Try Something Different
A young woman looks toward something new.
A new year is a great time to try something new. That’s what I did this week. At a friend's urging, I tried a new self-care routine. I resisted it mightily.
“I tried something like that before, but I didn’t like it.”
“I already know everything I need to know about this.”
“I don’t have time for all this.”
I am sure you have used excuses like this many times. I know I have. But this time, since it was a friend, I gave it a half-hearted try. Now, I am all in and enthusiastic.
This all reminds me of something that struck me while watching the Eras Tour docuseries. Andrea Swift, Taylor’s mother, was talking about her role in introducing her daughter to the person who is now her fiancé.
She said, in reference to Taylor’s world-famous disaster of a dating history, “You need to try something different.” That really stuck with me as the kind of unexpected life-changing personal advice we all need.
Especially as we get older, it is hard to try different things. We like our comfort zones, even when they make us uncomfortable. We think we know more than we do, and we reject the idea that new information or strategies might help. Perhaps this stems from a fear of future failure, or from the trauma of past failure.
Yet, trying different things keeps us youthful and flexible. Most importantly, trying something different opens us up to new and different possibilities. Some things in life really are inevitable; others are up to us. When we limit our thinking to only what we know, we limit our own possibilities for the future.
A fairy looking forward to StaarCon 6.
The StaarCorner
Since the end of StaarCon 5 last January, we have been discussing the changes and improvements we want to make, having learned a great deal over the past five years. There is so much about StaarCon that is unique, precious, and valuable, which we want to preserve and enhance. Other aspects are ready for change.
One significant change many of you have requested is to move to a different time of year. We are exploring the possibility of holding StaarCon 6 in the autumn of 2026. We will have firm details for you before the end of this month!
The StaarCon 5 AfterGlow draws to a close this month. Look for some pop-up lounge sessions before then, and make sure you join Kimberly Scheurer for a final Spirit Circle on Thursday, January 22, at 7 pm.
Brenda Elizabeth and Michelle Barrie at StaarCon 5.
StaarCast News
This week, the uploads continue as we build the new virtual website.
Several of the issues we previously experienced will be corrected as much as possible in the uploaded videos. This week, extensive work was completed on the StaarCon 2024 Bardic Circle, including traditional sea shanties by Dame Darcy, a true ghost story by Kamille Barnes and Stacey Williams-Ng, a stand-up comedy performance by Ciro Marchetti, tarot improv by Mitchell Osborn, and West African song and dance by Dionne C. Monsanto. The audio isn’t perfect, but the show is worth watching!
The site will open once the last video has been installed. Again, thanks for your patience!
Amy Forman reading for Mary Ellen Collins at StaarCon 5.
A young woman contemplates the cards.
New Tarot Techniques
After you have been working with the cards long enough to have some confidence and a sense of how your tarot practice works, you are faced with an immediate quandary.
Do you want to protect your knowledge and your practice by avoiding confusion and leaning into what you already know? Or do you want to learn more techniques for effective card reading, and more information about how the cards might be interpreted?
When I first felt solid in my practice, many years ago, I was uncomfortable learning new techniques and interpretations because I was so pleased with how my relationship with tarot was going. I was afraid to disrupt my newfound skills with new ideas.
Now, I think I was probably being silly. Over time, I have discovered that learning new techniques and new ideas about the cards only makes me a better reader. It’s easy to say, “This is the way that works for me, I don’t need to learn anything more.” What I have discovered is that the more we learn, the more room we have to explore and let intuition enter the reading.
Even if a particular technique is something that you don’t think you will ever use, it can help to learn, just to stretch your understanding and welcome new ideas and connections.
The Stories in the Suits Live Tarot Webinar - Wednesday, January 14 @ 7 pm.
The Week in Review
Tonight, Wednesday, January 14, at 7 pm ET, please join my free livestream tarot class, The Stories in the Suits. We will explore the Minor Arcana and learn some great skills! You can join on YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, or Instagram.
Tickets are still available for January’s Third Tuesday Tarot!
From Around the Web
Thanks to the many of you who have reached out to me in sympathy and kindness regarding the death of Bob Weir. Rolling Stone has a tribute article, written by his bandmate for the past ten years, John Mayer.
I love this essay about personal tarot use from wbur.org.
How do we feel about Netflix using tarot cards to help us plan the shows we will watch?
Tarot cards, with a focus on the Magician.
Tarot Wisdom for the Week
The Magician
The Magician is the first numbered card of the Major Arcana. Like the Fool, the Magician is associated with the element of Air. Yet, there is an important distinction. The Fool is related to Uranus, so for the Fool, Air is expressed as learning through expedition and exploration. The Magician is associated with Mercury; for the Magician, Air is expressed as communication and connection.
While the name of this card may suggest something fanciful or ethereal, the Magician offers us solid, practical advice.
As a card of Mercury, the Magician reminds us that good communication is essential, as are the connections we make.
As the first card of the Arcana, the Magician asks us to initiate our journey; to begin something new.
Traditional images of the Magician often depict the character at a table, upon which are the Four Tools of Magic (Sword, Cup, Pentacle, Wand), which become the icons of the Minor Arcana suits and represent the energy and power of the Four Elements. From this, we see that the Magician is learning to use their tools and asks us to do the same.
The Magician may encourage education, or may remind you that you have the tools, skills, and abilities to do what you need to do, or to begin a new journey.
Unseen hands leafing through a calendar.
Upcoming Events
Weekly Livestream Events
Monday 9:30 am: Your 3-Card Weekly Reading
Friday Noon: Your Friday Weekly Wrap-up
Saturday 12:30 pm: Saturday Psychic Sampler
Sunday 9:30 am: Tarot Topics Newsletter Recap
Watch on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram! (internet willing!) Schedule subject to change without notice.
Christiana at her computer, 2021.
About Christiana Gaudet
Card and Craft, Inc.
Southeastern Tarot Artists and Readers, LLC.
Christiana Gaudet
770 SE Indian Street Suite 10
Stuart, Florida 34997-5604
Locations in Port Saint Lucie, West Palm Beach, and Stuart, Florida!
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
TikTok @christianagaudettarot
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 are available almost everywhere!
Call toll free 866-99TAROT (866-998-2768)
For business or agent inquiries, call 772-301-0232
For appointments, call or text 561-655-1160
Schedule Appointments, Mentoring Sessions, or Purchase Gift Certificates Online!
Schedule your private reading or mentorship session, or purchase gift certificates at https://christiana-gaudet.as.me.
Agent inquiries are welcome.
Tarot Topics Newsletter
Volume 9 Issue 2
January 14, 2025
Christiana Gaudet Your Tarot Fairy Godmother banner.
Join us for "Third Tuesday Tarot" on January 20, 7-8:30 pm at W Executive Suites, Stuart, Florida. Learn the first seven numbered cards of the Major Arcana, what they teach us in life, and how to interpret them in a reading.