Month: August 2021

Change and Opportunities

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Today’s meditation was skipped today, as I just didn’t feel like it and then shit hit the fan concerning the whole Michael’s debacle and time got away with me as I was getting that dealt with.

Amano Tarot: Finding Happiness and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Death card, which is traditionally a representation of change.  It is not (or at least extremely rarely) a representation of actual death.  Instead, it is about the type of organically developing change that builds over time.

The imagery in this card strikes me to how we feel when change comes upon us.  Even slow moving, organically building changes and transformations can sometimes sneak up on us.  We simply just don’t notice until it gets to a tipping point and then “OH!” then we notice, but when we look back on it we can then see it had been coming for some time.

The background on this Death card and its jagged teeth like edges very much represent to me that surprised “OH!” moment of when that change that has been happening comes into focus.

The affirmation card for today then reminds us that change is not always bad.  Sometimes?  It opens us up to new things, allowing us the freedom to choose a new path, a new interest, a new way of doing things.  It opens up our life to freedom, if we’re willing to let go of the shock and resistance the change can cause and grab hold of the opportunity it’s offering.

DECK USED: AMANO TAROT FINDING HAPPINESS AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to focus on for self care this New Moon?

Amano Tarot: Finding HappinessReading Summary: Dive in to (Eight of Wands) both being silly and foolish and fun (The Fool) as well as nurturing yourself and others and making sure you’re getting the care and tending that you need (Queen of Pentacles).

Take Away: So… I hurt my Achilles tendon. It wasn’t out on the trails or even wandering on the waterfront.  No.  It was on the stairs in my building of all places.  I tripped and strained the tendon and it hurts like a bitch. 

The cards here are reminding me that there’s fun and enjoyable things that I can do right now during my time off… even with an injured ankle.

DECK USED:  AMANO TAROT FINDING HAPPINESS

Daily Self Kindness

I wrote a nastygram to Michael’s Crafts (both to their customer service department as well as emailing their corporate office) concerning the absolute bullshit experience I’ve been dealing with concerning their in store pick-up service. Getting it vented out felt good and I’m glad I reported that mess to someone, even if I doubt I’ll be hearing back from them about any of it.

Gideon’s Challenge

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The Needed Pause

Overwhelmed
I slip
painful ankle
and swollen feet
into icy waters
as rocks dig in
against tender soles
one step
turns into another
and denim tugs
heavy on hips
as hems soak up
salt water

And I want to go
deeper

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Morning Bonus Read – Transitions

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“This weekend was the halfway point between solstice and equinox. Depending on your hemisphere, it marks the start of the planting season or the start of the harvest season. Let’s use divination to enter this transition time mindfully.”

Jeu Japonais Playing Cards1. What lessons has the current season been teaching me?

King of Diamonds and Seven of Hearts – With taking up more responsibility to care for yourself as well as others, there comes a wide array of options and decisions you’re not always prepared to make on the fly.

Two of Spades and Ten of Spades – Taking time to think things through and make the best decision possible with all the information you can gather can help you avoid unpleasant endings.

2. What steps should I take to close out this season well?

Queen of Hearts – Allow yourself to be kind with yourself for just a while longer. Soon enough you’ll have to raise shields and buckle down. Wear your heart on your sleeve a while longer, both for yourself and for others.

3. What lessons await me?

Six of Spades atop Three of Spades – Sometimes shit just doesn’t go your way no matter how hard you try. You need to learn when to cut and run.

4. What steps should I take in the transition period to prepare myself for the lessons to come?

Nine of Diamonds – Time to get back on the gratitude train. Whether that’s the morning devotional done each day, or just taking time each day to really sink into thoughts on what you are grateful for.

DECK USED:  JEU JAPONAIS PLAYING CARDS

Light On the Horizon

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Today’s meditation was skipped because my time just ran away with me.  I had to do the run up north today and the time to get going came and went and I still wasn’t caught up. It was just not “in the cards” for me today apparently.

The Strawberry Tarot and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Moon card, which is the eighteenth card of the Major Arcana, and deals with topics in in the areas of uncertainty and fear, anxieties and the unknown, the subconscious, and confusion.

At first when I saw the imagery in the Moon card for this deck, I didn’t really think it fit.  And then I started really considering it, and considering the theme of the Moon card as a whole.  And perhaps it fits far more than I’d first thought.  At least, the naked woman does (I’m still not sure about the seal).

There’s an inherent level of vulnerability that comes with being confused or uncertain, which is represented in the nude woman in the image.  In the affirmation card, we then find reassurance  in relation to this sense of vulnerability that the themes that the Moon creates.  It speaks of a promise that the sun will rise and light will dawn once again.  Nothing is forever, and that includes our fears and uncertainties. When we’re working through these things, it’s important to remember that there’s light at the end of the tunnel and a new chance ahead for us to find comfort, peace, and an opportunity in which we can strive to do better.

DECK USED:  THE STRAWBERRY TAROT AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

CoffeexTarot’s Who’s Your Spirit Guides? Prompt
Questions for August 6th thru 8th

My Quality Time Self-Care Activity Cards and Broke B TarotMy current vibration.

Date atop Candles, Eight of Cups – The need to step away from the world, relax and retreat. This is fitting since today is my last day before I take a week off. I’ve been needing the time off, and it shows in these cards that I’m looking forward to it.

How do I respect your presence?

Sensuality and Justice – “Listen for me on advice about matters concerning the cause-and-effect of your actions and the world around you. I will speak to you through the sensations of your body. The tingles and tightness, tugs and touches.”

How can I effectively connect with you?

Bake and King of Coins – “The better you treat yourself, the easier it is for me to come through. When you rush, overload yourself, and push yourself too hard, my voice becomes faint and I am harder to hear. Better to take things slow and savor what you do, and then I can come through more clearly.”

DECKS USED: MY QUALITY TIME SELF-CARE ACTIVITY CARDS AND BROKE B TAROT

The #MysticStarChallenge at the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for August 6th

The Strawberry TarotWhat message does The High Priestess have for me?
Nine of Pentacles atop Five of Wands atop Nine of Swords

In order to get to a place of abundance and gratitude, you have to go through some trials and fight your way out, keeping your values and principles in tact did you go. Evolution is A necessary part of growth, and sometimes it hurts.

What obstacles does The High Priestess want to warn me about?
Four of Wands atop Two of Cups atop Nine of Wands

Good boundaries are important, necessary in fact, to foster a good relationship between you and those within your sphere and create harmony and balance at home. Sometimes when you’re not feeling so downtrodden and tired, the boundaries set in place can feel unnecessary, but you need to remember that they’re there for a reason.

What guidance does The High Priestess have for me to overcome this obstacle?

Page of Wands – Remember that life is an adventure, and so are the things that you decide to pursue along your path. There’s always room for improvement. This doesn’t mean that you are brutal to yourself but rather that you take your time to explore more thoroughly.

DECK USED: THE STRAWBERRY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I bought myself gum so that I wouldn’t clench my teeth while fighting with traffic on the way home.  I don’t usually chew gum (because I hate how people look when they’re chewing gum), but it definitely helped with the jaw clenching thing.

Gideon’s Challenge

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The Quiet Place

High off the ground
away from
prying eyes
a quiet spot
not a soul
can peek inside
I have one too
at mountain high
beyond the lake
after a climb
a soft bed of miss
beckoning
and I can hear
as it calls my name

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Where’s Your Peace

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Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long, and was the last installment of the introductory series offered by the Balance app. It was a review of the range of breathing focus and body scan techniques that were taught through the previous sessions and was comfortable and easy to follow.

Animism Tarot and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Ten of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of fulfillment, completion, and stability in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, home life, manifestations, and the physical world. This often translates into themes that have to do with having not just found your place of satiation and fulfillment, but then being in a place where you can then share that with others, like family and friends, to help them find stability as well. It is through this, that we can find a sense of completion that this card represents.

I am one of those people who unabashedly, absolutely needs this. I need that time outside. I need the time among the trees and nature with the bare earth under my feet and nature close in around me. Without it, nothing feels right in the world. The more time I get in nature, the better everything seems in life.

How about you?

DECK USED:  ANIMISM TAROT AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for August 5th and 6th

Animaux Guides and Vintage Book Illustrations TarotWhere Are  You Content
Frog and Temperance

I’m very content with taking things slow where my emotions are concerned, and moderating things in this area so that I don’t get overwhelmed and out of balance. I understand that emotions play with my perception of reality and the world around me, and how important it is to go slow in this area.

Where Are You Frustrated
Black Panther and Heirophant

Learning how to let go of those things not working for me that I cling to out of familiarity. Although I’m starting to feel like I’m finding my way on this, I have spent a lot of time lately struggling with it and feeling frustrated.

The cards keep saying “let go, let go” and yet when I ask how, they simply repeat “accept, practice gratitude, and let go”. I accept and I understand the need for letting go of old habits and things that are not working in order to make room for new and better things, I practice gratitude daily, and yet I’m still struggling with letting go. 

The Black Panther here speaks of the fear of the unknown being what is holding me back.

What can I do to work through my frustrations at this time?
Fox and King of Wands

Remember that some of the greatest things that you want in life take time to earn and work towards. Not everything is about instant gratification. Pause and reflect on what you really want, and use that time to strategize the best way to get there. It’s through your logical mind and your inner drive that you will find the path forward through these frustrations.

DECK USED: LES ANIMAUX-GUIDES AND THE VINTAGE BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS TAROT

The #MysticStarChallenge at the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for August 5th

Animism TarotWhat message does The Magician have for me?

Eight of Swords atop Two of Pentacles – Too much time focusing on stability in one’s life blinds you do everything else that is going on around you. If you want to be aware of the world, you have to look outward instead of focusing so much on your own life and your own goals.

What obstacles does The Magician want to warn me about?

Justice atop Seven of Cups Rx – Focusing too hard on your addictions is not going to find you the emotional satisfaction and satiation that you are craving. Sometimes we use our interests and addictions as a way to “self medicate” for other issues, especially emotional issues. This doesn’t solve anything, and it won’t get you where you want to go.

What guidance does The Magician have for me to overcome this obstacle?

The Devil and Nine of Cups – Focus on techniques to mitigate overwhelm. This is where your largest challenge lies and is what affects your life and emotional balance the most.

DECK USED: ANIMISM TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made Jer go to Michael’s for me to pick up something I’d ordered. I’m glad I did too cuz they tried to hand me off the floor model that’s missing parts. He was pissed on my behalf and let them have it, and a new in-box version will be there for pick up tomorrow.