Tarot Agony Aunt - Volume 1
“Being the boss of your dog doesn’t have to descend into a night at the Hellfire club.” - October 2021
Dear Tarot Oracle,
I have a dog that has a reputation locally, not always for the right reasons. Once she escaped and was caught by security guards in the deli section of the supermarket. Another time she peppered an important speech at a protest with barks and she was so noisy the speaker gave her a mention. If I was writing her as a side character in a movie script, it would read “SMART PARTY DOG walks into room full of people and takes over the party, physical and verbose, either loved or despised”. My pooch is full of unbridled enthusiasm and joie de vivre. When she isn’t biting my calves and trying to herd me like a lamb in a sheep yard, I love her to pieces. People say I spoil her. Tarot Oracle- how do I train this strong-willed big personality of a doggo?
Yours,
Donna Dog Owner
Dear Donna,
When I read your letter I received a delightful image in my head of your dog bolting out of the local IGA with a sausage link in its mouth and high tailing it down the road into the sunset. So thank you for that. Let’s get into it with a simple three card spread.
CARD 1: SITUATION: - Six of Cups.
What a beautiful, openhearted friendship you have with your doggo. You and her have a vibe going on - the sort of open, joyful feeling a couple of kids cracking open a fresh box of crayons and letting their creativity run wild radiate. There might be a tinge of nostalgia there too - maybe she invokes some fond childhood memories, making you feel a bit like a kid again. Putting your letter though the lens of the six tells me you may be more her best pal than her ‘mum’. Your doggo is having a ball: playing hide and seek, barking truth to power and discovering the joys of charcuterie. She doesn’t realise you’re the boss. Apart from love, food, shelter and affection what else does she need from you? The tools and consistent direction to nurture her from neighbourhood rabble to a Grand Dame. Dogue needs a leader.
CARD 2: ACTION - Page/Princess of Pentacles.
Being the boss of your dog doesn’t have to descend into a night at the Hellfire club. Yes this is a game of dominance but you would be better served taking this on as a learning opportunity for yourself. The Page/Princess of Pentacles is a beginner at their task, armed with abundant curiosity and patience. We all (I hope) regularly start new endeavours, committed to building a new skillset, knowing we will reap the rewards of our hard work. The pentacles are all about tangible reward for effort and no one is more dedicated to building something that lasts than than the princess/page. Rest assured the earthy nature of the suit also encourages you to pursue options which are directly linked to nature - it’s time to dig deep into the bargain we made when we domesticated dogs. Be proactive about getting familiaris with the Canis. Get some books and a trainer/mentor who will support you in learning about her natural behaviour and transform your role as the human in this relationship in a deliberate, grounded way. This is head down, bum up time: you need to commit to learning and growing on the regular - no blowing off a training session to grab a latte.
CARD 3: OUTCOME - The Chariot.
Victory! Your hard work and dedication will pay off - The Chariot is all about forward motion once you have developed your outlook and your skills. The chariot rider has perfect control of their steeds (there’s a second sphinx hidden in there) and has learned to focus their will into robust action. The charioteer is the boss of the beasts. They say where to go and when. In this card the beasts are the sphinxes which pull the chariot forward, in your case it’s your dog. You will succeed in mastering two opposing energies: for you it’s the gleeful, equitable bond with your hound and the necessity of applying discipline and structure to that relationship so she can be the best doggo she can be. Dedicate yourself to this task and you both will be able to enjoy many adventures together, careening across the skies in perfect harmony.
