Bend… Don’t Break

Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long, and was the seventh installment of the Foundations II series on the Balance app.  This session went more in depth with the labeling techniques that had been introduced earlier in the series, and gave more autonomy throughout the process to allow for a more in-depth practice of the method.

Alchemia Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Eight of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of setbacks caused by either willful ignorance or an inability to see “the whole picture”.

Combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, the theme here is about how when we feel like life is against us and we struggle to find our way, these trials are not meant to break you, but to temper your strength and improve your flexibility and adaptability.

These times offer us an opportunity to look closer, open our eyes and seek a deeper understanding, and confront  these issues from a new perspective.

DECK USED:  ALCHEMIA TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Topic
: Write down your blessings and draw a card for each.

Animism TarotThe Support of Those Closest To Me

Ten of Wands – There is no need for me to overburden myself because I have those closest to me that are willing to support me. Not just emotionally, but in my work and in my endeavors as well. They are there to help, even when I forget to reach out for them sometimes, or feel guilty for asking for the help I need.

My Relationship With Gideon

Knight of Wands – The relationship we have is something that we have built together and are both deeply invested in. We know what we want from (and for) each other, we know what we want from (and for) ourselves, and we’re willing to make sure we both get what we want and need, and have our desires fulfilled. There is no hesitation here, just boundless passion.

The Stability and Security I’ve Built

Nine of Wands – That stability is not just something I value, but it’s a hill that I will stand on and die on if necessary in order to protect. This stability and security is something I feel that I need, and I’m willing to defend it vigorously in order to keep it.

I Am Still Able-Bodied

The Magician – Keep up the yoga and the physical therapy, the stretching and the exercise, CT scans and check-ups. All of these are tools in your arsenal that are needed in order to keep your body functioning properly, and to keep yourself out of the hospital dealing with replacement parts and reconstructive surgeries.

Freedom of religion and expression

King of Wands – Not only do you express yourself well and show the world your beliefs, values, and practices. But, you also inspire others to follow in your footsteps and do the same. You lead by example, without even realizing it most of the time, because you’re too wrapped up in your own passions and interests to notice that you’re doing it.

My Bond With L

Page of Swords – Somehow there is always new things to discover in this relationship. A lifetime together from womb to the present with very little time apart, and yet she can still take you by surprise and teach you something new damn near every single day.

DECK USED: ANIMISM TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic
: Do Spread #2
Question: How can I head off this approaching depression and mitigate its effects?

Alchemia TarotReading Summary: Gratitude and leaning on others may not be enough (Ten of Coins), this is going to take experimenting with some new (Ace of Wands) and unorthodox methods (The Hierophant).

Take Away: Ugh. I know what the cards are suggesting. And I know that if I don’t try it? I’ll regret it later. I’ll up my meds. I’m super nervous about it, and I’m going to need multiple people keeping a watchful eye on me, but… I need to try it at least once at the onset of a depression to see if it helps.

DECK USED: ALCHEMIA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I struggled with insomnia last night and did a variety of self care things in order to try and overcome the issue, including soaking in the tub. I finally managed to get some sleep around mid-day.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_2643The Promise

Tucked beneath
green leaves
lies cool waters
waiting
patient and quiet
waiting for me
to slip in and sink
and let myself be
surrounded
as I’m pulled deep
into an embrace
soft and gentle
that promises
peace

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?

Animism Tarot, The Essential Oils Healing Cards, Faery Blessing Oracle

EarthFive of Wands and Cardamom – Obviously, I am still quite worked up over the whole PayPal thing that happened last week. The cards here indicate that I need to work on seeing beyond the feelings of being picked on and the injustice that I feel happened here, and move on to finding a clear path forward. Clarity is needed, and you cannot have clarity when you are still wallowing in shit or trying to stand your ground against impossible odds.

AirPage of Pentacles and Yarrow – Again, we are on the topic of what happened with PayPal and how my emotions were affected by this event. The thing is though, the Page of Pentacles here indicates that working forward towards a better solution will serve me far better and the Yarrow promises that in doing this I will heal those wounds along the way. Focus forward… not back.

WaterThe Magician and Basil – Through your emotional growth in journey, you have learned the tools you need to move past this issue and restore yourself back to balance once more. You need to lean on these tools that you have learned, instead of allowing yourself to fall into old, unhealthy habits. With depression knocking on my door, this vote of encouragement is about more than just my upset with PayPal, but also the onset of depression trying to creep up and drag me in.

FirePage of Cups and Lime – Be sure to introduce a mindset of creative play into your work and business, and it will help refresh your perspective and help you see your work in a new light so that it doesn’t once again begin to feel like a chore.

WaningA Blessing of Airmid atop A Blessing of Dreams – Earthly concerns outweighing your dreams. Now isn’t a time to get weighed down. Daydreams and lollygagging are absolutely not just allowed, but essential.

WaxingA Blessing of the Wild Within – Although your ankle is not yet fully healed, make some time to take an easy path through wooded areas that will let your true inner nature flourish. Spend some time lying in the moss and gazing up at a canopy of leaves overhead. Visit with those of the green and forest that come to greet you, drawn by that inner root that connects you with them.

Take Away – A large part of the message in this reading is that I need to let go of what happened with PayPal and work on easing the anxieties, worries, and depression that was triggered by the emotional upheaval I experienced. To do this I need to make sure that I am looking forward instead of wallowing, and making sure that I get out in nature so that I can have some time of grounding and healing among the earth and the green and those that rustle among the leaves.

DECKS USED: ANIMISM TAROT, THE ESSENTIAL OILS HEALING DECK, FAERY BLESSINGS CARDS