April Fools

I often think about jokes and pranks and the subtle (or blatant) cruelty that can underlie them.  And because we say "it's a joke" it's hard for someone to say,  "I didn't find it funny,  I'm hurt." 

I feel that way about surprise parties too.  All day long it's your birthday and no one says anything to you and you start to feel bereft and neglected and then "Surprise" everyone is in the room.  But the feelings of sadness and neglect,  once raised,  are hard to pack away,  and then you have to juggle both joy at the party and that weird feeling you had all day. 

I'm really of the opinion that if the butt of the jokes isn't genuinely laughing,  then it's not a funny joke. Or that one person or group of people can say something,  but if a different person or group of people say the same thing,  it can be funny the first time, with trust and affection,  and not at all funny the second time,  where it can feel like ridicule and disrespect. 

Even sit coms, where we laughed in the 90's, can feel dated and awkward today. I also think we've gotten a lot better about this over the years,  and the casual brutal bullying of years gone by are not so acceptable now. 

Keeping it real

Sometimes things just interest you,  because of the time and effort other people put into it.  I'm not remotely high fashion.  Even making that statement,  makes me laugh,  as if I ever could be.  But I like looking at beautiful people in beautiful clothes, and why not.

So I look at Met Gala images or Oscar Night or other huge fashion events,  just to see what people are wearing.  And I came across the name Law Roach,  a fashion stylist who is the current zeitgeist.  I literally only knew his name,  nothing else.  

And then I came across this interview with him in The Cut,  and it's actually one of the most honest and interesting interviews about any industry,  that I've read.  It increased my respect for him a thousand fold.  I always say that tarot is a conversation,  where the most honest you are,  the more you get out of it.  And seeing this man be so blazingly honest in such a public venue,  letting himself be vulnerable and bold like that,  it's a rare pleasure.  So now that I know so much more about him,  I'm sorry he's leaving being a stylist but so happy that he is following his joy,  and I look forward to seeing what more he can bring to the world of fashion and creativity.  

I've been writing this blog for over 14 years

When I get a request from a new client,  I often direct them to my blog,  and when they book a reading,  I send them a link with the Celtic Cross, so they know how to lay out the cards.  This is the layout I always start with,  from which I do my cold reading,  where I don't know you or your story,  and just tell you what the cards tell me.

So I had a new client recently,  and sent her the link with the Celtic Cross and she said when we had our facetime reading,  she said,  wait,  this link is from 2012.  And I said,  well,  I wrote it a while ago,  but it's still accurate and,  no,  no,  she interrupted me.  I mean you've been writing about the tarot for over 11 years.  Well,  I replied,  I've been writing this blog since 2009,  but I've been reading cards for much longer than that.

You should tell people that! she almost yelled at me.  I mean,  you've been doing this forever!

I thought I had been telling people how long I've been reading the tarot and writing the blog,  but she thinks it's not obvious enough,  and she wants me to emphasize it more.  So here is a blog piece to be clear - I've been writing this blog for over 14 years and reading the cards for much longer than that.  

If you have any questions about various cards,  you can always type a word beside the B in the upper left corner,  (eg,  page of swords) and any blog pieces I've written about it will pop up,  so you can read further about it. 

I'm always encouraged when my clients want me to improve my marketing.  Really,  word of mouth is the best referral I have.  So far I've read for 3 of her friends.  If you would like me to read for you,  please contact me on liat@albanyconsult.com or text me on +61 477 433 555 and we'll set something up... 

Beauty

I had a reading a while ago for a young woman who was genuinely beautiful.  I don't mean sweet and nice,  but head turningly gorgeous.  Not an issue I've had to deal with in my own life.  But I could see,  while talking to her,  that it wasn't a total gift.  Of course,  certain things are easier,  when you are beautiful.  You are more memorable,  people give you advantages and gifts.  But people may also want things from you,  and you are not sure of their motives. And then,  people may fall in love with you... 

A very nice young man had strong feelings for her,  and she was feeling guilty because she didn't love him back. But I looked at her and said, you are not a doll on a shelf to be bought with the most love.  His feelings are his to deal with,  you don't have to reciprocate and you don't owe him anything other than a kind but firm no.  She looked at me surprised and then nodded,  sometimes she did feel like a doll that men yearned to own,  and it was hard to say no to what felt like genuine feelings on their part,  but weren't there on her side.   Just because some one offers you something, even if it something genuine,  you are not obligated to take it.