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Rewriting the Rules of Tarot and Self-Discovery with Elizabeth Su
4.7k Plays4 months ago
During a year of intense challenges, Elizabeth Su crafted a new compass - The Adventure Tarot. This episode peels back the layers of Elizabeth's transformative journey as a nomad - reclaiming her Asian-American identity in the midst of anti-Asian violence. From the turmoil, she found inspiration to create a tarot deck that expands our understanding of identity, resilience, and the natural world. Elizabeth reveals how reconnecting with her heritage and overcoming burnout sparked a profound rebirth. Her story empowers others to find their own paths to healing and self-realization. Ready to discover the power of tarot? Tune in to see how reshaping your story could lead to revolutionary insights and real-life changes.
Key Takeaways:
- How Elizabeth transformed chaos into creativity with The Adventure Tarot.
- The role of heritage in healing and personal growth.
- Insights on battling burnout, perfectionism and finding personal rebirth.
- The unique elements and inspiration behind The Adventure Tarot deck.
- Practical tips for using tarot for self-discovery.
Guest Bio:
Elizabeth Su is the author and creator of The Adventure Tarot, a road trip-inspired deck about self-discovery, belonging, and celebrating Asian joy.
Connect:
- Subscribe to NATI Pod on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
- Follow the show on Instagram @nomadsattheintersectionspod
- Email us: [email protected]
- Recommend a guest for NATI Pod
About the Host:
Since 2016, Noami Grevemberg has called her van home, chasing nature's wildest corners and living on her own terms. Her book, "Living The Vanlife," dives into the gritty reality of road living and shares raw insights on sustainable life on the move. As the founder of Diversify Vanlife, she’s shaking up the road-travel world, championing inclusivity. A seasoned content creator, writer and storyteller, Noami brings bold stories and unique perspectives through her podcast, "Nomads at the Intersections," inspiring others to try new ways of living and deeply connect with the world around them.
Follow Noami:
- Instagram: @irietoaurora
- TikTok: @irietoaurora
- Website: irietoaurora.com
- To work with Noami, email: [email protected]
Loved this episode? Rate and leave us a review. Share with friends who need a dose of inspiration!
To advertise on the show, contact us!
Links & Resources:
- Website: elizabethsu.com
- Adventure Tarot: elizabethsu.com/tarot
- Instagram @heyelizabethsu
- TikTok: @heyelizabethsu
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Transcript
Introduction to 'Nomads at the Intersections'
00:00:02
Speaker
Welcome to Nomads at the Intersections podcast. I'm Naomi, and this is where we tear up the rule book and dive headfirst into the lives of those who dare to defy the norm. You're in for a journey through the stories of the audacious, the nomads, the rebels, and the trailblazers who've swapped the mundane for the extraordinary. Buckle up, get ready to challenge your views, and maybe uncover a new layer of yourself. This is Natty Pod, where every episode is an invitation to step into the extraordinary. Let's go!
Elizabeth Hsu's Nomadic Journey and Adventure Tarot
00:00:43
Speaker
Hey everyone, today we're diving into an amazing story with Elizabeth Hsu. She's a creator who's all about resilience and transformation. Elizabeth's journey took her from the hustle and bustle of city life to the wide open unpredictable roads of nomadic living. Her story weaves together her travels, time and nature, personal challenges, a profound racial awakening, and the creation of the adventure Tarot. a deck that's all about celebrating diverse identities and experiences. I'm particularly excited about this episode because Elizabeth's story mirrors so many of my experiences and challenges that faced on my own journey as a mixed race woman navigating various intersections. We're going to explore how she found creativity and peace in the midst of chaos and how her work helps others on their own healing journeys. Let's get into it.
00:01:39
Speaker
Elizabeth, it's a pleasure to have you here. I am so excited to be here. Thank you for having me as a guest. Oh, you're welcome. Your work hints at a story rich with self-discovery and a healthy dash of rebellion. I want to jump in. What's the spark that ignited your journey and led to the creation of The Adventure Terror? Hmm. so many sparks. I was working on a memoir at the time where that was like a memoir self-helpy book that wove together personal stories and then my research on burnout imperfectionism from grad school. And
00:02:24
Speaker
You know, it was, let's see, it was like 2020 when I was working on that. I was in New York City at the time and with the pandemic and everything, we decided to hit the road and we packed up our life and went on this nomadic journey, which I know we'll get to more, but it was like on this journey, and it coincided with the rise in anti Asian hate crimes and my own personal racial awakening, kind of all these things combined made me really reevaluate my work and my creative projects. And I
00:03:09
Speaker
really wanted to create something that felt more an integrity with who I am and both content wise and voice, I would say. And that's kind of led to the the birth of the adventure tarot.
00:03:27
Speaker
Elizabeth's story highlights how intense periods of change can lead to profound transformations. As she grappled with her identity during the pandemic and the surge of anti-Asian hate crimes, her creative journey took on a new direction. She transformed personal turmoil and societal challenges into the adventure tarot. a testament to resilience and cultural pride. Elizabeth's deck has profoundly impacted many people. She shared a story about a group of friends who used the deck for the first time and they all cried together, showcasing the power of the adventure tarot to facilitate meaningful conversations and emotional breakthroughs. My favorite um comments are the ones where like they've like connected with their
00:04:15
Speaker
their girlfriends or even I saw one recently um with her guy friends and she's like, it was the first time like everyone cried. Like it helps them get somewhere deeper. And I think part of my insecurity with creating a tarot deck is because I'm not a tarot reader. Like I love tarot. It has always been a like a tool, not always, like I only got into it. kind of when I started my yoga teacher training like in 2013. But it has opened up the door for me to connect to my intuition and to have these like really heartfelt conversations with friends. um And so I really wanted that to happen. And it's so cool to see that it is. We've seen how the adventure tarot was born from Elizabeth's personal and societal challenges.
00:05:08
Speaker
But what happened next? How did her journey on the road shape her perspective and deepen her self-connection? Let's rewind and dive into those struggles.
Identity and Community in Travel
00:05:20
Speaker
The inception of the Adventure Tarot seems like it was a really pivotal moment in your journey. I want to rewind a little bit. Your travels seem to have played a significant role in your path to self-discovery, right? Can you take us back to those road travels? And let's dig a little deeper. I want to know how they shaped your perspective and your connection to yourself.
00:05:46
Speaker
Yeah. So we've always, my husband and I have always loved travel. We love road trips. I would say like road trips are our love language. but I always say my favorite part of being on the road is like a reminder that like there are so many different ways to live life. I think when you're in a big city and you're just like in the rat race and all your friends are in the rat race and you just sort of you know You make a couple changes here or there, but when you're on the road and you like see all different kinds of people who are just living their life, doing their thing, being you know farmers or like in these small towns or in national parks, like you just it really expands
00:06:35
Speaker
expanded for me reminded me that like there are other options. And as far as my own journey, you know, being Asian in these small towns, it's very apparent that I'm a person of color, which is also really interesting. It's like an interesting juxtaposition of like wanting to be out in nature and be with yourself while also longing deeply for community and not having that around you. And layers that were being peeled back for me around like who I am as a mixed Chinese person in the context of all these predominantly white towns sped up the self-discovery process. And because I grew up in in the Midwest in Michigan and in a predominantly white town and that
00:07:28
Speaker
in some ways is where I'll say more more comfortable, but like it's not like a genuine comfort, it's just that's what I knew. And so like I think being in these spaces in a time where I really felt a deep longing for the Asian community really made me think, like okay, like what what is important to me? Where would I want to settle? was kind of the intersection of a place that offers a lot of nature where I do feel more of that sense of belonging and that kind of was a foundation of the adventure tarot.
00:08:08
Speaker
Obviously, those road trips were pivotal for Elizabeth's journey of self-discovery. Traveling through predominantly white small towns, she faced a stark reality of her identity as a mixed Chinese person. These travels not only expanded her view of different lifestyles, but also deepened her understanding of her own identity and longing for community. I can totally relate. When I first hit the road back in 2016, I had this longing for a community of like-minded travelers of color. It was pretty lonely at first. I remember those first six months vividly, feeling isolated and wondering if I could continue in this lifestyle. But then I attended my first few road travel gatherings and a lot changed. I found community on the road and I was empowered to facilitate the changes I wanted to see.
00:09:01
Speaker
That made all the difference. But the journey didn't stop there for Elizabeth. As she travels, she also faced some deeper questions about her racial identity, especially during a time of rising anti-Asian sentiment. This period of introspection and confrontation with her own identity led to significant changes in her work and personal brand.
Racial Awakening and Asian Joy
00:09:25
Speaker
Let's explore how these experiences of racial awakening and identity shaped not only her personal life, but also her creative endeavors. Let's listen in.
00:09:39
Speaker
I've had my moments of awakening, especially as a Black-identifying, mixed-race, queer immigrant woman, navigating different cultures. During the pandemic, I feel like many people face their own reckonings, and you have touched on your own racial awakening and the process of embracing your mixed heritage in the midst of the challenges of anti-Asian violence. I think it's a journey many people can relate to, but it's also uniquely personal. How did that period influence your identity and the work you do now? o Everything, really. like With the memoir, I remember a very distinct turning point in which, like as I was, I call it thawing, really.
00:10:31
Speaker
As I began to see myself and have others really see me and love me as a mixed Asian person, I realized that I had written my memoir for the white gays. And as if I was pretending also to be white. And I say that in like, there's hardly any mention of my race in in that book. The like anecdotes and things that I share are just missing the racial lens. I mean, it's quite.
00:11:06
Speaker
significant. And I remember calling my agent, I was really like i was sick over it. like I was losing so much sleep because I was like, oh my God, I cannot put this out in the world. This would not be an integrity of who I am. And in fact, I need to change my entire brand to align with... It's like it's weird to have like a personal brand because the brand is you, but the brand is also sort of like few steps behind your own self discovery. And so it's like our brand was, you know, very in the spiritual wellness space and our community was predominantly white and I.
00:11:45
Speaker
I never shared any content related to my race. And so I was like, we got to change everything. And I'm going to come out, even if I don't believe it at the time, I'm going to come out and I'm going to put my little flag in my bio. I'm going to like say that I'm here for Asian joy and that I'm here to uplift Asian voices. And in that way, I just sort of like clawed my way. into the community and into like my own idea of, I always say like, I mean, I, so I have always stood for self-love and how do you love yourself if you don't see all parts of you or you don't declare or you aren't proud of those parts. And, and so I kind of made it, made it so, even though I felt like an imposter and I had so many insecurities and I was just like, my work from this point forward,
00:12:38
Speaker
is going to be as an Asian woman for Asian women. And that also you know really informed how I developed the concept of the Adventure Tarot and kind of the mission that I set out with it. Elizabeth's journey is a powerful reminder that embracing our true selves, even when it's uncomfortable, can lead to profound growth and authenticity. It's about recognizing and celebrating all parts of who we are. Elizabeth and her husband, whose first generation from Hong Kong and also grew up in a mostly white area, had many deep conversations during their road travels. These conversations were eye-opening for Elizabeth, helping her see her mixed heritage in a new light.
00:13:23
Speaker
I would say one of the coolest parts that the nomadic journey held for us was so much time to have these conversations with each other. And so we would listen to a lot of they books on tape, audio books, um um written by Asian authors that sparked more discussions that we had together. And like we just started to spark those conversations with each other and in our own grappling of our identity and just consuming more Asian centered media in every sense. And I think oddly being kind of isolated in that way and having to sort of piecemeal this together for ourselves on the road fostered more self inquiry in the process.
00:14:22
Speaker
These conversations and moments of self-inquiry not only shaped Elizabeth's identity, but also influenced the creation of the adventure Tarot.
Nature, Identity, and Tarot Integration
00:14:32
Speaker
Her connection with nature and the lessons she learned on the road are embedded in each card. Let's explore how these experiences and insights translate into the unique elements of her Tarot deck. I just ah am always bringing in different threads and creating something new or creating new insights from it. So with this tarot idea, I like knew I wanted these different elements that I felt like weren't
00:15:04
Speaker
represented in the self-discovery space, which is like visually, I knew I wanted it to have outdoor imagery because nature is my spirituality. I wanted it to be so intuitive that you didn't even need a guidebook to be able to connect to the symbols and be able to connect to your intuition. And for me, the easiest way to do that was to like create these scenes.
00:15:39
Speaker
Nature is a vital part of Elizabeth's spirituality and creativity. Her deck, the a Adventure Tarot, is a journey of embracing the unpredictability and the profound lessons that nature offers. Chatting with Elizabeth reminded me of so many of those moments on the road where things went totally off script. One memorable time was on a backpacking trip with friends in Maroon Vals, Colorado. We were aiming to sleep under the stars, which we did. Then in the middle of the night, a surprise hailstorm had us packed and hiking out in pitch dark.
00:16:15
Speaker
which sucked. All our gear was soaked, we were soaked and freezing. But the next morning seeing our resilient faces huddled in my van with coffee and pancakes turned into a moment of unexpected joy and reflection. That's exactly the kind of magic Elizabeth captures in her deck. We all know what it's like to like you know have these like grand plans and then it rains and like you can't do your hike that you wanted or like it you're like at the top and it's cold and you're like cool like I can't even see the view. Glad I did that.
00:16:51
Speaker
and like war like you know, or like you like round the corner and there's this like, cenote that you're you want to like jump into and you're like, that's sick. I didn't I didn't expect that. But like, what a beautiful surprise. And it's like, all these different moments that evoke certain emotional experiences and stick with you because they teach you about flexibility and resilience and and adaptability and beauty. And so I wanted that to come through the imagery. Elizabeth's approach to Asian representation in The Adventure Tarot is beautiful.
00:17:34
Speaker
She aimed to create a third cultural experience that blends rich history with contemporary relevance moving away from traditional symbols. She shared with me how overwhelming it was to feel the need to learn every detail of Chinese history and language to claim her identity. But Elizabeth found a way to draw from her own experiences like her love for cultural cuisine and the intersectional nature of her identity to create something truly unique. you know When it kind came to Asian representation, I felt like there was a certain idea of what a tarot deck with Asian influence had.
00:18:13
Speaker
And that wasn't kind of my experience. Like I don't know all the Chinese goddesses. I don't know, like lotus flowers is only one element of, you know, Chinese or like, you know, Asian. There's just so much more. And I really wanted that third culture experience where it's like, we're not going back in time. Like there's so much rich history and beauty and sort of that ancient wisdom. And I'm like, I want kind of the here and now like that. Like I remember like putting so much pressure on myself to like, like when I went through this whole like awakening, I was like, Oh God, I have like, I don't know Chinese history. Then I need to learn the language. Like there were all these things that I thought made an identity.
00:18:58
Speaker
Before our interview, Elizabeth sent me a deck as a gift. I spent hours exploring it. I was just so captivated by the blend of ancient wisdom and the modern relevance. Her guidebook challenges traditional interpretations being anti-capitalist and anti-patriarchal. And this approach resonates deeply with me because it disrupts the often rigid and outdated structures we see in so many spaces. All I know is like what I've seen with my own two eyes and you know what I have experienced. and i'm just you know I'm someone who like you know i I love Boba. I also love PB&J. you know I wear you know certain outfits and you know weave in between all these different worlds. and so I wanted you know it to be very kind of hip and relatable to the present.
00:19:51
Speaker
and then with the guidebook when it came to the actual messages I wanted to flow through. I knew I wanted it to be anti-capitalistic. I knew I wanted it to be anti-patriarchal and kind of like really disrupt a lot of the interpretations.
00:20:11
Speaker
As I explored the adventure at our deck, I could see how Elizabeth tuned into every card, considering what each meant from her perspective and how it could apply to everyday life. The wisdom she wanted to share felt authentic and accessible, something that could truly connect with anyone using her deck. Elizabeth, I feel so seen.
00:20:32
Speaker
I feel so seen and so damn grateful for you. Thank you for taking up space. I mean, the concept of seeing ourselves at the center of any narrative is so unbelievably powerful, especially for those of us who felt marginalized and left out and seen our whole lives. Your deck, the outdoorsy vibe, the Asian-American theme, it is a breath of fresh air. in spaces that often feel homogenous.
00:21:07
Speaker
Creating something as unique and groundbreaking as the Adventure Tarot doesn't come without its challenges.
Burnout, Perfectionism, and Self-Compassion
00:21:13
Speaker
Balancing creativity with the pressures of daily life can be a wild ride, right? right This brings us to another important aspect of Elizabeth's journey, how she navigates burnout and perfectionism. Trust me, if you've ever felt overwhelmed by your own expectations, you're going to want to hear this. It's interesting because sometimes the haters really help you reflect on what you did intend to do. So I have noticed, I'm taking this question in a weird direction, but I've noticed some people are like, oh, it's like it's too positive. It's too bubbly. And I really have sat with that. I'm like, that is so interesting.
00:21:59
Speaker
because in a way that was my intention. In a way, I and I and I've also reflected on, you know how this is actually that at first I thought I threw my memoir in the trash. And, you know, I didn't go back to it in the process of creating this deck and this manuscript. However, you know, nothing is ever lost. And I feel like Creative expression just builds on itself. like We just continue to get deeper. When I look, even the first business seven years ago that I started, it was a wedding doula business.
00:22:40
Speaker
And at the core of that was still self-love. It was still mindfulness. It was still setting boundaries. and And so I look at this deck, I'm like, wow, you know, at the core, it is still everything that I stand for just in a different form. And so I think what I really hope for people and that, you know, with with the memoir self-help kind of thing, I it took a very I took a more formal kind of research-based approach to teaching people about perfectionism and therefore teaching people how to overcome perfectionism, which is the the strongest anecdote to perfectionism is self-compassion.
00:23:25
Speaker
You know, perfectionism isn't some quirky trait. It can really mess with your mental health and wellbeing. Have you ever felt like no matter how much you achieve, it's just never enough? Elizabeth's journey through this is something that deeply resonates with me. While she was studying for her degree in clinical psychology, She delved into the issues of burnout and perfectionism. Her aim was to help people achieve deeper transformation, moving beyond surface solution to tackle core beliefs and challenges. Elizabeth shared that her healing came through self-compassion and embracing a higher power.
00:24:00
Speaker
In the Adventure Tarot, she reimagined traditional cards to promote a kinder, more understanding approach to life. This deeply connects with me, especially given the daily pressures and societal expectations we all face. I took all the shame-y, fear-based cards, and I was like, there's no way in hell I am going to allow like this card to be about you know like who betrayed me. I'm thinking like three of swords. And I was like, okay, well, if that is the feeling is hurt, what would I need to do in that moment? Okay, I would need to tend to my heart. And so I really flip flipped it. And I did that with many cards in the deck to just offer a more compassionate outlook to yourself and to others. And kind of my take on it is that perfectionism is a form of internalized oppression, that we we take the oppressive environment and turn it on ourselves to like keep us working within the system. And you can see that in in the beauty standards, in the wellness industry, in the fact that like all of us have like you know just this like the cycle of self-optimization
00:25:23
Speaker
So I took all those threads and I mean, it made me really angry to just kind of see in my face and see the research and be like, Oh, that's why we're suffering in this way. And like, I just got so mad at like corporate organizations, like the ones that, you know, tout themselves as, you know, so progressive. So it really flipped it on its head for me of like, I think we're approaching this. in the wrong way. We are putting more burden on women and women of color to fix the mass and power dynamic that is actually quite well serving to you know why the white patriarchal systems. I mean, one of the biggest things that i that is like very important for me for other people to know is it's not them.
00:26:20
Speaker
Like I think literally the the concept of like an inner critic is like, this is on me. This is my mind being relentless with me. And some of that, yes, some of us are predisposed to having like an overactive mind. Mostly artists, but it's very important for me that people know that these are so like systems of oppression, that we are just ah we like People are having normal reactions and normal responses to these oppressive systems that want us to stay small, to not make as much money, to not have as much power, to like busy ourselves how hounding our own productivity so that we just like work harder, better, faster for someone else.
00:27:16
Speaker
I really love Kristin Neff's work. It's all about self-compassion. And she talks about three components of self-compassion. One is that shared humanity, like we all have these moments where we feel like crap and where we think we don't belong and we are good enough, this and that. The second is like treating ourselves with kindness in the face of suffering. And so a lot of that for me has been re-parenting, like re-parenting my inner child who like, you know, is really um so scared of making mistakes and scared of looking like an idiot and just like really like learning how to comfort that little one when when that comes up. I really appreciate Elizabeth's approach to self-compassion. And it reminds me of my own journey. I know burnout.
00:28:12
Speaker
all too well. After publishing my book, Living the Van Life, I was so trained. The relentless drive to do more and be more just left me feeling exhausted. I was forced to take a step back and reevaluate everything. It was tough, but recognizing the signs is crucial. If you're feeling constantly tired, losing interest in what you love or overwhelmed by simple everyday tasks, you might be experiencing burnout. Take a breath, reflect, and make self-care a priority. Remember, it's okay to take a break and recharge. You deserve it.
00:28:52
Speaker
Burnout and perfectionism have deeply influenced Elizabeth's journey, and you can see it in the Adventure Tarot.
Using Adventure Tarot Playfully
00:28:59
Speaker
Now, let's have some fun with the deck. I pull a card, and Elizabeth shares her insights on how to use the deck. You don't want to miss this. For those new to Tarot or curious about the Adventure Tarot, how would you suggest they approach their first reading? ah What mindset or intention should they bring to the experience? I mean like a big thing that I wanted to do was make it like so accessible, so like not scary, just like fun. And there is a little section in the beginning of the guidebook with like sample with like
00:29:39
Speaker
sample spreads and things. And I remember when I was asked to do that, like to add that in the manuscript, I would like was like sweating because I was like, oh God, like I don't have like a crisp answer. And then I was like, oh, right. like I'm just gonna share the ways that I like to use the, I think would be really fun or that I find a lot of value in using the cards And in that way, try to make it like less... i feel like Speaking of perfectionism, I feel like there's a lot of like rules that people say. You got to be gifted the deck. You got to like smudge the deck. You got to cut it in this way, shuffle it in that that way. There's the spread for this season and that season. and like
00:30:27
Speaker
that was a big barrier for me. And every time I'd be like, Oh my God, I'm doing it wrong. But I just at least for my deck, like I truly believe and I am fused with every yeah like ounce in my body into the cars that there's no right or wrong way to do it. Whatever you like. Go for it. It's meant to be fun and playful and insightful. And it's like a relationship with your intuitions and just like, yeah, try different things out. But for our very task-oriented friends. um What I suggest is like maybe you know like washing your hands or putting like a little spritz of something nice in the air and just like like being in a place to like have this conversation with yourself. That's maybe where where we can start. And then you can ask yourself, like I generally go for like three spreads. One's like a one-card pull.
00:31:24
Speaker
which I do most often. It's like, I need guidance on this or that. I want some clarity. How can I approach this with more ease? Like something very kind of just getting general guidance. The others... ah two-card poll which I like doing it for decisions when I'm like spinning about something and I want just like a little clarity there and then the other is like a past present future because who doesn't love that because it kind of tells more of a story and I like that with like clients or friends because it sparks a lot of conversation. It's like a bunch of kind of launching off points for something like juicy or underneath.
00:32:10
Speaker
We can do like a one card poll based on our time constraints. That sounds good. Do you have like? I'll let you guide me through the process. Okay. Okay. So first pick like maybe, do you have like a question that you want clarity on or like something more general? If you want to share that out loud or just hold that in your, and it would probably be a easier easier to share it out loud if you're comfortable. Yeah. I guess, you know, more along the lines of letting go and releasing. Hmm. Yeah. I think along those lines, that would be yeah more of my intention, like just some guidance there. Yeah. Okay. Great. Okay. So maybe close your eyes and just picture that.
00:33:01
Speaker
question and just the idea of letting go, bring it into your heart space and and then like hold your deck with that intention and and then just sort of shuffle as it feels natural to you. And then either like as a card falls out or if a card carries carrie is a certain energy or like speaks to you pull it out or you can flip one over. Okay, I'm gonna flip and this is the nine of wands. I just love the illustration on this.
00:33:45
Speaker
When I pulled the Nine of Wands, the illustration really struck me. There is this brown person with bright nail polish and lipstick with the nature scene of a forest in the background. They're standing assertively with a picket sign, expressively speaking into a megaphone, almost like they're yelling, looking unapologetic and fierce on the front lines of a protest. It felt like looking into a mirror of my own life. The activists, always fighting, always pushing. That card had pulled me right back into the whirlwind of the past four years, particularly 2023 and into 2024. It was a time when I had to face some brutal truths about myself, how much I had been people pleasing and the heavy tool burnout had taken on me. I had just published my book, Living the Van Life, and while it was a proud achievement,
00:34:36
Speaker
The aftermath left me feeling drained and exhausted. To top it off, I was going through a painful separation from my partner of 13 years. It felt like my entire world was flipped upside down. Reflecting on those moments, I realized how much I had been sacrificing my own well-being for others.
Empowerment and Personal Intuition
00:34:56
Speaker
Ending such a significant relationship was heartbreaking, but it also forced me to pause and reassess my life. I've had to rediscover who I am outside of being the strong one, the nurturer, the activist.
00:35:09
Speaker
That card, Nine of Wands, has a fierce energy and was a reminder of my own journey of letting go standing up for myself and welcoming a softer, more peaceful version of who I'm becoming. Pulling that card brought up so much for me, but Elizabeth's guidebook message for the Nine of Wands added even more depth. Here's Elizabeth reading the message from her guidebook. So the essence is unapologetic. Releasing politeness. It's official.
00:35:45
Speaker
There are exactly zero fucks left to give. oh like god
00:35:51
Speaker
With the nine of ones, we're done slapping a smile on our face and pretending everything's okay. News flash, everything is not okay. The world is a mess. The planet is hurting and justice is everywhere. The nine of ones is all about the healthy and necessary role of anger. Anger is how we know when boundaries have been crossed. Anger is why we change shit that isn't working. Anger is what propels us to fight for what we believe in. Anger is passion. Many of us were taught to suppress our anger, though, because society is uncomfortable with angry women. Factor in the pressures of being a model minority, and you've really found yourself with a muzzle on. The Nine of Wands puts an end to the politeness.
00:36:37
Speaker
Here we see a woman who is standing in her power as a protector, a changemaker, an artist and activist. She is fierce and determined on a mission. Let her be a reminder of all the good that can come when you say enough is enough. And remember, every time you stand up for yourself, you are healing the wound for all the women in your lineage who were silenced. Listeners, let's get real for a moment. I want you to think about a time when you felt your boundaries were crossed. How did you react? Did you stay silent or did you find your voice? I want you to take a deep breath and imagine what would happen if you let go of politeness for the sake of peace and stood firmly in your truth. What's one thing you've been afraid to say out loud?
00:37:26
Speaker
Today, I want you to give yourself permission to voice it, to set that boundary, to reclaim your power. This is your moment to be unapologetically you.
00:37:41
Speaker
Wow, what a journey we've had with Elizabeth today. We've delved into big topics, perfectionism, self-compassion, and the magic of the adventure Tarot. Elizabeth's honest reflections of her ups and downs really resonate and offer valuable takeaways. As we wrap up, let's leave you with one final nugget of wisdom from Elizabeth herself. As a practice, I feel like Like the whole hope of this deck is to help people learn to tap into your own intuition and to know that you are the expert of your life. And I feel like that's one of the biggest lessons that I've had on my journey is um especially when it comes to like the things that I'm consuming and the people I'm following, like am I being inspired or empowered to
00:38:34
Speaker
to get to know myself even better, to trust myself even more because I think there's a lot of opportunities to look outside ourselves and to put trust outside ourselves. And I guess I just really hope that not this deck and on your journey, you learn to trust your own inner wisdom and to know that you have all the all the answers and that there are guides and tools out there that are designed to help you access that, but you don't really need any of it.
00:39:13
Speaker
Elizabeth, it's been a true pleasure just diving into your experience and the beautiful world you're creating with the Adventure Tarot. Thank you for your openness and for sharing your light with us and our listeners. It's been an incredible journey we've taken with
Closing and Next Episode Preview
00:39:29
Speaker
you today. Your insights, your story, the magic of the Adventure Tarot have been truly nourishing. To everyone tuning in, if Elizabeth's journey resonated with you or if you're curious to dive deeper into the world of the Adventure Tarot, I encourage you to explore further. We'll have all the links and resources you need in the show notes, so make sure you check them out. Remember, the paths we tread are uniquely our own, but the stories we share, like Elizabeth's, remind us of our connectedness and the true human experience. Thank you once again, Elizabeth, for joining us.
00:40:08
Speaker
And you definitely don't want to miss our next episode. We're hanging out with the incredible Eva Subek, who traded her corporate job for epic adventures that'll make your jaw drop. Picture solo horse strikes in Mongolia, ultra marathons, and a whole lot of raw unfiltered storytelling. She's got some wild tales about bravery, the beauty of failing boldly, and finding freedom in the most unexpected places. Trust me, you're gonna love it. And to all our listeners, thank you for being a part of this adventure. Until next time, keep exploring and stay true to your path.
00:40:46
Speaker
Thanks for tuning in to Natipod. It's been a blast having you on this adventure. If our journey sparked your curiosity, hit subscribe, share this episode, and drop us a review. Your support fuels our mission to uncover more stories. Want more? Follow us on social media and check out the show notes for extra goodies. Until next time, stay bold nomads.