Reading: Timely Message for the Black Collective
Y’all, we’re going through it. As someone who uses tarot for radical self-care, I have to admit I’ve struggled with incorporating it into my life during the last two weeks. I feel everything and tarot forces me to confront feelings and thoughts I try to bury. I realized that’s what this moment is also doing: forcing America to reckon with its dehumanizing and violent treatment of Black citizens.
Since the recent police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, I’ve seen countless resources, Medium pieces and articles floating around to help white people understand and dismantle systemic racism. Though this is needed, I haven’t seen nearly the same amount of resources specifically addressing the Black community during this collective traumatic experience. Then I remembered, our ancestors are always here for us.
So, I pulled some cards for my people. Here is the message I received when asking our ancestors what we needed to hear right now — I pray it brings you some glimmer of light:
The five of swords is an intense card. It can point to obstacles, fighting and violence. It’s also about standing up for yourself against those who have harmed you. The eight of wands here is about progress and change. Change is coming! Our fight, though intense and exhausting, is not in vain. And although progress is a never-ending process, we will see positive change relatively quickly compared to what we’re used to (the keyword here is relative). The obstacles we are facing and standing up to now will change the course of our community and world. (Just look at how the Black Lives Matter movement and protests have spread to other countries.) Happiness is our birthright! This collective moment is draining and traumatic, but through destruction, we will create joy. We deserve it.
Please protect yourself physically, mentally and spiritually. Remember, rest, self-care and joy are radical for oppressed communities. This will be hard and heavy, but we cannot give up.
Take care,
Antionette
