No, it doesn’t have anything to do with the epidemic. This is more primal than that. Even though this is one of the cards that has been showing up a lot lately, today has a slightly different spin, different spirit to it. Which only goes to show how a mere 78 cards can give so much guidance and so much comfort to so many people through the ages. Elevate that basic 78 to the power of layout positions, to the power of types of message (advice, caution, validation, etc) raised to the power of all the different visual symbols in all the different decks….if the possibilities aren’t endless, it is certainly more math than I could do.
The card today gave a very stage of life, natural progression sort of feeling. It is the normal order of things for children to become adults and adults to become parentless, and for younger generations to assume their time of power. The card feels like it was speaking from the side of the younger generation. It is time to step into your power, and as Stan Lee taught us, with great power comes great responsibility. If we are going to be in charge, we got to get our sh*t together. It has come time to protect, rather than crave protection.
If you are already there, well done.
This speaks to emotional maturity and autonomy more than chronological age. It is never easy to realize that you are the responsible one now. It is OK to feel like you are left twisting in the wind, not sure what to do. The important thing is to figure out how to regain your footing. The important thing is to know how to get the information you need to feel like you got this. It is out there. It is possible to feel protected and comforted, even when no one else is around.
I hope this slight change in format showcases what I’ve always known about my readings: Distance is my specialty. I’m really good with the written word. Typing a reading filters through my language centers differently. The information is the same, and it spits out the the same core message as in a live, in-person, on the spot reading, but I communicate that message just a tiny bit differently through email and the handwritten InkMagick readings. There is more emotional power. There is more style and panache. There is more poetry. For example, imagine the message from spirit is “flowers.” In the real-time reading you will 100% for sure get “flowers”. In the written reading you will 100% for sure get “flowers. The core message is absolutely identical. With the written message, there is an chance the message might be a tad more polished, sophisticated or poetic…you might get “flowers like a yard full of spring violets” or “flowers, like a bouquet of pink roses”. I’m really good at doing in-person readings…you’ll always get your flowers, so to speak, but I’m super-extra-good at written readings. In all fairness, that might just be my perception because written readings are just so darn satisfying to do. Especially the pen and ink on paper one. I use a glass dip pen (I swear it reminds everyone of a magic wand) and specialty ink. Pen and ink holds a certain magick even beyond the power of the written word in a digital reading. It goes without saying all of the readings you get here are done by little old me and all the years I’ve been doing this, never a computer program, always unique, always for you, no matter which format you choose.
That being said – on to today’s cards.
Left: Four of Cups. Feel the feels. Emotions are running high. Emotions change often and things are understandably stressful. If you are one of the lucky ones who meet the times with calm or humor, keep it up…the world needs you. Look at the young man under the tree. He looks more introspective, not terribly happy. The Mermaid is silently, patiently present. Whatever your response to these times may be, sit with the present moment. Be present, not judging. Times will flow like the stream, circumstance will change. This moment requires a patient, perhaps silent touch. Be. Be with the moment, be with each other in the feeling of the times, if not in physical presence.
Center: Ace of Pentacles (Ace of Coins) Coins have to do with the element of earth and the suit in general relates to the physical realm. This card picks up where the Queen of Wands left off. This is beyond leading by calm management and expample. It is time do do the practical things, do what you need to do to manage and preserve. Be smart and logical. Manage your resources and preserve them, never mind the notion of leadership. Ace cards are more primal and of the essence of the suit. Manage things well and keep it up.
Right: The Hanged Man. Boy does this capture the current energy, with everyone with a brain and a heart sheltering at home to protect everyone. We are in this together, we are isolated and at home for other people. In the past I’ve written that the Hanged Man teaches us that one person’s stuck in the mud is another person’s day at a spa. My mind is especially drawn to the bird with the bauble in its beak. This is a gift. It is a spa day. This enforced cut-back in outside activity and distraction is our chance to do something deeply wonderful. We are busy feeling stuck when we are also being handed a treasure. Now is the time for introspection. Set goals. What is it you want out of life? What can you do to move toward that when this is all over? People pay money for the chance to eat simply and meditate all day, take walks, do yoga and go on a spiritual retreat. Don’t let this treasure fall past you. If you are reading this, you have internet access enough to find yoga instruction, new recipes to try, free ebooks galore. The “hang” won’t last forever. Take it in. The energy that is touching the human race right now is profound and powerful. It might frighten you. It might frustrate you. Or, if you take a hand in the process, it change you for the better.
Queen cards represent leadership as much as the King cards do, very much a team, not unlike a maternal / paternal partnership. The Queen’s leadership takes a more nurturing form. While the king is protector, Queen is a manager. While the King is out whacking away at the enemy, the Queen is in the castle keep making sure there are enough food stores, and supplies. That is exactly the kind of leadership we need in the times of a pandemic. You can’t whack a virus. It isn’t about male or female, but about leadership style that either gender can use and exhibit. We are all being asked to use skills that we haven’t had to use in a long time, if ever.
I’ve worked from home for a while now. And I use the term work loosely…and yes, that is a shameless plug to please give me more Tarot and Reiki work to do…but it takes a different skill set than it did way back in the day when the alarm went off and days unfolded on a pre-determined schedule. Don’t get me wrong, I love the free flowing coffee and being able to tool around in my fuzzy bunny slippers, but you do have to have some discipline and put some real time, thought and effort into managing time. And resources. And going for groceries. People in the gig economy who work out of their home have been ready for this. Now everyone has to latch on to those kinds of skills, and they are there. You got this.
Make and keep a schedule. Plan meals in advance and shop strategically (pro tip: use grocery store sales flyers to get meal ideas)…all simple but effective. You got this.
Leadership comes in a lot of forms. A little TLC and queenly management is one of them. Everyone can use a little comfort these days. That includes the queenly management. That includes you.
Left: The Empress. Breathe. Get in the literal outside if you can (viruses don’t like sunlight as I understand it). When are you going to get another chance like this to give yourself some judgement-free alone time to really, deeply connect with nature? That includes your own inner nature which is vitally important too.
Middle: Trapped at home with your family? Good! Pretend it’s Thanksgiving and e ither enjoy each other’s company or try to not get too much blood on the carpet as your individual situation may be. Either way apply shared pleasures and noise cancelling headphones liberally.
Right: Page of Swords. All the page cards reflect learning. Swords resonate with air and intellect as well as action. Long story short, read a book. Catch up on those podcasts. Fire up those Ted Talks you’ve been meaning to watch. Learn something. Learn anything. Things will change, they always do. Embrace your intellect and time on your hans becomes your friend.
“Work the problem people! Let’s not make things worse by guessing.”
– Gene Krantz in the Apollo 13 movie, written by Jim. Lovell, Jeffery Kluger and others.
There are a lot of things out of our control at the moment, but you are still the human inside the superhero suit. What would Tony Stark do? Stay chill, work the problem and do what needs done – even if what NEEDS done is to cool your jets at home.
In light of the covid-19 pandemic I’m suspending in-person and party Tarot readings for a couple of weeks so we all can do just exactly that. It’s like I’ve been telling you for years, distance Tarot really, truly is 100% the exact same identical reading you would get in-person … the only difference is I use electrons instead of air molecules to get the message to you.
It works just like buying anything online. Go to http://www.TaoCraftTarot.com and use the secure PayPal buttons to order the layout you want (prices range from $5 to $40) Send an email with your question, topic, or permission for an open reading (or to schedule your session if you order a phone or skype session.
Left: Death. Momento mori. Valar Morghulis. Wash your dang hands, listen to experts, mitigate viruses…if not for yourself, then for someone you love.
Middle: The Emperor. It’s ok to be ok. It’s ok to take it all in stride. That just means that this is your time to shine, to be hero and protector for the vulnerable ones. Valar Doheris.
Right: Five of Coins. We are all riding this space rock together. Just be excellent to each other.
Left: King of Swords. Who has had your back? Who has taught you useful things? Who gifted you with your best life hacks? Why not send them a thought of gratitude right now?
Center: Four of Wands. Celebrate the steady. If everything around you is chaos, find your inner calm and make that the guest of honor at the steadiness party.
Right: Seven of Wands. Taking the easy way out leaves the door open to “what if…” Take on the challenge, and then you’ll know.
Persist. It’s mid-week, so don’t stop now especially if you are mid-project. Even if you are busy making your dreams come true, some days you have to just grind it out.
Achievement requires a degree of imagination. If you can’t envision something different, why would you put in the effort to make a change? See in your mind’s eye then do what is needed to make it so.
Provide for your passions. In a day filled with work and coffee and things to do, can’t you find just 10 or 15 little minutes to do something, anything, that is meaningful to you? Give a few minutes to a thing you love and it will give you some love in return.
Sage Sips / TaoCraft Tarot 
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