Flirting With Disaster
One way in
and one way out
no deviation
allowed
as the pleasure
of what can be
experienced
in these moments
entrances
to persuade
the crossing
again and again.
Don’t collapse.
Month: December 2020
Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)
These Saturday 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 is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.
The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?
Earth – The Empress and Sing a Different Tune – For your health and the preservation of your happy home life, you need to not just shift your focus from work and money, but start doing what needs done to take care of yourself instead of ignoring your needs. That means getting your ass outside among the trees and moss and liminal spaces this week. Don’t put it off or ignore it for “later” as you have had to do all month.
Air – The Magician and Take the Lead – Over the last month you’ve really closed yourself off from others and kept your head down as you moved through the chaos. That’s natural, but now that the chaos is over, it’s time to lift your head up and ground yourself back in the now. Don’t forget that you have all the knowledge and power you need to guide things in the direction you want them to go.
Water – Three of Pentacles and Travel Light – You want to be there for Ms B and support her in what she’s going through, but unfortunately it’s not really safe for either you or Z to head that way. Instead, make sure that you’re keeping in contact with her and keeping the lines of communication and connection open and strong. You can’t pack up the car and Z right now and drive out there to be there in person so put the suitcase down and pick up the phone.
Fire – Four of Pentacles and Isolation – You need to take a little bit more time away from your work and that hard pushing drive that is always riding your shoulders. You haven’t quite found that stability yet, and you were smart to schedule more time off after the Tuesday shipments. Use that time to help find that stability you need and the relaxation you haven’t fully been able to embrace or get enough of so that you can hop back in fresh in the second half of next week.
Waning – Metamorphosis – Change takes time, and you’ve done well at getting yourself back on track instead of lingering in the chaos and anxiety of the rush. Now that you’re finding your footing it’s time to move forward from the change and into sustaining this healthier approach.
Waxing – Primal Beginnings – This week it is time to go back to basics and the card here echos the advice given in the Earth part of the reading above. Get in touch with what you need and spend some time out among the trees and liminal spaces this week. You need this too much right now to ignore it, so let that be your main focus for the week ahead.
Take Away – The beginning of this week requires a bit of work, but make sure once you’re through those first few days that you turn your attention back to yourself and your needs and the process of getting back in touch with taking care of yourself. Spend time outside, take a hike in the rain, let yourself enjoy some time frolicking among the trees and wallowing in the mossy mounds of the rainforest and you’ll feel better for it.
DECKS USED: BROKEN ISN’T BAD TAROT, A WHISPER IN THE EAR ORACLE, SACRED JOURNEY MEDICINE CARDS
Time To Get Moving
Today’s meditation was just about twelve minutes long and was another guided meditation with interval timer, because even though I talked yesterday about mixing things up, this morning was too chaotic and stressful to deal with the change up so I did the same meditation I’ve been doing for the past month instead.
Today’s meditation was about taking a break when you need one and not putting yourself down about it when you do. And honestly? As many times as I hear this message and as many ways as it comes across to me through thoughts, the cards, and other outside sources? I still struggle with it… which is perhaps why it continues to come up so often.
Today’s draw is the Three of Wands, which has been coming up for me quite a lot recently. The Three of Wands is traditionally a representation of direction and putting plan into action.
As tomorrow and Monday are going to be order processing days and packaging days, it makes sense that this came up today, as it was an encouragement to at least look at my work and get an idea of what I need to do so that I can start on that path forward.
Included in this is of course what has been on all our minds here in this house all day long, which is Mr R’s visit to the hospital this morning. He is like a grandfather for me, and I believe that this card holds a double meaning for today in its message.
The secondary side of the message for the Three of Wands today is that there are certain things that we need to mobilize into action. Not that today is the day, but more of a warning that we need to be ready to act, and act fast, when the time comes… and that time very well could be very soon.
DECK USED: STEAMPUNK TAROT
LionHart’s 20/21 Tarot Challenge Prompt
Topic: What can I do right now to set the stage for my dreams and desires?
Reading Summary: Stop ignoring the stuff that is good for you (Five of Hearts) and take time to acknowledge those things you’ve done that were difficult (Six of Clubs). Accept that sometimes getting where you want to go takes time, and you’re going to have to just keep plugging at it and getting there one small step at a time over time (Seven of Diamonds).
Take Away: To set the stage for my dreams and desires I need to make sure I’m taking care of myself and appreciating my accomplishments rather that discounting them as never enough. Physically, mentally, and emotionally I need the boost that both of these things can provide.
At the same time, I need to make sure I’m keeping my impatience and demanding need to “push” myself always harder at bay. Working in a sustainable way that will allow myself to continue over long term is better than a short sprint that leads to burnout and exhaustion, the need for recovery, and then another short sprint.
DECK USED: KEYMASTER TAROT
#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What last minute preparations for the new year need my focus?
Reading Summary: At first glance this looks like I need to prepare for another lock down… But surely that can’t be right? In this interpretation, the cards indicate a time of seclusion in my home (Four of Wands) that is not necessarily healthy (The Hermit Rx), and the need to find things to do to keep me engaged during that time (Ace of Wands).
Although this is my intuitive read on the cards, I’d prefer to believe this is NOT the correct interpretation (mostly… because I don’t wanna go into another lockdown and think the government is far to fractured and fragmented to make one actually happen).
Take Away: So…. lockdown or no lockdown… cards here are indicating that the opportunity for unhealthy alone time at home is possible in the near future, and in order to make sure I get through that time in a healthy way I need to ensure I have engaging new activities to keep me focused and in a positive and healthy place.
DECK USED: TAROT OF LIGHT AND SHADOW
Gideon’s Challenge
Before the Crumble
Tiny fissures
little cracks
the breakdown
comes in slow
and stealthy
with veins
once so flush
with life
drying up
in a starvation
of moisture
while lying prone
in a puddle
yet
unable to breathe.
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Morning Bonus Read – Extreme Points Closure
The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“Blessed Solstice!!!! It’s here! That thing we’ve been talking about? Time to wrap up our meditation on it.“
What do I need to do now in order to facilitate this change?
Eight of Hearts
In the first week of this trio of readings, the Eight of Hearts came up to represent the change that needs to take place, and here we find the card come up again in representation of what I need to do now in order to facilitate that change.
The change taking place is moving away from the chaos of the holiday rush and allowing myself to find balance again. The Eight of Hearts here indicates that in order to facilitate a smooth transition to this healthier way of doing things, I need to be open to the change instead of closing off.
This is a message that has been repeated a couple of times over the past few days, with multiple warnings not to close down or close off, and make sure that I’m open to the changes coming and not fighting them or resisting. It’s a good reminder, as it’s something I struggle with often… even when I know that the change is a healthy one.
What resistance to this change do I need to watch out for in myself?
King of Clubs
The seat of the resistance to change in this matter resides in my drive to move forward, to do more, and to expand my “empire” to it’s greatest potential. The problem being that I sink so deeply into that drive, and allow the voice of my father in my head to push me on past what is healthy and into a place of sacrificing myself to the cause.
What is the biggest effect that this change will enact in my life?
Three of Hearts
Emotional harmony both within myself and with others that I connect with in an emotional way. When I spend too much time focusing on work and the business, it leaves far too little time to connect with others and spend time with them in quality ways. Not to mention too much work and not enough play makes me a cranky boy. By allowing that time with others and time for my own needs, it lightens my heart and opens me up to those bonds and connections I’d normally keep at a distance or shut down.
DECK USED: CHRISTMAS PLAYING CARDS BY NATALIA SILVA
The Control Is Yours
Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was another guided meditation with interval timer for my stretching. I almost skipped today, to be honest, but forced myself to lie down and do it anyway. Might be time to change things up on the style of meditation to keep things interesting.
The topic of today’s meditation was about how each and every one of us view life subjectively through our own perspective. It’s natural to forget this, and to forget that everyone else is in the same boat, viewing life through that same window of perspective. Their window.
The meditation encouraged looking beyond that and exploring the concept of sonder. Sonder is the realization that everybody around you, even strangers, are living a life just as rich and complex as yours. That their experiences are unique, and that they have different things going on in their lives that create different experiences and perspectives completely apart from your own perceptions.
Today’s draw is the Ace of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new opportunities in one’s work, finances, resources, home, health, or manifestations.
What stands out to me the strongest of the imagery in this card today (and I really want to work with this deck more so I think I’m going to carry it over into January), is the roots of the plant that grows through the skull.
Those roots look so much like Mandragora officinarum (mandrake) roots that it’s uncanny, although it is not a mandrake plant from the trailing stems of the plant’s growth above ground. Still, the sight of the roots brought to mind the use of mandrake root as poppets and that in turn brought to mind the use of poppets in directing one’s will and intent.
The message that I see here in today’s card is about molding one’s new opportunities to your will. You drive the bus on these new opportunities. Not fate. Not luck. Not any other person. It’s on you to steer the bus in the direction you want it to go, and the best place to start with that… is at the beginning.
DECK USED: BONESTONE & EARTHFLESH TAROT
#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better foster my relationship with friends and loved ones?
Reading Summary: Grace is repeated within the first two cards, and reinforced by the red and white color scheme that they also share. In order to bond more closely (Holiday Cookies) with my friends and loved ones, it is important to take a measured and balanced approach (Ice Skates) while encouraging them to seek out their best life and best selves along the way (Evergreen).
Take Away: The cards here are about being supportive, but in a “hands off” sort of way that allows people to make their own choices and choose their own path. Advice and perspective is warranted and welcome, but don’t push. Allow them to weigh things for themselves and make the choices they feel are best for them as they take new steps along their personal life paths.
DECK USED: YULE ORACLE
#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What do I need to hold onto through the transition from this year into the next?
Reading Summary: My ability to find balance and harmony within my passions (Six of Clubs) needs to be weighed against the drive to push too far too fast (Nine of Clubs). Remember to look at what I’ve done and the accomplishments I’ve made in a positive light (Nine of Diamonds).
Take Away: If I take the time and ingenuity to keep myself in a positive mindset and see my deeds in an optimistic and positive perspective, it will allow me to foster my passions instead of becoming disappointed in them. Remember to take that step back and slow down, and I won’t get so choked up in unhealthy deadlines and responsibilities to the point that I lose sight of everything else and fall back into that turtle shelled “go go go” zone where nothing else but more progress and getting more done matters.
Twisting the Leaf 