Me too! I found you through Cup of Jo, which I have read since almost the beginning, but never been brave enough to post a comment! You inspired me to take the leap, and express my gratitude for your essays
One other image of a wheel that I recently read that resonates with me is that the only way for a wheel to move forward is for part of it to be moving backwards at the same time. This paradox is progress.
I am obsessed with your writing and put every newsletter in a folder for easy access to re-read. Your words are beautiful! Thanks for being so thoughtful in your musings.
So much wisdom here, CD. My god. The idea that life is an adventure and adventure is a mindset: BOOM (my brain exploding). Thank you for giving me a reason to pause and really think and feel today. <3
reading this made me think about how most of us have the choice to not engage with bad trolls, except, possibly for our internal selves. currently reflecting on this thought and how I can continue making progress to only have the good troll inside.
Empathy can take us far. I am concentrating on a boy in Michigan who is ill, committed heinous crimes, and does not seem to have had compassion in his home. He is all alone.
I loved your blog, Eye Level, and your writing at CoJ. And I am so glad you started this newsletter, inspiring me to maybe start my own.
IP addresses are a funny thing. I also had trolls and in my case, they also were people I personally knew. It's so sad, in the end, to realize their lives are so unhappy that trolling others is what they are doing instead.
the different tarot decks you use are all so visually beautiful. So much of the cards are in the uniqueness of the interpretations which you do such a lovely job at. Is there a deck/guidebook that you love to suggest as someone looking to buy their first deck?
Great question. (I have a lot of thoughts on this and will likely write more about it in the future!) The most important thing in choosing/working with a tarot deck is that you find one with imagery that resonates with you. There are so many gorgeous options on the market now that there is really something for everyone.
That being said, I've worked with a couple teachers who teach exclusively from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, which is one of the most (if not THE most) iconic decks. It's beautiful, but far from perfect — very white and heteronormative, and the history behind it leaves something to be desired (the art was created by a young woman artist, Pamela Colman Smith, who was paid very little for it, while much of the credit until quite recently was given to the two men, Rider and Waite, for which the deck was named). Despite all this, I do think it's an excellent deck to learn from, because each card is so detailed and layered, and you notice something different every time you look at them. I also found it easiest to interpret as a beginner, because much of the imagery is intuitive.
There are also many modern decks that base their imagery off the RWS deck — the Modern Witch Tarot by Lisa Sterle is a good example — but with more inclusive characters and contemporary scenes.
No matter which direction you go, I'd recommend either shopping for a deck in person or searching for the imagery or even a YouTube walk-through before you buy it. I love to see all the card depictions before taking the plunge. The indie shop Phoenix & Lotus (https://phoenixnlotus.com/) stocks many gorgeous decks and provides detailed descriptions of each.
In terms of guidebooks, there are lots of great books out there, but for beginners, I recommend Guided Tarot by Stefanie Caponi. The little books that come along with decks often leave something to be desired, and her book provides excellent descriptions as well as practical suggestions for how to interpret them in a reading.
I have more thoughts, but I'll stop there for now. (I'm clearly excited for anyone beginning a tarot journey.) Let me know if you have any questions! 💛
Thank you SO MUCH for the in depth response, it's very appreciated and I'm glad u will touch more on it in future writings. My birthday is this weekend and I've been playing plans loosy goosy but now I think I'm in person deck shopping?! The Hive and Forge locations are not far from me at all. Again thank you so much for pointing my arrow in the right direction xo
I appreciate your truthfulness and courage to even search out the troll. It takes deeper courage even to face how the people we know truly feel. And sometimes that reveal can be just as groundbreaking as the meanness from an unknown.
I must say I found the fun fact about the trolls in storage endearing! I had a very wide collection of smurfs for MANY years until this summer - I donated them! Omg, now I'm so sorry I did, truly!!😳😉
To help me keep my sanity and not go off the rails I will say "Pray for all people", and that does include me so I stay grounded. IV e just added those trolls both under the bridge and in storage, and my many donated smurfs!
Thank you so much for your Sunday night "notes"! For me this is a beautiful and peaceful way to end a week.
I hear you. Putting oneself out there is hard enough. But my optimistic side says the potential of connecting with kind people definitely outweighs the potential for trolls. (And you could always disable comments!)
Thank you, Arielle! I'm so glad you're here.
Me too! I found you through Cup of Jo, which I have read since almost the beginning, but never been brave enough to post a comment! You inspired me to take the leap, and express my gratitude for your essays
Thank you for writing these newsletters. I appreciate and enjoy them immensely.
Poignant, as usual. Thank you.
One other image of a wheel that I recently read that resonates with me is that the only way for a wheel to move forward is for part of it to be moving backwards at the same time. This paradox is progress.
Oh, I love this. That really hits home for me right now. Thank you for sharing.
I am obsessed with your writing and put every newsletter in a folder for easy access to re-read. Your words are beautiful! Thanks for being so thoughtful in your musings.
Wow, thank you, Steph! I’m so flattered to hear that. ❤️
So much wisdom here, CD. My god. The idea that life is an adventure and adventure is a mindset: BOOM (my brain exploding). Thank you for giving me a reason to pause and really think and feel today. <3
reading this made me think about how most of us have the choice to not engage with bad trolls, except, possibly for our internal selves. currently reflecting on this thought and how I can continue making progress to only have the good troll inside.
Thanks, as always for posting thoughtful work.
Ohhhhh, yes. Internal troll is a big one. And for me, certainly the trickiest to deal with... Thanks for your comment, Jess
Me too! I’ve been a fan of your writing for a long time now. Lurking. Waiting. Just grateful you’ve started this newsletter, Caroline.
Thank you, Joanne! I appreciate your support.
Empathy can take us far. I am concentrating on a boy in Michigan who is ill, committed heinous crimes, and does not seem to have had compassion in his home. He is all alone.
I loved your blog, Eye Level, and your writing at CoJ. And I am so glad you started this newsletter, inspiring me to maybe start my own.
IP addresses are a funny thing. I also had trolls and in my case, they also were people I personally knew. It's so sad, in the end, to realize their lives are so unhappy that trolling others is what they are doing instead.
the different tarot decks you use are all so visually beautiful. So much of the cards are in the uniqueness of the interpretations which you do such a lovely job at. Is there a deck/guidebook that you love to suggest as someone looking to buy their first deck?
Great question. (I have a lot of thoughts on this and will likely write more about it in the future!) The most important thing in choosing/working with a tarot deck is that you find one with imagery that resonates with you. There are so many gorgeous options on the market now that there is really something for everyone.
That being said, I've worked with a couple teachers who teach exclusively from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, which is one of the most (if not THE most) iconic decks. It's beautiful, but far from perfect — very white and heteronormative, and the history behind it leaves something to be desired (the art was created by a young woman artist, Pamela Colman Smith, who was paid very little for it, while much of the credit until quite recently was given to the two men, Rider and Waite, for which the deck was named). Despite all this, I do think it's an excellent deck to learn from, because each card is so detailed and layered, and you notice something different every time you look at them. I also found it easiest to interpret as a beginner, because much of the imagery is intuitive.
There are also many modern decks that base their imagery off the RWS deck — the Modern Witch Tarot by Lisa Sterle is a good example — but with more inclusive characters and contemporary scenes.
No matter which direction you go, I'd recommend either shopping for a deck in person or searching for the imagery or even a YouTube walk-through before you buy it. I love to see all the card depictions before taking the plunge. The indie shop Phoenix & Lotus (https://phoenixnlotus.com/) stocks many gorgeous decks and provides detailed descriptions of each.
In terms of guidebooks, there are lots of great books out there, but for beginners, I recommend Guided Tarot by Stefanie Caponi. The little books that come along with decks often leave something to be desired, and her book provides excellent descriptions as well as practical suggestions for how to interpret them in a reading.
I have more thoughts, but I'll stop there for now. (I'm clearly excited for anyone beginning a tarot journey.) Let me know if you have any questions! 💛
Thank you SO MUCH for the in depth response, it's very appreciated and I'm glad u will touch more on it in future writings. My birthday is this weekend and I've been playing plans loosy goosy but now I think I'm in person deck shopping?! The Hive and Forge locations are not far from me at all. Again thank you so much for pointing my arrow in the right direction xo
I’m so glad! Enjoy deck browsing. Happy birthday!
Long time lurker who discovered you through Cup of Jo. Love your writing and your attitude! xo
Thank you, Sherri! ❤️
I appreciate your truthfulness and courage to even search out the troll. It takes deeper courage even to face how the people we know truly feel. And sometimes that reveal can be just as groundbreaking as the meanness from an unknown.
I must say I found the fun fact about the trolls in storage endearing! I had a very wide collection of smurfs for MANY years until this summer - I donated them! Omg, now I'm so sorry I did, truly!!😳😉
To help me keep my sanity and not go off the rails I will say "Pray for all people", and that does include me so I stay grounded. IV e just added those trolls both under the bridge and in storage, and my many donated smurfs!
Thank you so much for your Sunday night "notes"! For me this is a beautiful and peaceful way to end a week.
🙏❤️
Thank you, Monica! I am imagining your Smurfs having a wonderful new life…something much more exciting than a storage unit. 😊
I hear you. Putting oneself out there is hard enough. But my optimistic side says the potential of connecting with kind people definitely outweighs the potential for trolls. (And you could always disable comments!)