Day: August 11, 2021

Follow Your Spark

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long, and was the second installment of the Foundations II series on the Balance app.   Today, the series introduced the method of labeling, which is something I’m familiar with from other meditation exercises that I have done in the past.  I had a very hard time staying focused today and may end up repeating this installment in the series again as a result.

Tarot of the Imagination and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Chariot card, which is a representation of moving forward, will power, and the strength to choose one’s own direction and path, and plow forward upon it with determination.

“Follow the Spark” is an excellent message for The Chariot, as it encourages going after those things that really mean something to you, inspire you, and hold value for you.

It’s all well and good to push ourselves forward in the direction we want to go, demand the prize at the end of our hard work, etc.  But how many of us really take a deep down look at where we’re going and what we’re striving for?

Are you striving for someone else’s dreams? Or your own? Whose judgements, values, and desires do you allow to push you forward? Are they yours?  Are you sure? Take a look. Delve in. Find what truly lights -your- fire. And if your direction needs some realigning to go in that direction?  Use your willpower and determination to adjust your trajectory in the direction of what you truly want in life.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE IMAGINATION AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Can we understand good without evil?

Tarot of the ImaginationReading Summary: No matter your journey (Three of Wands), life is about balance, they are connected and always seeking that balance (Ten of Wands and Ten of Cups. Seeking only the good and positive (Five of Cups) doesn’t mean the evil and negative are not still there (Five of Pentacles).

Side Note: I had forgotten how much I like this deck.  It’s been a while since I’ve picked this one up.

Take Away: The answer here is no, but more than that, it indicates that when you try to eliminate the negative and evil from life, you set yourself up to be surprised by them when they rear their ugly heads in order to restore balance.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE IMAGINATION

Daily Self Kindness

The problem with playing catch up is that if I didn’t take a note about something done on the day? Sometimes I just can’t remember a couple days later when I’m trying to write it out. Today was one of those days. I didn’t write it down and I have NO idea what self kindnesses I might have done this day other than trying to relax and take it easy.

Gideon’s Challenge

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_7824Taking the Day

Wouldn’t it be nice
to have a day
with no obligations
and
no responsibilities
where the only thing
to worry about
is napping too long
as you float along
at ease and relaxing
upon the seas
of sweet surrender
before paddling
back to shore

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Weekly Creativity Prompt – The High Priestess

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?”

The High Priestess - Tarot of the Hidden RealmTarot of the Hidden Realms – In this imagery, the High Priestess beacons us into the night as she dances among the moths and moonlight. She has secrets to tell, you can see it in her face and the crook of her finger, but in order to hear her secrets, you have to be willing to dance her dance and listen with open ears and an open mind.

Tarot Manouche Universel du XXIe Siecle, Isekai Tarot, Grand Elixir Tarot

Tarot Manouche Universel du XXIè Siecle – Here we have a veiled woman beneath the moon and night sky sitting among flowers, a bird, and horses. The is an innately earthy quality to this High Priestess, and a studiousness within the book she holds.  The night and the moon speak of the secrets she holds, and the book of her willingness to share.  The animals in this speak, again as seen in the Tarot of the Hidden Realm, a willingness to share if you’re open to hearing what she says with an open heart and mind.

Isekai Tarot – The traditional pillars that stand sentinel before the gateway of secret knowledge are present in this cardx, a carry over from the classic RWS imagery for the High Priestess.  When I first looked at this card, I thought that the young girl kneeled upon water, and in truth?  I can’t let go of that image in my mind. Night’s darkness and water are the overwhelming themes here, both of which speak of secrets and inner knowledge, intuition, and feeling your way.  The girl’s gaze is direct, speaking to a willingness to share, while her body language says “come in closer”.

Grand Elixir Tarot – Here in this High Priestess, I see the least approachable of the female figures.  With eyes downcast, her head tipped forward, and her hands holding her scroll in close, she does not appear to interested in welcoming others close.  Instead, she keeps her knowledge to herself.  The traditional pillars are present, but unlike in the Isekai Tarot card, the figure here stands between them to block passage rather than to invite others in. The crying blind infant suspended behind her right shoulder in this imagery speaks to me of standing one’s ground. Her secrets aren’t free… even if you throw a fit about it.  You have to earn them instead.

Side Notes – The resounding, repeating theme in all four of these cards is in the moon, which in this case is a representation of the unknown and the subconscious, and the female figure in the cards which is a representation of inner knowledge, intuition, and the divine feminine.  The mood of each card changes, but they all hold this central theme between them.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM, TAROT MANOUCHE UNIVERSEL XXIÈ SIECLE, ISEKAI TAROT, GRAND ELIXIR TAROT