I had a reading last weekend at my local pagan pride event, as tradition calls for, and this trend of downturn has impacted so many others - myself included. Intuitives she knew all experienced difficulties all year.
Also Substack had a huge change in the alg on notes and many lost a steady stream of subscribers since the spring, even my small free publication .
The economy hit me (and everyone else) hard too, and I had to give up all my paid subs (even yours and I was super bummed).
A lot had happened this year - give yourself some grace. You are amazing and there’s alot working against us at the moment.
Gosh, yeah...from what I've heard from other creatives and business owners (on and off Substack), I know that the experience is fairly widespread. I think for me, it came at such tender moment, when I felt I was just getting a bit of ground under me.
When it all begins to fall, you can't help but wonder...have I made a misstep? Has the potential run its course? Is it time to move on? The echo chamber can be so destructive and it's taken a lot of will to just step outside of it.
Thank you for the reminder on grace, I'm not always extending that towards myself, and I think it is something I need to work on more consciously.
I really appreciate all your support, Erica <3 Also, sending you a DM in a moment too!!
Thank you for sharing this, Alyssa… I see the love for your work and for teaching in all you do here. I see you as one of my most important teachers, I get a lot of inspiration and insights from your classes and writings. Sad to hear what you experience at the moment. New paths will always be there, but we are not always pointing our flashlight in the right direction.. you have incredible gifts to offer, you’ll find ways to keep doing that❤️
When I started reading on Substack, I paid for seven subscriptions and read 18 publications for free. It was a lot of money, and made worse by the exchange rate between U.S. and Canadian dollars. Now I pay for two and read half a dozen for free.
I pay for yours and one other because of your expertise. I just unsubscribed this morning from a free publication where the author first said that she sits down one day a week and writes whatever is top of mind, and then that if I upgrade I will have the chance to meet and talk to her on a group Zoom call. I think that people who have bought into the creator economy and Substack idea that "writers should be paid for their words" regardless of what they're writing are heading for Tower moments. Writing about feelings, or what you did in a week is an act of generosity towards both self and reader. I am not willing to pay for it.
Your Substack is different. I've said this to you before, Alyssa. I've been undertaking an analysis for over seven years and I read a LOT of depth psychology books and participate in all kinds of workshops. Your expertise, ability to explain concepts, and beautiful writing are as good as, if not superior, to most of what I read and experience. If I were not in analysis, I would absolutely be paying for your highest membership level.
Alyssa, writing a book is a great idea. I've written six with a major publisher and can tell you that a book, especially one that is traditionally published, enhances your credibility and opens up lots of paid speaking and workshop opportunities. It will be tougher for you because you are not an analyst (you'd make a great one, by the way!) but if a publisher got your writing in front of some of the big-name published analysts they could not help but be mightily impressed.
I'm glad you are not giving up your Substack publication. I'm really busy doing my inner work and serving as "creative collaborator" to a friend who has a book deal (not in depth psychology) but I will do my best to be more present in reading, commenting, and asking you questions. I love that you have a thematic focus for each month.
I can't express how much these words mean. Truly, your support, generosity and kindness means so very much.
Finding my place in the depth/Jungian community has been really interesting. Those really engaged in it (some analysts/clinicians, others as practitioners or using it individually) have often reflected your feedback, that I'm able to distill the complexity into accessible insights. It always leaves me with such a deep sense of meaning and purpose.
In some ways, I've felt intuitively called to walk an alternative path, despite considering very traditional tracks, like becoming an analyst. I almost made the jump nearly 7 years ago to begin those studies...but something held me back. Not fear or trepidation, but that guiding force within that I always listen to. Intuitively, I just knew it wasn't for me, at least at the time. The outcome is much of what you see now, an approach to the work that I think is unique! I have more to say on this topic, and actually had a dream recently that speaks to it, that I will write more on soon!
I guess my path has not been simple for that reason, and oftentimes, I'm left having to chart a totally unknown map. It's both exhilarating and terrifying, but I really do feel so grateful to even have the chance to do what I do. I truly love it.
I imagine pitching my book will be a bit more complicated since I'm not an analyst, but I also hope it will land with the right publisher who will understand the vision. I would love to write more if this one gets picked up, it is a dream of mine to have a book of my own in my library!!
Your need to walk an alternative path precisely echoes someone we both admire. I'm currently reading Aniela Jaffés Reflections on the Life and Dreams of C.G. Jung. Jung makes many references to exactly this point. He talks about needing to walk his own path when he broke with Freud; when he gave up his professorship; when he wrote the answer to Job. In the first short essay of this truly wonderful book, Jung says to Jaffé
"People do not realize just how much they are putting at risk when they don't accept what life presents them with, the questions and tasks that life sets them. When they resolve to spare themselves the pain and suffering they owe to their nature. In so doing, they refuse to pay life's dues and for this very reason, life often leads them astray."
Dearest Alyssa, I'm sad to hear of your 'Tower' depths. It certainly can be a card hearalding harsh shifts. But your most recent reading is shining light on the many threads you can weave to support your students, family and self. Hurrah for ever moving tides.
I want to say- as many others may that the extreme economic depression is global. Everyone is struggling to pay for food, power and rent. But also their is a 'spiritual downturn' as well. Many have been feeling sucked dry and exhausted, therefore I sense withdrawing from online culture as well as daily face to face. So I think what you have been experiencing in the microcosm of Substack is a reflection of the microcosm of the World. A sucking in, a withdrawal, a holding of the cosmic breath even.
Your work is important. Keep going. Write your book. Spread your teaching tentacles!! Be heard. You are the Heirophant, fan that Lamp Flame.
Thank you for the kind words, Ziggy. You bring up a really good point about the spiritual downturn as well, I hadn't considered that, but I believe it is true. Even I feel the draw to return to more in-person work, which is where my journey with all of this first began. I hope that can exist alongside the work I do here, as I really do love it and find so much depth of meaning.
I’m really sorry to hear that you’re struggling right now! I really deeply value your content and would definitely support you more financially if I had the means to…I hope you never doubt the value of what you share and that you never stop creating this content 💗 much love
Kinda funny that you wrote this, me and two of my writer friends on here are feeling the same way.
Personally, I have been writing on Substack for over a year and finally got my publication over 1000 subscribers. What originally would have been an exciting milestone felt completely flat; for some reason the energy of Substack feels different now and my intuition just tells me the return on my writing is not matching the energy I put into it. Two other people I know on here have felt the same way -- we just feel like Substack is a Sisyphean effort leading nowhere generative as of late.
So take peace knowing that you are not alone! Something is happening in the astral plain it seems.
Although I wish it weren't so, there is some comfort in knowing its a communal experience. I've been on Substack a long time, at first just as a reader, then an occasional writer, and then much more seriously. It has changed so much!! In many ways, it's been a blessing, really empowering me to leave behind other platforms I felt tied to.
But things do seem to be shifting in ways I find confusing. Like why are delivery and open rates decreasing so much? Is the influx of creators causing newsletter fatigue? Why has the network growth slowed down so much?
Hoping we all find our way, whether that means sticking it out or moving on to other avenues.
The only time I experienced the Tower was when my then-friend came to my then-wife for a reading about her marriage. My friend drew The Tower, and, fast-forward two years, she's my wife. Death and Rebirth.
I really like how your questions emerged one at a time in response to a card drawn; it's as if you were having a conversation with the energies, using a deeper form of listening. In that way the interpretations feel organic and relevant, personal. You map the abstract archetype onto the subjective experience and that gives them a tangible weight. Thank you for posting this. Good luck with your journey!
Thanks for those reflections, Andrew. When I first started reading tarot, I found set spreads so constricting and unnatural. It took a while to build my style and approach, but I'm much happier following the intuitive movements and having a conversation as I go.
I haven't settled on a method. Spreads feel kinda externally directed. That seems incongruous to a reading that is meant to excavate internal narratives. That's why what you wrote caught my attention; it speaks to me. But also, I feel overwhelmed and rushed by too many cards. Even a daily draw sometimes feels disrespectful in a way, like, wait a minute, I hardly had time to really sit with the energy of this archetype and see it's manifesting force in my daily world before a new day arises and I have to draw a new card. So it's been a very gentle slow unfolding process for me. I feel the energy of all 78 cards within me, so in a way it doesn't matter too much which one I'm "studying" at any given moment. They all have something to give and something to say to me. But I do kind of yearn for the type of conversations you have achieved. Right now I'm just a listener. We'll see. I may try to add a question to a draw soon like you did and see if I can "handle" it. Anyway, thanks again for the good work you are doing. I'm happy I found your page so I can kinda follow along for awhile and see what I might learn. I have a feeling it will be much appreciated.
I think discovering one's unique relationship and process with the cards is one of the most rewarding. Lots of experimentation, taking it slow...that helps you really build a dynamic link to the tarot.
I very much appreciate your work, Alyssa! It has been incredibly supportive for me in my personal journey, and I look forward to seeing what you feel drawn to pursuing next. It's striking to me how many parallels there are in the lives of people I know and people who I don't know, but who are kind enough to share their personal experiences with readers. Themes of transitions seem to be cropping up in so many lives, and it's incredibly powerful to be able to see how others are navigating the waters. Thanks for all you do!
Thank you for sharing all of that, Allison. Knowing my work makes a difference really lifts my spirits and fills me with that deep sense of purpose. I'm honored to be in that role for others :)
There does seem to be a collective thread of transitions...perhaps that's something for us to explore in the membership sometime soon?!
I love your vulnerability in sharing your process with us. It’s heartening to read about how you navigated through self-doubt and fears and came through it all with more clarity and excitement! I think that’s what I love most about your work, bringing it down to a personal human level that I can relate to. WhileI rarely read tarot any more, (the I Ching has been calling me more often) I do remember those Tower readings and how looking back on it now, I see the great things that emerged from that rubble. I have no doubt that will happen with you as well. I’m sure you’ll keep us posted!
Thank you, Cindy, I really appreciate your reflections.
It’s so easy to stay theoretical about this work…but I was initially drawn to it from making sense of my own life experience and inner world. I think that’s why sharing my process feels so integral to my writing and teaching. It comes from that place first and foremost!
I will certainly keep you all posted as things to develop. I have a really fascinating dream to share as well on the topic!
That means a lot to hear, Edna, thank you for sharing. I hope to work more with Persephone in our classes and in my writing. She is such a rich and deep mythic figure!
Thanks, Yasmin!! There's been several book ideas I've had, but I think there's one in particular I'm really going to focus on. Here's to hoping it all comes together!!
Thanks, Laura! I think what's so interesting about this moment is I'm figuring it all out in real time, exploring all the little inspirations that are coming up. I'm not exactly sure what I'll do either, but that feels exciting!!
I had a reading last weekend at my local pagan pride event, as tradition calls for, and this trend of downturn has impacted so many others - myself included. Intuitives she knew all experienced difficulties all year.
Also Substack had a huge change in the alg on notes and many lost a steady stream of subscribers since the spring, even my small free publication .
The economy hit me (and everyone else) hard too, and I had to give up all my paid subs (even yours and I was super bummed).
A lot had happened this year - give yourself some grace. You are amazing and there’s alot working against us at the moment.
Gosh, yeah...from what I've heard from other creatives and business owners (on and off Substack), I know that the experience is fairly widespread. I think for me, it came at such tender moment, when I felt I was just getting a bit of ground under me.
When it all begins to fall, you can't help but wonder...have I made a misstep? Has the potential run its course? Is it time to move on? The echo chamber can be so destructive and it's taken a lot of will to just step outside of it.
Thank you for the reminder on grace, I'm not always extending that towards myself, and I think it is something I need to work on more consciously.
I really appreciate all your support, Erica <3 Also, sending you a DM in a moment too!!
Thank you for sharing this, Alyssa… I see the love for your work and for teaching in all you do here. I see you as one of my most important teachers, I get a lot of inspiration and insights from your classes and writings. Sad to hear what you experience at the moment. New paths will always be there, but we are not always pointing our flashlight in the right direction.. you have incredible gifts to offer, you’ll find ways to keep doing that❤️
That means so much, Eleonore. Thank you for sharing these words.
There is so much love and deep meaning I draw from the work. It has truly felt like my art, like my soul’s truest expression.
I am hopeful the path will continue to reveal itself, and that this experience will make sense in the grand scheme of my journey. Thank you again!
Blessed be the ones who bow to collapse and rise fluent in its silence.
Just praying I have the grace to continue the process~
I also somehow wonder if the shift you noticed with your content had something to do with Jupiter leaving Gemini and entering Cancer? Just a thought..
Oh interesting idea…perhaps the Jupiterian energy is shaking things up, and hopefully moving towards more expansion and abundance? One can hope…!!
Hi Alyssa,
When I started reading on Substack, I paid for seven subscriptions and read 18 publications for free. It was a lot of money, and made worse by the exchange rate between U.S. and Canadian dollars. Now I pay for two and read half a dozen for free.
I pay for yours and one other because of your expertise. I just unsubscribed this morning from a free publication where the author first said that she sits down one day a week and writes whatever is top of mind, and then that if I upgrade I will have the chance to meet and talk to her on a group Zoom call. I think that people who have bought into the creator economy and Substack idea that "writers should be paid for their words" regardless of what they're writing are heading for Tower moments. Writing about feelings, or what you did in a week is an act of generosity towards both self and reader. I am not willing to pay for it.
Your Substack is different. I've said this to you before, Alyssa. I've been undertaking an analysis for over seven years and I read a LOT of depth psychology books and participate in all kinds of workshops. Your expertise, ability to explain concepts, and beautiful writing are as good as, if not superior, to most of what I read and experience. If I were not in analysis, I would absolutely be paying for your highest membership level.
Alyssa, writing a book is a great idea. I've written six with a major publisher and can tell you that a book, especially one that is traditionally published, enhances your credibility and opens up lots of paid speaking and workshop opportunities. It will be tougher for you because you are not an analyst (you'd make a great one, by the way!) but if a publisher got your writing in front of some of the big-name published analysts they could not help but be mightily impressed.
I'm glad you are not giving up your Substack publication. I'm really busy doing my inner work and serving as "creative collaborator" to a friend who has a book deal (not in depth psychology) but I will do my best to be more present in reading, commenting, and asking you questions. I love that you have a thematic focus for each month.
Hi Karen,
I can't express how much these words mean. Truly, your support, generosity and kindness means so very much.
Finding my place in the depth/Jungian community has been really interesting. Those really engaged in it (some analysts/clinicians, others as practitioners or using it individually) have often reflected your feedback, that I'm able to distill the complexity into accessible insights. It always leaves me with such a deep sense of meaning and purpose.
In some ways, I've felt intuitively called to walk an alternative path, despite considering very traditional tracks, like becoming an analyst. I almost made the jump nearly 7 years ago to begin those studies...but something held me back. Not fear or trepidation, but that guiding force within that I always listen to. Intuitively, I just knew it wasn't for me, at least at the time. The outcome is much of what you see now, an approach to the work that I think is unique! I have more to say on this topic, and actually had a dream recently that speaks to it, that I will write more on soon!
I guess my path has not been simple for that reason, and oftentimes, I'm left having to chart a totally unknown map. It's both exhilarating and terrifying, but I really do feel so grateful to even have the chance to do what I do. I truly love it.
I imagine pitching my book will be a bit more complicated since I'm not an analyst, but I also hope it will land with the right publisher who will understand the vision. I would love to write more if this one gets picked up, it is a dream of mine to have a book of my own in my library!!
Thank you again, Karen.
Hi Alyssa,
Your need to walk an alternative path precisely echoes someone we both admire. I'm currently reading Aniela Jaffés Reflections on the Life and Dreams of C.G. Jung. Jung makes many references to exactly this point. He talks about needing to walk his own path when he broke with Freud; when he gave up his professorship; when he wrote the answer to Job. In the first short essay of this truly wonderful book, Jung says to Jaffé
"People do not realize just how much they are putting at risk when they don't accept what life presents them with, the questions and tasks that life sets them. When they resolve to spare themselves the pain and suffering they owe to their nature. In so doing, they refuse to pay life's dues and for this very reason, life often leads them astray."
You are in good company. 💕
Such a beautiful quote ❤️ thank you for sharing.
Dearest Alyssa, I'm sad to hear of your 'Tower' depths. It certainly can be a card hearalding harsh shifts. But your most recent reading is shining light on the many threads you can weave to support your students, family and self. Hurrah for ever moving tides.
I want to say- as many others may that the extreme economic depression is global. Everyone is struggling to pay for food, power and rent. But also their is a 'spiritual downturn' as well. Many have been feeling sucked dry and exhausted, therefore I sense withdrawing from online culture as well as daily face to face. So I think what you have been experiencing in the microcosm of Substack is a reflection of the microcosm of the World. A sucking in, a withdrawal, a holding of the cosmic breath even.
Your work is important. Keep going. Write your book. Spread your teaching tentacles!! Be heard. You are the Heirophant, fan that Lamp Flame.
Much love, and Respect. Ziggy, New Zealand.
Thank you for the kind words, Ziggy. You bring up a really good point about the spiritual downturn as well, I hadn't considered that, but I believe it is true. Even I feel the draw to return to more in-person work, which is where my journey with all of this first began. I hope that can exist alongside the work I do here, as I really do love it and find so much depth of meaning.
Thank you again <3
I’m really sorry to hear that you’re struggling right now! I really deeply value your content and would definitely support you more financially if I had the means to…I hope you never doubt the value of what you share and that you never stop creating this content 💗 much love
Thank you for the sentiment and kind words!! Even quiet support or simple comments on an article mean so much ❤️
Kinda funny that you wrote this, me and two of my writer friends on here are feeling the same way.
Personally, I have been writing on Substack for over a year and finally got my publication over 1000 subscribers. What originally would have been an exciting milestone felt completely flat; for some reason the energy of Substack feels different now and my intuition just tells me the return on my writing is not matching the energy I put into it. Two other people I know on here have felt the same way -- we just feel like Substack is a Sisyphean effort leading nowhere generative as of late.
So take peace knowing that you are not alone! Something is happening in the astral plain it seems.
Although I wish it weren't so, there is some comfort in knowing its a communal experience. I've been on Substack a long time, at first just as a reader, then an occasional writer, and then much more seriously. It has changed so much!! In many ways, it's been a blessing, really empowering me to leave behind other platforms I felt tied to.
But things do seem to be shifting in ways I find confusing. Like why are delivery and open rates decreasing so much? Is the influx of creators causing newsletter fatigue? Why has the network growth slowed down so much?
Hoping we all find our way, whether that means sticking it out or moving on to other avenues.
Thanks for sharing!
The only time I experienced the Tower was when my then-friend came to my then-wife for a reading about her marriage. My friend drew The Tower, and, fast-forward two years, she's my wife. Death and Rebirth.
Wow, yeah!! The Tower can bring such incredible change and evolution...often the kind that we never saw coming!
I really like how your questions emerged one at a time in response to a card drawn; it's as if you were having a conversation with the energies, using a deeper form of listening. In that way the interpretations feel organic and relevant, personal. You map the abstract archetype onto the subjective experience and that gives them a tangible weight. Thank you for posting this. Good luck with your journey!
Thanks for those reflections, Andrew. When I first started reading tarot, I found set spreads so constricting and unnatural. It took a while to build my style and approach, but I'm much happier following the intuitive movements and having a conversation as I go.
How do you typically read the cards?
I haven't settled on a method. Spreads feel kinda externally directed. That seems incongruous to a reading that is meant to excavate internal narratives. That's why what you wrote caught my attention; it speaks to me. But also, I feel overwhelmed and rushed by too many cards. Even a daily draw sometimes feels disrespectful in a way, like, wait a minute, I hardly had time to really sit with the energy of this archetype and see it's manifesting force in my daily world before a new day arises and I have to draw a new card. So it's been a very gentle slow unfolding process for me. I feel the energy of all 78 cards within me, so in a way it doesn't matter too much which one I'm "studying" at any given moment. They all have something to give and something to say to me. But I do kind of yearn for the type of conversations you have achieved. Right now I'm just a listener. We'll see. I may try to add a question to a draw soon like you did and see if I can "handle" it. Anyway, thanks again for the good work you are doing. I'm happy I found your page so I can kinda follow along for awhile and see what I might learn. I have a feeling it will be much appreciated.
I think discovering one's unique relationship and process with the cards is one of the most rewarding. Lots of experimentation, taking it slow...that helps you really build a dynamic link to the tarot.
If you'd like to browse the archive of my other tarot related posts, you can do so here (https://www.theartemisian.com/t/tarot).
I very much appreciate your work, Alyssa! It has been incredibly supportive for me in my personal journey, and I look forward to seeing what you feel drawn to pursuing next. It's striking to me how many parallels there are in the lives of people I know and people who I don't know, but who are kind enough to share their personal experiences with readers. Themes of transitions seem to be cropping up in so many lives, and it's incredibly powerful to be able to see how others are navigating the waters. Thanks for all you do!
Thank you for sharing all of that, Allison. Knowing my work makes a difference really lifts my spirits and fills me with that deep sense of purpose. I'm honored to be in that role for others :)
There does seem to be a collective thread of transitions...perhaps that's something for us to explore in the membership sometime soon?!
I love your vulnerability in sharing your process with us. It’s heartening to read about how you navigated through self-doubt and fears and came through it all with more clarity and excitement! I think that’s what I love most about your work, bringing it down to a personal human level that I can relate to. WhileI rarely read tarot any more, (the I Ching has been calling me more often) I do remember those Tower readings and how looking back on it now, I see the great things that emerged from that rubble. I have no doubt that will happen with you as well. I’m sure you’ll keep us posted!
Thank you, Cindy, I really appreciate your reflections.
It’s so easy to stay theoretical about this work…but I was initially drawn to it from making sense of my own life experience and inner world. I think that’s why sharing my process feels so integral to my writing and teaching. It comes from that place first and foremost!
I will certainly keep you all posted as things to develop. I have a really fascinating dream to share as well on the topic!
Your courses on Persephone gave me great insight about my own path toward individuation. Thank you! I appreciate your work.
That means a lot to hear, Edna, thank you for sharing. I hope to work more with Persephone in our classes and in my writing. She is such a rich and deep mythic figure!
I'm all for the book, Alyssa! I would absolutely love to own a copy of your work.
Thanks, Yasmin!! There's been several book ideas I've had, but I think there's one in particular I'm really going to focus on. Here's to hoping it all comes together!!
Wishing you all the best with it 🤩
Thank you!!!
So interesting! I can’t wait to see what you do.
Thanks, Laura! I think what's so interesting about this moment is I'm figuring it all out in real time, exploring all the little inspirations that are coming up. I'm not exactly sure what I'll do either, but that feels exciting!!