Month: June 2021

Embracing Change

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IMG_2140Today’s meditation was just under fourteen minutes long, and was one of the guided meditations in the Calm app which I combined with an interval timer for my piriformis stretching.

The focus of today’s meditation was an activity that worked on disassociating with the thoughts that go on in the mind during meditation. We looked at both verbal thoughts that run through your mind, as well as visualization thoughts that run through your mind, and how to stay distant from them by labeling them (ie: talk, image, quiet) instead of sinking into them or letting them carry you away.

David's Tarot and Flower Fortune CardsToday’s draw is The Tower card, which is traditionally a representation of sudden and chaotic change, tearing down the old to make way for new, and destruction.

These kind of changes are often terrifying or painful.  They come out of the blue and are destructive, tearing down well known structures and comfortable norms.   Not only is this part of things scary, but sometimes the concept of rebuilding from the ashes can be just as frightening.

The reminder in the Flower Fortune cards for today is an apt one when paired with The Tower, as it reminds us to “welcome the change coming into your life”.

When change comes, especially when it comes on suddenly, it’s difficult not to flinch in response and shy away from it.  It’s hard not to fight against it.   The thing is?  The change is going to happen whether we want it to or not.  If we fight it?  It just drags things out and makes it last that much longer.  Better to embrace it when it comes, ride it out, and in the end you are better prepared to move on and rebuild things just how you want them.

DECK USED:  DAVID’S TAROT AND FLOWER FORTUNE CARDS

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Questions for June 4 thru 6th

Luna Sol Tarot 2nd EditionWhen am I intuitively insecure?
Page of Disks Rx and The Hermit

When life goes stagnant, and I’m left to stew in my own shit, I end up struggling with self confidence. My intuition also has a way of going quiet when I try too hard to take everything on all alone.

How am I using my intuition in my life right now?
Ten of Swords Rx and The Sun atop The Empress Rx

I am using my intuition to avoid the painful endings that I feel that I’m not ready for.  Instead I’m seeking joy, even if it’s unhealthy for me, when what I really need to do is deal with those unpleasant endings.

How am I blocking my intuition?
Seven of Wands

There’s too much fight going on against the changes that needs to take place. Too much looking at that change as an opponent to fight against instead of something healthy that needs to take place. This resistance is creating a block.

How can I resolve this conflict and free my intuition from its bonds?
Seven of Wands and Two of Cups

Stop being so stubborn and allow others that have your best interest at heart to join in your journey and help you.  Stop struggling and fighting so damned hard.

DECK USED:  LUNA SOL TAROT 2ND EDITION

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: About loneliness…
Question: What fears do I have surrounding the theme of loneliness? How can alleviate these fears?

David's TarotFears: That people will see something in me, that causes them to reject me. Even though I present myself honestly and openly to everyone, for some reason this fear remains. Even while not hiding anything, that fear is always there. That they’ll see some ugly truth in me that will turn them away.

This is the fear that took root during the “pissant” event, and like a pervasive weed, I’ve been unable to dig it out since then.

Alleviation: To alleviate these fears, I need to accept that I’m not for everyone… Just as not everyone is for me. Trying to please everyone is a nightmare, and an anxiety trap that I don’t want to fall into.

DECK USED:  DAVID’S TAROT

TheSphinxRevolution’sGothic Seance Divination Prompt
Today’s Muse: Emily Bronte
(Note: I’m using the writers in this challenge as a muse instead of as a mediumship/seance practice. So the questions are about me instead of about them.)

Inner Compass Kids CardsWhat kind of figure or personality you will never idolize? Why?

Mirror atop Funny Pants – The class clown. I just don’t have the ability to see myself in that way. I have a sense of humor, but I find myself far too serious for such behavior. Sometimes when I see other people act that way it seems so natural, cool, and easy… but when I look in the mirror at myself and try to imagine behaving that way?  It just looks childish and idiotic.

How does the theme of “abuse” play in your life?

Hero atop Leader – Abuse comes from authority, and only I can save myself from it. It is my issues with authority due to the abuses of my past that have caused me to become so diligent in my adulthood in not just being fair… but being independent.  I have gone to great lengths to create that independence, and demand it being respected by those I work for as well as others in my life.

What aspects of shadow work you need mastery on?

Home – I need to work on mastering allowing myself more freedom in the places that I feel safe. Relaxing and fully letting down my guard isn’t easy when there’s other people around, even though those around such as my sister and Z should allow me to feel completely safe.  It’s just… not the same as full on alone time.  This is something I need to work on.

What guidance Emily Brontë would give you on your spiritual journey.

Unlucky Duck – It’s okay to fuck up once in a while, and you don’t have to be hard on yourself about it when it happens. Learn from the experience and move on to the next.

DECK USED:  INNER COMPASS KIDS CARDS

Daily Self Kindness

I had a full evening of Gideon focused time and attention.

Questions for the Spirits of Tea

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“Commune with the spirit of coffee or tea, and ask it what you want to know. Be sure to thank it at the end.”

Sortilege Reading with Charm Casting, Clarification Tokens, and WItch Rune SticksShould I branch out from my regular daily blend?

Only for special occasions or when you’re feeling unwell.

Is my current daily blend helping me?

Your current daily blend is providing flexibility and strength both emotionally and physically.  This allows you more mobility and freedom as a result.

Should I stop buying mugs?

Not necessarily, especially if they make you happy. But, perhaps stop actively looking.

Should I drink the teas sent as free gifts and as bonuses in membership mailings?

No. They’re a source of community energy and connectivity, and have positive energy behind them. But, don’t drink them as they could be dangerous due to your allergy issues. Use them for other things.

DIVINATION TOOLS USED: CHARM CASTING SET, WITCH RUNE STICKS, CLARITY TOKENS

Gideon’s Challenge

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The Rocky Beach

A quiet place
to settle and wait
for nothing
in particular
to happen
Just there to listen
to the lap of water
on rocky shore
and smell the
salty tang
in that hint of brine
in the air
This is where
daydreams
and seagull screams
are born

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Morning Bonus Read – Connect With Your Spirit Guide(s)

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Teddy Bear Transformation Playing Cards - Spirit Guides Cartomancy Reading

Your deepest held belief about working with spirit guides.

Six of Spaces and Ace of Diamonds – That it’s something new you need to be dedicated to in order to learn. That it takes time and effort, and there’s a journey involved to improvement and building of skill.

How ready you are to start connecting with a spirit guide.

Six of Clubs – You’ve been doing it already for some time now. Not just doing it, but doing it well. This isn’t something you need to develop, but something you already have and are well and truly already connected to.

The spirit guide that’s most keen to work with you right now.

Three of Clubs – This spirit guide is all about helping you to move into your chosen direction.  You know where you want to go and what you want to do, and they’re the one that wants to help in getting me on that path and keeping me on task.

Have you worked together before?

Nine of Spades – Yes. During times of intense worry where breaking free of stagnation was needed, they have been there to help you in moving past these hurdles and momentary setbacks.

What is their main aim for working together?

Four of Hearts – To help you find your emotional center.  A big part of your journey of emotional growth and understanding is finding your balance in the constantly shifting sea of emotions that you’re allowing yourself to feel these days. Their main aim in working with you at this time is to help you learn to find your “sea legs” so that you can explore your emotions without feeling unsteady or losing your balance.

What are they trying to warn you about?

Seven of Hearts – They are trying to warn you that there are too many conflicting views caused by emotional imbalance. This can cause disrupted emotional harmony, which if allowed to go on for too long, could cause a more serious emotional response (such as depression and/or anxiety).

What are they trying to help you succeed with?

Nine of Hearts – Finding true happiness and satisfaction. For these things to be accomplished, it means opening up and allowing emotions to have a place in your life.

What action they want you to take to be successful?

Ace of Hearts – It’s important to remember that you’re at the beginning of your emotional journey and growth. They want you to make sure that you keep looking at things with fresh eyes.  Sometimes it can be difficult to not fall back on old habits, but it’s only through keeping open to the new experiences being offered that you can move forward.  There is no looking back.

Something you can do to strengthen the connection with your guide.

Jack of Hearts – Stay open to learning and exploring. Don’t lose your enthusiasm for discovering more and expanding your horizons in the area of your emotional growth.

DECK USED:  TEDDY BEAR TRANSFORMATION PLAYING CARDS

Ever Expanding

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Today’s meditation was skipped because I ended up napping through it.  Not intentionally, but that’s what happened.  I still haven’t figured out how I go from on my back with my legs up the wall to sprawled out and comfortable to sleep.

Botanica Tarot and Flower Fortune CardsToday’s draw is the Queen of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, instinct, and communication.   This is the energy of support and sharing through knowledge, experience, and advice.  It is where ideas are fostered and encouraged.

In this deck, on the Queen of Swords is depicted the Red Oleander (Nerium oleander) which is an extremely poisonous plant that is both ornamentally beautiful, but extremely dangerous. The use of this plant in the Queen of Swords speaks of the duality in nature of this card’s energy.  For, not only can the energy behind the Queen of Swords be strong and supportive, but that energy can also be cold, harsh, and unforgiving.

The Flower Fortunes card for today says “Don’t limit your challenges, challenge your limits,” and this theme fits well with the Queen of Swords with its Red Oleander companion. The message is one of tough love, and speaks of the need to push yourself beyond what you believe to be your limits.  Sometimes, that sucks.  That push can be painful or frustrating, uncomfortable or a huge struggle.  But, if we don’t test ourselves and push for more from ourselves, then we can never truly know just what potential we have within us that is yet to be fulfilled.

DECK USED:  BOTANICA TAROT AND FLOWER FORTUNE CARDS

CoffeexTarot’s Self Love For The Summer Prompt
Question: How can I best give myself love this summer?

She Whispers Her Truth Oracle Reading Summary: Self-care is extremely important, and this summer it needs to take priority over the business and earthly pursuits of money and gain (Self atop Intellect). This includes the meditation you’ve been avoiding (Hold), and making sure that you take the time off that you need (Acceptance).

Observation: All of the cards pulled in this reading are of the air and water variety.  This speaks of the theme being one combined between intellect, communication, and the emotions.

Take Away:  So much of the year is filled with stress, strain, and the needs of the business.  You push yourself beyond limits during the late fall and winter months, you spend the time following that in a pattern of recovery and anxiety, often resulting in months spent in an MDE that steals away the spring.  This time… the summer time, is where you need to focus on yourself.

Care for your needs.  Meditation is one of those needs.  Although it feels like it does very little, the fact that even your heart rate’s average bpm drops significantly when you are meditating regularly makes it clear that it’s doing more than you’re aware of.  Take time off, do your meditation, and enjoy the self care activities while you can.  All too soon it will be autumn again and you’ll have to force your needs aside for the business once more.

DECK USED:  SHE WHISPERS HER TRUTH ORACLE

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: About friendship…
Question: How can I better hear my intuition and trust my judgment when it comes to making friends?

Botanica TarotIntuition – The Star (Jasmin) and Knight of Swords (Venus Fly Trap) – It’s okay to still have a hope in humanity and the goodness of people. It’s okay to be enthusiastic about wanting to have friends to share your ideas with, just don’t get it so enthusiastic that you become impulsive. When you’re in a hurry you make mistakes. So take your time.

Judgement – Seven of Wands (Datura) and Eight of Swords (Ice Plant) – Make sure that you’re looking outside yourself. For this particular endeavor don’t just trust what’s inside, because that hopeful nature that wants so badly to see good in everyone can blind you sometimes. Listen to others, pay attention to what they’re saying, and how they react to the people that you are trying to befriend. See if these reactions line up with your own perceptions.

DECK USED:  BOTANICA TAROT

TheSphinxRevolution’sGothic Seance Divination Prompt
Today’s Muse: H.P. Lovecraft
(Note: I’m using the writers in this challenge as a muse instead of as a mediumship/seance practice. So the questions are about me instead of about them.)

Meet the Self Oracle

What ambitions are dying inside of me? Why?
Fixe tes objectifs. Mets en lumière. / Transmutation Transcendance

The ambition that is dying inside of me at this time is that drive to do every little thing I’m inspired to do. At one time, every inspiration I had was explored with enthusiasm or set aside with only the intention that I will pick it up and explore it soon.  What I’ve come to realize, though, is that just because it’s a good idea doesn’t mean I have to dive into it. It’s okay to let some of them go and instead focus on only a few. This shift appears to be happening because as I grow, I’m becoming more centered.

What aspect of my life do I keep separate from others?
Crée, tu es le monde

My inner voice. My magical workings.

Although I guide others and how to hear their intuition and follow it more closely, and although I share with the world my talents… I don’t always share what is going on “behind the curtain”. Although I teach people about magic and witchcraft, and I am willing to share my knowledge in these areas, neither do I share with them my own personal spells or the details of what I am doing in my own life. The reason for this is because it opens these things up to being tampered with by others.  Thus, I protect my creative spark (both interior and exterior) through holding these things apart and protected.

In what ways do I feel a lack of influence in my life?
Confiance Courage

I feel like the majority of my confidence and courage comes from within instead of from others. Although I know that people are there beside me and willing to stand at my back, I find that I shy away from leaning into that knowledge the majority of the time. This doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate it, or that it doesn’t give me a hint of pleasure to know that they are there.  It means that my path is my path, my moral compass is my moral compass, and I feel strong enough in these things to stand confident within them.

Guidance that HP Lovecraft might give me about my spiritual journey.
Un message, Sois a l’écoute / Prends le temps… Reflexion

Open up and listen more closely to your intuition and your guides. Get back into your meditation practice, as it was a help you in listening to both more closely.

DECK USED:  MEET THE SELF ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

CHOCOLATE CAKE!!  And sexy time with Gideon.  I mean, with those two things as a part of my day, I think I’ve hit my self-kindness limit.  (j/k)

Gideon’s Challenge

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Tortitude

You wouldn’t think
such a sweet face
would have
an ornery streak
yet watch out
for when those
pretty
golden green eyes
narrow
and that soft
little nose
tightens

Sometimes…
she’s a biter

Photo © ZenStatePhotography