Garden Musings
Sad brown eyes
cast toward the sky
as tendrils
of a mane
made of fire
sway in their stretch
to the ground
What do you see
in the bright blue sky
that makes
sadness well
in those
dark brown eyes
Month: July 2021
Weekly Creativity Prompt – The Moon
Prompt: “Pull the card from your deck(s) that matches the card posted below. Compare the imagery between the card provided and the card from your own deck. How would you read them differently and why?”
Tarot of the Hidden Realm – The imagery of this card is all about a flagging of confidence, a sense of curiosity, and a moment of uncertainty. Antlers are unwieldy in moments of vulnerability as the figure explores the barren ground on hands and knees.
There is also determination and strength. She is not lying down and giving up, but continues to move forward, to seek more, and find her way.
Tarot for Middle Earth – Like the Tarot of the Hidden Realm, the focus in this card’s imagery is not on the moon itself, but rather on the figure that works to make their way through a dark landscape of shadows and darkness. Here in this card there is a sense of empowerment over doubt and uncertainty. Her posture and the sword she carries indicates that although she walks through shadows and a landscape of illusion, she is prepared for what may come.
Anonymous Tarot – Abstract and vague, what stands out strongest to me in this card is the moon itself. Although this imagery is very reminiscent of traditional RWS imagery, the moon dominates everything and appears to be bleeding. The amount of red in this card speaks to me of fear, and of leaving a place of calm and security (the blue) to step into that place of fear in order to follow the beacon of the moon above.
Adventure Arcana Tarot – Here again we see a very classic imagery, and yet the contrast between domesticated and wild is missing in the lack of dog and wolf. Although the crustacean is also missing, we are still able to draw the meaning of it through the shift from stream to the appearance of a path, as if we are pulled out of the dark water of the subconscious to tread upon the moonlit path through uncertainty, forsaking the security that the towers offer to follow the guiding light of the moon above.
DECK USED: TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM, TAROT FOR MIDDLE EARTH, ANONYMOUS TAROT, ADVENTURE ARCANA TAROT
Compartmentalization Can Help
Today’s meditation was skipped today because I overslept. Which, isn’t really surprising since I was up playing with Gideon until after 5am.
Today’s draw is the Three of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of collaboration and team work, coming together to achieve a mutual goal or result, and learning new skills from others.
This affirmation card is a hard one for me. Okay, hell… this tarot card, for that matter, is a hard one for me. I struggle with sharing the load. I struggle with delegating. And I struggle with taking time away from work and letting go.
The message here is about when it’s time to work, it’s time to work, and to do better work you need to let others in and let others help. With their help things get done not just faster but without the issues that rushing can cause. And when it’s time to play? It’s time to put that work away and focus upon yourself and those around you.
Don’t spend this time when you’re supposed to be taking a break stressing about work. Don’t spend the time when you need to focus on work daydreaming about taking a break, dragging your feet, or squandering the help others want to offer. You have responsibilities to yourself. And to your work. Compartmentalize. The less they bleed into each other, the easier you will find both of them to be when focusing on them.
DECK USED: TAROT OF TREES 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS
Mr Lionharts’ #TheJulyTarot #TarotSuitsChallenge Prompt
Questions for July 13th & 14th
What is my intuition trying to tell me, or help me with, right now?
Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and Seven of Pentacles
You are holding on too tightly. You will strangle out your growth before it has enough time to flourish if you don’t ease up. Stop trying to control every little thing and just let things flow at their own pace.
What should I face, or embrace more, in support of my best self?
Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) and Knight of Pentacles
Slow progress is still progress. You’re pushing and impatience will turn your view of your progress rancid if you don’t clean it out and purge these negative perspectives. Don’t let impatience turn what should be a positive into a negative.
DECK USED: UNRULY GAME CARDS AND TAROT OF TREES 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION
#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What can I do to help my inner adolescent feel less neglected?
Reading Summary: Teach your inner adolescent (The Hierophant) to see things from a new perspective (Inverted Tree) that removes the fear of all that he has being stolen away from him at any moment (Seven of Swords Rx).
Take Away: This answer makes me wonder just how much of my little um… “collecting” tendency actually might land directly in my inner adolescent’s lap.
How much of that too tight grip lives in this inner adolescent’s fear of losing everything and sliding back into the poverty and misery I’ve managed to claw myself out of?
This might be something worth exploring more in depth at some point.
DECK USED: TAROT OF TREES 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION
I got my second vaccination shot today, at the hospital, under supervision. And stayed for the entire 90 minutes requested afterwards to make sure I tolerated it okay. Everything went fine. I was about crampy in the stomach, but that had nothing to do with the shot since it’d been going on all day. No anaphylaxis. No issues.
Gideon’s Challenge
The Mattress
Layers on layers
of feathery softness
create a bed
of green
perfect
for laying out
to stretch and curl
to nap and dream
to daydream
as we pick shapes
out of leaf patterns
and the clouds beyond
Lie with me, my love
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Morning Bonus Read – Body In Pain
Check-in on my overall energy.
Tree – Flagging and not particularly the greatest. Although you are no longer flirting with burnout at every turn, neither are you taking care of yourself as well as you could… or should. Slacking on your physiotherapy, eating too much junk, and not getting enough outside time and exercise are all starting to take their toll both physically as well as energetically.
Is there something this pain is trying to tell me?
Snake – You’re doing this to yourself. Your betrayal of your body is all self imposed and the results that come from it are created by you and you alone.
How can I make it easier to hear what this pain has to say?
Fish – Stop fighting against the current and go with the flow. Begin shifting and adapting to get back on track. You don’t have to do it all at once, but you do need to start gravitating in that direction instead of just continuing blindly on this path of self destruction.
How can I release the harsh perception of this pain as my enemy?
Child – See it as a call to start again and refresh what you’re doing. The pain isn’t an enemy but the result of bad choices. By clearing out the old and taking a more youthful, open eyed approach to the situation you will better see your pain as an ally to guide you rather than an enemy to struggle against.
How can I support myself physically while this pain is present?
Mountain – Accept it as the fucking monstrous hurdle that it is. Your pain is permanent, but the levels can be managed. This reading is about how you deal with that hurdle, not eliminating it.
How can I support myself emotionally while this pain is present?
Moon – Understand that as long as your pain is out of control, so too will be your emotions. Just accepting this fact alone can help you in better supporting yourself emotionally, as it gives you a rational view of the constantly shifting emotions going on, as well as the jagged emotional highs and lows the pain creates.
DECK USED: SAWYER’S LENORMAND ORACLE
Do What You Love
Today’s meditation was just over ten 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… hm… I don’t remember. I’m not sure if I was actually paying attention beyond the rhythmic breathing exercise that was going on. I would surmise, though, that it was about intuition and autonomy in one’s life. About “steering our own boat” in life by listening to our intuition and what feels right for us.
Today’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of hard work and honing one’s skills and abilities. This often leads to themes that have to do with manifestation, perfectionism, and expertise in one’s crafts or vocational field.
The imagery here is quite traditional (other than it being a rabbit instead of a human) and, when combined with the affirmation card for today, the message is clear.
Too much work and not enough play. Too much time spent doing the crap I don’t enjoy, and not enough time spent doing the things that I do.
When you’re taking a break? Take. A. Break. Don’t work on the side, and don’t worry about work. Let it GO and take that break that you need to be healthy and happy, and do the things that make you happy and healthy.
DECK USED: NORTHERN ANIMAL TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS
The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Questions for July 12th and 15th
What barriers will I need to overcome to embrace this growth? (From July 10th)
The Star, Strength atop Six of Coins Rx
Don’t push yourself to give to others right now. You are struggling with finding that positive outlook at the moment, and spreading yourself too thin isn’t going to help. You’re often told that you give too much of yourself, and right now? You need to listen to that advice and focus on yourself for the time being.
What tools would support me in overcoming these barriers?
Nine of Wands and Four of Coins
Good boundaries are essential right now. Make sure they are firmly anchored and grounded, and built for the long haul. Don’t be wishy-washy. Be decisive and keep those boundaries strong. Sink those fence posts deep in the soil so that the fence can withstand what storms may come.
How will this growth support my journey?
Eight of Cups and The Fool
Moving forward on to a healthier path will allow you to feel less weighed down. Lighter and more care free. Invigorated. This sort of energy can not just lift you up and keep you positive, but make each step along your journey that much easier and more enjoyable.
What abundance will this growth bring me?
Five of Wands atop Two of Swords
Less time spent fighting with yourself (and the world at large), which means more time enjoying life and my journey.
DECK USED: SEAWITCH TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: How does my inner adolescent feel right now?
Reading Summary: No chaos (The Tower Rx). No scarcity (Five of Pentacles Rx). Just potential (The World).
Take Away: Okay, so essentially, what these cards are saying is that during my adolescence I lived in a constant state of chaos and scarcity. I have spent the majority of my adult life rectifying that, and my inner adolescent now feels secure and able to look beyond those fears to the potential that the future holds.
The enjoyment I find in spending money on decks, crystals, and brand name foods and other “consumer treats” is my inner adolescent celebrating his release from those fears.
So… spoiled rotten and full of potential.
DECK USED: NORTHERN ANIMAL TAROT
Lots of time with Gideon. I also managed to do my meditation today, even though I wasn’t feeling particularly enthused about it.
Twisting the Leaf 