Day 4: Thematics

“The first and most important thing an individual can do is to become an individual again, decontrol himself, train himself as to what is going on and win back as much independent ground for himself as possible” ― William S. Burroughs

I’m listening to the signs or perhaps seeing them is a better word. Back at the crossroads I asked Elleggua for direction. I promised him I’d listen. I asked Fortuna for luck and just as I stepped over the threshold and onto the dirt road the emails started trickling in. I was asked to read tarot at a gallery closing, for a birthday, online, and on the road. You see there’s a few themes that circle me constantly. Tarot is one of them, self-portraits, painting the deck, and writing. I can never seem to give up one without losing balance in the rest.

A Brief History of Thematics

Before I could write I could draw and paint but I was never comfortable with these talents and so questioned them daily. When I learned I could write I compared myself to too many talents but knew I had a voice. It was distinct and my own. I knew putting ink to a page and tapping the keys to the clunky old typewriter that these words were mine. Photography was my great love but I was told I wasn’t good and so I put the film camera down and picked up a brush. The brush wasn’t enough so I added bits of photographs. Mixed media then became the drug of choice. Tarot was in my blood though, as well as hands on healing and those I could never quit. Tarot was my first dialect, I knew that from the start, and when I started to see with my hands it became clear.

And so a east wind blew in and each of these themes has had a place, some longer than others. Two would always weave their way back in. While tarot was my first language writing seemed to be my second nature.

“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.” ― William S. Burroughs