If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step,
you know it’s not your path.
Your own path you make with every step you take.
-Joseph Campbell
I’ve experienced the truth of that quote above again and again (and AGAIN!), and it’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. Your ego very much wants to see the entire path laid out in front of you. Your ego wants to know exactly where you’re going and what to expect along the way. But if you want to live a heart-centered life of adventure and spirit-guided experiences, your ego kind of needs to STFU.
The longer I’m at this whole “living life as a human thing” the more clear I am that embracing an authentic path means accepting the unknown. Bushwhacking your way through the wilderness instead of relying on the well-worn trails.
Today I offer up episode 13 of the Key Finding Podcast. In this episode we consider the question: how do you know if you’re being dragged by ego or led by spirit? I describe how cards 7-10 of the tarot’s major arcana – The Chariot, Strength, The Hermit and the Wheel of Fortune – speak to the nuances of this distinction.
Download or stream on Soundcloud below, or search ‘Key Finding’ wherever you listen to podcasts:
Now to talk about something bittersweet. TLDR version: This is the final episode of Key Finding. I talk about this near the end of the episode. More details below if you are interested.
When I started the podcast, I gave myself permission to think of it as an experiment. I wanted to try something new, but I didn’t want to feel stuck if it didn’t feel right. Before I even started Key Finding, my spirit was like “yo, you should really get a co-host instead of doing this alone, you’ll enjoy it much more if you’re collaborating.” But my ego was like “nah it’s all good I’m just gonna press forward.”
You’d think I’d have learned not to ignore my intuition by now, but what can I say? This shit is hard sometimes!
There are many things I have enjoyed about doing the podcast. I’ve enjoyed sharing my thoughts in a new format. I’ve enjoyed extending my confidence in my speaking abilities. Most of all, I’ve enjoyed hearing from those of you who have been listening and liking the content.
But something has felt a little ‘off’ about the podcast. I miss writing. I have a hard time talking to myself for 35-40 minutes (#introvert #talkingtoyourselfisweird). So even though my ego is feeling kinda iffy about this whole thing, I am tuning back into my spirit.
And of course, since Joseph Campbell was right all along, I don’t yet know exactly what my path will look like going forward. But I have a few ideas:
-I will return to writing posts on my blog. I miss writing not only about tarot, but also about broader concepts of self-discovery, creativity, and connecting with wonder in the human experience.
-Audio versions may be created to accompany my written blog posts. This way I can keep up my speaking skills and also connect with those of you who prefer information in audio format.
-Another podcast may be on the horizon, this time with a collaborator. The wheels are in motion, but I’m not yet sure how/if/when this will happen. We shall see.
So many unknowns! I am fully in the energy of the Hermit and the Wheel of Fortune. It’s kind of uncomfortable not knowing exactly how all of this will go, but I trust that I am on my own weird, winding, authentic, magical path.
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The Tarot Reader’s Daily Companion
Hi, I'm Carrie!
I'm a tarot reader and mentor. My purpose is to encourage your expansion. If you're new, start here.
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I’m sad to hear there won’t be any more Key Finding episodes to look forward to (I loved listening to you on my way to and from dropping off my daughter at preschool), but I’m so glad you’re following your heart and your intuition on this one. I think so often we get stuck doing what we’ve been doing even when we’re not feeling it. Often it’s because we’re afraid of letting other people down. I’m so glad you’re going with your gut and pulling the plug on this if it doesn’t feel right to you. I’m excited to see where your journey takes you next!
I really appreciate your kind comment and your support, Elizabeth! I’m hopeful more audio stuff will be on the horizon. <3 🙂
I too am disappointed at the end of the podcast but understand and appreciate that are choosing to follow spirit on your life journey. The message about the chariot, strength, hermit, wheel of fortune sequence was right on time for me. In the podcast you mentioned that you had done an earlier blog post describing the sequence of the devil, tower and star in a similar way. Could you provide a link to it with the show notes?
Yes, I meant to put that in the show notes and forgot! Here is a link: http://carriemallon.com/blog/the-healing-process-pain-is-required/
Hi Carrie, I’ve just binge-listened through your podcast and I absolutely loved it. As an artist who is becoming more and more passionate about tarot this was the perfect podcast for me. I loved all the Julia Cameron references and the personal growth focus. I have lots of activities that allow me to listen to content during the day, but pretty much no time at all to read blog posts. I would be really happy if you decide to record your blogposts in audio format. Your voice is very soothing and I loved how authentic you were with the information you shared. Especially the fact that this was an experiment in itself was so interesting to me, as I find myself often drawn to lots of different things and started to allow myself to experiment more often too. So, thank you so much for sharing and experimenting! I’m curious what comes next for you! – Bettina
Hi Bettina! That’s all very encouraging to hear, thank you! I’ve been a bit scattered with my content creation since closing out the podcast, but I still like the idea of putting up future written posts into audio format. I appreciate your support so much!
I’ve never heard anything more relevant to where I am right now. Thank you so much for this, I’ve never been here or heard anything by you before this moment, and I truly feel blessed for this serendipitous stumble. Thank you. I’m going to subscribe so I can stay in contact.
Truly guided by my own spirit and prayers to find this podcast.
Wow.
That’s very cool! I’m glad synchronicity was at work here.