The Hit List - Okay, doomer

Many years ago, I received a psychic reading from a woman who spoke in hushed and urgent tones. She said I would “never meet Mr. Right,” something I wasn’t even thinking about at the time. Of course, she also had a $99 candle service to sell me. I never paid for the candle. Shortly after this doom ‘n gloom forecast, I met a fantastic partner. We’ve been together ever since.

For some reason, this prediction has followed me since I was young. My father told me I’d never get married. My independent streak, nerdy interests, and unconventional looks meant I was not marriage material in his eyes. Honestly, the spinster life he imagined for me didn’t sound like such a bad deal. A house to myself with cats and books? Sign me up!

More than a few astrologers glanced at my messy chart with Saturn tangled up in harsh aspects in my house of romance and declared love would not be in the stars. Frankly, I’ve never had trouble finding suitors. It just took me a minute to find the right one. (It also took me time to find the right astrologer who didn’t partake in this bullshit. Hey Sam!)

I never believed these doomers. I always knew things would work out.

It’s the same with the doomsday prophets, who move end-of-the-world dates around like pieces on a chessboard. When I read for the public, I would spend much time reassuring clients that the rapture was not on the way. Some of these people didn’t want to hear that. They found comfort in the fear talk.

Fear sells.

Two months ago, I muted an astrologer engaging in this doom talk. Although I liked their work, their predictions set my teeth on edge. There was zero advice on how to work through gnarly aspects but plenty of apocalyptic visions (including political, weather, and earthquake predictions) that only served to amp up my anxiety. While I found some of their content compelling, this negativity wasn’t helping me at all. (I also had to stop watching certain newscasters who made me feel jittery.)

I’ve talked to others who have had to block, unfollow, or turn off social media altogether for the same reason. Doomer talk doesn’t help anyone grow or thrive. It only makes people feel small and disempowered.

This is a rather long-winded way of saying: if a tarot reader or astrologer is making you feel anxious, it’s okay to mute that vibe. Period.

If you’re a pro tarot reader or astrologer, it’s also important to consider how your words might land. Are you making bold prophecies that scare the hell out of folks? Or are you offering sage advice that empowers the individual? Do you show choices and options – or do you claim there is no way out? Does empathy play a role in your readings? Do you enjoy the power trip that comes with fear-based readings? Are you giving accurate information or projecting? Those are good questions to ponder if you step into the professional arena.

Your words hold tremendous power. Use them wisely. Don’t be a doomer.

And if you have the misfortune of being in the presence of anyone who wants to paint your world with a pessimistic brush, you can choose differently. You have the power. You always did.

Theresa

PS: this kind of shit is one of the reasons why I wrote The Cards You’re Dealt and Twist Your Fate. It’s not enough to learn how to read the cards; you need to learn how to deliver information in a helpful, empathic, empowering way.

Other stuff:

What you need to know about Project 2025.

Election 2024: What’s at Stake for Women.

Get ready to vote: Feminists’ Need-to-Know Ballot Measures.

YES YES YES: When Black Feminist Movements Receive Sustained and Abundant Resources, the World Wins.

Yep: The Chappell Roan Fan Discourse Should Be a Reminder That Stalking Is All Too Common.

I love her: Welcome To Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hot Girl” Empire.

My latest for Old Farmer’s Almanac: Every Zodiac Element: Fire, Earth, Air & Water Explained.

YIKES: I Was Playing With A Massive Indie Band When I Collapsed Mid-Show. I Couldn’t Believe The Cause.

There’s One Planet (Conspicuously) Missing From Retrograde Season This Year. Here’s What That Means for You.

This guy is such a joke: JD Vance Says the Solution to the Childcare Crisis Is to Have Grandparents Do It for Free.

Before Salem, There Was a Witch Trial for a Delaware County Woman.

For your watching pleasure: a list of the 41 best feminist movies of all time.

Aliza Kelly is so good at explaining astrology. Here’s her latest Substack on Aspects.

She also delivers your fall horoscope: Behold Your Fall 2024 Horoscope What to know to make it out of this especially unpredictable season relatively unscathed.

The mute spectacle of Bianca Censori.

From Lisa Stardust: Which Beetlejuice Character You Are, Based on Your Zodiac Sign.

Fair fairies: Welsh Fairies: A Guide to the Lore, Legends, Denizens & Deities of the Otherworld.

I love this deck: Every Little Thing You Do Is Magic Tarot.

I was gifted this tarot deck and I adore it: The Gentle Tarot.

Wish I had the time to master bread making: The King Arthur Baking Company Big Book of Bread: 125+ Recipes for Every Baker.

YUM: Half Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy.

Need: Let It Settle: Daily Habits to Move You From Chaos to Calm.

Dropping in a few days: Craft Your Own Magic: Reawaken Your Intuition, Understand Magical Correspondences, and Create a Meaningful Personal Practice.

I love stickers: The Green Witch’s Sticker Book: 600+ Enchanting Stickers Inspired by Green Magic.

If you’re a doomer: Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present.

One of the best ways to learn tarot is through journaling. This journal ticks all the boxes: The Weiser Tarot Journal: Guidance and Practice.

No matter what you’re going through, tarot can help: The Cards You’re Dealt: How to Deal when Life Gets Real (A Tarot Guidebook).

Your future is not set in stone. You can rewrite the story any time you please. Learn how: Twist Your Fate: Manifest Success with Astrology and Tarot.

What ever kid wants tucked into their backpack: Tarot For Kids.

Learn how to read tarot like the high priestess: Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading.

Prefer to listen to your tarot lessons? Check this out: Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading is available as an audiobook.

Does astrology leave you confused? I hear you – and that’s why I wrote this book: Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners (A No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious).

There is an audio version if you prefer: Astrology For Real Life.

New season, new tarot deck: The Uncommon Tarot: A Contemporary Reimagining of an Ancient Oracle.

Colder temps require blankets, hot tea, and quiet pastimes: The Tarot Coloring Book.

Stressed about the upcoming election? Let tarot help you sort it out: Tarot For Troubled Times.

If you enjoy creative pastimes, you might like making your own tarot deck: Create Your Own Tarot Cards: A step-by-step guide to designing a unique and personalized tarot deck! Cards included!

Self-employed? Freelancing? Running your own business? You need The Astro-Biz Digest. An astrological forecast especially for entrepreneurs: 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.

I’m sharing best practices for writing, publishing, and marketing – just for metaphysical authors. Learn more and sign up: specially designed mentoring services for authors in the mystical genre.

Hey astrology lovers and curious types! Check out this new kit from Carrie Paris and yours truly: My Living Astrology Chart. This experiential astrological kit also doubles as a charm casting board—perfect for detailed divination!

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.

Want to learn the tarot basics? Check out my upcoming Tarot For Beginners course! Coming October 2nd!

Join me and a bevy of witchy folks for The Gathering of the Witches in October, an online event full of magick and more!