The Hit List - Unhappy endings

Tomorrow will be the grand finale of Game of Thrones.

If you followed me long enough, you know I’m a fanatic. It’s also my favorite distraction from the dumpster fire news that seems to float in and out of my world on a daily basis. If you’re on social media, you just can’t avoid that crap.

No doubt tomorrow will be epic. But even so, it won’t come without major criticism. This season and the last have had a ton of that. Social media ensures I get to see that stuff too. Heck, people are even signing a petition to get the season re-written!

Some of the criticism is valid. Things seem to be fast-tracked. Timelines are moving quickly. Sure some of the character development falls weird or may not be as rich as earlier seasons. It may not be what people want but it’s what they are getting.

Everyone has an idea of how things “should” progress.

While I have moments like that myself with certain shows, I’m also a fan of letting writers do their thing. They have stories to tell and it’s up to them how those stories need to unfold. Sure, we may be unhappy with character arcs, tropes, and endings but it’s not ours to tell. If it was, we’d be the ones writing those books or creating the series.

Do I think some things might have been better if they were done differently? Perhaps. But I can also enjoy a writer’s story and a film maker’s vision and leave it at that. Because although I am emotionally invested (My Jaime!), it’s not my story.

As a writer, I know all too well the sting of criticism. I’ve had my share of armchair critics who think they know tarot, astrology, etc better than me. They are quick to offer their two cents or to insist I do things their way.

For the most part, I take it with a grain of salt.

Because I don’t want anything to spoil my vision, my work, and the way I want to create. That’s the problem when you allow the critics to get into your head: your imagination gets stunted, contorted to someone else’s view of how things “should be.” It’s no longer art then – it’s conforming to a standard that is not your own.

So I say this: if you don’t like it, cool. Turn of your set. That simple. In the meantime, the rest of us will kick back, a glass of wine in hand, to ooh and ah at the spectacle. We may not like the way it all goes down either but goddamn it, it was a hell of a ride.

I’ll leave you with this quote that sums up exactly how I feel:

“I have spent a good many years since―too many, I think―being ashamed about what I write. I think I was forty before I realized that almost every writer of fiction or poetry who has ever published a line has been accused by someone of wasting his or her God-given talent. If you write (or paint or dance or sculpt or sing, I suppose), someone will try to make you feel lousy about it, that’s all.” ― Stephen King

I’m glad that Euron Greyjoy is dead but hoping that My Jaime™ survives that building collapse! Haha!

Other Stuff:

Yes queen: The Trauma of Daenerys Targaryen.

Maisie Williams says her ‘Game of Thrones’ fame affected her mental health.

Fingers crossed: This ‘Game of Thrones’ Theory Suggests Jaime Lannister Didn’t Really Die. If he does die, it will be an unhappy ending for ME. LOL

Gwendoline Christie On Becoming Brienne Of Tarth, Owning Her Androgyny, And Confronting The End Of “Game Of Thrones.”

Melissa Cynova reviews the Modern Witch Tarot.

We’ve got a Full Moon in Scorpio today. Here’s what you need to know – plus some free mini tarot readings for each zodiac sign!

More Full Moon stuff: What The Full Flower Moon In Scorpio Means For Your Sign.

From the AstroTwins: Tonight’s Full Moon Could Unearth Secrets. Here’s What You Need To Know.

Listen in: I was a guest on Dan and Scarlet’s Cosmic Keys Podcast.

Both Hilary Parry and I share our thoughts over at Elite Daily: 9 Tarot Cards That Mean Good Things For Your Relationship.

Seth Vermilyea shares his perspective as a first time at the annual Reader’s Studio tarot conference.

It’s huge: the big business of astrology apps.

Susan Hyatt has a great podcast episode on how to deal with online haters.

5 Reasons It’s Time to Freak the F*ck Out About Abortion.

From Refinery29: I Need An Abortion— Now What? An Indispensable Guide To Laws, Waiting Periods & Restrictions By State.

While America goes backward, Taiwan takes a huge step forward: Taiwan Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage In A Historic Vote.

Learn about timing + tarot with Al Juarez.

Yay! Tarot for Troubled Times got a shout out over at LunaLuna Magazine: 7 Magical and Inclusive New Books Witches Must Read!

Briana Saussy and I dish about marketing your book in the latest Talking Shop.

A good read: Don’t use my family for your true crime stories.

From Well+Good: How to cleanse your tarot deck to guarantee the most accurate tarot readings.

How To Start Your Day With A Tarot Card Pull.

Loving this from Jeanna Kadlec: The Royal Baby’s Birth Chart, as Interpreted by an Astrologer.

Over at I Am & Co: Not Everyone Will Like You, 6 Experts Say How To Get Over It.

I am eyeing this up: The Seasonal Soul: A Mystic’s Guide to Inner Transformation.

So loving this: Say It Now: 33 Ways To Say I LOVE YOU To the Most Important People In Your Life from Sherry Richert Belul.

Intriguiging: Evolutionary Herbalism: Science, Spirituality, and Medicine from the Heart of Nature.

For yoga teachers: Teaching Yoga Beyond the Poses: A Practical Workbook for Integrating Themes, Ideas, and Inspiration into Your Class.

Another interesting yoga book: Living the Sutras: A Guide to Yoga Wisdom beyond the Mat.

I love Jose Andres: Vegetables Unleashed: A Cookbook.

MUST have this: POK POK Noodles: Recipes from Thailand and Beyond.

The Tarot Coloring Book is for total tarot newbies who prefer an experiential approach to learning the cards.

You can preorder Tarot For Troubled Times – and get some uh-may-zing free preorder goodies (learn about the gifts here).

Wanna learn astrology but don’t know where to start? My third book is just for you: Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners (A No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious). You can pre-order it now!

Classes:

JULY 2nd, 2019: I’m teaching at New Renaissance Books in Portland, Oregon on July 2nd at 6:30. Tarot Cards for Shadow Work – Together we’ll explore shadow work, Tarot archetypes, Birth Cards, finding the good in “bad” cards – and the dark side in the “good” ones. You’ll come away with knowledge about your Tarot Birth Card and some suggestions for making peace with your shadow.

JULY 7th, 2019: If you’re in the Bay Area, join Chris Zydel and me on July 7th for Brushes + Cards + Shadows An Intuitive Painting and Tarot Workshop. It will be EPIC! SOLD OUT!

JULY 26th, 2019: Join me and Shaheen on Friday, July 26th for a Tarot For Troubled Times book launch party! Where: Free Spirit Crystals in Butler, Wisconsin. What time: 7 PM. Cost: Free!

JULY 27th 2019: Tarot for Troubled Times with Shaheen Miro and Theresa Reed. Learn about shadow work, archetypes, tarot birth cards, and remedies for tough times. Boston Tea Room in Ferndale, Michigan. Class starts at 4:00 PM. Cost $60.00.

OCTOBER 4th, 2019: ASTROLOGY FOR REAL LIFE BOOK LAUNCH PARTY! Where: Where: Free Spirit Crystals in Butler, Wisconsin. What time: 7 PM. Cost: Free!

OCTOBER, 2019: I’ll be teaching two workshops at 22 Teachings in Los Angeles. Details coming soon.