Month: November 2019

Love and Support

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and was not a guided meditation, but rather a quiet body scan done to music. It was very relaxing, and yet helped me in waking up, which I had a bit of trouble with this morning.

Three of Swords - Tarot of the Little Prince Today’s draw is the Three of Swords, which is commonly known as the “heartbreak card” and often represents feelings surrounding that theme.

What really stands out to me in this card though is that the Rose is not severed or on the ground. Instead, although they may be sharp and dangerous, they also appear to help support the rose in this imagery.

Sometimes bad things happen. Sometimes we get hurt. But today’s card is a reminder that in these times there will always be support if and when we need it. It may not come from an obvious source, but it’s there if we’re open to taking the support offered and/or available to us.

Deck Used:  Tarot of the little Prince

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: What is my relationship with independence?

Ostara TarotReading Summary: I feel like I’m the big man on campus (Ace of Swords), but in truth it’s smoke and mirrors (The Magician) because I need love and nurturing just like everyone else (The Empress). This vulnerability creates the urge to retreat (The Hermit).

Take Away:  My independence is one of those things that was hard won at an early age, and that I held onto with a death grip once I obtained it. The fact is, though, that as much as I want to portray a solid independent presentation to the world, I am not as independent as I once was. I depend on those I love and that love me, something that was not an aspect of my life back then, but is now.

The thing is though, that I see this dependence as a vulnerability, and as is always the case with vulnerability, it makes me want to close ranks and retreat.

This is an understanding of my relationship with independence. Obviously, I see and know the value of these relationships where dependence and vulnerability exist. If I didn’t, they wouldn’t be a part of my life.

Deck Used:  Ostara Tarot

(Side Note: I had originally had this deck slated for use in the spring, but its imagery has appeared again and again over the past few weeks, and every time it has appeared, I have felt a strong draw to it. So I decided to bring it with me to mom’s sling with the Little Prince deck I had originally planned on bringing.)

Strategy and Boundaries

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Today’s meditation hasn’t taken place yet.  I plan on meditating during the drive later when it’s my sister’s time to drive.   Hopefully that will go well.  If it doesn’t, I’ll do it before bed once we get to mom’s.

Slow Tarot Today’s draw is a double without a jumper, which means that both of the cards came out together as one.  The cards in today’s draw are the Seven of Swords and the Knight of Swords.

What stands out to me in the Seven of Swords is the white cat looking on from the corner with an incredulous “really?” look to its expression.   This aspect of the card combined with it’s imagery as a whole speaks to me of strategy and a need to do better on the planning aspect of things.

Combined with the Knight of Swords, what I see in these cards is a reminder to use my time at my mother’s house wisely this week.  This is an extremely busy time of year and taking a few days off requires a lot of planning, but once I am IN those days off?  I need to use them wisely so that I can come back refreshed and charge ahead into the holiday rush with a clear head and all guns blazing.

Deck Used: Slow Tarot

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: Where would I benefit from setting clear boundaries?

Gravity Tattoo Tarot Reading Summary: Choosing who to share with and who not to (The Lovers) is extremely important when I am feeling a spark of emotion (Ace of Cups) tied into my new inspirations (Ace of Wands) and ambitious plans (Two of Wands).

Take Away:  I have mentioned that constant babble of my inspiration and ambition that always has tons of ideas tumbling around in my head.  What I haven’t mentioned is that there is an emotional element to these new inspirations.  I get attached to them, inspired by them, and this inspiration creates an emotional spark of enthusiasm and joy.  That spark sometimes makes me want to share these ideas with others.

But, sharing with the wrong people can put those emotions at risk, crushing the spark or causing other issues if those that I share with run off with the idea to do it themselves, or share it with someone else without realizing they might be giving my ideas to someone that will take them and use them as their own.   Enter the need for boundaries and good choices.

Deck Used: Gravity Tattoo Tarot

 

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

Self Care… Even in Chaos

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Today’s meditation was just over fourteen minutes long, and focused on the body and how when you place your focus solely upon a place of discomfort or pain, sometimes it your perception of that pain will ease and cause the pain to feel as if it dissipates.

By the same turn, by focusing on something beyond the pain, you can also allow it to ease into the background, which will allow it to feel as if it is dissipating as well.

These are mental tricks that I was already familiar with.  Due to the car accident in my late teens and the resulting surgeries that allowed me mobility and functionality after so much damage, I have done a great deal of exploration in pain management techniques over the years.  In fact, it’s one of the major benefits I’ve found of keeping up a regular meditation practice.

Queen of Pentacles - Tarot of the Unknown Today’s draw is the Queen of Pentacles, which is a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the areas of finance, resources, manifestation, and the physical world.

I accidentally missed my meditation the other day, and then nearly again last night (I ended up taking them a few hours late, but I didn’t miss the dose entirely).

With the holiday rush picking up and me going through the adjustment period into this time of the year, it can be hard to keep track of everything that needs done, and the first thing to fall to the side is my self care.  The appearance of the Queen of Pentacles in today’s draw is a reminder to make sure I’m taking care of myself and not letting self-care fall to the wayside.

Deck Used:  Tarot of the Unknown

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: How can I better recognize whether a new idea is worth chasing?

Badger’s Forest Tarot Reading Summary:  This reading is a 100% intuitive hit off of card imagery (rather than read by traditional interpretation of the suits)… If I’m feeling overwhelmed (Ten of Badgers) and like it’s me against the world (Seven of Badgers), then I am doing myself a disservice by taking on more at that time (Seven of Rabbits).

Take Away:  I am bombarded by ideas ALL the time, and I have a lot of projects on the go at once no matter the time of year or what’s going on in my life.  This doesn’t just include jewelry design ideas, but also other types of crafts and art and miscellaneous other endeavors.   The problem comes when I have too many projects on the go, and the new ideas continue to keep coming.  The drive and passion to explore EVERY idea can make me start to feel not just overwhelmed but as if everything is crashing in on me.  The cards are a reminder that it’s okay to let some of them go, or to write them down for later on down the road rather than taking them all on in the moment.

(This answer actually came as a bit of a surprise, as I was anticipating an answer about the quality of said ideas, which is not at all the direction this reading took.)

Deck Used:  Badger’s Forest Tarot