Unique Environs
Unintended
decoration
graces each branch
and every trunk
in this place
ruled
by moisture
and shades of shadow
cast by
overcast skies
fostering life
in shapes
sizes
and shades
never seen
anywhere else
Month: April 2023
🌕 Full Moon in Libra – April 2023
On Wednesday is the full 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.
What does my mind need for healing and balance?
The High Priestess Rx atop Seven of Wands – Less action and reaction prior to checking in with your intuition. Not taking that moment to check in with your intuition is more often than not how you end up putting your own foot in your mouth.
What does my body need for healing and balance?
The Magician – Apply what you know. It will help you achieve your goals rather than being complacent. This isn’t any one thing, but rather that you already know you need certain things in order to function at higher efficiency, and you are not applying them to yourself at this time. These tools and methods are there to help you… so use them.
What does my soul need for healing and balance?
Five of Cups Rx – Avoid the traps of a pessimistic viewpoint. It may be your natural inclination, but pessimism drags you down, and you need things that lift you up and help you see the more positive aspects of life instead.
What self-care act am I being called to take?
Eight of Wands Rx – Stop pushing yourself to go faster and do more. You need to find a slower pace that allows you to take care of yourself instead of pushing your needs aside in order to get more done more quickly.
What is my major lesson right now?
Page of Cups – You are still learning how to understand your emotions and take care of yourself emotionally. This lesson is far from over and it’s a major lesson in your life right now that needs your attention. This doesn’t mean it’s your only lesson, but it’s definitely the major one at the moment.
Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.
Page of Wands – Use the peak energies of the spring and the full moon to reconnect with your passions and inspiration. That creative spark still lives within you and is ready to be rekindled.
DECK USED: THE TEXTURED TAROT
Adapting for the Goodness
Today’s meditation was skipped.
Today’s draw is the Knight of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of an active beta energy, personality, or person in the area of ones passions, drive, principles, and willpower. As with all wands, this isn’t about a physical thing, but rather about that inner spark of energy that “lights a fire under your ass” and “makes you tick”.
Did you know that sometime in the past few years, Kellogg’s has changed the ratio of breading to jelly in the top layer of their Pop Tarts? You see, the only reason I know this is because I eat Pop Tarts in a very specific way that involves eating the sides first, then sliding the back of the Pop Tart off the frosting top so that I can save the jelly/frosting part for last (because that’s the best part). Yet, sometime in the last few years, they’ve changed the thickness of the breading on the top of the Pop Tart, and the top and bottom no longer easily slide apart, as the top piece crumbles due to being too thin to take the pressure.
I mention this, because I discovered it today when I bought my first box of Pop Tarts in years…. and the expression on my face had to have been damned near identical to that of the bunny riding that horse in today’s card.
The message in today’s card is that things change sometimes, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy the things you like, even if you have to adapt a bit to do so.
DECK USED: CHUBBY BUN TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsApr2023 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread 1 – Focus on a relationship that is important to you, whether that relationship be a friendship, a family member, or a loved one.
What does this loved one need less of from you?
Thunderbolt – Sass. Resistance. Chaos and clash. He is feeling the need to snug you up close and curl protectively around you. Thus, he needs you to be more approachable right now.
What does this loved one need more of from you?
Weak – Communication about your fears, worries, and anxieties. He can’t help if you leave him in the dark and he doesn’t know what you’re going through.
What in this relationship is being entirely neglected?
Snow – Freedom and fun. I disagree with this one. Although our fun is not rambunctious and overtly joyful, I feel that we are each very much having fun in our relationship and the activities we do together.
That said, there is an element in this card that is being neglected in our relationship, and that is the ability to be free and unrestrained in our expressions of love and joy. There is good reason, though, as I’m not psychologically in a place to handle the drop that follows these unhindered expressions and the freedom that the drown gives me.
I don’t think it’s neglected tho, as we are discussing it and monitoring it… even if to that part of me that craves the drown it might still feel like neglect.
DECK USED: GEEKY GIRL ORACLE
@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Light My Fire Challenge Prompt
Question: Where do I need to take a bold step forward in my life?
Reading Summary: Instead of running away (Six of Swords Rx) from your fears, continue to plot your course despite them (Two of Wands atop Nine of Swords). Just don’t get so driven that you forget to take care of yourself along the way (Queen of Swords atop Six of Pentacles).
Take Away: Sometimes when anxiety gets in the way, it can be really hard to get in contact with your ambitions and where you want to go with your life and goals. All you want to do is hide instead, but that course of action always leads to self-neglect, as well as neglect of your responsibilities.
A better course forward would be to keep moving and planning despite your fears.
DECK USED: CHUBBY BUN TAROT
Lots of protein for dinner. Kielbasa sausages and cheesy scrambled eggs.
Gideon’s Challenge
Origin Story
I come from
a world of
blues and grays
that touch
the skin
with kisses
of moisture
even when
there is no rain
where all is wet
and sweet scents
of decay
mingle with
those of nature’s
earthy green
on the crisp air
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?
Earth – Five of Cups – You’re going to have to spend a bit in places you don’t want to this week. There’s no point crying over spilled milk. Take care of what needs taken care of and move on to recovering from it.
Air – Knight of Pentacles – Time consuming is not always a bad thing. Remember that often when you put extra time and effort into a project, the end results are that much better. Keep this in mind this week so that your impatience doesn’t cause you rush in places and activities where you need to take things slow.
Water – Eight of Cups – Don’t allow yourself to be pushed beyond your limits. You are not emotionally ready. You can have just as much fun without the drown, so take care to avoid the drop this week.
Fire – The Hermit – Cherish your alone time this week and use it to reflect on how you can establish a stronger connection with your inner spark. Seek out those healthy alone time options to help you find the kindling you need to get things going.
Waning – Paths and Mice – Indecision is not your friend this week. The longer you dither, the more your options will dwindle.
Waxing – Snake and Moon – Your emotions will try to sabotage you if you let them. Stay alert and aware this week in order to try and head this off at the pass.
Take Away – Discontent is a bit of a theme this week, so make sure you are leaning into positivity and optimism where you can instead of dwelling on the negative. And don’t flirt with a drop this week… it’s not the time, no matter how much you want to jump his bones.
DECKS USED: MARUCO’S ANIMAL & FOOD TAROT
Lessons From the Past
Today’s meditation was skipped.
Today’s draw is the King of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s intellect, education, communication, and instinct. Part of this also includes imagination, although that can also touch upon the Cups suit as well.
What really stands out to me in the imagery of this card today is both the wings he wears in his headdress, as well as the fact that the King is facing staring into the past (facing left).
This speaks to me of the fact that Kings don’t just speak and give direction. They must also listen. It is through listening to others and the past that we make wise choices on how to move forward. Today’s card is a reminder that through experience (both our own as well as that of others) we learn… and those lessons are our responsibility to carry forward with us into the future.
DECK USED: THE BOTAN TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsApr2023 Challenge Prompt
Questions for April 1st
What is the most valuable thing you can do for yourself this month?
Kava and Milk Thistle – Work at absorbing the fact that you can’t hide from your shit by using social media. (Scrolling on Instagram is enjoyable down time, but not productive.) Work at instilling more discipline to ensure you’re not using it as escapism and thus not getting anything done as a result.
What is the most valuable thing you can do for others this month?
Asheagandha and Mullein – Work on toning down your aggression a bit. You can accomplish just as much with a soft touch and a bit of sugar as you would with a baseball bat and some vinegar. The aggression can be a bit off-putting to others. It peaked a bit ago, but is still in the process of dissipating. Adding some conscious awareness to the process will help this go smoothly for you and everyone else too.
DECK USED: THE MATERIA MEDICA ORACLE 2nd EDITION
@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Light My Fire Challenge Prompt
Question: What inner fire am I guided to ignite, nurture and honor this month?
Reading Summary: True happiness (Ten of Cups) requires times of rest (Four of Swords). Its foolish (The Fool) to turn a blind eye to your needs (Eight of Swords).
Take Away: Work on developing a closer connection with your needs this month instead of ignoring them as you normally try to do.
This includes everything from the normal self care stuff like eating and sleep to more vague themes such as how much better you feel when your laundry is done, etc.
Only when you get in touch with the things that you need and allow yourself to have them will you be able to connect more easily with the day to day happiness you crave.
DECK USED: THE BOTAN TAROT
I intentionally spent some time today chilling on the bed watching vid clips that make me laugh. I also skipped the second half of my Month End reading instead of pushing myself to do it all.
Twisting the Leaf 