Most people don’t struggle because they lack discipline. They struggle because they aren’t tuning into what lights them up. They struggle because they’re trying to grow without fully releasing what no longer serves them. They struggle because they think life needs to look a certain way in order to be successful.

In this special Character season finale, I’m sharing a workshop I taught called “Be Your Own Guru.” Over the past 18 months, I’ve become deeply obsessed with tarot—not as a way to predict the future, but as a tool for strengthening intuition and recalibrating when you’re out of alignment. Transitions are uncomfortable and the tendency can be to look for a map or set of instructions. But the truth is: the map is inside of you. You just need a way to hear it.

I teach three core Tarot archetypes that help you close out 2025 and start 2026 from a soul-aligned place: The Empress (follow your sparkle), Death (release what you’ve outgrown), and The Magician (be the artist of your life). You’ll get a guided meditation designed to surface what felt sparkly this year, what wants to be released, and what your soul most wants for the year ahead. This is followed by a group Tarot pull to help you clarify what’s blocking and what’s supporting your deepest goal for 2026.

If you’re navigating change, craving clarity, or searching for a way to create more fun and playfulness in your life, this workshop is your reset to kick off 2026 in a fun and powerful way.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

-How to use tarot as a tool for self-trust (not fortune-telling)

- How to follow your “sparkle” when life feels heavy

- How to release old identities without needing the full plan

- How to become the artist of your life instead of following a success formula

Listen to the Full Episode

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@characterpod

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/character-with-anne-benveniste/id1645863102

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/63UcUnBWGGxAjTiX9Q2RnN

Follow Along:

Substack: https://annebenven.substack.com

Website: https://www.annebenveniste.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annebenveniste/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/characterpod

Episode Highlights & Timestamps:

00:00 — Why we cling to old versions of ourselves (and how it weighs us down)

01:10 — How Anne uses tarot: intuition, alignment, and navigating change (not prediction)

02:28 — Workshop begins: the three themes—sparkle, release, and artistry

03:10 — Anne's story: chasing “success” (MBA/tech) vs. choosing what’s aligned

07:04 — Why tarot strengthens intuition: symbolism, unconscious knowing, and self-trust

09:25 — Workshop structure: themes → meditation → group tarot pull → Q&A

11:27 — The Empress: “follow your sparkle” and stop treating life like homework

13:23 — How numbing discomfort disconnects you from your inner yes/no compass

14:50 — Death card: releasing identities, beliefs, and behaviors you’ve outgrown

17:53 — The Magician: throw out the rulebook and create your own path

20:40 — Guided meditation begins: grounding in the heart and cultivating gratitude

25:40 — Reflection: what wants to be released from 2025?

29:00 — Reflection: what is your soul’s deepest desire for 2026?

31:40 — Mirror card: Eight of Cups (reversed) — resisting walking away from what’s “working”

33:40 — Challenger card: Two of Wands (reversed) — comfort, hesitation, and not dreaming big

34:55 — Helper card: Judgment — hearing the call and answering it

39:50 — Q&A: “There is no path until you walk it” and how transitions actually unfold

45:45 — Q&A: interpreting “the call” when you want a clear formula for what to do next

51:00 — Community reflection: boundaries, creativity, and making space for what lights you up

54:40 — Closing: Season one finale + what’s coming next for Character