other ways of not following authority
I've mentioned quite a few times recently that I'm not one for following what all the experts say, or what authority figures do, or what convention dictates.
I'm going to use some examples from my upcoming classes, but then zoom them out to apply to life in general.
(Here we go!)
I've had several people ask if they need to practice with a certain deck in order to join Dive Into Your Deck & Light Your Lantern.
The answer is an enthusiastic NO from me, which usually leads to relief or excitement from people who thought they had to use a certain deck.
In my classes, I like to have space for people to make their own decisions. In Dive Into Your Deck & Light Your Lantern, you choose your own deck.
That's actually one of my favorite things—everyone gets to embrace their choice. AND (super fun bonus, seriously) we all get to see a variety of decks.
However, I also have a specific requirement for these classes, that's both following instructions AND resisting authority.
How can that be so?
During these classes, you do NOT use the official guide to your deck. (There are a lot of reasons, which I address in the class.)
If you are thinking that it's a weird thing to require, well, consider the relationship between not following authority + having a dedicated space for intuition above all.
When I taught the beta version of these classes last summer, I also had students not use the books for a while. A lot of people were skeptical, understandably.
But that stipulation ended up being a big hit. Take it from some of them:
"Overall I felt empowered by the class to continue my journey of working with tarot cards, happily not using the book."
"I hated not using the book at first. Now, I never really want to go back. My readings are so much better now that I rely on myself. I only pull out the book now when I need a clue."
"I loved not using the book. It forced me to really think about a card, and it helped me find things that are well beyond the book. I may not have found everything if I'd used the book from the beginning, and I appreciate the extra depth that I found by not using it. I still don't use it other than to take a quick peek here and there."
"This class set a foundation for me to read my cards from a place of inner knowing from the very beginning instead of leaning on the handbook from the very start, which I believe many beginner students rely upon too much."
To be clear – this is not to set an expectation/requirement that you must embrace not using the book and agree that you'll never like it again.
That doesn't even apply to me! I have several decks with guides that I heavily reference during readings and 1:1 sessions. (And others that I don't.)
Now let's zoom out –
If you have massive resistance to not using the official, sanctioned guide to a tarot deck, what are you also saying?
Perhaps that you want to know what the experts think, that you value the perspectives of experienced people.
Makes sense.
But if you refuse to dedicate any time to YOU, your valuable experiences, your innate wisdom, then how much do you truly value yourself?
Again, we're talking about art on cards, remember? Are you unwilling to listen to yourself, for a while?
As usual, I ask this lovingly. I remember when I first asked this of myself, which started this deeper, intuitive journey I've been on with tarot and oracle decks.
Ignoring the book, as I teach it, is about empowerment. It's about finding your deep inner knowing. Expanding past your usual edges. Nudging yourself towards greater inquiry and trust.
Practicing this with tarot and oracle decks is a low stakes way to explore. That way, when you have opportunities to have the same trust in bigger areas of life, you already know what it's like to trust yourself. You've already found plenty of wisdom you didn't know you had.
However you integrate this, I encourage you to lean into opportunities to trust you. Joining these classes is one way. I'd love to know other ways that suit you.
Also, class registration closes in just a few days. All the details are here. (Scroll down for discount codes.)
Please note:
It's important to know that Dive Into Your Deck is a requirement to attend Light Your Lantern. Mid-week, I'll close registration for both.
If you've been dragging your feet because you hate watching class recordings, I understand. Pro tip, from a longtime educator (me, 25+ years) and neurodivergent (also me, 40+ years):
Listen, rather than watch, the class recordings. Podcast style.
I do this ALL. THE. TIME. I love all the options of virtual classes, but I also have basically no bandwidth to watch, with my eyes, a video of someone talking.
So—surprise, surprise—I don't. I just give myself a better option so that I can participate in a way that aligns with me.
(It's that not following authority thing, as I'm sure you can see.)
In the case of Dive Into Your Deck, for some sessions you could sit with a cup of coffee and look out the window. In other sessions, you'll be using your deck and you don't really need to watch the video. Listening will suffice.
If there's something to see, you can look. (I'm not one for slide presentations, so you don't need to feel pressured about those.)
So, to recap:
~ Drop the expert advice at times and listen to yourself.
~ Feel free to practice with me in Dive Into Your Deck & Light Your Lantern.
~ Give yourself permission to engage with education on your terms.
~ Registration closes soon. Your discount codes: [redacted]
In the deep knowing,
S.
--
Siderealchemy
she / her / hers