The Hit List - Damsels in distress

When I was in third grade, the teacher made small presents for each student as an end-of-the-year goodbye. We each received a little plaque with a hand-picked statement, all done in neat calligraphy. As I looked around, I noticed that the words on the plaques for the other students were encouraging and spoke of success. Mine? “Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry and you cry alone.”

I was a sensitive loner, so I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised. Being alone didn’t bother me in the least.  I was a Gen-Xer, and being left alone to my own devices was common. My parents were from the Great Depression era, which meant they, just like that teacher, had little sympathy for my emo ways.

If I got in trouble, I was told to “lie in the bed I made,” which meant I was never going to get bailed out. Many in my generation had the same experience (although not sure how many got shitty little plaques as third-grade graduation gifts). We had to learn to be resourceful. We didn’t have a choice. Damsels in distress was never an option for Gen-Xers.

No one was ever coming to save us.

Now that the world seems to be falling apart at its poorly constructed seams, the handwringers have been banging at my door. That’s a common experience for tarot readers and astrologers. These individuals are seeking guarantees. They want comfort.

These are damsels in distress looking for a Superman.

Unfortunately, that is something I cannot provide. I’m busy trying to secure my own fortress here. I’ve got work to do, which is typical Gen-X. When shit hits the fan, we get busy.

No one is coming to save us.

We need to save ourselves, our country, and what’s left of our democracy. There is no time to sit around helplessly waiting for a caped crusader. It’s time to take anxiety, drama, and anger – and channel it into constructive action.

You don’t like what’s happening? Call your representatives. Join a protest. Run for office. Sign petitions, vote in every election, show up at town halls, get involved in your community, donate to mutual aid, grow a garden, stop buying so much shit, support independent media, boycott, and demand better from your elected officials and the media. Put on your cape and do it all. Above all, don’t let the bad guys steal your joy.

Because at the end of the day, it’s better to laugh and work together than cry (or freak out) alone.

xo

Theresa

 

Other stuff:

I love the clothing on Boardwalk Empire. Gentleman’s Gazette talks about what they got wrong.

WTF is going on with NY Times?

Teen Vogue spells it out: Donald Trump’s Criminal Justice Agenda Is a Front That Has Nothing to Do With Public Safety.

There are many reasons why I won’t fly. Gutting the FAA is a big one.

Justin Baldoni and the Death of Man-Bun Feminism.

Get ready for the astrological new year.

These tough broads were no damsels in distress!

I might need this: My Sugar Addiction Was So Severe, I Asked a Celebrity Hypnotist to Cure Me.

Yes, Men Are Struggling—But Dismantling Women’s Progress Isn’t the Answer.

Interesting: Everybody Wanted to Save Hannah Kobayashi.

I’m a Manifestor: Your Human Design Type Might Unlock Your True Personality.

Loved this documentary about Sly Stone: Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius).

The etymology of damsels in distress comes from the French demoiselle en détresse and a poem from 1692.

This looks interesting: The Secret Lives of Teeth: Understanding Emotional Influences on Oral Health.

You know you want it: Making Tarot Magic: Rituals and Remedies to Transform Readings into Action by Briana Saussy.

In case you have trouble with your stage presence: Make a Scene: Storytelling, Stage Presence, and the Art of Being Unforgettable in Every Spotlight.

Looks cute: Cottage Magic Tarot.

Interested: The Astrology of Healing: Unlocking Our Sacred Wounds with the Wisdom of the Stars.

Ooooh: Llewellyn’s Little Book of Spirit Communication.

OMFG: The Left-Hand Path of Tarot: Breaking Taboos, Confronting Shadows, and Achieving Self-Love by Cherry Para!

My entire catalog of books. Order one for yourself. Or the whole shebang. They make great gifts, too! Yay!

When you’re self-employed, you gotta make lots of decisions every week. Astrology can help you make wiser choices—and choose the optimal dates for everything you need to do: The AstroBiz Digest.

Wondering how to get your mystical, magical book done and published? I teach that with my newest offering: The Metaphysical Author’s Confidential – a newsletter for witchy writers: The Metaphysical Author’s Confidential.

Need guidance in bringing your metaphysical book to the world? I’ll support you from manuscript to market, ensuring your work connects with its audience: specially designed mentoring services for authors in the mystical genre.

 

Classes and Events

Join my Patreon Community! I offer extended card-of-the-day interpretations, astrological tidbits, community tarot practice, political astrology, early sneak peeks at horoscopes….and more. Higher tiers get access to live classes, replays of previous classes, mentoring, and more.

Enrollment for Telesmatic Alchemy: Empowering the Planets in Your Life & Magickal Practice with the My Living Astrology Chart Kit is open! Begin your magickal journey in 2025 by delving into the ancient art of telesmatic magick, where planetary forces and celestial correspondences meet practical ritual. This course, an extension of the My Living Astrology Chart (MLAC) series, brings together five presenter-practitioners in astrology and esoteric magick with your hosts Theresa Reed and Carrie Paris. Together, they will guide you through the creation, empowerment, and use of talismans and magick, helping you integrate planetary energies into your New Year, spiritual practice and daily life. Sign up here.

Chicago Classes:

Celtic Cross Workshop. SAT, APR 5 · 7:30 PM CDT. Cost $40. For decades, learning the Celtic Cross has been a rite of passage for many tarot readers, and it quickly turns into a go-to spread. With ten cards in predefined positions on the table, a reader has a ton to explore. But behind those fixed positions are intricate relationships and interactions happening across the spread’s landscape. Learn how to rock this spread like a pro!

Navigating Difficult Conversations: A Workshop for Readers. SUN, APR 6 – 7:30 PM CDT. Cost $40. Everyday, tarot readers explore challenging topics asked by their clients. Broken hearts,  From broken hearts to layoffs to indescribable grief, clients bring many challenges to the reader’s table. As tarot readers, we have a responsibility to handle these delicate topics professionally and compassionately.  Navigating Difficult Conversations: A Workshop for Readers provides the tools you need to appropriately and skillfully handle hard but common questions brought by clients. In this workshop, The Tarot Lady will demonstrate how to build a compassionate practice that’s prepared to handle a client’s challenges.

Both classes are limited to 20 people – first come, first serve. Masks are required.

New York Classes:

Writers, are you ready to unlock new inspiration? Pens And Cards is a tarot-infused writing workshop with Theresa Reed and Sarah Selecky. Discover how tarot can spark fresh ideas and deepen your storytelling. May 3, 10 AM – 2 PM, Balance Art Center, NY. Register now. https://www.thetarotlady.com/pens-and-cards/ Limited seats

 

What I’m Grateful For:

Trusting myself

Warmer weather

Resilience

Gummy vitamins

The good folks doing the good work

 

Soundtrack for 2/21/25

BUTTERFLY by MARINA

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2025

images from stock photography and personal collection 

*Some of the links are affiliate links. I receive a small fee if you purchase, but this does not affect the price of the item.*

 

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