In the northern hemisphere, the upcoming equinox will usher in Fall, with all its slowing down, cozy vibes. If you’re in the southern hemisphere, you can still use this tiny tarot spread to usher in spring’s more energetic vibes. Either way, you can’t go wrong. But first…

It’s gloomy-bright, with a comfortable chill in the air today as you push open the cobalt blue painted door (with its familiar *ding!*) into The Grimoire Cafe’s cozy chaos of overlapping area rugs, mismatched chairs and tables, all surrounding the imposing, antique bar that now serves coffee and baked goods instead of the prohibition-era cocktails of its youth.
The A-board sign near the counter lists today’s special: A maple cream cortado. But before you can make it to the counter, a woman sitting at one of the tables draws your attention. Something in her energy welcoming your curiosity and you find yourself turning her way.
She smiles when your eyes meet, copper curls a hallow around her face, beaded earrings on display above a charcoal gray hooded sweatshirt. “Morning.”
It’s then you see what she’s doing on the table in front of her, espresso cup at her elbow wafting the scent of pancakes and coffee on the steam curling from its lip. “Are those tarot cards?”
Her smile lights a little brighter. “They are. Do you tarot?”
“I’ve tried, but I’m not sure I know enough to make it work.” Something tells you she does, though. Her calm confidence, perhaps.
She reaches a hand toward you. “I’m Wren.”
You shake and introduce yourself. “How long have you been practicing?”
Her smile shifts, but not unkindly, more like she knows something you don’t. “My whole life, maybe? Go get your coffee and come back. I’ll give you a reading and teach you how, if you want.”
You’re taken aback by the offer—and inclined to take her up on it. “Alright. Be back,” you say, angling toward the counter.
“I recommend the special, it’s great.”
“It always is,” you agree, knowing exactly what to order.

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Pssst! Email and tell me what book Wren is from and I’ll send you a gift to celebrate fall 😘

Tarot and I have a very vibey relationship. I go through seasons (usually months long) where I pull a card most days, and find a lot of peace in doing so. Then, I go through times where I don’t care to look at my cards at all and I avoid them. I almost always like to consult my tarot cards on the equinox and solstice, though. Sometimes I do a big reading, like the celtic cross, but most of the time, I’m a 3-card kind of gal. It’s simple, straightforward, and easy-to-process.

It’s important to note that while Tarot falls under the practice of “divination”, the cards are not about telling the future. They’re about helping to process ones own inner thoughts, feelings, and intuition. By observing the art, making connections, and reading the “meanings” of each card, you can untangle your own thoughts and hear your own wisdom more clearly. For that reason, I tend to ascribe questions/meaning to cards very loosely in a layout like this. If one of the questions I have here doesn’t resonate for you, feel free to adjust. This is your reading, afterall. Ask the cards the questions you need help with, and let them guide you to your own answers.

Card 1: What new lesson or skill will best serve me in this new season? (Or, What do I need to learn?)

Card 2: What energy will best serve me in aquiring that lesson/skill? (Or, What energy should I bring into this season/situation?)

Card 3: What am I ready to release/let go of/stop doing, in support of this new lesson/energy?

Equinox energy, for me, is about looking inward. But it’s so easy to look inward and see only things I don’t like, things to improve, make-better. It’s no wonder when that’s what capitalism, diet culture, and media want us to do. When we see what’s wrong, we want to fix it—and companies are there making sure we want to buy their stuff to fix it. But that’s not what this is about. Equinox energy is about finding contentment in the here-and-now, looking inward instead of outward. Seeing all you are, and learning to listen to the little voice inside you.

This fall, that little voice is urging me to raise my vibration—to tune my energy toward action instead of hibernation. This is so odd because, generally speaking, I love hibernation. I’ve been pushing toward “peaceful productivity” for years, constantly wondering why I could never achieve the “peaceful” part and feeling like I wasn’t doing this right. I didn’t feel peaceful so I must not be hitting the mark.

But I am hitting the mark. Over and over again, I’m doing the things I set out to do. I run a non-profit organization, I am an author, and I am a good mom, a supportive wife.

The truth is, I let striving, hustle culture get me—but I didn’t see it because I was hustling toward less hustle.

HUSTLING TOWARD LESS HUSTLE.

Are you kidding me??

That’s how insidious hustle culture is. It seeps into the cracks of everything because it’s the only example we’ve ever been shown. You can’t teach “everything is fine, I’m good enough” culture because there’s no villain there. You aren’t fighting against anything when you’re content…

But the truth is, everything (in my tiny slice of the life) is fine, and I am good enough.

The world is on fire, and that’s something I am doing what I can to improve. But in the meantime, I have to be right with myself, or I can’t keep fighting for a world I want to live in. I can’t keep writing stories that feature that world if I don’t keep myself buoyant against the undertow of current events and capitalism that constantly tell us we aren’t good enough. Pretty enough. Thin enough. Smart enough. That we aren’t good mothers, professionals.

That we aren’t even good enough at resting. That rest and contentment can only exist in a prescribed box. That contentment is a quiet afternoon spent reading in a chair, with tea that’s always hot by your side, and rain pattering the window.

That sounds great, but contentment can also be sitting in bed with my computer while my husband watches football on his ipad beside me, and my kids play on their phones downstairs. It can look like a trip to the grocery store, coffee with friends. Taking my kids to school, working at my desk, making dinner.

Anyway, that was my Equinox epiphany this week. If you try this tarot spread, let me know! I hope it brings you clarity and joy, even while the world tries to tell you joy isn’t for you.

It is. I promise.

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Hey, before I forget, I wanted to let you know that all my books are on sale for spooky season!

Signed books make great gifts, too, so if you’re already thinking about gifting season, hit me up. I’d love to help you check some gifts off your list. 💜

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Maple Cream Cortado Recipe

A cortado is made by combining equal parts espresso and milk. Minimal foam on the milk creates the best mouthfeel and balance.

1. Pull a double shot of your favorite espresso into a demitasse cup or small mug
2. Add 1-2 teaspoons pure maple syrup, to taste
3. Steam your preferred milk (whole milk or oat milk are top choices for their creamy texture.)
   • Pro tip: To create the velvety microfoam texture, submerge the steam wand just below the surface to introduce a small amount of air. Then, submerge it deeper to heat the milk without adding more air. You want the milk to be creamy and not frothy.
4. Pour the milk over the coffee + syrup, aiming for equal parts (2 ounces milk to 2 ounces espresso).
5. Enjoy!

As always, please share your pics! I’d love to see how your maple cream cortado turns out! You can find me on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/ellebeauregard.bsky.social) or you can always email me at elle@ellebeauregard.com. 💜

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