The Energy of Genesee County, Michigan: A Tarot & Oracle Reading to Awaken the People

 

Genesee County Michigan, has a poor reputation but a resilience that many counties in the state of Michigan do not have. This county has seen it's fair share of bad news. From GM shipping its factories overseas from Flint, Michigan, to drugs and gang violence, to the Flint Water Crisis, this county has had its hardships. 

I was born in Flint, Michigan, in 1984. My dad had just gotten laid off at Buick City and was going on strike the day I was born. I currently live outside of Flint, in a city called Burton, near the south side of Flint. You can hear gunshots randomly at 12:00/1:00 in the morning. There are no good-paying jobs, even with a GM plant on Van Slyke in Flint Township! It's super hard to get into the GM plant, rumors abound. The only places that are hiring are retail jobs, restaurants and fast food jobs, and hospitality. Most people commute out of Genesee County to Auburn Hills or Detroit, or even Lansing or Saginaw, for better-paying jobs! 

One thing that I love and despise at the same time in Genesee County is the people. Most people in Genesee County are resilient, no nonsense, and tough as nails. Others are in victim mode. Blaming everything on stuff outside of themselves (and part of that can be true, too). Some refuse to take responsibility. While others keep electing the same damn corrupt people in their city councils, as mayors, for senate and congress even, expecting good change to happen. But good change never comes, and we end up in perpetual, repeating cycles that put us in poverty, violence, and bad mental and physical health.

According to geneseecountymi.gov, Genesee County has a population of 403,188 in 2022, making it the fifth-largest county in the state. It is a majority of people 65+ and older. It's not very attractive to younger families and singles. Most people who grow up here end up moving out of the county or out-of-state altogether. 13.9% of people under 65 have a disability. Most people are on some sort of social help (such as welfare or food assistance) or Medicaid.

I am going to be transparent here: I honestly dislike living here in Genesee County. I have never liked it here. I have talked about moving away from here since I was seven years old. But it hasn't happened yet. Maybe someday it will. Or maybe I'm just stuck here with the boomer population. Or maybe I have a higher purpose that isn't being revealed right now.  I tried to perform this reading without my bias of not liking it here. And I feel like I did a pretty good job of not being biased. I feel like this reading told the truth. So, if you are still interested in reading this tarot and oracle reading, keep reading! If not, go look for someone with rose-colored glasses and LOVES this county. I am using the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot and Wisdom of the Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid. Without further ado, here is my tarot reading for Genesee County.

The reading for Genesee County, Michigan

1. The Soul of Genesee County

What energy defines this community at its core? What’s the heartbeat of this place?  

Four of Cups -- Okay, this is giving "meh" energy. The people in this county feel bored, disappointed, and disillusioned. At its core, Genesee County is an opportunity that either your heart is halfway in, or it's something you take until you find somewhere better to live. It's a foundational block, as expressed by the number four. You're not meant to stay here forever. This county is good for families starting out, small businesses, and overall finding/creating one's self. There is a lot of potential here, but potential has burned people. They need something more stable — such as affordable housing, better jobs with better pay, and more resources. The resources here only help few people, or people are simply not seeing or hearing about these resources that are presented, or they are not interested in these resources.

2. Collective Strengths

What gifts or unique strengths does this community carry?

Six of Wands — Genesee County is a place of victory through adversity. People realize how resilient they are. People also realize their worth. To me, the Six of Wands speaks of comeback, growth, and success. There is a lot of potential to be successful and make something of yourself. People overcome a lot of challenges, such as the Flint Water Crisis and poverty, for instance. And some people realize their potential, find their passion, and pursue their dreams here. Overall, Genesee County is coming back. Or, at least, trying to make a comeback.

3. Collective Wounds

What pain or trauma is still lingering in the energy of this place?

The Star — Automatically, with all the water in the card, and the card is ruled by the water bearer, Aquarius, the trauma of the Flint Water Crisis still lingers. Many people still here during the water crisis have either lost all hope and faith in the government or are on their way to spiritual, emotional, and physical healing. Also, people are still dealing with the substantial job loss of GM several decades ago. People are hoping for more good-paying jobs with benefits, such as healthcare, to come into the area. And overall, a lot of false hope in Genesee County has hurt many people. Big-name corporations failed to deliver on their promises to build at Buick City, and promises of better roads, clean drinking water, and better schools remain unfulfilled. Many people have hope, but they continue to heal from all the false promises of politicians and big business.

4. What keeps the community stuck?

What repeating patterns, mindsets, or systems are blocking growth?

Three of Pentacles — There is still a lack of community here. People only look out for number one. Also, the systems and institutions have let people down instead of working with them. We need community. We need to work with our local government and get rid of the people who keep us small and do not work for our tax dollars. There also isn't a lot of affordable educational opportunities in Genesee County. Many people cannot afford, or don't have the grades, to get into an excellent school to pursue their passion and master their craft. There are also not a lot of gathering places that don't require alcohol or drugs to have a good time.

5. What’s beginning to shift?
What changes are stirring under the surface? What’s evolving?

Six of Swords reversed -- Hmm...honestly, I feel like nothing is shifting. We're still in the same, toxic, abusive cycles with our local government and big business. However, we are getting close to breaking through to the other side and finally healing! Just right now, we're still grieving what was lost and still dealing with the trauma and troubles we have faced collectively over the last forty or more years. We are still playing the victim and crying.

6. How can healing happen?

What kind of energy, action, or mindset would help uplift the collective?

Page of Cups — We have to get in touch with our personal emotions. Feel your feelings. Express them. We also need to get in touch with our creative side. As for mindset, I would say it is to love our neighbor just as much, if not more than, we love ourselves. Hold space for others who have it worse than you. Also, we need to love our community hard! It's okay to feel disillusioned, disappointed, and even angry. But you must show this county love and do your part. Go out and vote, help your neighbor across the street with their yard, support small businesses in the county, and support the local author or artist in the community who is trying to raise the vibration in this county. And last, we can heal this community by getting more in touch with our spiritual side. Pray for your neighbors, build a relationship with God or the universe, or with yourself. Want better for your community, be kinder to others. Spiritual does not mean religious. A belief in God doesn't require affiliation with a religion or church. But if you attend church, go to church, and read your Bible or whatever.

7. Message from the land

What does the spirit of this land want to say to the people living here?

Round and Round -- First, I knew this card would come out. Round and Round is about repeating the same cycles over and over, hoping they will change, when ultimately, nothing changes. We must break out of repeating the same stuff that got us to this point. Stop voting for the same corrupt people in our city councils, our mayors, our school boards, our senators, and our congresspeople, for example. We can do better and we know better. We also need to look at our personal selves and do better. No more going back to toxic and abusive people, no more spending out of our means, no more getting high to numb the pain or drinking to not face the harsh truth, or sleeping around and using people for validation. It is up to us to break these cycles. And it starts within us. Otherwise, we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes and not grow from the pain, the trauma, the hurt.

And that concludes the reading. I hope you enjoyed this reading. I enjoyed performing this reading.

Show your Genesee County pride by booking a reading with me; it supports small businesses! And if you're not from Michigan, consider booking a texting, prerecorded YouTube Reading, or e-mail session! Remember to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!

Stay Socky! 🧦