To Be the Bigger Person
When we speak of ‘being the bigger person’, we are not speaking of body weight or size. ‘Being the bigger person’ is an expression that speaks of magnanimity, compassion, and forgiveness.
Being the bigger person means that we do not respond to pettiness, rudeness, or immaturity in kind.
Most of us were raised to believe that there is inherent moral goodness in being the bigger person. It can also be in our own best interest to be generous and compassionate. When our personal brand includes a reputation for rising above petty behaviors, there are rewards. We earn the trust and respect of those around us.
Sometimes it feels draining to always be the one to have to rise above the bad behavior of others.
“Why do I always have to be the bigger person?”
“Must I give a pass to this sort of behavior?”
These are questions that arise at the tarot table quite often.
It is understandable to be frustrated with the bad behavior of others. It is normal to struggle against the desire to fight fire with fire.
There is a deeper issue here, too. Being the bigger person should not mean being forced to tolerate abuse. Being the bigger person does not mean allowing others to push past our boundaries.
There is a certain amount of strategy involved in deciding how we need to react to insult, overstepping, or unfair behavior. It matters who the perpetrator is to us. Their intentions matter, and their capability to understand the harm they have caused matters.
Sometimes we need to be the bigger person because we simply are the bigger person. We can take spiritual comfort in the fact that we have a greater capacity for kindness and understanding than some other people do.
Sometimes being the bigger person means having the courage to stand up to a bully, come to someone’s defense, or call out a harmful behavior.
Sometimes strategy dictates that we pick the reaction that is likely to give us the best outcome.
What it means to be the bigger person may change according to the situation. Yet, there is one thing that never changes. That is our need to be clear about the motivation for our own responses. When we need to respond to something unpleasant, we need to check in with our higher self. Are we being reactive, or proactive? Are we acting out of hurt, or out of wisdom?
What is the best possible outcome for this situation, and how can we achieve that?
In the end, that is what it means to be the bigger person.
The StaarCorner
We are excited to announce that Michelle Barrie will be a presenter at StaarCon 2022.
Michelle Barrie is a Reiki Master Teacher and Cartomancer based in Southeastern Florida. She has dedicated her life to mastering and exploring many forms of divination and energy healing modalities. Her most beloved medium is Lenormand.
At StaarCon, Michelle will teach a session on how to use Lenormand cards for mediumship.
Mark your calendar for StaarCon 2022, which will be held January 21 through 23. Tickets will be available soon!
Did you miss Making Magick with Tarot?
Take it now in archive at Card and Craft Academy on Teachable!
Includes the class materials and a recording of the live webcast.
Our June Zoom Tarot Class
On Thursday, June 24, 7 pm to 9 pm ET, join me for the Fearless Wisdom Tarot Workshop on Zoom
Are you a fearful tarot enthusiast? Are there specific cards that make you nervous? Do you want to read for yourself or others, but worry about the cards that might appear?
Join me for a workshop that will help you embrace the healing power of each card, and your own skill and wisdom as a tarot reader.
In this two-hour workshop you will take a deep dive into the cards that disturb you the most. You will learn new ways to process dark images and find the healing and helpful truth within them.
You will learn some best practices for fearless and wise tarot reading, including setting your ethics and boundaries, invoking spirit and creating sacred space.
I Will Be in the Tampa Bay Area This Weekend
There are only a few openings left for house calls in the Tampa Bay area and private sessions in my Wesley Chapel AirBnB this weekend.
If you would like an in-person session with me in the Tampa Bay Area June 11 through 14, please call or text 561-655-1160 to make your appointment.
Tarot Helps Us Do the Right Thing
When we have a moral quandary and are not sure how to respond to a difficult interpersonal situation, tarot can help!
It is a good practice to ask helpful questions of the cards, and to pull a single card, or a few cards, to answer each question.
When the issue is with a person, you might ask questions about what is motivating that person, or the best way to hand that person.
You might ask questions about what the best possible outcome is, and how to achieve that outcome.
You might even as a question as general as “What is the right thing for me to do in this situation?”
If you are feeling sad, angry, or bitter, you can ask the cards for ways to process your feelings.
Join me at Masters of the Tarot at Omega Institute
I am glad to be one of the five teachers presenting the Masters of the Tarot conference at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, this summer. The conference is July 23 through 25.
Founded in the late 1970s, Omega is a unique retreat center that is known and loved by many in our community.
Mary K. Greer and Rachel Pollack have presented a tarot conference there every summer for decades. Of course, last year Omega was unable to open.
I am very excited to be a part of this iconic event as the world begins to restart. Make your plans to join us there!
The Week in Review
The June issue of “The Cartomancer” is out, and available in print and digital format. You will find a lot of great content in this magazine, including a cover story written by me, and a review of StaarCon 2021!
This past week I taught a free class on YouTube. If you missed “Minor Arcana Four, Five, Six” you can catch the replay.
I was excited to get a mention in The Tarot Lady’s monthly “Hit List”.
From Around the Web
From Thought Catalog, a wonderful article about what it means to be the bigger person.
From Odyssey, here is permission to not always be the bigger person.
From Business Insider, here are strategies for dealing with difficult people at work.
Northeastern Summer Tour
From July 26 through August 9, I will be based at True Bikram Yoga in Madison, Connecticut. I will be available for house calls and parties throughout Connecticut, and for private readings in Madison.
I will be able to travel to Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York for parties and larger gatherings.
Dates are already booking quickly. Please call or text 561-655-1160 to get your party date or private appointment on the calendar.
Cards for Your Consideration
Which tarot card might ask us to be the bigger person? I think there are many! Major Arcana 8, Strength, comes to mind as a card of compassion. The Six of Pentacles might tell us to be charitable.
There are also cards which tell us to have good boundaries, such as the Seven of Wands and the Four of Pentacles.
Justice, the Ace of Swords, and the Knight of Swords tell us to do the right thing. Sometimes the right thing means standing up, sometimes it means drawing a boundary, and sometimes it means being gracious and forgiving.
Upcoming Tours and Events
The Palm City office is now open to the public, so make your appointment now!
Card and Craft Academy
Classes presented by Christiana are available right now at Card and Craft Academy!
Christiana’s Candle Magick
Christiana’s Eleven-Card Celtic Cross
Finding Meaning in the Minor Arcana
The Major Arcana, Magical and Mundane
Practical Tarot Techniques
Psychic Tarot
Personal Tarot: Reading for Yourself
Sharing Wisdom: Reading for Others
The Meaning and Magic of Tarot Reversals
Journey Through the Major Arcana
Your Journey Through the Minor Arcana: Numbers, Elements and Truth
Tarot Beyond the Veil
Your Journey Through the Tarot Court
Tarot Stories, Trends, and Blends
Tarot Readings for Personalities and Relationships
Clarity in Every Tarot Card
Tarot Flow Workshop
Making Magick with Tarot
New!Catch up on your missed Zoom webinars and more!
cardandcraftacademy.com
Card and Craft, Inc.
Christiana Gaudet
3559 SW Corporate Parkway
Palm City, Florida 34990-8152
On the web www.christianagaudet.com
Online classeswww.cardandcraftacademy.com
StaarCon information www.staarcon.com
Private telephone, Skype, FaceTime and in person readings and instruction are available by appointment.
Tarot parties at your home or office are available throughout Florida.
Call or text toll free 866-99TAROT (866-998-2768)
Palm City 772-301-0232
or call or text 561-655-1160
for more information or to schedule your event.
Agent inquiries are welcome.
Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 4 Issue 23
June 9, 2021
