*I posted this story in a recent newsletter, and folks liked it so much I decided to drop it here. Enjoy!*

Many years ago, I ventured into a tattoo studio. I was curious about getting one but also somewhat noncommittal. So I decided to get a tiny tattoo on my left arm to see if it hurt. If it didn’t, at some point in the future, I would get a “real” one.

I was fresh off a breakup at the time and feeling salty about the state of the world, so I chose a small black heart with a dagger in it. It seemed to fit my mood (and budget). Thankfully, it didn’t hurt. Now that I knew I could tolerate the pain, I made a plan to update it eventually.

Except that time never seemed to come. I couldn’t decide on what to put on my arm, and sometimes I didn’t have the resources or wherewithal to sit for a few hours in a chair. Finding someone I trusted was another part of the problem.

Eventually, I forgot about this mission.

Over time, the teeny heart began to blur and fade. It lost its sharpness and in some ways, so did I. I was no longer the angry girl I was back then. I became softer.

About a year ago, I was in line at a coffee shop when I noticed a woman with a backless shirt. On her left shoulder blade was a tattoo of an anatomical heart. I’m a fan of anything vintage-looking, and I adore anatomical art, so I complimented her and inquired about the artist. Turns out, it was someone I knew – and trusted.

I filed that thought somewhere in my brain. Every so often, I thought about that anatomical heart tattoo and the artist. One morning, I woke up and decided it was time to redo this thing. I wanted an anatomical heart on my arm – and I needed to cover that little black blob asap.

So I made an appointment, and a few hours later, I had a large, gorgeous new tattoo and no trace of the old one. (If you want to see it, you can check out this forecast on Instagram.) In the not-too-distant future, I’ll be adding color and maybe a snake (I’m born year of the snake).

This tattoo represents my big, raw heart – which I tend to wear right on my sleeve. It’s open, visible, and full of life (and love). Like me.

We are always evolving, never the same, and sometimes that evolution is quite remarkable. As I glance at my second Saturn return, only a few months away, I begin to wonder: what’s next? Who will I be thirty years from now? What is the legacy I’m creating, not just through my books but also my life story?

Look at where you are now and be proud of the person you are at this moment. You don’t have to be perfect (lord knows I’m a work in progress). Instead, honor your journey as is, with all the victories and the messes. These are what made you the person you are – and future events will shape you even more.

I can’t wait to see the next chapter. For me. And for you.

xo
Theresa

PS the tattoo started to flake and itch. That means it’s healing! Soon, my new ink will be stunning! Yay!

Other stuff:

Get ready for 2023 with my Ultra-Deluxe Superfly Astrology Guide for 2023! Yay!

Ever wonder about the origins of advent calendars? Wonder no more: Day 1: The Joy of Counting Down.

From Real Life: The Great Offline.

The best tarot decks for beginners, according to professional readers.

I love this: Dinner Parties Around the World.

Good to know: All The Mercury Retrograde 2023 Dates And What To Expect, According To An Astrologer.

Reading vintage diaries sounds like a fun thing to do: A Pocket-Size Time Machine.

Must read: Pregnant and desperate in post-Roe America.

RIP: Christine McVie, Longtime Band Member of Fleetwood Mac, Has Died at 79.

Sarah Potter is slinging cards over at Bust: Here’s What the Tarot Predicts For Your Star Sign this Winter.

The AstroTwins have the 2023 scoop: 6 World-Changing Astrology Trends You Need to Know for 2023.

Lists for foodies: A Food And Drink Lover’s Gift Guide For The Holidays.

From NPR: Feminists are protesting against the wave of anti-feminism that’s swept South Korea.

I’m quoted over at Mind Body Green: Pulled The Tower Tarot Card In A Reading? Here’s What To Know About It.

I need this: How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy.

YUMMY: Giuseppe’s Italian Bakes: Over 60 Classic Cakes, Desserts, and Savory Bakes.

A friend of mine highly recommended this book: Two Weeks Notice: Find the Courage to Quit Your Job, Make More Money, Work Where You Want and Change the World.

Beautiful: Loss: Poems to better weather the many waves of grief.

I am in love with this book: A Poet’s Tarot.

Get this gorgeous book for your witchy self: Recreational Witchcraft.

2023 is almost here. It’s never to late to turn things around: Twist Your Fate: Manifest Success with Astrology and Tarot.

Holiday fun – make your own tarot deck with this kit: Create Your Own Tarot Cards: A step-by-step guide to designing a unique and personalized tarot deck. <-Cards are included!

Put this in everyone’s Christmas stocking: Tarot For Kids.

My manual for tarot is helping readers around the world to become more confident in their reading skills: Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading.

Prefer to listen to your tarot lessons? Check this out: Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading is available as an audiobook.

Need something to do this winter? Learn astrology! Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners (A No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious) will get you up and running charts in no time!

There is an audio version if you prefer: Astrology For Real Life.

New year, new deck: The Uncommon Tarot: A Contemporary Reimagining of an Ancient Oracle.

Put this under the tree with a jumbo-sized box of crayons: The Tarot Coloring Book.

No matter how hard the world may seem, you can get through this. Tarot For Troubled Times has tools and spreads to help you cope.

Q: What’s the perfect Christmas gift for a business owner, freelancer, or someone who’s self-employed? A: Get ‘em a subscription to The Astro-Biz Digest. It’s a weekly astrological forecast filled with important dates and details—especially for biz owners: The AstroBiz Digest.

 

Classes 

Join my Patreon Community!  For just $10 a month, you can get oodles of tarot and astrology goodies – including a hot date with me on the 1st of each month. I do a video broadcast and discuss all the important astrological dates coming up soon. Get more details and sign up: Patreon. Treat yourself this holiday!

 

What I’m Grateful For:

Excellent tattoo artists

Aquaphor

CBD gummies for sleeping

Pedicures

A day without needing ibuprofen

 

 

Soundtrack for 12/3/22

Pistol by Cigarettes After Sex

© Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2022

images from stock photography and personal collection 

*Some of the links are affiliate links. I receive a small fee if you purchase but this does not affect the price of the item.*

 

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