BIG Ten of Sticks Energy!
Big Ten of Sticks Energy! Unique Wisdom from the Hoodoo Tarot Deck
This week marks my first week as a solo private practice owner. I am the proud and enthusiastic owner of my own business, Camille Lester Psychotherapy. WOW! Words really cant begin to describe the journey and the complete joy I have being at the top of the hill on this part of my clinical career. I give honor to the journey and all of the routes that led me to this point. From Milwaukee to NYC to Chicago. Rich, nourishing, tedious, loving pathways have all alchemized to this moment and I am full of complete and utter gratitude.
I am a Chicago based therapist who is licensed to work with individuals and couples in New York and Illinois. I help Black folks feel better connected, regulated and emotionally intimate in their relationships!
The other day, I was pulling cards from the Hoodoo Tarot deck, as I tend to do when I need a little direction, insight, or a nudge etc. I pulled the Ten of Sticks and I was taken away by the message. Whenever sticks come up in a reading there is always a deeply buried message to stay close to earth, pay attention to the natural cycles of earth and the lessons within, preparation, or to notice the ways I need to recommit to myself/groundedness/regulation.
The image is of an overburdened woman climbing a hill to eat Schisandra Fruit (a fruit difficult to find but is known for its beautiful benefits like anti-fatigue and aging.
Message? What often is on the other side of a tiresome journey, season, career path, relationship will soon be lifted.
Clinical Insights?
Now is the time to address the burn out you may have been ignoring
Yes I am talking to you! That bottom of the belly feeling of dread, incessant lack of inspiration, slow divestment from the rhythms and melodies of routines that bring groundedness to your nervous system… all of it. Are you good? Its ok to not be. I would recommend chatting with a trusted mental health professional to figure out a pathway to connectedness, figuring out your unique nervous system needs, and making a plan forward. I am accepting new clients if you are based in NY or IL–would love to connect!
2. Codependency
I often explain codependency as the entanglement of “if they're not ok im not ok” Big ten of sticks energy is the call to begin to address these relational dynamics that may be at play underneath the surface. I often say, we don’t rush people out of typical ‘positive’ emotions like joy, happiness, hope, and pride; why do we try to control or rush them out o the negative ones? It’s okay for someone else to not be okay, they are entitled to their emotional experiences, as are you. As we honor the at times difficult journey/path/season we have to also honor the limited capacity of “doing it all.” I am giving you permission to give others their emotions back so that you can take care of and focus on what you need.
3. Speak your Relational Truth to Power
The way that person speaks to you doesn't feel good? How do you finally muster up the courage to address the way their words/tone impact you and what you need. It could sound like “when you say X, the impact is X, i need X, how can we work together?” Big ten of sticks energy is owning your emotions as valid and important information that deserves a space and home
Ten of sticks is a message to slow down, honor your full experience, and prepare for what is ahead. Life may be overwhelming and you feel like you’re walking up the steepest internal hill. You can’t do it all, it’s okay to ask for help, try not to control others emotions, and speak your relational truths to power. In the words of Kendrick Lamar…. WE GON BE ALRIGHT!
Big love to you and wherever this message clinically, personally, spiritually finds you!