TAROT

The Devil § Seven of Pentacles § Two of Wands

The Devil will always show up for Carnival; it is one of her most favorite holidays of the entire year. The question is, what sort of games will she want to play amid the festivities? Truthfully, she is feeling non-committal and antsy all at once. We can expect her occasionally merciless satire to rip off masks and Band-Aids alike with extra fervor this year, and we most certainly should revel in it with all of our enthusiasm. The Devil, however, will not be going back to her hovel when the last of the Mardi Gras beads have been swept up and tossed out. Instead, she will be sticking around to cause more trouble. Some of the chaos she serves up can be quite useful to us even when—perhaps especially when—the mess she makes is displeasing or frightening. The Devil advises us to beware of symptoms of grief that take on the guise of another emotion in order to be heard. She says, don’t be long there. Meaning, name your grief and let it know you plan to return and show it respect, but for now practical matters and joyful events are more important than anything else. The wait and see period of fascism is a psychic dreamstate from which The Devil intends to wake all. Our celebrations, both great and small, give us strength.

The Seven of Pentacles delivers this message: Write down your top three to five personal values. You might value communicating without the use of manipulation, or maybe you value anti-hierarchical organizing. Consider and word your answers carefully, because they are tools for analyzing your own thoughts and actions: Does this expression reflect my values as stated? We will all find our usual daily business interrupted intermittently as we move forward. The Seven of Pentacles does bring downtime with her, but unfortunately it is of the anxious variety this time around. Anxiety itself can be rational or irrational, each requiring a different balm. The recommended response to anxiety surrounding an unlikely occurrence is to remind oneself that what is feared probably will not happen. When we are signaled to action by rational anxiety, however, we quell its negative effects by knowing we will confront what comes with competency. If you do not have people in your life who can help you to keep perspective and stay focused—go find them in the streets. Our stated values will assist us in making good choices even when our cortisol levels are clouding our minds.

Imagine two torches lighting your front walk, or two lit lanterns you carry when you travel the night. The Two of Wands indicates that we have as much information as we need or at least as many details as we can expect to know before we discern our own best course of action. The most difficult part of any situation can sometimes result from holding on to beliefs once deeply felt but no longer relevant to the current moment. Think slowly and coherently, try to neither give too much to, nor lean too hard on others. Make plans that are both rooted in your true desire and remain realistic simultaneously. What ways of living in the world as it is can put you in the position and frame of mind to maintain your contributions over time? Make decisions based around a long plan for carrying out your values. Revolution is a permanent condition that validates our humanity—our flawed, careless, vulnerable, loving humanity. May we find both solace and inspiration in the actions we take.