Emerging

I’m back. Did you miss me?

Winter was quiet and low-key for me, and it felt good to align with the season. Both my writing and my tarot were on hiatus, but I wasn’t completely dormant. My work with the Tarot Association of British and International members (TABI) is different than anything I’ve ever done. I’ve met a whole new group of interesting and intelligent people, and I’ve grown creatively in new directions. My years of experience with structure, schedules and routine has proven invaluable in keeping on top of this busy and rewarding role.

January marked the beginning of my second year of retirement, and I have some observations to share. All the time I’ve spent ‘doing nothing’ was important to my overall recalibration. In truth, I was never ‘doing nothing’. I was thinking, contemplating, and rewiring my brain. I needed to let go of the cycles that ruled my existence and relearn how to use a clock and calendar to keep track of my time in a different way.

I spent over 30 years in the corporate arena, building the reputation and identity that was necessary for success, and survival, in that world. I found that I needed a slower detox from the relentless demands and drama of the workplace. Staying in contact with the few people there who I really care about helped me ease out without going cold turkey. We don’t speak as often anymore, but I value their presence in my lives, and I enjoy hearing the gossip without being invested in the outcome.

Figuring out what I didn’t want to do was important.  Last summer, I accepted a freelance role for a small online publication and within a matter of days I realized it was not for me. There were several reasons, but the most important was that I wasn’t excited about, or even interested in, the subject matter. I discovered that I don’t want to write just for the sake of writing. I know there will be drudgery and repetition and filler in any role, but I must love what I’m writing about if I’m going to write at all.

Now that I’ve found the right outlet with TABI, I feel the need to incorporate balance to ensure that I keep space open for my own creative pursuits and studies. Since my retirement, I haven’t kept much of a regular schedule. The months of drifting were beneficial, even necessary, but the same is true now for implementing some structure if I plan on accomplishing my goals.

What are my goals? In no particular order, because they are all equally important:

·         Expand my social media management skills with a focus on going freelance. I really like this kind of work.

·         Finish my novel. The one that started out as a serial short for this blog, but I’ve spent the winter deepening my relationship with the four main characters and they deserve a story.

·         Renew my commitment to this column. You’re going to hear from me every Wednesday, whether I have anything interesting to say, or not.

·         Broaden my divination studies, with a focus on expanding this work. This includes deepening my understanding of Tarot and Lenormand, as well as other methods such as the Etteilla Tarot, the I Ching, and systems I’m developing based on my own strengths, primarily for ancestral connections work.

·         Last, but not least, my genealogy and family history pursuits. Need help with yours? Drop me a note.

Please excuse the bulleted list. I’m holding myself accountable by ‘saying it out loud’. I’ll share my progress with you at the end of the year (you've been warned). Thanks for indulging me and welcoming me back to your inbox. It's nice to be back.

If you would like to know more about my ancestral connection work, my Daoist path, or my other offerings such as tarot readings, spiritual guidance and mindset coaching, you can find more detailed information by using the drop-down menu on my website: The Mystic’s Parlour (the-mystics-parlour.ghost.io)

You can also contact me via email at themysticsparlour@gmail.com or on any of my social media channels. And follow along with TABI Tarot on their social media channels as well. https://tabi.org.uk

Your continued support and encouragement are greatly appreciated.