Month: June 2020

One Good Thing Begets Another

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Today’s meditation was (probably) about ten minutes long.  It started out with the harp strings as normal and my piriformis stretches, but somewhere between the last position of my stretches and the end of the meditation, I seem to have dozed off and missed the last bell that signaled the end of my practice for the day.   I woke up a bit later with the harp chords silenced and my body still holding the last pose, so I couldn’t have been asleep too long, right?

Herbal Tarot - Saw Palmetto - King of CupsToday’s draw is King of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the areas of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.  This often displays itself in themes dealing with emotional stability and authority, a diplomatic and yet compassionate quality directed towards others.

What stood out most strongest to me in the imagery of today’s card was the saw palmetto… and all the water.   Saw Palmetto is not really a plant that I have a lot of experience with, and so I needed to do a bit of research on this one.

Serenoa repens (aka saw palmetto) is a form of fan palm that grows in subtropical regions and is very common throughout Florida (thus why I have very little experience with it). It is a “bolstering” herb used to create strength and support, which when combined with the theme of all that water is about bolstering one’s emotional well-being and creativity.  This is because water is a representation of emotions, intuition, and creative flow.

The message in today’s card is that I need to spend more time “flexing the muscles” of my emotions and my creativity.  They go hand-in-hand whether I want them to or not, and by exploring the first, the other has the chance to become stronger as well… if I let it.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question: What is my current relationship with food?

Phantasmagoric Theater Tarot

Reading Summary:  Tossing out the traditional card meanings entirely on this one, because they don’t connect at all with what I see in the imagery here.

So many plans bot not a lot of doing going on (first card), instead I’m still cloistered with my loved ones (second card) and looking pretty damned happy about that broken cup that is representing my bad habits picked up during lock-down (third card).  There’s hope on the horizon, though.  You’ll get there… you just have to find the missing piece that will inspire you to hope to it (forth card).

Take Away:  This is about finding the spark… the enthusiasm and motivation to get my ass in gear concerning exercise and taking better care of my body (both in exercise as well as what I’m putting into it).  Thus, my relationship with food at the moment is that I know I should be doing better, but am pretty damned content with not behaving myself.  The Star card here and the missing puzzle piece at the bottom are telling me that it’s okay… I will find that spark of motivation when the time is right.

DECK USED:  PHANTASMAGORIC THEATER TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What inner injury from my childhood needs healing?

The Crystal TarotReading Summary: Mother in the center… Scarcity to the left… New vision to the right.

Queen of Wands – In this reading, this card is self explanatory in that I have often referred to my mother as the Queen of Wands. Depending on how you look at her and how she is feeling in the moment, she epitomizes the card and its interpretations no matter whether it is taken upright or reversed.

Five of Pentacles – The use of the stone here (Hemimorphite) shifts the meaning of this card away from the traditional meaning of hardship and into one of victimhood.  The card here indicates that there was a time when I felt that my mother revealing her true self to me created a sense of feeling victimized.

Ace of Swords – Although I had always been aware that my mother was ‘somewhat’ self-serving and selfish, it wasn’t until a few years ago after my father’s death that I realized just how deeply ingrained and pervasive this quality was in her life.

Take Away:  Although this wound was not from my childhood, it created a painful rift for my inner child, and damaged the trust I had in how I had perceived people and the world during my younger years.  This discordance is something I still struggle with, even as I learn to see and accept my mother’s truth while finding ways to still  incorporate her into my life.

DECK USED:  THE CRYSTAL TAROT

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question: Draw a reminder card of something to be grateful for.

Sawyer's Path TarotReading Summary: Even when I try to overload myself too much (Ten of Wands)… some thing always steps in to make sure that I balance back out (Six of Pentacles).

Take Away:  I struggle with my personal expectations of what I should be able to do vs what I really am capable of.  I put too much on my plate again and again.  And yet, most of the time?  Just when I’m about to crash and burn, something happens to force me to drop my plate and rearrange it or set it aside and come back to it later.  Whether that be some sort of emergency, some unreasonable demand I can’t get out of brought about by my mother, a pandemic of global proportions…. there is always something that pops up and saves me from myself.  

DECK USED:  SAWYER’S PATH TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I improve my time spent?

Simply Deep Tarot

Reading Summary: Take control and direct my time spent towards my passions (King of Wands) instead of lollygagging (Five of Coins) and then bemoaning that there’s just not enough time to go around (Three of Swords).

Side note?  Just sayin’, but the King of Wands reminds me of those old 1980’s He-Man cartoons.

Take Away:  I think that we all do this sometimes, but there are times when I can just like waste away two or three hours pretty much doing a bunch of nothing.  I mean I’m reading info, looking up images, maybe browsing through social media or whatever… and suddenly?  Three hours are just gone. Poof! Just like that.

This reading is telling me that during these times, I would be better served to direct my time and energy toward those things that inspire me, rather than just fucking around doing a bunch of nothing then whining about where the time went after the fact.

DECK USED:  SIMPLY DEEP TAROT

 

Gideon’s Challenge

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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

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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

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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

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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

#31DaysofWitchcraft Prompt 4&6 (non)VR to Heather Carter

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Heather Carter on YouTube put together a series of prompts titled #31DaysofWitchcraft that she’s been working her way through since the beginning of May. I really like this idea, but I can’t handle the responsibility of any more daily posts!  This is my Part 2 of answering her list of questions.

forest

4. What is your favourite element to work with? How do you work with it?

It’s probably not at all surprising to hear that my favorite element to work with is the earth and the green that grows from it.   This is very much based on the soil and the green and the cycles of life and decay that these go through together.  It is especially true of damp soil, such as that found here in the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest.

It is very common for me to incorporate soil and plant matter into my spellcraft.  Not just in the use of herbs as incense, but in the actual mixtures and crafting of my spells.  I connect very strongly with plants and their energies help to amplify my own in spellcraft, so this only makes sense.   Some plants I grow on my balcony for this purpose, others I forage from the forests and other natural places near where I live.

I also often use the act of planting, as well as established live plants in my rituals.

6. Do you incorporate environmental consciousness and sustainability into your craft?

Absolutely.  Especially because I incorporate the earth and those things that grow from it so heavily in my craft, it’s extremely important to me that I don’t cause harm in my actions.  As I have an education in botany and horticulture, I’m more than a little knowledgeable in plant care and how to forage what I need without harming the earth and environment in doing so, and how to provide offerings that both protect and assist the earth in staying healthy and thriving.

I do not use items in my craft that are endangered, and I grow many of the plants I use most heavily myself rather than buying from an outside source that may (or may not) have good foraging/growing/gathering practices.

I feel that, especially if someone is practicing an earth-based religion, it’s important to consider your effect upon the earth and do those things in your power to foster the health and well-being of the earth and environment you have influence over, rather than taking it for granted.