Month: November 2019

The Akashaic Records

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This week’s question from the Pagan Perspective YouTube channel is about the Akashaic Records.

milky-way

Topic for the Week of 11/18: This week’s topic isn’t a question, but rather a free-form topic on the Akashaic Records.

My understanding of the Akashaic Records is that it’s a metaphysical non-physical “library” of everything that is, has been, and will be.  The theory, the way I understand it, is that this library includes not just the collective unconscious of humans, but also encompasses the knowledge of what was, is and will be (past, present, and future) for every being and every thing everywhere at all times.

This is not something that I am particularly familiar with, although I am familiar with a similar belief from my father’s Buddhist faith concerning eight levels of consciousness.

That said?  Neither of these are a tenant that I particularly believe in, as there is an undercurrent to the belief that deals with free will and the lack-there of, as well as the lack of consideration for the butterfly effect of chaos theory, which I absolutely do hold stock in.

After all, how can this mystical non-physical library contain information for all that can and will be… if all that can and will be is fluid and can be changed through even just small choices and acts?  And what about other planes of existence?  Parallel universe theory?   The rest of the universe beyond our human, mammalian, or mortal experiences?

I don’t know… it just doesn’t really add up for me.

Exploring Perspectives

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I haven’t managed to get in my meditation yet today, as the helper has been here since early morning and probably won’t be leaving until late tonight.   I will do it when I go to bed, though, if I do not get a chance to do so sooner.

Hanged Man - Slow Tarot Today’s draw is the Hanged Man, which is my favorite card in the tarot, irregardless of the deck.   This is because I have a personal connection with this card, but it also has to do with the meaning of the Hanged Man, which often represents taking a step back in order to see things from a new perspective, taking time to settle into new perspectives until they become familiar and comfortable, and with that, the surrendering and/or letting go necessary to foster growth.

The Hanged Man is an especially fitting card for today, as I need the reminder about taking a different perspective due to the long hours the helper is working today.  As I find her presence somewhat abrasive, it’s good to also remain mindful that her help is not just needed but greatly appreciated.   So I need to remember to sit in a perspective of gratitude rather than inconvenience.

Deck Used: Slow Tarot

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: How can I better communicate with others?

Tarot de aux ArcsReading Summary:  It’s important to make the choices that are right for you (The Lovers) and stand by your personal values (Nine of Wands and The Star).  In the end, though, you also have to know that when that quiet, balanced approach isn’t working (Temperance), it’s okay to allow yourself to walk away and find a better place (Six of Swords).

Take Away:  I really struggle at times with communication, and I don’t just mean by the fact that I’m mute.   Even before that, I struggled a lot.  Some of this has to do with being so god-awful at reading body language and facial expressions.

The message in these cards is that even when you feel on uneven footing communication-wise, navigating these communications with ease simply takes a knowledge of self and sticking to that rather than trying to conform and people-please. And, sometimes when communicating with others, especially if there’s a miscommunication involved, it can be difficult to accept that you’re just not going to be able to break through that communication barrier and getting anywhere.  In those instances, it’s time to move on.

Deck Used: Tarot de aux Arcs

Keep Your Head Down

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Today’s meditation was about fifteen minutes long, but to be honest I wasn’t really timing it.  It was a full body scan that went from head to toe and back again, and was incorporated into my morning yoga.   It was peaceful, but quiet and easy, and gave me a bit of variety in my yoga from the day to day that I do to keep myself limber and my joints cooperative.

Seven of Swords - Tarot of the Unknown Today’s draw is the Seven of Axes (Swords), which is a representation of leaps ahead and progress no matter the cost, strategic action, secret keeping, and getting away with shit.  Betrayal and deception are common themes under this card’s influence, and although this card can also indicate leaps of progress, those leaps are usually include the previously mentioned representations in some way.

When I see this card today, it created a spark of hope.  Hope that perhaps things really may work out okay with the whole Etsy debacle.  Because clearly, my shop getting the letter that I received is not the only shop to be running into this lately.  Maybe, just maybe, this means that it’s not as serious as it feels like?   Because the letter absolutely felt like a threat.  And I sort of felt singled out.   But perhaps that isn’t the case after all?

Anyway, the card gave me hope that regardless of what small infraction seemed to trigger the letter, maybe it won’t result in the catastrophic events that I’m so worried about coming to pass.  This doesn’t mean that I would be getting away with something deceptive or bad… but getting off scott free is still a lovely idea to entertain in this case.

The appearance of this card today is advice to keep my head down and hope for the best.

Deck Used:  Tarot of the Unknown

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: What would I benefit from releasing in my life?

WTNV Holloway TarotReading Summary:  Now is not a time for focusing on finance strategy (Page of Pentacles) or emotional juggling (Knight of Cups with the Two of Pentacles), nor  time for playing at learning new skills for fun new projects (Page of Swords)

Take Away:  I have so many ideas and things I want to try both in my business and my creative passions, and so much exploring I want to do with the new level of emotion I started to discover in the fall, as well as the shadow work that is to come in the new year.   But, as swamped as I am with work due to the holiday rush (that is now in full swing), I need to be mindful that a lot of other worries and projects I want to delve into both in my personal and business life need to be set aside for now so that I can pour the lion’s share of my focus on the current chaos sitting in my lap.

Deck Used:  WTNV Holloway Tarot

Shadow Work (The Less-Than Whisper)

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So I have not done all that much this week in the shadow work prep department.   The holiday rush has officially started and the “boom” of the beginning this year kind of took me by surprise.

stress

I do have my books out, and at the end of December I will pull a couple of my shadow work decks in preparation for revisiting things in January.

That “Less Than” whisper is still there, the “pissant” word still lingering on and causing me some issues, but I’ve managed to set it aside for the most part and will continue to do so until I can commit some time and effort to confronting it properly in the new year.

The Balancing Act

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Today’s meditation was… well, okay.  Non-existent.  I didn’t meditate today.  With so very little sleep, I was worried if I did that I’d end up crashing.  I will be giving it a go once I head to bed tonight, but I don’t expect I’ll be awake for much of it.

Page of Wands - Slow TarotToday’s draw is the Page of Wands, which is a representation of a receptive omega energy in the area of one’s ambitions, passions, and drive.  This often comes through as themes concerning exploring one’s potential and sparks of inspiration.

I can’t remember what the message was for this card a few days ago when it surfaced, but what I’m feeling from this card today is an encouragement to remember the joy that comes with my business and craft instead of allowing myself to become overwhelmed.

At this time of year when things become chaotic and busy, it’s very easy for me to be swallowed up and lose track of the enjoyment aspect that is a part of this journey.   Today’s card is an important message to assist me in essentially surviving the holiday rush.

Deck Used: Slow Tarot

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: What cycle or journey is closing for me at this time?

Sasuraibito Tarot Reading Summary: Struggling with feeling overburdened (Ten of Swords) while telling myself I can handle it on my own (Knight of Wands).  Sometimes accepting support from others is okay (Three of Cups) while allowing collaboration (Three of Pentacles) to find a better way forward (Page of Swords).

Take Away: This is a message concerning my insistence that I can do everything myself and refusal to look outside myself for support and assistance in achieving my goals.  The holiday rush is going to force me out of this cycle by requiring me to look outside of myself for assistance in the chaos of the weeks ahead.

Deck Used: Sasuraibito Tarot

It’s Gonna Be Okay

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Today’s meditation was just over fifteen minutes long, and was an exploration on where your mind goes when it strays during meditation, and how to bring it back.

It was a little different than most of my meditations, because you actually focus on those thoughts a moment in order to label them and pull yourself outside of them before returning to your centering and focus again.   It was not particularly relaxing, but it was definitely educational.

Eight of Cups - Tarot of the Unknown Today’s draw is the Eight of Cups, which is a representation of letting go in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.  This card often presents itself with themes that involve disappointment, as well as situations that involve abandonment or withdrawal.

When I look at this card today it is a reminder to me that sometimes you just have to let go.  It’s impossible to control every aspect of life, and impossible to please every person you come in contact with.   As much as we want to be perfect, no one and nothing ever is… and that is what “perfect” actually is, is the acceptance of flaws and imperfections.

As someone who focuses too intently on everything I do being “perfect”, this is a message that I really need to hear now and then.  Just as a reminder that it’s okay to let go of that ideal and just have some fun and breathe now and then.

Deck Used:  Tarot of the Unknown

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: How can I recognize when negativity is in my head rather than in reality?

Rust Belt Arcana Tarot Reading Summary:  When everything is feeling topsy turvy (Wheel of Fortune) or like it’s the end of the world (The Tower) and feeling defensive or as if I’m “not enough” to defend what’s mine (Seven of Wands).

Take Away: You know that saying about when it looks too good to be true then it probably is too good to be true? These cards relaying that message, but in the sense that if it looks too bad to be true, then it probably is too bad to be true.  The sassafras in the end card also relays that in order to overcome these moments, counting my blessing is a good way to calm down those internal negative thoughts.

Deck Used:  Rust Belt Arcana Tarot