Bad Press for No Good Reason
Two girls laughing and whispering at another girl.
What do you do when people are unfriendly toward you without apparent cause?
This happens to everyone at some point, and it never feels good.
Social media has created new opportunities for friendship and collaboration, but it has also created new platforms for bullies. Perhaps constant online banter has desensitized us to all the ways we might inadvertently cause hurt to others.
People sometimes behave unkindly at work, in families, amongst friend groups, hobby groups, spiritual groups, and creative groups. Sometimes, the behavior is unconscious.
We may take offense when no actual negativity is intended. When that happens, we must be willing to forgive and check ourselves before jumping to conclusions.
Occasionally, we hear from others that someone is talking badly about us. We have proof that people are spreading bad press about us with absolutely no good reason.
I often see this at the tarot table, and I know how much it hurts when it happens. People feel bewildered when someone they like and admire treats them with unexplained disdain. People feel rejected when they make an overture of friendship and are summarily dismissed.
There are myriad reasons this can happen. If someone dislikes us, it may be that we remind them of someone unpleasant in their past, and they aren’t able to differentiate in their minds. It may be that they are jealous or feel intimidated by us.
When people speak badly about us, we worry our reputation will be damaged. Here is what is usually true about that. Suppose we exhibit the behavior for which we are criticized. In that case, the bad press will indeed hurt our reputation because it brings focus and attention to an unfortunate truth we need to correct. If we do not exhibit that behavior, our good reputation will remain intact, but the reputation of those spreading the lousy press might rightfully suffer.
Modern technology makes it possible to create convincing video and audio clips of people saying things they never said and doing things they never did. This increases the damage that unfair bad press can do to a new and dangerous level. This also reminds us to take everything we hear with several grains of salt.
If you know someone is saying untrue bad things about you, you can confront or ignore them. Different situations call for different reactions. The important part is how you process it internally. If the unkind behavior shines a light on something you need to fix, take the cue and fix it, but do not think that the spreaders of unkind gossip are appropriate in their treatment of you. Do not worry about your reputation if the bad press is entirely unwarranted.
Most importantly, do not let someone’s bad behavior make you feel bad about yourself.
The person who has acted meanly may be going through something hard and buckling under the pressure. Sometimes, hurt people hurt people. It is equally possible that the person or people in question are showing you what kind of people they are. That can be disappointing, but it reflects on them, not you.
The callousness of others cannot imperil our sense of self and identity. We must love ourselves enough not to let unfair bad press influence our self-esteem. That is true even when the bad press comes from someone we love or admire.
The StaarCon 2024 AfterGlow. Fairy for 2024 by Ciro Marchetti.
The StaarCorner
The AfterGlow is in full swing, and we are working hard on plans for StaarCon 5.
Here is what you need to know this week.
StaarCon 5 will be on January 24, 26, and 27, 2025. We will announce the hotel, headliners, and some important improvements shortly.
Recordings of StaarCon 2024 presentations are available on Accelevents to ticketholders. Some recordings are being edited for sound quality, so if some don't work well for you, check back in a few weeks.
Missing recordings are being re-recorded and replaced. So, again, if you are missing something, wait a few weeks and check again.
Please let me know if you cannot view a video that your ticket should allow. Usually, there is a quick fix.
If you are having trouble with the Accelevents app, use the URL with Chrome or Safari for better results. The engineers at Accelevents are working on some fixes for the app.
Presenters are announcing new lounges and new events every day.
Here are some upcoming events from Benebell Wen and Lady Lenormand, AKA Brenda Elizabeth.
In the Bell Chimes In Lounge, join our 2024 headliner, Benebell Wen, on Sunday, February 18, and Sunday, February 25, at 5 pm. On the 18th, Benebell will share more information on her headlining topic. On the 25th, Benebell is keeping office hours! Join her for questions and conversation.
In the Charmed by Lady Lenormand Lounge, join Brenda Elizabeth for the following sessions.
Date: February 21, 8:30 PM EST
Yoga Nidra for Third Eye Development
Date: March 13, 7:30 PM EST
Connecting to your Pets on the other side using Tarot, Lenormand, or Oracle cards
Date: March 19, 8:30 PM EST
Yoga Nidra for Deep Sleep and Dreams
It is a good idea to check the feed in each presenter’s lounge because there are often great handouts, links, and other information.
If you are not a member of the StaarCon Community Group on Facebook, please join us there. This private group allows us to get information to everyone quickly.
If you are not a StaarCon ticketholder but want to view recordings of sessions and/or want to attend the lounge sessions, you may still purchase a ticket.
Benebell Wen and T. Susan Chang at StaarCon 2024.
A woman sits by a window and contemplates tarot cards in her hand.
What the Cards Can Tell Us
Many tarot readers cringe (often rightfully) when clients want to know what another person thinks or feels about them. Readers often don’t like to use the cards to get into the heads of people who aren’t present at the tarot table.
Yet, when we are uncomfortable with the way someone is behaving, and they will not tell us what is going on, tarot is a way we can find understanding and comfort. Tarot can also give us advice on how to handle a delicate social situation or how to ensure our reputation remains untarnished.
Tarot can also help us understand the truth of a situation, absent of our own emotional turmoil.
What sort of questions can we ask the cards in situations like this? Questions such as the following can often be helpful.
Why is this person behaving this way?
Is their behavior conscious and intentional?
What other factors might be contributing to this behavior?
Have I done something to warrant or encourage this behavior?
Is there something I need to learn or change in my own behavior?
What should my relationship with this person be going forward?
How much damage can this person do to me?
Should I defend myself in this situation? If so, how?
What is important for me to know here?
How can this situation help me grow?
A woman does a tarot reading at her computer.
The Week in Review
Join us tonight, Wednesday, at 7 pm for Global Tarot Circle on YouTube live. We will share readings and tarot study.
Your February TarotScopes are ready for you on YouTube and TikTok. I’ve pulled three cards for each of the twelve signs.
Watch this new video if you are a member of my YouTube channel. It’s about my favorite ways to celebrate the coming spring.
From Around the Web
The new moon in Aquarius is February 9th. Here is what Yoga Journal says about this powerful time, what it means, and how you can use it.
Benebell Wen wrote a wonderful review, complete with pictures, of StaarCon 2024. I am so pleased to read this account of our fabulous weekend.
StaarCon presenter Teri Salomoni has started sharing videos on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Strega Secrets to learn Teri’s Italian ancestral practices.
Watercolor illustration of a woman about to walk a path to the new moon.
Making Magic
I am excited to unveil the new column series theme for 2024. In this column, you will find magical stories, spells, lore, and observations each week. Whether you spell it ‘magick’ or ‘magic,’ this will be a space to learn and explore ways to work with energy for healing, growth, and positive change.
For our first installment, I want to share a way I like to work with tarot, the moon, and stars. I am not an astrologer, but I know that the new moon in Aquarius on February 9th holds power and opportunity for us.
There are many ways to harness this power. Let me show you something I like to do with tarot. You can add this to your magical practice or use it alone.
Because words, zodiac signs, and heavenly bodies all have tarot associations, it is easy to find the cards we can associate with an astrological occurrence.
For the word ‘new,’ I have chosen the Ace of Cups. You might choose a different card for this position; any of the Aces, the Fool, the Magician, and arguably the Pages can bring the energy of newness. I like the Ace of Cups for this because of its association with love, especially since we are close to Valentine’s Day.
Of course, the Major Arcana Moon card works perfectly for the moon. The Major Arcana card associated with Aquarius is the Star.
On February 9th, I will take the Ace of Cups, the Moon, and the Star and lay them out together. I will contemplate their messages for me individually and as a group. I will then ask each of these cards to share their energy with me.
In many cultures, the new moon is a time to manifest. The sign of Aquarius offers us a focus on friendship, community, altruism, confidence, and creativity. Aquarius is also the sign of technology and innovation.
When we combine these three cards, we see the opportunity to manifest love, growth, and new possibilities.
Can you think of specific things in your life you would like the new moon in Aquarius to bring you? Can you find symbols of those things in these three cards? When you do, ask them to manifest those things in your life.
Tarot Card Combination Workshop February 15 7pm.
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!
Christiana Gaudet at the StaarCon 2024 Opening Ceremony.
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.
New! Schedule Appointments Online at acuity:scheduling!
Schedule online at https://christiana-gaudet.as.me.
Agent inquiries are welcome.
Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 7 Issue 6
February 7, 2024
Christiana Gaudet Your Tarot Fairy Godmother banner.
