A Tarot Reading ~ for an Autoimmune Disease

Recently, I received a diagnosis of an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s. This came somewhat out of the blue and was made after an ultrasound, which is not the most common way of this diagnosis being made (but it is a solid one and it was also backed up by bloodwork). My very conventional and rather old-school MD has been incredibly open-minded about what it means to have an autoimmune disease, and has set me on a treatment course that entails some significant lifestyle changes. He’s also encouraged me to learn as much as I can about this, as well as about having an autoimmune disease in general.

So for the past month I have been reading as much as I can, as well as making various big changes to my diet. It was mostly healthy, except for the fact that I didn’t know certain foods were actually causing literal damage to an important part of my body, and except for sugar and caffeine (my recreational substances of choice).

Stress but also optimism

It’s a bit hard. Some sources can be very alarmist and will kind of throw me, causing stress (which is one of the things that is terrible for autoimmune, of course). And simply removing everyday foods, like anything containing gluten, is a big change to make – especially when having grown up Polish and Italian my comfort foods largely consist of things like pierogi, macaroni and sauce, and bread with sauce. Ah well, what can you do? There are worse things…

Kawaii Tarot ~ necessary cuteness!

Anyway, I decided to do a reading for further insight into approaching having an autoimmune disease.

I decided to use the absolutely, frigging adorable tarot set Kawaii Tarot, by Lulu Mayo and Chris Barsanti. This deck was published in 2022, and it’s one that came into my collection a few months ago. It has quickly become a favorite, even among the hundreds of tarot decks I have had over the decades. I needed its “cute and cuddly” approach to tarot art. This cuteness makes just about any card drawn from the deck feel faceable – none of the cards could give a truly ominous feeling, not even a hint.

And indeed, as you’ll see, my reading was almost entirely Swords cards! But no fear, haha…! Now, onto the reading!

Focus: How can I best serve my health going forward?

1 – Emotional
2 – Spiritual
3 – Physical
4 – Current state of the autoimmune disease and my thyroid health

Nine of Cups – a look at the emotional

I’m not going to say, “this is an adorable card,” because they are all adorable cards in this deck (that’s the point!), but truly, I love this turtle here and their apparent interaction with the shell structure. According to the guidebook, what I need to do on an emotional level to serve my health, is “Take stock of life and love,” indulge myself, and “relish” what life has to offer me. I tend to do this, even when it somewhat alternates with melancholy, serious introspection, or even cynicism.

Very much that is going on with me emotionally has to deal with my dad’s passing six months ago, as well as – to a lesser degree but still impactful – my daughter moving out of the area (and thus, I don’t see her nearly as often). My emotions, quite obviously, took a big hit with my dad’s death; the months and even several years before his death were also highly impactful.

That being said, I have a rich emotional life, I could say. A very healthy relationship with my husband, as well as more broadly with family and friends. In addition, I am simply grateful on a daily basis for the love I have had in my life. So… it is “easy” enough for me to recognize love, however I think the message I can really heed here is the “relishing” life bit. I’m certainly open to realizing that maybe I do not do that as much as would be good for me. Relishing life = good for health, got it!

Ten of Swords – a look at the spiritual

Well, one of the darkest cards of the tarot, and it is still super cute. I hate to repeat myself here, but… yeah, my spiritual life, sense of spirituality, etc. has taken a serious hit since my dad died. No joke, it’s kind of all over the place, and itself feels somewhat “sick.” There is not anguish or despair, that would be overstating things, but there have been elements of a distinct, familiar existential crisis, of sorts.

That rather alternates at times with sudden urges to revisit or return to the faith of my early childhood, and also with sudden urges to simply find enrichment in ritual.

The guidebook acknowledges that “Things may look dark.” And, as reflected in the sun peeking behind the ominous storm clouds in the card, the guidebook assures “But you are still standing. Now is a time for rebuilding.” I guess another reading could help me determine in what direction to rebuild, but at least this card offers a good sign that all is not lost, spiritually speaking.

Eight of Swords – a look at the physical

Oy, with the Swords! In this card though, of course, the Eight shows that the reader may have actually held up their own entrapment. In this card the slumbering kitty is surrounded by swords, but you do not see their sharp edges or tips, and they do not pierce the cat. Also, the cat looks to be resting atop a soft, safe bed of flowers.

The guidebook points out that we may set our own traps, and given that, we can deal with them once we find them. It advises to “Be vigilant.” I have learned enough about self-judgment and negative self-talk to avoid blaming myself for this health development, but I can at least recognize that certain lifestyle and dietary habits may have contributed over time. I can also move forward with new awareness, as well as education and information about the best approach to dealing with this. And it very much will require vigilance – the “protocol” for dealing with an autoimmune disease can be restrictive and challenging.

Five of Swords – a look at the current state of things

I think what this card is telling me, overall, is that I’ve got this. I’m in charge, or control, to a degree. The guidebook says, “The field is yours. But remember the teachings of that immortal sage Han Solo and avoid cockiness.” Well, no real chance of cockiness at this point, I’m feeling rather through the wringer right now, but I take the meaning. As far as the current state of the autoimmune disease, the card seems to be saying I can come out on top, in a way, I can direct the outcome, but be careful of taking such success or progress for granted.

I’m not sure I could ask for anything better (other than not having developed the condition in the first place). My doctor hasn’t given me quite that optimistic a characterization of what is going on, but his encouragement and openness to a more holistic approach does give me hope. I also feel fortunate to have discovered this now, before it became so far gone as to not be treatable or manageable with lifestyle changes.

Tarot readings and health issues

I need to put in a word here about tarot readings regarding health issues. I have always tried to impress upon others that you cannot rely, in any way, on tarot or any other divinatory practice, for real, legitimate health answers. This reading merely provided me with additional insights into how I might approach various aspects of having this condition. It in no way provides medical advice, and I wouldn’t expect it to.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any comments or questions. If you’d like to see more of my readings, you can start with my previous post, Questions in Grief. Learn more about the deck used in this reading: visit Kawaii Tarot at the publisher site, or read user reviews of the Kawaii Tarot at Amazon.
~ Nellie