This is an anniversary episode of sorts to Episode 2 which kicked off my recording sessions during the advent of COVID19 in the Spring of 2020. I find myself reflecting on where I was mentally, emotionally and physically this time last year. Coming into Taurus season feels different this year: I have a year's worth of experience coping with all that COVID19 brought into my life. As an Earth sign, Taurus invites us into our bodies and to be present with the Earth itself. As the sun enters the sign of Taurus on April 19, and the planet Mercury (think: communication) will enter the sign of Taurus on this day as well, this Taurus season is an especially powerful time to reflect on how we relate to ourselves, our planet, our fellow sentient and non-sensient Earth mates, and how we might embody our outward and internal dialogue. We examine The Hierophant card as it relates to the sign of Taurus, and review ways we might better navigate any tendencies to engage in spiritually bypassing. Pictured in my episode art along with The Hierophant card from the Smith-Rider-Waite Tarot deck is the Spiritual Bypass card from Jordan Hope Miller's beautiful 33 Masters Oracle Deck. Here are a few words from Jordan's deck booklet describing the card:

"This card comes to you as a direct sign that you are using spirituality and its concepts to escape a reality that you created for yourself. The ego mind is capable of distorting knowledge, and in this case it is protecting you from a part of your journey that is Earthly. Being authentic and starting from where you are, and not from where you want to be will help you to become more present in your process of awareness."

I absolutely love this card and highly recommend Jordan's beautiful deck as a powerful tool to help you access deeper aspects of your psyche. Check out Jordan's deck and call one home for yourself. I included this card in the episode art as well as Jordan's words because I feel they so succinctly summarize the concept of spiritual bypassing. In bringing up spiritual bypass, by no means am I passing the buck. I've engaged in spiritual bypass as a way to cope with issues in my life that seemed unmanageable and overwhelming. I remedied spiritual bypass by working on issues in real time. While the work was difficult and in some cases heartbreaking, I needed to empower myself by taking responsibility, owning my choices and committing to making necessary changes. May this episode offer you relatable encouragement to solve challenges in practical ways. Taurus season is great medicine for helping us implement practical solutions to issues that otherwise might feel out of our reach. 

I am most delighted and deeply grateful to have Pete Calgaro in my circle of Instagram friends as he created the intro music you hear in this episode especially for my podcast! Enjoy his beautiful music and offerings on Pete's website. Be sure to follow Pete on Instagram to catch his exquisite live pan hand drum guided meditations.

Leave me a voice message with your question for the Tarot to be considered to air on an upcoming episode! Visit my website for more of my offerings including classes and connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. xox Diane