Tarot for a Troubled Time

This week, we embark on our journey through the Tarot with a three-card reading, and we ask the cards the question: Where the F Are We Right Now? In response, the Tarot gives us three cards: the Queen of Wands, the Nine of Wands, and the Five of Wands. What do these cards mean? Host River Rose gives her insights.

Introducing Tarot for a Troubled Time:

Host River Rose reflects on the troubled time that we are collectively living through, using the cards of the Tarot deck. Looking for a way to deal with COVID-19, political corruption, racism, and other diseases of the era? This podcast is for you.

Episode Transcript

Hi, I’m River Rose. I live in New York City. Like many people, I’ve been struggling to deal with the impact of the coronavirus, the dysfunction of our political system, and now the escalation of tensions caused by repeated, unjustified hostility and violence towards African Americans and other groups on the part of law enforcement, political leaders, and regular citizens. For some time, I’ve been reading Tarot cards to help me clarify my thoughts and make decisions, and I’ve been thinking I might take my practice public. So, I’m about to embark on an experiment that will take me on a journey through the Tarot. And I’ve decided to share my journey through this podcast, Tarot for a Troubled Time. In each episode, I’m going to do a quick reading, pulling one or more cards, depending on what’s happening in the moment. When I’m finished with the cards I pulled for the episode, I’m not going to put them back into the deck. I’m going to set them aside and, in the next episode, I’m going to choose from the remaining cards, until we have only one card left. This will essentially give us a 78-card reading over time, one that will force us to reflect on every archetype, every situation, every element of the Tarot, so that in addition to gaining insights about this troubled time that we’re in, we can also learn a little bit about the cards, together.

Now, the podcast may sound serious, and indeed, I am serious, but I’d like to add that this podcast is, as they say, “For entertainment purposes only.” And, in addition to entertainment, I’m hoping that we can gain some insights, make connections with each other, and have some fun.

Some warnings: I’m actually sheltering in place in an apartment building Brooklyn, NY, beside one of the busiest stretches of highway in the world, and so in addition to my voice, you will hear the roar of traffic, siren sounds, honking, truck bouncing, the occasional noisy neighbor ... stuff like that.You will also hear me curse, because, let’s face it, given where we are in time, I’m gonna be dealing with racism, death, political corruption, and the need for systemic change, and all of those things fucking piss me off.

Having said all that: join me this summer on my journey; listen to Tarot for a Troubled Time. Until then, find me on Instagram. My handle is @callmeriverrose. See you soon!

With another wild month behind us, we are now in August, and reflecting on the moon. Looking ahead to the week that stretches before us, River Rose asks the cards a question that is on many of our minds: how can I get some rest? The cards respond with the Six of Swords, the Five of Swords, and the Emperor -- all reversed. How can these cards guide us to a place where we can recharge? River Rose shares some of her insights.

The week that just passed was intense and difficult, so River wants to keep this week's reading simple. She also wonders whether we might feel better if we stop focusing on ourselves for a moment (if we can), and so she asks the cards the question: How can I help? In response, the Tarot gives back the Five of Cups reversed and the King of Pentacles. What do these cards mean, and what if you're thinking you really can't help anyone right now? River has some thoughts.

Life can be a lot to deal with at any given time, and in the midst of a global pandemic, while you're also dealing with social and political upheaval, it can feel impossible to keep going. To address the state of overwhelm that so many of us are dealing with, host River Rose asks the Tarot: what can I do to get unstuck? In response, we get the Six of Cups, the Eight of Pentacles, and the Seven of Cups reversed. What wisom do these cards of water and earth have to share in a moment of overwhelm? Join River to find out. This week, River recommends The Daily podcast from The New York Times, which recently did a two-part episode about Breonna Taylor; you can check it out here.

To connect with River, follow her on Instagram (@callmeriverrose) or Twitter (@callmeriverrose) or send her an email at [email protected].