Failure is hard to handle. Very often, though, when we fail at something, or when it feels like something isn’t working the way we had hoped, we are faced with an important decision.

Should I keep trying, or is it time to walk away?

There is not a universal answer to this difficult question; each situation is different.

When we fail, we often wonder if the universe is trying to tell us that we have chosen the wrong pursuit, and that this is a sign to pick a new direction.

There is a belief amongst many in the spiritual community that if we are on our correct path, everything will fall into place easily. Sometimes that may be true, but sometimes I think the universe wants us to fight for what we want, or to learn from our struggles along the way.

Sometimes it’s best not to spiritualize our process, but instead to simply make a decision about what we want our next step to be. It’s hard to make that decision when we are feeling sad or shamed about our failure.

Here’s an example of someone who kept trying and won. I have a friend who needed to pass a test in order to receive a professional certification. She took the test several times, failed and stopped trying. Eventually, she gathered her courage and tried again. On her seventh attempt she passed her test! That’s a true testament to the idea that if we keep trying, we can ultimately succeed.

On the other hand, sometimes we end up feeling like we’ve wasted a lot of time and effort. There is a certain nobility in the idea of never giving up, and sometimes that nobility is well-placed. Sometimes it’s not. I have seen many people struggle to keep unhealthy relationships together because they don’t want to give up on the relationship, when, in fact, giving up is the only sane thing to do.

How can you decide when it’s time to keep trying, or when it’s time to walk away? You’ll find a divination technique later in this newsletter. Beyond divination, there are some logical points to consider in this process.

Of course, we prefer it when we can check in with our intuition and feel our spiritual guidance. Yet, sometimes when we are confused and stressed, guidance doesn’t seem clear. With or without a sense of spiritual guidance and purpose, logic is always an important tool to employ.

The first question to ask yourself is about the cost of trying again. If you are trying to fix an abusive relationship, that cost might be too high. If you are trying to win a competition or pass a test, the cost in time, effort and money might be completely acceptable.

The second thing you must ask is about your skill level. Do you have reason to believe that you have what it takes to hit your mark? In the case of my friend who passed her test on the seventh try, she had good evidence that she had the skill because she had passed a similar test previously.

The third thing you must consider is this. How badly do you want it? Do you really want to achieve this goal? Are you doing it because you want to please someone else? Are you trying to fit into a narrative that doesn’t fit you? Do you have a clear understanding of what this success would actually mean for you?

By asking these questions, and answering them honestly, you can move yourself closer to coming to the decision that will serve you best.

Psychic Gallery Tonight!

join me tonight, Wednesday, July 17 at 7 pm, for a very special evening. I will be presenting a psychic gallery in a small, intimate setting at the Center for Inner Wisdom, 4849 N Dixie Hwy, Suite 2, Oakland Park, Florida 33334.

I love doing psychic galleries because the energy of sacred space, and the energy of a group united for a single purpose, creates the perfect environment in which to receive powerful messages.

In this gallery, every person who attends will receive a reading that offers pertinent information and insight. You may even receive a message from a loved one in spirit!

Group members will hold space and support each other. Everyone will benefit from hearing and witnessing every message.

Ticket price is $30, seating is limited. You can register online now!

 Decision-Making Divination

I have a very simple decision-making tarot technique which I think could be used with any oracle deck. Simply consider your options and pull one card for each option. Sometimes I like to add a card to represent options I haven’t yet considered.

Sometimes when you look at the cards the answer will be immediately clear. Sometimes the cards will give an answer that suggests either path will work out fine. Sometimes you might want more information. Then, pull another card for each option and see how those cards gives clarity.

Often you will find yourself in the process of weighing one card against the other. Which card has a stronger message? Which card fits more clearly with the situation at hand?

Beyond the messages you will receive from the cards, the value of working this process in a meditative way is that it will cause you to calm down and consider things in a different light. Very often, from this process, your answer will finally become clear.

In the case of this week’s topic, you might ask, with the first card, “What happens if I try again?” With the second card, you might ask, “What happens if I walk away?”

See Me in the Tampa Bay Area This Weekend!

I will be in the Tampa Bay Area Friday, July 19 through Monday, July 22. I still have a few openings for house calls this coming Friday and Saturday, as well as Monday morning. Please call or text 561-655-1160 if you would like to schedule to have an in-person reading with me.

On Sunday, July 21, we will have our Tarot Meetup at Panera Bread in Lutz, from 3 pm to 5 pm. Join us there for tarot study and fellowship!

 The Week in Review

I am now selling a large assortment of tarot (and a few favorite oracle) decks in my Palm City office and on my website. Here is a description of how I energetically prepare the decks for you, and instructions on the traditional ways to dedicate your new deck.

This week I shared a post about why we shouldn’t fear our tarot cards. You might get a paper cut, but other than that, the practice of tarot reading is completely safe.

Did you catch my Three-Card Reading for the week on Monday? If you missed it, find it in archive on my YouTube Channel, and hit subscribe while you are there.

I’m featured on the Psychic Talk Radio Network with a tip for fellow readers, in a segment called “Rx for Readers…Tips for Self-Care”. You can see my tip here.

From Around the Web

Have you ever noticed that people will stubbornly cling to an opinion, even when presented with facts that prove their opinion wrong? Here’s an article that explains why that happens.

The very talented and generous Benebell Wen has created a new oracle and made it available for download for free! Get your Chinese Oracle Bone Divination Cards!

Here’s an opportunity to learn about and support an interesting and unique divination deck on Kickstarter.

Cards for Your Consideration

In keeping with our topic this week, I would like you to consider the Two of Swords from Spiral Tarot by Kay Steventon.

Spiral Tarot follows the Waite tradition fairly closely. Much like the Waite Two of Swords, we see the woman is blindfolded, and has crossed off her heart. In this image, though, she is also balancing on a tightrope. For me, the tightrope is a great addition to the symbolism of this card, representing the delicate balance that we must strike when we make important decisions.

The suit of Swords is associated with the element of Air, which is about the powers of the mind. Two is the number of balance and decisions. The blindfold suggests that she must look within and trust her own processes to keep her balance and make her decision. That she has crossed off her heart suggests that she must make this decision without the interference of emotion.

When you see this card in a reading, consider that there may be a need to weigh your options carefully. Do not be swayed by the opinions of others, nor by your own emotions. Look within for guidance.

You can order your own Spiral Tarot directly from my website. This is one of my favorite decks of all time!

Upcoming Events and Tour Dates

Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 2 Issue 29
July 17, 2019