Have you ever noticed that most of the questions in Dear Abby's advice column sound a lot like the questions people bring to a tarot reader?
For this week's tarot journaling prompt, I suggested that members of the Tarot Journaling Group try their hand at answering a Dear Abby's letters -- with answers based on the cards.
If you'd like to take part, simply choose any Dear Abby question that amuses you. (This prompt is supposed to be fun, after all.) Then do any sort of tarot reading you like, and record the results in your tarot journal.
You can find Dear Abby on the web at http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby. The page features today's syndicated column, along with a link (on the right-hand side of the page) to an archive of past letters.
Here is the question I chose for this exercise -- along with the reading that resulted.
MOTHER'S IN FAMILY DOGHOUSE FOR PUTTING POODLE ON THRONE
DEAR TAROT READER: My mother, who is in her late 70s, lives alone
with her standard poodle, "Bonaparte." She refuses to go anywhere
unless we agree that Bonaparte can go, too. When one of us offers to
take her to dinner, the poodle waits in the car. She won't visit family
members either, unless Bonaparte is welcome.
For Mother's birthday, I planned a special outing at a lovely
restaurant and a matinee performance of a show that was in town. Mamma
refused to go unless we took the dog. It wasn't appropriate, so I told
her no. She refused to go and is still mad at me. She continually tries
to make me feel guilty for "spoiling" her birthday.
How can I make my mother realize that the dog is an animal
companion, and there are times when she needs to enjoy the company of
people sans her dog? -- HAD IT UP TO HERE IN NEW JERSEY
DEAR HAD IT: I drew three cards for an overview of your problem, and
came up with the Empress reversed, the Ace of Cups reversed, and the
King of Cups.
I believe the Empress and the Ace of Cups both refer to your mother.
In her traditional role as a loving, nurturing caregiver (the Empress
in the past position), she spent years giving of herself. Now, however,
she may have concluded that those days have come to an end. Her
emotional cup (quite literally, the Ace of Cups in the present
position) is no longer "running over." In fact, she may believe that
her cup is completely empty, upended, and drained dry. Sadly, the only
"child" she feels able to nurture these days is that poor little
poodle.
The King of Cups (in the future position) refers to you. It is your
job to take an active role in your mother's emotional life -- at least
for the near future. You need to take control of the situation.
Just how you take control is the interesting part. For now,
obviously, you probably do need to include the dog in some family
events. You don't need the cards to tell you that trying to control
other people usually doesn't work.
More importantly, however, the King of Cups suggests that you should
look for ways to engage your mother in the family's emotional life.
Reassure her that she is still the Empress, and that the people in her
life -- not just the pets -- still need her love and affection.
One suggestion: Ask your mother to step back into her role as
Empress by overseeing a family get-together. I noticed, from your
letter, that you planned her birthday party. This time, ask her
to choose an event to celebrate, along with a place and a time to meet.
Also, ask her to invite family members by phone, and to serve as
hostess at the party. (You can offer to make the actual arrangements
and staff the affair, if the details of event planning and coordination
would be a burden for her.) You can even help her find a location that
will welcome her dog.
She'll probably run with the idea: no Empress ever forgets how to rule. Or how to throw a party.
It also wouldn't hurt for you to bring a treat for little Bonaparte
the next time you visit your mother. You are obviously a benevolent
king at heart, and the Empress would certainly appreciate the
diplomatic gesture.
Tarot journaling prompts are designed simply to
get your pen moving on the page. Tarot journaling prompts are quick,
easy, and fun ... and they often lead to some surprising revelations.
If you feel like sharing your results, please post your journal entry on the Tarot Journaling Group page at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tarotjournaling.
