Hi, Subscribers. I am Stacy Casson, and I write this blog to get ready for the week ahead. This blog uses the power of Play to guide our daily lives. Play can help you grow personally and professionally, and it helps power up your creativity, problem-solving skills, and overall well-being. Let’s set ourselves up for success and inspiration, and remember to find joy in every step of our development.
It’s time for an accountability check-in. I have sketched out the feet on my painting. I’ve only done two brief decompression sessions this week. I did journal on Friday. School started for my kid this week, and it was not hectic. I also reorganized my drawers and released two bags of clothes. I have been recognizing my emotions and questioning them more this week as well. There is no reason to be so unhinged over that ugly new H o n d a logo. What were your wins this week?
This week, I’m continuing with THE LINEAGES OF CHANGE TAROT, Copyright © Lineages of Change (Adrienne maree brown, LLC; Alta Starr; chelsea cleveland; and Krista Franklin). My inspiration came from a Cards and Constellations meeting with Erin Corine. Come and join us by this link.
We set an intention about what we wanted to explore. How can I gain a clearer understanding of my purpose? I got the Judgement card and felt the cards were joking with me because in the author’s note, the question was, “What is your work?” Duh!! That’s what I’m trying to figure out. All of the people on the card seem to have their heads down in contemplation. My daily inspiration from the Chani app says to write unhinged journal entries. Yet, I don’t think the people on the card are bowing down to me. I don’t want to be a leader. I am more of a facilitator and can hold judgment-free space for people to figure it out. I zoomed into the text on the newspaper cutting in the collage, and the words: “Learn”, “Insurance,” “Today it costs,” and “Lift” stand out. Underneath “Today it costs,” the word is place, but I feel the word is peace. Rumination and shame cost us our peace. The people are kneeling on the ground. I serve as a grounding presence for others, helping them break free from analysis paralysis and find a way forward. Do you have a good understanding of your purpose?
Erin also suggested we pull for the present, the hindrance, and help. What is happening? I got the Six of Fire reversed, which felt like I was fighting being a leader. There are faces superimposed on other faces which is disorienting because you don’t know where to focus. The first time I thought it was a lead head and two other leads facing to the right and left. Now I see all three heads facing forward and the heads facing sideways. My enery has been pulled in many directions this last week and currently. The start of school coincided with the start of a new project. This week, I’m attending a funeral where I’ll be singing, but I haven't practiced the song. I’ve set an alert to sign up as a school volunteer, but I haven't done so because the process is tedious. It took less than six minutes. They have changed the format, and much less information is required. While completing the form is an accomplishment, it also served as a distraction from writing this blog. What is happening is that there are many distractions. What is happening in your life?
What is a hindrance? More specifically, what is a hindrance to understanding your purpose? The Four of Earth depicts a dark skinned Black woman with an afro that has many things pinned in it. She holds a masked Black baby in one arm, and there are two masked dolls on her right, a bird on her shoulder, and tiny dolls and patterned mushrooms in front of her. The picture is overstimulating. Traditionally, this card is like the Four of Pentacles, which is about holding on to things tightly. She certainly is holding on to all these items. The Authors’ interpretation asks who we lean on. In my case, not leaning on myself and trying to see through so many different lenses is part of my confusion. How do I want to define myself? This harkens back to the many heads from the card before. Is your community a help or a hindrance? Are they a distraction? Who defines you?
What can help? I got the Five of Fire reversed, which I associate with conflict. Conflict does not have to be a bad thing. Having different opinions and viewpoints helps us to identify gaps. This person seems to be running a race, with a giant camera collaged in front, along with seaweed and some red beaded jewelry. The camera makes me think of a snapshot of a moment in time. In truth, I thought the camera was a shackle until I took a closer look. Sometimes our snap judgments are like mental shackles until we explore further. I expected the volunteer form to take about thirty minutes, similar to the last time, but it actually went faster and had different requirements. In terms of exploring my purpose, I can define it and then have conversations with other people about clarity. I understand things better when I can have a conversation with my friends. What collaboration can help you?
Finally, what is a way forward? I am laughing because the Two of Fire is another card about choices. Two fiery heads are peering in opposite directions, yet they are joined. Does it have to be either/or? Or can it be yes/and? How can I integrate my energy in the week ahead? The card is reversed so this is something I struggle with. Taking the time to rest and journal can be a choice. I can also consider what I want or need to accomplish this week and prioritize those tasks. I need to practice the song and pack for my trip. In order to find balance, I truly need my decompression sessions. I have been tired every day this week. I am tired now, so I am going to rest. What about you? How will you find balance in the upcoming week? Namaste
If you're looking to add more play into your life to tackle challenges, you can find my current offerings on my Link Tree. I also urge you to share your experiences and strategies with the community. Your voice is valuable to this journey, and your unique path can inspire others.
Picture descriptions: Top row - Judgment: A collage of people kneeling on a newspaper clipping. Behind them is grass and the sky. Middle row - Four of Earth: A Black Woman with a large afro that has pinned throughout: a little doll with an umbrella, a goat mask, a hummingbird pin, a floral pin anchored by a skull and feathers and horns and fabric and a bead. Another little doll with an umbrella floats to her right. She is holding a masked baby who is holding a fan. She wears a beaded necklace, hoop earrings, and chunky bracelets. There are two masked dolls, two tiny dolls, and three blue, patterned mushrooms on a counter in front of her. Six of Fire reversed: Three interposed heads with six flames above them. Five of Fire: A runner with his head down, collaged with a camera, seaweed, and red beaded jewelry. Bottom row - Two of Fire Reversed: Two fiery heads looking in opposite directions from their flaming eyes.y.
