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Do you ever feel like you learn big life lessons, only to forget them and relearn them the hard way?

This is my modus operandi, unfortunately.

But I also think that's why I like the tarot so much. Each card is a reminder of a life lesson that I've probably learned several times by now. Some of them more mundane than others, but a lesson nonetheless.

And lately, I've been re-learning the sevens in the minor arcana.

The minors are a numerical cycle, starting with the ace and going to ten. (Then there are the court cards, but we won't talk about them today.)

To me, the sevens are all about an internal issue that you need to stop looking for external answers to solve. It's kind of like when your car won't start, a new paint job won't fix anything.

Each of the suits brings a different lesson about those internal issues we're trying to fix externally.

VII of Pentacles: Pentacles are ruled by the element of earth. They are the things we care about here in this lifetime. I often explain them as creature comforts, or our relationship to how we spend out time, money, and energy while we exist on this plane.

The VII of Pentacles shows a man raking up his pentacles and just taking a break. Breaks are always important, but it's also important to stay the course. This card is a reminder that we've come a long way, but it's not time to quit working yet. There's still more to do. You may be seeking accolades or compensation for your work a bit too early. Keep your head down and do what you do.

It will pay off, but you have to trust the timing. And the work is worthy, even if no one notices that you're doing it.

VII of Swords: Swords are ruled by air. (Some folks say fire, but I'm staunchly an air girl, here.) Just as knights used swords to keep the wrong people out of the castle and the right people in, swords are our boundaries. They're how we protect ourselves. But in this day and age, boundaries are a more intellectual pursuit than a physical one.

The VII of Swords shows a man trying to snatch up as many swords as he can. He's carrying them in a really precarious way, and though I've never held a real sword, if I did, I'd be a lot more careful than this dude. This card is a reminder that we have what we need to do what we need to do. But it's up to us to remember that. You can pick up every sword (or certification, degree, book, eCourse, etc.) on a topic. But do you need to? If you do, will you be able to correctly hold them all?

Ask yourself if you need that extra education, or if you're basically asking for permission to do what you want to do. Take imperfect action. You'll learn more by jumping in with both feet than you will by reading another book on the topic.

VII of Wands: Wands are ruled by the element of fire. They're the things we're passionate about, or our creative energy to mold our world. It doesn't have to be creativity like art, though it can be. I'd say it's also your ability to problem solve in a way that others can't. The wands are a suit all about thinking outside the box. And it's important to remember there is no box.

The VII of Wands shows a man on top of a hill using his wand to beat back others beneath him. It's a card that tells us to step back and look at where we're punching down. Are we defending a hard-earned hill a little too eagerly, especially considering those beneath us can't even reach it? That hill is ours. We don't need to keep fighting the same way we used to. It's time for a new strategy to get to the next hill.

Take a look around and see where you're using outdated strategies. If you want something you've never had, you gotta try something new.

VII of Cups: Cups are ruled by water. They're all about emotions or brain chemicals. It's the stuff that overcomes us and fundamentally shapes how we view and interact with the world around us. It's also how we feel about having feelings. You may not want people to know you have them, but we know. I assume everyone has a breakdown and cries on their couch at least once a week anyhow. You can't convince me otherwise.

The VII of Cups shows a man looking at seven floating cups, each filled with various surprises, and one is covered. Are you ignoring all the real emotions you're feeling in favor of thinking something better is just around the corner? Are you surrounded by happiness that you can't feel because you've been numbing out?

Sometimes this is as good as it gets. You gotta dance with the one that brought you.

Have any of these lessons resonated with you? Because let me tell you what...I've been getting hit pretty damn hard with them like every day so far this year.

On the Blog

Are you feeling uninspired? Your not alone.

The long slog of the pandemic coupled with ::gestures wildly:: all this has really made it hard for me to write fiction. I've been trying to get inspired, so naturally, I wrote a blog post about some of the things that help me get into that writing headspace.

Read it: Find Writing Inspiration When You Need It Most

Your Recs

Last week I asked you for some recommendations. And y'all came through. Please know that I've added quite a few things to my TBR pile and library holds list. And I've added a bunch of stuff to my watch lists on all the streaming apps too.

Here's what y'all sent my way, in no particular order. I haven't read/viewed most of these, but I trust this community's judgment, mostly because no one recommended a Reader's Digest condensed book, which is blasphemy.

Books and Comics:

The Nightmare-Verse series by L.L. McKinney

Perpetual by M. Lacey

Phreak by JE Solo

Anything by Maria V. Snyder

Anything by Robin Patchen

The Laundry Files by Charles Stross

The Steerswoman series by Rosemary Kirstein

The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson

There Is No Antimemetics Division by qntm and Sam Hughes

Anything by J.D. Robb

Anything by Yasmin Galenorn

By the Horns written by Markisan Naso and illustrated by Jason Muhr

Harley Quinn: The Animated Series: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour by Tee Franklin

Kushiel's Legacy series by Jacqueline Carey

Doomsday Book by Connie Willis

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin

The Binti Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor

Her Body & Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

Empire of the Wild by Cheri Dimaline

The Seven Kennings series by Kevin Hearne

The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne

TV and Movies:

The OA

The Magicians

The Good Place

Ted Lasso

Dickinson

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Marisa 

MarisaMohi.com

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