Your Smile
Fiery and bright
ruby veins
spread
leaves wide
to greet
the sun’s warmth
Just as I
eagerly greet
each smile
you cast my way
my day turned vibrant
like sunlight
through leaves
Month: July 2021
Don’t Push So Hard
Today’s meditation was just under twelve minutes long, and was a guided meditation with the Calm app, combined with a interval timer for my piriformis stretching.
The focus of today’s meditation was (again) about focusing on the present instead of getting distracted by thoughts of the past and the future. My favorite part of today’s meditation, though, was in the shift from focusing on the breath to focusing on the hands and dissecting the experience of each fingertip, finger, palm, backs of the hands, etc. I find this type of meditation very soothing.
Today’s draw is the King of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of a projective Alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s finances, resources, home, health, manifestations, and the physical realm. This often translates in to themes that have to do with responsibility, stability, and financial acumen, as well as solid, grounded authority figures.
Looking at the affirmation card, it brings up the whole “pushing and striving” thing, and this is something that I do a lot. Like… a lot. When it comes to my own work and goals, I am a relentless son of a bitch. A slave driver. I know this, and I’ve been working to ease up on myself lately.
The combination of these two cards today is a reminder that it’s possible to both be responsible and successful, even while not pushing yourself until you’re grinding yourself down to a nub. It’s okay to not push so hard. You’ll still get where you’re going, it might just take a little longer to get there. But that extra time? It won’t be wasted, because you’ll enjoy the journey a great deal more.
DECK USED: JOIE DE VIRVE TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS
Mr Lionharts’ #TheJulyTarot #TarotSuitsChallenge Prompt
Questions for July 11th and 12th
Something that can help me make the most out of how I feel this week.
Page of Swords and Seven of Batons
Take into consideration what others want from you. This doesn’t mean you have to do it (whatever “it” may be)… but it means that you at least have an idea of what expectations are out there. Then you can choose your own path while being better informed.
In what way am I asked to honor my current feelings?
The sun and Knight of Coins
Fostering feelings of freedom and fun are important. Take some time to have some fun, and don’t worry so much about if your responsibilities and obligations are moving slowly. They’re still moving.
DECK USED: ANECDOTES TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #2
Question: On the topic of my feelings concerning the progressive glasses that I just got.
Reading Summary: Instead of going in to rectify any issues with the glasses (Eight of Cups), you will be tempted (The Devil) to just sit on the issue (Four of Cups).
The Four of Cups connects to the Eight of Cups through the blue hues, reinforcing the desire to just walk away from the issue and be apathetic about it rather than confronting things.
The Knight of Coins then connects to the Devil through the yellow, indicating that I need to make sure that I’m being responsible and not letting my temptation get the better of me.
Take Away: Don’t play into that “oh fuck it” mentality when you’ve put so much money on the line for these glasses. Do the hour a day test run with them, and then report in if the issue with the short distance vision is still there at the end of things. They have an obligation to get them right, and if that means they have to be sent in to adjust the lenses? Then that’s what needs to happen.
DECK USED: JOIE DE VIRVE TAROT
I have now meditated over a week now, and I’d like to take a moment to actually show what the meditation does for me. A measurable, visible thing it actually does for me and proof that it is helping, and does work, even when I feel like it’s sometimes a waste of time.
Gideon’s Challenge
Summer Fun
Vibrant stars
burst
in sunlight’s cast
thriving in heat
And as we
swelter
more buds
stretch toward sky
and seek to open
and shine
Shine with me
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
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 – Nine of Wands and Dogwood (Defend) – You have physically come to the end of your rope and it’s time to build yourself up again. Don’t face outward, for it’s your inner health and defenses that need healed and set in balance. This week is all about recovering “from battle” and getting yourself back up to snuff.
Air – Ten of Pentacles and Foxglove (Connection) – Even those things that are toxic have their place in our lives, and their uses beyond what’s harmful. This week, take a look at what’s toxic in your life, including your inner dialogue, and ascertain if there is anything useful about it. If so, be grateful for it’s presence. If not? Now’s the time to cut it out of your life so that you can focus on what’s really important.
Water – Judgement and Indigo (Enhance) – Another useful, but toxic plant. Another prompt to seek out what’s useful in your life, and what isn’t suiting your purpose. Sometimes, we hold onto things just because they “look good” or “feel good”, and yet they aren’t healthy nor align with our goals and principles.
Fire – The Chariot and Hawthorn (Sacred) – The tasks set above, where it comes to centering your self on your path and to the principles that rule your life, are the theme of this week. Don’t forget that your path is sacred, and as you move to separate wheat from chaff, ensure you set your strength and determination behind the process.
Waning – Dragon Time atop Eucalyptus Radiata – Dawdling and doing nothing is not what this week is about. Don’t just spend this time enjoying the atmosphere and soothe the soul.
Waxing – Thieves – Cleansing and boundaries, protection and discernment. As outlined in the reading above, all of these things need to come into play in the theme of this week. Make sure that you are staying centered and ensure that you clear out what needs to be released.
Take Away – This entire reading is about attuning to my values and principles. It’s about ensuring I’m leaving behind those things that no longer harmonize with what I want out of life. Now is the time to look at these things, and begin discerning what needs cut free so that you can fly.
DECKS USED: HILDA TAROT, HEDGEWITCH BOTANICAL ORACLE, OILRACLE ESSENTIAL OIL CARD DECK
Self Worth Is From Within
Today’s meditation was just over eleven minutes long, and was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app combined with an interval timer for my piriformis stretching.
The focus of today’s meditation was about participating in the present instead of being always focused on the past or the future. It went into the fact that our brains are naturally wired to look behind us and ahead, it’s a survival instinct that evolved and gave us the benefit over the predators that hunted us in ancient times.
It’s not as useful now, though, when we’re trying to enjoy the present, and meditation is one of the ways we work to overcome this echo from long ago.
Today’s draw is the Strength card, which is traditionally a representation of inner strength and courage, as well as persuasion and manipulation based in one’s compassion. The lion is truly tamed not through use of the whip, but through the soothing influence in one’s voice. Or… well, sometimes a little bit of both.
The thing is? We learn this kind of strength through how we relate to the world and how we learn to navigate others.
The message, when combined with the affirmation card for today, is that self worth comes from within. It’s not something given to us by others, but is a strength we nurture and foster within ourselves.
DECK USED: EARTHSIDE DIVINE TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS
The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Questions for July 9th thru 11th
What should I focus on right now to promote some amazing growth in my life?
Ten of Wands and Two of Wands
To promote amazing growth in your life, you need to focus on unburdening yourself of your overwhelm by sorting through your plans and working to figure out which ones to pursue… and which ones to leave behind.
What will this growth look like for me?
Ace of Pentacles and Four of Cups
This growth will look like new opportunities to find inner peace and healing through meditation and reflection. When sorting through those plans, make sure that you’re leaving room for your meditation practice. To pursue new opportunities, you will need to be centered.
What would help me most right now to amplify this growth?
Seven of Pentacles and The Void
Patience. Remember that anything that you let go of now, it’s possible it will come around again later if it’s meant to be. You’re not losing out on anything important by going slow and letting go of some of those quicker opportunities.
DECK USED: THE PRI8M TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better connect with my inner adolescent?
Reading Summary: Growth is a learning process that sometimes needs guidance (The Hierophant), whether that’s growth in the physical world (Page of Pentacles), or growth in the emotional realm (Page of Cups). Need for this guidance doesn’t mean you can’t be enthusiastic about your growth (Knight of Wands).
Take Away: To connect better with your inner adolescent, you’ll need to show that enthusiasm towards your growth, and find the guidance you need to make it go smoothly, as you marry your physical world with the new emotional perspectives you are exploring.
DECK USED: EARTHSIDE DIVINE TAROT
I got both a nap and play time with Gideon. I also finished my client readings so that I’m all caught up for my time off.
Gideon’s Challenge
Follow Me
Through dappled light
and deep shadow
over hills and roots
and fallen trees
given over to new life
come along
as stones jut through
fragrant detritus
and birdsong
fills our ears
take my hand
and I will lead you
into
what lies beyond
Twisting the Leaf 