Clear is kind, unclear is unkind

I'm always happy to read Brene Brown.   She says she originally heard it the line in a 12 step program,  but she's adopted it in her own inimitable way. 

When I first moved to NYC people warned me that they would be brusque and unhelpful,  but compared to Australians,  most American's,  even New Yorkers,  are more kind and evasive than clear and direct.  Especially corporate America.  All one thing to your face,  another once you've left the room.  

But I really value clarity.  I always say I'd like a hard truth than a soft lie.  At least there is something solid with the truth.  And you being clear,  that let's me know where I stand.  If you are unclear,  how am I to know what you mean?

I have so many women come to me for tarot readings asking about men they've dated.  Men who have been unclear to the point that the women have no idea what is going on.  It would be so much kinder,   had they been clear.  Unclear is definitely unkind for many people. 

So next time you avoid being clear,  remember this line - clear is kind,  it's better to have one uncomfortable conversation and see what's going on, than evade and never get to knowing. 

Seeing the woods AND the trees

Sometimes I want to write a post and realize it's becoming a maze,  I'm cramming in too much information and meandering through too many trails.  

Sometimes when we are looking at our own lives,  we can't see the wood for the trees - we either get lost in the details or fixated on one issue and can't see the big picture or how things are playing off each other.

That's where a reading helps.  It starts with a big picture overview,  (the celtic cross reading) and then gets down to the nitty gritty (the questions) and hopefully gets you to a clearer place. 

Of course sometimes we want simple solutions to complex questions.  And the tarot can do that too,  but there is always effort and cost (emotional,  spiritual , physical and financial) to shift and you have to be prepared to do that... 

10 of Wands

Occasionally I use 2 decks in a reading,  to see if the cards echo each other.  It's astonishing how often they do. 

I had a reading and a woman was asking me if she should make a huge change in her life,  and pulled up the 10 of wands.

Where she is now,  she feels overwhelmed,  like she is pushing a rock up a hill and it rolls down and she pushes it up again and the same thing happens.  Like all that wonderful wands energy, instead of lifting her,  becomes her burden. 

So when we did the reading with my new Light Sears deck (just gorgeous!) she pulled out this card - 

Their version of the 10 of wands has a woman, looking like she is fleeing a bad situation,  with all her worldly possessions but completely alone.  And I looked at her.  If she does this big change,  she will lose her relationship.  Is she okay with that?  And she looked at me and sadly nodded,  knowing the cost,  but also knowing that what she is paying now is too much. 

Even if it's bad news,  the cards can help give clarity and help you see what you need and what is holding you back.  

Finding answers

People come to Tarot readings when they have questions. That's obvious.  So I meet people who are struggling with answers on one issue or another.

One question I often ask them,  is that if a friend had this dilemma,  how would you feel about it,  what would you advise?  Especially around relationships,  people get lost in their wants and needs and stop seeing things as they are. But if they describe the situation in the third person,  and give their opinion there,  they are often surprised at their insights. 

Finding that balance - it is worth growing this relationship or should I end it,  well the cards are usually super clear on that. 

Gorgeous art work by Vittorio Zecchin (1878-1947)

What do you do for a living?

When I was living in Tribeca,  I was a member of Community Board 1,  a form of local government. When I interviewed for the position,  I remember being asked what my agenda was.  And I naively replied,  I just want to serve the neighborhood,  I don't have an agenda.  So I got the position.   It was far more political than I expected, but we were able to speak for public school assistance,  for restaurant licenses (and neighborly consideration) and about new residential development (always political!)  

One of the more established members (I was going to say older,  and he was older than me,  but it was more that he had been around the traps a lot longer than I had) once complimented me on my handling of these diverse and often competing claims and then he asked me what I did for a living.  I told him I read tarot cards.

"But you appear so intelligent!" he exclaimed.  

"I'm intelligent when I read the cards,  as well."  I smiled. 

The other day a new acquaintance asked me what I do and I told her,  and she said do you like it?  I said that I get to talk for an hour about things that matter to people,  and explore how to help them get the outcomes that they want - and that I liked it very much.   

I really do enjoy meaningful conversations and a sense that I can help give clarity.  

So if you want a meaningful conversation and more clarity around your life,  drop me a line - liat@albanyconsult.com or text me +61 477043555 and we can set up a time.

Looking forward to it!