Close crop of the King of Wands tarot card

Dear Oracle, My health has not been great. After years of looking for answers, it seems I’ve finally gotten a lot of possibilities and information from a doctor but it requires more testing before we can come up with a plan forward. But I’m freaking out! It’s a lot to take on and impossible not to spiral out. How can I deal with all of this medical anxiety?—Worried

Cards: The Moon (reversed), Knight of Swords, Three of Cups (reversed), King of Wands

Dear Worried,

I personally don’t know anyone able to take on a lot of mysterious medical “possibilities” and not freak out. Having questions without answers is the stuff that anxiety spirals are made of, my dear, and health issues are so much more acute.

Because, as The Moon shows, issues with our health are connected to far deeper fears in our subconscious. When we worry about our health, we’re worrying about our death. Will this illness kill me? What would it rob me of that a healthy life could provide? How long would I have left? These are huge questions that you don’t know the answer to—and may not know because medicine is a field of odds and complexities. Every patient is unique.

So what do you do?

First off, you’re going to find out everything you can. As the Knight of Swords, you’re going to be diligent about listening and asking questions to your doctor. You’re going to be proactive about research regarding treatment plans and what fits for you and your life, and if need be, getting a second opinion. Knowledge is coming. It might take a while, but it’s coming.

The next thing you’re going to do is lean on your support system. The Three of Cups is a card of friendship, but also one of emotional harmony. Your friends are going to help you through this, but it does require you to be vulnerable and upfront about your fears. For some people, that’s easy; for others, it’s hard. You’re not a burden for telling people you love that you’re scared, and talking to people is a way to bring emotions into balance. (This support system should also include a therapist. Best case scenario, they’ll talk to you about your anxiety. Worst case, they walk you through your medical journey.)

Lastly, you’re going to be your own fiercest advocate. As the King of Wands, you’re going to be protective of yourself. Don’t let anyone give you the brush off. Ask all the questions you want to know. Again, if you need a second opinion, seek one out. Talk to your pharmacist about a medicine’s side effects. Track your symptoms, and if anything seems wrong, flag it and reach out immediately. Again, every human body is unique and reacts to things differently.

You also have to be compassionate with yourself. The King of Wands is a papa bear of a card, but it’s also one that can nurture. Give yourself time to heal, rest, feel what you need to. Protect yourself, my love.

Send your questions to oracle@cltampa.com or DM @theyboracle on Instagram.

Dear Oracle,

I work for a bunch of idiots at a tech company. It is so, so, so toxic and mishandled. I’m trying to find another job, but I’m worried it’s going to be the same bullshit everywhere. What should I do?—Too Smart for This Dumb Shit

Cards: Six of Pentacles (reversed), Queen of Cups, Full Moon, Eight of Swords, Five of Wands (reversed), Seven of Cups (reversed)

Dear Smart,

I’m sorry that your job is shitty.

As the Queen of Cups, I think you’re someone who can feel things deeply and perhaps even take things personally that are meant to be more general. With the Sic of Pentacles, I do wonder if you feel like you’ve given everything you can to this company and feel unrewarded for those efforts.

It makes sense that you want to break out now. With the Full Moon, there is urgency around you, and with the Eight of Swords, you might feel like you’re trapped on a sinking ship. While there are abrupt closures in all lines of work, tech companies do have a reputation for sinking fast, so if you feel like the writing is on the wall, you should get out now.

But, as always, the Eight of Swords is feeling trapped when you are, in fact, not. I urge you to take an honest examination of things before jumping ship.

Because out there, it’s not all calm seas and smooth sailing. The Five of Wands is the card of war and conflict, and in the business world, this could easily be another boss you butt heads with or don’t see eye to eye with, or view as an idiot (perhaps justly, perhaps unjustly).

With the Seven of Cups, I’ve often cautioned people against hasty choices or taking an offer that seems too good to be true. That still stands here. But it’s also about choosing a path that you think is in your best interest, but isn’t.

With the Seven of Cups ending the spread, I have to go back to the other cards and see them in this new context. With the Six of Pentacles, are you someone who gives 100% at your job, or do you withhold your efforts if you feel slighted? Do you fear you’ll be trapped elsewhere because others won’t appreciate you? Is the conflict you feel coming from outside aggressors, or are you more than happy to spar? I don’t know.

But if the path you’re on isn’t working, if you’re worried it’s going to be the same story everywhere, then I think your two choices are to find out if that’s true or pivot to something else.

Either way, if you’re in a toxic work environment, you do need to make an escape plan. But really examine what you want and what you’re willing to work for. You might find that it’s in a different industry, or you might find that you only want to work for yourself. You’re the only one who can answer this.

I do genuinely hope you find a better job soon. Best of luck, my dear.

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

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