YouandTheTarot

  "Am I right?" That's what a client for a tarot reading pleaded to know. They were experiencing a relationship meltdown and needed feedback if balking about the partner's long hours at the gym was a legit grip. Well, as we honor diversity of thought  - that is that myriad points of view have merit - I had to back up and say: There's no absolute right or wrong.  With that out of the way, I had to give them confidence to assert their point of view about what should take place and not take place in an intimate relationship. In this context the point of view was that the spouse: Should be spending more time with the family, not chasing extreme fitness in middle age. Needed to add to the household income by picking up gigs in addition to the full-time job. Could be taking online courses to upskill. Of course, the husband probably had another point of view. But since I wasn't conducting a marriage counseling session he wasn't there to present it. Rubber meets t...

Those hiring make promises to the new graduate. Motivated to the extreme he gives the job his all. Predictably, those promises don't come through. He becomes de-motivated. On LinkedIn, From the Safety of Retirement,  Murray Gottheil  chronicles that brutal rite of passage. That is, the young worker has been introduced to a standard game in the world of work.  When I do tarot readings I bear witness to this kind of disappointment in expectations from Gen Z. Unlike us boomers their mother might have never taught them about that game of promises promises promises. Our mothers, who had made it through The Great Depression, didn't screen us from how cruel working for a living could be. Put it this way: At home we heard a lot about how the bird in the hand was better than two in the bush. Not that we boomers, the luckiest gen in America, took well to that reality. I responded to Gottheil's post with my own Ah-Ha moment. At the beginning of the summer of 1962, I, an honor roll s...

 The good times sure did roll for us Boomers. That allowed us, even first-generation college, to acquire wealth, at least what we experienced as a kind of version of the good life. Now, it's a jolt that most of you Boomers who come to me as clients, are unable to "grow" your money. At least not significantly. It's as if The Magician has run out of tricks. Some of you want "permission" to simply enjoy some degree of financial security. Maybe you're not financially comfortable. But you can pay your bills and you have a reserve to handle wild cards like medical expenses not covered by Medicare/Medicare Supplements.  Of course, investments might be kicking in relief about not outliving your income. Dow Jones Industrial Average Index Index: DJI Compare 44,809.70 USD ▲  +115.79 (+0.26%) today Also, you might have made a bundle from the sale of your house. But what's causing emotional distress is that you're, well, just maintaining a kind of status quo....

  Those hoping to find out the "motivation" for the four murders committed by Bryan Kohberger might had been watching too many sophisticated crime shows like "Criminal Minds." In them the fictional profilers uncover what has driven the aberrant behavior.  But in real life, as in the horrific activity by the Idaho killer, the wrongdoers might not even know themselves why they did what they did. In addition, they may be playing with the interviewers, not telling the truth about the dynamics of their inner lives. Or they may be delivering the narrative which they hope will lessen the penalty. Defense lawyers tend to enable that. Remember all the psychobabble of the 1970s. Everyone was put on the couch to be analyzed.  So much of the thinking about motivation is smug guessing. Human beings are complex entities. Sure, there are supposed clues from what went on in the family of origin, genetic makeup and life experiences. But most of the attempts to connect the dots is re...

  For years Shon Hopwood , convicted bank robber, had been the inspirational example of how human beings can change - supposedly.  After serving almost 11 years for his crime he went on to law school. Then to a prestigious career teaching law at Georgetown. He also assisted in the creation of the First Step Act for reform of federal prisons and sentencing.  Another situation of "jailhouse" conversion to a better way of life had been Watergate lawyer Chuck Colson. He went on, after his release, to serving the spiritual needs of prisons and others. That mission held up a lifetime. Was it sincere? Some wondered. The defense law sector, with the brilliant minds of lawyers at Kirkland & Ellis, Jones Day and Paul Weiss, is based on the premise that wrongdoers can and will modify their leadership practices.  Unfortunately for Hopewood his commitment to being a better human being didn't hold together. Recently a jury in DC Superior Court convicted him of 11 out of 12 c...

  The career. A divorce. Regret during recovery. Financial reversal. It's downright unlikely that you'll go through that (and usually more) without losing pieces of yourself. So, there you are in the Department of Lost and Found. And you're searching for how to find those missing parts.  We tarot readers guide you through that new kind of journey.  The first step is clarifying who you are now, post-loss. You're not who you used to. The New York Times documents that the tarot is a useful tool for gaining self-awareness. Step two is to surrender to the reality that not only you but that the world and those in all your orbits have changed. There's no picking up where you left off.  So, step three is to try on fresh ways of seeing the world and behaving in it. That could apply to relationships, work or how to spend money. Step four is to slowly settle into what seems to be a fit, at least at time. And, step five is to be on the constant alert for what could be changing...

Should they or shouldn't they follow their heart at work?  How to get through a breakup with a co-worker?  Now that the former lover at work is interested in someone else ...?  These issues come up more and more often in tarot readings. They are what human beings need to focus on because people have to spend more and more time at work. And, studies document that about 60% of them will engage in an office romance.   So, what was considered so wrong in the alleged romance between Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company's Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot wasn't the affair of the heart per se. That was even though both are married to others. Cupid is shooting lots of arrows these days. Often the romance is a sign that the marriage is fraying. Therefore it's not unusual that those with spouses at home to explore intimacy on the job. That could begin with having an office wife or husband. Then things could heat up. The outrage about the supposed Bryon-Cabot connectio...

  Values are fragile entities. As a tarot reader I'm picking up on compassion falling off a cliff. With so much employment uncertainty, inflation and the disruptions of Generative AI, human beings are withdrawing into themselves. The mindsets are self-care, not caring much about others. Predictably the story of the law student doing a lucrative internship at Sidley law firm who probably has risked an entire career has become a joke. Well, it's been confirmed that they were a biter. Yes, the teeth kind. Not a hustler after opportunity. A rare bit of posting on Reddit by someone who works at Sidley requests empathy for a human being who will be caught up in the consequences of bad behavior.  That plea probably won't get very far. The same applies to other human beings on the wrong side of the economy.  In a 12-step club, for example, there's growing tension about the willingness to allow the homeless hang out. Their peculiar conduct has already reduced attendance at meet...

  Travel the country and stop in a local McDonald's in the early morning. There will be a table or two of older people. What you find out from the waitress is that they are "regulars."  The same kinds of gatherings take place at 12-step meetings, private clubs and old-line churches.  Something seems off.  So far it essentially been the problem with no name. It's about human beings set adrift from the usual orbits, be it a career or rearing a family. Lost? Maybe that's too strong a word for what's going on. In tarot readings clients present me with this drift as a situation defined as "being bored." The solution they run by me is that they get a job to keep busy, meet people and add to income. But I know from ongoing tarot sessions with them that doesn't set up inner peace. The unease continues.  That problem with no name, I have come to conclude, is the need for purpose. After the career or long-time job ends the very concrete purpose of earning ...

Even in these free-for-all political times, there are lines which should not be crossed. Never. As a tarot reader - therefore, in the thick of human morality, civility and spirituality - I wonder if X crossed a line yesterday when its chatbot Grok posted:  " ... antisemitic comments, praised Adolf Hitler and referred to itself as “MechaHitler.”  Today X's CEO for two years Linda Yaccarino resigned that big job.  In her public statement Yaccarino, whose background is public relations, gushed about X, especially its innovation. However, one might be tempted to connect the dots on the timing of her resignation.  As many know working for Elon Musk, who owns X, is challenging. Overall, it might surprise some that Yaccarino endured the challenges for two years. But, shouldn't we all ask: Why the resignation now, the day after such hateful rhetoric had appeared on Grok? May Spirit guide Yaccarino in her search for The Next. Thriving in difficult times starts from the ins...

  Those coming for tarot readings often ask me: What is the "best" spirit guide for meditation? Well, the "best" is the one which provides the clearest direct connection. For some that is an animal. It could be an actual one who has passed over. Of it could be the idea of a kind of animal which brings a sense of strength and safety.  Since my dog Molly Mittens passed over during the unusually hot summer of 2005 she has instantly jumped in as I have been meditating. She is open to questions such as: Should I continue pursuing this startup enterprise or back out of it. Also she provides warm consolation when I feel low on hope.  Of course, you can change your spirit guide or add to them. Recently, after I had experienced a trauma I looped in my mother who had died when I was 40 years old. At the time I was too young to process all that. During the past 18 months I became ready to circle back. Now Mom has been here for me. A popular spirit guide with clients is Michael...

  Much of the demand for tarot readings comes from those who simply need to talk and, because they are paying for the service, assume they will be listened to.  Essentially, America is undergoing an epidemic of human beings transitioning into "not being interesting."  When they talk - and usually the pattern is to do more and more of that - there is an obvious glaze-over. That is even the usual in support groups created as centers for listening to what  society doesn't want to hear. It's obvious members at the meeting aren't paying attention.  So, how can human beings become interesting enough to attract companionship?  That starts with getting out of themselves. Unfortunately, the more they are ignored the more they climb into themselves. A simple first step out is to volunteer to do something, anything. Offer to walk the dog for a sick neighbor. Do errands for the local political party. Lead a meeting at the support group. The next step is to push themsel...

  Her little piece of the universe radiated serenity.  That's exactly what I picked up when I entered her older house to provide a reading. On the ancient stove was a tea kettle. No microwaving water for coffee and none of the gee-whiz kinds of coffee-makers.  This is how a professional who should have been stressed out and should have longed for more and more WLB established a comfort zone. What might have reinforced that is this: Expenses were kept low since there wasn't a preoccupation with up-dating interior design or renovations.  Since I am called in for a tarot reading most often to defuse overwhelm I am getting it that my mission is to help those under pressure create an emotionally safe place for themselves. It could be as simple as putting on their desks at work a symbol of what calms. That could be a photo of the old neighborhood where people cared about each other.  Or, at least that was the assumption.  Or it could be as comprehensive as keepin...

The transformation of labor generated by AI can increase unemployment by up to 20%, predicts Anthropic head Dario Amodie.  Ford CEO Jim Farley sees AI replacing about half of white collars in the US.  Now familiar is law firm Paul Weiss chair Brad Karp's prediction that AI can eliminate some junior lawyer jobs and that some practices can be commodities. As such a technological disruption is taking hold, I am noticing in my tarot-reading sessions that more clients are embracing Jesus - or some other mystical entity - as their career coach. They are "turning over" their next to that invisible form of guidance, comfort and protection.  Among the concrete results is calming. That provides the relief to size up what's going on in their ability to earn a good living and then strategically plan how to modify or replace that as AI gets more and more traction. Weekly, sector leaders are becoming increasingly aware of the power of the technology to do better, faster and more ...

In services we learn the most from clients.  Recently, clients for tarot readings have shifted from railing about what is to focusing on what could be options. Essentially, it's a play out of what is known as The Serenity Prayer . That's represents a three-part plea. One, is to accept the things which cannot change, at least right now. Two, to have the courage to try to change what might be changed. And, three, to develop the wisdom to discern the difference between what has to be embraced and what can be adjusted.  Fading is ranting about alleged toxic workplaces. Acknowledged is that the majority of employers have the upper hand. That is so much what is that complaining about realities like the Infinite Workday could motivate some of those employers to replace the human workforce with Generative AI. Unfair? Probably. But that's what is. Instead of protest, clients want me to draw tarot cards to shake loose for them what adjustments they can experiment with.  How abou...