It is what it is, but what is it?
We are all familiar with the modern mantra of acceptance, “it is what it is”.
Accepting a situation for what it is, without blame or judgement, can heal us, and free us.
Sometimes, though, we are willing to believe that a difficult situation can’t be changed, when, in fact, it can be.
Sometimes, the story we tell about our situation is much direr than the situation itself.
The next time you find yourself needing to say “it is what it is”, take a minute to evaluate what is really true.
First, is your perception of the situation truly accurate, or are you viewing your situation through a clouded lens?
Second, do you have the power to make a change, either in your situation or in your perception of it?
Sometimes it is what it is, and that’s the way it is. Then, acceptance is the key to finding peace and moving forward.
Sometimes, it is what it is for now, and we need to be accepting for now, but there is reason to work toward a hopeful change in the future.
Sometimes, we still need to be in a place of acceptance, but we need to tell our story in a way that allows us to perceive our situation without catastrophizing it.
Sometimes, instead of acceptance, we need the strength to make a hard change.
When I think about all this, I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer.
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I can’t change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
When we are struggling to find that wisdom, or to reframe our perspective, to make a hard change or to accept a difficult situation, we can often turn to our divination practice for help.
Tarot, runes, oracles, meditation and other forms of creating divine connection will often give us the focus and insight to help us know what really, truly is.
Tarot for Acceptance, Perspective and Change
There are many cards that can immediately instruct is to accept a situation. There are others that may ask us to change our perspective, and still others that suggest we make changes.
When you look through your tarot deck, which cards indicate acceptance to you?
Which cards indicate the need to find a new perspective?
Which cards suggest that you make a needed change?
Some of the cards I think about include the Wheel of Fortune for acceptance, the Hanged Man for a new perspective, and Death for change.
Within the Minor Arcana, I see the Four of Swords as suggesting acceptance, the Two of Wands as a shift in perspective, and the Six of Wands as successfully making a difficult change.
When you look through your own cards with these questions in mind, you will be surprised with the new insights you find within those familiar images.
Grab your tarot journal and write about the cards from this perspective!
From My Desk to Yours
This past Sunday, the United States celebrated Mother’s Day. That makes this a great time to revisit my Mother’s Day tarot spread, “Roots and Wings”.
This week, we also had a rare astronomical event when Mercury crossed in front of the sun. This made me think of a very specific tarot configuration that could have meaning to each one of us this week. Check out “When Mercury Crosses the Sun: A Tarot Exercise”.
From Around the Web
Here’s a piece I like to revisit and review from time to time. Mary K Greer’s blog is well worth reading. In this post, she asked 45 tarotists to share their views of “What every newbie tarot reading should know about the history and myths of tarot”.
I was honored to make it to Theresa Reed’s Mad Hookups for the month of May!
Here’s something to think about! Are you familiar with “Spiritual Bypass”? I didn’t even know there was a name for it!
Song of the Week
For this week’s song, I’ve chosen India Arie’s “Just Do You”.
Numerology with Zuri
Number Nine
Hello Bright Sparks!
This week we begin to sort through our boxes of experiences and decide what needs to be kept, given away or tossed out, in preparation for a brand new cycle. The 9 is always reflecting on the past, in an effort to to uncover hidden nuggets of wisdom from old stories. It is the old soul, as it is an energetic blend of all of the 8 numbers that came before it, and in a lot of ways, has much to teach us. This may be why 9s find people inexplicably drawn to them as teachers, leaders, healers or where they take on a humanitarian role to champion for the underdog.
So as a 9, you’re likely to possess a generous and compassionate spirit, with a mind that absorbs information like a sponge. These are also part of the creative numeric triad, so don’t be surprised to find them in artistic or musical fields too. 9s were born to serve on a small or large platform. Whether it’s sculpting, speaking, playing, singing, dancing or writing, they heal through their creative talents and need to share that gift with the world in order to thrive.
However, with each number, there’s also a shadow side and one of the biggest lessons of the 9 is to learn how to let go and get comfortable with change. Goodbyes are never easy for the 9, and if you dig deep enough, there may have been family or personal relationship dynamics that led to feeling abandoned emotionally or physically in their past. This may explain why a 9 empathizes so well with the struggles of others, and it’s their compassion and understanding of those plights and challenges that makes them so relatable and a favorite amongst peers and various community circles.
Whenever you see a predominance of 9s in your dreams or waking world, it’s a sign of endings and completions to come. Nothing lasts forever and you’re being prepared for those endings in order to find closure and make room for something better to take its place. As you release what’s outgrown, you must work on forgiveness and resolution, so you can move forward and not revisit the past at a later juncture.
We can definitely see the soul’s journey of the 9 play out and manifest itself in the Tarot’s Minor Arcana series. The 9 of Swords speaks to the fears of letting go or making waves. So you worry yourself into sleepless nights and remain paralyzed through inaction. But whether you’re ready or not, the Universe will move out of your life what no longer serves and that may bring some discomfort as things get re-settled on the cosmic chessboard. The 9 of Wands, shows the aftermath of this journey, where the man still stands after a series of ordeals that tested his faith and resilience. He learns that life did not beat him, that he is stronger and wiser for the experience. So even though he may have needed to release or move on from a situation, he now knows what to expect going forward and remains cautiously optimistic. By staying strong and rising to the occasion, he reaches a new level of growth and sovereignty, that’s seen in the 9 of Pentacles. She’s standing in her lush garden, self made and proud of her accomplishments. She’s independent and ready to kick some butt if need be. You’re not taking away what she’s worked so hard to build for herself and she doesn’t need your permission to enjoy it. The final card, the 9 of Cups, is that birthday wish manifested. It’s the dream that may have taken months, maybe even years, but it’s finally seen the light of day. Yet, in my experience as a reader, the 9 of Cups is often getting your just desserts in a different form than you anticipated. So be open to how that unfolds or manifests for you. It may not always be in the person, job or situation you envisioned because the Universe may double down and surprise you by taking your life in a completely new direction, producing an even better happy ending.
Some questions to ponder when you find the 9 vibration affecting your outer world are: What do I need to release from my life? Where do I need to create closure and resolution? Who do I need to forgive and find a different way of relating?
This week’s vibrational takeaway in working with the 9 is to explore repairing or healing family conflicts, creating the space for new beginnings and discovering ways to help someone in need in your community.
With love & stardust!
xo Zuri
I’m Zuri Eberhart: Tarot reader, numerologist and intuitive healer put on this planet to help fantastic spirits (like you!) learn to trust their intuition, cast light on their possibilities, and move towards their gorgeous goals, fearlessly.
(Oh - and I’m here to make it fun, too. Like, heart-opening, adventure-sparking, I-can-see-clearly-nowww kind of fun.)
Ready to make some magic? I’d love to help you set your mojo on fire! Stop by my digital digs at AskZuri.com.
A New Three-Card Tarot Spread for Acceptance and Change
You can try this three-card spread to help you find insight on acceptance, perspective and change.
You can arrange the three cards any way you like.
Card One: What is something in my life that I must accept, even if I am resistant to it?
Card Two: What is a belief I am holding about myself or my situation that I need to reframe?
Card Three: What is a difficult thing in my life that I am capable of changing, rather than accepting?
Image from Gilded Royale by Ciro Marchetti.
Your One-Card Weekly Reading
The Hanged Man
Folks, you can’t make this stuff up! The Hanged Man is really the card I drew at random today. There is no other card of the seventy-eight that is more appropriate for our theme of acceptance, perspective and change.
The Hanged Man invites you to find the enlightenment that comes from dealing with an uncomfortable situation.
The Hanged Man reminds you that that, when you are not in control of a situation, all you can control is your attitude.
The Hanged Man instructs you that, if you can’t change your situation, you can certainly change your perspective by looking at things from a different angle.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, May 15, 3:30 pm
Tampa Bay Area Tarot Meetup
Panera Bread
23388 State Road 54, Lutz, 33549
Join us as I teach my popular free class “The Four Elements and the Major Arcana”. You’ll learn the traditional elemental associations of the twenty-two Major Arcana cards, and see how this aids in your understanding of them.
You can RSVP on the Meetup, or visit the event listing on my webpage.
Wednesday, May 18, 7:00 pm
Global Tarot Circle
A Free WebEx Webinar Available Exclusively Online
Join tarot friends around the world for questions and answers about tarot. Share readings, insights and focused conversation with tarot experts, artists, students and beginners.
Log-in information is available on the event listing on my webpage.
Now Open for Registration:
Sunday, June 5, 10:00 - 4:00, Tampa Bay Area Tarot Meetup Retreat Day at Mitchell's.
October 7, Professional Development Day at TarotCon (Follow the link below).
October 8 & 9, TarotCon (Florida) 2016 in Palm Beach Gardens.
About Christiana
Christiana Gaudet
Origins Spa and Wellness Center
1537 N Dale Mabry Highway #102
Lutz, FL 33548
Private telephone, Skype and in person readings and instruction are available by appointment.
Tarot parties at your home or office are available throughout Florida.
Call 813-948-4488, toll free 866-99TAROT,
or text or call 561-655-1160
for more information or to schedule your event.
Agent inquiries are welcome.
