Symphoricarpos Albus
Clusters of
little pearls on
delicate branches
that dip and sway
in the
autumn breeze
making
snowberries
dance
and raindrops fall
like tears
to the soggy
forest floor.
Month: November 2020
What Do Your Readings Look Like?
I think you might have already read my response to this question, but I liked it and I wanted to include it here.
What do some of your readings look like? Do you go back and forth with the querent? Do you try breaking down their questions and reforming them if they feel a bit off? Do you go in and just see how it feels doing multiple pulls for a question?
Tarotholics Tarot Discussion Prompt via Discord on 11/7
When reading for others, I read in a variety of different styles. Keep in mind I am mute, so when I say I am “talking” to someone it means I’m either typing words out in response on a device, using a text-to-speech app, or writing things down by hand for communication purposes. This slows down the process so what was once a 10 minute reading back when I had a voice is now about a 30 minute reading or more.
In Person – Read then Discuss – In this method, I have a client face to face that comes to me with a question. They give me the information they want me to know and I draw cards to answer this question, and any additional rephrasing I might have that I want to add to the reading for clarification purposes. I do not look at the querent as I pull these cards, but instead I focus my attention on the cards until they are all laid out.
I take a few notes, then use either hand written, typed on a screen, or text-to-voice to convey the message of the cards in detail. Once that is done, I ask if they need clarification on anything, and if so, we talk about it and I might draw another card or two.
In Person – Free Form – Again, a face to face client sits down and we begin to talk about a situation or event that they need some clarity on. In this method, ass we talk I will continuously overhand shuffle the cards. Each time a card pops out of the deck, we pause the conversation and I use the card to help direct where the conversation goes and provide needed answers and advice.
When the discussion starts to circle back on itself, it’s an indication that we’ve reached the end of what the cards can give, and I ask if they need any further clarity. If they say yes, I might draw a card or two more if it is needed (or recap what has already been said if new cards are not needed), and then close things out.
Online – Read then Discuss – In this method, my client contacts me through digital means (usually through email or purchasing a reading off my website) and can share as little or as much of their situation as they want, as well as the purpose of the reading. From there, I draw cards based (usually) upon how many cards they’ve paid for being drawn (sometimes I draw more, which I don’t charge for).
I type out the interpretation of the cards and I send the reading to them including a picture of the cards, and give them the opportunity to ask for clarification on anything involved in the reading if needed. Said clarification may come with an extra drawn card or two, or may simply need to be a recap / rephrase of what the cards have already said.
Online – Free Form – I usually save this particular method for friends and clients that I still have that I’ve had since prior to losing my voice. Especially since the pandemic, as face to face readings are not as easy to manage these days.
This method is done using instant messages, texts, DMs or other instant messaging type of method, we talk about what’s going on with them and between my replies while they are typing and while I’m reading, I shuffle cards and allow cards to pop out to provide guidance, advice, and answers.
Like an in person free-form reading, this is a discussion. I take pics of the cards along the way and send them to my client/friend as we go.
When the discussion either circles back or starts to peter out, it means the reading is then drawing to an end and I make sure they don’t need clarification on anything. I then send them a picture of their full reading with all of the cards on the table to close things out.
It’s Not a Solo Mission
Today’s meditation was skipped this morning because I was feeling overwhelmed by how much I had to get done and… you know what? Now that I look at that reasoning… it seems completely backwards. Shouldn’t the times when I feel overwhelmed be the times when I should be making a point to do my meditation instead of setting it aside? Right. So now that I’ve given myself a talking to…
Today’s draw is the Queen of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, intuition, and creativity. This often presents itself as qualities that have to do with being a good listener that can bolster other’s emotional well-being and lead people toward healthier emotional balance.
Sometimes? Gideon is the Queen of Cups. It is in that gentle way he is willing to listen to me and tug at my emotions to get them to surface and get me to share them with him. He helps me in understanding what I’m feeling, and he helps me in sorting out the tangle when my emotions become a mess.
With each day I am with him, my emotional intelligence becomes a little better, and yet the steps are so tiny… so minuscule… that they seem inconsequential. But they’re not.
The point here? Is that none of us learn alone. None of us develop or improve ourselves alone. There are always others there that help in guiding us, teaching us, and helping us to become better. It’s important that we aren’t just aware of that, but acknowledge it… and those that help us.
DECK USED: TRADITIONAL MANGA TAROT
LionHart’s As Above So Below Challenge Prompt
Mars Question: How can I positively overcome, or deal with, the obstacle in yesterday’s reading?
Reading Summary: Stop paying so much attention (imagery in the Nine of Needles) to your worries (imagery in the Eight of Needles), and focus (magnifying glass) on elation instead (imagery in the Ten of Cups).
Side Note: I love the imagery of this deck. It doesn’t always follow the RWS symbolism, but it’s just so expressive.
Take Away: The message here is about “feeding the wolf“. The wolf within you that wins is the one you feed. So stop feeding the wolf of worry and desperation and struggle your attention, and continue to instead work on feeding the wolf of optimism and positivity your attention instead.
DECK USED: PUPPET THEATRE TAROT
#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Advice I need to hear at this time concerning my ambitions.
Reading Summary: Slow and steady but keep working at it (Knight of Pentacles). Sometimes along the way you might need to make some changes (Six of Swords), but as long as you have some patience (Temperance) and dedication to what you want to work on and excel at you’ll get there (Eight of Pentacles).
Take Away: The foundation of expertise is patience. It takes time and practice to develop your skills, but the cards here indicate that as long as you stay on track and make the adjustments necessary along the way to keep from sinking into the mud you stumble upon on the path now and then? You’ll get there. It’s about patience and adaptability and staying focused on where you want to end up eventually.
DECK USED: TAROT OF THE UNKNOWN
Heal & Transform November Challenge Prompt
Question: In what ways (material or spiritual) can I show myself the love and nurturing I need?
Reading Summary: By giving yourself the rest that you need (Four of Air) and overcoming self sabotage (Seven of Air Rx) with compassion (Goddess of Water) that will lead to joy (Sun).
Take Away: Lots of reminders to rest this week, which… if I’m honest and fair about it? I need the bombardment of reminders so… yeah. A little nagging now and then can be a good thing.
The other element of the answer on how I can show myself the love and nurturing I need is to make sure I’m not allowing my inner dialog create more chaos than it’s worth. Instead, lean into being kind to yourself and positive. Optimism and kindness towards myself is not easy, but it’s needed.
DECK USED: WITCHES WISDOM TAROT
#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I create better balance in my life?
Reading Summary: Spend less time stressing about (Nine of Swords) where I’m going and how I’m going to get there (King of Pentacles), and instead spend some time enjoying the present more (The Fool).
Take Away: Valid… very valid point. I do spend a lot of time focusing on the future and focusing on strategizing my way into a better future. I stress over my business and sales and finances. And I spend far too little time enjoying “the now” and working on having a positive outlook.
The cards here indicate that if I want to create a better and healthier balance in my life, I need to work on that optimism more, and being centered in the present more as well.
DECK USED: RIDE OR WAIT TAROT
Gideon’s Challenge
The Pause
A dry moment
between raindrops
as dark clouds
lighten
just enough
to show
it really isn’t dusk
after all
and pitter patter
is replaced
by the quiet lap
of water
against pilings
as seagulls sing.
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Modulating Enthusiasm
I’ve managed to fall behind yet again… and I can’t remember whether I meditated on the 11th or not. So I’ll leave this empty this time around as I finish up these posts that got started… but never published on the blog.
Today’s draw is the Knight of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of exuberance and a intensity directed towards one’s focus through passion and drive. This card is about inspired action and the embodiment of the phrase “Go get’em cowboy.”
What I see in the imagery of this card today is overkill. That, too, is a part of the meaning behind the Knight of Wands. Impulsive action and overkill often go hand in hand with feelings of enthusiasm and drive.
The message here is about moderation. It’s great to be motivated, and spectacular to feel a sense of enthusiasm for a purpose or project. But the thing is? When you get too carried away in those feelings of motivation and enthusiasm, it’s very easy to become destructive to yourself, to those around you, and to the project at large.
It’s important to remember not to let those feelings of motivation and enthusiasm carry you away to the point that you become a destructive force instead of a productive one.
DECK USED: TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE
LionHart’s As Above So Below Challenge Prompt
Mars Question: An obstacle, or blockade, I am asked to deal with.
Reading Summary: There’s a big difference between avoidance (Four of Elixirs), and moderation (Temperance). Avoidance (Eight of Blades) leads to overburdening and overwhelm (Ten of Wands).
Take Away: I need to work on learning the difference because I excel far to well at avoidance… and not well enough at moderation. The cards here indicate that my tendency toward avoidance is a part of the problem that causes me to hit overwhelm and burnout.
DECK USED: ANTIQUE ANATOMY TAROT MASS MARKET EDITION
#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: What harsh truths do you prefer to ignore?
Reading Summary: That I can’t last forever with fresh as a daisy enthusiasm (Ace of Wands) without getting some rest and recovery along the way (Four of Swords). Gideon can help you find balance (King of Cups) but you have to reach out to him for that help (Two of Cups).
Take Away: I hate that I need to rest. I really do. I hate that I can’t go the way I could have ten years ago, non stop and moving fast. It just doesn’t feel right to me to need the amount of rest that I do, regardless of the fact that I know I get less rest than the average person. Rest feels like an inconvenience more than a necessity and it drives me nuts that I have to take time for it. Time I could be putting forward into things that I need to get done.
I’m aware this is an issue that’s rooted in my upbringing and in my determination to be independent from a young age. My need for stability requiring money that you have to work for, etc. And I know that Gideon can help calm that desperation. Sometimes, I fear, though, that in calming that inner desperation, I will lose my independence and the stability that has been so hard won so far.
DECK USED: DELOS TAROT
Heal & Transform November Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I heal myself?
Reading Summary: Pay more attention to where you wanna go (Ten of Pentacles), and less attention to your feelings of scarcity (Five of Pentacles). You need to be able to rest and recover (Four of Swords)… and focusing on your feelings of scarcity is just not going to get you there.
Take Away: Rest and recovery. Recuperation and rest are the path to healing myself. Feelings of scarcity rooted in my past (figure looking to the left in the center card) drive me to treating myself badly and making unhealthy choices.
I need to remember that I won’t be able to enjoy the stability I’ve accomplished, or further stability I might gain, if I’ve worked myself to death in trying to fill that never ending hole of emptiness that those feelings of scarcity create.
DECK USED: LUNATIC TAROT
#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What part of my life would I like to improve over the next year?
Reading Summary: A better work / life balance (Two of Coins). The ability to enjoy my time with my loved ones freely (Three of Cups). Reclaiming my ambition while finding a better way (Knave of Swords).
Take Away: These three cards tie in together, in that it is through finding that better balance between work and life that I can find time to spend with loved ones free of guilt or negative inner dialogue. The cards also indicate that on the work side of things, the lagging of my ambition over the past handful of months is a reflection of the efforts to settle into the new work / life balance I’ve been trying to foster. As I learn to adjust to this new balance and find it more comfortable, the card indicates that my ambition will then rekindle.
DECK USED: EDMUND DULAC TAROT
Gideon’s Challenge
As Time Passes
First comes
the little wrinkles
then a couple
of age spots.
Soon discoloration
starts to set in
and the dry skin
gives way
to deeper creases.
Why in nature
is aging so
breathtaking
and yet in humans
it is considered
a flaw?
Twisting the Leaf 