Little One

true love’s lost language

[servantofthefates]

Funny how my gratitude journey began with Game of Thrones.

Both in Catholic school and later in witchcraft & paganism, I was taught to be grateful. Through very formal rituals, actually. But I never really internalized the idea of being thankful for what I have until Game of Thrones ended.

Game of Thrones was and still is HBO’s most successful series in terms of international viewership and global renown. 

So it’s not hard to believe what everyone was saying back then. That HBO offered Game of Thrones producers and showrunners, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, unlimited budget for another season.

However, D&D (as fans called them) declined creating a ninth season and rushed through Season 8, producing only 6 episodes when earlier seasons had 10.

Why? Because they were tapped to write and produce a new Star Wars trilogy, and they wanted to focus on that. They were already on top of the world with the success of Game of Thrones, but they wanted something bigger.

So what happened?

They totally fucked up the ending of Game of Thrones, and so were fired from the Star Wars project.

Others reported that D&D dropped out of it themselves after the shame they endured. Not sure that's any better.

The thing is, the main plot points for the Game of Thrones finale came from GRRM, author of the unfinished book series it’s based on. But GRRM, as his readers know, would have fleshed out everything carefully, so that none of the twists & turns appeared foolish, senseless or abrupt. But like I said, D&D rushed through the season finale and ruined it. All because they weren’t grateful enough for what they had.

So it wasn’t religious dogma or a spiritual guru or an ancient philosopher that truly taught me how to be grateful. It was D&D.

Every time I want something new, I look at what I already have.

I want an 85-inch Samsung TV. But do I really need it? Is it really that much better than my 65-inch, which has given me countless unforgettable movie marathons?

I’m craving gelato from Italy. But what’s so bad about the local ice cream brand in my freezer that has given me joy since the 90s?

I get annoyed by my washer-dryer for taking too long to dry my clothes. But why? It’s not like my life is on pause while the dry cycle is on.

Sure, I can buy a bigger TV. I can return to Italy. I can get a separate washer and dryer instead of the combo I have now.

But until I do any of that, I will still enjoy my TV every day. I will still savor my local Cookies & Cream tub. I will still deep-clean my washer-dryer every month.

Wanting what you don’t have should not mean hating what you do have.

Be ungrateful and you might just lose both.

Game of Thrones taught me that.

[servantofthefates]

Your life is not your enemy.

When you get cravings, that’s not life sabotaging you. That’s life reminding you of what makes you happy.

When your alarm goes off, that’s not life torturing you. That’s life giving you a blessed new day to enjoy.

When you get a scar or a bruise, that’s not life punishing you. That’s life letting you know you’ve lived.

And when you feel pain enough to cry, that’s not life injuring you. That’s life saying, “Look at you. You’re alive.”

[servantofthefates]

"Whatever happens to you has been waiting to happen since the beginning of time."

— Marcus Aurelius

[servantofthefates]

The Traditional Meanings of the Suit of Swords

This is how I interpret this suit in personal readings, with the meanings adapted to match the context of the question. Here is why I don’t do the same in general readings.

Ace of Swords

Upright: You will win through great force (great love or great hate).

Reversed: Great force will be used successfully against you.

Two of Swords

Upright: You will lead a harmonious but unglorious life.

Reversed: You will lead a life of dishonesty, lacking dignity.

Three of Swords

Upright: You will fail in three different aspects of your life.

Reversed: The failure will occur only internally, in your own mind.

Four of Swords

Upright: You will lead a peaceful life and enjoy a painless death.

Reversed: You will be blinded, literally or metaphorically.

Five of Swords

Upright: Expect dishonor upon you and/or your family.

Reversed: Expect your victory to bring dishonor upon an enemy.

Six of Swords

Upright: International travel or relocation will bring you luck.

Reversed: A curse, literal or metaphorical, is blocking your success.

Seven of Swords

Upright: Your overconfidence will cause your failure.

Reversed: Someone will bring you information against your enemy.

Eight of Swords

Upright: Expect bad news about violence or illness.

Reversed: A hidden enemy will cause you unexpected losses.

Nine of Swords

Upright: A loved one will die. If pregnant, you will miscarry.

Reversed: Expect imprisonment, literal or metaphorical.

Ten of Swords

Upright: Something will make you feel you'd rather die. Actual death if paired with Death.

Reversed: You will profit from someone’s death or failure.

Page of Swords

Upright: Someone is spying on you, in real life or on social media.

Reversed: You will be caught spying on someone, and it will bring shame.

Knight of Swords

Upright: A war could result in your ruin. War being either personal or official.

Reversed: Your impulsiveness will ruin a part of your life.

Queen of Swords

Upright: Expect to be widowed. A confirmation of your infertility.

Reversed: A malicious, powerful woman is working against you.

King of Swords

Upright: A man will have full power over you and your happiness.

Reversed: A cruel man will have full power over you and your happiness.

If you find it a bit harsh, remember that A.E. Waite himself, the mind behind the Rider-Waite tarot deck, said that Swords do not represent benevolent forces in human lives.

[servantofthefates]

"A cheerful poverty is an honorable state. But if it's cheerful, it's not poverty at all. It's not the person who has too little who is poor, but the one who always hungers for more."

— Seneca

[servantofthefates]

My grandmother told her children that free food is cursed.

For most people, bringing wine or desserts to a dinner party is just etiquette. But for her children, it’s so they never eat for free.

Her reasons are mostly moral. Every Catholic knows it’s better to give than to receive. And zodiacal. In traditional astrology, there are placements that invite bad luck when put on the receiving end of generosity.

But if we strip away the superstition, I can tell you that the way you receive free food dictates whether you will be rich or poor.

If a friend offers to pay for your meal, do you think, “Ooh, lovely, thanks!” or “Good. I paid last time.”

If the bakery is giving away free cheesecakes from 9-10 am, do you think, “How sweet of them!” or “I’ll be there by 5. Who needs sleep, right?”

If Nutella is Buy 1 Get 1 Free at your supermarket, do you think, “I hope there’s some left for me!” or do you fight other shoppers for the last two tubs?

People who think getting free food is a nice bonus in life are in a state of abundance. Receiving it does not damage their luck.

But people who think getting free food is a competition are in a state of lack. Receiving it is tantamount to being cursed indeed.

Food, like money, is energy. Trust it to flow your way. If you do, it will stay.

[servantofthefates]

I always see the energy behind the energy.

And sometimes it softens me. Other times it disgusts me. Here are some of the patterns:

1) Someone who laughs too much in social situations

Some people might think she's being rude, always laughing at someone, ridiculing somebody. But actually, she's only laughing because she's bracing herself for people reacting to what she said as far-fetched or stupid. So she laughs at herself before other people can laugh at her. It's not rudeness. It's a defense mechanism.

2) Someone who disagrees with everything

It can go both ways. Every now and then, he is genuinely looking for the right word or concept or feeling and can't find it, so he goes, "No, it's not that." There's nothing wrong with that. But most of the time, he is deeply envious of or intimidated by the person talking, and he just wants to do whatever he can to dull that person's shine in the moment.

3) Someone who always uses expletives

Swear words are powerful. The right way to use them is to express the tone you want, or articulate the depth of your emotions. But people who use them extensively when it's not part of their nature or nurture are very insecure people. They're trying on an identity that they know isn't theirs, and profanity is just a part of the costume.

4) Someone who doesn't edit themselves

Others might think it's quirky or honest to just say what's on your mind on the spot. But this is a sign of low emotional intelligence. Even children think before they speak. Even dogs process before they act. Also, your (our) stream of consciousness can often be insufferable. Why subject others to it? It's quite inconsiderate.

5) Someone who subtly loves to brag

They make sure not to be loud about it. Instead of "I'm going to Italy next week!" they say "It's time for a break. I think I'm doing Italy. It's been a while since I visited." These people are not malicious, but they are bragging about something they could never afford before. The subtlety is because they don't want people to know that it used to be impossible for them.

6) Someone who announces their happiness

It sounds like these people are bragging, but they're not. "OMG, I just ordered the new iPhone!" "Fuck, my crush just texted me!" "I just got promoted, let's celebrate!" You can feel their joy and excitement. They just want to express themselves to you because they believe you will be happy for them. They never have any bad intentions.

7) Someone who always has something bad to say

If their friend bought a house and everyone loves it, they go, "That area gets hurricanes though." More often than not, they have a fake positive preamble too. "I'm so happy she's engaged! Good for her. She deserves it, and she's gonna look so good in a wedding dress! But don't you think he's too old for her?" These people live in a state of lack. If anyone else is winning, it means they are losing, so they will never let you win.

I am very affectionate towards 1 and 6. I often automatically block 2, 3, 4 and 7, online or in real life. Number 5 is usually someone who isn't comfortable with me yet. They eventually switch to being number 6 once they trust you.

So why am I sharing this? To warn you.

We all have to be aware of who enters our physical and digital environments, and whether we should let them stay. Mirror the good. Be kind to those who need help. And be ruthless to the rest.

This is Traditional Witchcraft 101. What use are amulets and talismans when you don't even know how to water and prune your plants?

[servantofthefates]

Did you know that power ballads are powerful spells?

But only if you mean every word as you sing them.

Singing your heart out intensifies your intention and projects your energy — commanding humans, entities and beings to listen to your very soul.

It’s telepathy. It’s prayer. It’s manifestation.

But... make sure you do it well.

If your voice doesn’t sound beautiful, your audience could shut you out, or even hurt you back for disturbing them.

[servantofthefates]

People who are great at manifesting have this in common:

They doubt their doubt.

Even when they are fearful, a part of them laughs at that fear and tells it to shut the fuck up.

'Cause that’s what faith really is.

It’s not an immovable rock. It’s just a bitch with an attitude.

[dafancyuhinspiration]

[servantofthefates]

How to Spot Fake Tarot Readers

You've heard about fake Rolexes and fake friends. But how much do you know about fake tarot readers?

1. They downright threaten your life.

They start their videos by saying that something bad will happen to you if you don't finish watching the reel, the TikTok or the Short. It goes without saying that's not true. Fake tarot readers are fake witches too. They can't curse you. It's just better for the algorithm if you watch their whole video. And if they're monetized, it makes them earn more money too.

2. They also threaten you subtly.

They end their videos by saying that the Universe will treat you the way you treat their content. Which follows that if you like, share and save it, the Universe will also like you and save you and share blessings with you. So if you ignore the video, the Universe will also ignore you. No one who truly speaks for a higher power will threaten you for engagement, even discreetly.

3. They don't actually interpret the cards.

They already have a storyline or a script in their mind. And they're just pulling cards and showing them to you on screen, pretending that the message is coming from tarot. If you actually know even a little bit about tarot, you will notice that the cards they're showing are completely unrelated to what they're saying. They don't use tarot as an instrument. They use it as props.

4. They tell you exactly what you want to hear.

Exes really do come back. People really become millionaires. Dreams really do come true. But if their readings are always 100% positive to the point of exaggeration, and come with no careful disclaimers about energy alignment and the nature of general readings, then you are being fooled. I mean, if all you want is to feel good, then they're doing their job. But if you come to tarot for truth, you would be betraying yourself.

5. You're always the good guy in their story.

You know what? Most of the time, you are the good guy. People who seek tarot tend to be spiritual after all. But we all have a blind spot, and none of us is perfect. So sometimes, you are the villain. Why are you always the victim anyway if you're such a strong and wonderful person? It's a contradiction. Tarot readers who consistently talk crap about everyone in your life while praising you, want you to be addicted to them. They talk about your success, but they're using you for theirs.

It doesn't even matter if you're serious about tarot. Even if you just watch readings for fun, energy is still energy. And when you listen to fake tarot readers, you absorb their malice, manipulation or deceit in your life. So be careful what you consume. Don't be fooled and don't be used.

[servantofthefates]

Why does life hurt you anyway?

Around 500 BC, Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu said that when a soldier is in a truly desperate position, he will fight to the death.

And when someone is willing to fight to the death, there is nothing they cannot achieve.

So he warns his own side not to push the enemy too hard. Because a desperate enemy will always win against whoever they’re fighting.

And I think that’s why life pushes us to the point of desperation.

Because only then does our courage awaken. Only then is our victory there for the taking.

[servantofthefates]

Never watch tarot readings

when you’re in a vulnerable state. It’s very dangerous.

It doesn’t mean you can’t watch tarot after a breakup or after losing your job. That’s when people need tarot the most.

But when something terrible has happened to you, make sure you’ve had time to talk to yourself about it first.

Otherwise you will just hear what you want to hear, and that’s the dangerous part: it’s not tarot, it’s you.

If a reader says, “Someone will apologize,” you will hear, “They will beg for you back.”

So then you will wait for them on their knees, and if that doesn’t happen, you will be even more heartbroken.

So avoid watching tarot readings until you’ve processed your grief a bit. Otherwise, tarot will only make you feel like shit.

[servantofthefates]

"Any man who does not think that what he has is more than ample, is an unhappy man, even if he is the master of the whole world."

— Epicurus

[servantofthefates]

You could die tomorrow.

Your happiness shouldn’t have to wait for the fulfillment of your dreams.

Today I felt joy when I suddenly realized that the villain in The Front Room was the same actress who played Mrs. Figg in Harry Potter. No wonder I couldn’t hate her. That’s my boy's babysitter!

Last week I was also happy when someone bought my old grimoires for $20. Whenever I sell my books, I buy new ones with the money. I now have three more volumes on philosophy.

Don’t let your joy depend on fortune or glory.

Every day can be a paradise, not just purgatory.

[servantofthefates]

"Hand yourself over to Clotho voluntarily, and let her spin you into whatever she pleases."

— Marcus Aurelius

[servantofthefates]

Why Your Life is About to Get Better This Weekend

I’ve criticized modern astrologers many times for acting like every fucking New Moon and Mercury transit will change everyone’s lives.

But Uranus leaving Taurus truly will change your life and mine. No matter our Zodiac signs. No matter the degrees. No matter the aspects.

You see, Uranus in Taurus is like this war with Iran.

I’m not Iranian. I’m not American. I’m not Israeli. I don’t live anywhere near the UAE, Kuwait or Saudi.

Yet the gas prices at my local station have gotten crazy. My community mall is cutting hours to save energy. My electric bill is a lot bigger than it used to be.

Even though you may not be a Taurus or even another Fixed sign, Uranus being in Taurus affects us all. The way this war in Iran affects us all.

And now that he’s moving into Gemini in a couple of days, we will all be affected positively. Just like we all would be when the war ends eventually.

What you need to know about Uranus is that he is the God of Lawful Chaos. He shakes you up to improve you, not to destroy you.

Taurus, however, doesn’t like being shaken. At all. No matter what your intentions are. Taurus, out of the 12, loves stability most of all. Not only is Taurus Fixed, it’s Earth too. That’s double “fuck off, don’t mess with me” energy.

It just doesn’t host Uranus well.

Whenever Uranus even begins to open his mouth, Taurus yells, “Shut up!” Whenever Uranus tries to move a muscle, Taurus shouts, “Sit down!” Whenever Uranus looks Taurus’ way, Taurus acts like it's about to slap him in the face.

So then Uranus gets furious! Which makes Taurus more on edge. It’s an endless loop of provocation.

So this whole time from 2018 to 2026, because Uranus is in Taurus, whenever your life tries to change, you feel attacked. You are reactive. You are enraged. You proclaim yourself the victim.

And the reason your life is finally about to get better is because Uranus is moving into Gemini on Sunday.

And unlike Taurus, Gemini is a very, very good host to Uranus.

Uranus farts, Gemini laughs. Uranus makes life a horror movie, Gemini turns it into a parody. Uranus takes away blessings, Gemini thinks it's just hide-and-seek.

So then Uranus feels seen. And welcomed. Even loved. And life becomes an endless loop of play. It can be shocking like a fart in your face. Or terrifying like a slasher film. But always made lighter by Gemini’s response and re-framing.

That’s your life in a couple of days.

No longer an attack, but a game.

You're no longer the victim, but the hero.

And Uranus is no longer the devil, but an angel... with wings made of hell, but still.