Disability Pride Month Tarot Reading

A recording of a Tarot reading for Disability Pride month. Reading by Keziah using the Tarot of the Moors.

Anyone can listen to and benefit from this reading, disabled or not. Trust that the reading reaches you at the right time.

Check out Keziah's profile for more Tarot resources including the "Tarot Wisdom: A Complete Guide" and "Your Daily Tarot Ritual" audio courses.

Transcript

Hi,

My name's Keziah Gibbons,

My pronouns are she and her,

And this is this week's tarot reading for the week ahead.

So July is Disability Pride Month and this week's reading is based around that concept,

Or based around some of the experience of disability that I've been,

I don't know what the word is,

Dealing with?

I've been dealing with recently.

So I am disabled in different ways and also I'm just going to stress here that I am drawing on my own experience.

I do not speak for all disabled people.

I know that there are people who have more challenges than me and that I know also that even though I experience ableism very regularly,

Misogyny,

I live in a misogynistic world,

I still do,

You know,

I still have quite a lot of privilege as well.

So I know there are people who have intersecting identities that give them different experience from me.

But with all that said,

I have written a tarot spread for us this week based around what I can share on the experience of disability in the context of Disability Pride.

So I'll talk you through the spread and then we will go ahead and draw some cards.

So the first two cards,

The first two positions in the spread I call visible and invisible.

So some disabilities are visible.

If you see me in my scooter or on my crutches,

Then you can tell by looking at me that I have mobility impairment,

For example.

And how we present in the world matters.

I notice when people can see my mobility impairment,

They treat me differently from when they can't see it or when I didn't have it.

And so how we present in the world does make a difference to the way that we are treated,

The way that we're perceived,

The way that we're treated,

The way that our interactions go,

Whether that's on a conscious or unconscious level.

So this first position of the visible is like what is seen that is taken into account that influences your interactions,

Particularly,

Or your experience in a certain way this week.

And then the other position of the invisible,

Again,

In this context of Disability Pride,

There are invisible disabilities.

And I have them myself.

I have various different things going on.

I have chronic illness.

I'm autistic,

Which I only really had confirmation of this year.

That's another story.

I have other neurocognitive things going on,

Have significant memory loss.

I always work from notes.

I always have notes to support me.

I make notes and accommodation.

I make for myself.

And in the context of this reading,

Well,

Firstly,

For a lot of people who have hidden disabilities,

This affects in their daily lives what their needs might be,

What they might need in order to participate,

Accomplish,

Live in the way that they want to.

But a lot of people with invisible disabilities report that they have a very hard time.

So they can't always,

They're not always believed.

They can't always get the accommodations that they need.

Or,

You know,

At the very least,

They find themselves having to explain themselves all the time rather than just,

Because we live in a society that doesn't automatically assume a level of compassion,

Of kindness,

Of trusting people to assess their own needs.

So this is the invisible in the context of this tarot spread.

This is the invisible that affects your experience.

So this week,

The first two positions we have are the visible,

Which affects your interactions and experience,

And the invisible,

Which also affect your interactions and experience.

So the seen and the unseen,

Or the known and the unknown.

Then the next position we have is people.

So in the context of this tarot reading,

This is about the people that you might meet going out and about or in your daily life.

And I have found that most of the people I meet are really lovely.

Really,

Really lovely.

Most people are kind.

Most people are helpful.

People will make an effort to check in,

Especially when they can see my visible disabilities.

Do I need any help?

Would I like them to open a door,

Carry something?

And more generally,

Most people are really,

Really lovely.

And so most of the people you meet are lovely.

Some people,

You need to work a little bit harder to communicate with,

Shall we say,

And to get on the same page.

So in the context of this week's reading,

This is about how people are this week and what resources might you be able to bring to improve your interactions with people this week.

Then we've got infrastructure.

Infrastructure can be about the physical infrastructure.

It can be about the way things are organised.

I have discovered that I need to complain about infrastructures in the context of disability.

Well,

I've usually got two or three complaints open.

So for example,

At the moment,

I'm making a complaint about a concert that I would like to go to that has no infrastructure in place to get accessible tickets.

I'm making a complaint about a train that I was refused access to because the person didn't want to put down the ramp and was extremely rude.

So there was a policy and a training infrastructure fail there.

I'm complaining about an airport that separated me from my child for 15 minutes and left my child on their own and anxious and distressed in a busy airport for 15 minutes because legs and wheels had to go through a different way.

So these are examples of how infrastructure can be very limiting.

And sometimes infrastructure can be very enabling.

There are places that I know I can go and I can go from my home to that place and around that place and do whatever I'm doing and come home again completely independently because infrastructure is set up in such a way that it makes it accessible to me.

And there are lots of things that can be done to make things accessible.

So in the context of this week's reading,

Then,

This is really about what infrastructure can we set up in life to make things easy,

To make things work,

To make things accessible.

So those are a couple of kind of external things that we all come into contact with,

People and infrastructure.

And then the next position is like it's more internal.

So I've called it the real you,

But it's kind of what's going on inside you.

So I've found that in navigating the world with disability,

There are aspects of that that are visible,

There are aspects that are invisible,

There are aspects which involve dealing with people,

Aspects involve dealing with infrastructure.

And then there's me inside.

And it's not as simple as I don't see myself as disabled because I do.

That's an experience I'm having.

But I see myself as a whole and complete person.

So,

You know,

This is not the only thing about me.

And so the position of the spread is about that internally what's going on,

Who is having the experience and how do you turn up to the experience?

And then finally,

There's a position which I'm calling what's important.

And it's just that what's important,

You know,

There are things in life that are really important.

Accessibility is important.

Relationships are important,

Safety and security is important.

I mean,

There are so many things in life that are important.

And so there's in the context of this spread,

This is just a position to invite in,

Invite the cards to let us know what is to help us to remember because we know anyway,

Don't we?

To help us to remember what's important this week.

So that is our spread for this week's tarot reading.

And once again,

I'm using the beautiful Tarot of the Moors,

This by Gina Theus,

And I'll be using it for the next couple of readings.

So I'll invite you to take a deep breath and just ask to receive what you need.

And if there is something that you're working with,

That you're working through this week,

Then you might want to bring that to mind.

Just ask for any guidance that might come up.

OK,

So our first position then,

The visible.

What is visible?

What's clear to everyone or to many?

Not everyone can see or see well,

But what is presenting that influences your experience and interactions?

And we have the Malika of Cuts.

So that's the Queen of Cuts in Sun Dex.

And what a beautiful card to come up.

So the Malika of Cuts is the Cuts of the emotions,

The heart,

Intuition,

Element of water.

And the Malika of Cuts is someone who is really very much in their emotional experience.

And this card has come up,

Come out upright.

So also in their emotional experience,

In a way that is working.

Sometimes we can get overwhelmed by emotions,

Which might be indicated if this card comes out reversed,

For example.

But sometimes we can be really in our emotions and we can be overwhelmed by emotions.

And be able to contain them in a way that is appropriate.

The cup is the container.

And I love this Malika of Cuts because she's looking straight at us.

Really with this sort of lovely expression on her face.

You imagine that she might be going to offer you a cup or to cheers your cup with her.

So this is this kind of feeling of camaraderie or friendship or loving kindness in some way.

And that's a lovely archetype to come up for us in this position of what's visible.

And it reminds us that when people know that we are struggling,

Usually people are compassionate.

And usually they can meet us there.

So for anyone who is struggling with something at the moment.

If you are able to communicate that and you know,

Whether you should have to explain yourself is a different question.

Right.

But if you can communicate anything that you are struggling with or.

That is disabling you in some way,

Then you may find that that.

This compassion and support is on hand.

And when I say compassion,

I want to be really clear here about the meaning of the word for me as I use it.

And as I'm using it here,

It's not pity.

It's not.

Oh,

You poor thing.

Can I help you?

It's compassion.

It's I see you as a person.

It's I see you as another being who is like me,

Even if we're not alike in all the same ways.

I see you as a human with a heart.

And I recognize that that's the kind of compassion I'm talking about.

So in.

Whatever you're going through in in making that visible or making that known in,

You know,

Obviously in safe circles and in safe ways that are perhaps contained.

There is compassion around.

There are other people who recognize you.

So that's a lovely first card to get.

So our second position,

Then,

Is the invisible.

So what's invisible or unknown that influences your your experience and your interactions?

But your interactions are part of your experience.

So what what is not seen and known?

And we've got here the ace of wands.

So these are a lovely pair of cards so far.

And I hope the rest of the cards are good for us.

So the ace of wands is about wands,

About energy,

Creativity,

Passion,

Fire.

And you see here this ace of wands.

Aces are always a beginning,

A spark,

A possibility,

Things being possible.

And I think because this has come up in this position of.

Invisible.

Invisible.

In the context of invisible disability,

But of what's invisible for us this week.

It really is about how we tend our energy.

And it's it's interesting because a lot of.

People who who experience invisible disability or invisible illness,

One of the things that's affected is energy levels.

And it's one of those things that people can't see or tell if they don't.

Certainly,

If they don't know what they're looking at or for.

And so this is a reminder to tend to our energy with the aces.

I always say,

You know,

It is a beginning.

It is like things are possible here in the realm of energy and creativity and the fire and passion.

But only if we tend to them.

If the ace isn't quite ready to run on its own,

We have to take it and run with it.

And and so.

Our flames,

Our inner flames,

Our energy.

These are for tending this week.

But if we can tend to our energy well,

Then we have the potential to have a really positive experience,

Positive week.

But but start with that.

Nothing is a given,

But things are possible.

And if you tend your energy.

Those possibilities become more,

More so more available.

So that's our second card for the reading.

The next one is people.

So,

You know,

How how might your interactions with people go this week?

What might that be like?

And we have it's a major iconic card,

The moon.

I love this card and I love it in this position.

It's really I think it's got a lot to say to us.

So the the moon is.

Well,

Firstly,

The major iconic cards are about sort of life lessons,

Life stages,

These energies can sometimes be around for a little bit longer than,

For example,

The minor iconic cards.

And they can be lessons that we're learning.

And then with the moon.

All of these questions are sort of cyclicity come up.

So,

You know,

Have a look at the moon phase.

Where is it?

What's that like for you?

I think we're on a waning moon,

Aren't we?

And you have this,

You know,

There's immense beauty here.

And then you see here these these two canines.

Canines are amazing because we have the sort of wildness of wolves and we have the companionship of of dogs.

And we have those both there,

Both both with us.

So,

You know.

With the moon,

Things can fluctuate.

And sometimes there is this sort of companionable way in how people might be this week.

And sometimes there might be a little bit of wildness and not so easiness.

And the other meaning of the moon is not one of my favorite meanings.

So I would just be aware of that with people this week.

Again,

You know,

In this context,

I'm not saying that you should be.

But I would just be aware of that.

And I think that's a really important thing to remember.

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And I think that's a really important thing to remember.

So,

How does the Earth infrastructure,

Or how might infrastructure,

Support us this week?

So,

How does the Earth infrastructure,

Or how might infrastructure,

Support us this week?

So,

How does the Earth infrastructure,

Or how might infrastructure,

Support us this week?

And it's the six of discs.

So,

We've had three of the four minor arcana suits so far in this reading.

So,

We've had three of the four minor arcana suits so far in this reading.

And the six of discs.

And the six of discs.

Discs is,

Or Pentacles is about what is material.

Discs is,

Or Pentacles is about what is material.

And this is a card of a material.

And this is a card of a material.

And this is a card of a material.

So that can be health,

The body,

Wealth.

And the six of discs is about exchange.

And the six of discs is about exchange.

How we exchange.

So,

Again,

That can be material exchange.

And what I really like in this six of discs,

And what I really like in this six of discs,

Is that you've got this kind of measuring and exchanging going on.

Is that you've got this kind of measuring and exchanging going on.

You've got someone here,

A merchant,

Perhaps,

With their wares laid out.

You've got someone here,

A merchant,

Perhaps,

With their wares laid out.

You've got this big shadow in the middle of the table.

You've got this big shadow in the middle of the table.

And it actually reminds me of that moon card.

And it actually reminds me of that moon card.

Again,

Those assumptions that we have between us.

But also,

What's unseen.

But also,

What's unseen.

And what possibilities are there as well.

So in the context of this position,

So in the context of this position,

In the reading of infrastructure,

This can be about how this can be about how there is some exchange needed.

There is some exchange needed.

So whether that is,

If you do find infrastructure is organised in a way that is not accessible,

That is not accessible to you,

That is not accessible to you,

Then you may need to offer,

In exchange for that experience,

As I frequently find myself doing,

As I frequently find myself doing,

Some feedback to the designers of that infrastructure.

Some feedback to the designers of that infrastructure.

Because they may not even know it.

And you may want to help support the infrastructures that support you.

And you may want to help support the infrastructures that support you.

And you may want to help support the infrastructures that support you.

So this is a different context,

So this is a different context,

But I live in York,

But I live in York,

And all the libraries in York,

Recently they stopped charging library fines,

Recently they stopped charging library fines,

And they stopped charging for reservations at the library,

And they stopped charging for reservations at the library,

Because they wanted,

There is a big cost of greed crisis happening in the UK at the moment,

There is a big cost of greed crisis happening in the UK at the moment,

I don't think it is only in the UK either.

I don't think it is only in the UK either.

And so the libraries stopped charging fines and reservations for the libraries.

And so the libraries stopped charging fines and reservations for the libraries.

And so the libraries stopped charging fines and reservations for the libraries.

Because they wanted the libraries to be accessible to everyone.

Because they wanted the libraries to be accessible to everyone.

Yes,

What a wonderful example of infrastructure.

Yes,

What a wonderful example of infrastructure.

But that means that for people like me,

But that means that for people like me,

Who could probably afford the library fines,

I might want to pay something into that,

To make sure that that infrastructure is there,

To make sure that that infrastructure is there,

For the people who really were being locked out of access to libraries.

For the people who really were being locked out of access to libraries.

For the people who really were being locked out of access to libraries.

To knowledge,

To safe spaces,

To knowledge,

To safe spaces,

By those charges.

By those charges.

So those are some of the ways in which So those are some of the ways in which this card might remind us about how we interact with infrastructure.

About how we interact with infrastructure.

The next position then is what I'm calling real you,

Or perhaps more accurately,

What's going on internally.

Who and how is this person who's having the experience of this week.

We've got the six of swords.

So that's all four suits that have come up in the,

All four minor arcana suits and a major arcana,

That have come up in this reading so far.

I like that,

I like the symmetry of that.

In the six of swords,

You can see here,

There's someone on a boat,

On a journey,

It's a liminal space.

So this may be about a transition,

You might be in a phase of transition of some kind,

You might be making a literal journey.

You will most certainly be on a metaphorical journey of some kind.

And this six can be about really being in that journey and,

You know,

There's always something you leave behind,

There's always something you go to and there is a water through which you travel.

So although the swords is a suit of air,

It's about the mind,

That what's happening mentally,

Particularly our beliefs,

The way that we experience in our minds,

Our mental behaviours.

There's a lot of water in this card as well.

So,

So,

We use our minds to make sense of our experience.

So as we go on this journey through the water,

Through the you know,

There are depths there that are unknown,

And if we're lucky we'll stay afloat.

And the water again is,

You know,

Can represent emotions and intuition and the unconscious.

But we can use our minds to navigate this.

So whatever your experience is this week and in whatever context,

Using mental behaviours to navigate your journey to the best of your ability can be really helpful.

So it's not as simple as,

You know,

Just look on the bright side,

Of course it's not,

But certainly appreciating what you can in life can just help make the journey a little bit easier.

And yeah,

There's an acknowledgement there that,

You know,

There is journey,

There's transition,

There's change of some kind happening.

So finally,

The final card of the reading,

What's important?

What's important?

And look at this,

We have the major arcana number one,

The charmer,

Who is sometimes the magician.

So you'll see here,

This is someone who is exercising their will to create a certain outcome.

So we've got the swords,

The cups,

The pentacles here,

And is the wand perhaps even in that snake,

Or is it in that sunrise in the background,

Or is it both?

Or in the backpack there even.

But the magician has all the resources they need.

So when we talk about resources,

There are internal resources,

Your resilience,

Your knowledge,

Your awareness,

Your experience,

Your attitude,

Many other things that are internal resources and that you can influence.

And of course you can access external resources as well,

And different people have different access.

But there's always something that you can access.

So the magician is someone who knows the outcome that they want and is able to marshal these resources,

To direct them towards that particular outcome.

And the other thing we say about the magician is that they create their own reality.

So this is an archetype that,

Again,

It's that similar to the sort of,

What the Six of Swords was telling us about,

Our mental behaviours affect the journey.

Our beliefs affect what's possible for us.

Yeah,

We create the reality according to us.

So,

You know,

Choose wisely as you're creating your reality.

But really,

This is a very affirming card.

It's a reminder that you do have this power within you.

You have magic within you.

You are the magician.

You might be the charmer.

Charm might be one of your resources that you use to navigate your way through life.

So it's a wonderful affirming card to finish our reading on.

Thank you very much for joining me.

And I wish you a wonderful week.

Remember,

You have all the resources you need and you can create your own reality.

Reviews

This was exactly what I needed today. Thank you so much 😊 I have a smile on my face while I’m writing ✍🏼 this feedback.

Thank you 🙏💕

Thank you 🙏🏽 very very helpful. I’m so glad you posted this talk!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽 so wanted one of your lovely summaries at the end. As so hard to remember the questions and the cards. Without the benefit of live - seeing your white board and you holding the cards. Thank you 🙏🏽

This is such an important and uplifting reading. Thank you Keziah for these moments of reflection on disability. 🙏🏻