Hello tarot lovers, witches, and other friends reading!
Yesterday was my queerplatonic partner's birthday. The party is on Saturday and their preferred restaurants had NO dinner reservations available. If you know Parks and Recreation at all, you'll recognize my friendship tendencies if we ever become close. While when it comes to business I relate much more to ambitious, confident yet well-balanced Donna Meagle, when it comes to friendship I get a littttttle too eager when I love you. So I called the restaurant. Twice. Begged to be put on a waiting list. Thought of six different ways we could approach this without reservations. Then managed to find reservations at another one of their favorite restaurants that we haven't been to in awhile, which they are just as happy about. So crisis averted, but this plus present-wrangling is why my link round-up is two days late (because of course there was a bag full of thoughtful presents, a dinner, + we haven't even gotten to "party day" yet). Also I didn't do one last month and I'm sure I had my reasons. I just don't remember them. The good news is that means this one is nice and fat for you!
For Tarot Lovers, Witches, And Other Spiritual Types
- Little Red Tarot posted this "Ring of Fire" spread back in July, and while summer is OFFICIALLY over (WOO HOO!) this spread is still wonderful.
- Tarot has been around for a loooong time, and this is a really fun piece about the evolution of its' artwork with some funky pictures thrown in.
- I'm always fascinated by people who create witchy, spiritual lives somewhere totally unexpected, so I was all about this profile of a witchy hairdresser!
- I feel personally called about by this article from Cosmo, actually. How your Sun sign acts as a romantic partner.
- I love this from headline to final exclamation point: A Thinking Person's Guide to Going With Your Gut.
- An oil diffuser blend for whatever Mabon wonderfulness you have going on tonight.
- Now that she's covered the basics of the Celtic Cross spread, Theresa Reed's already amazing "Breaking Down the Celtic Cross" series has really gotten amazing. These are really thrilling things she's talking about if you're a total tarot geek like me.
- Another amazing spread--this one from Worts and Cunning Apothecary, zeroing in on business success for ya.
- "In order for full, meaningful healing to take place, we cannot turn a blind eye to the injustices that live in the fabric of our human society. Sure, in the eyes of the universe, all spirits are equal in their love, light, and importance. But we don’t live in the realm of spirit." Such a good post from Bitchy and Witchy about Calling in the New Age on issues of oppression.
- I was researching for my Sex & Tarot class when I found this gem of a human and article about Sex and Eroticism in Tarot.
For The Resistance
- Because publicly screening queer porn is resistance in and of itself.
- Have I mentioned how much I love The Bold Type? (Yes, I have. Because I do.) Here's eight great responses to one of the show's most loved characters from queer Muslim women.
- Oh, in case you didn't know, "history" is incredibly straightwashed in addition to being totally whitewashed.
- A simple, easy to follow guide to not drawing sexist nonsense in comic books.
- I Can't Be Your Gay Friend
- Bitter Gertrude's take on the Charlottesville rally as a Jewish person well-versed in intersectionality was really well done.
- New Hero Alert! This wonderful man runs a queer film festival in Uganda, where homosexuality is illegal.
For Your Business
- Empathy is actually very, very good for your business. Red Slice has more.
- Also thought to be harmful but maybe not? Procrastination.
- You're probably working way too hard. I generally agree with anything Susan Hyatt tells me, but this one hit me way too hard.
- VERY useful article about maximinzing your Patreon, friends.
- SO somehow I had never heard of the 70% rule, y'all. If you struggle with delegation because it seems easier or better to do it yourself, this one's for you.
- Relevant to my life right now: Seth Godin on the difference between having fear and being afraid.
For Theatre Fans and Art Lovers
- Really good work by American Theatre Magazine here, examining an impending leadership vaccuum and what that means for theatre.
- Julia Cameron doubles down on why we should write every day, and y'all. She's not wrong.
- Not quite theatre but a little too nerdy for casual film and television fans. Here's Ava DuVernay discussing Netflix, artists, and diversity.
- Antigone in Ferguson examines the divide between law enforcement and the communities they SHOULD be serving. Would absolutely LOVE to see this piece.
- A hecking free book on building arts audiences. I'm only halfway through and have SO MANY IDEAS already. A must read for all producers/creators/etc.
- There are so many conversations about what type of protests work and which don't. Some of those conversations are crucial. Some are garbage, tone-policing nonsense. Playwright MJ Kauffman's commitment to boycotting certain theatre companies and being willing to talk about why are crucial.
Just Because
- "I Talked to 1400 Strangers About Their Sex Lives. Here's What I Learned."
- These Guidelines for a Kinder Life are not what I expected, and are some of the best I've seen: "Being emotionally uncomfortable won’t kill you.
It just feels that way sometimes. Like any state of being it will pass. Honor your discomfort. You’re being changed by what you are witnessing. That’s one reason we keep dipping ourselves in the salty experience that is a human life." - An important reminder from Alexandra Franzen: Hearts Can Change.
- How To Break Up Like A Poet is life guidance, literature, and so much more from Edna St. Vincent Millay.
- Inside the Death Positive Movement. Super great read.
- A beautiful piece on food, manners, and culture.
- A CARMILLA MOVIE TRAILER OKAY.
- A very succint piece for those of us who love self-help books, but, like, not all self-help books.
- Messy Nessy Chic is always such a fun blog with unique stories--like this one on Women, Warriors, and Wine or this one on trans soldiers during the American Civil War.
- I absolutely adored this article on Viking culture and living like the women of Viking literature.
- Do you know that I am both obsessed with high profile unsolved crimes AND a giant Tupac fan? So this article on the upcoming Who Killed Tupac? was perfect!
I'm gonna end on this really moving piece from Danielle LaPorte: The First Step to Take When You're In Hell.
Blessed be, y'all!
