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 hosted my final Hot Seat Summer episode yesterday. Missed it? You can be #TeamReplay and view at this link. I would love to hear your thoughts. Another literal win was getting second place in the Walk the Runway event at ArtServe. They are a local arts incubator and a great place to support, since the arts and humanities are on the chopping block. We had a fantastic time celebrating one of my kids’ birthdays. I need your help in being accountable. Please feel free to ask me if I have finished the transcripts for the Hot Seats and if I have started the painting yet. What about you?
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).
Get ready with me for the week ahead. The new moon was the 24th and I like to give myself a reading as a self-care ritual. I’m going to share my thoughts with you because that was part of what I uncovered, and this was reinforced at the ArtServe event when I spoke with one of my favorite artists. She said that I needed to share my thoughts. I told her that I do write a blog, but maybe I’m still playing it safe. My neck has been stiff for the past two weeks, so I think I am out of alignment with my purpose. My first card was to help me understand where I was out of alignment. Where are you out of alignment? The Seed of Earth reversed made me think about what and where I was planting. My seeds grow in the cracks where they are trampled, but resilient. The Seed cards in this deck are comparable to Knight cards in traditional tarot, and these indicate action. I am scattering my gifts and trying to serve too many bosses. Where are you putting your energy? I should probably quit my job because I am not comfortable aiding and abetting late-stage capitalism. I also do not want to be unhoused. How can I reconcile these two? What actions can I take so that my choices don’t need to be all or nothing? When planting something, ensure you have the right environment for it to flourish. That takes planning, patience, and time.
The rest of my questions are courtesy of Biddy Tarot. What does my heart want to create? I got the Magician. I want to share my creativity and shine my light to remind others to do the same. The Magician is a card of belief and action. According to Wikipedia, the original Arabic could be translated as, “That which is above is from that which is below, and that which is below is from that which is above.” Just as our planting metaphor suggests, what you grow depends on the soil and root systems, but the soil and roots also depend on adequate sunlight and water. This thread of being in alignment continues. As you go through your week, take note of where your actions contradict your values. It could be as simple as drinking a late coffee when you know you suffer from insomnia, or it could be saying yes to that invite when you really just want to stay home and game.
What new aspects of myself am I expressing? The Acorn continues to show up in my readings. I am expressing more vulnerability and also not giving a fuck. I’ve been paying more attention to nature and bought roses today, even though they are my least favorite flower. According to the National Library of Medicine https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6852653/, “flowers respond to pollinator sound within minutes by increasing nectar sugar concentration.” Roses are supposed to vibrate at the highest frequency, and I like the visual reminder to operate at my fullest potential. The roses also remind me to be responsive rather than reactive. What new aspects of yourself are you bringing into the week ahead?
How can I manifest my deepest desires? The Star reversed indicates that I need to do the work. My mom would share the old saying, “If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.” The guidebook asks, “What does it feel like when you shine?” When I do things I love, I’m energized. I can spend hours going down rabbit holes or patiently listening to people. When I mask my wonderfully weird and quirky self, I’m exhausted. People are not mind readers. Where are you silently suffering? What can you do to advocate for yourself? We all need a safe space where we can just BE.
How do I want to be seen? The Ancestral Wisdom card is perfect. I want to be a must-have, not an optional choice. For many people, I am what you don’t know you need. I want to be seen as a wise facilitator. What actions have I taken? Lately, hosting the Hot Seat Summer events has been a way to showcase my skills. I am seen as a go-to person when someone needs help or a “whoa whoa” as they say in the Korean drama “Extraordinary Attorney Woo.” I would like more reciprocal partnerships.
How can I lead from the heart? The Seed of Water guides me to take the plunge into my feelings. Seed cards are messengers or can indicate learning new things. Most transformation begins with self-knowledge. I tend to listen to my head more often than my heart. I can be the change I want to see. What does your heart want? How can you lead authentically? I do not wish to follow the plantation overseer’s manual. I’ve always made time for other people. I think it’s time to make more time for myself.
What is my highest intention for my creations? I want to impact people positively. If I want to lead from the heart, I need to lead by example. I help people by holding space for them to explore their inner wisdom through play. The Four of Water reminds me that Burnout isn’t a process that you power through. Therefore, I will be taking at least a month off from social media to understand better what I want and how I want to communicate, so that my people can find me. What do you need to do to give yourself some space? How can you build rest into your daily activities? Namaste
Need help disconnecting? You can purchase my guide.
Looking for ways to connect with your kids over the summer?
If you want to infuse more play into your life to navigate the challenges, my current offerings are listed 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: The Root of Earth, reversed has four quadrants that are bisected like a rectangular pie. A pair of eyes looks at you with a flower blooming from their center. Some of the slices show raindrops and others show hands planting seeds. Underneath that card, right to left: The Magician depicts a bald Black Woman wearing a beaded band on her forehead. She is lit up by the sun, and copper rays surround her. The Acorn depicts a nude Black Woman sitting in some leaves and acorns. She wears a helmet and is smoking. There is a circular piece behind her. It is a white, ruffled fabric with a red macrame design in the center. Bees fly around here, and a tree is in the background. A bird flies over her head. The Star reversed depicts a little child with a bowl haircut and bangs, set against a backdrop of the galaxy, with two rainbow tie-dyed swatches. Underneath those cards, left to right: A collage featuring Malcom X, a bespectacled Black Man wearing a suit and tie while a child looks on from a couch. The Seed of Water depicts an illustrated Black Woman wearing a turban and a white swimsuit as she falls beneath the water. She wears thick wrist bracelets, and there is a yellow flower in the bottom right corner, and a jellyfish-like object there to catch her fall. The Four of Water depicts a Black woman with a gold and diamond ring intersected by two gold pearl dumbbells as a crown. She is wearing calf-high white boots, and roses surround her.
