The Hit List - Age before wisdom

Ever have this experience: someone who is a few years older speaks to you in an all-knowing patronizing voice even though you’re a grown adult? I had a sour encounter like that recently. A woman that I barely know decided to assert herself into a conversation and made a point to talk down to me in front of my peers. She’s a few years older than me and wanted me to know that she has so much more life experience than I do because she’s a “woman of a certain age.” <Insert sarcastic hand clapping here.>

My younger mean girl self would have torn this boor to shreds with a few well-chosen swipes. Instead, I made my point, watched her try once again to speak down to me, and decided to dismiss her. Some people aren’t worth the trouble.

Talking down to someone younger than yourself is a way to dominate and diminish. It’s the verbal tool of the insecure and the insincere. The pat on the head, “go be a good girl while the adults talk” and “you’ll understand when you’re my age” vibe that so many wannabe authorities like to use to throw their weight around.

Sometimes there are other underlying tones such as sexism or racism. Just this past week, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez schooled an older colleague who spoke to her in a demeaning way. Her legendary smackdown won accolades from women who’ve experienced that same thing. Will that change him? I’m not sure. Doubt it.

Because sometimes people really do get set in their ways. They assume they know it all because they’ve “been there” and “done that.” Why even attempt to grow or to learn from the younger set?

I dunno what to say to that but I know that I learn from my children and younger peers all the time. They have experiences that I don’t and I am grateful every time they share their wisdom. I never expect that I’m more worldly and wise just because I have a halo of gray framing my face. My age and experience do not negate theirs.

While it’s great to respect elders, it’s important that we don’t assume that someone who’s a few (or many) years behind us are lacking knowledge. Sometimes the wisest thing you can do is put your own life experience to the side and just listen without waiting to respond. You might learn something. As the saying goes “you can teach an old dog new tricks.”

Spread your wings.

Other stuff:

My favorite conversation of the week was with Liz Worth. Listen in as we discuss reading tarot during the pandemic.

Want to learn about astrological timing? Catherine Urban has a class for that: Predictive Astrology.

From Teen Vogue: John Lewis Inspired Me As a Black Gen Z Activist.

How Thailand got the Covid-19 handled right.

From Lisa Stardust: What You Should Read This Summer, According to Your Zodiac Sign.

So we’re running out of coins. Here’s some thoughts on why we need to keep ’em in circulation.

Join me over on Patreon for the extended card of the day interpretations, political astrology, community tarot practice, classes, and more. It’s where all the cool tarot kids are hanging! Ha!

No slowing her down: For Olympian Simone Manuel, Self-Care Is Journaling and Activism.

Lauren Mercury joined me to talk about values and astrology over on Astrology Bytes.

From Dazed: This new book looks at the iconic art of the tarot card throughout the ages.

Caregiving In The Time Of COVID.

Yup: Moving beyond Performative Allyship.

Say it louder: Portland Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty Has a Message for Trump and the Feds.

From The Mary Sue: Dear Men, Shut up and Let Me Enjoy Astrology.

Bri Saussy and I discuss how eclipses impact business.

Good question: Why Do Hand Sanitizers Suddenly Smell So Awful?

Wisdom from Jenna Matlin: Why did the tarot tell me something completely different a year ago?

Meanwhile over at Book Riot: 17+ Gorgeous, inclusive tarot and oracle decks.

Everything You Need to Know About Reading Your Birth Chart.

So true: ‘Wellness for All’ Won’t Be a Reality Until We Decolonize Yoga in the West.

From Bust: Taylor Swift’s New Album, “Folklore,” Is A Lesbian Masterpiece.

I love this post from Well+Good: Your Ruling Planet Plays Almost as Big a Role in Your Life as Your Sun Sign—Learn What it Means Here.

I have two vintage copies of Wonderful Zodiac Fortune Telling Cards. Looks like they are being printed again!

Coming up from Jess Carlson: How to Learn Tarot: A Guided Tarot Journal with Intuitive Prompts and Spreads.

I saw Timothy Snyder speaking with Rachel Maddow the other night. I want to read his book On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century.

Ooh this looks beautiful: Your Goddess Year: A Week-by-Week Guide to Invoking the Divine Feminine by Skye Alexander.

OMFG there is going to be a Supernatural Tarot Deck and Guidebook next year!

These are cute: Witchling Academy Tarot.

I might need this: A Table for Friends: The Art of Cooking for Two or Twenty.

Do I really have to wait until fall to get this The Uncommon Tarot: A Contemporary Reimagining of an Ancient Oracle?

Other books may tell you to “just go with your gut” but I don’t think that’s wise. Learn how to read tarot + trust your intuition like a pro withTarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading.

Summer’s here and The Tarot Coloring Book is the perfect activity for chilling on hot nights.

When Shaheen Miro and I wrote Tarot For Troubled Times we never anticipated how timely this book would be. The world is chaotic, messy right now. Our book can help you cope.

Astrology is so cool…but it’s also bewildering when you first begin. I make it easy with Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners (A No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious).

Events:

August 30, 2020: Brushes and Stars. Where: online. A full-day of astrology and intuitive painting – and fun! Join me and Chris Zydel for a joyful, astrology-inspired intuitive painting experience. We begin exploring intuition, followed by examining your natal chart. From there, it’s time to paint your interpretation of your chart! Group insights follow.

May 2-8, 2021: The Tuscany Tarot Intensive. Where: Italy! A full week of tarot immersion. Due to the Coronavirus, we moved the event to next year. Good news: the dates allow for a few extra seats which means you can join us next year! Yay!