Today is my son’s 30^th birthday. His friends are in charge of his celebration. He and his girlfriend are curling tonight, and some of his friends will be there, raising a beer (or two). I joined them at the curling club after my successful debut as an instructor at OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, sponsored by the University of Alaska at Fairbanks). I had my own celebrating to do.

I first committed to teaching numerology at OLLI last March (2015), as part of my transition plan for changing my life from caring for my father in Colorado to returning to my own, redirected life with my husband in Alaska.

I’m not very good at specifying goals, much less following through. But I did plan for this, and I have left a sporadic trail of blog posts working through both my unexpected fears of taking up a new life in my old environment and the shaky baby steps I took toward my goals despite my fears. (I am SO glad and grateful for those guiding goals of instructing numerology—and tai chi, which I AM also instructing this fall, after months of training assiduously for that, too.)

My plan for numerology was simply to lead a small group (10?) of curious women through a terrific, fun workbook I stumbled across last year on an unusually boring day in Boulder, Who Are You in the Tarot? Discover Your Birth & Year Cards and Uncover Your Destiny, by Mary K. Greer, 2011, published by Weiser Books. How hard could it be? Numerology is relatively straightforward, like a “thumbnail sketch” of astrology.

But I cannot do things the easy way if there is a more complex way! I read seven other numerology books. I created a set of worksheets, to simplify the process of deriving the numerals. I first practiced on my Caritas Center friends in Boulder, when I visited in late June 2015. They had fun but also some difficulties. They gave great suggestions for ways to improve the worksheets and presentation. I revised the handouts over the next few months. Late September, I practiced again on a few friends. This was also fun and went much smoother. They gave me more refinements for my handouts and presentation.

THE standard tarot deck, used to illustrate most general tarot books, the Universal Waite deck, drawn by Pamela Colman Smith in 1909 to illustrate Arthur Edward Waite’s scholarly treatise on the tarot, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, published ever since 1911.

Two weeks before my class, I got my now color-coded handouts printed, sorted, and loaded into student folders. A week before the class, I loaded my rolling cart with nine copies of the textbook, 25 student folders, one set of the Universal Waite tarot cards, and assorted supplies. I practiced setting up the easel for the pocket chart with tarot cards. I reread my notes for the introduction over and over, practicing at odd moments. I reread one of my other favorite numerology books, Glynis Has Your Number.

One outside factor also played a big role in my preparations—the weather!  This has been an exceptionally gloomy gray fall, with lots of rain.  One day was so foggy, I seriously wanted to hop a plane south!  I have a lifelong problem with dreary weather; gloom makes me glum.  And cranky.  My poor husband!  I KNOW that the choice for JOY is INSIDE me–somewhere!  It was hiding!

Finally, the big day dawned—sunny for once, and the roads and parking lots were blessedly dry. HALLELUJAH! On the drive to OLLI, I saw an unusual sight, three separate construction vehicles slowly driving down the road, to exert all their constructive power on big projects.  I happily translated that as a supportive message from my celestial guides that I also have power slowly progressing and building.  And later on the drive, I registered that my chosen therapeutic music was none other than Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade,” the famous story of a clever young queen newly married to a king who notoriously had his wives executed when they did not bear him children.  She kept her life and saved their marriage by using storytelling to amuse and fascinate him.  I gather they lived happily ever after, despite no children.  Aha! another encouraging omen.

Good thing I got to class half an hour early to set up.  Several students were there already.  (OLLI is so cool–the students WANT to be there, and sit up front!)  I was able to chat with some of them as I set up the easel & tarot cards, pulled out class textbooks for sale to students still needing one, poured my tea, and made sure everyone got their folder.  The chatting helped relax me and connect with several students before class even started.

Once again, the introduction to numerology was the weakest part, although my best attempt so far.  At least it was quick, so I didn’t lose their attention.  I let everyone read about the nine numerals and think of what categories fit best. I tallied each student’s top three choices.  Then we moved on to introducing the tarot.

After half an hour, we did the first worksheet on the birth DATE, for the most important numeral, the Life Path number.  I demonstrated using today’s date–heck, it was the birth of the CLASS—a #5 day, for adventure and expansion, how cool is that?!!  Overall, students managed the worksheet pretty well, some helping others.  I was able to circulate a bit, too.  Still not easy-peazy, but it did work.

Finally, I tallied the students’ actual Life Path numbers.  FUN!!!  The tallies of guesses had the most #1s–the independent, self-motivated, initiators.  However, #1 was the only numeral with zero students!  LOL.  (By our age, I think we have LEARNED to be motivated and leaders through life experience.)  The 2 biggest actual groups were #6 (nurturers) and #2 (partners).  The 6-guesses were a very small group.  (I’m not the only one who didn’t see it in myself.)  I asked how many people guessed their “real” number.  I got many yeses and many noes. Their unused guesses may well turn up in their NAME numbers next week, their Destiny or Expression numbers.

Anyway, my class had an intimidating 22 students, give or take one, with 5 men, which was a pleasant surprise. We had 20 minutes left at the end, to break into numeral groups and look at the appropriate tarot cards up close.  The students  enjoyed comparing notes.

The class was a big hit!  I was giddy by the end, as I cleaned up.  We all enjoyed the class and each other.  I think my extended case of PMS-style-crankiness is resolved.  LET the gray weather and darkness come back–I’m ready for it!

By the way, mid-way through class, we DID talk about the spirituality aspect that I was trying to downplay.  Group consensus is that THEY are all open to it, so I need not clam up on their behalf.  They won’t give me a hard time!  That was very comforting.