Hello beautiful people, how are you doing today?
I am so excited to be back with another episode, another tarot pull. I'm particularly excited for this week in the Tarot Reflections world because I am dropping a little something, something you haven't seen before and believe me when I say, it's beautiful. So keep your eyes out for that.
This week I really struggled to think of the topic I wanted to dive into. It has been a bit of a chaotic and busy week for me, leading up to a weekend where my body and mind were begging for rest. So I let it. Of course, that means I'm hectically trying to catch up on the things I planned on doing this weekend, like recording this very podcast episode. Luckily, my restful weekend seems to have led to a powerfully productive Monday.
But I still struggled all day with what I wanted to chat with you lovely people about. So as usual, I reflected on my life and what's happening lately in my community. And I decided I wanted to talk about being a safe person and creating safe spaces.
Let me guess, you're probably going... huh? So here's the deal.
I hope that you, my wonderful listener, are an ally. And to explore what an ally is, I am borrowing words the Ontario Public Service
Employees Union of all places. Hey, Google gifts in mysterious ways. But I think their document, titled "What does it mean to be an Ally?" phrases it perfectly. It says:
Being an ally is more than being sympathetic towards those who experience discrimination. It is more than simply believing in equality. Being an ally means being willing to act with and for others in pursuit of ending oppression and creating equality.
A critical part of being an ally, whether it's an ally in fighting racial discrimination, homophobia, sexism, mental illness stigma, or the many, many other forms of oppression that flourish in our world, is being a safe person and creating safe spaces.
Now, I can really only speak from my experiences as a Queer woman living with mental illness. But we can extrapolate from this and apply it across the spectrum of oppression, with the understanding that while there are many intersectionalities, there are nuances as well.
I know who my safe people are in my life. These are the people who I feel comfortable going to in order to discuss the challenges I encounter related to my identity. These are the people who I know won't judge me because of my mental illness or Queerness.
But these are also people who will listen and respect what I need, what I ask for. And that's something I think a lot of allies might get wrong.
When someone is coming to us to share their struggles, to share their experiences related to oppression, there can be an instinct to try to fix the problem. To give solutions. Or to explain it. The problem is, you may not be the right person to have the right solution. I know, I know this instinct comes from a good place. But it's likely your loved one isn't going to you to find a solution. If they ask for one, that's a different story. But what they likely need most from you is someone to listen. The act of expressing our feelings to another human helps us to release stress, anger, frustration, sadness... Having someone to listen and just be present as we share is cathartic.
As an ally, you're not expected to solve anything. You probably don't have the resources, experience, or knowledge to solve the problem we're facing.
Which brings me to my second thought around being a safe ally. It's your role as an ally to ensure you foster safe spaces. A crucial part of this is being aware of the space you occupy yourself.
Lately I have seen a few straight folks hosting Pride related events. Straight folks profiting over those events they host. Straight folks promising a safe and inclusive space for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
And every time I see it, I just want to ask WHYYY. Why are you hosting this event? How can you ensure a safe space? Why are you profiting off of our struggle?
There are plenty of straight, cis holidays and celebrations you can monetize. Why ours?
Then there are straight folks who occupy space at 2SLGBTQ+ events or meetings. Don't get me wrong, we want allies there. We want allies participating. But it's important to recognize the difference between participating and dominating. It's important to ask yourself if your voice and your participation is the one that really needs to be heard in that moment.
As an ally, support the leaders in the movements who have lived experience. As an ally, listen to the voices of lived experience in the room. As an ally, leave space for the voices that have gone unheard for far, far too long.
As an ally, be conscious of the role you're playing, and if it's the role you should be playing.
That is part of being safe. Part of being a safe person. Part of ensuring safe spaces.
Now for this week's reading.
Our message from the Universe for the week ahead come through... The Knight of Swords.
Woah nellie! This week we may feel like we are barrelling, or should I say galloping, towards our destiny. We are moving at full-speed with full confidence and full self-assurance. We're feeling action driven this week.
But here's the thing with moving full speed, no second thoughts. We might miss something on the way. With everything rushing by us in a blur, we might not see the obstacles that lie ahead. And we may fall flat on our face as a result.
Be wary of any impulsive feelings you might have this week. Don't hesitate to second guess yourself a little and think through your decisions.
The Knight also reminds us to be intentional about bringing compassion into our days. Don't get so wrapped up in your forward movement you forget to be vulnerable and kind-hearted. Moving without second thought and neglecting your compassion will lead to feelings of imbalance and defensiveness.
With that, let's explore our message for mental resilience for the week ahead. And that message comes from.. The Fool Reversed.
Our fool brings one loud message to us today. Do not be reckless in your actions, in your thoughts, in your decisions this week. Be cautious of how your choices impact your mental health. There may be roadblocks ahead for you and there may be moments in the week that will try to take advantage of you. Bring awareness to the state of your mental health every day, check in with yourself regularly, and take action carefully.
I think I'm going to leave it there this week. Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Tarot Reflections. If you enjoyed today's episode, I would love it if you could share it with a friend! As always, you can find me on Instagram at meganmentally. And be sure to sign up to receive your Permission to Thrive, a weekly permission slip to do what you gotta do to strengthen your mental health and cultivate the life you want to live.
Stay tuned for a huge surprise later this week. Until then.