Tarot Reading of the Week: 3/16/21 – 3/23/21

March 20, 2021March 20, 2021Leave a comment

DISCLAIMER: As always, everything presented here is for entertainment and semi-educational purposes only. Please do not mistake this for mental health therapy or advice. If you need mental health counseling or treatment, please contact your insurance company, local college’s student counseling clinic, county crisis line, or the Psychology Today Portal.

If you want a running list of COVID-19 resources and news, check out my list here. Also, check out this running list of disaster hotlines by state. **I have quite a few articles for the news and resources page, but way too much is else calling my attention right now. I have 120 more articles that go through the end of May. Beyond that, I haven’t been able to sort through the info coming out. Sorry to be so slow.

WARNING: This is the part of my weekly post where I talk about some pop-psychological and tangentially metaphysical thing. My belief is I’m not the only one noticing this and I wonder how it will affect the New Normal (™). I am doing this in the hopes that it is useful for someone. If you are not that someone, you are more than welcome to skip to the reading. Please accept my humble apologies if you found this preachy.

I don’t know if I’ll always feel this way, but part of me clings to being highly defensive after the last five years. I thought the Trump era corrosive sludge finally drained out of my soul and I was ready to receive some feedback, maybe even—gasp—from a stranger on the Internet.

So I posted this episode of my meditation podcast on various mental health and pagan sites. I’m proud of it, you know? Why shouldn’t I share it with others? Feeling like a foal getting to frolic in the sun for the first time, I happily posted a link on a blatantly Wiccan Facebook page. It took maybe three hours for some Marlon Rando to post the comment, “To each his own, but this is a bunch of New Age BS to me.”

Bruh, are you aware that you’re on a page that extols the wonders of casting spells?!

Aaaannnnyyyyhoo, as much as I want to say the fucking absurdity helped it roll off my back, the truth is I responded to troll. I avoided name-calling and tried not to be too bitchy, but I did point out that psychological studies on whether meditation helps anxiety showed promising results. I also pointed out meditation is often recommended by mental health professionals for a variety of issues, ranging from PTSD to chronic pain. (However, the results for chronic pain appear to be mixed.)

New Age, my ass.

Then again, positive psychology used to be the go-to mood-boosting therapy until it more or less got called out for being a school of thought that encouraged a Stepford-esque, victim-blaming mental prison. Meditation might be similarly dethroned by 2030.

The bottom line? Neither me nor the troll deserved the intellectual high ground on that one, which also means perhaps my reaction was possibly too strong for the situation. I never feel good about myself when I comment online. Yes, social media is a fetid fucking cesspool. This bothers me the most when I see my reflection in this fetid fucking cesspool.

I ended up blocking the jackass and wondering if maybe I should spend some time listening to an opinion that might just upset me.

Enter Dave Ramsey. Although I gleaned a lot of great tips from his books, these money hacks were almost lost on me due to the suffocatingly Christian overtones from the messenger. Dave Ramsey is about as likely to charge quartz crystals in the full moon as I am to start believing in Jesus. This made me wonder two things:

Just because I disagree with him, does Dave Ramsey have less right to be proud of his video than I do of my meager podcast?
Would me disagreeing with him on a public forum add anything to the conversation, since I’m pretty sure I’m not going to sell him on Jesus being a metaphor or a prophet?

Yeah, that was my thought process before I chose a Dave Ramsey video to watch. I decided to brace myself because Christians have historically been a little rigid and unkind. A revolting shame crept over me as I thought about how I might turning into something I detest in others. Since I have a gross need to punish myself, I chose the Dave Ramsey video entitled What Makes Poor People Poor.

My stomach churned in preparation. After all, my observations of conservative Christians pretty much echoed the findings of this study. In a nutshell, the study found liberals value harm avoidance and equality over rigidity. Conservatives, on the other hand, are more into blindly obeying authority figures than they are making sure others feel cared for and secure. They’re out for their piece of the pie and fuck anyone who isn’t loyal to their little clique. Therefore, I expected Dave Ramsey to launch into a tirade on how poor people just need to work harder and stop being victims. I expected him to sound like so many people that I’ve had to walk away from because this sentiment appears to seep into all of their interactions.

Alka Seltzer in hand, I watched this video:

The unthinkable happened. I found myself agreeing with a great deal of what he had to say. For those of you who don’t want to watch the video, Dave Ramsey takes a pragmatic, yet sympathetic approach. He believes poverty happens as a result of:

Life circumstances
A system that favors the rich
Lack of financial education in the lower-earning sectors

Ramsey then goes on to cite studies showing conservatives are just as generous as others. I’m not ready to believe that just yet, as I feel like not being judgmental is a form of generosity, but I did have to think about how I was being unfair to the video. Considering I know exactly how it feels to be judged—which is why I tend not to have too many deep chats with conservatives, the oppressively religious, or people who love the Second Amendment—perhaps I should have kept a more open mind. Dave isn’t exactly Ben Shapiro, Tomi Lahren, Glenn Beck, or some televangelist who lacks decency. Still, it’s really hard to get out of the one-size-fits-all mindset when you see people you used to respect spouting some of the most hateful, ignorant shit known to mankind (my favorite was when someone kept calling me a libtard on FB, but then expected me to donate to their GoFundMe). (Despite what many think, I’m actually between the middle and the Far Left, rather than the extreme Left. Make of that what you will.)

Maybe it’s time we all ask ourselves:

Where in my life am I being judgmental?
When is the first time I can remember making this judgment?
Who else in my life makes this judgment?
What are some things I think or say that sound like their judgmental statements?
When I think or say these judgmental things, whose voice do I hear? Is it mine?
Why do I believe what I believe? Have I ever questioned it before?
What is my judgment protecting me from?
What would I have to change about my worldview or my life if I found out that I was wrong?

If that got a little deep and you’d rather swim in more soothing waters, check out my latest meditation:

https://anchor.fm/amy-muscarello/embed/episodes/Meditation-Script-1-31421-Letting-Go-esjfir/a-a1ptln

Or check out the following astrological predictions. This chick is not only a badass reader, but she also has one of the coolest voices on the planet:

As always, I have to mention the MindBody/Wellness Research and Science Network group on Facebook. The chick who runs it takes an evidence-based approach to holistic topics. I appreciate her common sense-meets-spirituality way of doing things.

Aaaannnnyyyyhoo… Onto the Reading, Shall We…?

I asked the cards what we need to know for the week of 3/16/21 – 3/23/21 and I got: The Empress (number 3, creativity, “mommy issues,” smothering love, nurturing, a productive or fruitful time, possibly pregnancy, and the need to let go of one’s creations); Four of Swords (number 4, sadness, rest after an illness, the need to retreat in order to heal, allow time to heal old wounds, the need to avoid over analyzing, and the need to think things through logically); Princess of Cups (young water sign person, imagination and creativity, a gentle person who enjoys fairy tales, one’s inner child, and the need to have one’s creativity acknowledged); and Three of Swords (number 3, sadness, grief, old emotional wounds, the need to mourn, and a grieving period that brings renewal). We have a couple themes happening this week. First, this week will be positively gushing with 3 energy. This is represented at the beginning and end of the spread, with the Empress and Three of Swords. In numerology, 3 energy is positive, understanding, and wise. Think of the famous trinities, such as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit or birth, life and death. Three is also considered the number of good fortune, so it makes sense that 3 energy is the energy of good fortune. Considering the other two themes we have—sadness and creativity—I feel like the 3 energy of this week has more to do with understanding and finding harmony than it does with feeling lucky. But whatever grills your cheese. Aaaannnnyyyyhoo, our Minor Arcana cards are both sadness and time-out cards from the suit of Swords, which is our suit of mental processes and ideas. This tells me you may be a little in your head and prone to analysis paralysis this week. You may want to tell your anxiety and perfectionism to fuck off because these fun mental experiences are keeping you from feeling your grief. Stop trying to intellectualize your feelings and let yourself just be sad, for Pete’s sake. (I don’t know who Pete is either, but do it for him.) I feel like the creativity represented by both the Empress and the Princess of Cups is a yuuuuuge hint as to how you need to deal with your grief. These two ladies are trying to tell you that now might be a good time to write down your feelings on paper, paint them on a canvas, twerk them out in front of the mirror, or sculpt them into a giant abstract penis. If you do sculpt your feelings into a giant abstract penis, it might be best if you avoid sending it to anyone. I don’t see anything in this spread that says traumatizing someone is a good idea, even if you put a shiny silver bow on it. Our two ladies—the Empress and the Princess of Cups—appear as if to show you how this creativity can be a bit double-edged. So let’s analyze them in order. The Empress is a nurturing and creative soul with a great boho peasant dress, but homegirl can be a little on the smothering and controlling side. Take this as a warning not to get so in your feelings that you forget others’ boundaries. By the same token, you might want to avoid giving more than you can afford or acting overly effusive to compensate for your depression, as the Four of Swords next to the Empress tells me you are likely to drain yourself that way. The Princess of Cups warns against getting caught up in fantasies and unrealistic expectations as a way to escape reality. You might also want to avoid the what if trap and future tripping. If you feel the urge to do any of these things, just understand that you are trying to avoid your feelings. The shiny mind fuck might be a bit too tempting this week, so the best birth control for this brand of neurosis is some Zen meditation.

PLEASE READ: I am not doing private readings for the foreseeable future. I have way too much going on to create content and be an effective reader. Please understand, this isn’t personal. I just need to clean my own mental and emotional house for now. If you want a badass reading, I suggest you hit up my friend Marshall Delaware. You can email him at ggm92666@yahoo.ca Also, I highly recommend you check out my Keen pal Silverbreeze. You can find her right here.

If you’re looking for an inspirational poem on finding your place in the world amongst a million ghosts, check out Joan Carol Bird’s latest. Hey, sharing is caring.

Those wildfires on the West Coast displaced thousands of innocent pets. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) wants to help. If you would like to help the pets affected by the wildfires, please click here. Also, the American Humane Society is looking for donations for these pets. You can donate here.

For those of you who can’t resist a little subtle virtue signalling, why not give to those sweet little animals in Australia? Funko Pop is releasing a limited edition figure to support the animals hurt in the Australian wildfires. Arm the Animals is also selling shirts to benefit the animals hurt in the fires. You can get those here.

If beanies or water bottles are more your style, check out the Piper Lou collection. Proceeds from select items benefit the Australian Red Cross. You can see for yourself right here. Or you can take the more direct route through GreaterGood.com

P.S. I managed to publish the first part of my first novel in 2019!! I’m excited and want to share it with you. Check out Water Torture Part One: Have You Checked the Children? Here. Please read and review it. Thank you!!

Did you like my buddy Marshall Delaware, aka G. G. MacLeod? Check out our latest political collab. He’s coming back in the near future, FYI. If you want to read an awesome historical fiction novel, you can get your hands on his book here. It may take place in Ancient Rome, but Augusta couldn’t be any more timely if it tried. He actually dropped Part Two a while ago and most recently gifted the world with Part Three. Part Four is right here. And, ehrmagerd, he has just come out with Part Five. I think you should go get it, Tiger!

Tarot Reading of the Week: 8/24/20 – 9/1/20

August 25, 2020August 25, 2020Leave a comment

Cognitive distortions have been heavily on my mind lately. I’m not sure if all of the stuff I’ve been writing for Psych2Go, feeling completely mind-fucked from reading others’ opinions, completely giving up on Pro Trump loved ones, or having to sift news from government propaganda. This 2015 study points to the link between social media dependence and emotional problems, so maybe my feeling that social media is a cesspool isn’t completely unfounded.

Anyhoo, the quick definition of a cognitive distortion is an error in your thinking that leads you to believe there is a cause/effect relationship between two unrelated things. These glitches in your mental operating system come in many flavors. Each of these flavors has the power to create a special brand of indigestion that creates some of the following symptoms:

Misunderstandings
Self-sabotage
Feelings of alienation
Depression
Anxiety
Missed opportunities
Poor communication

I will probably get into cognitive distortions and logical fallacies one-by-one because, y’know, election season. But for this week, let’s ponder Step One of the solution:

When you’re done with thinking, you need to watch Seattle Chef Joe’s Facebook Videos. Please check out his FB page here.

Aaaannnnyyyyhoo, Onto the Reading. Shall We…?

I asked the cards what we need to know from 8/24/20 – 8/31/20 and I got: Five of Cups (number 5, grief, feeling hopeless, all is not lost, the need to let go of an old emotional issue, and temporary pain); Two of Pentacles (number 2, mood swings, balancing different parts of life, moderation, a warning against one-sided relationships, the need to think about how one is dividing one’s time, money fluctuations, and the need to prioritize); The High Priestess (number 2, stillness, the need to go within, the need to listen closely, someone who offers sound advice, the need to use downtime constructively, an intuitive person, and the need to be patient and resourceful); and The Moon (number 18, gaining insight from dreams, moodiness, heightened intuition, the need to pay attention to one’s emotional triggers, “mommy issues”, and the urge to shut down). The vibe around this spread is pretty deep. It starts with the Five of Cups, which is one of the more emotional grief cards in the deck. The Five is not as stressful and angsty as, say, the Nine of Swords. However, it packs a major punch because it is directly rooted in an old emotional issue. The good news with the Five is the energy is temporary and changeable. Expect a few reversals and ride the wave. The moodiness theme continues with the Two of Pentacles and the Moon. The Two of Pentacles suggests there is a practical root to any mood swings you might have lately. This means part of your moodiness has to do with disruptions in your daily routine, trying to do too many things at once, and doing more with less. The High Priestess next to the Two of Pentacles tells me this is a good week to take a look at how you’re spending your time. The emotional nature of the Five of Cups makes me think there is a people-pleasing aspect to your schedule being congested, or you are trying to compensate for an insecurity. The Moon emphasizes the watery nature of the Five of Cups because it speaks to the Jungian symbolism of water, which is our unconscious and intuitive nature. Your emotions are always trying to tell you something, but they will probably start yelling this week. The Moon and the High Priestess tell me any delays or downtime this week will probably be filled with a quick psychic flash.

I’m not doing a mantra this week. Instead, ask yourself the following questions in your journal, before bed, or before meditating:

What am I being triggered by right now?
When was the first time I remember feeling like this?
Who is the first person in my life I think of when I feel like this? What happened?
What is the first thing that comes to mind about this person when I feel like this?
What am I afraid of?
What part of myself felt threatened when I was triggered?
When is the first time I remember feeling triggered like this? What happened?
What is something I’m telling myself, about myself when I feel triggered?

A quick update on my readings: I have been asked a few times on Instagram if I have a free reading program for new clients. Ummm, no. I used to offer free readings, but please believe me when I say it really didn’t work out for me. (It worked out so badly that there’s no way in hell I’m going to try giving free readings again.) I give props to any readers who can make free readings work for them, but I’m not that reader. I also understand that nobody needs to be paying $40 – $60 for a reading right now. That’s fair. Plus there are many other people and organizations—namely animal charities, coronavirus relief charities,Black Lives Matter, the NAACP, NAMI, food banks, and the official George Floyd Go Fund Me page. So I’m offering $5 one-question mini readings if you donate to:

Any nonprofit animal shelter.
The Humane Society.
Your local food bank.
The United Way.
Coronavirus relief charities.
Black Lives Matter.
The NAACP.
The ACLU.
NAMI.
The Official Go Fund Me page for the Floyd family.

Here’s what you need to know about the one-question mini readings:

Make your $5 donation to any of the above causes.
Screenshot me a copy of the receipt with your payment and personal info blurred or crossed out.
Send me one question. I can’t accommodate follow up questions at this time.

If you’re looking for an inspirational poem on finding your place in the world amongst a million ghosts, check out Joan Carol Bird’s latest. Hey, sharing is caring.

P.S. I managed to publish the first part of my first novel a few months ago!! I’m excited and want to share it with you. Check out Water Torture Part One: Have You Checked the Children? Here. Please read and review it. Thank you!!

Did you like my buddy Marshall Delaware, aka G. G. MacLeod? Check out our latest political collab He’s coming back at some point this month, FYI. If you want to read an awesome historical fiction novel, you can get your hands on his book here. It may take place in Ancient Rome, but Augusta couldn’t be any more timely if it tried. He actually dropped Part Two a while ago and most recently gifted the world with Part Three. Part Four is going live on Amazon any day now. I think you should go get it, Tiger!

Tarot Reading of the Week: 8/4/20 – 8/10/20

August 4, 2020August 4, 2020Leave a comment

Social media is a fucking cesspool, but it has proven a few informal hypotheses I’ve collected over the years. These hypotheses apply to all religions, creeds, colors, belief systems, genders, orientations, et al:

It wasn’t the lack of information that kept people ignorant.
Cats are awesome.
Most people are a little shady in the name of attention and keeping up appearances.
We’re a lonely species.
It’s easier to keep friends when you don’t know what they’re thinking.
We’re not as tolerant of others’ views as we think.
Most people value being right over their relationships.
Mob psychology and groupthink is some dangerous shit, man.
People who use the word sheeple or the phrase those other news stations need to trade some of that moral superiority for self-reflection.

That’s not exactly inspirational, but let me tell you a story that will help you see where I’m driving this crazy thing. I was killing time between To Do List items by checking out Facebook. Since this ends in deep regret half the time, perhaps I should stop. Buuuttt I digress…

I courtesy-clicked on a friend’s post. She is the type of friend whose soul, spirit, and humor I love like no other. But her politics…? Not so much. I usually take a hard pass on about a third of her posts for this reason. However, this time she posted this article about a Black Trump supporter named Bernell Trammell. Trammell was a kind eccentric who was known around Milwaukee for his integrity and support of Donald Trump, which makes him a unicorn. Anyhoo, Trammell was killed outside of his own store. Nothing I’ve read so far has indicated a clear motive, but it did make me wonder if Trammell was killed for supporting Trump.

Then I got a little sick to my stomach. If Trammell was killed either for his political beliefs or not properly representing his community, it made me wonder:

How the killer justified their actions.
If there were any “lefties” who read this article and actually believed Trammell deserved to die.
Why my side isn’t as pissed about Trammell’s death as they are about the deaths of those who don’t support Trump or identify as politically neutral.

There’s this GoFundMe page to help Bernell Tramell’s family, but I haven’t heard much else. Why? More importantly, what do you even do when “your side” does something shitty? How do you react when you get called out and you’re in the wrong? There’s your thought for the week.

When you’re done with thinking, you need to watch Seattle Chef Joe’s Facebook Videos. Please check out his FB page here.

Aaaannnnyyyyhoo, Onto the Reading. Shall We…?

I asked the cards what we need to know about the week of 8/4/20 – 8/10/20 and I got: The Emperor (number 4, “daddy issues,” problems with authority, control issues, the need for self-discipline, a time to get organized, and a warning not to become too rigid); Queen of Pentacles (earth sign female, someone who enjoys comfort and the finer things, someone who works hard to keep up appearances, detail-oriented, someone who is too selfish or ambitious, and needing comfort); Princess of Pentacles (earth sign female, the need to make a plan real, financial or home improvements, new course of study, apprenticeship, and the need to ground oneself); and Seven of Wands (number 7, having to defend oneself in the same argument, reaping a harvest, reaping what one sows, making a stand when challenged, and successfully dealing with obstacles). The Emperor and the Seven of Wands tell me this is going to be one of those weeks where it is going to be hard to slog through the daily grind. These two cards strongly suggest being bored or burned out by having to deal with monotony or the same old argument. This is definitely not the time to snap on someone, no matter how deserving the mutha fucker might be. The Emperor suggests the way through is to maintain your routines and not cut corners. The Seven of Wands tells me you have the words and guts to state your case. It’s only mental exhaustion and self-doubt that could sabotage you. The Queen of Pentacles tells me this is one of those weeks where you need to fake your way through, snap into Professional Mode, put your game face on, or however you want to describe it. The Princess of Pentacles tells me this is a good week to set your intention every morning or evening. I feel like the Princess represents not only your main goal, but also a reminder that you will have more energy to put towards it if you remain grounded. This energetic aspect is also supported by the presence of the Seven of Wands, which is a “second wind” kind of card. Keeping yourself grounded will make sure you have enough energy to make it all work. The Queen next to the Emperor gives me a traditional, one-step-at-a-time vibe. It feels like these cards are a reminder that your best course of action this week is to remain focused on your goal, do what you know is right, and stick to the basics. The numerical range implied by this spread tells me it might be best to pick 4-7 small steps you can take towards your goals each day and stick to those. Just don’t get too rigid or invested in your public image.

For those of you who may need a little more this week, I asked the Doreen Virtue Angel Tarot Deck for the mantra for a week. The definition of mantra for my nefarious purposes is: a present-tense statement that you can repeat to yourself during times of anxiety, sadness, or uncertainty. It’s not an affirmation because the phrasing is more pragmatic and neutral, than overtly positive. Here’s what I got:

The Card: The Magician

Meaning: Number 1, the ability to manifest, Archangel Raziel, being ready for what’s next, having the resources to reach one’s goals, life is magical, time to stop procrastinating, concentrated effort, and making the most of opportunities.

Mantras: I take daily steps to reach my goals.

I write down the steps I need to take in order to reach my goals.
I find the resources I need to achieve my goals.
I support others as they achieve their goals.
I take feedback in stride.
I accept the support offered to me.
I recognize and appreciate the opportunities that come my way.

Any nonprofit animal shelter.
The Humane Society.
Your local food bank.
The United Way.
Coronavirus relief charities.
Black Lives Matter.
The NAACP.
The ACLU.
NAMI.
The Official Go Fund Me page for the Floyd family.

Here’s what you need to know about the one-question mini readings:

Make your $5 donation to any of the above causes.
Screenshot me a copy of the receipt with your payment and personal info blurred or crossed out.
Send me one question. I can’t accommodate follow up questions at this time.

If you’re looking for an inspirational poem on finding your place in the world amongst a million ghosts, check out Joan Carol Bird’s latest. Hey, sharing is caring.

Tarot Reading of the Week: 7/21/20 – 7/28/20

July 21, 2020July 21, 2020Leave a comment

I won’t even make excuses as to where I was last week. The truth is, I wasn’t anywhere special. I was just depleted. I’m sorry I couldn’t pull my head out long enough to do a weekly reading. However, I did post this article about self-sabotage. (I have about four of the signs, how ‘bout you?)

One of the things I discovered while being about as productive as a zombie air traffic controller was Chiron went retrograde either the 10th or 11th, depending on which article I read. Chiron is a comet with a random orbit. Astrologers consider Chiron the wounded healer because it symbolizes the deep wounds in your life. You can read more about that right here. When this wacky comet goes retrograde, you might notice that a lot of old issues might come back to haunt you. Chiron is staying in retrograde through the end of the year. During this time:

Be prepared to apologize.
Your abandonment issues may come bubbling back up like that expired milk you drank.
You may have a spiritual awakening or two.
You might start to see how all of your struggles made you harder, better, faster, stronger.
Your struggles and issues might make you more compassionate to others who are going through the same thing.
You might be put in situations to forgive yourself and others.
Old emotions might come back as flashbacks, dreams, recurring themes in your life, etc so that you can process them (think of it as re-breaking a bone that didn’t heal right).
Adopt the motto “heal your wounds and own your shit.”
You might feel lost or like a misfit.
You might feel attacked or abnormally defensive.

Since 20-fucking-20 seems to like doing things the hard way, I’ll post a spell to help with this Chiron retrograde stuff in a few days. There’s really no way out, so you may as well buckle up, chill out, and take the bus to Woo-Woo Learning Town.

Because I’m tired of eating my feelings, I’ve been entertaining myself with Seattle Chef Joe’s Facebook Videos. Please check out his FB page here.

P.S. This class felt awesome:

Aaaannnnyyyyhoo, Onto the Reading. Shall We…?

I asked the cards what we need to know for 7/21/20 – 7/28/20 and I got: Three of Swords (number 3, time healing old wounds, grief, sadness, sorrow that leads to renewal, and release of painful memories); Five of Swords (number 5, no-win situation, not being open to negotiation, the need to choose one’s words carefully, false confidence, possibly accepting defeat, and the need to be diplomatic); Queen of Swords (air sign female, a friend who gives good advice, someone who is more logical than emotional, someone concerned with fairness and equality, being cold due to emotional scars, and the need for freedom and independence); Temperance (number 14, moderation, balancing the head and heart, wisdom, allowing divine energy to inspire, the need to think something through, the need to assess areas of one’s life that are out of balance, and a warning against one-sided relationships). Oof. I guess the most positive thing I can say right off the bat is, at least we don’t have the Tower card right now. The winded feeling I got only lasted a couple seconds, so that’s positive too. Anyhoo, we have three Swords—including one court card—and a Major Arcana card. Swords are the suit of the mind and often karmic movement. This spread starts with the Three of Swords, which is a card of grief related to old wounds. Chiron, you’re an asshole when you move backwards. I feel like the Three next to the Five of Swords—one of the most car salesman-like cards in the deck—tells me you will finally get confirmation about someone else’s snake-like behavior. I feel like you have been suspicious of this situation for a while, but never had a reason to confront this person or entity. They never did anything to you… or did they…? These two cards tell me that yeah, they kinda did. Their actions feel more selfish than spiteful to me, as I don’t feel a real personal beef with this spread. You got screwed over because they needed attention, money, recognition, or a promotion and they more or less saw you as a pawn or an obstacle. They saw the quickest way from Point A to Point B was to make you look bad, probably by twisting some personal intel they had on you and poisoning you against others. That doesn’t make it right, but the lack of emotion on their part means you can leave this situation permanently. I don’t feel any major explosions here, but I do feel you will need to take this week to process your exit plan. You need to get the fuck out, that’s super clear. How you choose to get the fuck out, however, is your choice. The Queen of Swords is a clear-minded type who does not suffer fools gladly, thank you very much. I feel like the message you get around this situation couldn’t be any clearer, but the Queen is a reminder to state your peace as tactfully and objectively as possible. I feel like whoever else is involved might engage in some serious emotional blackmail—playing the victim, tears, insults, telling you that you’re the crazy or broken one, or blaming others. The only way to not get sucked into the game is to imagine that you are either a detective in an interrogation or a psychologist who is studying insane behavior. Then imagine this other person is either the perp being interrogated or the research subject. Stay observant and use some of the tips in this post to get through unscathed. The Temperance card tells me you may need to listen to whatever it is they have to say and show a little understanding, without revealing your soft, white underbelly. Use “I” statements and focus on the facts. Keep showing them that this is more about their behavior than your unhealed wounds. This person or entity wants you to overreact and get emotional. The Five of Swords tells me they want dirt on you to use later.

The Card: Five of Air

Meaning: Warning against an unwise choice, learn from this situation, be aware of everyone’s motives, a situation that hasn’t worked out, reassessing one’s role in a conflict, selfish or one-sided thinking, and figuring out if the risk was worth the reward.

Mantras: I listen and observe others’ actions, rather than reacting.

I pay attention to my thoughts and feelings before making a choice.
I am open to the lessons learned from my struggles.
I consider how my behaviors contribute to the situations in my life.
I maintain compassion for others without taking on their baggage.
I have empathy for others, but maintain healthy boundaries.
I allow others their thoughts and feelings without allowing them to hurt me.

If you’re looking for an inspirational poem on finding your place in the world amongst a million ghosts, check out Joan Carol Bird’s latest. Hey, sharing is caring.

Did you like my buddy Marshall Delaware, aka G. G. MacLeod? Check out our latest political feature. He’s coming back at some point this month, FYI. If you want to read an awesome historical fiction novel, you can get your hands on his book here. It may take place in Ancient Rome, but Augusta couldn’t be any more timely if it tried. He actually dropped Part Two a while ago and most recently gifted the world with Part Three. I think you should go get it, Tiger!

Tarot Reading of the Week: 7/6/20 – 7/13/20

July 6, 2020July 6, 2020Leave a comment

I’m trying not to get too personal online because this blog should be primarily about you getting inspiration and advice as you need it, not me working out my emotional baggage. However, I know I’m not the only one who has experienced loss or thinks about some of the things happening right now. May as well talk about it and hope it helps someone feel less alone.

The big thing I’m thinking about right now is cancel culture and what it means to be canceled. In short, cancel culture describes the current social climate of calling people out and questioning whether certain ideologies deserve a bigger platform. The younger generations are getting wary of where they’re throwing their support and are tired of shitty people having the means and method of spreading their message. I’m totally simplifying the concept, but please check out the hyperlinks in the previous sentences to get more context. Here are some current examples of cancelation and cancel culture:

Dramageddon 3 on YouTube. Trust me when I say there’s a lot to unpack here. Bea Lucile, one of my tarot crushes, breaks it down in these videos.
Removing Confederate statues and symbols of racism from historical monuments. This isn’t unique to America, sayeth this Forbes article.
Renewed scrutiny of Thomas Jefferson being a slave owner. You know, he basically impregnated his mistress and never worked towards the freedom of her or his child.
The recent focus on accountability and people apologizing for past incidents of racism, homophobia, transphobia, and just handling shit poorly.
The #MeToo movement and the people who fell from grace as a result.
All of those old allegations against Dahvie Vanity coming to light.

Yes, this can technically be seen as a karmic reckoning for some seriously bad behavior. And maybe this emphasis on karma in 2020 can be explained by all of the lesson-oriented full moons in 2020. And a sincere apology is always a great first step to making things better because it shows recognition. However, is fervent cancelation a good thing? When does completely silencing someone help a situation? When does cancelation just make things worse? In the name of considering all angles, here are a couple examples of blanket cancelation that didn’t work out so well:

Canceling people for being different, a la the Salem witch trials, McCarthyism and the decency trials of the 50’s, internment camps, and the actions of a certain dictator. (I do NOT condone any of these things, btw.)
The Spanish Inquisition. (Nobody expected that one.)
Anti-immigration policy.

If accountability is good and symbolically beheading bad people is satisfying, what can possibly be wrong with cancelation? Please take a look at the above list of historical cancelations. These are all examples of people with unchecked power thinking other groups of people needed to be humbled or converted, and ultimately going way too far. I think we can all agree that abuse of power, sexual assault, greed, racism, anti-semitism, and discrimination are pretty fucking bad. (If we can’t agree on that, I really don’t know what to tell you.) People who use the 3 P’s—platform, privilege, and power—to engage in that bullshit deserve to be stopped. No argument there, either. Aaannnddd not a whole lot was being done to stop them. If anything, the system was creating and protecting them. Here’s where cancel culture gets a little too rich for my blood:

When common sense and compassion get replaced with anger and mob fury.
When black-and-white thinking fucks with your ability to relate with people who are different from you.
When we stop believing in due process.
When we shoot our wounded.
When the people protesting the corruption end up being just as corrupt.
When a movement, the social climate, or a public figure gives people permission to act like assholes. Isn’t that one of the reasons Trump is so divisive?
When we stop listening to both sides.
When we stop trying to help others who genuinely want to do better, or genuinely don’t know better.
When we try to erase our mistakes, rather than learn from them.

This guy sums up how I feel about the role common sense and compassion need to play when calling people out:

So how are you going to incorporate this into your New Normal (™)? What part are you currently playing in cancel culture? What would you like to do differently? Now might be the time to get a Dream Book from Dragontree Apothecary (sponsored link, but I vouch for the product wholeheartedly) or ask Anansi for the truth.

Aaannnyyyhoo, I’ve been entertaining myself with Seattle Chef Joe’s Facebook Videos. Please check out his FB page here.

For those of you who need a little pick-me-up, check out Stargirl the Practical Witch’s latest:

Aaaannnnyyyyhoo, Onto the Reading. Shall We…?

I asked the cards what we need to know for the week of 7/6/20 – 7/13/20 and I got: Three of Wands (number 3, good business venture, feeling optimistic about a career move, opportunities, growth and expansion, and success); Two of Cups (number 2, relationship based on friendship, renewal of a romantic relationship, business partnerships, relationships based on equality, acceptance, and feeling balanced); Ten of Cups (number 10, emotional fulfillment, dreams coming true, attracting positivity by feeling happy, and others benefiting from one’s feelings of love and joy); and the Wheel of Fortune (number 10, positive change, the need to be flexible, the need to decide whether one will be a victim of fate or a conscious actor, using an opportunity to one’s advantage, and the need to be observant). The overall vibe of this card is positive on a few levels. As always, there are a couple running themes. One is the number 10, which we see in the Wheel of Fortune and the Ten of Cups. In numerology, the number 10 is about independence and potential. 10 energy is the energy of someone who made a conscious choice with limited outside input. Choices made in 10 energy are pivotal and have a lasting impact on the course of your life. Whether that impact is positive or negative is entirely up to you, but there’s not a lot of middle ground here. You can read more about 10 energy in this article. The Wheel of Fortune shows up when you’re faced with an inevitable karmic shift, one chapter of your life ending, and/or you need to choose whether you want more of the same or you want to go a different way. No matter what you choose, the Wheel promises you will not be left empty-handed… even if all you get is a valuable lesson and a little wisdom. The Wheel is right next to the Ten of Cups, which tells me this decision has the potential to make majorly positive ripples on other areas of your life. The Two of Cups tells me the waves of positivity are most likely to crash onto your emotional relationships. I feel like this more strongly applies to people in established or forming romantic relationships, but those of you on the prowl can harness this energy as well. The Three of Wands reinforces this decision energy, as this is a card of opportunity and the need to make business decisions. Since we have decision energy at the beginning and end of the spread with the Three and the Wheel, I feel like you will have an opportunity for a career change or collab presented to you. The Wheel of Fortune always, always, always presents us with loaded decisions. This makes me feel like the particular opportunity you have in front of you has a deeper meaning. Maybe it’s about your feelings of self-worth or what you feel you deserve. Maybe it’s your ticket out of a life you feel is not right. Maybe it’s a chance to stand up for yourself. Whatever it represents, I feel like the decision you make will determine how much and what you will be able to manifest in your life over the next few months. My gut says look for little signs, like pennies or feathers on the ground or repeating symbols that mean something to you.

The Card: Three of Air

Meaning: Number 3, sadness, grief, the need to heal, the need to forgive oneself or others, loneliness, painful revelations, misunderstandings, emotional triggers, and the opportunity to get to the bottom of an emotional wound.

Mantra: I accept my past mistakes without judgment.

I accept my mistakes as lessons.
I accept others’ past mistakes without judgment.
I acknowledge others’ shortcomings without being deeply affected by them.
I acknowledge my own shortcomings without judgment.
I speak my truth without causing unnecessary harm to myself or others.
I allow others to speak their truth without judgment.
I allow myself time to heal from grief, trauma, and old emotional wounds.
I allow others the chance to heal from grief, trauma, and old emotional wounds without taking on their baggage.
I allow others to speak their truth without carrying their baggage as my own.
I speak my truth without blaming others for my shortcomings.
I maintain healthy boundaries regarding taking on others’ emotions.

If you’re looking for an inspirational poem on finding your place in the world amongst a million ghosts, check out Joan Carol Bird’s latest. Hey, sharing is caring.

Tarot Reading of the Week: 6/30/2020 – 7/6/2020

June 30, 2020June 30, 2020Leave a comment

Tarot Reading of the Week: 6/30/2020 – 7/6/2020

My husband and I lost our beautiful dog Pepper three days ago. I’ve told a little bit of Pepper’s story in this spell I posted yesterday and this Facebook page, but I will do a couple posts on it when I get my bearings. I want to tell his story not only because it’s so unique, but also because it makes me sick that our beloved Poo was ever an anonymous A-number in a shelter or had to go even one day thinking nobody cared about him. Hopefully we made him feel loved when we got him back in January of 2018 and every day since, but I know nothing can make up for what he endured when he was missing.

I don’t have a long, pithy lesson this week. Just a couple things I learned from Pepper. Most of this was stuff I already knew, but lost in the shuffle of The Old Normal (™). Maybe I can start mixing this stuff into The New Normal (™):

Even seemingly anonymous shelter animals, strays, and people have something special about them.
Love is a big deal.
You will regret not having a second chance more than you’ll ever regret being inconvenienced.
If you fuck up and someone loves you anyway, they deserve the best.
The pain that comes from not knowing is more like an ongoing slow drip. The pain from a known ending is more like an anvil dropping on you.
Take all the pictures you need, just don’t waste your time on overly curated ones for the ‘Gram. It’s about capturing memories, not making your booty look like you actually do squats.

I’m posting this yoga class in honor of Pepper. He used to love doing yoga with me and would roll around right by my side during savasana.

Before we start the reading, I have to mention the MindBody/Wellness Research and Science Network group on Facebook. The chick who runs it takes an evidence-based approach to holistic topics. She posts a lot of cool yoga livestreams too.

Aaaannnnyyyyhoo, Onto the Reading, Shall We…?

I asked what we need to know about the week of 6/30/20 – 7/6/20 and I got: King of Pentacles (earth sign male, a successful businessman, someone financially secure, a reliable and loyal partner, a kind and generous person, someone with a cautious approach, and the need to be cautious with one’s money); Ace of Swords (number 1 or 11, cutting away the unnecessary, clearing negative karma, the need to take a logical approach to a situation, thoughts becoming clearer, a possibly destructive process, and cutting away old attitudes); Ace of Pentacles (number 1 or 11, stability, a sense of wellbeing, feeling grounded, possibly the need to ground oneself, and new life on the material plane); and Ten of Wands (number 10, burdens, feeling stressed or overworked, taking on too much responsibility, trying to handle others’ baggage, overexerting oneself financially or physically, and the need to delegate). The feeling around this spread is one of exhaustion, pure and simple. Despite the depletion and stress indicated in this spread, I actually see some hope here. This spread contains a court card (the King of Pentacles) and two aces (the Ace of Swords and Ace of Pentacles). This particular king has lived a good life and made good financial decisions. That said, you should know that the King of Pentacles got to where he is by paying himself first and saving for a rainy day. The card directly next to him is the Ace of Swords, which is the card of clearing away clutter, crap, and karma. This card brings a little chaos with it and I feel like your perspective might be changing. This is the week where you start thinking about what would benefit you and your loved ones in the future, rather than wasting your time trying to appease people you don’t like. Be careful with the Ace of Swords because it tends to magnify the flaws of a situation before it slashes the bullshit to ribbons. The Ace of Pentacles shows us you’re basically clearing weeds to plant fruits and vegetables that will sustain you. See the chaos as a refinement to your plans. It doesn’t feel particularly emotional, more work and money-related. However, the Ten of Wands tells me you will reach a boiling point when it comes to dealing with others’ baggage. It feels like you have been playing the nice person and taking on responsibility that never should have been yours. I feel like you’re already tired and this is the week when the leeches in your life might ask for $5 too many, put you in a position to cover for them at the wrong fucking time, or try to snare you in the tractor beam of yet another draining conversation about their feelings. I feel like this will happen at the exact moment you can’t handle it. Honor your feelings. This is happening to put you in the position to do something healthier for you.

The Card: Four of Water

Meaning: Number Four, missed opportunities, boredom or apathy, the need to open one’s eyes to possibilities, feeling distracted or emotionally trapped, stop taking things for granted, stop focusing on what’s lacking, focus on gratitude, and focus on what you do have.

Mantras: I see and appreciate the opportunities in my life.

I appreciate the people in my life for being who and what they are.
I appreciate the time I had with the people no longer in my life.
I make the most of the time I have with the people in my life.
I appreciate what I have and what is available to me.
I nurture and take care of myself.
I provide for my future in the healthiest ways possible.
I respect myself and my needs as much as I do others’.

If you’re looking for an inspirational poem on finding your place in the world amongst a million ghosts, check out Joan Carol Bird’s latest. Hey, sharing is caring.

Talk to the Eight Legs: Anansi Spell to Find the Truth

June 25, 2020June 25, 2020Leave a comment

Has anyone else had this song going through their head:

The fact that I hate Glenn Frey and the smug 80’s saxophone aside, the song applies to what’s going on this summer. Not only do we have climate change cooking us all, but we have mounting political tension and that fucking virus to keep us all nice and tense.

The Universe will give us all a collective glass of energetic lemonade, right?

Such an adorable thought, but no. What you get is five or six planets in retrograde at once.

It mans a lot, actually. But let’s start by learning about each one:

Mercury (6/17/20 – 7/12/20): We’ve all heard of this retrograde. It takes all forms of communication—verbal, nonverbal, electronic, telephonic, telepathic, written, carrier pigeon, et al—and runs it through the blender till it’s as slushy as a daiquiri. This particular Mercury retrograde is in the sign of Cancer. Emotional, vulnerable, emo Cancer. Sloan Bella breaks down what Cancer energy means in this video, but in terms of a Mercury retrograde in Cancer, you can expect:
- Repressed emotions coming to the surface. You might find yourself lashing out, having emotional flashbacks, feeling nostalgic, strong urges to drunk text, and inexplicably resisting things that were previously fine with you.
- Figuring out how you really feel about loved ones. This might mean being put into situations where you can no longer ignore someone’s dark side, or ignore your feelings for them.
- What security really means to you. Is what you’re doing for work or school just a means to an end, or is it aligned with you? What are you willing to do in the name of maintaining security?
Venus (5/13/20 – 6/25/20): The planet of beauty and love—and also the ruler of Libra and Taurus—is going retrograde in the sign of Gemini. Chatty, two-faced, possibly maniacal Gemini. I rather liked this video on the sign of Gemini because it goes into both sides of the twins. So what does it mean when the ruler of beauty and love starts swimming backwards in Mercury’s home turf? It means:
- You might question your place in the world. What roles do you play in your life? Are these in alignment with who you really are? It may be time for you to make a stand and draw some boundaries.
- Significant others may become significant bothers. This includes all relationships you find dear—family, friend, business, or romantic. Tiny relationship cracks may look like the Grand Canyon. People looking to form connections might find it especially difficult during this time. If you had a weird feeling you and a loved one were headed for a split, it’s more likely to happen now.
- Don’t expect any recognition. You will have to speak up or your achievements will not be seen. You might feel a little unappreciated.
Saturn (5/10/20 – 9/29/20): This ginormous, slow-moving planet is considered the planet of karma. A lot of justice and universal lessons happen when Saturn rears its ugly head, so it’s not surprising that Saturn is associated with the task-oriented sign of Capricorn. The fucked up part of this retrograde is Saturn is retrograde in the visionary weirdo sign of Aquarius, which you can learn about in this video. So what do you get when you cross the responsible adult with the cosmic flower child? A few of these things:
- You may be asked to explain your past mistakes. Don’t expect to just skate by while Saturn is moving backwards. Anything from old parking tickets to things you thought stayed in Vegas will come out during this time.
- You might resent the ol’ ball and chain. Whether it’s a toxic job or a relationship where you feel a little stifled, you may start to feel suffocated because of it. Aquarius needs freedom, man. The old routine might make you feel like the world is drinking your soul one tiny teacup at a time.
- You might want to take it to the next level. If your situation is good, you might have commitment on the brain. If enough is good, you might think more is better when it comes to a relationship.
- Power struggles with frenemies, family, and at work. Any petty jealousy or ego-based need for prestige will come to the surface. Thanks, Saturn… asshole. This is the time to set some boundaries and clarify your vision for when the chaos clears.
Jupiter (5/14/20 – 9/12/20): This gas giant rules Sagitarius, which is pretty much the Foghorn Leghorn windbag of the zodiac. Sagittarius loves freedom as much as Aquarius, but has zero filter when speaking their mind. Zero. Fucking. Filter. You can learn more about it in this video. Jupiter will be moving backwards in Capricorn, which gives me the image of someone with profound ADHD trying to nag an underling. Anyhoo, expect a little of this:
- The need to get clarity. Expect annoying existential questions to crop up during this retrograde. Although you might want to grasp at labels to soothe yourself, please resist the urge.
- More optimism in relationships. Okay, so the planetary nuttiness has you feeling all over the place and needing to set boundaries. The upside is you might feel like things will work out for the better. We’re talking about a Capricorn and Sagittarius alliance here, so please look before you leap.
- Increased work dissatisfaction. If you were never really happy at work, then you might get downright miserable. Keep the grumbling to yourself until you land something else.
Neptune (6/22/20 – 11/28/20): Neptune rules the water sign of Pisces, which has a tenuous relationship with reality. Many people with even an ounce of Virgo or Capricorn in their chart have found themselves wanting to shake the Pisces in their lives. The fish sees reality as a guideline, rather than, well, real because the fish tends to be empathic and often has prophetic dreams. This video breaks down the dreamy Piscean weirdness quite well. Neptune is going retrograde in Pisces. This big fish swimming backwards in its own tank means you may feel:
- Reality can be a bit harsh. You may see people for who and what they really are. Your normal illusions and self-soothing rituals may not work during this time.
- You won’t be able to unsee a lot of things about your loved ones. We have seemingly perfect love for a lot of imperfect people… Or do we? You will be confronted with how illusions and denial may have been holding your relationships together. This may not sit well with you.
- You may not still want what you used to want. Your goals may be more within your grasp, but once you get them you might feel a little meh. Don’t be afraid to explore new directions and even keep a dream journal. You never know how these insights may hit you.
Pluto (4/25/20 – 10/4/20): This sometime planet rules the much-feared sign of Scorpio. The rest of the zodiac quivers in fear when they encounter Scorpio because they are known for their keen intuition, secretive and possessive nature, and ability to go straight for the jugular. They’re also known to be quite sexy. This video covers all of that. So what does it mean when the ultimate sign of intrigue starts moving backwards in stable, hard-working Capricorn? It means:
- You’ll see your shadow (self). Your shadow self is all of your quirks and not-so-great traits you desperately try to hide. Expect the sleeping dragons to awaken during this retrograde. You may be asked to apologize. You may get thrust into a situation that whacks your last nerve with the coldest spoon it can find. You may get audited by the IRS. Whatever happens, it will make trying on swimsuits seem a lot less traumatic.
- Jealous much? Jealousy happens. Some of us experience it more than others. Expect to get tested. Every last insecurity and feeling of inferiority you have will clog your emotional pores, especially around the full moons.
- Too many cooks, but no real chef. You may want to take the lead on something, but so does everyone else. Now might not be the time to engage in a power struggle. Be a team player, but clarify any leadership visions you have for the future. Scorpio is unnervingly patient, after all.

Holy crap, does this seem like an astrological game of 52 Card Pick Up to anyone else? I think the main things to do are to clarify your feelings and start thinking about your vision for the future. Buuuutttt something about this feels like a cubist painting, where your poor eye doesn’t quite know where to start looking.

“So what do we do, Spice?”

Talk to a Spider, Of Course

You arachnophobia-stricken readers out there, please control your anxiety. I’m not asking you to pour the daddy long legs in your bathroom a cup of coffee, nor would I want you to tell a brown recluse about your complex family relationships. Dating advice from a black widow is highly recommended, but I’m not asking you to do that either.

I am asking you to get to know the African spider god, Anansi.

You can read a more entertaining account here, but I’ll give you the Readers’ Digest version. Widely known as a trickster deity from West Africa, Anansi takes the form of a spider to have a chat with the sky god. Anansi then declared he was going to buy the sky god’s stories. The sky god asks the little spider why he thinks he can do this. Anansi responds with confidence, but no real plan. This utter bullshit amuses and intrigues the sky god. Anansi asks for the price tag of these tales and is told they will cost a piece of Onini the python, Osebo the leopard, Mmoatia the fairy, and Mmoboro the hornet.

Apparently wildlife markets weren’t a problem back then.

*ahem* Aaaannnyyyyhoo…

Anansi proceeds to shoot the sky god at least one thumbs-up and goes on his way. He tricks the python into being tied to a branch, traps the leopard in his webs, tricks the hornets with fake shelter, and fakes out the fairy. Anansi then presents these things to the sky god, who is forced to sell him his stories. This spider dude could also sell a few cars if he wanted, but I digress…

I have called on Anansi to help me get to the truth of a sticky situation a few times. The logic is kinda like that show where they get convicted thieves to test out homeowners’ security systems. Simply put, who would see through tricks better than a trickster? I like Anansi because he is humble, nimble, and patient enough to help you see the truth. His energy is like the fun, wise uncle you’ve always wanted. Anansi is the kind of deity who would be a hoot at a family barbeque. He has a great sense of humor, but needs you to make your petition for about a month before he’ll take you seriously.

Back to the six planets in retrograde. The meanings of these bizarre orbits are a little contradictory in places, but here are a couple running themes:

You need to decide whether your relationships, job, and life reflect who you really are.
You may need to cut ties or draw boundaries.
You need to make peace with your mistakes and shithead tendencies.
You need to clarify what you want in your life.
You will come face-to-face with how you have changed.
You’ll be smacked upside the head with some things you can’t unsee.

We’ve already established that the planetary kaleidoscope happening means we need to focus on what’s real for now so we can get the real tea later. And this mish-mash is insane enough that we need a trickster to help us see through the Universe’s karmic obstacle course. The timeframes tell me that we won’t be in the clear until about mid-October.

May as well ask Anansi help you prepare for the truth. You can ask Anansi to:

Help you uncover gossip or negativity that may be blocking you at work or in relationships.
Learn the truth about the lies being told about you.
Figure out whether you can believe someone.
Uncover any hidden jealousy, negativity, or resentment that others may be sending (consciously or unconsciously).
Figure out where someone is coming from so you can deal with the situation.
Learn the truth about someone’s motives.
Figure out if you are being double-crossed, cheated on, or otherwise betrayed.
See where you are lying to yourself.

He tends to show you what you need to know in dreams and stories, so be on the lookout for symbols and lyrics that tend to repeat themselves. I’m not talking about the radio playing the same five songs in a loop. I mean bizarre coincidences, accompanied by either the smell of cigars or an amused epiphany feeling.

Anansi’s needs are pretty simple. As long as he feels welcome at your table and like you come friendly, you’ll stay on his good side. Here’s a quick list of the offerings Anansi likes:

Bananas
Beef jerky or barbequed meat
A good stout or ale. That spider loves his beer.
A decent cigar.

Spell to Anansi

You Will Need:

1 black novena candle or orange votive candle in a black candle holder. I like to buy my candles from Dragonmarsh Apothecary or Panhalla Esoteric.
2 or 3 decent cigars.
A big ol’ bottle of ale.
A nice crystal or pewter offering cup.
Beef jerky or barbequed meat.
About 30 minutes of your time.

What You’ll Do:

Ground yourself and clear your mind. I like using a meditation like this one from Tara Brach.
Set out your candle, cigar, and offerings. As you do so, make sure to give thanks to Anansi and invite him to the table.
Light your candle and cigar, then repeat the following three times: “I invoke the grace and wisdom of Anansi, which fills me, this space, and my situation with light. Light dissolves all darkness.”
Repeat your prayer to Anansi three times. I use this one from the Pagan Book of Hours:

Sacred Trickster of the Jungle,
Giver of the Unexpected,
Winner of the Sky God’s Stories
And spinner of your own,
We hail you on this your day!
Spider on your dropping thread,
Tiny one with the great web
That takes in all of us,
Bless us with your agility!
You wrapped the serpent
In his own coils.
You trapped the leopard
In the pit of his fears.
You caught the hornets
In the gourd of illusion.
You snared the wood-spirit
In the tar of her own anger.
You seduce the good wife
With the fruit of her secret discomfort,
And seduce the husband
With the fruit of his own suspicions.
You teach all of us that it is not so wise
To always take oneself so seriously.
Teach us to laugh at ourselves,
Sacred Trickster of the Jungle,
Lest we freeze into dour, ancient stones.

5. Visualize a large bubble of silver light surrounding your request. Now visualize the cigar’s smoke carrying it to Anansi.

6. Humbly give thanks to Anansi and invite him to take your offering.

7. Allow yourself to sit in silence for a couple minutes before extinguishing the cigar and candle.

If you’re looking for an inspirational poem on finding your place in the world amongst a million ghosts, check out Joan Carol Bird’s latest. Hey, sharing is caring.

Tarot Reading of the Week: 6/23/20 – 6/30/20

June 23, 2020June 23, 2020Leave a comment

Did any of you catch the Netflix documentary Don’t F**k with Cats? If you didn’t, you really should. The gist of the thing is straightforward enough. Internet reachers and sleuths team up to catch the killer Luka Magnotta. This little shit forced his way onto the radar of a woman named Deanna, who uses the online moniker Baudi.Moovan. Why yes, she totally named herself after this song:

Props to Deanna for giving me an excuse to watch that video again. *ahem* Anyhoo… The documentary ends with Deanna and her cohort John wondering if they pushed Luka Magnotta to kill Jun Lin and mail his hands and feet to the Canadian government. Deanna and her sleuthing skills helped take down a killer, but she wonders if he would’ve just stayed an attention-seeking cat killer had she not gotten involved. Personally, I think Luka would’ve escalated to killing humans no matter what. How do we know this was his first human kill? Maybe this was the first time he felt he needed attention for it. The point is, there is way too much to this story—whether or not Manny Lopez exists, his *ahem* complicated relationship with his mother, and his modeling attempts—for Deanna to assume the attention and pressure from her group were the only factor that pushed him to kill.

Here’s why I care: The current social climate has put a huge emphasis on using your platform. A platform can be anything from an agency, like a church or a nonprofit, to your personal social media accounts. Hell, it can even be your body if you buy socially conscious clothes. If you watched Don’t F**k With Cats, you might remember the end, where Deanna breaks the fourth wall and asks the viewer if it’s time to unplug. She used her platform in a way that she thought was right, but got caught up in the aftermath. We have a lot of people using their platforms right now. Perhaps it’s time to be more conscious of how you’re using yours.

I’ll spare you my full-on lecture about this, but humbly request you read this article on how to keep ego from taking over your platform. Whether you’re coming from left field or the far right—or mutha fuckin’ outer space—my self-care tip for the week is to ask yourself these questions:

Am I posting this to educate, or make someone look stupid?
Am I trying to get back at or hurt a friend or family member that believes differently than me? If so, why the fuck is it my place to do this?
Am I angry posting, vaguebooking to get attention, or trying to stir the pot? If so, why do I need this sort of attention right now?
Does this post add anything new to the conversation?
Is the belief expressed in this post something I’d be willing to defend in person?
Am I prepared to deal with any misunderstandings?

I can’t tell you to post or not post something. I can’t tell you what to believe. I can’t tell you about the purity of your motives. That’s all for you to decide. However, I can tell you political issues have a way of bringing pre-existing relationship issues to the surface. Note the unfriending, unfollowing, and social alienation that happens as a result of online posts. Is it really about the principle, or were there things you didn’t like about this person before and their beliefs just gave you the excuse to go for the jugular? Are you upset because someone went after you online, or are you feeling upset because of who went after you, how they went after you, or what might be prompting them to do it?

How much of your righteous indignation is about the issue and how much is about the fact that you either hang out with assholes or you are the asshole? Anyway, have a feel-good video:

Aaaannnnyyyyhoo, Onto the Reading, Shall We…?

I asked the cards what we need to know about the week of 6/23/20 – 6/30/20 and I got: Eight of Cups (number 8, letting go, retreating into one’s inner world, possibly a vacation, a lonely retreat, a dream that’s no longer fulfilling, and possibly no longer taking something for granted); Six of Swords (number 6, healing, moving to a more peaceful phase, possibly moving to a new house, rest from mental pressure or stress, possibly a guardian angel, and finding peace after a troubled time); Six of Pentacles (number 6, equal exchange, giving and receiving help with no strings, charity, having more support than one knows they have, practical help is available, and sharing); and the Hierophant (number 5, traditional wisdom, getting wisdom from dreams, teachers and mentors, a time to question what society expects, the need to retain one’s integrity in the face of criticism, healing old wounds, and a time to be honest). There are a couple themes with this reading. First, the energy is totally bittersweet. It feels like a major lesson from either a loss or seeing something about a situation that you can’t unsee. You can’t walk back from whatever realization you come to this week. It feels like something that needed to happen. It also feels like a weird vibe from people you thought were friends, someone makes shady comments, or learning where you actually stand in your job or family. It could also come in the form of completely honest feedback you might not like. There is also a theme of mentorship here, which can take the form of a trusted friend, an older relative, or even a guardian angel. The Six of Swords and Hierophant support this theory. I feel like this mentor is either one of your guardians or familiars coming through in a dream or an older friend or relative. The energy surrounding this entity or person is grounded, serene, and that of an old soul. I also feel like the Six of Pentacles is telling us you will have a couple other people or resources that come in clutch for you this week. The spread begins and ends with cards that ask you to retreat from your daily grind or mental hamster wheel. These cards—the Eight of Cups and the Hierophant—ask you to get off the anxiety roller coaster and question how many of your insecurities or expectations are really yours. A theme I don’t want you to miss is the theme of support. Yes, you have people, deities, entities, agencies, etc in your corner. Please don’t let your emotions talk yourself out of you getting the help you have probably been asking to receive. Here’s a good meditation to do daily to stay out of your own damn way:

There’s no mantra this week because I feel like silence would be more golden.

If you’re looking for an inspirational poem on finding your place in the world amongst a million ghosts, check out Joan Carol Bird’s latest. Hey, sharing is caring.

Tarot Reading of the Week: 6/8/2020 – 6/15/2020

June 7, 2020June 7, 2020Leave a comment

One more week, seven days closer to figuring out your New Normal (™). I put these self-care tips and videos before the weekly reading as a sort of meditation. Consider it a blueprint for your New Normal (™). You probably know how I feel by now, but here’s the gist of my logic:

The last four years have brought out the absolute worst in people. I think we were looking at the beginnings of this in 2015, maybe even late 2014, but that’s another story. No matter when it started, I’m pretty sure we were aware racism and entitlement existed in the Before Trump Era (™). I think you probably knew at least one person who was seething with resentment, whether it be in the form of everyday microaggressions or full-on nastiness at holiday dinners. And you also probably knew at least one #WOKE liberal who took the victim stance to justify their own subverted rage and privilege. Hell, you’ve probably been one of these people at least once in your life (and probably on social media). Not only do we kind of suck, but none of us were ever filled with love and light. Are we really this fucking surprised by the protests?
We have another chance to try something new. Ruby Bridges, the first black child allowed in a white school, is only 65-years-old. American women got the right to vote only a hundred years ago this August. There’s a very real chance that some of the boomers who lived through the tail end of the civil rights movement in the 1960’s are some of the same people who casually slung racial slurs at Obama throughout his presidency. And now here we are again. Will we learn from it? Which lessons do you want to incorporate into your New Normal (™)?
We can stop being so fucking superficial now. I make affectionate jokes about virtue signalling because there are several harmless forms of it. I try to keep the ones I engage in harmless, at any rate. However, there’s a lot of virtue shaming that happens. “OMG, how can you post about animal abuse when everyone’s worried about the coronavirus?!” We all know those members of the Privilege Police (™) that like to get on you for not being positive enough, sensitive enough, or just decide to pounce on your opinions because they’re having a bad day. They exist in all sociopolitical flavors—conservative vanilla, anti-vaxxer berry, millennial rocky road, religious ripple, liberal sorbet, and gun-toting libertarian chip. Fuck all of them because it’s pure ego.
Focus on the next right thing, rather than suffocating your karma with others’ emotional baggage. You can really only deal with yourself, but being open to feedback is good for you. A good rule of thumb is to find one or two valid points in someone else’s opinion and throw the rest in the recycle bin.

But you probably only came here for the reading. That’s fair. Before we get to it, I have to mention the MindBody/Wellness Research and Science Network group on Facebook. The chick who runs it takes an evidence-based approach to holistic topics. She posts a lot of cool yoga livestreams too. Oh, and I had no idea karma yoga was a thing. Check it out:

Aaaannnnyyyyhoo, Onto the Reading, Shall We….?

I asked the cards what we need to know about the week of 6/8/20 – 6/15/20: Five of Wands (number 5, competition, possibly jealousy, aggression, posturing, challenges, possibly defensiveness, the need to usually prove oneself, and needing to prove one’s point); Knight of Wands (fire sign male, intensity, impatient person, emotional or rash decisions, focused on personal freedom, increased energy, and action); Ace of Wands (number 1 or 11, new energy, new projects, creativity, the need to make dreams a reality, new life, and possibly optimism); and the Emperor (number 4, the need for discipline in some area of life, control issues, “daddy issues,” a warning against being too rigid or overbearing, the need to take charge of one’s life, a warning against taking oneself too seriously, and the need to get organized). The energy surrounding this reading is somewhere between yikes and double yikes. This spread is Yikes 1.5 for a couple reasons. First, all of the Minor Arcana cards—the Five of Wands, the Ace of Wands, and the lone court card—are all of the Wands suit. Wands signify action, fire, and possibly conflict. The second reason this spread is Yikes 1.5 is because the one Major Arcana card is the Emperor, which is the ultimate control freak card of the tarot. The spread starts with the action-packed Five of Wands, which is a card of possible aggression and jealousy. If that weren’t enough, the Five is next to the Knight of Wands. This Knight is a hothead. He gets triggered easily and acts on it. My feeling about these two cards is someone in a work, family, or school situation who has already taken a mild disliking to you will expose themselves as a bit of a dick this week. It feels like this exposed jackass was someone you couldn’t be bothered with before, which may be part of the reason they feel so comfortable either undermining you or making a sideways comment. It feels like it will be to your face, rather than gossip or backstabbing. It’s a comment or action that you would ordinarily blow off, but something about it triggers the fuck out of you this week. Remember when I said Wands are action-oriented? This tells me although you should refrain from beating this person to a pulp, you shouldn’t completely blow off this incident either. I don’t feel like the person who throws the gauntlet is a major threat. If they were a poison, they’d be Frenemy Lite. They’re just poisonous enough to give you a rash and maybe the runs, but nothing avoidance or a little Benadryl can’t fix. I feel like you know this, which tells me being triggered by them is a call to action for you. The final two cards—the Ace of Wands and the Emperor—support this interpretation. The Ace of Wands represents a surge of energy, the creative spark, and a call to action. This tells me using this incident as inspiration to do something new—such as getting the fuck out of there, working out to control your free-floating anxiety, rethinking your boundaries, or doing that creative project you’ve been toying with—rather than catching an assault charge. The Emperor is a double-edged discipline card. On one hand, it represents having the self-discipline to affect positive change. On the other hand, it represents self-denial, being punitive, and controlling others with rigid rules and emotional abuse. I consider the Emperor a warning in this spread. You will be filled with a lot of energy due to righteous indignation and just being over the bullshit. However, you have a choice as to how you will direct that energy and this choice will color the next 90 days of your life. I say use that energy for your own self-improvement, regardless of what that looks like.

The Card: The Hermit

Meaning: Number 9, Archangel Raziel, meditation and self-reflection, spiritual teachings, self-discovery, past life memories, good advice, a mentor, rethinking one’s plans, and teaching.

Mantras:

I allow myself the space to be alone with my thoughts.
I allow myself to internalize the lessons I need, but let go of what doesn’t serve me.
I give myself permission to improve my mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health.
I allow people the freedom to have their own opinions, while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
I maintain my integrity in the face of criticism, but am open to feedback.
I take appropriate actions when needed.
I maintain my boundaries without harming the boundaries of others.
I am open to learning more about myself.
I take small steps towards my goals every day.

If you’re looking for an inspirational poem on finding your place in the world amongst a million ghosts, check out Joan Carol Bird’s latest. Hey, sharing is caring.

Did you like my buddy Marshall Delaware, aka G. G. MacLeod? Check out our latest political feature. He’s coming back to impart a little more of his relationship wisdom, FYI. If you want to read an awesome historical fiction novel, you can get your hands on his book here. It may take place in Ancient Rome, but Augusta couldn’t be any more timely if it tried. He actually dropped Part Two a while ago and most recently gifted the world with Part Three. I think you should go get it, Tiger!

Tarot Reading of the Week: 6/2/2020 – 6/9/2020

June 3, 2020June 3, 2020Leave a comment

Any nonprofit animal shelter.
The Humane Society.
Your local food bank.
The United Way.
Coronavirus relief charities.
Black Lives Matter.
The NAACP.
The ACLU.
NAMI.
The Official Go Fund Me page for the Floyd family.

Here’s what you need to know about the one-question mini readings:

Make your $5 donation to any of the above causes.
Screenshot me a copy of the receipt with your payment and personal info blurred or crossed out.
Send me one question. I can’t accommodate follow up questions at this time.

Aaaannnndddd on to the Reading, Shall We…?

I asked the cards what we need to know about the week of 6/2/20 – 6/9/20 and I got: Three of Pentacles (number 3, recognition for talent, someone who has worked hard to achieve a skill, hard work and persistence bringing success, dedication, and an award); Five of Cups (number 5, grief, the need to focus on what remains, an emotional time, the need to let go of an emotional issue, temporary pain and melancholy, and being unaware of other opportunities); Ten of Cups (number 10, joy, love, sharing, emotional fulfillment, dreams coming true, others benefitting from one’s happiness); and Ten of Pentacles (number 10, family traditions, family-related burdens, family karma, inheritance, financial security, the need to look to elders for guidance, and support). There are a couple things I notice about this spread. First, the suits of Cups and Pentacles are the only ones represented. Cups are the suit of emotions, intuition, and the flow of life. Pentacles deal with the material plane, specifically money, career, your environment, and stability. The spread begins and ends with Pentacles, with Cups in the middle. These cards show me your money and your emotions are intertwined this week, which may be a warning against sabotaging your cash flow by popping off at work, overspending on stupid crap, or making major financial decisions based on emotion. The Three of Pentacles next to the Five of Cups makes me wonder if you have a fear of success that might rear its ugly head this week. The way to counteract this potential self-sabotage is to respond as politely and courteously as you can to your boss, coworkers, your partner, and all upcoming opportunities. I feel like the Three of Pentacles means any work you’ve put into a creative or financial project will get you noticed this week, but the Five of Cups means you may get flustered or are too far in a funk to respond in a way that projects enthusiasm and energy. The Five of Cups is a card of grief and needing to let go of old issues. The Five is next to the Ten of Cups, which is a card of joy and emotional fulfillment. This supports the fear of success theory for me because you will need to let go of whatever triggers are coming your way in order to take care of an opportunity that will present itself this week. This spread concludes with the Ten of Pentacles, which is a family and tradition-heavy card. There’s a three-fold meaning here. First, there’s a lot of security and help available to you this week. This can take several forms, such as someone randomly saying or giving you just the right thing. Second, your issues with self-sabotage and fearing success are family-learned. This would be a good week to learn from others’ mistakes, as well as reflect on your history of self-sabotage. Which leads to the last meaning. This week is a great week to make tiny, positive changes. The Cups/Pentacles theme this week tells me these changes should have something to do with grounding, which is pagan and therapy speak for an activity that keeps you calm and in the present. Some small grounding techniques might be:

Taking a walk for 15 minutes a day.
Turning your nightly skincare routine into a meditation.
Gardening or walking through the garden section of Home Depot.
Holding a worry stone.
Deep breathing exercises.
15 minutes a day of yoga.
A grounding meditation.
Mindful housecleaning.

Just don’t completely level everything in your world.

The Card: The Magician

Meaning: Number 1, Archangel Raziel, being ready for positive changes, manifestation, “magical” coincidences, stop procrastinating, unexpected resources, and self-confidence.

Mantras:

I accept all opportunities and feedback given to me.
I reflect on my patterns and learn from them.
I take stock of the support and resources available to me.
I take action when given an opportunity.
I acknowledge my self-sabotaging thoughts, without giving in to them.
I weigh my opportunities and make decisions for the highest good of all considered.
I process my insecurity, without allowing it to rule my thoughts, feelings, and actions.
I learn from my mistakes and get out of my own way when needed.
I acknowledge my feelings, but am not ruled by them.

If you’re looking for an inspirational poem on finding your place in the world amongst a million ghosts, check out Joan Carol Bird’s latest. Hey, sharing is caring.

the spice is right

Tag: anxiety

Tarot Reading of the Week: 3/16/21 – 3/23/21

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Tarot Reading of the Week: 7/6/20 – 7/13/20

Tarot Reading of the Week: 6/30/2020 – 7/6/2020

Tarot Reading of the Week: 6/8/2020 – 6/15/2020

Tarot Reading of the Week: 6/2/2020 – 6/9/2020