The Next Adventure

Today’s meditation was skipped.

El Goliath Tarot 2nd EditionToday’s draw is the Eight of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of bailing on a situation out of frustration or disappointment, themes of abandonment or withdrawal, and moving on.

What stands out to me the strongest today in the imagery on this card is that at the very top of that long staircase that the cat has begun to climb… the door is open.  Not wide open, but it is open all the same.

This speaks to me of the promise of opportunity, and curiosity means that there’s a bit of eagerness involved in seeing what’s on the other side.  But in order to head up that big ass flight of stairs?  You’re going to have to leave everything behind. It’s a long climb and carrying extra burdens isn’t going to help.

What I see as the message in this card is that often, when we’re looking at making a change, we forget that we have to leave behind the past in order to move forward. If we focus on our curiosity, eagerness will flourish and that open door at the end of the climb becomes a treat you seek to obtain, your focus on the potential of what’s to come.    Not so, unfortunately, if you try to haul all your past baggage up those stairs with you.   So when looking at new opportunities?  Make sure you’re leaving your baggage behind, and not trying to carry it with you to the next adventure.

DECK USED:  EL GOLIATH TAROT 2ND EDITION

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 19th

Untamed Spirits Animal OracleGreatest StrengthSquirrel – You are resourceful and you find the task of providing for yourself to often be more of a game than a chore. It’s all about testing yourself and predicting what is needed, finding the path forward that will create the greatest amount of success and provide for yourself and others. This makes you better able to do these things without feeling as if you are being taken advantage of or wearing yourself down.

Greatest WeaknessSeahorse – As much as structure and consistency are good for you, they can be hard for you to stick to. And when you aim for them, then something goes awry, you have a habit of coming down on yourself far harder than necessary.  This creates in you a difficult relationship with constancy and consistency, especially in your self care.

Finding BalanceSwan – Be kinder to yourself. It’s okay to slip up, and it’s okay to be carefree now and then and -enjoy- things. There’s nothing wrong with it, even if you were taught otherwise. Don’t allow that negative inner narrative of yours to treat you harshly, and be kind and forgiving with yourself instead.

DECK USED: UNTAMED SPIRIT ANIMAL ORACLE

Mr Lionhart’s The Suits: Revisited #TheNovemberTarot Prompt
Questions for November 19th and 20th

El Goliath Tarot 2nd EditionSuit of Swords – Where, or in what way, is my current energy hindering my growth?

Nine of Swords and Five of Wands – Fear of conflict. Sometimes the negativity that comes with conflict can be extremely overwhelming and the sharp words spoken can hurt. You need to examine where you are avoiding conflict due to the fear of that pain… and decide if this is really something you need to be afraid of, or if you can let go of that fear and act with a bit more freedom as a result.

Suit of Swords – What am I asked to overcome/embrace in support of my best self?

Three of Swords Rx and The Ojibwe Catcher – The dreams you have abandoned have been let go for a reason.  Instead of being down on yourself about the releasing of those dreams, embrace the opportunities that having let go of them provides. It’s okay to mourn the things you didn’t do, but don’t let it eat you up inside, or create a trap that leaves you shoving others away as a way to punish yourself.

DECK USED: EL GOLIATH TAROT 2ND EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I got to spend some time with Gideon playing again tonight and it was really nice.  I needed some “us” time.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_6370 - CopyDipping Deep

Choked up
tears well
as eyes sting sharp
and sinuses
try to clog
while words
are typed
and insecurities
lain bare
vulnerability
there in the open
for you to see
as trust is
given to you
freely

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Standing Strong

Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Relative Tarot - King of Pentacles - Sitting BullToday’s draw is the King of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s financial security, resources, health, home, labors, manifestations, and other elements of the physical realm. This often translates into leadership that creates a grounded sense of stability for others.

The imagery for this card is an adaptation of a picture of Sitting Bull taken in 1881. The original image has always been one that I’ve somehow connected with and I feel that it fits so very well as the King of Pentacles. He was such a strong leader, seeking stability for his people and providing those people with the sense of strength they needed in a time of trials and strife.  He taught his people independence and fought for the land that was rightfully theirs, lending his strength to not just his own people, but those of other nations that chose to join him.

The message I see in today’s card is about standing one’s ground, and the strength that doing so can create, especially when others decide to stand with you.  Don’t forsake the power that comes from standing strong for your family, your home, and those you value.  Don’t forsake the strength that comes from being rooted, balanced, and grounded in your purpose and goals.  When you are, you don’t just build upon your own strength, but that of all those around you that stand with you as well.

Side Note: I really wish that the guidebook for the deck included information about the figures in the cards themselves, as I’ve noticed a number of famous individuals depicted in the cards, and yet there’s no mention of them in the guide. For example the individual on this card is Sitting Bull.

DECK USED:  THE RELATIVE TAROT

@The.Journey.Well ‘s Friendship & Community Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 17th and 18th

Stay Wild Timing OracleWhat quality in friends can empower you?

Stay Wild – Friends that encourage your individuality instead of expecting you to conform to the standards of others.

Happily Ever After – Those that are in for the long haul, and don’t allow petty squabbles or minor differences to get in the way of long term friendship.

Take Away: You need loyalty, acceptance, and stability to feel empowered within your friendships with others. This sense of security then gives you the ability to ease your defenses, allowing you to become more trusting.

What knowledge could you mentor others in?

Don’t Wait – In following their intuition instead of second guessing that inner knowledge that could flourish into a great strength with a bit of tending.

I Do Yoga – Physiotherapy and body care through yoga, and how to incorporate a spiritual element into that practice.

DECK USED: STAY WILD TIMING ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for November 18th
: Advice I need to hear at this time concerning my family relations.

The Relative TarotReading Summary: You’re going to have to be generous and let go of the past (Six of Pentacles) if you want to create a comfortable and happy atmosphere (Four of Wands ) that’s healthy for you in the present and future (The Lovers).

Take Away: This is about the upcoming Christmas dinner, and the fact that there are going to be a lot of people there that you’ve had negative experiences with in the past. It doesn’t mean you have to become buddy buddy with them or forget the things that have happened in the past, but rather the cards are saying to be nice and not to allow those negative experiences from the past to make you into an asshat in the present or future when gatherings happen. Just be grateful that things are different now.

DECK USED: THE RELATIVE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I spent time playing with Gideon tonight, and it helped a lot in easing some of the tension I had going on in my chest.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_6096Loving Gifts

Bits and pieces
of love
scattered
through a home
are constant
reminders
that there hearts
in the world
in which you claim
a piece
to call home
and reside within
even when
the world
feels at its
darkest

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

All Aboard!

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Tarot Jacques Vieville (Héron Boechat Reproduction)Today’s draw is the Judgement card, which is traditionally a representation of looking back on one’s history and reflecting upon if they are happy with all that they have done and become in life, as well as getting in touch with one’s true calling, and themes to do with forgiveness and absolution.

Gabriel is blowing his horn so hard he looks like he’s going to pass out any minute.Just how long is he going to be blowing that horn before he says “get on the damned bus or be left behind”?

The message in today’s card is a reminder that you have a schedule to keep. Stop allowing others to make you late, as it just ends up with you blaming yourself and is one more bit of negativity dragging you down.

DECK USED:  TAROT JACQUES VIEVILLE (HÉRON BOECHAT REPRODUCTION)

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 17th

Kaevane Tarot de Marseille and Convearth Angel CardsMy DesireRaphael and Valet de Denier – Your physical health and wellness is something that you struggle with a great deal, and that you wish you could get a better handle on. It feels like you are constantly “falling off one wagon or another” when it comes to taking care of yourself, and wish that you could find a better way to be more consistent in your self care.

An Obstacle In My PathCherubim and La Mort – You try too hard to stay on a stagnant and rigid path when the path is actually always changing and shifting. You cannot walk straight on a winding path, but must instead work to follow the road ahead of you.

The SolutionZadkiel and La Roue de Fortune – Be kind to yourself when things go awry. Adapt and keep going, reorient and continue on… but don’t berate yourself or hold these moments against yourself, as they aren’t setbacks or obstacles, but natural curves and turns on the path. Only in resisting these moments do you fall into unhealthy negative criticism of yourself.

DECK USED: CONVEARTH ANGEL CARDS AND KAEVANE TAROT DE MARSEILLE

Mr Lionhart’s The Suits: Revisited #TheNovemberTarot Prompt
Questions for November 17th and 18th

Tarot Jacques Vieville (Héron Boechat Reproduction)Major Arcana – What should I decide on or consider this week?

The World and Two of Coins – No matter how far you go along life’s path, balance is always going to be an endeavor you strive for. Finding a healthy balance isn’t something you obtain and then possess, but rather a constantly shifting goal that you are meant to reach for again and again.

Suit of Swords – Where, or in what way, is my current focus supporting my growth?

Four of Swords and The Hanged – You are beginning to see rest as a natural part of life, necessary and important… instead of as something to be guilty about or ashamed of needing.  This new perspective allows you to more easily get the rest you need when you need it rather than pushing yourself beyond your limits and paying the consequences (that include recovery time you could have avoided if you’d been kinder to yourself and your body’s needs).

DECK USED: TAROT JACQUES VIEVILLE (HÉRON BOECHAT REPRODUCTION)

Daily Self Kindness

I had myself a little bit of a lazy day today. Things are picking up, ramping up a bit at a time in the holiday rush, and soon enough this won’t be an option for me anymore… so I figured I’d take advantage of the opportunity while it was open to me.

Gideon’s Challenge

Deception Pass, WashingtonDeception Pass

The bridge
bounces
and vibrates
as tires run
over asphalt
and the wind
causes branches
to sway
as you walk
high above it all
and look down
upon water
in paradise hues
and evergreens
cast long shadows
over the surface

Photo © ZenStatePhotography