The Star card ft. Michael Jackson

 

I’m having so much fun reimagining tarot cards and exploring new imagery that feels incredibly relevant to the present time. For The Star card, I chose Michael Jackson as the subject, as his fame and success seem fitting for the card’s symbolism. His unprecedented level of stardom was something the world had never seen before and likely won’t see again. Traditionally, The Star represents growing popularity, fame, blessings, success, and exposure—but it also carries a shadow side, highlighting the pitfalls of such heights. We could never truly know what it felt like to be him.

Michael Jackson was multitalented and had an extraordinary work ethic. He poured his entire soul into his craft. Whether you watch him dance or listen to his music, there’s a profound depth in his performances that inspired millions, both in life and death. His philanthropic efforts were well-known, even though he rarely boasted about them. From songs about self-reflection and personal change to calls for activism and societal transformation, Michael took his influence seriously. He encouraged others to shine and make a difference in the world.

However, achieving the level of success that Michael did must have been an incredibly lonely experience. When most people rise to success, there are mentors and peers who can guide them through the process. Michael’s star, however, rose so high that there was no one else in that space—no one to help him navigate the complexities of such fame, and no one who could truly relate to his experience. That isolation, combined with the public’s intense focus on him, must have been overwhelming. Fame at that level can feel isolating, even dangerous.

The pressure Michael endured must have been enormous: lawsuits, investigations, rumors, relentless paparazzi, and even exploitation by people close to him. It had to be deeply painful. Yet, despite it all, he would get up, put on his dancing shoes, and give everything he had to his performances. By all accounts, he was a perfectionist and consummate professional—never resting on his laurels, always striving for more, and continually giving of himself.

Including the shadow of his inner child in the imagery of The Star card felt particularly poignant. Michael had been famous since childhood, and his career never slowed down. It’s remarkable that he endured so much scrutiny, false accusations, and misunderstandings over decades. I can’t help but wonder: What would child Michael think watching adult Michael at the height of his career? And what would adult Michael say to his younger self?

If I were to pull Michael Jackson as The Star in a tarot reading, here’s how I might interpret it:

Positive meanings: Fame, celebrity, popularity, the fulfillment of a childhood dream, inspiration, performance, dance, theater, exposure, and unprecedented success.

Challenging meanings: A persona or mask, external pressure to perform, feeling under a microscope, lack of privacy, a need for grounding, perfectionism, loneliness, disconnection from others and self, a desire to return to authenticity, or “selling out.”

I hope you’re enjoying these reimagined tarot cards as much as I am! If you could reimagine a tarot card, which one would you choose? Would you feature a celebrity, or would you keep the characters more general? I’d love to hear your thoughts! 

Make Room For The Unexpected!

 

One of the biggest barriers I see with people trying to manifest money is that they’re too intense about it. They hyper-focus on it, and that kind of energy is repellent. Let’s frame it this way: imagine money is a woman named Cheryl. You like Cheryl and want to pursue her, maybe take her out and see where it goes.

You take Cheryl out, have a great time, and drop her off. But then, every time she turns around, you’re blowing up her phone—texting, calling, constantly talking about how much fun you had and how excited you are for the next date. Cheryl doesn’t want to see you anymore. You’ve become a pest, and your energy is pushing her away. Some people even take it to an obsessive level. Now, take that same energy and apply it to money manifestation.

If you’re this intense about money—talking about it constantly, obsessing over affirmations, creating vision boards, wearing money-themed clothing—you’re turning it into something unattainable. You’ve made money into a celebrity, and it doesn’t like you back. There are people out there who seem to attract money effortlessly—it flows to them. If you’re a die-hard fan of money, but it doesn’t like you, then you’re doing something wrong.

Why Letting Go is Crucial

In all manifestation work, there comes a time when you need to let it go so the process can unfold. Think of it like planting seeds. You plant the seeds, cover them with soil, water them, and wait. You don’t keep digging them up every day to see if they’ve sprouted—that would ruin the process. You check in occasionally to see if they need more water, but mostly, you let them do their thing. Manifestation works the same way. After you’ve done your affirmations, vision boards, and other practices, you need to back off and give space for things to align.

Overpowering Energy Blocks Manifestation

Many people trying to manifest money or big goals are too overpowering—they’re constantly on top of it, obsessively monitoring their progress. This blocks the natural flow of energy. You need to give the universe space to work with you. Once you’ve done your part, step back. Trust that the process will guide you. When you let go, you’ll start noticing breadcrumbs—small synchronicities and clues leading you toward your goal.

Here’s a story to illustrate this: A woman wanted to manifest a new car. She did all the work—affirmations, vision boards, everything—but after a month, she felt stuck and hopeless. So, she decided to let it go. She put her vision boards and affirmations away and stopped worrying about the car.

One day, she went to the store to grab her usual sub sandwich and root beer. While there, she ran into a friend who was buying a lottery ticket. The friend encouraged her to try it too, even though she didn’t usually gamble. She decided to spend $5 on a ticket. She didn’t win the jackpot, but she did win $35,000. With that money, she bought a new car.

The lesson? Letting go created space for her manifestation to come through in an unexpected way.

Take a Step Back

If you feel stuck, try this: put your vision boards, affirmation cards, and manifestation books away. Let go of the outcome and give yourself permission to breathe. Create space between you and your desire. This detachment allows you to notice opportunities and synchronicities when they appear. When you stop forcing it, you’ll be more alert and ready when it’s time to take inspired action—whether that’s buying a lottery ticket or following another unexpected lead.

Manifestation isn’t about controlling every detail; it’s about aligning with the flow. Sometimes, letting go is the key that opens the door!

The Technologist 🤖

 

Recently, I was contemplating archetypes and the tarot when I realized that technology has become an archetype in our collective consciousness. It has elbowed its way into our daily lives, to the point where it’s not just a tool—it’s a force! Technology occupies significant space in both our minds and our world, making it a powerful energetic presence. Enter The Technologist 🤖

My journey with tarot has been fascinating. Through studying the cards and reading for myself and others, I learned what archetypes are and how they help us understand ourselves and our motivations. The imagery of the tarot has been instrumental in my personal growth.

Currently, I’m confined to a hospital, which has given me ample time for reflection and creativity. I’m fortunate to have access to tools that allow me to continue my creative projects and bring my ideas to life. A big part of that accessibility comes from AI—a technology I was initially skeptical about. Like many people, I worried about its invasiveness and the moral and legal implications of its rapid growth. It felt overwhelming, as though we were merely passengers on a runaway train that we built ourselves.

However, during my hospital stay, I came across a video about ChatGPT, and it was amazing!. I decided to try it, and now I’m a convert. This program has helped me stay creative and work through ideas during a very, very challenging time.

Technology has undoubtedly become its own entity, especially with the rise of AI. This inspired me to create a tarot card to represent it. The Technologist is a blend of modern technology and traditional tarot imagery. The card features a robot and a computer set against the backdrop of a classic tarot design. Although not an actual tarot card, The Technologist symbolizes the powerful role technology plays in our lives.

If The Technologist were part of a traditional tarot deck, here’s how I would interpret it:

The Symbolism of The Technologist

The Robot: Represents AI, its capacity for vast data storage, and its ability to process and deliver relevant information.

The Computer: Symbolizes all forms of electronic communication, from the internet and social media to emails and beyond.

The Rising Sun: A new dawn, marking the moment we recognized technology as a major force in the world.

The Terrain: Reflects the internet as the “wild west,” symbolizing its uncharted potential and rapid growth.

Possible Interpretations

If The Technologist appeared in a reading, it would offer plenty to explore. Here’s what it could represent:

Positive Meanings:

• Visionary thinking

• Genius and innovation

        •   Military and police force

•       Plans, blueprints, strategy

•       Uncharted territory

• All forms of technology (computers, robots, AI, social

                media, websites)

•       Digital footprint

•       Bitcoin and all cryptocurrency

• Science and medical advancements

• Cutting-edge systems

• Problem-solving in IT or programming

• Creating and designing apps, websites, or systems

•       Improvements, updates, upgrades

Challenging Meanings:

• Over-reliance on technology

• Systems failures, security breaches, or scams

• Deepfakes or bot interactions

• Difficulty connecting emotionally

• Academic arrogance or lack of social skills

• Being “chronically online”

        • Heartless, cold, calculating

Creating This Card: A Personal Journey

Creating The Technologist has been deeply personal. My history with technology began unexpectedly. When I joined the military through the delayed entry program, I planned to be a photojournalist. I envisioned myself working for Stars and Stripes, capturing action shots and documenting military life. But on the day I shipped out, I was told that the Army didn’t need any more photojournalists and instead wanted me to become a computer specialist—a job that required a much longer enlistment.

At 19 years old, I was devastated. I had only an hour to decide: take the offer or go home. Having already committed to joining the Army, I chose to stay. That decision turned out to be one of the best of my life. In 1992, computers were still new to most people, and I knew almost nothing about them. But by the end of my training, I had graduated at the top of my class. Working with computers came naturally to me, and I fell in love with technology.

In many ways, The Technologist feels like a reflection of me. But it’s not just me—it’s all of us. Anyone who uses the internet, posts, likes, comments or subscribes embodies the essence of The Technologist. It’s an archetype that reflects the role technology plays in all our lives.

Why This Card Feels Like a Missing Piece

The Technologist fills a gap in the tarot. For example, there’s no card that specifically represents a doctor, yet modern archetypes like doctors, scientists, and technologists are deeply relevant to our evolving world. This card can stand in for those roles and more, capturing the energy of innovation, creativity, and progress.

If The Technologist appeared in your reading, how would you interpret it? 🤖