This week’s deck is Kim Krans’s The Wild Unknown Archetypes. Not just cool because of the art, but the cards are circular. You’ll likely notice a “circle” theme today in the first photo.
Regarding the whole subscription thing…
Thank you to those of you who offered feedback on making this weekly a subscription-based thing! For now, it’s staying free and open as I manage quite a pleasant spike in 1:1 zoom readings.
I want to inspire and reach folks, and this is a good way to do that! The two-year anniversary of this newsletter is in August, so I’ll revisit a subscription at that point.
But…
Super cool to hear that some of you are totally up for the subscription. Thank you for finding value here and supporting this weird, wild journey I’m on.
I’m still booking a few more readings in February if you’d like to give a 1:1 zoom a try. Personal or business 5-card spreads $33. Plan for about 30 minutes.
The cards
Hold up!
Take a few centering breaths, then choose a card BEFORE scrolling down
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one
The River
light: acceptance, grace, reflection, forgiveness
dark: the torment of emotions, flooding, overwhelm
Just as it’s important to recognize the flow and change that is the essence of existence, it’s helpful to understand the light and dark elements of the archetypes that show up in our lives.
This is a reminder to acknowledge what’s trying to pull you under and to seek to accept that you cannot change what has happened, only what you choose to do moving forward.
If you’re holding anger or resentment towards a person or group, think about what’s eating at you: is it wanting to be right? is it that they are definitely wrong so they should listen to you? Something else that’s nagging at you about the Other?
Remember: forgiveness isn’t just saying so and then secretly hoping that person slips on a banana peel. It’s truly letting it go, like the flow of the river.
Holding onto resentment and anger is like drinking poison, and then hoping your enemy gets sick. It’s not worth it. Step into the river anew and release what’s holding you down.
They may never change. But forgiveness will give you the gift of freedom so you can enjoy your life.
two
The Dead End
light: acceptance, humility, relief, reverence for change
dark: inertia, stuckness, tension, unconscious gripping
The Dead End is not dead, it’s an energy that keeps us stuck, standing in place, or repeating the same harmful behaviors over and over and over.
Like the “Death” card in traditional Tarot, the Dead End archetype is a portal to a new beginning. It is a super clear message that what you’re doing isn’t working, may not be the right path, and to reassess.
When you unpack it, this is an exciting message full of possibility.
It may mean that you only have to surrender control and a whole new door appears for you to walk through. Often, new opportunities or solutions to our “stuckness” are only barely out of view. A slight shift in perspective can often do the trick.
How can you ask different questions about what’s making you feel tense or stuck? Can you embrace curiosity about it and start with “Hmm, I wonder why…..?”
three
The Maiden
light: curious, enchanting, sensual, full of vitality
dark: pretends, projects, denies, fantasizes
If you’re unfamiliar with this archetype, it’s the “first archetype in the trifecta of Maiden-Mother-Crone, and rightfully so—because she has oh so much to learn.”
Regardless of your gender identity, this archetype exists in all of us. It is the need to test boundaries, try new things, and explore the consequences of interacting with others and the Self.
The Maiden is here to offer you a reminder that curiosity is how we grow. It’s why we travel, talk to strangers when we stand in line, read books to the end, and give people grace when we don’t know their whole story (but they cut you off in traffic).
It’s time to take the Maiden’s hand and veer off your well-worn path. Try out a new grocery store, look up a random country and read about it, or dress yourself up like it’s the first date. Embrace curiosity and vitality, no matter your age.
Feel the presence of the Maiden and see what gifts she has waiting for you on the other side.