Life Lately
A Sun Allergy, Beach Reads, and our Collective Card Reading
Last week I had my first beach day of the season (I want to say summer, but can you believe it’s not actually summer yet?).
It was a solo beach day. Rachel was working from home and occupying Jubilee, which meant I had no responsibilities for the afternoon. As of last week, both of my boys are officially in their twenties. I remember beach days with them fondly, and I also appreciate the kind of relaxation that comes from being alone.
Now, I sit at the beach and no one’s life is in my hands. I can do whatever I want, and I still haven’t entirely gotten used to that.
I brought three books and a large bottle of ice water. No snacks. I figured that would give me some motivation to head home for lunch and eat the precious taco leftovers Rachel made the night before. I rotated between three books. Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand, a true beach read set on Nantucket and full of gossip and drama. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, part of my goal to read at least ten classics this year. And Nymph by Sofia Montrone, a coming-of-age novel set during a lush Italian summer.
I ended up devouring Swan Song, making it halfway through The Sun Also Rises, and saving Nymph for when I can give it my full attention. So far, it seems worth the wait.
One of the things I love most about the beach is how easy it becomes to listen to my body. Going in the ocean when I’m hot, going for a walk when I want to move, and closing my eyes for what I call micro-naps. A micro-nap is when I close my eyes to daydream, and just hover on the edge of sleep.
I haven’t been much of a napper since the age of two. Maybe it’s because my ADHD brain is convinced I’m missing out on something. Or maybe it’s because losing consciousness in a public place feels scary. The one exception is the beach, if there are enough people nearby to feel safe, but not so many that I feel crowded, it’s just relaxing enough.
I suspect the real reason I never fully fall asleep is that about ten years ago my ex-husband and I dozed off on a roped-off section of a beach in Jamaica. When we woke up, we were no longer alone and noticed two things. Everyone was at least two decades older than us and they were all naked.
We briefly considered whether taking our clothes off to blend in would be less awkward than leaving. After a very short discussion, we decided it would not, and hot-footed it out of there cringing in apology at the people we were fleeing from. Sorry, we are American, we don’t know what we’re doing. Please forgive us.
Two days after my recent solo beach day, I noticed a familiar rash that appears every year after my first significant sun exposure of the season. Red bumps across my arms, legs, and feet. Not a sunburn, more like a sun allergy.
For years I accepted this as one of my body’s strange little quirks. This year I finally Googled it and discovered it has a name: Polymorphous Light Eruption (PMLE).
Apparently, it’s a reaction to the sun’s UV rays that often appears after the first exposure of the season and can resolve on its own. Which is reassuring because that’s exactly what it does every year (for me anyway). The next couple days I spent at home with hydrocortisone cream, Benadryl, and my books.
Even when I’m listening to my body, my body sometimes has notes.
Here is our collective card reading:
(Scroll slowly if you don’t want to see the cards revealed before you choose.)
How this works: I invite you to take a slow, grounding breath and let your attention settle. When you’re ready, look at the three cards and notice which one, two, or three, you feel most drawn to. Trust your intuition. Then scroll below the photo to read the message connected to your card(s) and let it support you over the days and weeks ahead. As always, please take what resonates and leave the rest.
If you chose card 1:
Six of Wands
This card is like a high five from the Universe.
You might know exactly what it’s for. Maybe you’ve accomplished something after months—or even years—of hard work. If so, this is your invitation to celebrate and enjoy your success.
And if you’re not quite there yet, or the progress feels small, take this as a sign to keep going.
The Six of Wands is about motivation, momentum, and recognition. The recognition or encouragement you receive now is meant to fuel you forward.
Sometimes this card appears when you’ve been working so hard that you’ve forgotten to notice your own progress. Take a moment to look behind you and see how far you’ve come. The confidence that comes from recognizing your growth can be just as important as the achievement itself.
If you chose card 2:
Eight of Wands
This card is all about speed, momentum, and potential. Things are moving forward—and quickly.
If you asked how long until something happens, the answer is: it’s on the way. If you asked whether you should do the thing, the answer is likely yes—and sooner rather than later.
With the eight of wands, you are a burst of inspiration, like an arrow flying through the air. Trust the energy that’s building. Embracing spontaneity may be part of the message. Send the email. Make the plan. Sign up for the class. Say yes to the adventure that’s been calling your name.
The Eight of Wands reminds us that not every decision needs months of deliberation. Sometimes the timing is right, the path is clear enough, and the best thing we can do is move. Take action, make a move, and follow this thread of inspiration to see where it leads.
If you chose card 3:
Ten of Wands
The man in this image is clearly carrying too much. The wands remind me of a handful of burnt-out matches, the energy has all been spent.
There’s a lot going on here. Maybe not the devastating or life-altering kind of overwhelm, but certainly the feeling of, “This is too much.” My anxiety kicks in just watching him try to carry it all. Something is going to fall eventually. We can only keep so many things in the air for so long.
When the Ten of Wands appears, it’s often a sign that you’ve taken on too much responsibility, pressure, or obligation. You may be trying to carry everything yourself, convinced that asking for help isn’t an option.
This card is a reminder that you don’t have to do it all alone. Where can you ask for support? What can you delegate? What can you postpone, simplify, or release altogether?
This is an invitation to decide what you can put down before the universe decides for you. Where can you make things a little easier on yourself?
Thanks for being here and for reading.
With love,
Sheryl
P.S. I’ve been working on something I’m excited to share with you. The Intuitive Tarot Guidebook is a 33-page digital download that brings together the core teachings, exercises, and practices from my Intuitive Tarot course into one easy-to-reference resource. It’s available now in the shop.
Here are more ways to connect with me:
Buy a copy of my book 📚 or check out these free articles
Where else you can find me:
Website: sherylwagnermedium.com
Some of the things you say in your newsletter move me so much. I am a reluctant retiree. I cannot stay quiet. Even though I work remotely at a part-time job, I ended up clocking 45 hours in one week. I am not sure why I slog so much. All I know is that it takes the place of something that gnaws at me. Coming back to your article, I am so impressed with your determination to relax. It requires planning - it requires consciously turning away from the irrational tug of responsibilities.