Needing a Break Isn’t a Weakness

Today’s meditation was skipped. I actually intended to meditate today, but that shit just didn’t happen.

Aquarian Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is The Chariot card, which is traditionally a representation of purpose, determination, strength of will, and active forward progress.

The things we need to do, the places we need to go. Sometimes we don’t feel strong enough to be able to push forward or plow through. Sometimes the world feels overwhelming and he fell into inside and unable to pull up they will power and determination to keep moving forward.

The message here today between the Thera-Pets card and The Chariot is that even during these times when we are feeling weak, strength still resides within us. Sometimes we must pause in order to get in touch with it, but it’s there. Even a marathon runner has to stop and rest eventually, and that doesn’t make you weak.

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

Mr Lionharts’ #TheSeptemberTarot Rise and Fall Prompt
Questions for September 4th thru 6th

An Unfoldment of Consciousness Oracle and Tarot of the Thousand and One NightsWhat story has been unfolding for me this year so far?
Svaha!, The Emperor atop Ten of Swords

Letting go of the need to control every little aspect and facet of your journey, and finally beginning to embrace the new way of life you set out to begin transitioning into a couple years ago. Finally accepting the abandoning of old ways for something new and healthier not just physically and mentally, but spiritually as well.

What has 2021 been trying to teach me the past few months?
The Third Choice and The Empress

The year 2021 has been working on teaching you to open up your perspective to a wider and unbiased view of your growth and your needs. It can be difficult to see beyond habits and the “old way” of doing things. Even when a new idea is in sight, sometimes plotting the course to get there and not falling back on old habits can be a struggle.  This year has been helping you in seeing this new way and finding the path forward in a healthy and self-nurturing way.

How can I use this knowledge/awareness moving forward?
Loving Eye and Queen of Cups

Use this knowledge to help remember to treat yourself kinder, with a more nurturing and encouraging energy and narrative, than the abuse that you have used to motivate (and punish yourself for what had been perceived as weaknesses) in the past.

DECK USED: AN UNFOLDMENT OF CONSCIOUSNESS ORACLE AND TAROT OF THE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS

Healer.Josephine’s #MindfulImperfectionTarot Prompt
Questions for September 5th thru 9th

Japanese Youkai Oracle and Aquarian TarotWhat has my perfectionism helped me avoid?

Mayoiga and Knight of Cups – You have a habit of becoming so focused on what you want to achieve that you lose track of what is truly important in life. Perfectionism forces a slower and more reflectful approach. With that reduced speed, there is then less stress put on the values of greed and excess.

How has my perfectionism limited me?

Kayori, Kijimuna, The Star atop Page of Rods – Perfectionism has made you so very conscious of every little action and thing you do that you sometimes forget others even exist around you, let along that they have their own motivations and feelings. This narrowed focus then limits your ability to connect with others in meaningful ways.

What part of me feels scared about not being perfect?

Yurei Kodate and The Sun – The part of me that still to this day seeks parental support, nurturing, and approval. Your inner child.

DECK USED: JAPANESE YOUKAI ORACLE AND AQUARIAN TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I can’t remember what I did for myself today. I guess we can count not getting the orders done that I need to ship out on Tuesday even though I don’t really have to do them so early.  I was tempted tho.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_7782The Shady Spot

A blanket spread
beneath the
chestnut tree
on a lazy day
spent stretched
and comfortable
beneath a dense
canopy
of green
Lie with me
to listen
to the sweet call
of birds
and quiet whisper
of leaves rustling

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Living Without a Goal

IMG_4361Today’s meditation was skipped, or at least I think that it was. I am playing catch-up and I’m pretty sure I didn’t meditate on the 3rd.  In fact, almost positive.

Transient Light Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is The Nurturer (Empress) card, which is traditionally a culmination of all the Queens of the tarot into a nurturing, earth based energy representing the sacred feminine, creative spark, and mother earth.

The clam with its pearl is the representation of the Empress in this instance, and I really connect with this representation.  The clam cradles a grain of sand, and over time under the pressure and protection of the clam, a pearl is formed from the calcium given to that piece of sand and built upon it in a form of shell.

The nurturing energy in the Empress is the focus of today’s message, and when combined with the Thera-Pets card, what we see here is encouragement. Encouragement that it’s okay to not know what the hell you’re doing every step of your journey through life. It’s okay to just be going through the motions, waiting for inspiration or purpose that doesn’t come.   Sometimes?  Just living in the moment is more than enough, and you don’t have to be on top of things 100% of the time.

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

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt for the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for September 1st thru 5th

Interim Tarot Beyond BordersWhat helps me stay positive?

Eight of Swords atop Queen of Cups – Turning a blind eye to negative crap when able. Sometimes in doing this, you can turn a negative into a boon, as being distant from the issue allows for a less biased view and a more more perspective.

How can I appreciate all my talents?

Strength – You can better appreciate all of your talents by staying in touch with what works for you, and by working on  better understanding the influence you have on others.

What do I need in order to create success?

Three of Wands – Motivation. Sometimes enthusiasm lags, and that’s normal, but you’ll need to rekindle your enthusiasm and motivation to create success.

How can I shine in the world?

Four of Discs – Lean into your strengths allows you to shine more brightly in the world. Instead of stressing on all of the things you aren’t good at, focus on where you excel. You have a grounded and steady strength to share.

How do I inspire others?

Knight of Swords – You show others what it looks like to focus on your goals and go after them. To some, this makes you appear impulsive, but to others, they see success through determination and action.

DECK USED: INTERIM TAROT BEYOND BORDERS

Healer Josephine’s #MindfulImperfectionTarot Prompt
Questions for September 1st thru 3rd

Forest Fae Messages Oracle and Transient Light TarotHow did I first develop perfectionist tendencies?
Walk On the Wind and Five of Wands Rx

I first developed perfectionist tendencies through the inability to do anything right in the eyes of others, and constant influx between aggression and neglect that came as a repercussion of those failures.

How has my perfectionism kept me safe?
Green Witch and The Wheel

There is a sense of grounding and solidity that comes with things being done just right and just so. It creates a sense of stability in the uncertainty of an ever changing world.

DECK USED: FOREST FAE CARDS AND TRANSIENT LIGHT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Today was a driving day and I made sure to use a timer on my phone to make sure I ate every three hours instead of trying to push it to longer so I could save time and get more miles in.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_7769Treading Water

“How deep?”
she asks
as she considers
the swim.
But why
does it matter
when it’s not
the depth
but how far
you have to go
to reach shore?
Don’t worry.
You can’t drown
if you know
how to float

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Out of Proportion

Today’s meditation was done in three parts.  I had a handful of client readings today and had to meditate (and eat) in between them as a sort of “palate cleanser” because they were quite entailed.

Black Lily Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Queen of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the areas of one’s drive, passions, willpower, determination, and motivations.

Although the business is my creation and often the driving force behind my motivation, there are times when order days come around that I just don’t feel like it. That lack of motivation is like the serpent whispering in the Queen’s ear in the imagery of today’s card.

I hear that whisper today. And, like any time we aren’t looking forward to something, it creates the “dragging your feet mentality”. Everything seems bigger than it is, and more effort than it’s worth. This can happen even with the things we are most passionate about at times.

The Thera-Pets card is a reminder that even though we may feel unenthusiastic about it, responsibilities still need to be dealt with and aren’t as big or bad as we feel they are in the moment. And that once you get them done, you can then look back and see just how much our lack of enthusiasm has blown them out of proportion.

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

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for September 2nd thru 4th

Virtues of the Heart Oracle and Soulful TarotWhat still needs harvesting this season?

Amour and Nine of Cups – More time with Gideon. More time enjoying the world around you. More time steeped in gratitude, and mindful of the pleasure and enjoyment you reap from the people you love and the world.

What projects and energies are you taking with you into Autumn?

Projects Solidarité and Temperance – Over the past few years, you have been working to learn to lean on others more, and delegate instead if taking on everything all on your own. This effort at moderating your energy burn by asking and allowing others to help you will continue to be an important theme through the autumn months.

EnergiesÉquilibre and Four of Pentacles – You need to focus on keeping your energy balanced and well grounded. With a solid foundation, that balance will be far easier to manage.

These next handful of weeks will be your last chance to spend some regular quality time in nature, and the temperatures are conducive to you getting out there and savoring as much of that time as you can. In doing so, you don’t just ground yourself, but connect with energies beyond yourself, allowing your intuition and inner spirit to flourish.

What is something new you should try?

Honnêteté and Justice – When you don’t want to deal with something, you often just ignore it rather than opening your mouth and dealing with it. Although this method often works fine for you in general, don’t forget that sometimes you need to speak up and say your piece instead of remaining quiet.

DECK USED: VIRTUES OF THE HEART ORACLE AND SOULFUL TAROT

BekahMurphysMagic’s #IntuitiveHealingTarotChallenge Prompt
Question
: How can I strengthen my intuition?

Black Lily TarotReading Summary: First, you need to remain steadfast in working through your current onset of depression (Ace of Pentacles and Three of Swords Rx). Then return to your emotional growth, seeking encouragement and guidance from those with more experience in this area (Six of Wands atop Queen of Cups).

Take Away: I feel like I’m getting a handle on the depression that was starting to creep in. I think that the shift of dosage in my meds definitely has helped in heading it off, but I know I still have a bit of work to do here. I also know that the depression muffles my intuition.

The cards here point out that as I grow emotionally, my intuition is along for the ride and growing as well. I need to continue on this journey, leaning on those with more understanding of what I’m learning and seeking their input not just in what I can do better or change, but also in pointing out what I’m doing right.

DECK USED: BLACK LILY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had L come home a bit early today to help me out in getting things done.  I also had her make two of the meals for today, which is also a huge help.  I get tired of cooking so much and was spoiled by Z being here for so long.

Gideon’s Challenge

In Need of a Bath

Tiny strands
and bits of fluff
tangled up
in spiderweb stuff
stretched between
delicate moss
and fine fronds
of lichen
soft as down
it builds up and up
as everything
waits for rain

the world
needs a bath

Photo © ZenStatePhotography