Staying Okay in an Unwell World
Life can be challenging, even when things are going well. There is so much that demands our attention and so much that matters.
Sometimes we are met with problems that cause us to suffer yet require us to put on a good face and keep going. We might be well physically but struggling emotionally, or the other way around. We must find the strength to maintain when we are not at our best.
Sometimes we find ourselves struggling to keep our balance within a dysfunctional system. That is, a workplace, friend group, or family that contains people who struggle with boundaries or a culture that feels unsupportive.
There is so much trouble in the world. While we may not all agree on the most significant problems or the best solutions, we all know that we face many problems as a planet, as nations, and as communities. Sometimes it can feel hard to have a good day when so much around us seems so wrong.
I believe in a spiritual truth that might feel counterintuitive. The worse things are, the better we must be. The more unhappiness around us, the more we must nurture our happiness and that of others. The more darkness there is, the more we must strive to be the light.
At the same time, we cannot deny the truth of what we see and feel. We must make space for sorrow and joy at the same time. This is why self-care and good boundaries are so important.
Another counterintuitive truth is this. The more we enforce boundaries, the better our relationships will be and the more functional our social systems will become.
And here is another. The more time we make for our own self-care, the more energy we will have to help others. The more our own goals are defined and defended, the more space we have to help others with their goals.
When things are difficult, we must keep our focus clear. We want so much to help others and to make the world better. We can only do that if we ensure we are okay first.
The StaarCorner
We are thrilled that T. Susan Chang will join us for StaarCon 2024. T. Susan Chang is a talented author, artisan, podcaster, professional tarot reader, and teacher. Her presentation at StaarCon 2023 was phenomenal, and we are eager to gain further insights from her expertise at StaarCon 2024.
Getting Back to Center
I have a younger tarot friend who describes her relationship with the cards by saying that tarot “brings her back to center.”
I love this concept. Anytime she works or plays with tarot, she returns to herself, remembers who she is, and finds her grounding. A lot of us may experience our personal tarot practice this way.
Yet, there are times when we feel so off balance that it is helpful to not only spend time with the cards but also use them to gather information that can assist in understanding and improving our situation. I have created a tarot spread to try when feeling out of sorts and searching for strategies. You are free to arrange the cards in any way that feels right.
Card One: Let this card give information about an external source of stress.
Card Two: Let this card give information about an internal thinking error that hurts you.
Card Three: Let this card suggest something you can focus on to help you feel better immediately.
Card Four: Let this card suggest something you can do to nurture healing in the long term.
Card Five: Let this card suggest something you can do to help set or reach a personal goal.
Card Six: Let this card remind you of something positive about you or your life.
The Week in Review
You can watch the replay if you missed our Solstice Gathering on YouTube. Grab your tarot deck and follow along with the exercises.
If you are a member of my YouTube channel, join us for our monthly members-only livestream tomorrow, Thursday, June 29, at 7 pm ET.
From Around the Web
The Tarot Blog Hop topic for the Solstice was ‘transitions.’ Five tarot bloggers contributed. Start with the Master List and follow your way through to read all the offerings.
As one who literally learned to read tarot in concert parking lots, I loved this article about a tarot reader at Bonnaroo.
Do you want the TV show “Succession”? The Guardian wants you to see what the show’s characters look like as tarot cards!
Creation and Divination
Part of well-being is finding peace with what we cannot change. Tarot can often help us find a perspective that helps.
Our creative pursuits often bring us to that place of peace. Sometimes creativity takes us to a place of meditation and inspiration.
It can be hard to muster our creative energy when we are not feeling our best. Yet, that creativity is often the very thing we need to feel better. We need to dance, we need to sing, we need to move, we need to vent, we need to find our power.
Here is a tarot exercise to help you find your inspiration.
Ask your cards to inspire your next project or to show you something you can do right now to feel better. Pull a single card and interpret it as a specific action to take right now. If at all possible, take that action!
This could be fun, inspiring, humorous, or insightful. This quick exercise will undoubtedly get your creativity flowing and help you find the peace and perspective you need.
Upcoming Events
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
Fearless Wisdom Tarot Workshop
Tarot Keywords and Interpretations Workshop
Tarot Spreads Tools and Techniques Workshop
Tarot for Magic and Mediumship
Tarot Communication for Clarity and Depth
Weaving the Tarot Reading Story
The Elemental Major Arcana
Minor Arcana Numbers, Elements, and Truth
Personal Healing with Tarot
Create and Interpret Custom Tarot Spreads
What the Court Cards Want You to Know
How Spirit Speaks Through Tarot
Catch up on your missed Zoom webinars and more!
About Christiana Gaudet
Card and Craft, Inc.
Southeastern Tarot Artists and Readers, LLC.
Christiana Gaudet
3559 SW Corporate Parkway
Palm City, Florida 34990-8152
Email cgaudet@cardandcraft.com
On the web www.christianagaudet.com
Online classes www.cardandcraftacademy.com
StaarCon information www.staarcon.com
YouTube @YourTarotFairyGodmother
Instagram @christianatarot @staarcon
Private telephone, Skype, FaceTime, Zoom and in person readings and instruction are available by appointment.
Tarot parties at your home or office are available throughout Florida.
Zoom parties and group instruction available almost everywhere!
Call toll free 866-99TAROT (866-998-2768)
Palm City 772-301-0232 x102
or call or text 561-655-1160
for more information or to schedule your event.
Schedule online at cardandcraft.10to8.com.
Agent inquiries are welcome.
Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 6 Issue 26
June 28, 2023