Can I schedule a "nice, mild, slow-burning rapture” for 2021?

December 30, 2020

Earlier this week, I attempted a New Year Tarot spread of 12 cards to see if I could gain some clarity on my book in preparation for diving back into it for a dedicated three-month writing sprint now that the outline is complete. I shared the spread on Instagram — you can see it here, and follow me there if you like — and for the seventh card (career/work/finances) I drew the King of Wands. A symbol of life and creativity — good sign. In the Rust Belt Arcana Tarot deck that I use — based on Matt Stansberry's book of essays, Rust Belt Arcana, with art by David Wilson — the King of Wands is represented by Joseph Campbell, with the following quote:

"Sit in a room and read — and read and read. And read the right books by the right people. Your mind is brought onto that level, and you have a nice, mild, slow-burning rapture all the time."

It's a necessary reminder for me: to immerse myself in nourishing books and avoid allowing myself to fritter away time because I'm avoiding the hard work. What are the right books and who are the right people? Right now I'm reading an advance copy of Hanif Abdurraqib's essay collection A Little Devil in America, and after that on my list is an advance copy of Lauren Hough's Leaving Isn't the Hardest Part, and Rust Belt Femme by Raechel Anne Jolie, which came out earlier this year.

Oh, but that oracle card I drew at the end of the reading:

Talk about necessary reminders. It's all fleeting. Tonight, welcome the new year. Let go of that which needs to slip away, and embrace the enterprise of capturing those fleeting moments and connections that need to endure. If not you, who?

Recent questions I have had, answered: