Idols and Role Models

Today’s meditation was skipped, as was the card of the day, sue to migraine issues.

@thetarotprofessor Self Love Challenge Prompt
Question: Find your idol or role model in the tarot. (For example: Which figure in the tarot cards do you admire the most? Which card’s energy do you find yourself trying to channel and embody most often?)

IMG_E1111

Start listing all the reasons why this tarot card/figure is your role model.

Honestly? There are so many I could choose for this exercise, but I chose the first two that came to mind. Note that the choice of these cards is very much based upon their imagery. In other decks, it would be different cards.

Why do you admire them so much?

Five of Flame (Wands) – They fight for what they want, but never take it so far that it tears apart the family unit in the process. Conflicts happen, but the connections and ties that bind remain strong.

Ten of Swords – Fierce and wild, she survives against all odds.  The storm may take her to her knees, and yet she will charge forward still, screaming in the face of defeat and never giving up.

Why do you want to be like them?

Five of Flame (Wands) –  I like the idea that our individuality is not detracted from even when we belong to each other as a group or a family.  I like the idea that you can fight for what you believe in, even butt heads with others of your inner circle concerning what you believe in, and still those others remain just as cherished and important to you as ever.

Ten of Swords – That fierce energy to take on every challenge as it comes, and tear through it to move forward to the next.  You may not win them all, but that survivor’s spirit to fight ever forward is a draw for me.

What personality traits does this tarot figure have?

Five of Flame (Wands) – Strong. Stubborn. Not afraid of conflict. Independent without having to be alone.  Loving with strong priorities towards what is right for them balanced with those that they love.

Ten of Swords – Fierce.  Volatile. A survivor. Determined, with a never give up attitude.

What do others think of this tarot figure?

Five of Flame (Wands) – They are aware that this figure is determined and stubborn, and yet feel safe in their presence and even when in conflict with them, because they know that the disagreement will not wreck that connection. This provides a sense of security, even in moments of chaos.

Ten of Swords – Probably a bit of annoying that they always seem to be in chaos.  And yet there’s admiration there as well, for others recognize that they have been through a lot, and yet are still going strong and just as fierce as ever.

How does this tarot figure treat their family and friends?

Five of Flame (Wands) – They support and value their family and friends, but don’t allow them the power of peer pressure and is not a people pleaser.

Ten of Swords – Possibly a bit neglectful. They’re too focused on dealing with what is right in front of them and needing dealt with, slaying the chaos and surviving… that makes everything beyond that focus more of an afterthought.

What kind of lover or partner is this tarot figure?

Five of Flame (Wands) – Possibly a bit selfish, but they won’t leave you hanging entirely.

Ten of Swords – Wild in bed.  The type of lover that wants to wring ever last drop of pleasure out of the experience and break the bed in the process.

How does this tarot figure react when threatened or insulted?

Five of Flame (Wands) – I would say that this depends on who is doing the threatening or insulting.  In general, I can see them standing tall against these experiences, and allowing what is said to slide off their back like rain off of a slicker.

Ten of Swords – Immediately going on the offensive… or walking away because it’s not worth their time.  There is no middle ground.

Read the list back to yourself slowly and meaningfully. Let the magnificence of your tarot idol wash over you.

Take a moment to realize that you too embody these qualities. The reason role models and idols and mentors resonate with us so deeply is that we see ourselves in them.

Okay. I sort of disagree with the last statement (even if it is true for the two cards I chose in this exercise).

Although I think that sometimes the above is true, I feel that far more often individuals become our idols, role models, and mentors because deep down we see the potential of who we want to become within them. Those qualities then become a part of us because of that desire as we seek to follow their example.

I agree, though, that it means all those things listed above then become a part of who we are, for in our admiration we (whether subconsciously or consciously) begin to strive to be more like them, and those qualities we admire begin to develop within ourselves.

DECKS USED: THE STOLEN CHILD TAROT AND TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM

Daily Self Kindness

I actually skipped all cardwork for today. I knew the cards I wanted to use for the exercise above and already had pictures of them to work with.  I deleted and/or removed other cardwork to another day.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_0151Renewal

New life
slips free
from damp earth
to stretch
towards the sun
as blades unfurl
into leaves
stretched wide
and eager for
light and warmth
as bits of fuzz
are tickled
by a breeze
skimming over
moldering decay

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Time Spent

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Pastoral Tarot - Three of CupsToday’s draw is the Three of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of friendships, revelry, celebration, and collaboration between those that are like not just in mind but also in heart

Here in this card we see togetherness and fun without the wineglasses and revelry. It is a reminder to us all that sometimes fun is in being with the ones you love and has nothing to do with Bacchus or over indulgence or cutting loose.

A lot of people for get that when looking at the Three of Cups.  They see three women dancing with their cups raised and think “party on!” The thing is, though?  That’s not always what the Three of Cups is about. Sometimes, it’s about comfort and companionship.  About having fun with those like-minded friends and loved ones that mean something to you.

DECK USED:  PASTORAL TAROT

@the_mystic_star February Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question for February 5th thru 7th

Herbal Astrology Oracle CardsHow can I embrace the loving energy of this month?

Nettle – It’s not about how… it’s about doing. It’s about embracing. It’s about reaching out and making it happen because that’s what you want.

How can I amplify this love energy in my life?

Milk Thistle – As the Nettle says “just do it” so the Milk Thistle says that the actions you take need to be gentle and kind. Take care you don’t be too aggressive in your efforts.

How can I reduce the barriers to the love energy that is all around me?

Tulsi – Look at all that is around you, and take time to appreciate all that you have. Barriers fall when your awareness and gratitude opens you to the good stuff in your own life.

DECK USED: THE HERBAL ASTROLOGY ORACLE

@thetarotprofessor Self Love Challenge Prompt
Question: Do the Self Love a struggle Spread

Self Love Struggle Tarot Reading with the Pastoral Tarot

What do I struggle the most to love about myself?

Page of Cups – Your lack of emotional intelligence. You kick yourself over your struggles in the exploration and growth in this area again and again, when in truth you are simply growing. A little at a time, bit by bit.

What can I release to make it easier to accept that part of myself?

Death – Embrace change. Accept that it’s going to take some time and allow change to happen instead of fighting against it.  It’s a natural part of life, and when you fight, it just makes everything harder.  That includes accepting you are changing… and that -those- changes are going to take time as well.

What can I do to begin to love that part of myself?

Wheel of Fortune – Keep in mind that there are ups and downs in any part of life and in any time of growth. Sometimes things will be easy, and other times? Extremely difficult. It’s better to ride the ups and downs than fight against the tides.

What do I love most about myself?

Seven of Pentacles – Your connection to the earth and those things that grow from it.

DECK USED: PASTORAL TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a bit of a break when I got home today instead of plowing into all the “things I need to get done”.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_0280The Fairy Tales

Hang your head
deeply
to slip your ear
to my lips
as we move
along the trail
and I will
whisper stories
to you
of the creatures
that hide among
mossy niches
and fern fronds
as their laughter
mingles with the wind
all around us

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Weekly Creativity Prompt – The Sun

Prompt: “Pull the Sun card from your deck(s). Compare the imagery between the card provided below and the card(s) from your own deck(s). How would you read them differently and why?

Modern Love Tarot - The SunModern Love Tarot – Joyous celebration and pride combine in this card as a mother holds her child up to the sun. This card is a display of celebrating life, and taking moments as they come while treasuring the laughter and love we have for each other.  It’s youth and energy, brightness and warmth, and it encourages one to cherish these feelings and be “in the moment” with them.

The Sun in the Gay Tarot, Spiritual Tarot, Meraki Tarot 2nd Edition

Gay Tarot – Sometimes working together toward a mutual goal goes beyond projects you share with others and bleeds into a life as a whole.  The two figures in this image have been together a long time. They work together, they play together… and over time it’s become clear that everything is better together. Where can your life be improved by working with others towards successes that you can share? And how much sweeter will those successes be if shared with each other?

Spiritual Tarot – A radiant figure stands in the light, filled with pride and standing tall. That radiance has become a part of him, strong and wild as the world bursts into abundance around him. This figure reminds me of the Wiccan God, who is reborn each spring and grows to maturity in summer’s warmth each year. It asks you to seek out what needs a rebirth in your own life, and where abundance has flourished and grown both within and around you.

Meraki Tarot 2nd Edition – Wishes scatter into the wind, given up to the sun’s radiance like seeds seeking fertile soil. Not every wish we have can come true, but this card indicates that some of them can.  They just need a little nurturing and they can find that fertile soil needed in which to grow and flourish.

DECK USED: MODERN LOVE TAROT, GAY TAROT, SPIRITUAL TAROT, MERAKI TAROT 2ND EDITION

Don’t Shut It Out

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Forager's Daughter Tarot Afterlight EditionToday’s draw is the Queen of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passions, enthusiasm, interests, determination, willpower, and inner spark.This often translates into themes that have to do with nurturing and encouraging the dreams, passions, and interests of others.

I’m not sure how I get this from the imagery, but what I see here in the imagery of this card is to not reject the support that is offered to you.  Sometimes it can come from unlikely sources, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less genuine… any less valuable. In fact, sometimes help and encouragement from unlikely sources hits harder and digs deeper than from the expected ones.  Be open to it… don’t shut it out.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT AFTERLIGHT EDITION

@thetarotprofessor Self Love Challenge Prompt
Topic: Draw one card.

Love Story Oracle DeckWhat positive message or energy does this card have for me today?

The Self Love-Card is a pretty clear message. Take care of yourself and give yourself what you need today. Life can be hard enough without being hard on yourself and making things more difficult. Give in to your needs instead of brushing them aside, and tell your body that you care.

Turn your interpretation into a one-sentence affirmation.

I will give myself what I need without beating myself up for needing it.

DECK USED: LOVE STORY ORACLE CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2023 Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 6th and 7th

Forager's Daughter Tarot Afterlight EditionWhere do you resist being generous with yourself?

Six of Swords Rx – You spend too much time hesitating before embracing change, and it creates a sense of stagnancy in an unhealthy space.

Why?

Two of Swords – There’s only so much of you to go around, and sometimes you just have to make a choice. You invariably choose to put others before yourself and your own needs.

How could you benefit by giving in to that generosity instead?

The Hermit – By putting yourself first, that time of stagnancy can be turned into healthy alone time instead.

DECK USED: FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT AFTERLIGHT EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap at Ms B’s before heading home.  I’ve been really tired and the nap really helped.