Sometimes we come to the cards seeking validation, and we might not even realize it. But it can be a gut punch to see black skies and lightning bolts when we hoped for rainbows, and that alone is incredibly revealing for us. The cards are here to affirm and guide us, and those unexpected sharp ones can be the most affirming of all.

I am in the midst of trying to bargain with poison ivy, giving her free rein over certain woody parts of my property, in hopes she’ll retreat in the more trafficked parts where I’m starting gardens. So I decided to get to know this abundant, hardy native vine through the cards.

If you’re drawn to work with the cards, there are many good places to start online or through your local library. I’m listing some of my favorite writers, thinkers, and teachers of the tarot and related modalities as a starting point.