Month: April 2022

That Moment of Relief

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#DailyCalm from the Calm appToday’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was another of the guided #DailyCalm sessions through the Calm app.

Ethereal Alchemist Tarot - Ten of SwordsToday’s draw is the Ten of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of painful endings, coming to the end of an unpleasant journey, backstabbing, and finding the “end of one’s rope”.

Here in this card’s imagery I see a wasteland. A wasteland at the end of a great battle. All swords have found earth, and no life remains. No one is getting up from this to keep fighting… the fight is at an end.

And here in lies the message.  The fight is at an end.  Take a moment.  Take a breath.  Feel that moment of relief as your burdens are set down and your muscles can ease their tension. The worst is now behind you.  In my case, for today, this message refers to my depression.  I can feel myself improving each day.  I am beginning to leave the darkness at the depths of the pit behind as I climb my way out.

DECK USED:  THE ETHEREAL ALCHEMIST TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Questions for…

Hollow Valley Tarot and Spirit Animal OracleThe Emperor – Day 7

What is something I should master in support of myself?

Frog Spirit – How to let go of the things that don’t matter is an important skill to support yourself and one that you need to work on mastering. Too often you hold on too tightly to those things you need to let go of, whether that be negative inner dialogue, bad habits, or sentimental items that you develop an emotional (or addictive) attachment to.

How can I use what I’ve mastered in in the past support of my Journey?

Rabbit Spirit – You know how to turn things around into your favor, and find the boon in bad situations. Instead of seeing struggle and problems as defeat, you see them as lessons. Hurdles instead of dead ends, mountains instead of impenetrable walls. Surmountable, with something to gain in the process.

The Hierophant – Day 8

What guidance is the Universe offering me for my Journey?

Hummingbird Spirit – Spend more of your time focusing in the present, instead of reflecting on the past or prospecting on the future. There is a lot that you have healed from in your past, and a lot planned for the future, but when you focus on either one of them too much, you miss out on all that’s good in the present.

In what area can seeking / applying {old} knowledge help me?

Cow Spirit – Positivity, optimism, and hope are positive influences that can lift you up and improve your life if you are willing to lean into that theme. You’ve seen proof of just  how well this method can work, but you have to actually focus on it and allow it in.

DECK USED: THE HOWEOW VALLEY TAROT AND SPIRIT ANIMAL ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for April 8th and 9th

Ethereal Alchemist TarotWhere are you slacking in your life at this time?

Three of Wands and Eight of Pentacles – You are not moving upon your goals right now, not even at a slow pace or in small increments. Slacking is, indeed, an understatement.  You have come to a standstill.

What can help motivate you in this area?

The Emperor and Five of Wands – Tap into that inner fighter and sense of responsibility, and just do it. It’s not about emotion, it’s about forcing yourself to move even when you aren’t “feeling it”.

DECK USED: THE ETHEREAL ALCHEMIST TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Bacon. I had bacon today. I’ve been on a protein craving for a few days. Today I made bacon twists and eggs, and it was spectacular.

Gideon’s Challenge

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NINF0277The Easing

I need your love
crushing and close
as arms coil tight
and your skin
gives my face
a place to
nuzzle in close
and allows me
to breathe in
your scent
as the silent ache
that resides inside
is soothed
by your touch

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Where the Small Joys Live

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#DailyCalm with the Calm appToday’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was another of the guided #DailyCalm meditations offered in the Calm app.

It’s odd to me that sometimes I am able to focus on what the guide is saying in the meditation, and other times? I only hear her voice, but not what she says. Today’s meditation was one of the latter.  It was very relaxing, but I really didn’t process what was said during the meditation.

The Houseplant Tarot - The SunToday’s draw is the Sun card, which is traditionally a representation of joy, happiness, success, warmth, and fun.

The imagery in this card is about photosynthesis, or well, that’s what I see in this card. I see a plant that is healthy and filled with joy as the sun provides its warm rays and leaves turn toward its warmth.

What is it in your environment that brings you joy? Are you taking it for granted? Today’s card is an encouragement to spend some time enjoying and appreciating those small things that bring us joy that we often find so commonplace that we start to take them for granted.

DECK USED:  THE HOUSEPLANT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for April 7th – Where do you need…

Anima Mundi Tarot and Energy Archaeology OracleMore space?

Page of Wands and Wisdom – Give yourself some room to grow and expand on a fundamental level. Look at your principles, your passions, your spiritual path… seek to become more than you are.

More air?

Four of Cups, Receiving atop Worthy – Don’t shame yourself into feeling you are not worthy of rest and self care. Instead, open the “windows” within your life that your judgements hold closed and allow cleansing air to wash away stagnant negativity.

More love?

Two of Cups and Supporting – Allow those around you to help and support you. You don’t have to do everything yourself. It’s okay to accept (and even ask for) help, and giving that help is one of the ways others express their love for you.

DECKS USED: ANIMA MUNDI TAROT AND ENERGY ARCHAEOLOGY ORACLE

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 6th and 7th

The Houseplant TarotThis season I will actually…

Seven of Pentacles – …allow myself to slow down and let things move at their own pace. Too often I push and shove, trying to force things to move at a faster pace instead of accepting they will develop in their own time.

In order to…

Eight of Cups – …put distance between myself and the impatience that isn’t working for me. All that pushing raises my stress level and creates an opportunity to make unhealthy decisions for myself instead of healthy ones.

I will take a step back from…

Ace of Swords – …new ideas and inner dialogue that is harmful to me. There is a darkness within that melds smoothly and seamlessly with the darkness of the depression.  It’s time to take a step back from that darkness and shine a light on the fact that I am treating myself badly deep within where others can’t see.

In order to…

The Hermit – …make sure that my alone time this season is good and healthy.  I love alone time.  I really, really love alone time.  But it’s important that when I indulge in alone time, I am doing so in healthy ways. This isn’t possible when my inner dialogue is in control and permeating my thoughts.

DECK USED: THE HOUSEPLANT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’m finishing this post before bed.  I know it seems like a silly and very little thing, but I felt like putting off finishing it until later.  When I do that, the posts build up like dirty laundry, with notes and half done writing left sitting for days sometimes.  I’m finishing this post so that I’m not starting another pile of what’s not finished here today.

Relax Oracle Reading

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Relax Oracle Reading with the Chemins de Qumran

How to let go of life’s stresses?

La Foi – Believe that everything happens for a reason… even the bad things. Make sure that you are looking for the lesson or boon that grows from the ashes.

How to get to stillness?

Le Libre-arbitre – Make the choice. You are not tied down to or forced into chaos. It is important to realize that the chaos in your life is there by choice. If you want less chaos and more stillness, you must make choices that will help you find that stillness.

How to maximize the fun to be had?

La Peur de La Mort – Stop worrying so much about what bad stuff might happen. There’s a difference between good judgement and living in fear.

DECK USED: CHEMINS DE QUMRAN

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_9519The Depths of Love

Like shades of green
and speckled shadow
permeates
the forest
you
permeate my soul
making up the
breadth and width
of how my love
works
and how it stretches
bright and eager
for the light
that is your touch

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Headlong Into the Squall

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

April Fools Tarot - Seven of SwordsToday’s draw is the Seven of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of sneaky antics, strategic action, and/or getting away with something.

It’s that last one that is what I see in today’s card, as the fleeing figures speak of running for cover before the shit hits the fan and consequences are rendered.

Today’s card is a reminder that you don’t have to weather every storm that comes along. You are not the masthead of a ship plowing into each wave and squall head first. It’s okay to step back and let someone else deal with the fallout now and then.

DECK USED:  THE APRIL FOOL’S TAROT

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 2nd, 5th, and 8th

The Hollow Valley Tarot and Guiding Light OracleThis week I will make sure to complete…

Four of Swords – The task and responsibility of giving myself the rest I need. Just remember that during this time, it will be important to work out plans for what comes next.

Because?

Untapped Inner Power – I cannot reach my full potential without time to rest, recover, and plan what comes next. When I give myself this, I am then in a better place to really allow my potential to shine.

This week I will reconnect with…

Justice – Divinity. Specifically, the energies of creation, evolution, and most especially balance. Balance within life and the universe. During the depression, I lost track of this connection as my focus was turned inward.

How?

Victim Mentality – By letting go of that intense inward focus, so that I can connect more fully to divinity, the universe, and the world around me.

At this time I am ready to…

Two of Cups – Reconnect with others. You’ve held yourself apart while upon your journey through the depression over the past three months, but it is now time to begin reaching out and reestablishing those bonds and connections.

So that I can…

Life Force Energy – Get back into doing those things that lift me up. Things like hiking and other activities that I’ve come to include others in over time and enjoy more (or differently) with them along. This is about doing activities that don’t provide alone time. Right now I am in need of their presence to assist in lifting me out of the depression’s shadows and closer to the light of freedom from its grip.

DECK USED: THE HOLLOW VALLEY TAROT AND GUIDING LIGHT ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: What does it mean to live a good life?

April Fools TarotReading Summary: Having people and things in your life that you value enough to protect (Nine of Wands), people in your life that you love enough to celebrate (Three of Cups), and the ability to choose what is worth sticking around for (Ace of Cups)… and what isn’t (Seven of Swords).

Take Away:  I think I love these cards.  They’re fucking adorable, and the creator really did a great job of connecting the imagery with the card meanings.

Anyway, that aside.  The answer here is about what (and who) you fill your life with.  It’s those things and people that you value that make your life worth living, along with knowing yourself well enough to know what you want to attach with… and what isn’t for you.

DECK USED: THE APRIL FOOL’S TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’ve decided I need to try to cut down a bit on sugar.  I’ve been feeling a bit ‘ech’ lately, and I think the sugar is the culprit.  It’s not showing up in my sugar levels, but I’m just not feeling as much joy with its consumption as usual.