The Jo DeVoe Show

I've long gotten a kick out of the slang word “delulu.”It's just too cute. Delulu. And there are many folks who happily embrace it. They will proudly claim to be delulu.And they will encourage YOU to be delulu, too. But let’s not forget that “delulu” is short for delusional.And that is not cute. To delude means to deceive. And a delusional person is one who has been deceived or misled.In fact, the etymology goes so far as to say that they are in a state of fixed false beliefs.Fixed.Yikes!No. Not in this time that is rife with propaganda and AI proliferation.Not in this time when the difference between facts and fakes is becoming ever more difficult to discern.This is not the time to be seduced by this adorable-sounding word. This is not the time to be invoking delusion.Even though its slang counterpart can feel like thumbing our noses at that old, confining definition, there is still a self depreciating tone about it.And this is not the time to be depreciating our value.Not in this time that tries to weigh our worth in likes and follows.Not in this time that wants to replace our creativity with machines.Did you know that the root word of delude is ludere (Loo-deh-reh) and that ludere means to play?In the context of being deluded, that boils down to getting played.But… if you swap out the prefix of “de” for “pre” you get something else altogether, because ludere – to play – is also the root of prelude.And that is some powerful magic.A prelude sets the stage for something important to come.A prelude is an introductory action.And that brings us around to the magick of setting intentions.Pre-paving. Pre-tending. Pre-paring the way.Magick sets the stage for something important to come.Magick is an introductory action.Henceforth, we shall be known as pre-lulu!We are prelusional.We are playing with the energies of life – earth, air, fire, water – in an initiatory action, calling in something on purpose, something real.The misunderstood magician may be mocked for being delusional, as he earnestly stands before his altar with his wand in one hand pointed toward the heavens and his other pointed down toward the center of the Earth. There are those who won’t understand that the objects laid out on his table are not the mere toys of a hapless dreamer. They are potent symbols of his energetic anatomy, which he is learning to wield at will.Through play.Ludere.That’s because…The Magician is pre-lulu.*If you would like to check out my Patreon community, you can do that HERE. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joannadevoe.substack.com

This is the first episode of a 22 part series I created for Patreon, starting back in the spring of 2022…and now I am sharing it here with you!With a focus on The Fool card in the Major Arcana, we will be exploring ideas like :* Reading tarot from the perspective of your inner Witness.* The need to develop a working language that blends your unique personal creativity with more traditional divinatory meanings.* Learning the difference between impulsivity and intuition.* The Sacred Fool as the highest expression of this card.* The individuation process.* Stepping to the edge.I will also be reading directly from a few of my favorite books and sharing a fun lil’ exercise in which you lay out all of the Major Arcana cards in a particular way in order to visually demonstrate the three phases of the Fool’s Journey.Enjoy!*If you would like to check out my Patreon community, you can do that HERE. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joannadevoe.substack.com