Month: September 2021

Rising to the Challenge

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Today’s meditation was skipped because I laid down “for a few minutes” and then… slept for three hours.  Way more than I meant to lie down for.

Ophidia Rosa Botanical Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Five of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of conflict, struggles, trials, and tests in the area of ones intellect, education, ambitions, and communication.

Right now I am struggling with my ambition, and with turning my slow summer mind and vacation longing heart around into the powerhouse of innovation and entrepreneurial oomph that is needed to not just catch up from my break last week, but also begin prepping for the holiday rush to come.

I think that we all struggle with changing gears sometimes, and with “rising to the challenges” set out before us. Today’s message in these cards is that it’s natural and normal to find yourself struggling to drum up that oomph now and then, but instead of giving in, it’s important to keep trying.

DECK USED:  OPHIDIA ROSA BOTANICAL TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic:  Draw or write something free-form inspired by the card(s).

Intuitive TarotThere was once a brutal king who had a young son. They clashed often due to the king’s sharp tongue and quick temper (King of Swords Rx), which always seemed to ignite whenever confronted with his son’s more cautious and thoughtful ways (Page of Discs).

The boy took the abuse from his father’s cruelty again and again, even as he took to heart encouragement from the queen (Queen of Wands) to learn to fight well and defend himself (Nine of Wands).

This went on for many years, with the queen always encouraging the boy to train harder and stand up for himself, and the boy never utilizing what he had been taught.

Then one day the king discovered the queen’s encouragement, and saw it as a betrayal.  The king went after the queen with his sharp tongue and cruelty, and where the boy had not been comfortable using what he had learned to defend himself (Nine of Wands Rx), he immediately leapt into action to protect his mother and queen (Nine of Wands). The king was defeated by the son, and all in the realm that had lived in misery under the cruel king’s rule rejoiced as the queen settled into her rightful place as ruler of the realm.

DECK USED: INTUITIVE TAROT

BekahMurphysMagic’s #IntuitiveHealingTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for September 15th and 16th

The Pulp of Tarot Expansion Set and Ophidia Rosa Botanical TarotHow can I better use my intuition to enhance my manifestations?
Maat’s Scales, Joker, Wheel of Fortune, Nine of Swords

When you are stressed and the world feels chaotic, you have no inspiration to create anything. At these times, instead of allowing your anxiety to have free reign as the world turns upside down and life feels unpredictable, reach for that highly tuned moral compass to lead you.

Using your inner compass as an anchor will allow for a calmer outlook, and give you the space you need to create, manifest, and otherwise draw ideas into reality more easily.

How can I better understand my intuition?
Druid, The Apple, Death, Strength

Stay grounded and attuned to the earth as you move through the changes that life throws at you. Be aware of where your strengths lie in this area, and use them to your advantage.

You have a strong connection with your intuition, and how it speaks to you through your body. Lean into that and work at getting more time in and among the liminal spaces that draw you so strongly, as they enhance the strength of your intuition’s “voice”.

DECK USED: THE PULP OF TAROT EXPANSION CARD PACKS AND OPHIDIA ROSA BOTANICAL TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had an appointment with my shrink today.  It actually wasn’t too bad and I felt like she gave me some good feedback.  That felt pretty good overall.   I also worked to get as much of the orders done today as possible so that tomorrow will be less stressful.

Gideon’s Challenge

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Lazy Evenings

Quiet moments
lazy and warm
comfort complete
in the act
of soft touches
and the low rumble
of your voice
teasing at my ear
with sweet words
as light kisses join
thrumming chuckles
and the rise and fall
of each breath
just beneath
my sprawl

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

You’re Worth Fighting For

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Today’s meditation was skipped because I had my days messed up.  I thought I had a shrink appointment today and I waited around for her to call only to realize it was tomorrow.  I would have structured my day completely different if I’d realized.

E D Jasbeck's Non-Binary Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Seven of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of standing up for one’s convictions and principles, protecting your values, and doing feel is right even against opposition to the contrary.

Sometimes being a fighter isn’t about our goals or a physical struggle. Sometimes it isn’t even about conflict at all, other than our own inner conflict. Because there are times when being a fighter is about standing strong with your own idea of what’s right and wrong, holding your principles, values, and mores sacred for your life instead of allowing them to be corrupted, warped, or torn apart by others.

When we come up against people that try to warp our values, it can sometimes create a huge struggle. Not giving in or compromising your values and principles can sometimes feel like a never ending battle, but these values are what guide who you are… and you are worth fighting for.

DECK USED:  E D JASBECK’S NON-BINARY TAROT TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt for the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for September 13th thru 15th

Universal Folklore Oracle and Illuminated Playing CardsWhen do I trust myself?
Expansion, Seven of Clubs atop Eight of Clubs

You trust myself the most when you are in a time of growth, and your focus and passions are set upon exploring that growth and finding how it fits in with your own personal set of values and mores.  This allows you to expand your perspectives and awareness, even when what you’re learning about doesn’t fit in with your own personal path.

What can I do about the fear of being wrong?
Duality, Ace of Hearts atop Two of Hearts

Being wrong isn’t really a fear that you have, as you are self-aware enough to be able to let go of incorrect perceptions and absorb new ones easily. This allows you to see other people and their perceptions far more easily and say “I was wrong” without any real fear.

What is my favorite mantra?
Uncover, Eight of Hearts atop Four of Clubs Rx

When something isn’t working, it’s time to move on and try something else, and you will be guided to tread the path that’s right for you if you openly listen to your intuition.

DECK USED: UNIVERSAL FOLKLORE ORACLE AND ILLUMINATED PLAYING CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: My struggle to look at the holiday rush in a healthier way.

Forest Fae Cards and E D Jasbeck's Non-Binary TarotThe Problem – The Green Man and Eight of Pentacles – You are looking at it from the angle of the holiday rush being all work and no play. There is no aspect of joy or adventure because you are too focused on the grueling work involved.

The Lesson to Learn – Keep Going and Five of Pentacles – Persistence can overcome perception with time. This lack-of-joy perspective creates a sense of scarcity, but if you keep trying to add joy and enjoyment into the experience, eventually you’ll be able to transform this perspective into something you’ll be more happy with.

Advice to Help You Through – Spiny Sister and Ace of Pentacles – Look at everything you do and everything you make with fresh eyes and an appreciative gaze. Every one of your creations are gorgeous, and you need to work on not losing sight of that fact.

DECK USED: FOREST FAE CARDS AND E D JASBECK’S NON-BINARY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made sure that I got back home and online with enough time to have some time with Gid today.  Even after the interruption of the graffiti on the outside of the building, I still feel like we got more time tonight than we have for most of the nights in this last time off.  It was nice and relaxing and… it felt really good.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_4005Treasures Found

Quarters
coins
and shiny things
paperclips
and shoelaces
fallen leaves
and plastic bits
parking lots
are treasure troves
where trash collects
discarded
along with
well loved
lost puppies

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Finding the Fire Within Part II

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Finding the Fame Within Part 2 - Lenormand Reflet di Lune

How can I release my fears and insecurities?

Anchor and Crossroads – Make sure that you are grounding yourself, so that when difficult choices arise you’ll be on solid footing. It’s always more difficult to make good decisions when your life feels chaotic and your energy is out of balance.  This process becomes even more difficult when that imbalance allows fears and insecurities to slip in and pollute the decision making process.  By having a steadily grounded foundation under your feet during these times, there’s less chance of those emotions screwing with your decisions.

What steps can I take to more deeply embrace my true self?

Lady, Moon, Cross – You need to return to doing regular lunar rituals with L. Not only do they provide a deeper connection with your path, your spirituality, and the energies surrounding you, but they connect you more deeply with L as well. As your other half, she is a part of you and you a part of her.

How can I protect myself from external factors?

Ship and Lily – Visit your mother.  You may not entirely understand how this can protect you from external factors, but the cards here indicate that visiting your mother will do so.  Perhaps it will douse the fire of her outrage and future machinations or something.

How can I boost my confidence to express myself?

Book and Key – Knowledge is power. Do your research so that whatever you are expressing yourself about can be resourced if needed. Having a strong foundation of sources to back up your knowledge will provide you with more confidence in what you are saying. Consider, on certain topics, noting down a list of resources for future reference.

What guidance do I need through this process?

House and Mountain – Retreat to the comfort of home when things feel insurmountable. Allow that comfort that both your physical home, as well as Gid and L, can provide to soothe you and shore up your strength to try again.

Self Care – Fish – For now? Just go with the flow. You can worry about the more challenging stuff later on.

DECK USED: LENORMAND REFLET DE LUNE

Think First, Before Acting

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Today’s meditation was skipped because the housekeeper came early, and after she left I blacked out due to low blood sugar and ended up in the hospital.  Crap ass day, obviously.

Journey of the Bearded Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Five of Fire (Wands) which is traditionally a representation of conflict, butting heads, and abstinence bred out of a certainty that you are in the right.

I got a real kick out of this card today, as what really stood out to me was the look on the bird’s face. The man below blows a dart and hits the bird, and the bird looks down at him with a very clear “You fucker!!” expression in return.  It cracked me up.

I feel like my perception of this card, combined with the Thera-Pets card has more to do with taking the easy way out instead of taking your time. The hunter kills the bird because it’s the easy meal.  Maybe if he’d had some patience, something better would have come along.  He feels entitled to take the birds life, just as the bird feels entitled to living its life freely.

The message here is about taking the first thing that comes along… or waiting for something more suited.  There are times, like when searching for a job or considering new opportunities, that it can be tempting to snatch up the first thing that comes along.  But that’s not always the best choice, even if it feels like you are getting somewhere faster by taking it.  Instead, these cards remind us to pause and consider if what we’re being offered really connects with what we truly feel is right and good, and with what we want out of life. If the offer does not align with these things, sometimes it is better to pass on an opportunity, even if it means things move a bit slower than you want them to while you find the options that are truly right for you.

DECK USED:  JOURNEY OF THE BEARDED TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheSeptemberTarot Rise and Fall Prompt
Questions for September 13th thru 15th

Oracle of Echoes and The Pulp of TarotSomething I have grown in since the beginning of 2021.
Boundaries atop Home, Cinque di Bacchette

Setting clearer boundaries and expectations at home, so that there is less conflict and butting of heads. When boundaries aren’t clearly defined and people don’t know what you want from them, it causes unnecessary conflict that can be easily avoided.

Is there room for (more) personal growth this year in any area?
Gift and King of Wands

Yes. It’s time to turn your attention to your goals and passions. You need to begin working at looking at the busy time to come as a blessing and a gift, instead of a dreaded trial to be suffered through.

Envision where you want to be or what you want to have achieved by the end of 2021 and draw a card.
Let Go and The Devil

[Goal to Achieve: By the end of 2021 I would like to be closer to paying off my line of credit. Potentially a good deal closer than I am now. It is unrealistic it will be paid off, but I want to get things moving in that direction using the added income that the holiday season brings in.]

To achieve this goal, you are going to have to ease up on your addictions, and let go of your obsessions. You can’t both spend money on whatever you want and pay off the line of credit.

DECK USED: ORACLE OF ECHOES AND THE PULP OF TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What makes you feel…

Marcel's Oracle and Journey of the Bearded TarotExcited – Baptism and Two of Fire – New passion pursuits. The beginning of that journey when everything is shiny and new, and there’s lots to experiment with and discover.

Happy – Vivid Dreams and Nine of Air – When my medication is working well and keeping both my depress and anxiety in check.

Note: Vivid Dreams is a direct connection to the extremely vivid dreams that I have that are caused by my medication when I shift from an old bottle to a fresh one.

Calm – Lovers and Queen of Earth – Gideon and the calming energy that he provides for me when I am worked up. He is my comfort and my anchor, a touchstone for my soul and provides me a counterbalance for when I am struggling.

DECK USED: MARCEL’S ORACLE AND JOURNEY OF THE BEARDED TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I refused to stay overnight at the hospital.  They wanted to keep me for observation, but I felt extremely uncomfortable with all the covid shit going on and the fact that I was taking up a bed that someone else could be desperately in need of.  I felt much better coming home and allowing L to help me in keeping things well in hand during the 24 hours following the visit.