Oracle Of Ybor: I’m a freelancer, but also sick of chasing people down for my money

Dear Oracle,

I’m a freelance artist. While I’ve had some luck with clients, I also have been stiffed on the bill more than once. I like what I do and want to transition to it full-time, but I don’t want to spend all my time chasing down my paycheck. Any advice?—Prefer-not-to-starve artist

Cards: Wheel of Fortune, The Star (reversed), Two of Pentacles, Knight of Cups

Dear Artist,

As someone who also lives that 1099 life, I feel you. Before I get into the cards, I have to talk about the sexiest part of being an artist: paperwork. You do need a contract with every client. You should have a boilerplate on what you can offer, and if you’re offered one, you need to read it before you sign. If applicable, you might consider a credit card authorization form, too—that way, you can charge them for the work done and don’t have to debate, “Is this $300 worth going to small claims court for?”

Now, as prepared as you can be, The Wheel of Fortune is here to remind us that there is still a chance that some fucker will stiff you the bill. We can only be the architects of our own density to an extent. There are plenty of things out of control, and while we can have back plans waiting in the wings, things might still go sideways. Humans are stuck between the spokes of “free will” and “destiny” on this spinning wheel.

But just because you might be chasing down money doesn’t mean what you’re doing isn’t worth it. With the Star reversed, I think it’ll take some time to find a balance and harmony, but I do think this is what you’re meant to do. I’m a big believer that if you have the drive to create, you must create, for the sake of your soul. I also believe that if something is going to dominate your life, you might as well try to make a little scratch off of it.

Like The Wheel of Fortune, the Two of Pentacles is also about moving. You are balancing what is meaningful, what is productive, what is necessary, and what is fun about your job. Unless you get a MacArthur grant, to be a working artist is to multitask and build a network. It’s an awful truth, but the more well-known and well-liked you become in a small industry, the harder it is for you to become exploited. If you have a robust and respected reputation, your small claims court filings have more oomph, and having friends in high places might help you from getting the runaround from larger corporate clients.

So you’re going to have to win over clients and people in your industry. The Knight of Cups is a charmer, a visionary, someone who can chat anyone up and master the elevator pitch. It’s time to network. Yes, it might feel mercenary and unnatural, but it can help you, especially when you’re starting out.

Best of luck, my dear. I hope you don’t have to serve anyone papers for a long time.

Dear Oracle,

Recently, I met a woman at a party. We talked for the entire party. We talked for the entire walk to her place, and after hooking up, kept talking til dawn, then at breakfast, and walking back to pick up our cars. It was the first time in years I’d felt a connection like this, and she said she did, too. But…she asked if I wanted kids and said I go back and forth. She wants them and said it’s a deal breaker. I know it sounds crazy, but I saw a future with her and feel heartbroken. What should I do? —Emo on Main

Cards: Judgment, Five of Cups, Waxing Crescent, The Emperor.

Dear Emo,

It doesn’t sound crazy. It sounds like you fell in love at first conversation. Things like this happen. I’m sorry the joy of this love was ever brief.

You are heartbroken. The Five of Cups shows that. But the Five can be about concentrating on the loss and not seeing what is still there. All of these cards speak about the potential of a future and the intention you need to bring to it.

Judgment acts like grief: you can either stay in your grave or you can be reborn. Love offers the same deal. In this heartsickness, you can mourn the fact that you lost this love. You can also acknowledge that love is possible and that moments like this can happen.

With the waxing crescent, it is time for you to be intentional, to know what it is you want in the future. I would meditate on the question of if you want children. If you truly don’t want them, don’t talk yourself into having them because 1.) it’s incredibly hard work and 2.) kids know when they’re resented, and that’s a shitty burden to put on them. Likewise, if you discover you want to be a parent, you can be honest about that.

The Emperor is confident in his choices. He has an eye toward the future, and it is determined. As you figure out who you want to be on the other side of this heartsickness, go confidently into that direction. You deserve to find a lasting love, to be with someone you can talk to for 12 hours straight, and to share a future that you both want.

I know this moment is hard. I’ve often thought about a line from Carmen Firan’s poem, “Festina Lente,” that love gives you everything/but time.”

I hope that you survive this pain and that, in some alchemic way, it allows you to remerge as someone you want to be.

Best of luck, my dear.

Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.

Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed