There is something about having a blank slate that feels like a blessing. The opportunity to create something new. To build the foundation of something that will either fall or withstand all attempts to destroy it, but being okay with either outcome. I am grateful for this blank slate. I’ve longed for a space to share more of my inner thoughts, reflect on the teachings of everyday living, and document my growth in real-time. Finally, I allow myself to exist outside of a vacuum, be layered, and be multi-dimensional without fear of judgment.
I decided to name this newsletter “The Journeying” because I feel it showcases the fluidity of my writing and allows plenty of room to expand. As I learn more about this world, I learn more about myself and my purpose as a spirit in this physical realm. My journey through life is allowing me to find the commonalities and interconnectedness of everything I encounter. I’m learning the art of acceptance and detachment, becoming more mindful and compassionate, and living in my design rather than my conditioning.
My newsletters come as an offering from my heart, a labor of love and intentionality. I want it to carry you into a safe and welcoming space. Let my words offer a warmth and understanding that encourages you to be authentic and vulnerable in ways that allow you to open your heart and live in your truth. Every week (or as often as possible), I will show up in my truth and share from my heart. Take what you need and leave what you don’t.
I am motivated to share a card of the week as a part of my weekly offering because, in my years of study, I’ve learned Tarot cards are less about predicting the future and more about allowing yourself to discover your answers through introspection and self-reflection. We look to the cards for answers, but they always bring us back to ourselves. The magical powers we often assume the cards possess live inside us all along.
As a newbie, I always tried to memorize the meaning of all seventy-eight cards. I strived to be a “master,” but I didn’t realize that the connection I was forming with my cards would always leave me chasing false hope and depending on them more than I needed to. I wanted the cards to answer the questions for me. So I looked to them to tell me what I wanted to know rather than using them to learn more about myself.
After almost three years of learning and offering readings to others, I decided to take an indefinite hiatus from tarot. I knew that the dependency I had developed on tarot was not what I wanted from others who trusted me enough to offer them readings. I wanted to help others, but not this way. It didn’t feel like my path, and it didn’t feel authentic. So I placed my cards back in their original box and leaned more into life for two years (and two moves). I didn’t watch collective readings anymore; I didn’t pull for answers anymore. I returned to the mystique of everyday living, trusting that I would return to my beloved deck when I felt called again.
Earlier this year, I was deeply immersed in my journaling practice, therapy, and other forms of spiritual wellness, but I wanted something more. I promised myself that I wouldn’t rush back into tarot nor use it to escape the work I needed to do internally. I wanted to give it another opportunity to see where it would lead me next. I removed them from the box and sat them near me at my work table, near my bedside at night, and in other places that made me feel comfortable in my home. Whenever I pulled cards, I wrote about how I felt regarding the meanings and symbolism. I discovered that my writing took a turn for the better. I felt like I wasn’t scratching the surface of introspection anymore, and I no longer looked to the cards to give me answers. For the first time in a long time, I am using tarot as a tool in a way that feels authentic. It’s become a part of my spiritual practice and has influenced pieces of writing I am proud of.
This newsletter is not centered around tarot. I will not use this space to become a tarot teacher, but I would happily share my resources with anyone interested in studying tarot. I encourage it!
The Moon is a card I’ve never pulled in any of my readings, so seeing it today made me wonder more about the symbolism of the actual moon itself and its power. The moon is often seen as the force that makes us “strange” We’re told that all of the wildest things happen under the full moon, but what if those very same things that make us “strange” are only being brought to the surface by the moon to force us to acknowledge the balance of who we are. The Moon card speaks to the mystery and spiritual awakening of an individual. Still, I also like to think of the moon as a reminder to acknowledge the parts of us that we keep hidden away because it’s perceived as “bad.” The moon calls for shadow work and acceptance of the shadow self. Can we live in our truth if we don’t acknowledge what makes us feel insecure, anxious, angry, unlovable, etc? When I think about my spiritual journey, I have learned that when I don’t acknowledge my shadow or “darkness,” it tends to show up anyway in ways that take me further away from the path I feel called to travel. Truthfully, there is no real escape from these things, but through acceptance, we reach a level of truth of self that allows us to connect to our authentic nature and move further into alignment. We are not just the things that make us shine bright, nor does our darkness define us. It’s about discovering the balance between the two, not overly identifying with one, and altogether banishing the other.
This week I will meditate, reflect on The Moon card, and observe how the themes appear in my life daily. One of my favorite things to do is to imagine myself as one of the characters on the card. Then, I ask myself, what would I do if it were me? If I were one of the figures located on The Moon card, would I allow myself to surrender to the force that is stronger than me? Would I let my shadow self rise and teach me lessons I would otherwise be unaware of? How could I work with this energy rather than work against it? Think about the “moon” moments you may have unknowingly experienced within the last few weeks. What do you think it was teaching you? Did you resist? Did you surrender? Can you create room for your shadow to exist alongside the version of you that people clap for?
Thank you so much for welcoming my energy and thoughts into your inbox. If this newsletter was a good read, I encourage you to share it with a friend, and if you find yourself more curious about the card of the week, I encourage you to become a paid subscriber to access our Tarot Chat, where we discuss the card of the week AND the card of the day!
Until next time,
Ty ♾️