Card of the Day: Mother of Wands

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The Wild Unknown Tarot [/caption]

I was just listening to the latest episode of Sunstorm, a podcast by Alicia Garza and Ai-jen Poo, in which they interviewed one of my heros: Aminatou Sow. Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman are the hosts of my very favorite podcast, Call Your Girlfriend, and they are the originators of Shine Theory. They define this theory as “an investment, over the long term, in helping someone be their best self—and relying on their help in return. It is a conscious decision to bring your full self to your friendships, and to not let insecurity or envy ravage them. [It’s] a commitment to asking, ‘Would we be better as collaborators than as competitors?’ The answer is almost always yes.” (Learn more at shinetheory.com.)

I can’t think of a better embodiment of this card than Shine Theory. This fiery Mother/Queen/Artist knows that there’s more than enough to go around. She knows that lifting up her friends IS lifting up herself. She is not afraid to be exactly who she is, brings all of herself into her friendships, and she encourages others to do the same. She’s not afraid of rubs and bumps and disagreements, because she knows that that’s where the growth and learning is.

Patriarchy and racial capitalism have set women against each other (and against ourselves) for millennia. Women’s relationships with each other are a source of tremendous power and energy. They have the power to deeply disrupt the status quo. That’s why those in power have spent centuries separating and violating and shaming and oppressing and killing women. We can trust that we come by our doubts, fears, and insecurities honestly.

Let’s lift each other up. Today. Every day. Let’s be radically honest with each other, encourage each others’ best and support each other in being better and working through the shit that holds us back. Can we stay when things get hard? Can we be vulnerable when it feels excruciating? Can we ask for what we need instead of running away and isolating? (This is a pep talk for myself as much as it is for you…)