Giving Others a Leg Up

Daily Calm Quote from the Calm appToday’s meditation was ten minutes long and was one of the Daily Calm meditations from the Calm app.  It was a body scan from head to toe, focused on gratitude for what each body part does for you in your day to day life. The interesting part for me?  Was that they went from the heart and lungs… to the legs. They skipped entirely over the spine and digestive system… and I’m not entirely sure why. I added them into the meditation, though at the end, as I think they are just as important (if not always as well functioning in my own body) as the rest.

The Royal Court Tarot - Queen of SwordsToday’s draw is the Queen of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s mind, intellect, education, logic, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with strong and supportive individuals that give spectacularly good advice based upon their own experiences and creative thought processes. They are willing to support your dreams, especially if those dreams involve learning new things, expanding your education, and broadening your horizons.

What draws my attention in this imagery is that the Queen seems quite reserved. That, and the black roses along the bottom right of the card that have the look of decay spreading through the vegetation that covers the lower half of the card. This speaks to me of the dangers of “holding one’s tongue” when you could be using it to help others.  Life is hard enough without making people struggle when they don’t have to. If you have advice that will be well received by others, especially advice based off personal experience? Share it. Holding back just allows struggles to thrive and problems to spread.

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

Don’t hold back
knowledge earned
when sharing
can bolster others

DECK USED:  THE ROYAL COURT TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 11th and 12th
:

Oracle of the Moon DeckWhat can I do today to {begin to} support my personal growth?

The Judge and The Rumor/The Book – Make sure you are doing your research and not either assuming things or taking other’s words as gospel. Do your own research and make up your own mind for yourself. It’s okay to hear what others have to say, just don’t let that be the only information you gather.

What has my past taught me that could help me right now?

Rot and The Anvil – Letting things weigh heavy on your shoulders and heart only leads to stagnancy and depression, which then quickly slips in to start eating away at your insides. Keep moving, even when you “aren’t feeling it” in the moment.

DECK USED: ORACLE OF THE MOON DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 11th and 12th
:

The Royal Court Tarot - The Chariot, Ten of Pentacles, Eight of Pentacles, Knight of Pentacles, Two of PentaclesPhilosophical Question: Is it truly possible for people to change?

The Chariot and Ten of Pentacles – Yes, but they have to actually want to change and be willing to put in the work. Creating true change in oneself is uncomfortable, and can be a miserable experience. You have to have the willpower and drive to not just want the change to happen, but to stick to it to not just manifest those changes within yourself, but also get those changes to stick and stay. Even then, sometimes it’s not enough to create permanence.

Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day – What “wild and fabulous” behavior can help you break out of your shell more often?

Two of Pentacles, Knight of Pentacles atop Eight of Pentacles – Give yourself more balance in your life by allowing your development and progress to move at its own pace instead of pushing ever forward with impatience.

This doesn’t particularly sound “wild and crazy” until you consider that it goes entirely against your nature.

DECK USED: THE ROYAL COURT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took things a bit slow today in the order fulfillment part of today.  It made it all last a bit longer, but with a great deal less stress.  I also meditated today for the first time in… months.  I’m pretty sure it’s been months.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_9850Midday’s Dusk

Clouds roll in
to sweep
around
mountain peaks
like a scarf
wrapped around
a slender neck
as raindrops
hang
just out of reach
felt on the air
and yet
not touching
the ground
as light is smothered
under a heavy sky

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Next Phase Tarot Reading

The Next Phase Tarot Reading with Granny's Postcards Tarot

What I’m being called to do next on my journey.

Four of Cups – Work on opening up and being less apathetic.  Also… Do your damned meditation already.

What this looks like for me.

The Hermit – Alone time of the healthy sort. Don’t use this alone time to wallow in empty “feel good” methods of wasting time.  Use that alone time in healthy ways instead.

Action I can take to initiate this next phase.

Three of Wands – Just do it. Add it to the path forward rather than waiting on whim or chance to fit it into your day. If you actually schedule it into the path forward, you guarantee room for it each and every day.

How this next phase of my journey will impact me.

The High Priestess – It will help you connect more strongly with your intuition and inner knowledge.

Something I need to understand about this next phase.

King of Swords – You can’t reason your way out of it… or into it either.  This has to do with emotions and intuition, and doesn’t lie in the logic nor is it something you can strong-arm into compliance through plotting and strategy.  As the Three of Wands already said… just do it.

A message from spirit I need to hear right now.

Strength – Doing your meditation regularly provides you with the strength and fortitude that you need in order to deal with things as they come at you instead of falling apart under the stress.

DECK USED: GRANNY’S POSTCARDS TAROT

Weekly Creativity Prompt – Different Scenarios

Prompt: “The purpose of this activity is to practice interpreting small spreads by combining card meanings, symbols and intuition. We will all interpret the same cards based on a few different (imaginary) situations. A 3 card spread will be posted together with 2 more specific scenarios. It’s your choice which scenario you’d prefer to use, or if you’d rather do a general reading of these cards as for an imaginary querent.

This Might Hurt Tarot - Nine of Pentacles, The Devil, Nine of Wands

Scenario 1 – Connor is torn. He just got his birthday money, and wants to either use it to buy a new computer or enroll in an arts class offered by a nearby pottery studio. 

You’re feeling on top of the world with the money in your pocket (Nine of Pentacles), but you need to look at which option is going to actually benefit you long term instead of be a fleeting bit of fun or passion (The Devil). Things aren’t going to always be as carefree as they are now. Which option will you not just enjoy now, but will help you down the road during those more difficult  times? (Nine of Wands)

Scenario 2 – Raven is going to be performing in a concert next week and is very nervous about it. She’s also excited, but in general is feeling ungrounded about it. She wants to know steps she can take to ground herself.

The night of the concert is going to be a bit wild and crazy (The Devil).  Make sure that before the concert arrives you are taking stock of all you have accomplished to help bolster your confidence (Nine of Pentacles), and that once the concert is over you return to doing what needs to be done to keep everything in your life balanced and on track (Nine of Wands).  In other words?  Don’t let the wild and crazy escape the event itself. It’ll be fun and crazy… and one night only.  Contain it to that one night through focusing on building your confidence beforehand, and the return to stability and responsibility after.

DECK USED: THIS MIGHT HURT TAROT

Carrying the Torch

Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Weaver Tarot - Ruler of Wands - King of WandsToday’s draw is the Ruler of Wands (King of Wands), which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passions, drive, determination, principles, values, and willpower. The King of Wands often indicates themes that have to do with leadership figures or authority figures with the ability to rally others to their causes and draw them in to their own values, principles, and passions.

What catches my eye today in the imagery of this card is the ouroboros that encircles the crown. The ouroboros is a symbol of the unity of all things, and the connection of the spiritual to the physical moving together in an always changing but never ending cycle. It represents the concepts of eternity and endless return.

To me, seeing the ouroboros encircling the crown says “long live the king” and in this case?  The king is the authority that instills within others a sense of values and principles.  It is the idol… those that we look up to and choose to follow because they are right and good… and passionate about this cause.

The message in today’s card is to appreciate those that inspire you to be a better person. Who in your life and your past has inspired you to do better and become better, to choose principles and values that matter or shown you how to stand strong in what matters most?  Take time to appreciate what these people have done for you, and what you have built out of the inspiration that they sparked within you… and the inspiration that you may now be giving others in turn.

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

Smiles are contagious
and
applied passionately
so too is empowerment

DECK USED:  THE WEAVER TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Questions for January 10th

Secrets of Wand Wood OracleWhat will be my 2023 theme of evolution, growth, or change?

Change, Unlock, and Be More Witchy! – Direct your attention to the changes in your life that will help you to focus more on your spiritual path and practices. You have an opportunity to grow and evolve in your practice this year, but you need to set your intentions there and lean into the changes that come your way to make it happen.

What area, or part, of my life does this theme apply to?

Bond, Tradition, and Wonder – Your connection with your ancestors and spirit guides, and your inclination towards mediumship. Over the past couple of years you’ve worked to become more comfortable with these connections and skills, and it’s time to focus on continuing that journey.

DECK USED: SECRETS OF WANDWOOD ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 10th
: Peculiar People Day – How can you encourage those that are outcasts to feel more welcome?

The Weaver Tarot - Sovereign of Swords (Queen of Swords, Judgement, Five of CoinsReading Summary: Less judgement (Judgement with Five of Coins), and provide advice in a way that is supportive instead of condescending (Sovereign of Swords).

Take Away: Sometimes? You struggle with what you perceive from others as stupidity.  You need to take a pause, though, and think if it’s really stupidity, or just lack of experience that you’re observing.

You’ve experienced so much, and have a lot of good advice and guidance to give that could help these people, but it needs to be delivered in a way that keeps others receptive and doesn’t shut them down.  Make sure you are not channeling your mother’s attitude or tone during these times. Selflessness combined with honesty will work far better.

DECK USED: THE WEAVER TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I am going to bed super early tonight.  I’m just so very tired.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_9821Not Enough Sleep

Cranky
prickly
and unpleasant
each bump
leaves scratches
against the soul
as lack of sleep
breeds sour looks
and thoughts
clouded by
disorganization
and every touch
upon my skin
is another
irritant
with which
to contend

Photo © ZenStatePhotography