Gideon’s Challenge

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

SerenitySerenity…
Lives within stillness
In the silence
of a moment
In that place
Between breaths.
Sweet and still
Soft and silent
It is a caress
A kiss
A balm.

There are perfect moments in life that are perfect for no other reason than the moment of serenity they provide.   I find these moments most often when walking within nature, whether that be in the wetlands or the rainforests, the mountains, or at the beach.

These natural places are a little piece of heaven, and when in their embrace there are moments… brief and fleeting moments where life feels as if it stands still, the world holds its breath, and peace suffuses the senses with a sense of pure, exquisite perfection.

This is my serenity.

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Full Moon in Sagittarius – June 2020

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

When the moon is full, its energies are at their peak. The placement of the moon in the sky this full moon is within the constellation of Sagittarius, which imbibes the full moon’s energies with that of the Sagittarius astrological sign. This places the theme of this month’s full Strawberry Moon as one of cresting energies surrounding enthusiasm and adventure, as well as one of intense sussing out of truths, often through the exploration of culture, philosophy, and religion.

This search for truth gives us an opportunity to reflect upon and acknowledge old wounds and internal struggles, to take ownership of these wounds, and to use the power of the moon to take back control. Then, as the moon’s energies wane over the next two weeks, we can then take those truths we have confronted and allow the moon’s waning energy to help us in discarding what no longer serves us.

Full Moon in Sagittarius Spread by Ethony

Yesterday was the full moon, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us.  Today’s spread is brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot By the Moon series.

1. What impulses need taming?

Eight of Cups – As I struggle with difficult situations there is often an urge to just throw up my hands and say “fuck this” and walk away.  This is especially true when it comes to areas where emotional wounds are being poked and prodded. A number of readings I’ve done about the month ahead have spoken on a rise of emotional distress and discomfort.  The Eight of Cups here indicates I need to make sure I don’t retreat, but stick around and find a solution instead.

2. Where can I best direct my energy?

Wheel of Fortune – I would be best served by focusing my energies on staying centered.  There is a great deal of symmetry in this card, all surrounding that blue center point where the spinning wheel’s axis resides.   The message here is to be the axis rather than the chaos of the centripetal force.   Focus on staying centered and calm.

3. How can I best direct my aggression?

Five of Swords – Winning.  I should direct my aggression toward those tasks and projects that need an extra bit of “oomph” so that I do not allow them to make me feel overwhelmed but instead can use the energy and focus from my aggression to plow through them and come out on top.

4. How can I add a little spice to my life?

Temperance – Stop trying so hard.  This has to do with the posture of the angel, who does not hold vessels in their hands… and yet appears to be trying to regardless. If I want to add a little spice in my life, I need to remember to allow my hands to be empty and my time free to experience new things and joyous moments.

5. What spiritual and personal beliefs need re-examining?

The Empress – I don’t like this card today.   Something feels wrong about the monkey and the tiger and the exposed breast.   The message here is to be careful where you put your energies and who you trust.  Not everyone respects or deserves the energy that you put into helping and nurturing others.  Make sure that you are choosing the recipients of those pieces of yourself (and your time and energy as well) more wisely.

DECK USED:  LINESTRIDER TAROT

You Are Not Alone

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and was another of the harp strings meditations.  It was relaxing and comfortable, and time flowed quickly as if it had no meaning at all.  The shift in time during those ten minutes is really remarkable, and I have been tempted to bump the meditation up to twelve or fifteen.

Japaridze Tarot - Five of Tides - Five of CupsToday’s draw is the Five of Tides (Five of Cups) which is traditionally a representation of stress, struggles, tests, and trials in the areas of one’s relationships, emotions, or intuition.  This often communicates itself through themes involving grief (depicted very eloquently in this card’s image), as well as themes to do with one’s failures and regrets or pessimistic views.

Two elements stand out strongest to me in the imagery of this card today.  The first is the baby bump the woman is sporting. This speaks to me of temporary grief.  The emotions represented here are deep, as communicated by the deep cobalt color of the woman’s dress, but life will move on past this moment and moments of joy still exist in the future.

The second element is about the emblems on the three caskets closest to the bottom of the card.  To me, the moon represents pagan/esoteric religions, while the Star of David is a representation of Judaic religions, and the cross a representation of Christian religions.  The three of these speak to me of diversity.  They indicate that the emotions and experiences depicted in this card are universal.  They are something everyone experiences in their life at one point or another… and when in these experiences, you are not alone.

The message in today’s card is about weathering emotional storms with grace by looking forward beyond the moment for hope, and remembering that you are not alone.  Some of my readings this month have warned of some emotional turmoil over the next month, this reminder is one of hope and comfort.

DECK USED:  JAPARIDZE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to focus on for self-care for this full moon?

Tarot of the Animal LordsReading Summary: There is a clear depiction of movement in these cards based on the colors.  On the left there is a darkness that as you progress to the right becomes brighter and more vibrant, speaking of moving away from the left and heading to the right.

Use your inner strength (Strength) to take control and move away from (The Chariot) inner turmoil (Three of Swords). Take comfort in your loved ones and those that you love and trust (Two of Cups).

Take Away:  The cards here indicate that my self care this month is going to require that I take steps to turn away from those things and situations that cause me inner turmoil.   This “turning away” from is going to require strength to accomplish, as well as a strong hand and careful control to keep myself on track on this other path.

This is about that “all work and no play” issue that I constantly have going on and the slip up into that mentality that I slid into over the past two weeks.  It’s time to get that back under control and my commitment to leaving room on my plate for the good things in life back on track.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE ANIMAL LORDS

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question: How am I asked to honor myself during this full moon?

Tarot of a Moon Garden

Reading Summary: Enjoy what you have (Nine of Cups) and take a rest (Four of Swords)  It’s okay to disconnect for a bit as long as you don’t linger there too long (The Star Rx).

Take Away:  This advice isn’t so much about self care as it is about honoring myself, and the ways I am being asked (by the universe) to honor myself at this time. By taking some time to focus on my gratitude for all that I have and all that I’ve earned, combined with a bit of time disconnecting from my responsibilities while I rest and recover, I honor not just myself but all that I have accomplished up to this point.

I need to remember that life isn’t always about pushing forward constantly, but about enjoying what you have in the present.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF A MOON GARDEN

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What is my favorite memory?

Everyday Witch Tarot

Soon after I emancipated my from my parents, my mother took me out for a ride in her little red Corvette one day. She told me that if I ever needed anything that I should call her, and when I told her that father wouldn’t like that, her response was “what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him”.

At the time it made me feel very supported and loved and cared for.  Even though I would never have taken her up on the offer, just the fact that she offered made me feel as if I could take on the world.

I know now that that’s not how it was meant, and that she was just looking for an “in” so she could get her hooks into me and use me later. But, that doesn’t change the warm and supported feeling that lives within that memory even now.

DECK USED:  EVERYDAY WITCH TAROT

 

Gideon’s Challenge

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

NatureNature is…

Kind and loving
Harsh and cruel
She nurtures
She punishes
She embraces
She grieves
Nature feeds the snake
the precious eggs of the unwary
And stands guard
over the helpless
as they nap in the grass

The vastness of nature and the myriad of its facets is breathtaking and awe inspiring.  It encompasses not just the earth or the trees that I connect to so strongly, not just the oceans and rivers and seas, not just the sky and clouds.   She is not merely the sunsets and sunrises, not merely the storms and quakes.

She is all of these things.  She is vicious and she is sweet, beautiful and horrible. Nor is she only a “she”… or a “he”.

Nature is vast… immeasurable… and ineffable.

Everything… and so much more.

Photo © ZenStatePhotography