You Get What You Give

Today’s meditation was twelve minutes long, and was spent in quiet solitude with a focus on my breathing. Today I also did the piriformis stretches during the meditation, but I went easy on myself instead of pushing.

FFVII Tarot - JusticeToday’s draw is the Justice card, which is traditionally a representation of cause and effect, repercussions and consequences, give and take, and can often indicate the law or legal system.

You get what you give.

Give your body the rest it needs, and it will recover more quickly as a result.  If you push too hard, it’ll just get worse.

You’re in the last stretch of time where you have space to breathe before the holiday rush starts.  Don’t waste it pushing yourself in to too much when you don’t have to or you’ll be left paying the consequences.

DECK USED:  FFVII TAROT

The Rainbow Moonscape #VennoxesTarotChallenge Prompt
Question for August 28th
: What’s my next step in honing my divinatory skills?

Tyrian Tarot - The Devil, The Hermit, Two of PentaclesReading Summary: Work at balancing (Two of Pentacles) your constant urge for “more” in all things (The Devil) with the need to sit in stillness and self reflection (The Hermit).

Take Away: Stop pushing so damned hard and stand still for a moment. In order to advance in your practice, you need to ease up on harmful external habits and pressures, and instead take the time to focus inward.  Get to know more aspects of yourself, and delve deeper.

DECK USED: TYRIAN TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for August 28th
: Do Spread #4

FFVII Tarot - Seven of Cups, Eight of Coins, Queen of Wands, Five of CoinsSeeds Sown – What seeds for my spiritual growth planted in the Spring have flourished and grown strong?

Queen of Wands – In the spring you were struggling with your enthusiasm in the face of depression’s weight pushing down upon you. Now that the depression is lifted you are once again feeling inspired and enjoying sharing that inspiration with others so that they can become inspired as well.

The Chaff – What seeds have not flourished and need to be let go to encourage healthy growth in other areas?

Seven of Cups atop Eight of Coins – For your own good, you need to let go of the idea that you can’t put yourself first. Having a lot of responsibilities because you have honed your abilities into a place of skill and expertise does not mean neglecting yourself in the process. If this means that you have to pick and choose which responsibilities you fulfill and which you have to let go, then so be it.

The Harvest – How can I best prepare now to reap the benefits of a positive and healthy harvest in the Fall?

Five of Coins – Keep in mind that most of the scarcity issues that you deal with are not based in the physical world, but reside in your head.

DECK USED: FFVII TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had a very lazy and relaxing afternoon that included cuddling with Luna on the bed and relaxing with my feet up on the wall for a bit.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_3170The Wandering Mind

I think of you
while lying here
back cooled
by concrete
skin shaded
by overhang
and clouds
meandering by
at a slow pace
that makes the world
feel lazy
and languid

I think of you

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

❤️ 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 Old School Tarot and Jester Lenormand

EarthThe Empress atop Ace of Cups – Be gentle with yourself as new emotions rise up. You don’t have to beat yourself up about it, but you do need to watch how these emotions might influence your actions, and whether or not you’re giving yourself the nurturing energy you need to work through them. Self-medicating is not your friend, but rather it’s a self-destructive urge.

AirJudgement – Make sure you’re staying focused on the big picture, and not bearing down into becoming hyper-focused on one thing. Keep an open mind in your inner narrative, as there’s no need to be judgmental with yourself or others.

WaterCapricorn Rx – Take care not to be selfish or self-centered this week. You may have a tendency to lean into these themes right now, and you need to make sure that (as the Air position in this reading recommends) you stay focus on the big picture. That includes how you are affecting others.

FirePage of Pentacles – Revisiting the tried and true with a new outlook would be an excellent pursuit for you in the days ahead.  It’s time to start prepping for the holiday rush to come. Look at some of those menial tasks and re-invest in them this week.

WaningBirds and Tree – It will be helpful to you to step away from the fanciful and the spiritual a bit this week.  You need to connect and lean into the practical instead.

WaxingLily and Crossroads – Again we see a call for practicality as decision making becomes a theme to focus on this week.  Not so much those split moment decisions, but some of the larger and far more important ones that build over time and require some depth of thought to work through.

Take Away – Make sure you are focusing on the big picture and the practical decisions that need to be dealt with this week.  Don’t put them off until later.  They’re a long time coming and now’s the time.  Don’t be selfish, but instead lean into your desire to see things from multiple perspectives before finalizing anything major.

DECKS USED: OLD SCHOOL TAROT AND JESTER LENORMAND

The Strength of Presence

Today’s meditation untimed, and was done out on the front steps of the new house, while soaking in the wonderful cool temps of the cement against my back and looking up at the fluff of clouds in the sky above as they wandered through my line of sight.

Anna K Tarot Indie Edition - Strength CardToday’s draw is the Strength card, which is traditionally a representation of inner strength, influence over others through persuasion, compassion, and courage.

Sometimes strength comes in the things you do for others.   The trip today is planning to be uneventful, but needed. It’s not safe for a 70+ year old woman with balance/stability issues to be putting up curtain rods and curtains by herself. By being there, she has no choice but to let us help, whether she wants to admit she needs it or not.

DECK USED:  ANNA K TAROT INDIE EDITION

The Rainbow Moonscape #VennoxesTarotChallenge Prompt
Question for August 26th
: How should I celebrate my accomplishments?

Tarot of the Tattoo Age and Tarotbot BlackKeep a close watch on your addictions so that they do not get out of control and risk the security you find so comforting (the Devil atop Queen of Coins). This includes watching your spending (Four of Coins). Don’t part with what’s hard earned unless you absolutely need to (Seven of Swords Rx).

Seek out other ways to celebrate other than feeding your addictions.

Topic for August 27th: Do the Taking Charge Spread

What personal flaw can I work on?

Seven of Swords – “Stealing from Peter to pay Paul” was the phrase that came to mind when this card came out.

This isn’t so much about money as it is about how you spend your time, and not getting enough time in with the things that really matter because you’re too busy fussing and/or wasting time with the things that don’t.

What’s my next practical action?

Ten of Pentacles Rx – Right now everything is feeling out of whack, and rightly so because it is. You need to work on reestablishing balance and a good foundation on which that balance can rest upon.

How do I cope with change?

King of Cups atop The Moon – You cope with change by reaching out to Gideon when you are feeling uncertain or fears begin to arise. By consulting with your personal King of Cups, you’re able to find balance even through the uncertainty. He helps you stay on track during these times.

DECK USED: TAROTBOT BLACK EDITION AND TAROT OF THE TATTOO AGE

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for August 26th
: What do I need to focus on for self-care for this new moon?

Anna K Tarot Indie Edition - Seven of Swords, Two of Wands, Page of SwordsReading Summary: Watch out for thieving assholes (Seven of Swords) who’s action could change your plans (Two of Wands). You may have to learn on the fly how to fight against them, but you definitely don’t want them getting the upper hand (Page of Swords).

Notation: Lots of Seven of Swords in my card pulls today.

Take Away: Do what you can today to take away opportunity for people to fuck you over. Although you can’t predict every instance or method that might come about, you can deal with a lot of it and mitigate their effects on you and your life by being proactive.

This new moon is a good time to research security systems for the house.

DECK USED: ANNA K TAROT INDIE EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I took breaks when I needed to, and made sure to take some ibuprofen with me (which I took instead of forgetting about) so that I could head off the incoming inflammation in my ribs, hip, and back.

🌑 New Moon in Virgo – August 2022

Today is the new moon, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us. Today’s spread is about the medicine within, and brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot by the Moon series.

New Moon in Virgo Tarot Reading with the Seed and Sickle Oracle

Where should I focus my energy this season?

Poppy – You need to focus your energy on letting go of regrets, recriminations, and other unhelpful self-talk and emotions that can only get in the way of you continuing to move forward in a healthy way.

What needs re-evaluation?

Cherry – Where are you neglecting yourself and what do you need to do to step up in this area? In the lull between your last project and your next big one, you need to take time to realign and find balance again.

Where do I need to get more organized?

Feverfew – Look at your schedule and get better organized with your time. There are people who need some of your time and attention who are not getting what they need, but by taking some time to re-organize your schedule you can better make sure they are getting that time with you.

What is just a distraction that I need to ignore?

Mustard – Your fears that you are weak and incapable are unfounded. In truth you are strong and capable of far more than you could ever imagine.

What project would benefit from my full attention?

Strawberry – Be generous with those that need your time and are feeling the scarcity of your attention. Make them feel as if their cups are full.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Verbena – Take some time to rest, breathe, and make a nice with yourself.

DECK USED: THE SEED AND SICKLE ORACLE

Hit and Miss

Today’s meditation was skipped (yet again).

Tarot Chimera - Two of CupsToday’s draw is the Two of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of union, connection, partnerships, commonalities, and mutuality.

What I noticed most about the illustration on this card is that the female centaur doesn’t look at all impressed with her suitor.

The message here is that it’s okay to not connect with everyone, even with those you thought you might click with.

Sometimes, it’s just not meant to be… whether that “it” is a relationship, a friendship, or even some sort of acquaintance connection. It falls under that whole “You can’t please everyone all the time” adage.

DECK USED:  TAROT CHIMERA

Mr Lionhart’s #TheAugustTarot Be Here Now Prompt
Questions for August 25th thru 27th

Old School Tarot and The Stitcher's OracleIn what area am I guided to take a leap of faith under this New Moon?

You don’t always have to “measure twice, cut once” (Tape Measure). Remember that it’s okay to let enthusiasm carry you away now and then (Capricorn).

How can this New Moon help me move towards building more independence?

Stop allowing your emotions (Ace of Cups Rx) to cause you to overreact (Five of Cups). You can feel then without acting upon them (Knight of Wands Rx).

What should I be mindful of during this New Moon cycle?

Take care to lean more heavily into even-minded balance and fairness (Libra) until the quarter moon arrives (Half Moon Stitch).

DECK USED: OLD SCHOOL TAROT W/ ZODIAC EXPANSION AND THE STITCHER’S ORACLE

The Rainbow Moonscape #VennoxesTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for August 24th and 25th

Tarot ChimeraHow can I inspire hope in others?

King of Swords Rx and Nine of Pentacles Rx – Don’t be too bossy or take it upon yourself to decide what’s best for others. Sometimes people need to put in the work (and mistakes) for themselves, and it can be far better at these times to be there to help when they stumble rather than telling them how to navigate from the start.

What things do I take a little too personally?

Chimera and The Hermit Rx – When things are not as they seem, it’s not some nefarious plan to set you off balance or isolate you. Don’t allow it to give rise to your paranoia or set you off balance.

DECK USED: TAROT CHIMERA

Daily Self Kindness

I soaked in an Epsom salt and apple cider vinegar bath today to help ease my rib pain and help treat some heat rash I’ve been dealing with.