Labeling or Experiencing

labeling this an experience

Philosophical horse found here

I don’t love cliches. So it’s annoying when I find myself both in one and being one. Meaning this re-read of 78 Degrees of Wisdom has me catching things and being enriched in ways I wasn’t before. It’s true what they say. Slowdown and you will catch more, and find yourself a petite cliche. I go back and forth about what I agree with in terms of what Rachel Pollack is saying specifically about the cards. It’s a very different experience reading this a seasoned reader versus when I was a baby reader and had no idea what I thought and definitely didn't have a ton of experience to shape my opinions.

I know the cards now and my relationship to them. I’ve seen things play out thousands of times and that doesn’t make me arrogant so much as I trust myself. I trust the relationship I have co-created with tarot. Where she’s really getting me are these musings she’s makes about humanity as

Sara Stasi

pointed out. The card stuff is good don’t get me wrong, the humanity reflections are better is what some of us reading it this go round are thinking.

I haven’t stopped thinking about this:

However just as the ego is limited, so is speech. First of all, speech restricts our experience of reality. By forming a description of the world, by giving everything a label, we erect a barrier between ourselves and experience.

I don’t know about you but I love a label. I don’t want to think/exist/live that way but the brain’s be fatiguing and the labels feel like a solution. However… don’t I want to actually experience life versus label it? I have mused on this for weeks.

She continues:

When we look at a tree, we do not feel the impact of a living organism; rather, we think ‘tree’ and move on. The label has replaced the thing itself.

I’ve been thinking a lot about where I shortchange myself with labels when really I might be enriched by experience. Something Liz, Sister Spinster says is “I try not to say I know because then I quit learning.” This feels intertwined.

What I do know is…I’m glad I am swimming deep both in tarot and humanity before I gear up to start Year Ahead Readings. They’re one of my favorite things that I do but are a labor of love so I limit them and they’re pricey. I’m opening them up first to subscribers, at last year’s rate and then November 1st they open to the world and go up $50. Jump on it if you’re interested they’re one of the few things I can say with confidence will sell out.

In the meantime tell me what you’re labeling and experiencing?

xx. A

My beloved 78 Degree’ers the recording and some updates below: