The Hit List - Fearbook - The Tarot Lady

When you’re empathic, you must be vigilant about what you allow in your world. Boundaries are essential if you want to keep your peace.

Not just boundaries for humans (and in some cases, cats…ahem) but also in what you read, watch or talk about. For example, a few years ago, I realized that watching the news made me anxious. While I love current events and want to know what’s happening out there, the newscasters have changed. Instead of the chill Walter Conkrite or Hugh Downs vibes that made me feel safe no matter what was going on, the current crop of reporters has a tone of urgency that gets under my skin.

These days, I rarely watch the news. Instead, I read it. That way, the delivery arrives in my own voice and not the shrill pitch of an anchor looking for a soundbite.

While that decision cut my negativity down by a large margin, there was still something lingering in my world that seemed to be impacting my mood. Bummer vibes would creep in and out throughout my day, and suddenly my happy-go-lucky self was sour. For no reason at all. After some introspection, I realized that it was coming from Facebook, which had devolved into nothing but griping and sad stories 24/7. Where did all the fun, positive stuff go? What happened? And why were people tagging me to make sure I saw the most ominous, frightening news stories?

I’ve always enjoyed Facebook. In fact, I spent plenty of time there. It was a way to keep on top of what’s happening with my loved ones (and share Jason Momoa pics). But lately? It’s Fearbook. Every single time I hang out on that platform, I find myself slipping into a dark, scared place. And that feels like crap.

A few weeks ago, I began pulling away. I barely checked in or posted Results: I feel better.

So I’m making an “empathic executive decision” to spend way less time over on Fearbook going forward. My mental health depends on it. Pulling back from things that affect my well-being is a form of self-care.

It’s not that I don’t care or don’t want to hear the difficult things. I do. But if you’re ultra-sensitive like I am, at some point, bathing in misfortune soup for hours a day only makes you miserable.

So be careful about what you ingest daily. It’s okay to take a step back if you’re feeling blue or experiencing compassion fatigue. While we should never turn our backs on people’s troubles, we also need to make sure that they don’t become our own too.

“Setting boundaries is a way of caring for myself. It doesn’t make me mean, selfish, or uncaring (just) because I don’t do things your way. I care about me, too.” ― Christine Morgan

This face makes me happy.

Other stuff:

I’m cooking this Braised Pork All’Arrabbiata on Sunday.

Get ready for Sunday’s New Moon in Pisces with this dope info – and mini tarot readings for each zodiac sign.

Join me! I’m doing extended Card of the Day posts, classes, and political astrology over on my Patreon account.

From the New Yorker: How Milwaukee could decide the next election.

Sophie Saint Thomas delivers this goodness over at Allure: How Oracle Cards Are Different From Tarot, Plus 7 of the Best Decks.

Good read: Uber Whistleblower Susan Fowler Recalls Her First Interaction With Then-CEO.

Learn how to work with the phases of the Moon with Moonbeaming 2020 from the always amazing Sarah Faith Gottesdiener.

Speaking of Sarah, she joins me over on Astrology Bytes to discuss Lunar Types.

Loving this from Alisa Koz: How to Make a New Moon Work in Your Favour. (Psst…I appreciate the Astrology Bytes shoutout too!)

Forget chips and sodas: D.C.’s coolest vending machines dispense Japanese toys, tarot cards, and original art.

Running a business or thinking of starting one? You need to check out this class from Andrew McGregor of The Hermit’s Lamp: The art, magic, and practice of running a business.

Great advice from Inner Goddess Tarot: Keep Your Own Judgement out of someone else’s Tarot reading.

Wisdom from Eryn Carter: What is Consent? How Is It Communicated?

This Fashion Company Is Dressing Female Candidates For Free.

Follow ’em: Love Astrology? Here Are 12 Instagram Accounts You’ll Want To Follow.

Medieval ‘Black Death’ mass grave uncovered in the English countryside.

From Mind Body Green: Pulling This Tarot Card Is Basically A Green Light From The Universe.

I can get behind this: Responding to Alabama’s Abortion Ban, a State Representative Introduced a Bill Requiring Vasectomies for Men at Age 50.

The Wall Street Journal has this piece on astrology: Why Astrology Apps Are Rising.

Agreed: Fighting the tyranny of ‘niceness’: why we need difficult women.

Haha: How to Win an Argument With Someone—Based on *Their* Mars Sign.

They’re talking about tarot over on Today: 7 tips for getting the most out of your next tarot card reading.

Nailed it: The Human Cost of a Cheap Manicure.

I’m all about this post: How Financial Astrology Could Help You Budget, Invest, and Save.

Local Learns: What Is Tarot and How Do I Do It?

I’m so excited about Elliot Adam’s upcoming book: Fearless Tarot: Dare to Pull Any Card.

Ooooh: The Magical Nordic Tarot.

YES: This Year I Will…: A 52-Week Guided Journal to Achieve Your Goals.

I love a good cookbook: See You on Sunday: A Cookbook for Family and Friends.

I’m stoked for Susan Spungen’s latest: Open Kitchen: Inspired Food for Casual Gatherings.

Even though I don’t run a large corporation, books like this are useful: Lead Like an Ally: A Journey Through Corporate America with Proven Strategies to Facilitate Inclusion.

This looks interesting: The Magic of Marie Laveau: Embracing the Spiritual Legacy of the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.

Totally want this: Visionary Path Tarot.

Check out Modern Witch: Spells, Recipes & Workings by Devin Hunter.

If tarot stumps you, you may need a playful, hands-on approach. Something like my The Tarot Coloring Book.

Tarot For Troubled Times is a book that is near and dear to my heart. Shaheen Miro and I wrote this together, based on a class we taught. Our mission: heal.

Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners (A No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious) has been getting rave reviews from everyday folks who struggle to understand all that astrology lingo. I make it simple (and fun)!

Events:

April 24-26, 2020: Readers Studio. I’m a main stage presenter at the annual Readers Studio Tarot Conference in New York, the biggest tarot conference in the world. Join me and other world-class instructors for a weekend of tarot goodness!

May 10-16, 2020: The Tuscany Tarot Intensive. Where: Italy! A full week of tarot immersion. Great food, killer lessons, awesome people – gorgeous location! One seat left!

August 30, 2020: Brushes and Stars. Where: Oakland, California. A full-day of astrology and intuitive painting – and yummy food! Join me and Chris Zydel for a joyful, astrology-inspired intuitive painting experience.