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Leo in L.A.'s avatar

I love seeing new decks! Wow, that was quite the dark one, and so appropriate for this reading.

We are trying to get everything done before we get to Valhalla. Ha.

That feels like the central truth here. And it is precisely what I’ve been working with my therapist to deconstruct and dismantle.

The rules of reality can’t change, but our narratives can. That’s where we hold all the power. Yet again, this brings me back to the philosophy in The Life of Pi.

Whatever it is, it is what we make it, and we get to decide, since no one has any verifiable proof of the afterlife.

Accepting change feels like adaptation to me. Rather than a failure to adapt.

Accepting change is taking control of the narrative.

I also love the part about resistance. What you resist will persist (Jung). Fighting change is pointless, like the reading is saying.

And I love the Hereclitus river “quote! Saving that. I know the concept because it was part of the lyrics in a song in Disney’s Pocahontas. But I didn’t know where they got it.

Very thought-provoking read and I didn’t consider it all that dark. It’s nice to read a perspective on advancing through life that doesn’t feel hopeless.

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tarotbyphil's avatar

“Whatever it is, it is what we make it” yes, I love that, thank you! There is an additional interesting thought here, too… raised by your point about the afterlife… I was struck that the cards left us on a nine, with the clear implication that there is another step, but no suggestion of what that might be… I considered pulling another card, but somehow that felt wrong… the afterlife should remain a mystery, I think, there has to be some sense of wonder in all of this which knowing (or making pointless, speculative tarotista assumptions about) would ruin.

Thanks, as always, for stopping by and commenting, I really enjoyed your observations, and am delighted that you didn’t find it too dark, either 🙏🏽🙂🕯️

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Jenna Newell Hiott's avatar

Oh, wow, Phil, this reading did not pull any punches! 😬 Seriously, though, so much insight to chew on here. I pondered my own situation while reading, and I think my sense of busyness and urgency has a lot to do with being overly future-focused, wanting that safety net firmly in place for 'later'. But now I'm so clearly seeing this image that 'later' means it's time for the executioner to drive the swords into my back and take my place so...uh...no safety net there and now I feel no rush to get there. 😂 I'm so glad you brought these questions and this reading to my attention. This is something I've really needed clarity on. Thank you so much for taking this on! 💖

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tarotbyphil's avatar

Hi Jenna 👋🏼

Thanks very much indeed for taking the time to read and add such a great comment on this post, very much appreciated, as was the Restack 🙏🏼

I think a future focus is a really natural phenomenon in such a turbulent and uncertain world. Preparing for the future enables us all to feel that we are pro-actively engaging with life and with our many responsibilities.

I think the thing that these cards highlighted for me was the nature of constant change... we never really know what tomorrow brings, but we can still aspire to making it better than today by being as well-prepared for it as we can be... as I type, I am thinking of the deportations happening currently in the USA... would that have even been on the radar of many of it's victims just a year ago? 😔

I think there is a balance here... today, my thoughts are that we can never know what the future will hold (ironic statement for a Tarot reader, huh? 😀) and preparing ourselves for our best possible future is still important... but also, recognising that everything is not within our control, and the ever-changing nature of our experience suggests that there is indeed, "no rush to get there" because the river won't be the same one we see today. 🙏🏼🕯️

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Ryan TAA's avatar

Awesome themes and reflections in this reading. Busyness and the death of what we were in becoming … timely thoughts I’ve been pondering lately too.

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tarotbyphil's avatar

Thanks, Ryan, for stopping by, and for restacking, too! 🙏🏼

Are you pondering with a deck in hand? 🙂

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Ryan TAA's avatar

In a sense, I’m working with South Elk’s Path Cards for my novel and ponderings. It’s a small deck of 12 cards.

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tarotbyphil's avatar

Thank you very much indeed for the Restack! It is very much appreciated 🙏🏼

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