Over a year ago, Chicanx futurist artist Ruben Briseño Reveles grappled with a choice: either his job or his mental health and well-being. He decided to make a leap into a new life when he left his restaurant job of 20 years. His is one of many stories of great resignations in the face of the events of 2020 and 2021, and we talk with Ruben about what he’s learned during this time — about his art, his spirituality, and his relationship to his family.

In this episode, we conduct a live tarot reading with Ruben during the portal of Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, which occurs this year between the solar and lunar eclipses of the latter half of 2022. The reading touches on the practicalities of making a living as an artist and the role that prayer and ancestry have in keeping us steady in periods of change.

Five and Nine Season 2 is about transitions. As falls sets in in the northern hemisphere and spring in the south, Five and Nine looks at change in all its forms — leaving jobs, changing industries, starting new paths, and the wisdom that tarot and magic have to offer in a world that seems to be ever in flux.

Resources

From Our Guest and Hosts

* Ruben Briseño Reveles

* Being Peace, by Thich Nhat Hanh

* Tarot Doula

Tarot Cards Discussed

* Two of Swords

* Four of Pentacles

* Queen of Swords

* Queen of Pentacles

Music

* Episode: Shine on, harvest moon barn dance, performed by Arthur Pryor’s Band in 1910 and composed by Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth.

* Outro: Ain’t we got fun, composed by Richard A. Whiting and performed by the Benson Orchestra of Chicago, 1921.

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Five and Nine is a podcast and newsletter at the crossroads of magic, work and economic justice. We publish “moonthly” — every new moon 🌚 and full moon 🌝 — , and we provide an ongoing critical discussion through readings, reflections and debate.

In this new world, we’re all rethinking the meaning of work and justice in our lives. Our lives and livelihoods are more essential than ever in identifying ways forward for society that can be grounded in care, compassion and sustainability. 

Directors of Magic. Dorothy R. Santos and Xiaowei R. WangCreative Director. Xiaowei R. WangLead Producer. Ana Mina (aka An Xiao)

Learn more about us here.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fiveandnine.substack.com/subscribe