In the Cards

Currently reading:

Starter Villain by John Scalzi
The Poetry of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson [ongoing]

Books finished this week: 2

★★★☆☆

Where this book came from: Ordered from Barnes & Noble.
Why this book: I think I told this story when I bought the book, but, appropriately enough for this week’s missive, I pulled the Alejandra Pizarnik card from my Literary Witches oracle deck and felt like I should know her and her work.
Thoughts: I have no idea how to talk about poetry, so I’m not really going to try. Honestly, a lot of this went over my head, but there were plenty of lines that really stuck with me.

★★★★☆

Where this book came from: Also ordered from Barnes and Noble. One of the four Dalgliesh books I bought to complete my collection.
Why this book: Part of my ongoing mission to read all of P. D. James’ Dalgliesh novels in order. And is it even the holiday season if I don’t take a picture of a P. D. James novel in front of a Christmas tree?
Thoughts: Reading a Dalgliesh novel is the epitome of, “It’s the journey, not the destination.” It took ninety-something pages for Dalgliesh to show up and honestly I loved every minute of it. That is in no way to demean the Commander——things were just as good when he turned up. But I love the way James crafts characters and settings. I know what these people smell like, for god's sakes. No one delves into the minute details and deep psychological depths like the Baroness of Holland Park, and that is why she will forever be not just my favorite author, but my guiding literary light. Keep your Darcy and whoever else——give me my tortured detective-poet!!

Library updates:

When I was probably eleven or twelve, my friend Alyssa (hi, Alyssa!) got me a deck of archangel oracle cards for my birthday. I think she had a similar or maybe the same deck, and I was fascinated by them. I really wasn’t raised religious or spiritual——despite my mom’s insistence that we “find a church” when we moved out to Long Island, a quest I only remember lasting maybe two or three weeks tops——and I don’t really believe in a god or any kind of higher being. I wouldn’t call myself an atheist; agnostic works. Just living my life. Not sure what’s up and not thinking about it too hard. But I do like to put a little faith in something, so why not a nice deck of Doreen Virtue cards?

I didn’t do much with the cards, but I held onto them. I don’t remember if I brought them to college with me, but they were dutifully packed up when I moved out of my parents’ place and into my apartment a few years ago. They’ve sat on assorted shelves ever since, until a year or two ago, when I started turning to them for pep talks, of sorts. I also have the Literary Witches deck (thanks, Britt!) and sometimes when I’m journaling, I’ll end the session by pulling a card from each and seeing what the universe might have to tell me. I usually do this when I have something big going on——quitting a job, say——but sometimes I just feel moved to do it. I don’t know how the universe works; I just listen. More often than not, it’s a little spooky how deeply the cards and their meanings resonate.

I had a bit of a strange week and had a lot I wanted to journal on, to help me sort through some feelings, process others, and make plans to address all the rest going forward. I also had therapy on Thursday evening, and journaling helps me figure out what I want to talk to my therapist about. So, Thursday morning, I sat down with my notebook and pens and went to work, and after making a list of not-quite-resolutions for the New Year, I decided to pull some cards.

To start with the archangels deck, I don’t know if there is a god (God?) for me to be the child of or made in the image of, but I still found immense support and comfort in that “Remember Who You Are” card. Archangel Michael thinks I’m powerful! Thanks, Michael!

All jokes aside, what really resonated was this line from the description in the accompanying book: “When you change your life so that it’s more aligned with your interests, you inspire others.” I sure hope so. All I want to do is live a life that makes me happy and allows me to share that happiness with others.

While I was shuffling the Literary Witches desk and asking for advice, guidance, support, etc., the cauldron card basically leapt out at me. When I looked up what it meant, I said something like, “Okay, that’s weird.” According to the book, the cauldron represents “creativity, the rich broth, surprising yourself.” Yes, ready for all of that, thank you.

Oh, and I finished writing a book on Friday. (Surprising myself, indeed.) Read my almost-immediate reaction here.

Closing thoughts:

Seek guidance from the places you least expect. Even if it’s imperfect, it’ll give you a new perspective.

Total books read from the Moratorium Library: 119

(Total books added to the Moratorium Library: 233)

Had to drop something at a FedEx early in the week and the store was in a shopping center——directly next to a Barnes & Noble. I got a free tote bag and bookplate stickers!! Happy holidays to me!!