Day: November 24, 2019

Making Better Choices

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Today’s meditation was combined into my yoga practice, which involved deep breathing and a good deal of work on my right shoulder, elbow, and wrist.  I’ve been having a bit of a problem with it over the past few days and the focus from the meditation is very helpful in working through the pain involved in maintaining my mobility in painful joints through my yoga practice.

Lovers - Tarot of the Unknown Today’s card is the Lovers card, which contrary to novice perceptions has very little to do with romance and a whole lot to do with choices the choices we make and have made (in my experience). More specifically, because this is a Major Arcana card, to deal with life-path choices.

The message in today’s card is that there is never “a rut”.  People often speak of being “stuck in a rut” but, in truth, this isn’t a rut at all.  It is a moment of indecision.  There are always choices to be made in life, but when we refuse to make them it can lead to a time of imbalance and stagnation.  Sometimes, that’s okay, because we need the break.  But eventually, you’re always going to have to step back into the game and make a choice.

The Lovers card in this draw is a reminder that those choices aren’t going to go away if you ignore them, and that it’s okay to trod the path less traveled on occasion, if it’s the right path for you.

Deck Used:  Tarot of the Unknown

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: How can I better recognize when I’m being overly impulsive?

Tarot of Pagan CatsReading Summary:  Focus on what you have and what’s good in your life (Four of Wands and Ten of Pentacles).  When you do this there will be less need to delve for more (Knave of Swords) while pretending you are still in control (The Chariot) and in charge (The Emperor).

Take Away: When I get to a point where I’m starting to overwhelm myself through my impulsivity, I have a tendency to hold on harder to the reins of my life in other areas and tell myself that I’m in full control and in charge even when, in those moments, I’m not.   A better way to deal with this is to approach these times when I’m feeling impulsive with a reminder of all the good that is already a part of my life and all that I have to be grateful for.

There is also advice to be found here in these cards concerning reaching out to friends and family for their help in identifying when my impulsive behavior is “going too far”, rather than closing off and keeping things to myself.

Deck Used:  Tarot of Pagan Cats

 

Self Care Saturday (on Sunday)

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As I’ve mentioned before, these readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and are not meant as a predictive reading.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

SCS

Earth – Eight of Fire (Ginger), Childhood, Phenomenon – There is a lot going on right now and things are moving fast. Take time to incorporate enjoyment into all of that fiery energy. You can stay on track and still have fun. Be sure to leave a little space for the unexpected instead of allowing trepidation to hold you back, as not everything that approaches from a direction of clouded vision and uncertainty is a bad thing.

Air – Awakening (Judgement) and Release – Now is a good time to look at your life and your purpose and take the time to think about what you want from life and what direction you want your path to take. Evaluate what is important to you and let go of those things that are not serving your these values and goals.

Water – Eight of Air (Licorice), Four of Fire (Elder), Wisdom – Speaking your truth and communicating your feelings and needs will allow others to assist you in getting what you need. When you keep these things in, those feelings and needs become unruly and difficult to deal with, better to communicate them with those that can provide help, support, and even guidance.

Fire – Eight of Water (Valerian), Memory, Erosion – So much of this time of year for me is about chaos and bustle. This week away needs to be the opposite of that. Live in the now for the time away from home. Take time to relax and recuperate. Make sure to keep past history and all that entails resting in the past where it belongs, as bringing the past into the present at this time will be counterproductive.

Waning – Underworld – That time of connection to the dead, and especially the rising of my father within the energy that surrounded the end of October, is finally beginning to let go and settle back to the muddy bottom of the bog.

Waxing – Shark – Forward movement is the emerging energy of the week ahead. Keep your eyes forward and off of the past. Don’t worry about the judgements of others that may be cast upon you. Let them roll off your back like the flow of water over a shark’s skin. Take care to remain impartial.

Moral of the Story – By taking the time I need to rest and regroup, and keeping my eyes forward on the path ahead, I will benefit from the week away and come back stronger with laser focus and purpose.

Decks Used: The Herbcrafter’s Tarot, The Illuminated Earth Oracle, and Animal Magic Oracle Cards

 

It’s Okay to Play

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Today’s meditation was very nearly a nap, because it took place in the bathtub and it was very, very relaxing.   I did not fall asleep, but it was a hard thing.    I did learn my lesson, though.  If I am going to do the kind of meditation where I sink into a comforting and/or comfortable sensation?   Don’t do it somewhere I could drown.

The Sun - Slow TarotToday’s draw is The Sun card, which is all about warmth, positivity, and letting that inner child out to play.   The message in this card arriving during today’s draw is that I need to pay attention to ensuring I incorporate FUN into my life, even during the busiest of times.

Part of the reason for turning my hobbies into a business is so that I can play while I work.  And yet, there are times when I bear down so hard on my focus that I lose track of that part of things.   The sun card is a reminder that it’s okay to have some fun along the way.

Deck Used: Slow Tarot

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: Where do I need to take more action?

The Herbcrafters TarotReading Summary: Oak is a synonymous with strength and abundance, and when combined with the Seven of Earth, it reinforces the message of steady progress and sustainability that that card represents. There is bounty in the image, but it is bounty that is the product of hard work.

Chicory is a symbol of patience and perseverance.  In this card, it is joined with the Two of Air, which brings in an aspect of weighing one’s options and struggling with making important but difficult decisions.  The combination creates a sense of needing to wait before you make the choices necessary to move forward.

In the tarot, roses are often a symbol of balance and an offering of hope and new beginnings.  Combined as it is with The Empress card, there is a feeling of freshness and stability within the expression of this card.  There is also a symbolism of the rose hips, which represents the ‘bearing of the fruits of love’.  This theme  fits well with the fertility of the Empress card, and reinforces this aspect of the Empress.

Take Away:  The message in these cards is one of control and restraint in order to further one’s aspirations and ambitions.  Sometimes to achieve abundance, you have to be steadfast and strong, but not hard and ruthless.  In areas where I feel a need for that stability and comforting strength, it would be wise to take a pause to ensure I will be heading in the right direction, then set loose in that direction, moving forward while holding on to both the goals I wish to achieve, but also a nurturing respect for myself and my current needs.

In other words?  Find your ambition and goals…. take a moment to pause and find your footing and direction… THEN act, but do so consciously with awareness of not just those goals for the future, but the present as well.

Deck Used: The Herbcrafter’s Tarot