Month: May 2022

Weighing One’s Alone Time

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Returning of Panthera TarotToday’s draw is the Hermit card, which is traditionally a representation of solitude, self reflection and introspection, alone time, and inner guidance.

Usually, the figure in the hermit card holds a lit lantern that symbolizes enlightenment.  Here, the lantern is abandoned as the figure moves off into the vast landscape beyond.

To me, the shift in this imagery from the traditional poses the question whether one’s alone time is truly healthy, and filled with growth and introspection… or if it is unhealthy alone that is unproductive and leaves one feeling more lost than ever.

That is the message for today’s card.  It’s important to examine that alone time that indulge in and whether it’s healthy and productive… or unhealthy and holding us back.

DECK USED:  THE RETURNING OF PANTHERA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Draw or write something free form inspired by the card(s).

The Good TarotWith breathless wonder
I pause upon the trail
And take a brief rest
I look up into the canopy above

In silence and stillness
I hear the whispers of the trees
And then the tittering laughter
Of those hidden and watching

And my feet move to follow
To seek their fun and frivolity
And with one more step
I cross the veil
Into Faerie

DECK USED: THE GOOD TAROT

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for May 12th, 13th, 15th, and 16th

The Returning of Panthera TarotHow can I heal from pain and disappointment?

Knight of Cups – Instead of focusing on what has caused this pain and disappointment, actively focus on what you want and what will make you happy.

What do I need so I can forgive myself?

The Lovers atop The Emperor – Prioritize healthy choices that are right for you over unhealthy controlling behavior that has you trying to cram yourself into a too small box. Square pegs don’t fit in round holes.

How does a close relationship challenge me?

Ace of Wands and The Hermit – Social obligations are something you struggle with due to your need for so much alone time. This often ends up making it difficult to express your enthusiasm for others and their company, regardless of how much they mean to you.

What are my relationship deal breakers?

Two of Wands Rx – Lack of consideration and forethought. Just as I do for them, I expect those I’m in a relationship with to consider my feelings before taking action.

Knight of Wands Rx – Lack of interest. I need relationships where they are willing to pester me into spending time with them. This balances out my solitary hermit-like inclinations.

The Fool atop Ace of Cups – Too much naïve frivolity. It borders on stupidity (and often insensitivity towards others) when one just chases after their “emotional sweet spot” all the time, and I just don’t have tolerance for that sort of behavior.

DECK USED: THE RETURNING OF PANTHERA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I added spinach to my tuna today.  I chopped it up in tiny pieces like chives and mixed it into the tuna, and you couldn’t even taste it was there… but gave me a bit of extra veggies for the day.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_0421Perfect Timing

Beautiful
and breathless
she sits and waits
with bated breath
with an
eager whisper
running through
her mind
again and again

“pick me”

And sometimes?
I hear her

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Loving My Body Tarot Reading

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Loving My Body Tarot Reading with the Maker's Tarot

How can I improve my relationship with my body?

Page of Swords Rx atop Eight of Swords – Stop ignoring and otherwise bypassing what you know that your body needs.

Why should I stop being at war with my body?

Four of Pentacles Rx atop Six of Pentacles Rx – Being stingy with your body (and thus neglecting your body’s needs) erodes at the strength of your foundation, making it more of a house built on sand than built on stone.

A commitment I can make to treasure my body?

Nine of Cups – Don’t focus so much on what you’re lacking, but rather on what you’re grateful for where your body is concerned. You have a lot to be grateful for and appreciate.

How can I show appreciation for my body?

Three of Swords – This is an echo of the answer to the previous question, which is to say that you need to make sure you are looking at the good and on what you can improve, instead of focusing on and judging harshly those things that cannot be changed and need to be moved on from. Holding onto harsh feelings about these issues only drags you down.

How can I cultivate a new way of loving my body?

King of Cups – Compassion and control are the keys to cultivating a new way of loving your body. Make sure you are being understanding of your limitations, while at the same time focusing on what you can improve and maintain without negative judgment. Don’t look at your body, it’s strengths and its limitations, through your eyes… look at them through his. What would Gid see and say?

DECK USED: THE MAKER’S TAROT

Precipitous Celebration

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Today’s meditation was skipped (again).

Fairy Land Tarot - Nine of CupsToday’s draw is the Nine of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of contentment, satisfaction, abundance, pleasure, and at times… gluttony.

Usually, when you see the Nine of either the Cups or the Pentacles, it’s about accomplishment or abundance that is being celebrated privately, where then the Ten in the suit indicates carrying that abundance or success forward to share with others.

Here in this card, we see that the little squirrel has jumped the gun!  He’s sharing early.

This brings to mind the question, what are you celebrating early?  Where are you putting the cart before the horse and celebrating your success before the eggs have even been counted?

DECK USED:  FAIRY LAND TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for May 11th and 12th

L'Oracle des Messages de Ton Âme and Fairy Land TarotPhilosophical Question: What is happiness?

Page of Pentacles, s’Instruire, s’Aimer – The sating of curiosity through exploration that helps satisfy the soul’s need for affirmation, validation, and confidence.

Although this exploration can look different for everyone, the core theme is the exploration of new things, venues, and relationships that support our inner spirit.

What is the best way to attain more happiness in your life?

Queen of Cups, Six of Cups, Voguer – Surrender and trust that everything you do and have experienced are in support of your path forward towards the man you wish to become. You don’t have to control every little thing.

DECK USED: L’ORACLE DES MESSAGES DE TON ÂME AND CELESTIAL TAROT

ReadingWickedly’s #MayDailyDraw Prompt
Questions for May 11th and 12th

Fairy Land TarotHow do I see myself in relation to society?

The Moon and Ace of Cups Rx – Uncertain and detached.

This is not all that surprising, even if I usually am able to hide it well. When those that are supposed to love you most (and unconditionally) treat you badly, it makes perfect sense you would be emotionally reserved and uncertain with society as a whole.

How have I contributed to “the group”?

King of Swords and The Tower – You offer wisdom and support during times of chaos and destruction in others lives, inspiring them to rise out of the ashes and rebuild.

DECK USED: FAIRY LAND TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

My great big flat gel icepack is my friend.  That is to say, I spent time lying on it today to help soothe my back, even though I didn’t really want to spend time doing that.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_9772Tossed in the Bag

Pack the toothpaste
and toothbrush
the emollient bar
and the comb
an extra pair
of underwear
and an earbud
for your ear
are absolutely
essential
but above it all
don’t forget
the cards
(reading cloth optional)

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Weekly Creativity Prompt – Wrong Number

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Prompt: “Draw (at least) three cards and use them to tell us a real or fictional story about a call that was the wrong number.”

I Gatti di Kuniyoshi - Il Meneghello EditionThe Magician (l’Bagatto):

Antonio was sure that this was the job for him. He’s been trained well, going through all the company’s courses, and sailing through it all with flying colors.

Now, this morning, he walks into the office for his first day at work with his back straight and his shoulders strong.  He moves to his new desk and unbuttons his suit jacket as he sits down in the comfortable ergonomic chair.  He looks over all the buttons on the console, and he’s pleased that he feels not just professional and prepared, but filled with confidence.

The Tower (La Torre):

Putting on the head set and tucking the little speaker against his ear, he settles in and hits the button to make his very first call, and when the line is answered on the other side, he smoothly goes into his spiel. “Hi there! My name is Antonio and I’m calling to speak to Ms Dixie Rect. If you could give me a moment of your time, I have an amazing opportunity for you!”

The woman on the phone then immediately goes into an enraged tirade. She calls him a horrible person. A degenerate!  A pervert!!  She screams at him, telling him that she is going to call the police on him and have him arrested for harassment, and she took him so off guard that he ends up breaking the very first rule he’d learned in training.  He hung up on her!

The Hanged Man (l’Appeso):

After hanging up, he sits there shell-shocked and shaking. His heart thunders and he’s near tears as he sits still and quiet in his chair.  Swallowing as he battles with his embarrassment, he looks around to see if anyone in any of the other cubicles had seen what had happened, and assures he was not observed. He takes a slow, deep breath and a few minutes to calm down.

Rising, he then takes a moment to step into the bathroom and splash water on his face before returning to his cubical and sitting down.

The Sun (Sole):

It is as he is sitting down at the desk and prepared to begin again, that he looks up to his customer list on the computer screen and sees it… and starts to laugh.  His gaze resting on the name on the screen.  The name he’d just called.

Dixie Rect.    Dicks Erect.

And as he laughs, his co-workers popped up around the walls of his cubical with a loud “GOTCHA!” The number had been that of one of his co-worker’s wives, and the entire thing had been a practical joke. And as all laughed and welcomed him into the fold, he felt truly at home and welcomed, and his confidence was restored.

DECK USED: IL GATTI DI KUNIYOSHI – IL MENEGHELLO EDIZIONI