Oracle of Ybor: How do I beat the winter blues?

Dear Oracle,

I’ve had a tough year. My entire industry was essentially shuttered due to Trump’s policies, and I’ve been out of work since March. I’m not looking forward to the holidays, where I will be surrounded by family and have to answer questions or talk about myself. How can I get through these inevitable conversations? —Silent for a night

Cards: Magician (reversed), Four of Wands, Seven of Swords (reversed), Five of Wands

Dear Silent, First things first: if you are the kind of person who likes to imbibe—either in a celebratory atmosphere or to deal with crushing despair—tread lightly this holiday season. While the Seven of Swords can be about two forking paths (more on that later), it’s also a card that comes up with substance use, and since alcohol can make a mood mercurial, these conversations might actually be easier to handle if you’re sober(ish). 

Now on to the pep-talk: I don’t think you understand your own power and your own worth. The Magician is the master of his own fate, a powerful being with value, insight, and control. You are still The Magician, even if you don’t have a job. Your value as a human being is not tied to your paycheck or working status. (Something us Americans—including yours truly—have a difficult time considering.) You might not feel like you have a lot of control right now, but you do have control over how you respond to the prying questions of well-meaning but possibly judgmental family. 

And here lies the two paths set forth by the Seven of Swords. On one side, we have the Four of Wands, which is a happy home, full of love, family, and stability. On the other side, we have the Five of Wands, which is flat-out war. 

With the Swords being the suite of the mind, they are also the suite of the ego. If you already have a very bruised ego from a rough year, even little benign comments might come across to you as an attack. It’s going to be very easy for you to slip into fights with family members, either about your future, about politics in general, or about any number of things. Here is where the control of The Magician comes into play: you cannot take the bait. You cannot let yourself be drawn into an argument that may or may not be really happening. 

You might want to take charge of the conversation early on and ask people about how they’re spending their time, if they’ve read or watched anything interesting, how they feel about the American Pope, or anything away from the topic of work. Generally speaking, people like to talk about themselves, so keeping the conversation focused on them is a great way to deflect answering any questions about yourself. 

But ask yourself: is there anyone in your family you can confide in? Maybe a loving aunt or a cousin who also had a hard year? Is there anyone you can be honest with about your struggles who won’t say judgmental shit or give you rote but infuriating advice? Even just having one conversation where you don’t have to mask your troubles can feel very validating. 

I hope you’re able to find the peace and joy in these gatherings. 

And if all else fails, remember: you can always come down with “a cold” and cut your visits short. 

Dear Oracle, 

I tend to get the “winter blues,” even here in sunny Florida. What can I do to keep away the sads?—S.A.D in Seminole Heights

Cards: Page of Wands, The High Priestess, Knight of Wands, Four of Wands (reversed)

Dear SIS, Practically speaking, spend as much time as you can outdoors and in natural light. Light and light therapy are proven to help with seasonal affect disorder—and besides, it’s actually nice out now. Soak up the rays while you can. 

Then, I think you should throw yourself into a new creative project and really give it your all. 

The Page of Wands is a fiery explorer, one who jumps into the deep end and follows his free spirit. The Wands are a suite of passion and creativity, and to couple the adventurous Page with the passionate bronco that is the Knight of Wands, I think you should dive headfirst into a project that sparks your passion and creativity. 

I think it will be good for your mind and your soul. The High Priestess is the guardian of our subconscious, where good and bad things dwell. In psychoanalysis, it’s believed that issues buried in the subconscious are what cause problems in our conscious life. It’s mucking around in the subconscious that allows us to process things, and one way to do that is by creating art. It taps into something deeper within us and allows us to get into a “flow”—which is a real High Priestess feeling. Maybe you want to learn piano or finish that oil painting you started or try your hand at a screenplay—whatever it is, give yourself permission to just throw yourself into it. 

But, in addition to your creative pursuit, also be around people. The Four of Wands is stability, family, and home, and in these dark nights, it can feel very lonely. Reach out to people. Host a cocktail party in your apartment. Say yes to holiday lunches. Be around people you love and who make you feel seen. You might even rope some of them into your art if they’re down. (Life model? Actor? Tester for your gourmet experiments?)  

The Four of Wands can also represent the physical home, so make your space feel soothing and conducive to creativity. Get some candles or fairy lights, turn on a video of a fireplace burning, and do whatever you need to make it feel cozy and nourishing. 

And then have at! What are the long nights of winter for if not exploring the rich terrain of your inner world? Winter can be a magical time for creativity, and I hope it serves you well. 

Best of luck, my dear.

See more of Caroline and learn about her services via carolinedebruhl.com.

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This article appears in Nov. 27 – Dec. 03, 2025.