Forethought Helps

Today’s meditation was skipped… again.  I did some nice breathing exercises in the shower, but I didn’t actually get a full meditation in.

Tarot Illusori and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Two of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of making future plans, plotting your course towards progress and possibility, and making the decisions that support this type of planning and the endeavors planning in this manner can support.

Sometimes, this card can also indicate when you are at a crossroads and need to choose a direction, and with the faces pointed in opposite directions combined with the pointing hands at the bottom of the card, this is the meaning that I see most strongly in the imagery for this deck.

Combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, what I see here is a reminder that we can’t do everything.  We can’t even try everything.  So it’s important, when looking at the things we choose to do and the directions we decide to go in, that we take a moment to think things through first.  Planning and common sense, strategy and tuning in with our interests and enthusiasms… all these things can help ups in choosing the path that’s right for us and that we have the best chance at success in following.

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

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I focus on the future while being in the present?

Cat-Rot TarotReading Summary: Build your strength (Strength) by focusing more on having fun (The Fool) and getting the rest you need (Four of Swords).

Take Away:  These cards are a reminder that whether it’s in the now, or in the future, I need to make sure I’m making time for lighthearted pursuits and restorative rest.

I can use that time of rest to plot and plan, but don’t skip it or consider either the need for play or the need for rest as unnecessary. Only with these factors in my life will I be able to continue on and be strong for whatever trials the future might bring my way.

DECK USED: CAT-ROT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic
: Do Spread #4

Illusori TarotSeeds Sown – What seeds for my spiritual growth planted in the spring have flourished and grown strong?
Eight of Wands atop Six of Swords atop Seven of Wands

Reconnecting with your purpose and path, and where you want both directed. In the spring you were lost in a fog of stagnation and frustration. Over the summer you have quickly been able to bring yourself back on track.

The Chaff – What seeds have not flourished and I need to let go of to encourage healthy growth in other areas?
Ace of Wands

Exploring a crapload of new creative ideas you want to dive into, learn, and enjoy. There has been no room for that this summer, while the list of things to try and explore continues to grow, but none of it has received any attention. It’s time to let this go with a shrug and a “maybe next summer” mentality.

The Harvest – How can I best prepare how to reap the benefits of a positive and healthy harvest in the Fall?
Temperance atop Five of Wands

Make sure you are keeping a careful, moderating hold on your frustrations and reigning in those old habits of pushing too hard. The holiday season is coming, but it’s not here yet. Don’t get a head start by jumping ahead into mistreatment of yourself earlier than necessary.

DECK USED: ILLUSORI TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made L get my phone for me while I was stuck on the kitchen floor instead of forcing myself to get up before I was ready to go get it myself.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_7721The Lazy Day

Sit with me
on gritty sand
among the stones
on the shore
and tilt your head
to lean back
and rest with me
look up
beyond verdant green
to the stretch of blue
above
and daydream
away the day
in the summer balm

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?

Feline Marseilles Tarot, There Is Always Light Oracle, Wildcraft! Herbal Adventure Game Cards

EarthPage of Swords and Repair – You need to do a bit of work on your relationships at home and clear up any miscommunication that is lingering between you and your sister. That niggling feeling you’ve been having of instability at home is coming from this issue.

AirThe Star atop Two of Wands, Encroach – Combat encroaching negativity with having a plan in place that includes hope, and connectivity with not just the physical aspects of your world but the emotional and spiritual as well. By having a plan in place, you can head things off at the pass and possibly bypass them altogether.

WaterThe Fool and Shield – Work on preserving a positive outlook and enthusiasm for what’s coming through proactive protection practices. A shield is more than just a barrier to hide behind, but allows you to see what’s coming and better react upon its arrival.

FireThe Hermit and Deceit – Don’t allow the machinations of others to dull your flame. Connect with your healthy alone time practices in order to weather any malicious mischief coming your way. In other words? More time in the woods is needed to shore up your foundation.

WaningElder (Sambucus cerulea) atop Burn – You’ve had time to process the sting of what happened last week and to restore yourself from the experience.  Although you are still a bit tender, it’s time to take the rebirth that has happened and carry it forward instead of dwelling upon it and treating it with kids gloves.

WaxingJewelweed (Impatiens capensis) atop Poison Ivy – The crushed leaves of the Jewelweed are a well known treatment for poison ivy, and ice made with the herb frozen inside it are good for treating many types of rashes and skin inflammation. Lean into the things that bring you comfort, and head off irritants (whether things or people) at the pass before they can get to you and make a mess of things.

Take Away – There is a great deal of advice here on shoring up stable foundations and making sure that the things and people that could throw a wrench in my balance are dealt with quickly and efficiently through either leaning into optimism or purging these things before they can get a foot in the door.

DECKS USED:  FELINE MARSEILLES TAROT, THERE IS ALWAYS LIGHT ORACLE, WILDCRAFT! HERBAL ADVENTURE GAME CARDS