It has been now 10 days that life threw me a curve ball: I hurt my back and recuperation is slow, something I am not used to. After endless days in bed, the situation got the better of me and despite the springlike weather outdoors I am feeling down. Watching of course The Man Who Cried while in this mood does not help in the least bit to elevate the spirits.

Perfect moment to pull out some cards and to have a little game.

If you own only one pack, it is not a difficult decision which to pick. As I own a fare amount of card packs, the first question to pose is how I want to cheer myself up. If I can’t decide, no biggie either, I’ll begin with one and after laying a spread I sometimes feel like swapping the cards with equal cards from another deck and play around until I feel I’m done.

This is for me a moment to reflect as to why in a situation like this I am drawn to them. After a second or two it is quite clear, actually. The cards are a known, a stability, something familiar and thus comforting and this instantly makes me feel better. Next to this, the colors and concepts of the cards activate my brain and allow me to move out of the spot I am in and to be creative which is ideal to change the current mood for good.

Even if the heart is not really in it, after shuffling cards a little here and there, a little smile over this or that card drawn, a small nod over one or the other constellation… and I am again ready to carry on with my life.