Shut Up and Succeed
Dear Maribeth,
By day I’m a professional technical writer and editor; by night I indulge my more creative side and write whatever I want: fiction, poetry, essays, drama, criticism and screenplays. I have won a half dozen national writing competitions and have been translated into Russian, Italian, Dutch, Japanese and German. However, I can’t seem to get any local producers or publishers to take my work seriously. Is there any chance that I’ll gain some measure of recognition for my body of work before I start pushing daisies in the wrong direction?
Dear David,
Thank you for writing. Your tarot reading is extremely powerful as it is composed entirely of major arcana cards: The Star, The Tower and Death. This is a significant question you are asking and one that will require a lot of deep contemplation on your part if you truly want to understand it.
The Star card identifies the spirit within each of us that shines through in an artistic form of expression. It is our true nature, our essence. This card only comes up for gifted artists. You appear to be very in touch with your creative talents and are living your authentic life. Your recognition and awards thus far have reinforced your confidence so you are able to be true to yourself. Your body of work is growing, and the flowers are coming up on the right side of the grass all around you! David, this is a card of great success. It appears that you have attained great awards and recognition. If you had only achieved local recognition throughout your life, would you be looking for national and international success now?
The Tower and the Death card both refer to transformation and great changes. Apparently you are very interested in really shaking things up in your world. Honestly though, the Tower in this position for your reading gives me the distinct impression that what you are looking for is directly under your nose. And I feel that the important thing to think about is why this is important to you. If you take pride in your work, and have lots of recognition and congratulations by others, then what exactly are you looking for locally? Be specific and you may realize that either you already have it, don’t really need it, or could easily achieve it by taking a different approach.
The Death card tells me that by letting go you will see things in a whole different light. By setting yourself free, you can realize just how successful you truly already are. This may not happen until you are on the other side or it can happen while you are still alive. It is up to you how you choose to think about it while you are living. But there are many things you can do while you are still here. You can put an end to needing certain people to take an interest in your work. By giving up your dependence on others, the value of your work will be determined by you, and perhaps your loved ones, instead of an audience or critic.
This reading is definitely about letting go of your outdated definitions of success and taking satisfaction in your contributions thus far. I feel as though your work will live on both during your life as well as long after your body is deceased. I hope knowing that can bring you peace rather than frustration. Reflecting upon why it might make a difference to you could help in all areas of your life.