Month: August 2021

Follow Your Spark

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Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long, and was the second installment of the Foundations II series on the Balance app.   Today, the series introduced the method of labeling, which is something I’m familiar with from other meditation exercises that I have done in the past.  I had a very hard time staying focused today and may end up repeating this installment in the series again as a result.

Tarot of the Imagination and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Chariot card, which is a representation of moving forward, will power, and the strength to choose one’s own direction and path, and plow forward upon it with determination.

“Follow the Spark” is an excellent message for The Chariot, as it encourages going after those things that really mean something to you, inspire you, and hold value for you.

It’s all well and good to push ourselves forward in the direction we want to go, demand the prize at the end of our hard work, etc.  But how many of us really take a deep down look at where we’re going and what we’re striving for?

Are you striving for someone else’s dreams? Or your own? Whose judgements, values, and desires do you allow to push you forward? Are they yours?  Are you sure? Take a look. Delve in. Find what truly lights -your- fire. And if your direction needs some realigning to go in that direction?  Use your willpower and determination to adjust your trajectory in the direction of what you truly want in life.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE IMAGINATION AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Can we understand good without evil?

Tarot of the ImaginationReading Summary: No matter your journey (Three of Wands), life is about balance, they are connected and always seeking that balance (Ten of Wands and Ten of Cups. Seeking only the good and positive (Five of Cups) doesn’t mean the evil and negative are not still there (Five of Pentacles).

Side Note: I had forgotten how much I like this deck.  It’s been a while since I’ve picked this one up.

Take Away: The answer here is no, but more than that, it indicates that when you try to eliminate the negative and evil from life, you set yourself up to be surprised by them when they rear their ugly heads in order to restore balance.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE IMAGINATION

Daily Self Kindness

The problem with playing catch up is that if I didn’t take a note about something done on the day? Sometimes I just can’t remember a couple days later when I’m trying to write it out. Today was one of those days. I didn’t write it down and I have NO idea what self kindnesses I might have done this day other than trying to relax and take it easy.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_7824Taking the Day

Wouldn’t it be nice
to have a day
with no obligations
and
no responsibilities
where the only thing
to worry about
is napping too long
as you float along
at ease and relaxing
upon the seas
of sweet surrender
before paddling
back to shore

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Weekly Creativity Prompt – The High Priestess

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Prompt: “Pull the card from your deck(s) that matches the card posted below. Compare the imagery between the card provided and the card from your own deck. How would you read them differently and why?”

The High Priestess - Tarot of the Hidden RealmTarot of the Hidden Realms – In this imagery, the High Priestess beacons us into the night as she dances among the moths and moonlight. She has secrets to tell, you can see it in her face and the crook of her finger, but in order to hear her secrets, you have to be willing to dance her dance and listen with open ears and an open mind.

Tarot Manouche Universel du XXIe Siecle, Isekai Tarot, Grand Elixir Tarot

Tarot Manouche Universel du XXIè Siecle – Here we have a veiled woman beneath the moon and night sky sitting among flowers, a bird, and horses. The is an innately earthy quality to this High Priestess, and a studiousness within the book she holds.  The night and the moon speak of the secrets she holds, and the book of her willingness to share.  The animals in this speak, again as seen in the Tarot of the Hidden Realm, a willingness to share if you’re open to hearing what she says with an open heart and mind.

Isekai Tarot – The traditional pillars that stand sentinel before the gateway of secret knowledge are present in this cardx, a carry over from the classic RWS imagery for the High Priestess.  When I first looked at this card, I thought that the young girl kneeled upon water, and in truth?  I can’t let go of that image in my mind. Night’s darkness and water are the overwhelming themes here, both of which speak of secrets and inner knowledge, intuition, and feeling your way.  The girl’s gaze is direct, speaking to a willingness to share, while her body language says “come in closer”.

Grand Elixir Tarot – Here in this High Priestess, I see the least approachable of the female figures.  With eyes downcast, her head tipped forward, and her hands holding her scroll in close, she does not appear to interested in welcoming others close.  Instead, she keeps her knowledge to herself.  The traditional pillars are present, but unlike in the Isekai Tarot card, the figure here stands between them to block passage rather than to invite others in. The crying blind infant suspended behind her right shoulder in this imagery speaks to me of standing one’s ground. Her secrets aren’t free… even if you throw a fit about it.  You have to earn them instead.

Side Notes – The resounding, repeating theme in all four of these cards is in the moon, which in this case is a representation of the unknown and the subconscious, and the female figure in the cards which is a representation of inner knowledge, intuition, and the divine feminine.  The mood of each card changes, but they all hold this central theme between them.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM, TAROT MANOUCHE UNIVERSEL XXIÈ SIECLE, ISEKAI TAROT, GRAND ELIXIR TAROT

A Path of Little Miracles

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Today’s meditation was just over fourteen minutes long, and was the first installment of the second foundations series in the Balance app. The meditation focused on a review of what was learned in the initial foundations series that I’ve just recently finished, which is to say it was about the different breath work tools and body scanning that have been taught previously.

Tarot of the Nile and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Seven of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of slow growth over the long term, sustainability, and investing time or energy in something over a long period of time.

Regardless of the Egyptian theme of the cards, the imagery itself is very traditional in this card, with the farmer looking on at the gains that come from taking things slow and fostering growth.

Combined with the affirmation card for today, the message I get from these cards is about the journey to one’s accomplishments, not just the accomplishments themselves.

Just because something takes a long time to accomplish, doesn’t mean that there aren’t little miracles and treasures to enjoy along the way. The Seven of Pentacles and this affirmation card are a reminder that we need to enjoy the journey instead of focusing too hard on the destination at the end of the road.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE NILE AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Questions for August 10th thru 12th

Sacred Hags Oracle and Journey Into Egypt TarotWhat is a predominant or recurring theme in my life?
The Wild Child’s Prophecy and Prince of Cups

The restart. Taking on life with a fresh look at the halfway point in one’s life. Realizing we were too closed off and too beaten down by the past. You’ve chosen to start over rather than carry on that legacy further into your life.

This is the route at the very core of my emotional growth and the journey I have set myself upon. I understand the experiences from my past have poison the well, and instead of trying to siphon the poison out… I’m digging a new one.

What is a major lesson for me, my journey, or my life?
Juniper Smoke and Six of Coins

It is often hard to remember to pause and reflect, to take time to connect to the world around us, and really be present and hear what the earth and the air and the elements are trying to say. They whisper secrets, but it is only when you are still and quiet that you can truly hear what they have to tell you.

Slowing down as one of my largest struggles in life and a part of the journey mentioned in the previous question’s answer. Taking time for meditation and allowing myself the time I need out in nature is so much harder than it seems like it should be. I know this is because of the influences from my past push upon me a need to punish myself.

The lesson is about being generous with myself and allowing myself that time and space to tune in to the earth and the whispering voices of the elements. The space and calm needed to connect on a deeper level.

What can I personally do in support of my best life?
The Cailleach’s Crag and The Lovers

Balance and a healthy perspective require focus on all aspects of one’s cycle of growth. It’s not always about progressing. Sometimes it’s about resting, and sometimes it’s about things dying off to make room for new growth later on.

Being in the moment and making healthy choices for yourself requires that we focus on what is happening in the moment, not what is coming. So when you’re in a moment when it is time to slough off old things, be in that moment and do what needs done, rather than looking ahead and counting your chickens before they’re hatched. Same with when it’s time to rest.

DECK USED: SACRED HAGS ORACLE AND THE JOURNEY INTO EGYPT TAROT

The #MysticStarChallenge at the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for August 10

Tarot of the NileWhat message does The Lovers have for me?

Page of Wands – Make sure that you are making good choices when you pick the things that you want to delve into and explore further. You don’t have as much room on your plate as you think you do.

What obstacles does The Lovers want to warn me about?

Ten of Cups – You may find yourself feeling delayed and struggling to see a good perspective in your situation at that time. Don’t worry about it… just wait and work on looking for the good.

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

The Hanged Man – Remember that everything happens for a reason and whatever it is that is holding you back, it has a purpose, and you will be carried forward again eventually towards where you want to be in the end.

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE NILE

Daily Self Kindness

I stood up to say something was wrong tonight when Gideon and I were in play instead of keeping it to myself and trying to muscle my way through my responses.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_7772Bed’s Wrong Side

Cranky
Grumpy
Piece of work
Silent as
the inner words
wash through
the mind
and pick apart
all the good
speared through
the heart
not a day
for laughs and fun
lets just avoid
everyone

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Morning Bonus Read – August

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Belle Époque Lenormand - August Lenormand Reading

What clarity will August bring?

Star – August is a time to get in touch with the optimism that you’ve let slide over the summer months and bring it back into focus.  It’s good for you, and it helps you in your journey and growth.  Focus on finding the positivity and optimism, and instilling more of that into your life.  You need it to help lift you out and away from the rim of depression’s pit.

Is there an adventure that is calling me that I shouldn’t ignore?

Scythe – Yes. But it isn’t that you shouldn’t ignore it because you want to go down that path, but rather because you need to be aware that this possibility is there so that you can avoid it.  You’ve lost time this last week, and you run the risk of it turning into a slide down into depression’s pit if you don’t get a handle on things and pay attention to how close you get to the pit’s lip.

What can I do to open my heart to all the potential for self expression that this month’s Leo New Moon can offer?

Fox and Fish – Go with the flow, but be clever about it. A raft that floats down the river will get further by taking the easy, free flowing path than the one littered with rocks to navigate around and possibly hung up on.  In both instances you are going with the flow, but one executes strategy in the journey.  Don’t resist the flow of life around you, just make sure you’re paying attention and navigating instead of floating along and being beaten by the rocks along the way.

How can I magnify the imaginative energy that this month’s Full Moon in Pisces may bring?

Man – Lean into time with Gideon and the creative play that we can enjoy together.  This time together doesn’t just magnify your imaginative energy, but is also a soothing balm to your soul.

How can I make the most of the long days of summer?

Stork – Again, go with the flow.  The summer months are beginning to wind up.  Don’t allow yourself to resist the shifts taking place as autumn approaches, but instead let them flow around you.  Tensing up and digging in your heels won’t change anything, nor solve anything.  Instead, embrace the shift into the harvest season to come.

Overall theme for the month of August.

Cross – You’re tired.  You are worn and you have been struggling. August is a time to deal with these feelings and recover from them.  Whether they are physical, spiritual, emotional, or otherwise… you can’t carry them forward any longer and August is giving you the time and space to release these things and step free of the weight you have been  struggling under..

DECK USED:  BELLE ÉPOQUE LENORMAND