One year ago I started writing a little reference book called Applied Tarot. Since then I've published three books and a card deck in the Applied Divination Series, I have another book coming out in a couple of months (Applied Tarot Reversed) and yet another one planned for later this year (Applied Tasseography, An Excessively Practical Guide to Interpreting Tea Leaves.) 

Starting a small business is never an instant success; a divination business, at that, is definitely not a lucrative enterprise; AND launching that small divination business during a pandemic is probably the worst idea I've ever had.

The worst best idea.

I love what I do. I love Tarot cards and Runes and Tea Leaves and Palmistry and Astrology and Feng Shui and anything and everything related to divination and the mystical arts. Practicing them as a hobbyist kept me going through a lifetime of bad jobs, school stresses, parenting issues, clinical depression, and everything else that is just part of existence.

But now practicing it as a professional is keeping me going through a pandemic where I might otherwise be driven straight into an institution. 

I bought myself an Employee of the Year mug to celebrate. My IT support staff (husband) is super envious. Maybe he'll work a bit harder this year and win it next year.

​Maybe. 

Happy new year everyone! It's a Metal Ox year and the second year in the Chinese 12-year cycle! This is when things will really start happening, thank goodness. 

This is a post I share every year on my personal FB page, but I thought I'd put it here. I love shēngxiào astrology, but I am not a professional in any context whatsoever. This is tongue-in-cheek based on the limited knowledge I have of the lunar calendar and 12-year Jupiter cycle. 

Let's dive right in to Emily's Super Accurate* Chinese Horoscope Predictions, shall we?

Rat: The rat and ox are the best of friends, so this year should be pretty good for you - as long as you put the effort in! Oxes want production and effort, not happy cheery ratness all the time. Bust a move and you'll succeed with little other effort. You could meet your soul mate this year.

Ox: Other zodiac signs need to haul ass in an ox year, but not you, ox! This is your time to sit down and reap the rewards of the efforts you've put in over the last 12 years. It's a great year to plan a new project, have an arranged marriage, or try for a baby or something crazy like that. You'll be back to being a go-getter next year, Ox! 

Tiger: Working hard is difficult for you, Tiger, so the ox year might feel like a bit of a haul. You could be anxious, frustrated, and kind of unlucky in love too. But here's the thing - next year is the start of a new 12-year cycle for you, so I promise if you buckle down and do the hard work this year, you'll start 2022 with the world wide open!

Rabbit: Listen rabbit, this year will be average. That's not bad. Many times it will feel a lot like nothing in happening, and your love life sucks and everything is sucky, but I promise the wheels are turning for you. This is a year of "slow and steady wins the race" which I know is a challenge for you, jumpy quick rabbit! Just burrow into your rabbit hideout and hang in there!

Dragon: Last year was your year, Dragon. I hope you gained all the riches and awesomeness you deserved. While this year will seem a little slower, it's only because you've got to follow through on your rewards - work a little harder, dream a little smaller, keep doing your thing and life will stay awesome!

Snake: Like the Dragon in a rat year, Snake in the ox year is on fire! Great things are coming for you this year, as this is the 6th year in your 12-year cycle. You will ace everything you do. You'll fall in love. Win after win after win. The only thing to remember is to prepare the ground you slither in. Make sure your debts are paid, your stressful matters are dealt with, and the ground is clear for all the awesomeness coming your way!

Horse: Last year was not the best for you, but the ox year is looking up. Just be a work horse and not a wild feral horse, and everything will start coming up carrots. There will be a dearth of exciting events this year, but after the difficulty of last year that'll be a welcome reprieve. Possible trouble in love although I don't know what - it's a 7 year for the horse, so the 7-year itch, I suppose? I'm a horse, so I'll let you know what tragedy happens in my love life.

Sheep/Goat: Last year was your year, sheep. Sorry for the bad news, but this year you have to stick with the program, keep your head down, and get to work to hold on to all the awesomeness you got done last year. Love will be a roller coaster. My son's a sheep and his grades are crap but he has to get into college, so we're going to bust his ass to get down to work. You should do the same, sheep.

Monkey: The ox likes to work and monkeys like to play, manipulate, fool, and do anything to not work. You'll do that this year! Successfully! Trick other people into doing the work for you. Just don't forget your friends are your friends and your business associates are your business associates. Don't overwork your friends or befriend your associates and you'll do okay. Love and social life will bounce back for you this year.

Rooster: Yaaasss Rooster! Last year was a roller coaster of crazy ups and downs, but 2021 is all winning! You'll be lucky in business, love, and money. The only thing to watch out for are negative friends. You don't need any downers in your life during this awesome year, so consider unfriending some hurtful people completely.

Dog: To be honest, ox years are not the greatest for you, Dog. Oxen like routines and hard work, and dogs like to sniff shit and have all the fun. Just buckle down this year and practice patience. It's a metal ox year, and dogs are a metal animal , so that should offer some reprieve from what is normally an ominous year. You'll be okay, pup. Hang in there.

Pig: This is it, Pig! This is the year you make it! Last year I told you to say yes to that thing, so as long as you did that and you keep working hard-as-an-ox at it this year, the rewards will be huge! Some pigs might be promoted to the highest position they've ever held anywhere. Work hard, pig. You made it. Love-wise, some pigs may be prone to cheat on their romantic partners this year (uh-oh I'm married to a pig! Grr.)

Yay all done! Until next year, fauna! Happy new year!
​
*from the latin "accuratis": done with love and care... not the modern definition: precision.