The 5 of Wands energy today is prickly, irritable. Ready to throw down to defend your turf at the slightest slight. It's not a bad thing when you feel prickly! It's a totally normal human response. The prickly feeling is like a motion sensor alarm, usually it goes off when one of your boundaries is close to being crossed, or where an important need isn't being met.
Are you giving too much, not feeling valued, feeling vulnerable or unsafe? Irritation is piping up so you can take care of that boundary, by stating your actual needs and desires.
How freaking smart are our bodies to do this for us? Our bodies are literally picking up environmental info all the time and transmitting to our conscious minds via our emotions. When we're willing to listen, we have the opportunity to understand and take care of ourselves better. When we're not willing or don't know how to listen, we stay in a state of irritation where everything annoys us and we don't know why.
This is a great reminder for me. I've lived whole years in this constantly irritated state and I still experience it from time to time. I've been feeling it this week, so this is a message I needed for sure. I'm grateful I have the tools now to work with it and listen to my body. That helps this cycle be shorter and less frequent (or prevented!), and I can be more patient with myself and others.
If you're feeling irritable today, I invite you to listen to your body and emotions and thank them for showing you what needs attention. And please share what tools help you feel better!
I hope this helps!
Independence Day : The Chariot
Success is a container we build out of beliefs and priorities we receive from outside sources and the approval we seek outside ourselves. We work so hard to check off all the boxes for a "successful" life: home, job, money, partner, degree, possessions. But once we have this container of success, built on outside approval, and achievement, we realize it is empty. A perfect-on-paper life, lived without awareness of our soul, leaves us deeply unhappy. And our unhappiness is what often sparks our desire to search for truth and meaning. It's the feeling of, "I have all of this stuff, but I'm still not satisfied. There must be something more to life."
This is the call of The Chariot, to step away from the societal ideas of success, and connect with our soul. Today we're asked to tune into our soul's purpose: what do you truly desire to bring into the world? Let that desire lead you. The Chariot can be a vehicle for our soul's purpose rather than the ego's desire to find outer success. The invitation here is to harness our ambition and drive so it can be in service of our soul's work. In the Motherpeace image of the Chariot, the Amazon warrior on her soul's quest, is rewarded with an apple from the Goddess. When you are working from your soul, you can feel it. You may receive tokens that confirm you are on the right path. Reflect on ways that you've gotten confirmations that you're where you need to be. When have you put your drive behind your soul work, and things have just fallen into place, or you've found just the right person or idea at the right time? You're being asked to move forward based on your own internal guidance, and trust that you already have all you need to start doing your soul's work now.
It's not lost on me that this incredibly powerful card came up on the 4th of July! We are taught so well in this country to seek guidelines and approval outside of ourselves, and to practice "American" beliefs and behaviors. How often do we do things because we're told to, or we think other people expect it, or because that's how it's always been done? True independence is listening to your own soul, not just being able to do or buy whatever you want. I have a lot of complicated feelings about the United States, I'm sure we all do. We can't celebrate freedom and idealism without facing the fact that real people are suffering and dying in this country and abroad -- all to keep the white supremacist cis-het vaguely-christian misogynist state in power. These people are just as real and alive as you are, and are just as worthy of living.
Today, remember that patriotism is another way of creating an arbitrary "us vs them," and that dichotomy is one of the threads holding the idea of this country together. We can honor our history, and take action to change the present. As we tap into our personal soul work today, let us all remember that we are all humans, all connected, no matter where we live. Each of us is here at this time to dissolve separation, and serve the collective. We are independent and intertwined.
If you can today, please donate to the ACLU, PP, SPLC, or any local organizations doing good work. May all people everywhere be happy and free.
10 Years
10 years with this beautiful man. I once told him he was an adventure, but he said no, WE are an adventure. And so we are.
Ian, I love you and I'm so glad you're my person.
We went to Florent on our first official date way back in 2007, and I guess we'll keep visiting this spot until Gansevoort Street is underwater and some future J Crew spinoff is selling seaweed pants there.
Happy Pride!
New Moon Fire Release Ceremony
Nothing is as cathartic as burning what you're ready to let go, and feeling seen and supported by a group of amazing women.
Thanks to Heather Hogan for a beautiful new moon circle, and for your flashy but safe pyrotechnics!
New Moon in Cancer
Rather than bringing feelings to the surface, this moon submerges us deep into our feelings. You have to feel your way, this is not the time for intellectual analysis.
The first thing to know is that you're safe here. And everyone around you is swimming in the same waters. We're all a bit more empathic right now so this is a good time to speak your heart and be heard. It can be really scary, but it is safe to be heard.
We often try to protect our deep tender feelings by strategizing ways to act to get approval, to show the "right" emotional response to get the reaction we desire rather than whatever we're actually feeling. But every time we use this strategy, we're putting distance between ourselves and the people we're trying to connect with.
Another way we protect our emotions is by not being present, specifically in dwelling in nostalgia. We always have these memories to visit, but when we compare the present to the past too much, thinking that the best times are gone, then we're closed off to present possibilities. It can seem safe and comfortable to be checked out, but it's not doing us any favors.
As we learn to roll with the discomfort of being seen, we can let go of strategies and distractions. We can be more present and more ourselves. This practice of being open is pointing us toward ways we can connect on a bigger scale. The invitation is to act on our empathy. When you feel connected and in tune with all of your fellow humans, you want to keep them safe and help them thrive. So be heard, keep calling your representatives. Show up to local community board meetings, volunteer, donate, be kind. Let your feelings be a motivation for connection, rather than an excuse for isolation.
Thank You! Tarot for Creativity Class
Thank you to everyone who attended tonight's Tarot for Creativity class at the Pioneer Works Bookstore! I had a blast talking about tarot with you, and I can't wait to see how you bring tarot into your creative practice.
I'm so proud and impressed to see everyone dive in and offer such insightful readings. You already know what all the cards mean, and now you've proved it to yourselves.
And thank you to the Pioneer Works events and bookstore teams for hosting!
Happy Solstice
Happy solstice to all you lucky honeys!
Self Care is Showing Up
Self care is showing up for what you *know* is good for your heart, even when it'd be easier to flake. Like meeting up with friends during perfect rainy nap weather.
(I love when the cards are sassy and literal.)
Ace of Wands
Happy Monday, hope you are all harnessing your fire and raising your vibration.
Full Moon in Sagittarius
Happy Full Moon from me and this sweet patch of moss
Paris Climate Agreement: What You Can Do
Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement:
Let this news reaffirm your commitment to change your own habits, to speak out, to do whatever you can to heal the planet. Don't lose hope because some jabronies are flaunting their disrespect for life. That is meant as a distraction tactic, to spiral us in a bunch of fear and dire thoughts. It is meant to separate us from our innate connection with the earth, each other, and source. Keep your focus. Each successive news story about the US government's contempt for life serves to distract us, and to control the story of what's going on. If someone tells you over and over that you're not worthy of respect, rights, life, freedom, they are trying to make you believe it. They are trying to beat you down and crush your will to stay in your own truth. It is a classic abuser tactic, and what is a fascist state if not large scale abuse.
But you do not have to buy it. You don't even need to put energy into denying or resisting their message. Be soft, let it pass through you, like a shadow over water. Keep your energy available to use in creating art and speaking for threatened people, for taking responsibility for your own use of resources, and for doing the work of connection and support. That's what they want to prevent, is us being fully alive and connected. So notice the story, but don't grab onto it with despair or anger. Notice it, and keep on working to bring more beauty and love into the world. And not in a fluffy way. I mean the deep work of facing your prejudices, and privilege, caring for your fellow humans, respecting and protecting life, and speaking the truth. That's real love and beauty.
Please reach out if I can help support you. I have a few openings on Friday and Sunday. π
π·: Photo by me. Trillium on Mt Ranier
Beach Magic
Oregon, you have some incredibly beautiful coastline.
New Moon in Gemini/Supermoon
Gemini is the twins, the double, the mirror. Both the sun and moon are in Gemini, right now, bringing a layer of doubles to our perception. This is not a time of either/or, it is both/and. Nothing is being split in half or added to, rather we are seeing and feeling our own multi-faceted nature.
This invites a way of being where we are at the same time our everyday self and our higher self. We are both at once all the time, but in our culture we are conditioned to to try to split them. We're told to make "logical" ego-based decisions and brush off anything that might be termed "feeling," even when that is in fact your intuition. But both sides are meant to work together.
A powerful way for working with this moon's energy is asking yourself for guidance, like you're asking a wise friend. Not sure how you feel about something, or what the best course of action? Ask yourself, your higher self, the complete and loving part of yourself. Write down the question or issue you want to ask your higher self, then center in your heart. Intend for the answer to come from your heart, higher self, soul, intuition-- whatever term feels right. Then write the answer to your question. You may be surprised by what you see! Your intuition will always be loving and expansive, and won't judge or blame you or anyone else. If you read back on what you've written and you see any blame or mean self-talk, that's no big deal, just showing where the ego and old beliefs are-- for this exercise, just cross it out.
If you feel like you want to connect to your intuition, soul, or higher self, asking is the first step. It opens the opportunity for this inner guidance to come through more and more, and take the lead in everyday life. This moon is a very good time to open up to this part of yourself, because the current is just gently pulling that way, and it requires very little effort, just willingness to open.
π·: photo by me of Black Sun by Isamu Noguchi, Volunteer Park, Seattle
Mountain Magic
Page of Wands :
Learning to let ambition soften from some grabby do-it-all mindset to playful wondering, and trying things out just to see what happens, without expectations about the outcome.
The true inventor's mind, just experiencing, not controlling. Letting your inner fire be a thing you notice and play with. That's what it's here for! Wands have this amazing invitation to let go and let your energy be playful. But that requires you to accept that you can't do it all or control it all. You are not meant to control everything, nor is control actually enjoyable. It's like a drug, it doesn't satisfy a true need so you still have this craving for more. (Hello yes I struggle with control issues alll the time and I rarely feel like I'm doing "enough.")
When you can accept that (for a little while, because this is something we have to learn over and over), THAT is Page of Wands energy. Just being able to say, "I don't know what will happen next, but in this moment I feel a spark and I'm going to try out this idea and see what happens."
That approach to fire and ambition means you can be open to all possibilities, including the possibilities that this one idea may not pan out, or that it might work so well it'll take on a life of its own. Remembering you don't have control of the outcome even in your most inspired ideas and careful planning, so you might as well have some fun. And no matter the outcome, trying again and again. By not putting your energy into trying to control, you have more left to put to creative, fun use.
I'm taking this mountain message to heart, remembering that I can play and experience my fire in a grounded, way, and don't have to grind so hard.
πΉWhen you pull a card and it matches the landscape π
photo from Mount Ranier yesterday
πΉ Ranier is a SNOW CAPPED VOLCANO, talk about grounded fire.
Tiny Perfect Things
Happy Sunday from Seattle!
The sounds of birds and church bells are all around our little Airbnb.
The 10 of Cups invites us to look up and see beautiful, wonder-full parts of the present moment. Right now, not an hour ago when the light was better or in 5 minutes after you've done the dishes. There is something perfect and mundane waiting for your gratitude right now, so thank the first thing that comes to mind. (Thank you, slatted light on this formica tabletop.)
The High Priestess reminds us that we connect with the deep mysteries of life as we connect with the minutiae of this moment. Presence and gratitude are the simplest and greatest spiritual practices.
What tiny perfect thing are you grateful for right now?
Seattle and Portland Bookings
Seattle and Portland people, I'll be on the west coast from May 20-30. If you would like to book me for tarot readings, reiki, private lessons, or a group class, I would love that! Please reach out and we'll set up a date.
Also please share recs for great local food, vintage shopping, cozy cafes, etc.
NYC, see you again in June!
Dream Big, Work Big
Today's sweet office ::
I had the honor of offering email and in-person readings for some lovely people and I just love this work. I want to do as much of it as possible.
If you'd like to work with me, please reach out! I'm now booking for June and July.
I'm also working on setting up a scheduler, planning an email newsletter, more public classes, and private lessons. And I want to write a TV show, maybe a book first. π Dream big, work big, do all the things!
Thank you all for hanging out and reading this and for also sharing your lives with me. Happy weekend, people!
Full Moon in Scorpio
The card I drew for this moon is Ace of Cups. The invitation here is to go deep, get weird, and embrace our shadow, all in the service of love.
Happy full moon, beautiful people!
Forgiveness and The Devil
Forgive yourself to heal yourself.
There is nothing you can't heal.
There is nothing you can't forgive.
What The Devil card shows us is where we hold shame about something we did that we believe we can never heal or forgive.
Believing something is unforgivable is a way to feel in control of a situation. If you tell yourself that you will never ever forgive yourself for a thing, then you are creating a cage for your own power of forgiveness, not the thing, whatever it is.
Forgiving does not mean condoning harmful behavior or allowing it to happen again. It's about letting go of the story of it, and taking ownership for your feelings. It's about offering healing and love to yourself.
This is deep, hard stuff to work through, but its part of being human. I'm doing it, too.
Big love to @brooklyntarot, @wildsoulhealing, and the rest of the #brooklynfools for holding space for all of us to share these big scary feelings so we can keep healing them.
β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ @heatherhogandc @darylkovalich @_p_yoon @puhluh @paula__dixon @swellest @anneka.skywalker @stefaniecaponi @margaretyesmargaret (any other Fools on Instagram?)