As part of my daily practice, I pull three Tarot cards in the morning, with the question “What do I need to know about this day?” in my mind. And then I go about my day. I revisit the cards at the end of the day, and see if any of the experiences I had are now visible in the layout. I do this as a means of “letting life in” to my study of the cards. The practice lets me expand the meanings I have for the cards, and expands the work I am able to do with my clients when they seek me out for consultations. Being a psychologist, this is known as remaining competent.

Yesterday, I started my day, just like every other, for the past 15 years: I got out my deck of cards, sat down on the floor in my bedroom, and began to shuffle the cards, to pull my cards for the day. Using the Sirian Starseed Tarot, two cards fell out during the shuffling: the 8 of Chalices and the 6 of Orbs.

I stopped, as I knew there was something I needed to pay attention to. When cards “jump out” in this way, the Universe is giving me a “heads up.”

The 8 of Chalices is a card that suggests a departure. It is a card of taking a journey, more often than not, a spiritual journey, a search or quest for meaning in one’s life. In the image on the card, the cups, all in a row, struck me, as I intuited the phrases “getting things all lined up” and “having all my ducks in a row” in my mind. It can typically mean things being in order, and now one can move on in life.

The 6 of Orbs is a card of transition. It can mean that there is an ease now, where there was once difficulty. The fin of the dolphin, on the card, made me consider the idea of some information “breaking the surface.” There is something about the dolphin being a mammal that can breathe both in and out of water, being able to move through two worlds, if you will, that also caught my attention. And, like the 8 of Chalices, it can be a card of literal—or metaphorical—travel. I see it as “smooth sailing.”

I left the cards out and went about my day. I post a daily card on one of my Facebook pages and share that post in a Tarot group I belong to. Doing so, I get messages of other posts from group members on my phone as they come in. During a break in my activities, I checked my phone and found this message, posted by another group member: Travel well, Maya Angelou 😉

In that moment, I recalled the cards sitting on my bedroom floor, awaiting my return. I “googled” Maya Angelou on my phone, and saw the news that she “made her transition,” that she has left this physical world. I read that Dr. Angelou passed away peacefully—a smooth transition.

I had a moment of silence. I thought of Oprah Winfrey, who often referred to Maya Angelou as one of her greatest teachers, and I held space for her, imagining the sense of loss she must be experiencing.

I came home and found that my brother, JahSun, had e-mailed me. In the message was a link to a video webinar from Spirit Junkie and (Course in) Miracles Worker Gabrielle Bernstein, urging me to watch it. I clicked the link, and nestled in for the next 90 minutes, listening to Gabby share her thoughts on the need for spiritual teachers to share their messages with the world. As I watched and listened, my mind went in and out, to thoughts of Dr. Angelou, and hearing Oprah say “one of my greatest teachers” over and over.

And then I reflected on a quote from Dr. Angelou that Oprah and I both resonate with: “When you know better, you do better.” It is actually my favorite quote from Maya Angelou. Those words helped me wrestle with the things I’ve done—those things we call mistakes and failures—in my past. Those words have helped me heal the pain of my strained relationships with my parents—for me, because neither of them have been a part of my life for some time (my father was absent, except for his financial contributions, and my mother removed herself from my life at least a decade ago). Those words come up in the conversations I have with my clients, whether we are decoding a dream, having a conversation over Tarot, or in our coaching relationship, as we partner together to resolve issues and create positive change.

And then I had a realization: Dr. Angelou’s words are my words. I see the image of the 8 of Chalices in my mind: The figure walks on the beach to the sea, leaving his footprints in the sand. We make an impression with others when we walk this world, searching for meaning, and finding out who we are. We create a way for others to follow, if they choose, that we hope and intend will make life easier for them. We allow them the opportunity to follow in our footsteps–not to become like us–but to find their own way, their own true path.

My eyes well up (they are now, as I type this), because I realize this is the message she has left me with. This is the gift, the legacy of her journey here for me. I want to work with people, helping them do better. But, even more so, I want them to know better, which means coming to a place of seeking to become more conscious.

Thank you, Dr. Angelou, for gifting me with this part of your legacy. I look forward to all the opportunities that come my way to continue to share these simple–yet very powerful–words.

And all of this came about when the Universe “decided” to have two Tarot cards “jump out.” And when I made the choice to pay attention when they did.

Your partner in knowing—and doing—better,
James

If you feel called to learn more about my work with dreams, Tarot, and as an intuitive life strategist, please visit my Services page.