The first card drawn is number five from the abstract deck, representing the intersection of Muladhara (I am) and Vishuddha (I say). This card, depicted as a millstone, signifies how one's sense of safety, security, and identity is impacted by communication, emphasizing the power of the physical self and voice to effect positive change, as encapsulated by the haiku "spoken millstones, crush injustice, lying rubble, pulverizing truth". The hosts discuss the importance of being mindful of one's words and intentions, highlighting the speaker as the active agent in creating change.
The conversation then delves into the complexities of intentions and ethical principles, noting that while intentions inform actions, results are what truly matter, and ethics often resides in a "gray in the middle" rather than absolute rules. They use examples from religious traditions, such as the detailed interpretations in the Talmud and Mishna, and workarounds for Sabbath laws (like "Shabbos elevators" or subtly prompting a "gentile friend" to turn off a light), to illustrate how rigid principles can lead to inconvenient or seemingly ridiculous situations, obscuring the original intent of reverence. The second card drawn is The Sentinel of Seeds, which is identified as the Knight of Pentacles in the Tarot. Its message, "Do the work that now needs doing," reinforces the theme of action and prompts listeners to evaluate if their "pillars" (principles) truly serve them now. This is further explored through anecdotes of a coach suspended for helping disadvantaged students and a teacher forging a signature to ensure a student received meals, highlighting the tension between principles, intentions, and the desire to do good in complex situations.
The third card revealed is number 15 from the "Projections of Joy" or the "sassy deck"), representing Manipura or the solar plexus, with the theme of "fire on fire" and "I do on I do". Its message, "Potluck your gratitude," focuses on giving versus sacrificing, receiving versus taking, and abundance versus scarcity, emphasizing collaboration and community over individual burden. Rituals are discussed as powerful tools for directing intention and aligning communities, but cautioned against being merely transactional or performed without full presence. The fourth card, number 11, Defend, is identified as the Justice card in the Tarot. It calls for defending one's actions by first acknowledging an inner "gut level" answer to whether an action was right, before attempting justifications. This leads to a discussion of "The Good Place" television show, which explores moral philosophy, point systems, and what it means to be a "good person" in a complex world. The final card, number 15 from "the professions" deck, reiterates the "fire on fire" theme with the profession, "I profess that I do everything from the intent of balance". This capstone emphasizes that balance, rather than perfection, should be the guiding intent, recognizing that life requires constant, vibrating effort and adaptation, much like a dancer maintaining balance or the body regulating homeostasis.

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The reading begins with Deck Number 3, "The Intersections," card number 30, representing Vishuda (throat chakra - I say) intersecting with the third eye (I see). This card prompts a reflection on how one's intellect influences communication, serving as a reminder that personal perception, while invaluable, is not the sole perspective. They recall an earlier reading featuring "the first sewing, the Ace of Seeds," emphasizing grounding. The discussion expands on the dangers of self-talk and "echo chambers" within oneself, where unhelpful messages can become noise and degrade clarity. This leads to an inward focus, encouraging listeners to examine their spiritual landscape and beliefs to ensure their expressions align with their true selves, performing a "reality check" on their internal and external reflections.
The hosts delve deeper into the cyclical nature of beliefs, suggesting an opportunity to let go of old ideas that no longer serve one's growth, likening it to a "sundown" cycle. They connect this evolution of thought to scientific understandings, including quantum mechanics, the observer effect (illustrated humorously with a cat anecdote), and recent breakthroughs in creating matter from energy, underscoring how belief and action can physically shape the brain and reality. The conversation transitions to the second card, The Seeker of Seeds, which is the Page of Pentacles in the Tarot and represents the root chakra. This card symbolizes curiosity, wonder, and the preparation stage of planting, emphasizing patience and the understanding that initial sprouts are not the full plant; success or failure cannot be immediately judged. It also highlights the importance of recognizing and working within limitations, much like understanding soil composition for gardening, to foster boundless creativity within given boundaries.
The final two cards expand on interpersonal and personal responsibility. Projections of Joy (Deck Number 1), card number 23, illustrates the Heart (I love) influenced by Air/Aqua (I say), with the message to "see both sides of the board, play yourself at chess, listen as much as you speak, let people disagree". This encourages honest self-assessment and empathy, contrasting with debate as "winning". The hosts discuss the importance of listening as much as speaking, even to oneself, to mature and understand reactions, citing cognitive behavioral therapy and systemic biases (like racism) as examples. They explore the concept of "tainted" perspectives, particularly from privileged viewpoints, and the necessity of owning one's fallibility and allowing for change and forgiveness rather than engaging in "performative purity tests". The discussion references Wicked as an example of sympathetic antagonists and the experience of being "othered". The final cards drawn are The Creator, a major archon in Dean's deck, equated to the Empress in Tarot, representing the third chakra's ability to shape what one imagines with responsibility and purpose. Alongside this, The Source of Waves, the Queen of Cups in Tarot, signifies being the authentic source of one's emotions, leading to freedom from guilt through acknowledgment and self-understanding. The episode concludes with a powerful message about shaping oneself and one's expression, owning one's context, and using one's creative "fire to light lights, not to burn forests".

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Welcome to Show Me Your Deck, episode 46, titled "Go Stop Go: Finding peace in stillness and action," where hosts Dean Sage and Jack Kervin explore the intersections of oracles and chakras. This episode features special guest Kaelan Strouse, an influencer and author, who shares the journey behind his original oracle deck. Kaelan's deck, which became the topic of his third book, features 48 spiritual lessons he consistently revisits, evolving from an initial idea of deities to broader spiritual messages. His creative process was deeply personal, even unfolding while visiting his father during his last months, adding a card about reclaiming one's power, making it 48 cards from an initial 47.
The episode delves into a powerful reading using a combination of the hosts' and guest's decks, beginning with Dean's "sassy deck" where a tetrahedron and 50-sided dice determine card pulls. The first card pulled is card 40, "Prioritize your polish," representing the intersection of the third eye (blue) and solar plexus (yellow) chakras, signifying a blend of insight and action – "I see with I do". This card emphasizes refining one's expertise, creating inviolable sessions, and eliminating distractions. Kaelan then pulls his card, "Enjoy simplicity," which beautifully contrasts, advocating for quiet, stillness, and removing clutter to allow answers to reveal themselves. The reading continues with Dean pulling the 10 of Seeds, explicitly noted as a Tarot reference, tied to the root chakra, symbolizing completeness, generational impact, and the idea that "Your seeds given to others will grow for generations". This prompts a discussion on karma and the lasting effects of actions. Kaelan's next card, "Let your body move you," highlights somatic wisdom and learning through both stillness and motion, celebrating the inherent intelligence of our physical forms. The final card pulled is Dean's "Step to it, honey. You thought enough now. Define the milestones. Start walking last Monday," a clear call to action after contemplation, with inverse colors (yellow on blue) of the first card.
Throughout the discussion, a central theme emerges about the dynamic balance between stillness and action, emphasizing that both are crucial for effectiveness, not just productivity. The hosts and Kaelan challenge the societal pressures of constant busyness and the capitalist idea of "productivity," suggesting that true fulfillment comes from acting with peace and clarity rather than obligation. Kaelan particularly highlights his deck's universal approach to spirituality, deliberately avoiding terms tied to any single tradition to make spiritual truths accessible to everyone, emphasizing that wisdom can be accessed through personal experience without gatekeepers or appropriation. The episode concludes with the profound insight that wisdom and right action arise from integrating all aspects of oneself – mind, body, and spirit – in a beautiful, complex whole. You can find more information about the hosts and guest at their respective websites.