Today’s meditation was skipped.

Today’s draw is the Five of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of disillusionment, pessimism, regret, and struggling to see the boon in a time of tests, trials, struggles, or setback. This card is not so much about those times, but it is about how we react to them emotionally.  In this card, we are asked if we handle such situations with grace and optimism, or fall into negative self talk and pessimistic thinking.

In the imagery of this card, the sea roils and the figure is caught within the turmoil, even while stability and peace lie not far away and within reach.  Instead, she allows the sea to pull her away from that stability and comfort, and she becomes lost in the chaos of its grasp.

This card has come today to say “you could have handled that better”.  And… I know that I could have. It isn’t  here to cast judgement, but rather to remind me to reflect on how I handled things so that I can learn from the experience, look at it objectively, and find a better path for such stressful situations in the future.

DECK USED:  STORYBOOK ILLUSTRATIONS TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheFebruaryTarot Kindred Spirits Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 13th thru 15th

Journal: Think of up to three people {or deities} who inspire you. Share them, what do you admire about them?

Z – The woman has the most beautiful of souls.  She’s gentle and wise, intelligent and kind… and yet she doesn’t take any shit from anyone.  She has a way about her where one moment she can feel like a nurturing mother earth, and in the next as if a demon has arrived that will rip out your soul and eat it bloody.  And yet even after you’ve met the demon?  It’s impossible to see her as anything but beautiful and sweet.

Ms B – A foundation of strength.  Although I have always admired her, in the past six months I’ve come to see her in a new light.  Vulnerable… and strong.  Even when she struggles there is a thread of iron will beneath the emotion and confusion. She is truth…. sometimes kind and sometimes brutal, but always honest through and through. Don’t ask what you don’t want an honest answer to with her, for she won’t sugar coat what comes, and what comes will be the truth through and through.

Mr R – Life smart. He probably hasn’t read a book in the past fifty or sixty years, other than repair manuals skimmed for the information needed. But what he lacks in book-smarts, this man more than makes up for in life-smarts. He can see your lies, your falsehoods, and your deceptions. He can see the true you, deep inside. He can see what you need, what you want, and he can see your weaknesses, your triggers, and all your buttons. It’s a great responsibility to see so much, and yet he doesn’t whisper a word of these secrets to anyone, keeping them all to himself like treasures to be guarded… and occasionally used when needed.

What advice would your mentors have for you right now?

Z – Queen of Wands – Own your passion and your drive. Let it slip back into place now that the crisis is over, and allow your determination to succeed to pull you forward.  You have been doing this a long time and there’s no way that something like this will topple what you’ve built and continue to build.

Ms B – Eight of Cups – It’s time to diversify.  Just because the issue you’ve been dealing with has been fixed doesn’t change that you need to look into adding a second “basket” to keep your eggs in. Just in case you have to walk away at some point, you’ll then have a direction to head towards already chosen and begun.

Mr R – Nine of Wands – Examine what you need to do to keep yourself and what’s important to you safe. Stumbling now and then happens, but it’s only through creating the right fail-safes that you can keep yourself from a truly catastrophic tumble.

What guidance can you give me for my journey?

Z – The Star atop Nine of Swords – Look at what needs to be done now as an adventure instead of a nightmare. Creating a website, setting it up, designing it, stocking it, and figuring out all the ins and outs to make it work how you want is not easy and is going to take some time.  It doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore, though.

Ms B – Two of Pentacles –  Think about how she diversifies her money between banks, ensuring that there is always an extra “nest egg” hidden somewhere. She keeps up with both because she splits her attention between them, and the fact she has her eggs in many baskets protects her.  It will be an adjustment, but that’s okay.  It’s for a good cause.

Mr R – The Lovers – Healthy choices aren’t always simple or easy, but you have others to help you. Don’t forget that you don’t have to do this all on your own, and there are resources to help you keep your balance as you put one foot in front of the other.  Don’t rush.

Draw a card asking each mentor: How can I embody your wisdom as I move through life?

Z – Four of Pentacles – There is nothing wrong with focusing on home and stability. It’s what you need, those deep roots and the comfort that having a secure foundation gives.  You can have these things and still grow into more than you are today.

Ms B – The Hierophant – Your generous spirit that seeks to guide others on their unique path also draws them to you. Share your wisdom and knowledge with others. You have a unique view and a unique skillset that allows you to teach others, even without even realizing that you are doing sometimes.

Mr R – Six of Swords – Don’t go burning bridges until you’re absolutely certain you don’t need them anymore. It’s okay to say “fuck it” and walk away.  Just pause to think first before you act, and  make sure that’s what you really want to do.

DECK USED:  STORYBOOK ILLUSTRATIONS TAROT

I was up extra long this morning making sure that my Etsy accounts got set back up and making sure everything is working properly, 2 factor authentication was set up on all accounts, and then I took care of the neglected customer service stuff that being locked out created.  Doing this before I went to bed meant that I was up later than normal, but it also meant that I slept much better because it was done.