"I don't want to be the co-captain of the Titanic." - Jeff Lewis

Not feeling super-social, or superficial, these days?

Join the club.  Seems we're winding down on the booze fests and pricey dinners and celebrations with people we can hardly tolerate or care for... for a myriad of reasons-- from saving money to saving time to wanting to be with ourselves for a change to curbing a tendency to be wasteful.  Because, environmental paranoia aside, some of us have been unnecessarily and ridiculously wasteful, no?  Wasting away perfectly good resources here and there.  This, of course, is all according to the reversed Flowers (or reversed 4 of Wands).

In case you need proof of social circle shrinkage, check out the sizes of your social circles (if there's even a circle left), this week, and feel free to compare them to those of the past, say, two to three years.  If you've still got a circle in your life, even a square or triangle, you're pretty lucky because it's likely to be comprised of decent, trustworthy folks who will continue to stick around.

I say "likely" because the reversed Flowers does indicate the circulation of nasty gossip amongst a number of social circles.  Social circles are linked for the sake of remaining social... and a circle.  And most talk-talk is not going to be pretty.  Merriam-Webster defines gossip as a rumor or report of an intimate nature.  This card, though, takes this information to a whole new and unexpected level this week, as some folks are willing to challenge, beat, shit on, or just plain destroy the reputation or sanity of others.  For the fun of it.  Or out of sheer jealousy.  I suggest keeping out of these kinda circles lest you result partially responsible for something you don't want to be responsible for.  Troubles abound for painfully and brutally superficial circles.  Hopefully some have learned something from our past here.

Any, if not all, social events this week may boast a sense of urgency or obligation about them.  As in, you may need to be there for someone, or he/she may need to be there for you.  Either way, someone will be grateful for your presence.  After all, the reversed Flowers isn't a let's have drinks and badmouth Karla because she's prettier and younger and smarter card-- it's a card that brings people together for seriously open, perhaps life-changing dialogue and growth.  The social scene should be intimate, not seemingly-intimate. 

For some, gifts will arrive in unexpected ways, at unexpected times, from unexpected sources and people.  In other words, they're not gonna be wrapped in pretty paper and ribbons.  Instead, they'll be wrapped in meaning and truth and come in the forms of notes, letters, hugs, coffee, checks, "little things", and other genuinely supportive actions, words and stuff.  Alternatively, rather than express how much others mean to us, many of us will show it.  I like the sound of that.

Also, it is OK to be with ourselves, you know, especially if we need a moment to process some important circumstances.  It's OK to spend quality time with quality people, too.  Don't feel like a dork-and-a-half because you're giving up the company of douchebags-- er, "cool people"-- for the company of a recluse, for example.  You'll learn more from the recluse.

There is an underlying danger to this card that I need to bring up here.  I call it "blind charity", and I'm not referring to a charity for blind people. 

What I'm talking about is the offering of our kindness, sympathy, generosity and money... to clear-cut scam artists.  Fraud.  False Advertising.  I'm also talking about the extension of said kindness, sympathy, generosity and money... overruling our need to care for ourselves and perhaps even our families.  Think: tithing (when God doesn't even need money). 

What we have here are two perfectly good scenarios representative of organizations and sleazeballs who prey on our hearts for gifts that we need to use on ourselves (and perhaps our debts) like compassion and money. 

But guess what?  Your debts aren't going to go away through prayer or through your contribution to a religious black hole of a money pit.  They're going to go away thanks to any work you can find to bring you a paycheck plus your effort and a disciplined spending habit.  Bankruptcy may even be an option for some, something has to give.

And guess what else?  That douchebag you're feeling sorry for hasn't done a damn thing to boost him/herself in, say, three, four or fifteen years.  Do you really think that your compassion and money and open-door are going to make a difference in this person's life?  Not a chance.  This person is milking you like a cow.

Let's stop supporting sleazeballs and sleazeball-organizations.  Now.  A good many of you never got a hand-out to help you along your way.  So why help a sleazeball?  Why, when our money and compassion can be put to much better use? 

Last things to watch out for this week:

• Unusual acts of kindness.  Not usual acts of kindness from the person you expect but seriously unusual acts of kindness from someone who in a million years would be so kind and pure and sweet... unless he/she is up to something or has your demise hidden up his/her sleeves.  I know I mentioned thoughtful gifts from unexpected people/sources earlier in this post, so I'm elaborating on this subject to include people who may offer gifts with strings attached to them.  Yeah, some will be nice-nice alright... for a price.  Oh, and stay tuned for utterly classless behavior, too.  Fun stuff!
• Bizarro friend requests and social invitations.  You may receive a bizarro request for friendship, for example, on famous social networks like Facebook and Twitter.  I'd suggest ignoring this and similar requests for connection which will only serve as a vehicle into finding out more about your private or personal life for misuse.  Alternatively, be prepared to experience annoying pressure from peers.
  

Wisdom first, folks.  Settling in right-side up doesn't make you cruel, above anyone, perfect or all-knowing.  Let haters hate.

Have a great week.