The Hit List - Fixing a flat attitude with gratitude

The day after I returned from my Tarot for Troubled Times book tour with Shaheen Miro, I jumped in my car to run errands. As soon as I got in, I was overwhelmed with the stench of gasoline. Alarmed, I exited the vehicle and checked underneath for a leak. I’ve watched too many movies with cars blowing up and didn’t want that to be my fate.

Alas, not a wet spot underneath so I assumed I must have gotten some gas inside the car when we stopped to fill up.

But three days later, the smell was still there – and I got worried. I needed to get my struts repaired anyway so I took it in to the mechanic.

The next day the car was done (my mechanic is fab by the way). I inquired about the stink and they told me that there was no gas smell or leak. They had to check that thoroughly before working on the struts because they were using a torch.

As I entered the vehicle, the foul odor was still present. I knew these guys weren’t pulling my chain so off I went to the car wash. When I handed my keys to the dudes that work there, I opened the door to put one of the seats up that the mechanic had put down for some reason. And there it was: an exploded can of “fix a flat,” and chemically-scented goop all over the trunk and a blob on the back seat. Mystery solved!

This meant I needed to get my ride detailed in order to clear that nasty stank out of there.

But on a deeper level, it meant something else.

That can of “fix a flat” was something that I carried around back in the day when I was brutally poor. At that time, I drove an old hoopty – a Dodge station wagon with many miles that required a screw driver in the carburetor to start it. In winter, the doors always froze shut, which meant I had to enter through the trunk. A flat tire back then would have meant that I was screwed because there were no cell phones and a tow would be prohibitive. Plus, I didn’t know how to change a tire.

If you’ve never been poor, you can’t fathom how scary a situation like that can be. One break down, one flat tire, and you might not be eating. That was my world back then.

My life no longer looks like that. I have a sound business. A stable marriage. A good car. Heck, I have an AAA membership which means I get a free tow and roadside assistance. I don’t need a can of “fix a flat” in my car. But yet those old habits and mindsets from days of grueling poverty die hard. Hence, that can rode with me since I bought this car until it finally erupted in a gooey stanky mess.

This incident showed me that although I’ve worked hard on “money mindset” and all that jazz, I still have work to do to erase the fear of being broke. Perhaps it may never truly be gone. For folks like me who had to bust our asses working seven days a week while subsisting on beans and rice, those scars remain, even if circumstances have changed. But I’m trying.

That always starts with gratitude.

As I stepped into a freshly portered car, I stopped to give silent thanks. Thanks to the kind men at the car wash who diligently removed the crud and got my car squeaky clean. Thank you to the wise and honest mechanic who took good care of the car (it rides like a dream). Gratitude to my husband, who offers so much support – and also remembers what it’s like to struggle. Thank you to my career, which I worked my ass off to create. Thank you to tarot for making my life possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

This cat has always lived large! But does he show any gratitude? Naw…just cattitude!

Other stuff:

New York’s oldest witchcraft store still casting its spell after 34 years.

This is frightening: ‘It is raining plastic’: Scientists find colorful microplastic in rain.

From Refinery29: A week in Austin on a tarot reader’s salary.

Seven Young Activists to Watch Ahead of the 2020 Elections.

Good question: why are you still doing Bikram yoga?

Sara Tirschwell accused her Wall Street boss of misconduct, but that was just the beginning of her troubles.

From Marie Claire: 18 Ways Women Still Aren’t Equal to Men.

Latest Astrology Bytes: What’s an orb?

Loving this post about Jessica Dore: She uses tarot cards to discuss mental health and 90,000 people and counting pay attention.

This kid found a wooly mammoth tooth!

LGBTQ Creators Are Suing YouTube For Homophobic Censorship.

Daphne Zuniga: I Waited Until I Was in My 50s to Get Married and I’m So Glad I Did.

I loved talking with Dina Berrin about Color and Costume in Tarot.

Also found: Archaeologists in Pompeii find amulets and charms that may have been used by Roman sorcerer.

Benebell Wen and Scarlet Ravenswood have collaborated to bring you this uh-may-zing Tarot Journal. You know you want it!

Dogfishing: When online daters pose with adorable pets that aren’t theirs.

The internet can be amazing: Woman Asks The Internet To Help Find A Man Who Bought Her A Bike When She Was A 5-Year-Old Refugee, The Internet Delivers.

Tarot Stones Won’t Bend or Blow Away.

From Bustle: In ‘God Land,’ Lyz Lenz Explores Midwest Christianity — And Those Who Are Welcomed Versus Those Who Are Not.

OMFG this is awesome: Kawaii Sweet World Cookbook: 75 Yummy Recipes for Baking That’s (Almost) Too Cute to Eat.

I want to check this one out: Feminism (Key Ideas in Business and Management).

Also this: 30-Second Feminism: 50 key ideas, events, and protests, each explained in half a minute.

YUM: Sunny-Side Up: More Than 100 Breakfast & Brunch Recipes from the Essential Egg to the Perfect Pastry: A Cookbook.

The Tarot Coloring Book is for tarot-curious people who don’t know where to begin.

Tarot For Troubled Times is not just a typical tarot book. Sure there is plenty of tarot and spreads – but also lots of talk about self-care, social justice, and courage.

Coming October 1st! My first astrology book: Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners (A No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious). It’s a fun, easy-to-understand workbook for people who need a down-to-earth approach to the cosmos. You can pre-order it now!

Classes:

August 18, 2019: Tarot Cards for Shadow Work – Join me at Eye of Horus in Minneapolis from 1 PM – 3 PM for a class on exploring shadow work with the tarot. We’ll cover the Birth Cards, Tarot archetypes, and more. Cost: $30. I’ll be available for book signings at 12 PM.

October 4th, 2019: ASTROLOGY FOR REAL LIFE BOOK LAUNCH PARTY! Where: Where: Free Spirit Crystals in Butler, Wisconsin. What time: 7 PM. Cost: Free!

October 6th, 2019: Astrology for Total Beginners. Where: Eye of Horus in Minneapolis. What time: 1 PM – 3 PM. Cost: $30.00.

October 12, 2019: Crash Course in Tarot. Where: 22 Teachings, Los Angeles. What time: 12 PM – 2 PM. Cost: $40.00. All the details are here.

October 13, 2019: Crash Course in Astrology. Where: 22 Teachings in Los Angeles. What time: 12 PM – 2 PM. Cost $40.00. All the details are here.

Special deal: sign up for both Crash Course in Tarot and Crash Course in Astrology and save some bucks!

May 10-16, 2020: The Tuscany Tarot Intensive. Where: Italy! A full week of tarot immersion. The only live class I plan on teaching next year. Spots are limited.