Month: September 2021

Keep Going Anyway

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Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was unguided. Simply me, and some breathing exercises while I did my piriformis stretches.

Meraki Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Death card, which is traditionally a representation of slow, gradual, organic change. This is the kind of change that develops over time, and even when it has a “tipping point” that might take you by surprise, on reflection, you should have seen it coming as it developed.

Although not all change is difficult, for us humans, a lot of it is. We have a tendency to gravitate towards what is familiar and comfortable, latch on to those feelings, and not want to let go. When changes make us confront those tendencies, it can be extremely uncomfortable and even scary.

The Death card combined with the Thera-Pets card for today is a reminder that just because change can (and often is) uncomfortable, it’s also necessary and is often a very good thing.  And that those feelings of fear and discomfort when change comes calling are natural.  Feel them… accept them, just keep going anyway.

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

Mr Lionharts’ #TheSeptemberTarot Rise and Fall Prompt
Questions for September 28th thru 30th

Zombie Diaries Oracle and L'Œil de L'Âme TarotWhat has been a big lesson for me this month?
Meadow and Ace of Wands

There are things that are more important than the pursuit of every new inspiration and creative idea that catches your attention. Playing it safe and giving yourself some down time is not a sin, nor a punishable offense.

What have I established/realized for myself this month?
Petrified Tree and Ten of Pentacles

It’s okay to take your time. It’s okay to savor what you have right now instead of striving ever forward for more. Things that are meant to happen will develop at their own pace. Reaching your goals naturally takes time, and sometimes you discover even better goals along the way.

Where or in what way did I rise above myself this month?
Hibiscus, Ace of Swords Rx atop Guardian of Cups

Lack of communication can lead quickly to defensiveness and anxieties. You did well in ensuring that you reached out to others when you needed to this week instead of keeping everything locked inside… even during times when the act of reaching out stirred up its own uncertainties.

DECK USED: ZOMBIE DIARIES ORACLE AND L’ŒIL DE L’ÂME TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for September 28th and 29th

Meraki TarotGoal – What needs a little more focus and energy to complete before winter?

The Hermit atop Two of Swords – You need to take this time before the harvest season draws to a close to get out in nature as much as possible. You need this time in the forests, bonding with the earth, to help shore up your strength and energy for the busy winter months to come.

Pros – The Star – By spending this time in nature you can benefit from a greater sense of hope and connectivity with the world around you. This is something that increases your stamina for the gauntlet of the holiday rush on the horizon.

Cons – Five of Swords – More time outside means less time inside preparing for battle. Less time spent prepping. And, less stuff finished when the “battle” begins.

Obstacles – Eight of Wands – Your impatience is the biggest obstacle you face when it comes to this goal. You need to accept that there’s only so much you’re going to get done, and that you’ll have to pick and choose your battles instead of trying to do everything.

Solutions – The Empress atop The Hierophant – You’ve been working on learning how to put yourself first and nurture yourself. Don’t forsake those lessons now that it’s crunch time.

DECK USED: MERAKI TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had what I would consider a pretty much ‘did nothing’ day.  I don’t really feel like I accomplished much of anything really other than my cards for the day.

Gideon’s Challenge

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Mid-August Rust

Sweet scents
of berries
left on the vine
still sour
and not to ripen
vibrant bits
of color
among the green
and as leaves
begin to rust
berries will wither
into small
dry husks

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Finding the Fire Within – Part 4

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The Nursmaid's 36 Tales Lenormand

How can I be my true self during conflict?

Broom and Bear – Instead of beating yourself up and allowing that negative self talk to tear you down, stand up strong and true for your beliefs and your opinions.

How can I integrate courage into my authentic self journey?

Clover and Star – Positive thinking is needed.  You know it works and can lead you in to better things, so as corny as it might sound and as much as you struggle with it… it’s important and can lift you up when you need that extra boost of courage.

How does my integrity and values influence my authentic self?

Lily and Fish – You are old far beyond your years, with the wisdom behind that age you have yet to come close to reaching. Allowing that “old soul” within you to lead you forward keeps you true to yourself each step along your path.

What will be the biggest challenge through this journey?

Clouds and Snake – Self doubt.  You are your own worst enemy.  Combined with your proclivity towards self destructive behavior, it’s the biggest challenge you will face.

How can I inspire others to discover and express their authenticity?

Fox and House – Just care for them and be supportive of them. By giving them the support they need and giving them a place of safety to explore, you are fostering their own journey of self discovery.

Self-Care – Birds – Don’t skip out on the phone appointments this week.  You know you want to, but do them anyway. They’re important.

DECK USED: THE NURSEMAID’S 36 TALES LENORMAND

Leaning In

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Today’s meditation was about fifteen minutes long and was an unguided meditation of breathing exercises while I did my piriformis stretching. It was done a bit later than normal because the housekeeper came early and I waited to do my meditation until after she left, but otherwise it was pretty standard and comfortable.

Interim Tarot Beyond Borders and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Star card, which is traditionally a representation of the connection between the different realms of the human experience (spiritual, emotional, mental, physical), as well as of the guidance that can be provided through focusing on hope and optimism.

When you combine the Thera-Pets card with the Star card, what we see as today’s message is all about that sense of optimism and hope.  It’s about working to keep that feeling alive, and consciously focusing on fostering those thoughts in your head.  Especially when you are feeling anxious and worried, dealing with anxiety or experiencing dread.

During these times is the time to really lean in to those efforts toward optimism and hope.  The rest of the time?  That’s just practice. Practice for the really tough times when you really need that hopeful and positive perspective.

DECK USED:  INTERIM TAROT BEYOND BORDERS AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt

Children of Litha TarotCreate – The Chariot atop Four of Coins – Stability. Take control and create stability.

This is less about me, but about helping a friend that I spoke to about an hour after this reading was finished. As often happens for me when doing readings for myself, it gave me the advice that I needed prior to knowing that I needed advice.

Evolve – Temperance – Instill calm where there is chaos.

Again, this is advice given on the situation prior to the needing of advice.  The situation where this advice was needed came into the picture about an hour after this reading was first done. The guidance given helped in preparing me for what I needed to offer my friend in their time of need.

Balance – Nine of Wands and King of Cups – Make sure your boundaries are in place to keep you on steady footing, and talk to Gideon.

Still in preemptive mode as far as advice goes, this also rang true about an hour later. In hearing that I needed to have good boundaries in place, I was able to do this with less thought during my time supporting my friend… and those boundaries in turn helped me help others in this instance. In seeking Gideon out a bit later, I then was able to find the comfort that I personally needed.

This reading is a reminder that sometimes when you do a reading it won’t always ring true in the moment, but that doesn’t mean it won’t.  If given the chance, the cards can and will prepare you for things to come, sometimes without you even realizing they are doing so.

DECK USED: CHILDREN OF LITHA TAROT

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt for the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Question: How can I best express my love for others?

Interim Tarot Beyond BordersReading Summary: Create a sense of security from a position of leadership (King of Pentacles) instead of allowing things to fall (Eight of Wands) into anarchy (Five of Swords).

Take Away: Those around me seek the stability and unflappable assurance of my support.  Although I don’t often realize that I’m offering it, or even notice, they do.  And they feel when I occasionally (if temporarily)  “abdicate the throne”.  By standing strong and being the solid (and predictable) person they know, it keeps conflict to a minimum and puts chaos on hold.

DECK USED:  INTERIM TAROT BEYOND BORDERS

Daily Self Kindness

Yesterday was orders day and I made L get up from her late evening nap and help me package in order to cut the time packaging in half so that I too could go to bed at a decent time.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_7872To Savor the Day

A quiet place
to sit in the sun
on a cool day
after the rain
damp grass
soaks denim
and cotton cloth
as back finds earth
and the sky stretches
above
while dragonflies
join the serenade
of babbling brook

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Self Acceptance

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Today’s meditation was skipped.  I dawdled a bit with my phone after yoga, but I just didn’t do the meditation part. I gave into that emotional response instead of the “necessity” mindset that I’ve been working on.

Illuminated Playing Cards and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is The World card, which is traditionally a representation of completion, coming to the end of a journey, accomplishment, as well as a time in one’s growth where transformation and transition are achieved.

The “you’re a blueberry fairy princess” surprised a smile from me this morning when I read it, which made the “you’re amazing” part seem… easier to hear?

The reminder in these cards today is not just to be kind to yourself, but that in order to grow and become better, being kind to yourself is a part of the process. A necessity. We are all amazing, and until we can accept that not just of others but also of yourself, it will continue to hold you back.  Self acceptance creates freedom to stretch beyond into more than you ever were before.

DECK USED:  ILLUMINATED PLAYING CARDS AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread 3

Alice in Tarotland TarotAmber – Where do I need to work on my emotions to create more balance in my life?

King of Wands atop King of Coins – This is about scarcity issues. It’s about the drive to collect more and more financial stability and security. It’s spurred on by the uncertainty that you felt in your past and the desire to have contingency plan after contingency plan to make sure that you never return to that place of uncertainty again.  A type of hyper-focus that is unhealthy.

Cedar – How can I use my present day fortitude to strengthen my future protection?

Four of Swords atop Three of Coins – Allow others to help you more, so that you can get more restorative rest. It is through your connection to others and the ability to work together that you are able to give yourself the rest you need to stay strong and keep going.

Marigold – Where should I focus on my health in order to develop a happier outlook?

The World – There is no one specific area that you need to focus on, but rather you need to focus on the whole and treating yourself kinder in general.

Lapis Lazuli – What hidden truths can self-awareness bring to light in my life?

Two of Wands – Where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. This is about clarity instead of doubt and uncertainty. By getting more deeply in touch with what you want and where you want to go, you will be able to see the path before you that much more clearly.

Walnut – How can I be more discerning in picking positive friendships?

Five of Cups – Hold back a bit and be less hopeful. You are jaded in so many areas of life where that outlook can be harmful to you, and yet in this area you are hopeful when you should be jaded and take things more cautiously.

Sapphire – How can I best discern between logical thought and true wisdom?

Three of Swords – Wisdom is a knowledge that comes from deep within the body, not the brain. Logical thought comes from the brain… true wisdom is felt deep in the heart and the gut.

Yarrow – How can I move from a place of trauma into a place of healing?

Four of Coins – By grounding yourself. Only from a place of stability can true healing begin to flourish.

DECK USED: ALICE IN TAROTLAND TAROT

BekahMurphysMagic’s #IntuitiveHealingTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for September 26th thru 28th

Universal Folk Oracle and Illuminated Playing CardsWhat “mountain” do I need to climb to reach my intuitive potential?

Healing, Nine of Diamonds atop Six of Diamonds – You have a great deal of healing to do concerning how you see the present, and in how the past influences your present. Until this healing is at a point where you can be more generous toward yourself and the present, your intuitive potential will remain untapped.

Where do I need to “dive deep” to reach my intuitive potential?

Warrior and Jack of Clubs – Motivation is an issue. Until you find a way to pull up that inner spark of drive and motivation that has faltered of late, you will continue to fall short of touching upon your intuitive potential.

Where is my intuitive potential overflowing at this time?

Hidden atop Authenticity, Queen of Diamonds – You know who you are, and you know how to tap into that deep hidden knowledge within you. You know where you belong, where you shine, and how to get in touch with the energy and the nurturing that you need. You’re very well seated in your intuitive skills, and knowledgeable in how they work and how to listen to them and act upon them, as well as how to share them with others in healthy ways that nurture both yourself and others at the same time.

DECK USED: UNIVERSAL FOLK ORACLE AND ILLUMINATED PLAYING CARDS

Daily Self Kindness

I have worked very hard to not call myself a dumbass even once today, and the couple of times I did, I took time to reason out why that’s not really the best reaction and remind myself that I’m not a dumbass.