Hello lovely readers,
I’m back with another post of “tarot tidbits” - couldn’t resist the alliteration. Think this is going to be an ongoing thing.
I’ve been floating through some choppier waters lately, hence the break in this series, but all the while I’ve been bookmarking assorted tarot observations. Here’s the latest:
Practice Upgrades: I’m back on daily draws! And, after years of scoffing rudely at spreadsheets, I now… have my own daily draw spreadsheet. We all contain multitudes, life’s full of surprises, etc. So far, it’s a nice rundown of initial observations, research, and outcomes, but I’m also experimenting with new categories to record any relevant dreams, astrological events, and more. I’m trying to keep a light hand on the whole project as not to descend into the depths of perfectionistic micromanagement. So far, so good! (If you have a daily draw practice or spreadsheet, do share about it below. Tell me your secrets, I want to know :)
Angsty Tarot Moment of the Month: I’d done a reading featuring the ever-uplifting Five of Pentacles and, not long after, found myself driving around town in a fog of irritation and despair. As I pulled to a stop, in the middle of a “woe is me” thought worthy of Holden Caulfield, I looked out my window to be rudely confronted with a view of a church’s stained glass window, just like the one in the Five of Pentacles. Subtle, it was not, but it did make me smile.
Getting Nerdy: I’ve been using my daily draws as an invitation to dive into T. Susan Chang and M.M. Meleen’s glorious tome, Tarot Deciphered: Decoding Esoteric Symbolism in Modern Tarot. When I say I love this book, it’s an understatement. How I wish it was around in my early tarot days! For those of you wanting more information on tarot’s esoteric connections without getting lost in a whirlpool of inscrutable text, do check it out. The book features sections on each card in the deck, giving context in the Golden Dawn, Kabbalah, Rider-Waite, and other traditions. I’ve been enjoying reading about each card and focusing on whatever connection or insight sparks my intuition.
New Tarot Connection: Every month or so I draw a card from my beloved Spolia Tarot deck to serve as a current “thesis statement” - what’s active in my life right now, what approach or focus will serve me best? The latest is The Magician, and as I navigate a time of pretty intense upheaval, I’ve been really appreciating The Magician’s flair for trusting their instincts and acting on them in the moment. This is a card that says “you’ve trained hard, now step back and let yourself work.” This kind of trust is difficult (it’s not coming naturally!), but as I play whack-a-mole with challenges, changes, and tasks, I’m reminded how helpful and effective it is to get out of your own way and live in the present.
That’s it for this week, dear readers. Share any tarot insights, accomplishments, and updates below. It’d be lovely to make these posts more of a community hangout. And, as always, share any suggestions or ideas for how we can expand and improve this space.
