MOTIVATE & PREPARE
When I read tarot, it is not to divine the future but to gain insights into the present moment. What do we need to know right now in order to make a better future? In that light, this month’s tarot reading focuses on the upcoming election and gaining insights into how to prepare for voting. I used the tarot deck from Carrie Mallon & Annie Ruygt called The Spacious Tarot, referenced throughout this reading.
Voting takes motivation and preparation, and the tarot delivered some keen insights. First, the eight of cups surfaced to remind us that our emotional energy can show us a clear path forward. As women, we are often taught that our emotions are a weakness or, worse, an evil to be contained. In reality, emotions are a barometer of what is really going on. They are a compass that tells us we must go deeper and figure out the underlying issues. The eight of cups “guides us away from what no longer fits and toward the meaning that awaits” (Mallon & Ruygt, 2020). The eight of cups encourages us to engage with our emotions, question old assumptions, and move energetically toward the goal. This election, use your emotions as motivation, and like the cups on this card, organize what is needed and vote for people and issues that support the better world you dream of. Your heart is already telling you the things you need to know.
It takes preparation and planning to be an informed voter and to get to the polling locations (or getting and sending mail-in ballots). Voting is not always easy due to time constraints, childcare issues, the distance of the voting locations, or feeling like we don’t know the ins-and-out of all the issues. To help, I pulled a card to help as we make arrangements to vote. As we organize our voting plan, ace of cups reminds us that we already contain all the necessary elements to get this job done. A single drop of water can create ripples that extend to all edges, and voting can have lasting effects. The suit of cups is all about emotion, and the theme of cups carried through both questions about motivation and preparation. The ace of cups reminds us that emotions are “part of the natural order of things” (Mallon & Ruygt, 2020). It reminds us to stay open to the flow, learn the voting process and issues, and then prepare and watch for opportunities to share with others. Water fits any container but can also change shape as needed for each situation.
Finally, I asked the cards for a blessing to carry us through the election season. The eight of pentacles blesses us to focus our efforts on what matters most and to remember that “magic can unfold through good old-fashioned work” (Mallon & Ruygt, 2020). Whenever you need to call in this blessing, put your hand on your chest, take a deep breath, and check to ensure that your to-do list reflects your actual priorities. Mallon & Ruygt (2020) remind us that “nothing meaningful happens unless [we] show up again, and again, and again” (p. 129). Politics is a slow game, and this blessing can help us remember to stay in the moment, to plan and prepare, to build community on solid ground, and to move forward with steadfastness.
As you prepare and plan to vote, remember you are not alone. The following websites can help you find the issues and candidates in your state:
Rock the Vote is encouraging and helpful in finding information about your registration status, getting an absentee ballot, setting up reminders, and viewing what is on your ballot so you can have a plan before entering the voting booth.
The Campus Vote Project is a non-partisan website that gives a state-by-state breakdown of issues and candidates. It also has a helpful guide about why the student vote matters.
All In To Vote may help with your motivation levels as your prepare to vote. You can sign a pledge to vote, check your voter registration status, and review your state’s voting rules.
Information for voters from U.S. territories can be found at the following websites:
If you have other questions or want to share your thoughts on voting, we would love to hear from you.