Morning Bonus Read – Birth Charts Reading

The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
Let’s mix divination and astrology! Draw one card (or tile) for each of the planets in your birth chart, and see what the cards notice about each planet’s placement and meaning. If you’re familiar with your birth chart and its meaning, compare what the cards say with what you know or can learn from other sources.

I want to give a special thank you to the Astrology Owl site, which is where the astrology information in this post came from.  They’re site is very well organized and quite extensive, and I highly recommend the site for anyone seeking a quick look at any variety of Astrological aspects in their chart. My chart was looked up using the Astro-Charts website.

Felix the Cat Playing Cards

Sun (overall you)

Two of Diamonds – Always juggling responsibilities and trying to find the continually shifting sweet spot of balance. Unfortunately that juggling sometimes feels like a hell of a lot of work. Grounding helps immensely.

12th House 11° 17' Taurus - "You want to enjoy life’s moments and the pleasures that are available to you. A hopeless romantic you take your time in love and when building a relationship. There is a desire to succeed in life in a traditional way but on that same note you are deeply in tune with your own values making your pursuit of success authentic to you. You zodiac sign is associated with the earth element giving you a deep spiritual connection to the cycles of Earth, growth, and stability. You recognize that life is better enjoyed when you feel secure and stable in your relationships and environment." [Source]

Moon (your emotions)

Three of Clubs – Your emotional journey is uniquely yours. You have a plan and you’re trying to follow it… but you have a habit of lagging off now and then and losing track of what you’re doing. Still moving forward though, even then.

6th House 4° 53' Scorpio - "Highly perceptive and aware of the motivation of others. You desire to keep your emotions deeply private, often finding you need a few close confidants to open up to. As a Scorpio Moon you need an outlet for pent up energy. There is a sensuality and seductive quality to your interactions with others. The Scorpio Moon is associated with the water element. This gives an emotional and passionate overtone to your personality. In order to feel secure with someone you need loyalty. You take your relationships very seriously as you deeply invest yourself emotionally in everything. " [Source]

Rising (how you seem at first glance)

Six of Hearts – Generous, easy-going, welcoming. Appearing as if you know more about what’s going on than the average Joe, and may be willing to share that information with others… maybe. Good at self expression. Able to blend into the background or not, depending on what’s needed.  Old soul.

1° 14' Gemini - "As a Gemini Rising you will be playful and outgoing even if the rest of your chart implies a shier disposition. You will certainly have a way with words! A Gemini Ascendent will give you a natural curiosity about the world and a youthful and casual appearance. You have the ability to fit in anywhere making your style very chameleon like. A Gemini Ascendent will be adept with... getting their point across accurately. People are instinctively interested in getting to know you more." [Source]

Mercury (your mind and communication)

Ten of Hearts – Always open to communicating my positive thoughts and feelings, but not so much the negative ones. Finds communication with people that you’re comfortable with far easier than acquaintances and strangers.

12th House 23° 30' Taurus - "This Mercury placement in the natal chart provides the individual with a methodical mindset. You think things through developing ideas down to their absolute core. There is an ability with this placement to sum things up succinctly and accurately... As Taurus is an earth sign there is a very practical approach to communication when Mercury is placed here. When you engage in most conversations there is typically a reason behind what you are saying and you tend to have a very logical mental pathway... Change can be difficult for you as there is an appreciation for routine and predictability." [Source]

Venus (your love and attraction)

Queen of Clubs – All in, once you’ve made the decision. The fact is though it might take you a while to get there as you think things through first. You want others to see your way of thinking and how you do things. Supportive of others dreams.

1st House 23° 5' Gemini - "The Venus in Gemini individual will love having interesting and varied conversations with people. You will quickly leave a conversation that does not immediately grab your attention. You often enjoy word puzzles, keeping busy, and having fun. You will have a natural ability to...often knowing when people are lying to you and picking up on the hidden meaning behind what someone is saying. As a Venus in Gemini you absolutely dislike boredom. You ensure your environment and the people around you are keeping you mentally stimulated. " [Source]

Mars (your drive)

Eight of Hearts – Temporal. Everything is great until you let go of the balloon. Trying to juggle too much and ending up frustrated and having to let go of things instead of finishing them.  A need for fairness in life, which when isn’t present creates a fight against injustice.

10th House 16° 24' Aquarius - "You do not shy away from conflict with this placement but rather embrace the raw passion of fighting for the underdog. Nothing motivates you more than creating social change or having a run in with authority. There is an anarchist nature about you that is driving everything you do. You choose not to live by other people’s rules but instead your own convictions. As a Mars in Aquarius individual you have made your peace with the idea that you will not fit in. You were not made to follow the crowd. You are a visionary." [Source]

Jupiter (your luck and growth)

Jack of Spades – You will come out on top no matter what. It’s not about determination so much as it’s about adaptability and enjoying the climb on the food chain ladder. The challenge that can often feel like a game, and can be enjoyable as long as there’s sure footing and solid ground under your feet.

12th House 12° 19' Taurus - "Jupiter in Taurus in the natal chart will give your personality a creative and earthy flair. You will have an earth goddess vibe to you as you give off an energy of effortlessness and natural beauty. This placement is nurturing and indulgent. You are flirtatious and enjoy the attention of many love interests. There may be a tendency to keep your feelings to yourself. Jupiter in Taurus will give you the know-how on building wealth. You naturally enjoy security with this placement and will therefore do what you can to create a stabilizing career or streams of income. You typically enjoy life’s luxuries and do what it takes to have the funds to do so. " [Source]

Saturn (your sense of discipline)

Ace of Diamonds – Easily distracted by new and shiny projects and manifestative ideas. Wants to try everything.

8th House 2° 13' Capricorn - "Individuals with this placement are very deep thinkers and typically ambitious, although rarely apt to admit it. You tend to like work that is steady, reliable, and predictable. Saturn in Capricorn individuals are often very successful in the work they choose although will often having many failed attempts before they find success. People with this placement have great stamina tending to loosen up later in life once they find the success they were searching for. Saturn in Capricorn indicates a childhood with strict rules and restrictions often giving you a complex of not believing you are “good enough” for the people in authority. This tendency may have caused you to place unnecessary pressure and deadlines on yourself. When you do not reach the goals you have set you tend to be pessimistic or feel depressed about yourself. The energy of Saturn in Capricorn gives you a sense of duty and responsibility even for light-hearted and fun situations." [Source]

Uranus (your tendency to change)

Six of Spades – You are more likely to walk away than you are to change yourself to fit the situation. Your harmony is in finding those people and things that suit you, not changing yourself to suit them.  That said, you have a remarkable ability to adapt to changes around you when needed, making it look far easier than it often is.

8th House 0° 45' Capricorn - "The Uranus in Capricorn in the natal chart generation brings a rebellion to established systems of government and authority... desire radical changes in power structures. You tend to have a very linear mind... typically have the gift of foresight and can often sense events or disasters before they happen. This generation has a very inventive mind and enjoys practical applications of their ideas. Seeing ideas take shape in the physical realm is very satisfying to individuals with this placement. You are often in tune with alchemy, metaphysics, and the occult. " [Source]

Neptune (your dreams and intuition)

Six of Diamonds – Your intuition is often used to help others. Oh, you also use it for your own self benefit, but it is something that you enjoy offering out to others when you are able.  Your dreams are often shifting depending on what you’re focused on at the moment, but you’re fine with that as long as you have something to focus on and keep you busy.

8th House 10° 5' Capricorn - "Capricorn is associated with being very grounded and practical while Neptune is associated with dreams, fantasy, and delusions. Neptune in Capricorn is pulling dreams into the physical realm... There is an impulse to be spiritual but a need for evidence. You may go through periods of time in your life where you have a total rejection of your belief systems only to upcycle them at later dates. Neptune in Capricorn gives you a sense of spiritual connection and makes the often reality focused Capricorn more open to metaphysical and psychic experiences. Neptune in Capricorn individuals are working through the restructuring of how society expects one to make money. You may dream up and implement ways to create your own income outside of the traditional methods. Neptune in Capricorn individuals are bringing awareness to society’s often unhealthy relationships to work." [Source]

Pluto (your power and transformation)

Five of Diamonds – You are the Hanged Man. Transforming struggles and hardship into learning experiences and lessons. Pausing to think and take value from even the hardest of experiences. This allows you to be open minded, even during times of struggle.

6th House 11° 12' Scorpio - "The Pluto in Scorpio in the natal chart generation is here to transform society’s relationship to elements of life often thought of as private. Individuals born during this time are helping society accept things once thought of as taboo. Important life themes for the Pluto in Scorpio generations include sex, the occult, and death. You are bringing a restructuring to society’s view of these things. You are hoping for greater tolerance of sexual expression, spiritual connection, and uncovering aspects of life that have been repressed. You are asking people to address the shadows that exist in life and not create a facade that pushes reality farther and farther away. " [Source]

Summary

I would say that in most cases, the astrology text I found and the card interpretations are both spot on, but that they went in different directions.  This could be because I’m not well versed enough in astrology to have understood the planetary representations properly, though.

DECK USED:  FELIX THE CAT PLAYING CARDS

Savoring the Moment

Today’s meditation was skipped.  I know that I should have meditated considering that I was all kinds of worked up this morning and through most of the day, but I just couldn’t manage to stay still and let it happen.

Tarot de St Croix Borderless Edition and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the King of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, home, manifestations, and the physical world.  This often translates into themes to do with wealth and expertise, as well as authority in the areas mentioned previously. Acumen, a sense of discipline, abundance, and establishing security are all a part of this theme.

One of the things I often see depicted in these cards is a figure at rest.  Alert and surrounded in abundance, but also at rest. It is like the old magnate that has finally reached the goals he’s set out for and now watches over these goals and guides others, but is no longer in a place where they need to plow forward in relentless pursuit of their dreams.

The thing is?  We don’t have to have reached the end of our journey and obtained our goals to enjoy these moments now and then.  Moments of pause and enjoyment for what we have, as we ascertain our good fortune and feel in the moment that “I am the king of my own castle* feeling of accomplishment.  In fact, we should be pausing to enjoy these things regularly.  Daily.

Don’t put them off ’til the end of your journey.  Enjoy those moments now.

DECK USED:  TAROT DE ST CROIX BORDERLESS EDITION AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Questions for August 13th thru 15th

Tarot de St Croix Borderless Edition and Wildcraft! Herbal Adventure Game CardsWhat am I guided to spend time on, or reflect on, today?

It sucked. It hurt. You don’t know what you tripped over (Scraped Knee), but you can’t sit there and whine about it all day. Where do you want to go from here? (Two of Wands)

Right, so… I have been banned from PayPal for life. And I have no idea why. None. Late last night I went to make a purchase and received an error message, so I went to see what was wrong and in the account was a notice that my PayPal account had been permanently limited and I could no longer use the account or make any changes upon it. Fifteen years using them on a daily basis for both personal and business means… then BAM… this happened.

I did not sleep. All night. I tried, but I was too worked up and freaked out. I waited until 6am (when their customer service opened up) and reached out to them. I spoke to both a service agent and a supervisor. Neither could tell me any information at all about why this happened or what I might have done to trigger it. Just that it’s irreversible. Permanent. And if I want those answers? The only way to get them is to sue PayPal.

These cards are a reminder that this is not the end of the world, just a small setback.  And that instead of focusing on the feelings of helplessness and victimization that this experience created, I need to focus ahead and on moving forward.

If not now, than when? Something I shouldn’t delay.

Take some time to heal (Yarrow), and then focus on rebuilding better and stronger (Three of Pentacles).

The thing is?  There’s nothing that I can do about this situation. I don’t have the kind of funds it would take to blow on a law suit against PayPal. It would be stupid, especially since I don’t really depend on the platform anymore like I did a handful of years ago.

The healing qualities of Yarrow indicate that it’s better just to let it go, and work on recovering from the blow, rather than stewing in it.  The Three of Pentacles is then an indication that there’s work to be done and to get to it.  Change over automatic payments to another source, shut down funding that comes through that venue, and reach out to my clients to let them know that PayPal is no longer a way in which they can pay for my services. Get my ducks in a row.

How can I make the most or best use of {my time} today?

Let go of that toxic shit (Nine of Swords) and build yourself back up (Echinacea).

Another healing herb to again remind me that I need to focus today on what will soothe those aches and restore my equilibrium. These cards are a reminder that what’s done is done and to not let the feelings that last night/this morning’s events stirred up linger and fester.  Let them go and step into getting back in balance.

DECK USED:  WILDCRAFT! HERBAL ADVENTURE GAME CARDS AND TAROT DE ST CROIX BORDERLESS EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

After my all-nighter of stress, and dealing with PayPal… then having a good hard cry based in those feelings of helplessness, confusion, and victimization.  I then quickly got to work and made sure all my recurring payments and responsibilities were otherwise covered.  This gave me the peace of mind I needed to get some sleep. I also spoke to Gideon briefly, which also helped.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_3140Convoluted

Panic sets in
late at night
and hours tick by
as I close my eyes
yet sleep evades
as I wait
and wait
Worries flood
though the brain
and the low hum
of stress
goes on and on
6am… hurry up
and release me
from this hell

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Who Are You Really?

Today’s meditation was.. skipped.  I think?  I’m pretty sure it was skipped.  I did take some time to do extra stretching and relax, though.  But I didn’t meditate I don’t think.

Illusori Tarot 27 and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Knight of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of an active/projective beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s drive, inspiration, willpower, interests, and inner spark.  This often translates into themes that have to do with (as the card says) intensity, being inspired to take action, and impulsivity.

There are a lot of things in life that it’s important to move slowly on, to take your time with, and to pause and reflect on before moving forward.  But connecting with yourself and your truth?  That is not one of those things.

I believe one of the greatest things anyone can do for themselves in life is seeing yourself for who you are, accepting yourself and all your faults, and allowing the truth of who you are to be something you delve into and explore in depth.  This type of exploration is a journey, but the rewards are immense.  Living your truth, speaking your truth, allowing yourself to live by who you truly are and who you want to be?  These things shouldn’t be something hesitated on or put off until later.  They are a lifelong journey that builds confidence and creates stability and roots within yourself, your life, and your journey as a whole.

DECK USED:  ILLUSORI TAROT 27 AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

CoffeexTarot’s Who’s Your Spirit Guides? Prompt
Questions for August 12th and 13th

Brian's Deck and The Neurotic Owl TarotWhat are you currently helping me on?
Grab It While You Can, Three of Wands atop Five of Wands

Go forth and seize this moment and do what feels right. It’s okay to be greedy sometimes, and to go after what you really want instead of settling for what you or others think you deserve.

What I need to do to reach this goal / path?
Appreciate What You’ve Got and The Lovers

Step it up on participating in a healthy gratitude practice. Paying attention to all that you have helps to center you in life and reinforce your values, but a regular practice helps build upon those good things and bring more focus to them. It will help you staying inspired to keep moving.

DECK USED: BRIAN’S DECK AND THE NEUROTIC OWL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for August 12th and 13th

Prism Oracle and Illusori Tarot 27Weed OutConfidence atop Love, Two of Cups – Sometimes the most comforting of habits you’ve developed and, or the most amazing ideas you have that you are sure that you can carry through with, just can’t be followed through on. No matter how much you love them and want them to succeed.

Replace WithFrustration and Eight of Cups – When you run across these ideas and it becomes clear that it’s not going to happen, don’t flex your grip and hold on tighter. Trying harder isn’t the issue. Instead, you need to let them go.

Where could I benefit from a new perspective at this time?
Abundance and Seven of Wands

Your values and principles don’t need defending as long as they are working for you. No one can take them away from you. The theme in this reading involves sloughing off what isn’t working and what isn’t needed.  Your abundance will grow if you let go of these things.  (Little did I know how very true this would be in just a few hours later after these cards were pulled.)

DECK USED: PRISM ORACLE AND ILLUSORI TAROT 27

Daily Self Kindness

I un-backed 12 of the Kickstarter projects that I had previously backed, letting go of those twelve decks I had backed after having sorted through the projects I’m supporting and deciding which ones I wanted to keep and which needed to go.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_2464Too Little

A little rain
just a bit
not enough
just a kiss
I need more
it didn’t keep
through the hours
of summer heat
come back please
and rain s’more
I want muddy trails
and soggy moss
please… more

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Morning Bonus Read – Standing in Your Power

Women of High Fantasy Tarot

1. What is often the reason I don’t stand in my power? (I had to rephrase this one.)

Queen of Coins – Because I want to support others, and sometimes that means toning myself down for a more gentle approach.  The aggressive tactics that I use on myself are not suitable to helping others. (Okay, so they’re not really suitable to be used on myself either, but that’s for another time.)

2. What I’m scared of about channeling my power.

Four of Coins Rx – Getting stuck in a rut of my own making. I’ve pushed so hard on certain methods and agendas for so long, that I worry I won’t be able to break free of the unhealthy ones. What -is- my power exactly if not that hard shove that gets things done? I know this is my inner uncertainties speaking, but it feels like a valid question.

3. A way that I can stand in my power.

The Lovers – Focus on making healthy choices and leaning into Gideon for help on staying on track.  I’m not in this alone and I don’t have to feel like I am.  Isolation may be a go-to habit, but it’s not a healthy one.

4. What I could accomplish if I did stand in my power.

Ace of Wands – The potential is endless, as I would be able to direct that powerful inner drive of mine in any direction I wished.

5. Something I should be more confident about.

The Magician – My capability and ingenuity. I am adaptive and able to make things work in my favor through the skills and abilities that I possess. Although I project confidence in this area, there’s often a feeling of self doubt when trouble comes knocking and I have to put these qualities into action.

6. How I can be more confident that the universe has my back.

Imagery in the Eight of Coins – Remember that everything is connected and it is through this connections that the universe helps and guides.  Support comes in all shapes and forms.

DECK USED:  WOMEN OF HIGH FANTASY TAROT