"A Surplus of Attention and Energy to Pool With Others..."

Jill Sobule has enjoyed a steady fan following and released five wonderful albums since her 1995 "I Kissed A Girl" hit, but the record industry isn't what it used to be. Rather than continue to subject herself to the usual Mephistophelean deals and disappointing returns, the singer/songwriter decided last year that she would personally involve her fans in the funding and creation of her new albums. She launched the site Jill's Next Record, which asked for donations in exchange for prizes ranging from free copies of the album to private concerts. Within 59 days Sobule had made over $75,000, and this April she made good on her promises with the album California Years, which is now available on her site. Below is a video for the single "San Francisco", directed by Margaret Cho, which very much matches the vibe of Sobule's endeavor:

The Three of Coins is anchored by the concept of harmonious collaboration, of people working well together and producing a result that is greater than the sum of their parts. In any professional undertaking, creative or otherwise, it can be difficult to open oneself up to others and rely on their support, and it's also not easy to to extend a truly generous hand of your own. No matter how generous we may be, we all watch out for ourselves, and often our motivations in helping others are not as pure as we think they are. In the Two of Coins we see an individual skillfully navigating all sorts of topsy-turvy challenges; the sorts of harmonious support networks that the Three envisions occur when you become so damn good at what you're doing that you have a surplus of attention and energy to pool with others who are on similarly solid ground. Who knows what marvels may occur?

Truly productive and gratifying projects like this don't flourish all that often -- like the cactus bloom on the California Years album cover, these memorable moments can't be rushed, emerging only rarely. You have to be sensitive to their approach, and nourish them into existence. Consider this card an omen regarding a project you're considering or already at work on. If help is on the way, it may up to you to decide whether it's the right kind. Or perhaps there's an situation on the horizon in which your participation will provide an important missing puzzle-piece. Either way, don't allow this time to pass by idly -- there's important work to be done!

Previously On Arcanalogue: The Three of Coins