The Avoidance Motivation

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Mystical Penguin Tarot - Two of SwordsToday’s draw is the Two of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of crossroads, difficult decisions, needing more information, seeking inward for answers, weighing one’s options, and sometimes avoidance.

The fact that the figure’s head is turned to the side in this image speaks to me of the last of the interpretations mentioned above.   Avoidance.

I see this card as an encouragement to consider what it is in life that is being avoided at this time.  Where are you procrastinating?  What is being ignored because you don’t want to face it head on?

It’s time to look at these things and consider why this avoidance is happening, rather than letting it continue on to the point where it could become detrimental.

DECK USED:  MYSTICAL PENGUIN TAROT

The #STCTarotChallenge Statements of Power Prompt
Questions for June 21st

L'Oracle de LanaI will make more time for…

Tunnel and Change – …doing those things needed to get me the rest of the way out of the pit that the depression sank me in at the beginning of the year. I need contribute more time to doing the things that will pull me off the lip and back into the clear.

Because…

Emotions and Plume – …where I am right now in my emotional health, the slightest breeze (something that seems inconsequential but comes at me at just the right time and just the right angle) could lift me off that edge of depression’s pit and send me drifting back down into the darkness again.

DECK USED: L’ORACLE DE LANA

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for June 21st
: Do the Summer Solstice Spread

Mystical Penguin TarotHorse – What can I do to build up my inner courage to live life with more honesty and integrity?

Three of Pentacles atop Queen of Wands – Continue to invite others into your passionate endeavors, as it’s not just supportive for you but nurturing for them as well.

Daisy – How can I (safely) insert more innocence and purity into how I view the world?

Four of Swords Rx – Be proactive about the things you want in your life. Lying back and waiting is not going to let these things in or encourage them to flourish. You have to actually act to receive these blessings.

Lapis Lazuli – How can I be more honest with myself about my good and bad traits?

The Star – More positivity and hope, less negativity and pessimism. You’ve spent too much time focusing on your bad traits and blowing them out of proportion. Remember that these traits (both good and bad) are what make up the whole of who you are. You may not be happy with some of the traits… but you are pretty happy with who you are and who you are becoming.

Citrine – In what ways can I work at expressing myself more creatively?

Wheel of Fortune – Remember that you don’t have to be “steady as a rock” all of the time. It’s okay to be unpredictable now and then.

Snake – How can I use creativity to instill in life fresh energies and a sense of rebirth?

Ace of Wands Rx – Remember that not all new ideas are good ideas, and instead delve into the things already in your life the spark your creative passion.

Heather – How can I invite more good luck into my day to day life?

Ten of Wands – By not “tempting fate”. Like, for example, when you bring groceries in from the car. Take multiple smaller trips rather than overloading yourself to take one big trip. Sometimes bad luck steps in simply because you’re tempting fate to make a bad shit happen.

DECK USED: MYSTICAL PENGUIN TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I got all of the earrings and bracelets done for the orders to ship out on Friday.  This will make things easier in the next few days, which can give me more time with Gid as well.

Spiritual Burnout Lenormand Reading

Spiritual Burnout Reading with the 1880 Lenormand

What is the root of my burnout?

Book and Bear – Too much too fast puts your back up. The cards have been telling you for a while to not just slow down and allow things to move at their own pace, but to be forgiving to yourself about this slower pace.  Stop pushing so hard.

What area of myself am I neglecting?

Tree and Woman – Emotional and spiritual health. When you push yourself as described above, you take for granted what you need in other areas of your life that are not being fulfilled because you’re so focused elsewhere.  In this case, it is your emotional and spiritual health that are suffering.

What do I need in order to recharge?

Rider and Man – Motivation and determination. You’ve been dawdling, and this rudderless drifting and recriminations -for- that rudderless drifting are holding you back from the motivation and determination you need to connect to and embody right now.

DECK USED: 1889 LENORMAND

Project Procrastinations

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Little Odd Tarot - Knight of SwordsToday’s draw is the Knight of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a projective beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thought, intellect, reasoning, education, aspirations, and communication.

Determination is displayed on the features of the knight in today’s card, their forward charge faced toward the past as if to draw our attention to the things we have done… things we’ve not finished that need to be charged into and completed.

The message in today’s card is about those projects that remain unfinished, and encouragement to get going on getting them done. Make a plan and get going. If you want something done you’re gonna have to get off your ass and do it. No project finishes itself.

DECK USED:  LITTLE ODD TAROT

The #STCTarotChallenge Statements of Power Prompt
Questions for June 20th

Little Odd Tarot and the Irreverent OracleI will discontinue…

King of Cups and Hermit Crab – … hiding from Gideon when I’m feeling out of sorts. I always try to curl into myself and avoid coming online, even when I know it’s his company that I need. Instinct… or more accurately? Habit has me instead wanting to curl up by myself and hide.

So I may…

Eight of Pentacles atop Ten of Wands, Bull – … work on better methods of dealing with overwhelm with his help there to lead the way. By yielding (instead of locking horns with him in my stubbornness), I allow him to shine at what he does best in helping me.

DECK USED: IRREVERENT ORACLE AND LITTLE ODD TAROT

Mr Lionhart’s #TheJuneTarot Spark of Magic Prompt
Questions for June 19th thru 21st

Take time to carve a candle today in preparation of the Solstice. Carve it with everything you wish to manifest during this Solstice.

Mr Lionhart's Summer Solstice Spell with the Little Odd Tarot

This Solstice will bless me with the flame of…

The Hermit atop Knight of Wands – Independent enthusiasm. Motivation to get things done and work toward completing projects that need my sole attention.  Not everything has to be done with others, just do what you can on your own and do the rest later on.

My Solstice candle will help me with…

Ace of Cups – Connecting to my emotions in more healthy ways. Sometimes accomplishments need celebrating just to lift your mood, and in order to have those celebrations, make sure you are appreciating what you do manage to get done.  Don’t discount it.

Today I spark the flame of Independent Enthusiasm within myself and light my candle of Emotions Exploration and Understanding. And as my candle burns, may it burn bright with the blessing of this Solstice. As above, so below, so be it.

DECK USED: LITTLE ODD TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’ve started making a dated list of different things that I do during my day. Whether it’s different work for the business, learning a new skill, etc.  There is also a list of to-do stuff that I can check off and date as I get them done.   I really wanted an app for this, but I can’t seem to find an app that actually dates completed tasks when you mark them as finished, and keeps a running “completed tasks list” you can look back on.

Summer Solstice 2022 – Midsummer

Today is the Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year and one of the eight holidays that I celebrate throughout the year. This day marks the ‘official’ transition into summer and a shift from days that become longer and longer through the spring into days from here on out will grow shorter and shorter for the next six months.

summersunrise

This holiday is often called Midsummer or Litha, although I usually just refer to it as the Summer Solstice. On my path, it celebrates the turning point of summer, where the build-up of creative energy from the spring crests into a time of abundance as we travel into the depths of summer in much the same way that the growing energies of the full moon crest before beginning to wane each month.

Like with new moons and full moons, I usually do a spread to check in with myself and give myself some direction for the next couple of months on each solstice, equinox, and other Sabbats. This spread is an adaptation of my Self Care Saturday spread, so there are sure to be  some similarities in how it is read. The focus of this spread, though, is not about Self Care, but rather about progress and my path. The time period is also longer, reaching through the next handful of weeks until the celebration of the First Harvest (aka, Lughnasadh, Lammas, Lughnasa, Lugh) on August 1st.

Summer Solstice Tarot Reading with the Pagan Underworlds Tarot, Herbal Healing Deck, and Compendium of Witches Oracle

Theme of the SeasonSummer Solstice, Last Quarter Moon, Grass Lily (Ornithogalum umbellatum)

This year’s Solstice card shows an explosion of verdant growth under the nurturing rays of a radiant sun. It speaks of the abundance of the season and all of the growth that goes on during this time of year while the sun is shining bright and the earth is warmed into fertile ground.

The Last Quarter Moon is a phase that is dedicated to the energies of release and letting go. It is a time for gratitude, generosity, and for cutting ties with those things (and people) that are no longer benefiting you and your life.  As the moon has waned, we have examined what these things (and people) might be and it is in this phase of the moon that we now take action to cut those ties loose.

The Grass Lily (Ornithogalum umbellatum) is associated with themes that have to do with innocence, purity, honesty, hope, and forgiveness.  The flowers and bulbs contain cardiac glycosides, which make them toxic to humans and livestock. Although toxic, in certain regional areas they are (in moderation) eaten and/or used in homeopathic remedies.

When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here strongly echoes the phase of today’s moon and making sure that when you let go of those things that are no longer suited to you that you truly -let go- and don’t secretly cling on some internal level.  Make it a clean break so that you can foster the growth of new and better things.  These new and better things need room in which to flourish that can’t be cluttered with regrets or clinging to what’s being cut loose.

EarthThe Empress – With all that’s going on in your life and all you have plans to accomplish, make sure that you are not losing sight of what is really important. Take care of yourself. Take care of others. These things should come first.

AirJustice – What goes up must come down and what goes down will bounce back up. Don’t let the ups and downs of life in the process of seeking balance frustrate you. Ride them like ocean waves instead.

WaterThree of Pentacles – “That penis didn’t erect itself, it had help.” (Quoting the voice in my ear.) A relationship is a group effort, not a solo mission. Take time to appreciate all that you and Gideon have accomplished together.

FireAce of Wands Rx atop Page of Cups – No entertaining new ideas or inspirations right now. Explore what is already before you more thoroughly instead.

WaningThe Scholar and Goat – Your time of intellectual contemplation and stewing on plans in the background has come to an end. It’s time to start acting instead of thinking about it.  Movement is your friend.

WaxingThe Preserver and Pomegranate – Begin reaching for those things you value and moving into making sure that they are being cared for properly.

DECKS USED: SABBAT THEMED ART CARD, PAGAN UNDERWORLDS TAROT, COMPENDIUM OF WITCHES ORACLE, HEALING HERBAL CARDS VOL 1 & 2

Trying Something New

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Muppet Bear Tarot - Page of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Page of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, manifestations, and the physical world.

Pages are about learning and being receptive to new methods and ideas.  In this way, today’s card is an encouragement, as I’ve recently begun trying a new method of tracking my work and progress in order to help me feel like I’m actually accomplishing something with my days.

I spend so much time disheartened by the feeling that I’m not getting anything done or accomplishing anything that I am hoping that by at least listing some accomplishments for each day, it will give me something to look back on to help keep those feelings at bay.

DECK USED:  MUPPET BEAR TAROT

The Illustrated Herbiary Oracle and The Illustrated Bestiary OracleThe #STCTarotChallenge Statements of Power Prompt
Questions for June 19th

I know I am capable of…

Tabby Cat, Apple atop Tulsi – …reaching greater potential far beyond my limitations or imagination.

Because…

Andalusian Horse, Spring Peeper, Lady’s Mantle – … I know that I am a survivor that can adapt and change in order to make the best out of every situation that is put before me.  This adaptability allows for a greater amount of stability and mitigates a lot of the things that I see in myself as limitations.

DECK USED: THE ILLUSTRATED HERBIARY & BESTIARY ORACLES

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for June 19th
: Do Spread #3

Muppet Bear TarotWhat does uncertainty feel like to you?

Nine of Swords – Anxiety. For me, uncertainty brings with it a wealth of “what if” thinking. I worry over every little thing, and end up picking things apart down to the most minute details.

How do times of uncertainty impact your physical body?

Four of Wands Rx – They often cause me to retreat into myself and into my home, to the point where I no longer get out into the world and I’m happy to burrow in my home and hide there. This may feel like a celebration of all that I love about my home, but it is actually an unhealthy tendency that creates a lack of needed fresh air and exercise.

How do times of uncertainty impact your physical reality?

Seven of Pentacles Rx – Everything begins to lag, and much of it then eventually develops into stagnancy. This becomes detrimental to any thing in life that requires slow growth and patience.

What do you need to say to yourself to help you in acknowledging and alleviating your feelings of uncertainty?

Wheel of Fortune – Remember that although you may not feel like you deal well with the ups and downs in life, but you are far more adaptable than you are comfortable with acknowledging. Everything is temporary, and that is not a bad thing.

What do you need to accept about others to help you in acknowledging and alleviating your feelings of uncertainty?

Knight of Cups atop Four of Swords – People are more than capable of doing things on their own if they really want what they’re after. Therefore, it’s okay to sit back and rest sometimes, and let them go it alone… even when they try to rope you into helping.

Focus on your feelings of uncertainty. Pick a color that stands out the strongest in the card. How does this color (and how it’s used in the card) make you feel?

King of Swords – The green and the blue stand out to me equally in this card, but together instead of apart. They speak to me of dark forests and blue skies, and the need to get out in nature in order to ground myself and find my center.

I find time in the woods to be restorative, and the King of Swords here (with the reminder of the benefits that the woods provide me) speaks of a need to connect with the earth and nature in order to find and return to a more stable and rational self.

DECK USED: MUPPET BEAR TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made sure to refill both my daytime and night time pill boxes today, regardless of not feeling like dealing with it.

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with the Dungeons & Dragons Tarot, Tree Whisper Oracle, and 1889 Lenormand

EarthThe Hierophant and The Secret Garden – Any opportunity to explore and learn more should be taken this week when it comes to your resources and finances and the stability you crave.

AirKnight of Coins atop King of Coins and Action – Be proactive and assertive in your communication with those that require a heavy hand this week. Take action instead of sitting back and letting them trod over you.

WaterQueen of Swords and Focus – The potential for getting your feelings hurt this week is quite high. Make sure that you stay focused when these upsets happen rather than letting them pull you off track.

FireThe World and Cry – Remember that one’s journey can be filled with success and woe. They are not mutually exclusive, and sometimes the disappointments give birth to more rewarding progress.

WaningStar and Rider – Optimism and faith in strangers are not going to be easy to keep in your life this week.  The fact that these cards are in the waning position is indicating that it’s okay to be a bit distrustful and cautious this week when it comes to those you don’t know all that well.

WaxingBird and Cloud – Misunderstandings are ripe for the picking this week and you’re going to have to take some caution when communicating with others in order to make sure things don’t get out of hand.  Be clear and concise, so there’s no room for misunderstandings to take root.

Take Away – The themes of this week have a lot to do with being watchful and decisive, and making sure that I stay focused even when distractions of the negative and emotional sort try to pull me away.

DECKS USED: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS TAROT, TREE WHISPER ORACLE v2, 1889 LENORMAND