Weekly Forecast: August 6-12

It's always exciting to see a reading featuring a single suit. Why? Because it shows the cards giving us an extremely targeted message, and in this case, it's an extremely practical one as well since we're looking at the earthy group of pentacles.

Not only that, but we're entering onto the scene with the King of Pentacles! Already, we can see that we're in a position to lead and delegate with ease. We're showing up fully with lots of well-earned confidence. This isn't a time to make ourselves small or run away from responsibility. And we won't want to because we have lots of exciting work to do.

This week we're being called on to muster our forces and reign in our spending (financial and energetic) in order to get ready for the launch of a new project. It may be an adjustment, especially since the King of Pentacles loves decadence and pleasures. Moving from this king to the Four of Pentacles is a shift from expansiveness to strategic restraint and consolidation. 

While this isn't a glamorous change at first glance, the King of Pentacles has more than enough chutzpah and persuasiveness to see things differently. We're being given a chance to see thrift and saving as a way to celebrate and cultivate our personal vision. The King of Pentacles may like to partake in the pleasures of their life, but they also know that doing so is only part of the cycle. The other half? The work itself. And it's just as affirming and joyful.

If we enter into the financially conservative position of the Four of Pentacles with the vision of the King we can view our resources as tools to build something new, vibrant, and exciting. In other words, reigning it in is a way of preparing for expanding into new territory. In this way, the Four of Pentacles doesn't have to be miserly, stingy, or dissatisfied.

 Instead of seeing the need to save money as shameful - I dont' have enough right now and I should! - or limiting - I want to buy new clothes and I can't! - we can re-frame it as an empowering, self-directed move. We are the masters of our finances, just like the King of Pentacles. 

Because the motivation behind these choices is a project that has a great deal of potential. The Three of Pentacles is always exciting to see because it shows the immersive, intoxicating, and motivating act of planning. We're ready to start building something new and we're going to need our material resources to make it a reality. The more we hammer out the details, the more we feel aligned and justified in our saving.

Staying connected with our goal will only build our energy and excitement. And in the long run, this expenditure will bring us back towards the celebratory success of the King. Finding satisfaction in work and security in saving will be bringing us a deep sense of meaning. 
 

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Weekend Send-Off: Post-Eclipse Wildness

Source / Criterion Collection

If there's one thing I've learned about writing these posts it's my inability to realize when it's really, truly Friday. After tidying up from my last client of the day, I found myself dreamily contemplating what to read while folding laundry. Then it hit me - I'm not quite done with my day yet!

Though writing these posts doesn't feel a lot like work. There's something soothing about recapping events and drawing together a list of what's been inspiring and interesting. Even when, in this case, my week was decidedly strange and disjointed.

As in most situations, I'm going to squarely place this on the recent celestial happenings. It doesn't help that it's been dramatically soggy here in Durham - when you add rain to the heat and humidity everything feels clouded, including my brain. 

But when I'm in a dreamy, confused state the most normal things seem beautiful and mysterious. Cute mushrooms have sprung up by my driveway, reading seems cozier, and simple pleasures take on new meaning.

So here it is, some magic from the past week as well as the card for the weekend.

Tarot-Related Wonderfulness - Rituals of Escape

My friend emailed me this beautiful piece by Jetti Allen on Medium. Seeing people's experiences with tarot is so horizon-expanding and affirming. I agree with so many of Allen's insights, particularly around the complex and joyous meanings of the cards. They don't give us easy rights or wrongs, just a path towards our own profound and individual understanding. Please, hop over and read the whole thing.

Classic Cheer-Me-Up - Celery Man

There's been some rough patches this week that have had me reaching back to my old faithful, spirit-lifting resources. Aside from gazing with adoration at my beautifully organized spice cabinet, this video from the Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! is my go-to for true, uncomplicated happiness. I'll never get tired of Paul Rudd and his ridiculous sequences ("Now Tayne I can get into!") I'd also love to know what your favorite goofy/weird videos are, so pleasure share below!

Repeat Tarot Card

The Three of Cups has been all over the place this week, showing us that support and community are readily available. Banding together and toasting to our successes, big and small, is beautiful in its simplicity and sets the stage for growth. 

Listening, Reading, Watching

I rewatched one of my favorite movies, The Red Shoes, for the first time in years. It was even more beautiful than I remembered, especially the epic phatasmagoria of a dance scene in the middle. A reimagining of the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, a behind-the-scenes look at showbusiness, and a technicolor feast for the eyes? No wonder why I love it so!

Musically-speaking, I've been revisiting my favorite road trip songs in preparation for my long journey to visit my family on Cape Cod on Monday. On the top of the list? King of the Road by my favorite wild and wacky songwriter, Roger Miller. 

How about you? What has been bringing joy to your life this week? Now without further ado, the card for the weekend.

The Page of Swords

Message: Let curiosity guide you and experiment with new ideas and questions.

Embrace: New perspectives, writing and reading.

Let Go Of: Big-picture thinking, needing to be right.

Guidance: How can we be inspired by all the things we have yet to learn? What can be explore more?

The Importance of Rest & The Four of Swords

I've just gotten up and am sitting here typing at my computer, bleary-eyed and just two sips into my first cup of coffee. It's shockingly late for me to be getting started with my day since I'm usually aiming to be up by six. Now, at 8:45, I'd normally be starting along a familair narrative of pressure. "It's time to get started already!" But this morning I'm not.

Instead, I'm wrapped up in the bliss of my body. I feel good. I can feel the heaviness in my limbs that comes when we really let ourselves go and get a full eight hours of sleep. And, to be honest, that hasn't happened in a while. Maybe it's the upcoming eclipse and full moon, but I've been spending lots of time tossing and turning in bed. Is there anything more frustrating than not sleeping well when you're so, so tired?

Not last night, hallelujah! And I'm feeling so much better for it. But there's a funny ticker-tape of information that's coming along with my newfound relaxation, and I think it has a lot to do with our culture's anxiety about rest. And, as with most anxiety, it's scattered and somewhat illogical. But the message is this: "Now I'll have to start over again," and "I'm missing out."

In other words, when we rest we're loosing opportunities.

This reminds me of a book I read while working as a salesperson in a jewelry store. The place was teensy and, due to the high price point of the jewlery, frequently deserted. Because of this I had a) boatloads of spare time and b) immense pressure to convince one of the few customers fo buy something.

Enter: The Little Red Book of Sales. The owner pointed out this small book on the shelf and suggested I read it as soon as possible. "It'll teach you everything you need to know about being a salesperson," she said. 

Now, as you may have guessed, I have a slightly rebellious and stubborn streak. Especially towards pressure-filled, capitalist sales techniques. So I managed to avoid this book for a bit, until I ran out of things to polish, sweep, or rearrange. And then I dove in and, hoo boy, was it full of gems.

The most disturbing statement, one that's stuck with me ever since, was a section about gaining the advantage over competitors that, to paraphrase, argued, "While everyone's wasting time sleeping, you can get the upper hand by learning as much as you can about sales/your position/business!" 

So... don't sleep, you'll miss out. 

What a rough message! And this is where I (finally) tie in some tarot wisdom. Rest isn't just a frivolous waste of time. It's a precious, biologically necessary period to reset and regenerate physically while opening up our minds and spirits. And what tarot card could that reflect? Cue the Four of Swords!

I love this card because it integrates the mental acuity of the swords with slower-burning realizations that can only come when we lay back and rest. Known for being academic, rational, and even a little cold, the swords often get tied to the negative aspects of thinking. We get treated to the stabby heartbreak of the Three of Swords or the ruthless conflict of the Five. These are moments where words and thoughts hurt. 

But we can also have a tender and constructive relationship to our thoughts. They can be dreamy, ethereal, and poetic. They can bring us essential dimension and meaning. And, as the Four of Swords teaches us, we need space and rest and relaxation to invite these other forms of thought into our lives.

In the Rider-Waite-Smith image of the Four of Swords we see a figure laying down in a peaceful room. They're so peaceful, in fact, that they look almost dead. Light streams in from a beautiful stained glass window and three swords hand on the wall. These represent our conscious thoughts - things we're aware of and are now giving ourselves space to contemplate.

Yet there's another sword, hidden underneath the resting figure. This sword shows us how hidden information, realizations, and insights lie just below the surface.We need rest and repose for them to slowly bubble to the surface. Far from being a waste of time, sleep and other ways to recharge are utterly necessary to gain a true, embodied understanding of what's at work.

If we rely on the easily-identified facts of waking life to guide us we're ignoring deeper and more important truths. Why skim along the surface when we can both care for ourselves and tap into something deeper? 

Weekly Forecast: July 30 - August 5

It's always a delight when I pull one of the moon phase cards in the Pagan Otherworlds Tarot from Uusi Design Studio. This week we have the waxing gibbous moon as the center of our reading. It's beautiful, mysterious, and in the process of becoming fully illuminated. Similarly, we're in the midst of a wonderful period of self-discovery that's awash with equal parts energy and mystery.

On either side of this alluring moon we have two very different cards whose meanings are wonderfully complimentary. For starters, The Fool is sauntering into the week bringing their adventurer's sense of possibility. In contrast with the Knights, who are more ego-driven and intense seekers, The Fool has a refreshing selflessness and innocence. When we see this card we can know that we're heading towards uncharted territory that requires us to shed expectations about the path ahead as well as ourselves.

In order to take advantage of this new journey we need to travel light. In the days leading up to this week we've been doing some heavy shedding. Though this metaphor might be a little gross, it is very much like a dog shedding their winter coat or a bird moulting their feathers. We've been letting go of some stale ideas and choosing the few tools we need to get by. This leaves a lot of space for us to grow and expand.

We may, however, be feeling a bit empty and unsure. That's completely okay and part of the process. The Fool is a card that shows us the importance of taking a leap of faith, trusting in ourselves and our instincts to catapult us into the next level. It's worth remembering that we have everything we need to move forward with us right now. This card's lesson is that sometimes we have to brush aside some of the dust and burdens we've accumulated to get to our true self and true potential.

Embracing the energy of The Fool means taking our desires and wishes seriously. They may appear a bit outlandish to others, but that's none of their business. Our dreams are ours to pursue; they only need to make sense to us and us alone. And yet we won't be alone for long. 

The big leap we're taking is leading us towards important co-collaborators. There's a like-minded group of allies on the other side and we'll be able to dive into planning and building quite soon. The Three of Pentacles shows us this satisfying period of creation and connection. What's more, it brings the ever-important grounding energy of earth. Our Fool's path is doubly affirmed here. Not only do we have pure, self-guided intentions, but we're connecting with others to make them a reality rather than staying lost in the clouds. 

So what of the shimmering moon? It's glowing from the center of our reading to remind us to take it easy and to let our vision unfurl naturally. Time is the essential ingredient for our plans right now. Like a waxing gibbous moon, things are slowly coming into light. Now is a time to watch, listen, and notice how we're feeling during the transition. The work we've done to put ourselves in The Fool's shoes was no small task. Resting and simply feeling what it's like to be here now - before the work and toil begins - is a beautiful opportunity to integrate these big changes and celebrate what we've just put into motion. 

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Weekend Send-Off

Instagram / @chalametinart

 This upcoming full moon and eclipse has had me feeling all sorts of loopy. I've either been sleeping soundly or not at all, tackling piles of work with focus or running around distractedly. Variety is the spice of life, right?

I'm also nose-deep in an epic website redesign that's bringing out all my persnickety tics. This mainly focuses around words. What words do I use to describe my business and offerings? (To my left is a spread of notecards with buzzwords on them... and a plate of blueberry pie.) 

Amongst all these happenings have been some lovely highlights...

Artful Exploration - You Are Here at NCMA

I finally got myself over to the North Carolina Museum of Art to catch the last day of this amazing exhibit featuring visually captivating art, most notably an infinity room by Yayoi Kusama that has become the selfie-background du jour. But you know what, it is genuinely gorgeous and should be enjoyed by the masses, so I take back my reflexive judgy tone there! (Also, my insecurity could be stemming from my selfie-ineptitude - I couldn't get the right angle and caved under the pressure!) 

Pure Brilliance - Timothee Chalamet in Art

My friend and I watched a matinee showing of Call Me By Your Name in New Orleans. I was not expecting to be filled with indescribable joy at the lush, pure-hearted eroticism between Elio and Oliver while surrounded by very uncomfortable senior citizens, but it was a magical experience nonetheless. And Call Me By Your Name is by far my favorite movie of the year.

So when this instagram account dedicated to images of Timothee Chalamet photoshopped into classical art I nearly exploded. I may or may not have downloaded one of their wallpapers for my desktop, too...

Repeat Tarot Card

This week has been fairly diverse when it comes to tarot cards. No one card has popped up to set the mood which is... interesting. Perhaps a reflection of the big changes coming our way in the eclipse? Mystery abounds!

Listening, Reading, Watching

I finally dove into this collection of stories by Angela Carter. Most famous for her subversive retellings of fairy tales, Carter is an amazing writer. You know the feeling when you pick up a book, start reading, and are lifted to another world? It's indescribably refreshing, especially when the writer has a playful mastery of language and a sense of humor. I didn't know how much I needed this until I picked it up!

How about you? What has been bringing joy to your life this week? And finally, here it is - our card for the weekend.

The Knight of Swords

Message: Follow your ideas, test them out in real time, and find exhilaration in questioning the status quo.

Embrace: Communicating your ideas with fellow seekers (but keep it to your "indoor voice" - this knight can be unintentionally rude and crusading!)

Let Go Of: Absolutes - what might be hidden in even your truest convictions?

Guidance: We can travel so far in our minds, leaping over obstacles and stumbling blocks with creative thinking. 

Is There Such a Thing as "The Wrong Choice"?

What to do? This a question we ask ourselves so often that many of the decisions we make become reflexive, dictated by our subconscious. What type of toothpaste should I buy? Wake up or hit snooze again? We've made hundreds of these little choices before the day is done.

And then there's another type of choice. The big ones. Move for a new job or stay in our current position? Start a business or go back to school? Stick with a dissatisfying relationship or break things off?

These are the kind of choices that fundamentally change our lives, at least in terms of how it looks on the ground. There's no denying that finding yourself in California launching a hotdog stand is far different from trying out a tube of wintergreen toothpaste and switching back to peppermint after deciding you don't like it. 

I hear a lot from people presented with big choices as a tarot reader. It's a beautiful moment to be invited into. There's a lot to consider when we're at a big crossroads, but I've also noticed a big roadblock that pops up before we can even get into the details.

Doubt.

Particularly the fearful sort and it's consistent message is this: "What if I make the wrong choice?"

Now before I go any further, I'd like to specify that I'm talking about constructive life choices, not morality. I.e. the choices I'm speaking to are not "should I launch an online trolling campaign against my annoying neighbor?" (Yes, I think that legitimately qualifies as a bad choice!) Rather, I'm speaking to whether choices are "right" or "wrong" for an individual's personal development. 

So when we're faced with an important choice and notice that we're thinking of it in terms of right vs. wrong I'd like to say one thing and one thing only: It's time to back up.

Why? Because looking at choices aimed to facilitate our majestic personal growth and transformation in terms of right and wrong is opportunity-smothering, anxiety-producing fear-based thinking. 

Right and wrong are big old black and white concepts. They're far too heavy to plunk on something as transformative and new (or pre-new, aka unformed). Riding alongside this pressure is the idea that whatever choice we make will be completely and utterly irrevocable. That is, once we choose a certain career or partner we're locked in forever. 

This approach strips us of two important things: free-will and change. If we don't want something, we can choose to do something different. And, most importantly, things change, often for reasons outside our control.

What does tarot have to say about this? Let's take a look at the Two of Pentacles and The World.

The Two of Pentacles is an excellent antidote to our zero-sum, one-right-way thinking. Instead of these tired ideas, the Two illustrates the freedom and relief that comes from actively engaging with our options. This card shows us that there are many right choices and we can adjust our path as we take it, making changes here and there. In this blueprint, change is expected and encouraged. We can be innovators working in real-time, not paralyzed in the world of planning and what-ifs. What's more, this is a fun and hands-on approach.

Looking to the final card of the Major Arcana, The World, gives us a peek at what we're aiming for. It's fascinating that the last card of the Fool's Journey is so free and dynamic. Sometimes known as "the world dancer," this figure is gloriously nude and revelling in the world by moving through it. We don't have a rigid, "my way or the highway" card like The Emperor capping off the sequence. No, in contrast, The World shows us that our goal isn't one right way or a path paved by single, correct decisions, but a multi-faceted sense of presence wherever we are. With us at the center, all our choices lead us to the world we're meant to be in. 

And we're always moving through it, deciding as we go. 

Weekly Forecast: July 23-30

The way we live these days it's easy to feel like we don't have enough. How often are we taking in messages about consumption without even knowing it? I think back to my great grandmother. We still have a set of china that belonged to her in the family. It's a huge set, from back in the day when having a gravy boat that matched your soup tureen (who still uses those?!) was the pinnacle of class and sophistication.

For her, buying this set of dishes was a huge deal. It was hers for life. And she obviously cherished it since it still survives with all its pieces intact. And yet now, in one outing wandering around Raleigh yesterday, I saw so many dishes. New cups and glasses, delightful platters and bowls. I caught myself lusting after them even though my cabinets are full.

We have a similar situation this week. Our lives are full of support and plenty, yet instead of enjoying it we're looking beyond it all to an imagined situation of poverty. But we're not dealing with dishware here. This is about feelings, connections, and relationships, as we can tell from the two cups cards that start our reading. 

What happens when we take our wonderfully supportive and rich emotional lives for granted? Our answer is short and concise: the false sense of scarcity is driving us towards conflict. 

The Five of Swords sees us rising to an imagined challenged with edgy, frustrated energy. Like swords, it's spiky and stabby and likely to injure someone, whether it's ourselves or others.

But this path is ill-advised and completely divorced from our present reality. Though we'll feel pulled to gloss over what's great, heeding the siren song of "more" to disregard what we already have, there's another path.

"What's this?" you might ask. It's simple. Enjoy what you have and care for it with love and respect.

The Nine of Cups is a beautifully radiant and jovial card. I love how it's illustrated in The Fountain Tarot. In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck the satisfied look of the main character paired with his confident stance in front of a wall of cups can come across to some as smug or boastful. Yet this card is all about care and connection and joy. I've found that this version is much more resonant with modern audiences. Here, a person is holding one of his cups happily, smiling with the warmth of someone who is truly present. 

This card is showing us what we're really working with this week - a beautiful life rich in relationships and meaningful experiences. It's our job to tend to these actively. The Nine of Cups can't be their magnificent self by checking out or distracting themselves. Contentment requires consciousness. Are we fully aware of the gifts in our lives? And, most importantly, are we willing to honor them by enjoying them?

The Four of Cups suggests that we're dealing with an aversion to happiness. This is a good time to explore and get to know how and why we cut ourselves off from fulfillment. Are we afraid of responsibility? Showing up and appreciating our lives and those in it requires acknowledging that people count on us and that we're responsible for how we act in the world. Do we think we don't deserve what we have? That celebrating it is somehow boastful, cruel, or even tacky? Or are we simply following the script that more is better and what we already have isn't enough?

Having such a stark contrast between the Nine of Cups and the Four of Cups is a blessing in disguise. That is, it'll be easy to notice the difference between these two mindsets if we look for it. We can either be with it and happy, like the Nine, or detached and despondent, like the Four. I'm not going to speak for anyone here, but I can confidently say that I'd much prefer to be the Nine of Cups!

And of course the Five of Swords has a lot to say about the repercussions of seeing four cups when there are actually nine. When we invest in a scarcity mentality we start behaving in desperate and sneaky ways. If we think that the world isn't bountiful - that we can't enjoy happiness as we are or with the life we have right now - we start grabbing for what we can and disregarding others. While the immediate feeling might be satisfying, it's ultimately short-lived, and we run the risk of leaving a wake of hurt-feelings and ill-will behind us. 

So, yes, we may find ourselves in the dreamy, dissatisfied state of ennui represented by the Four of Cups, but we can choose which way to go. Do we pick ourselves up and re-emerge in our lives, accepting the loveliness we have and the wonderful people who care of us? Do we cherish the full set of dishes we've been given? Or do we treat them callously, seeking whatever's new and shiny? I'll leave the choice up to you, but I certainly know which version I'll be striving for.

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Weekend Send-Off

The Color of Pomegranates / Source

Wow. We've made it. I'm not 100% convinced it's Friday, though the fact that I'm writing this post is pretty good evidence. It's been a busy week over here, full of lovely people and tarot readings. Not to mention a delightful beginner's tarot course I taught last night. Amidst it all, I was able to squeeze in some adventures. Read below for the details and a tarot card to start off the weekend!

Visual Feast - The Color of Pomegranates

My partner David LOVES the Criterion Collection. When we first met I made a foolish comment about how I thought it was silly that anyone would buy DVDs in this day and age... Whoops! I obviously wasn't aware that the attractive man next to me had a huge collection himself. Luckily, he wasn't to offended and now I get to enjoy his bounty of tasteful films! The Color of Pomegranates is one of the latest additions. A gorgeous and poetic depiction of the Armenian poet Sayat-Nova's life, this film is full of stunning imagery and rich symbolism that reminded me of the tarot. 

Moment of Hilarity - This Might Be The Worst Tarot Deck I've Ever Bought

I was not expecting to snort audibly while reading this amazing review by Jess Carlson. While many decks aren't my cup of tea aesthetically-speaking, I can usually appreciate them as being delightful/useful for someone else. Well. This deck - the TV Tarot - is terribly, amazingly, ridiculously bad. Think deranged Sims artwork that looks nothing like the characters its supposedly depicting. Read if you'd like to have a nice, hearty laugh and scratch your head over some of the more mysterious cards. 

Repeat Tarot Card

The suit of cups was all over the place at my class last night. It was pretty fascinating! Our practice reading together was all cups cards and while I hopped around helping people with their individual readings the Ace of Cups showed up twice as well. Clearly we're feeling warm, fuzzy, and in touch with each other these days. Energy I'm always happy to welcome!

Listening, Reading, Watching

I think I spent most of this week in the car, so naturally I have some podcasts to share here! Listened to my first episode of the Witch Wave podcast and it was so wonderful. In-depth interviews combined with ruminations on witchcraft and responses to listener's questions. 

How about you? What has been bringing joy to your life this week? And finally, here it is - our card for the weekend.

The Moon

Message: Listen to your dreams and extend them into your waking life. Rest, relax, and enjoy what's unfolding.

Embrace: Hidden messages, symbolism and mythology, intuitive messages.

Let Go Of: The need for clarity, hiding behind practicality, making big decisions.

Guidance: What can happen when I treat my everyday life as something magical and mysterious?

Book Review: Modern Tarot by Michelle Tea

I was so excited to get my paws on Michelle Tea's tarot book that it felt like Christmas morning when the library notified me it that my hold was ready. Having followed Tea on Instagram and read her latest (amazing) collection of essays, Against Memoir, I knew that this book would be a much-needed diverse and down-to-earth take on tarot.

One of the most frequent requests I get from students is to hear more about my personal experiences with the cards. There are so many books with straight-up meanings and definitions. What about the context behind them? How can we expect to see the cards unfolding in real life?

The biggest delight of this book is the fact that Tea peppers her explanations of the cards with anecdotes from her real life. And for those unfamiliar with Tea's background, her life is raucous, brave, and driven by spiritual seeking. This makes Modern Tarot entertaining as well as an impactful way to connect with card meanings. Having actual examples of how, say, the Two of Pentacles showed up in a real person's life is so much more memorable than a dry set of keywords. Along the way, we're treated to Tea's unique insights and journey as a tarot reader and human. 

Tea organizes the book with a no-frills structure. She examines each card and its meanings after a brief introduction, starting with the Major Arcana, moving to the pip cards, and finishing with the courts. It's easy to navigate and would be a lovely resource if you're needing an inviting and helpful reference book. Each segment is its own mini-essay and includes several variations of the cards' meaning. For example, her section on the court cards talks through their possible meanings as people, situations, and personality traits.

And the writing style? It's incredibly warm, funny, and supportive. Reading Modern Tarot is like getting to sit in Tea's kitchen and hear stories from her life, hard-won observations, and funny stories about run-ins with shady Knight of Swords characters. Take this gem of a passage: 

“If the Four of Cups has popped up in your world, it is probably time to pull your head out of your arse. In certain cases, the figure beneath the tree is not self-obsessed but contemplative... It’s possible that this is what you’re doing, but more likely you’re being a baby, proclaiming that an imperfect situation, disappointing person, the whole world maybe, just isn’t good enough for you and withdrawing into a cave of sulky isolation.”

I love how Tea doesn't shy away from the "negative" sides of the cards. You can trust her book to tell it like it is with loving toughness and give plenty of practical (and magical!) ways to work through the stickier meanings and messages. In this way, Modern Tarot is an excellent book to learn about working with the cards, directly engaging with their themes to better your life. And yes, that includes some tarot call-outs from time to time. We've all been there. 

The most delightful part of this book, in my opinion, is that she chooses to end each card description with 1-3 spells to harness their unique energy. Tea's spells are accessible, creative, and oh so enticing. I can't wait to call on them after doing some personal readings. Her approach to spellcraft is refreshingly light-hearted and eclectic. She refers to it as "spiritual crafting," which makes my heart sing! Expect to see lots of kitchen cabinet ingredients and accessible instructions. And for those of you wary of or uncomfortable with doing spells, rest easy. These are towards the end of each section and easy to skim over. 

All in all, this book is a refreshing addition to the tarot scene. It's unique perspective feels very modern, indeed, and many people whose experiences (unfortunately) fall outside the "mainstream" culture will find representation here. Tea writes using inclusive language, avoiding the pitfalls of heteronormativity and classism, and her insights are unique and illuminating. 

As for quibbles and criticisms, I hardly have any. If anything, I would say that although it says "can be used with any deck" on the cover, this books is best suited to one in the Rider-Waite-Smith system. 

Buy this Book If You're Looking For... Real life examples of the cards at work, a warm and accessible tone, humorous takes, sex-positivity, a helpful reference for card meanings, and spells to work with each card.

Skip this Book If... Cursing offends you, you're looking for a historical/academic take on tarot