Month: August 2021

A Time To Heal

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Today’s meditation was skipped.  No excuses or even any real reason, to be honest. I just didn’t do it.

Vintage Book Illustration Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is The Tower card, which is traditionally a representation of the calamity and chaos of sudden, unexpected upheaval and change. The Tower card reminds us that for new good things to be built, the old and rotted remnants of what once stood must first be torn down.

The thing is?  Sometimes when that upheaval happens, it hurts. Surprises can hurt, destruction can be painful, especially if you’re needing to let go of something that, although has served its purpose and is no longer needed, you are still clinging to tightly.

These wounds can make it a struggle to move on, and healing requires time.  Sometimes, healing moves smoothly, but not always.  Today’s cards are a reminder that sometimes this healing can take time… and that is perfectly okay.  There’s no set time limit, and no deadline. The best healing takes place at its own pace.

DECK USED:  VINTAGE BOOK ILLUSTRATION TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

CoffeexTarot’s Who’s Your Spirit Guides? Prompt
Question for August 22nd thru 24th

Essential Oils Healing Cards and Vintage Book Illustration TarotHow do I open myself to your guidance?
Geranium (Pelagonium graveolens) and Page of Cups

Accept that you’re not skilled with dealing or understanding your emotions yet, and you need help in order to both deal as well as heal. Guidance is needed when learning a new things, and that includes learning about your emotions and going through emotional growth.

Cautions you have for me.
Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum) and Nine of Pentacles

Self-medicating with things that give small, temporary moments of pleasure at a time when you are flirting with the edge of depression is not a good idea. Find other ways to achieve those small moments of pleasure that don’t include entertaining your more addiction motivated tendencies.

What areas of my life need change?
Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata) and Five of Wands

Consider working on sex without drowning. You don’t have to drown every time, and it would be good for you to have the bonding experience of that union without always going through the drop that comes after a drown.

DECK USED: THE ESSENTIAL OILS HEALING DECK AND VINTAGE BOOK ILLUSTRATION TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I vented (and had a good cry) about my run-in with the bigot in the supermarket parking lot instead of holding it in.

Morning Bonus Read – Anxious Days

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St Croix Lenormand

What can I control?

Book – Knowledge is power and you have the opportunity to seize a great deal of power if you keep your eyes and mind open, and actually delve into unearthing the knowledge needed to succeed. You have the ability to grasp the abstract and those things hidden between the lines, understand complicated and convoluted concepts, and stretch your potential through exploration of such things.

What can’t I control?

Snake – Oh geez.  Okay so this is the PayPal thing again. YES.  I know.  I need to be adaptive and move forward instead of lingering in what I can’t control or do anything about.  The feelings of betrayal are painful, but I am definitely ready to set them aside.  I understand that I may not quite have fully let go of the emotional upheaval that it caused, but I truly do understand that it’s out of my control and something I need to move on from.

How can I work with what I can control?

Woman – Keep in mind that just because Z has gone home doesn’t mean she is not still in easy reach. The valuable advice and guidance she has offered you throughout your life was closer than ever over the past year and a half, but it isn’t gone now that she’s back home.  Reach out to discuss new ideas and discoveries with you, for her input will be as valuable as always.

How can I release what I can’t control?

Mountain – You’re not going to get any answers about why this happened. There is no resolution in sight and you need to just let it go rather than brooding on it or squirming under the feeling of betrayal and injustice that the experience stirred up for you.

Take Away – Dive into searching out different alternative payment methods and ways of doing things that don’t involve PayPal and let go of the feelings that were stirred up by the experience.  Enlist Z’s help in finding new options and looking into their merit.

DECK USED:  ST CROIX LENORMAND

Slowing Down

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Today’s meditation was skipped due to orders day and a worry that I wasn’t going to get everything done in time to ship it out.

Tarot of the Nile and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Seven of Swords, which is a representation of cunning and strategic thought, often portrayed as being of the thieving and betrayal variety.  It also represents leaving behind what one cannot easily carry, and getting away with something.

You know how sometimes when you rush to get out the door, you grab the things you need and run, then realize later on in the day (or on your trip) that you forgot something essential?

Today’s card is asking… why are you rushing?  Why are we either waiting until things have gotten to the point that we’re rushing, or putting this “last minute” expectation on ourselves in the first place?  So many things that we pushy ourselves to rush at don’t need to be rushed.  Yes, there are occasions when it’s necessary, but there’s not as many necessary occasions for that rush as there are those that we force upon ourselves.

DECK USED:  TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Topics for August 23rd and 24th

Cosmic Journey Oracle and Tarot of the ImaginationThink of something that recently made you smile or happy, focus on that thought and draw a card.
There Are No Wrong Turns and The Fool

Hiring a new housekeeper takes a bit of trust and faith in humanity. You’re letting this person into your home for the purpose of touching all yours stuff and trusting them not to take or break anything as they explore your home. It can be harrowing and nerve wracking, but every journey must start with a first step, and that includes finding someone to clean for you.

Pick a line from a song and use it to draw a card.

You said we are learning but
The whole world is burning
– Remy Zero’s Bitter

Each Evolutionary Turn Requires You To Give Up Who You Think You Are and Six of Wands

Everyone is always so focused on their solitary goals and appearances. Is it any wonder that the world is now at a point of striking back against our selfish and self serving ways. The earth is a living thing, and it’s tryin to teach us a lesson. The question is… will we listen?

Pick a line from a book and use it to draw a card.
Every Cycle Is a New Opportunity and Two of Cups

“Everything he touches becomes more of whatever it is—more alive, more vigorous, more powerful, more awesome, or more awful.” – The Faeries’ Oracle by Brian Froud

Remember that your perspective is not the only one, and that the more they you branch out to take in others perspectives, the more your perspective of the world will grow and change. This is the same not just for you, but fir everyone.

Pick a line from a movie and use it to draw a card.
A Light Grows Brighter Only By Lighting Another and King of Wands

“…there’s no such thing as a lie. There’s only expedient exaggeration.” North By Northwest

This quote, and the cards that came after it’s selection, reminds me of Mr R.  He once told me that a lie is never a lie until you get caught, it’s a “story”.  This is not something I particularly agree with (or at all, actually), but it is what these cards and the movie quote bring to mind.

DECK USED: THE COSMIC JOURNEY ORACLE AND TAROT OF THE IMAGINATION

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for August 23rd and 24th

Animal Love Oracle Cards and Tarot of the NileI Blame Myself For…

Hippopotamus and Nine of Swords – The failings of my mental health. Although I know logically that this isn’t true, I often see my mental health struggles as one of my failings. I am aware that although this feels like taking ownership, it is not empowering.

I Blame Others For…

Unicorn, Ace of Swords atop Ten of Cups – Successful communication with others. I never take credit for my ability to communicate with others without it falling apart. I feel like I am constantly bumbling when it comes to communication, and that I have to be extremely careful not to fumble things. I always feel like the potential for being misunderstood is huge, and the consequences explosive, like walking through a minefield. When things go well?  It’s always someone else’s fault.  When things go badly, it’s always mine.

How can I begin to release blame from my heart?

Manatee, Two of Swords – I need to allow myself the time I need to make decisions instead of pushing for always faster and more.  It’s hard for me to remember that pausing and mulling things over is really okay, and that the only deadlines I have to deal with the majority of the time are my own.

DECK USED:  ANIMAL LOVE ORACLE CARDS AND TAROT OF THE NILE

Daily Self Kindness

It was a super busy day and I just can’t remember if I did anything particularly kind other than making sure that I got enough to eat.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_7582The Bee’s Bell

Little pockets
to hide within
just dip down low
and climb right in
the colorful walls
are soft as silk
while delicate fuzz
will tickle a bit
when seeking
sweet nectar deep
within the bell
and dusted
in pollen
we’ll bid farewell

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Second Full Moon in Aquarius – August 2021

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Yesterday was the second Full Moon in Aquarius, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us. Today’s spread is brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot By the Moon series.

Frau Grand Duchess Tarot - Blue Moon in Aquarius Tarot Reading

1. What area of my life is craving expansion?

The Magician – You crave developing new skills and testing them. You crave using your abilities to their fullest to achieve your dreams and goals. To prove you can do it. The key is to find a way to do this in a healthy way instead of in the self destructive ways you have done it in the past.

2. What part of myself is awakened?

The Tower atop Seven of Wands – The awareness that life isn’t fair no matter how much you want it to be. Sometimes things fall apart no matter how hard you rail against the unfairness and injustice of it all.

3. Where do I need to be discerning?

Force – Choose your battles wisely. There’s no point railing against the things that you can’t change, better to use your inner strength to stand tall even when these things happen.

4. What action do I need to take?

Seven of Coins – Don’t allow your rise in anxiety to send you into a spiral, and thus cause you to begin to rush and push yourself harder. You need to continue to take things slow, and consciously focus on that slow path of growth for a while longer.

5. Message from the Ancestors.

Queen of Swords – It’s okay to be salty about what happened. That recent ordeal weighs heavy on your mind, but don’t let it drag you down.

DECK USED: FRAU GRAND DUCHESS TAROT

Bend… Don’t Break

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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.