Today’s meditation was just under eleven minutes long, and was a guided meditation with interval timer. The guided part of the meditation focused upon the challenges and benefits of doing nothing. Some people feel like this is the easiest thing in the world, yes? But I am definitely not one of those people.
It is a huge struggle for me to take days off, and even during that time? I still work, just not at the regular stuff. Instead I try to focus primarily on making sure stuff stays in stock online and that I answer customers in a timely manner. This means it takes the pressure off and allows me time away from that pressure to recover from burnout… but that I’m not truly “doing nothing”.
The thing is tho? I am doing better at it. I’m getting better at actually taking those low-pressure breaks, and making sure that I’m kinder to myself concerning the need for rest and down time. It’s a work in progress, but I’m working at it.
Today’s draw is the Four of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of the need for restorative rest and recuperation. This can also come in the form of meditation, sleep, recovery from burnout, and many other themes along that thread.
I love the imagery in this card. I think it’s absolutely beautiful. That said, no one aspect of this card stood out to me today. Instead? This card ended up pulled just after the decision to skip my meditation had been made this morning. It is a direct response to that decision.
The message in today’s card is that even though I am back to work today, I still need those moments of restorative rest… and that is especially relevant in reference to my meditation practice. And thus, perhaps it is no surprise, but I re-evaluated my decision and ended up doing my meditation after all.
DECK USED: HUSH TAROT
#Zentember #LovelyHealing Challenge Prompt
Question: How to show up more?
Reading Summary: Be less reactionary (King of Cups Rx) and more slow to react (Son of Stones). You are still in the learning stages of your emotional growth (Daughter of Cups). Allow fostering that growth become a passion that burns brightly in your heart (Ace of Wands).
Take Away: I didn’t really understand this question, but I went ahead and decided to pull for it anyway. The advice given here is good, regardless of my lack of understanding of the question as a whole. With so many new emotions and new levels of emotion going on with me these days, there are times when I feel myself having knee-jerk emotional reactions to things. Giving a little forethought and taking time in reacting rather than just jumping in is a good idea, and the advice about accepting these changes and pursuing them from day to day? Also good advice.
DECK USED: HAINDL TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsSep2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: What is humanity’s biggest mistake?
Reading Summary: Too much time focusing on what you want (Page of Swords) and ignoring (Hanged Man Rx) to the passage of time and what the past can teach us (Seven of Cups).
Take Away: Hubris. Lack of humility is humanity’s greatest mistake. When we choose to only focus on our own desires and turn a blind eye to the past and what we can learn from it, everyone loses. And yet, humanity does this again and again, choosing to focus only upon their own selfish desires to the point that they forget to look to those lessons already learned… and thus are destined to repeat them over and over again.
DECK USED: ENGLISH MAGIC TAROT
Lionharts #AstroTarotChallenge
Question: What is something about me that others really value, admire, or appreciate about me?
Reading Summary: Even with how much I have gone through in my life (Three of Swords), I continue to display gratitude and appreciation for all that I have (Nine of Pentacles) and possess the strength and clear-mindedness to lead by example (King of Swords).
Take Away: In order to survive and thrive in the wake of the things I have been through in life, I need to see these experiences as lessons. I see them as learning experiences that have helped me to grow and become a better person in some way. They have taught me skills I wouldn’t otherwise have, honed my abilities both mentally and physically, and given me experiences that allow me to relate to others in very specific and important ways.
I am sure that there are those that find my approach to survival from the crap that has happened in my life to be obnoxious or annoying. The cards here indicate that there are just as many that also find my approach to these experiences to be admirable and inspirational.
DECK USED: SASURAIBITO TAROT
#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I get closer to my dream life?
Reading Summary: When you are generous with your financial wealth and resources (Six of Coins) instead of squandering it on yourself (The Devil)… you are will rewarded with the return of a wealth that has a value far greater than that of money (The Empress).
Take Away: I think I need to do a reading and ask my cards about what my ‘dream life’ might entail. Because… what the cards say here as the reward for leaning into altruism over selfish pursuits? Sounds pretty damned nice. But it isn’t at all what I would have said was of an appeal to me a few years ago… nor does it reflect what I drive myself to the bone to work toward.
So the question here is… over the past year as I have worked on my emotional growth and work / life balance, what has this done to influence what my ideal ‘dream life’ might look like? Because The Empress is so much more appealing these days than she has been in my past.
Twisting the Leaf 