Today’s meditation was skipped.

Today’s draw is the Nine of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of boundaries, perseverance and resilience, the testing of one’s values and principles, and tapping into one’s protective instincts.

Here in this card’s imagery, we see the theme of perseverance and resilience in the phoenix on the dress the woman wears.  Her long locks indicate time… a path and a journey that has taken a long time, and yet she rises to the challenge strong even still with her chin held high and a grin on her lips.

It takes a certain strength to make it through so much life, live through so many experiences, struggles, and journeys, and yet still come out the other side of it in a seat of power that leaves you ready to rise up and go again for more.

Today’s message is that we are stronger than we think we are, and we can survive much more than we think we can, coming out the other side stronger, wiser, and ready to face the next battle.  Hold on to your values and principles, and face these challenges knowing that they will not defeat you. Like the phoenix, you will rise again.

CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.

Values
you hold dear
are strengths
that carry
you through

DECK USED:  ELDER STORIES TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 7th: What {3 things} should I focus on during the first months of 2023?

Lotus – Moderation. Make sure that you are not falling into excess in any of the areas of your life where this can often be a problem.  You need to work on making moderation a theme for the first few months of 2023.  Enjoy what you have and leave moments of excess for later in the year.

Calendula – Use positivity and optimism as a balm against the sting of darker tendencies towards pessimism. You have seen what leaning into the positive can do if you are willing. Make sure that you are doing so over the next few months to ensure you keep things light and healthy.

Heather – Reconnect with your spiritual path,  and step back into your meditation and breath work. They are intrinsically connected, and working on one furthers the other and vice versa.

DECK USED: HERBALIST’S FLASH CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 7th: Old Rock Day – What burdens from the past do you carry that need to be set down?

I learned the depth of responsibility involved in reading tarot for others the hard way. In the early years of my foray into the tarot, I did a reading for a woman dealing with depression and troubles in her relationship. Back then, my reading style was far different than it is now, and there was no focus on empowerment but only a very blunt reading of what the cards had to say directly in answer to a direct question. She did not get the answer she was wanting, and that night she killed herself. (The High Priestess)

No, I do not believe that my reading was the -only- factor involved in her death, but I do take responsibility for the fact that I sure as hell didn’t help things in any way, shape, or form. Having dealt with suicidal ideation myself, I know just how much damage can be done when you are at the end of your rope and you go to someone for help… and do not get what you need. (Eight of Cups atop Death)

I learned from this experience that when people come to you for a reading, most often they are coming to you for help… and you can’t always know their mental state when someone sits down for a reading. Being a good, conscientious, and responsible reader requires accepting this responsibility and taking it seriously. I shifted my practice to become more compassionate to my querents, and to deliver advice rather than just simple answers. For me, reading for others (and myself) has become about empowerment. It’s about giving people what they need.  That’s not to say they always get what they want, but rather that bad news comes with advice and encouragement to find the boon in the situation. Encouragement to grow and prepare, learn and see new perspectives instead of just a pat answer that leaves them walking away heartsick and at a loss. (Queen of Pentacles)

What these cards are telling me I need to set down is my feelings of guilt that I still carry.

DECK USED: ELDER STORIES TAROT

I worked on orders in between posts with Gideon in play.  I’ve really missed play with him and it feels so good to get to spend time with him again.