potentials are always there, right? Feed the one that you want to grow.

This week, actively seek evidence of your plans working. Consider your time on this Earth as a grand adventure, and notice all the fun and wonder there is to see along the way. Shut down the inner “negative Nellie” and give more airplay to the inner cheerleader. Just enjoy the ride and you’ll have a good week!

How is your week going? 

p.s. I haven’t really talked about my Zodiac Year-Ahead readings this year. That’s a forecast for 2019, covering all the astrological houses so pretty much every area of life. The readings are done in an audio MP3 file, with a picture of the cards and you don’t need to know astrology at all. If there is a demand, I’ll offer them again through the end of the year. Just shoot me a payment for $50 and I’ll put you on the list.

Topic: Everyday Tarot // Tagged: , ,