Month: February 2022

Responsibility Day

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Meta-Barons TarotToday’s draw is the Emperor, which is traditionally a representation of father figure type energy, responsibilities, strength, authority, and a “for the greater good” mentality.

For the greater good and “bucking up” to get a few things done is what today’s card is about.  Yesterday I put things off, but today, I need to get a few things done so that tomorrow (which is Gideon’s birthday) can be free to spend time with him.

That means bucking up and doing the stuff that I need to get done like pulling decks for March and starting some of the orders to be shipped out next Friday.

DECK USED:  META-BARONS TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheFebruaryTarot Kindred Spirits Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 25th thru 28th

Meta-Barons TarotIn what way have I grown throughout this February journey?

The Devil – You have advanced and being able to identify when you’re reaching an unhealthy point in your addictions and fascinations, before you actually reach a critical breaking point.

How can I further honor the ancestral divine powers within me?

The Emperor and Knight of Coins – Claim your place within this power and begin taking control for a better future. Just remember to take things slow as you move forward.

What part of me should I leave behind now in support of my power?

Judgement – Don’t be so harsh to judge yourself. Focus more on the now and let your moral compass guide you, instead of casting your gaze forward all the time into the future.

What am I asked to take to heart before giving closure to February?

Eight of Wands and The Tower – Rushing will only rush you headlong into a Tower moment. Don’t push. Take things at your own pace so that you have more time to prepare for those moments instead of having to rush into them headlong.

DECK USED: META-BARONS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Today I pulled (most of) the decks that I will be using for March. There’s a few that I will need to pull another day, but I chose to stop when my back demanded I stop instead of continuing to push on. This means that tomorrow is free for Gideon’s birthday instead of me having to work on this tomorrow. I can pull the rest of them on Monday after I’ve given my back a bit of rest.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_9105Overburdened

Weighted layers
drag down branches
to direct
usually spry tips
to point toward
the ground
as evergreen fronds
droop heavily
a little further
with every snowflake
that settles
to rest upon them
like a blanket
that becomes
ever heavier

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Fishing For Nothing

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Maat TarotToday’s draw is the Seven of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of themes having to do with having a plethora of options to choose from, all of opportunity’s doors being open upon one’s path, and at times being overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices available in the moment.

I’m actually doing a lot of twisting in the wind today.  I have a number of things I need to get done and I just don’t feel like doing any of them, much like the figure in this card looks down at all the cups below, but doesn’t actually reach into into the depths to grab any of them.   She just sort of… toys on the surface of the water with one hand, not really taking the effort to reach, right?

The thing is?  Maybe I need this time off more than I realized.  Maybe I shouldn’t feel so guilty about all those things placed on the back burner.  Maybe… it’s okay to just relax for today… and -not- reach for any of those cups.

DECK USED:  MAAT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 24th thru 26th

Maat TarotWho in my life needs extra attention at this time?

Political focused to the point they’ve lost sight (Eight of Swords) of themselves and who they were (Prince of Cups), and have begun moving away from their support system in life (Three of Cups) in their too tight focus on that political side of things.

I know who this is in my life, but I just can’t openly say it. It’s someone I care about deeply who has been pulled into the whole QAnon mentality to the point where they started seeing conspiracy theories everywhere and have been unable to untangle themselves from that mindset ever since.

How can you provide this attention in a way that is still healthy for you?

Remind them of the long history we share (Six of Cups) and support them emotionally (Queen of Cups) without allowing the negativity to break you down (Ten of Swords).

Some of the things they say are very easy to take personally, but keep in mind that it’s not about you, and they are essentially an echo of what they have been listening to. No thought there, just an echo.

Where in your life are healthier boundaries needed?

The Emperor – Don’t allow responsibilities to take over your life.  You’ve done really well at finding a healthier balance.  It’s okay to set down the mantle and do things a bit slower, and a bit less precise.  There’s only so much room on your plate.

How can you begin?

Eight of Coins and King of Swords – Be mindful of what you have built and where your talents lie. Own what you’ve done, own where you have chosen to build your life, and let what isn’t in alignment with these things slough off as immaterial.

DECK USED: MAAT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I decided not to work today. I didn’t pull March’s decks.  I didn’t work on jewelry.  I didn’t work on writing.  I did pretty much not much of anything.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_4905The Frozen Hike

Ice crystal flocking
on sharp needle tips
delicately dusted
by winter’s kiss
each bit of frost
a reminder
of winter’s cold
encouraging
dressing warm
to avoid frozen toes.
Move along the path
and enjoy the day
but stay safe and warm
so you don’t have
to turn back half way

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Personal Divination Practices

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Recently, one of the Discord servers that I’m a member of posted this question… “What is divination to you? What does it feel like when you do it?”

Casting Lots Divination

Divination is a great many things to me as it’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As I’ve mentioned before on this blog, my mother started both my twin and myself out with Lenormand cards as bedtime story prompts when we were children. The three of us would take turns pulling a card, and using it to add to the story.

So, for me, divination is bedtime stories with my mother and twin sister when she and I were little.

It’s campfire stories in creaky lawn chairs around a fire with playing cards for prompts.

It’s lazy weekends in the woods communing with the trees, and communication with deity during devotionals and ritual.

It’s seeking answers, reassurances, and sometimes? A little bit of forewarning of what’s to come.

It’s speaking to my subconscious and letting it have a louder voice when it tries to whisper back, connecting to ancestors and guides allowing for easier communication, and a way of coaxing out my wounded inner self to have a heart to heart.

It’s a way for me to help myself, and help others as well.

Sometimes? It’s just something to pass the time or sate my curiosity.

Tarot Decks

All of these feel different on a physical, emotional, intuitive, and psychological level. That is because they are all very different, and yet they are also all the same in some ways. The resounding way in which they all feel the same, though, is in that they all feel… right. A puzzle piece that slips into place and fits just right. That’s how it feels.

I think there are certain types of divination that fit better with different forms of inquiry. And, that not all kinds are suited to all people. I personally haven’t really been able to connect with things like automatic writing, mirror scrying, or flame reading, for example. Whereas cards, and especially cards with rich imagery on them, are very easy for me to use.

Throughout the past 20+ years, I’ve used a variety of different divination techniques from multiple different types of card decks (tarot, lenormand, playing cards, oracles, game cards, etc) to pendulums, casting lots (runes, charms, oghams, dice, etc), coin spinning, stick and stone casting, tasseomancy, reading dust motes, stichomancy, smoke reading, and many more (I like to explore and experiment).

Divination Coins

I’m sure that I’ll be exploring more in the future, as well. Some will come easy and become a part of my practice in some way, while others won’t be suited to me and I’ll pass on them and move on to something else.

A Bit of Salt Makes It Sweeter

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Fool's TarotToday’s draw is the Nine of Water (Cups), which is traditionally a representation of emotional satisfaction, contentment, inner happiness, and satiation on an emotional level. It can also be an indication of gluttony, in the right circumstances.

Although I don’t really feel that the imagery in this card really demonstrates the meaning of the card, what I see as the reference for this card is a reminder to enjoy my time off and not allow things like having to go to my aunt’s house to sour my enjoyment or my mood.

You have to put a pinch of salt in the cookie dough to make the sweet taste that much sweeter.

DECK USED:  THE FOOL’S TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for February 23rd: What is love?

Elementary LenormandHouse – Child – Bouquet

Finding happiness and freedom within the embrace of family and a sense of “home”.  When you allow yourself to connect with those around you and find security and a sense of carefree abandon, there is a connection that develops in this nurturing environment.  Love.

These cards indicate that one of the ways in which we find love is through the connection and security of feeling safe and at home with others, nurtured by them as we nurture them in turn.

DECK USED: ELEMENTARY LENORMAND

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for February 1st, 12th, and 22nd

The Fool's TarotWhat does love mean to me?

Eight of Water and Initiate of Fire – Someone that sticks with me even when I am falling apart and departing from the world.  As a suicide risk for a good portion of my life, I’ve found that there are two types of people in the world.  Those that think suicide is a joke and they push you away when you have those urges, and those that love you enough to stick around and try to figure out how to make sure you truly understand that you are loved and that they want you to stay… even need you to stay.

How can I welcome more love into my life?

Seven of Water and Temperance – Don’t put too much on your plate.  You don’t need more, you just need to appreciate what you already have.  Allow it to flourish and enjoy it.

How can I be open to love, but emotionally safe?

Ace of Water and Nine of Water – Love takes time.  It starts as a seed hidden in the soil and needs time to grow and flourish.  Don’t expect it to happen quickly, as it’s a long term investment… not a sprint.

DECK USED: THE FOOL’S TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

You won’t believe this, but I actually managed to take a nap at my Aunt’s again today, and nobody interrupted me even though they knew where I went.  I’m shocked.