Month: April 2024

I Balance Dominance and Submission

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#DailyCalm with the Calm appToday’s meditation was ten minutes long, and a #DailyCalm session with the Calm app.

The topic of today’s meditation was about how so many of us value our work, but not our need for rest.  Both are equally important, but it’s the work that we normally stress in our lives and prioritize.

The session was a reminder that rest is just as important, and that they go hand in hand.  One without the other is unhealthy, no matter which way you swing it.  It encourages balance, and a mindset of compassion and forgiveness instead of judgement for those times when rest is needed.

@GlitterbyInk #AprilAffirmations24 Prompt
Affirmation Prompt for April 15th: I Balance…

Lunalapin Tarot - Five of SwordsFive of Swords – I balance dominance and submission.

In your relationship, as well as in your life, there is a dance that happens. A dance between dominance and submission. There are times when you feel a sense of strength and purpose, when you step into a challenge with empowerment and confidence.

And there are times in life and in your relationship where you feel small and vulnerable, in need of sheltering and care, and unable to deal with the challenges that lie before you.

Life is a balancing of these two aspects, where one is no greater or of more value than the other. It is the natural ebb and flow of your confidence and strength, and allows you to experience  more in life as a result.  Remember not to try to put too much weight on one over the other, and let them come and go as needed.

DECK USED:  LUNALAPIN TAROT

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Mercury Musing Prompt
Question for April 15th: What message of reassurance do I need to hear right now?

Lunalapin Tarot - Five of Pentacles, Nine of Cups, The HierophantReading Summary: Feelings of scarcity (Five of Pentacles) can drag you down and create difficulties in staying afloat emotionally (Nine of Cups Rx). But, by leaning into tried and true methods you have already established (The Hierophant) for dealing with these issues, you can help in pulling yourself back up.

Take Away: Feeling like a failure sucks.  It just does.

The thing is, though, you have established tools to help you with your emotional lows, and they will work to help you with feelings of scarcity as well if you use them in that direction.

These tools that help you in staying emotionally stable are there for you not just when you’re struggling with depression, but in any instance where a more positive outlook and a bit of a lift are needed.

DECK USED: LUNALAPIN TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch-up post, and I don’t remember what my self-kindness was for the day.

I Ignite Passion

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#dailytrip with the Calm app - Instead of fighting with your confusion, can you forgive yourself for it? Jeff Warren quoteToday’s meditation was eleven minutes long, and was one of the #DailyTrip sessions from the Calm app.

Today’s session was about “The Boggle”, which is to say that it was about that time when you can’t shut your brain up and it’s filled with a tangle of thoughts and confusion that is impossible to sort out.

During these times, it can be especially challenging to meditate, and an important part of today’s session was treating yourself kindly during these moments, instead of admonishing yourself for not doing “good enough” at clearing your mind and finding peace in your meditation practice.

The session encourages seeing meditation is a practice. As something you do again and again to work on improving at over time, not something you have to be good at from the start, or even after working at it for years.

@GlitterbyInk #AprilAffirmations24 Prompt
Affirmation Prompt for April 14th: I Ignite…

Tarot of the Golden Wheel - Ace of WandsAce of Wands – I ignite passion, the inner spark of creativity, and inspiration.

In your case, passion and enthusiasm is often catching.  You enthusiasm for those things you are passionate about not only ignites the spark of inspiration in yourself, but within others as well.

That fire of creative spirit within you is often enough to light up the world, and when you share it with others it brings others into the wonder of what you see and they wish to experiences that passion as well.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE GOLDEN WHEEL

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2024 Challenge Prompt
@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Mercury Musing Prompt
Prompts for April 14th: Do Spread 2
Question: How can I maintain a positive outlook and cultivate a sense of faith in my journey?

Tarot of the Golden Wheel - Knight of Swords, The Fool, Nine of Swords, Six of WandsReading Summary: The green in the Nine of Swords is very muted and a near perfect match for the anchor card. Connecting these two, you have an all-seeing-eye at the center of the anchor card, and someone shirking away from it in the Nine of Swords. This connects with the addition of the Six of Wands through a joined “performance” and “anxiety” over being watched themes.

In the Fool, the green is still a match for the anchor card, but more vibrant. It’s speaks of cutting loose and relishing in the attention of those watching on. The more you choose to enjoy it, the more vibrant you will feel. The Fool then atop the Knight of Swords, with the knight charging towards the anchor card and seeming focused on its all-seeing-eye speaks of reckless abandon, regardless… or perhaps even because of those watching.

Take Away: Performance anxiety has always been a problem for you. Throw caution to the wind and charge forward anyway, embracing a carefree and even reckless attitude to carry you through.  Don’t let naysayers, or even your own anxiety, get in the way.

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE GOLDEN WHEEL AND THE GRATITUDE ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I got flowers planted on the balcony today.  I also quit before I finished because I listened to my body. I’ll finish them tomorrow or, if not tomorrow, maybe Wednesday.

Gideon’s Challenge

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Anacortes, WAThe Promise

The last breath
of winter
skims over
barren earth
and in the distance
the promise
of spring
lifts its head
in the tiny buds
at the tips
of branches
and scent of rebirth
blown in
on a breeze

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

I Transform Dreams Into Reality

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

@GlitterbyInk #AprilAffirmations24 Prompt
Affirmation Prompt for April 13th: I Transform…

Tarot for All Ages - King of WandsKing of Wands – I transform dreams into reality.

Although you are aware that you inspire others, you rarely see it yourself, as you are far more focused on transforming your dreams into reality.  Others watch and follow because they see this quality in you and either want it in themselves, or want you to use it to their benefit… which you do when you can.

This means that you have the unique ability to not just transform your own dreams into reality, but guide others to do the same.  You make things possible… and even make things that seem like they should be impossible seem possible.

DECK USED:  TAROT FOR ALL AGES

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Mercury Musing Prompt
Question for April 13th: How can I embody confidence and leadership in my endeavors?

Doodle Playing Arts SPYTF#1 Playing CardsReading Summary: Learn from your experiences (Jack of Spades) and supplement your own experience by seeking out the advice and experience of others (Three of Diamonds). In doing so, it allows you to move forward with confidence and choose your path wisely (Seven of Hearts).

Take Away: Stop thinking you have to do it all yourself. You know how to apply your past experiences to smooth the road ahead, but you need to work on including others in the process more often.

They may depend on you to lead the way, but they aren’t depending on you to do everything yourself. You make the decisions, but being sure to include their input and ideas more often in the decision making process will help things go smoother and give you more confidence.

DECK USED: DOODLE PLAYING ARTS SPYTF#1

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2024 Challenge Prompt
Question for April 13th: Scrabble Day – What are you handling alone that would benefit from participation of another?

Tarot for All Ages - Ten of Wands, Eight of Pentacles, Two of CupsReading Summary: You are putting too much pressure on yourself (Ten of Wands) to deal with your work and the business on your own (Eight of Pentacles) when there are loved ones in the wings eager and waiting to be by your side (Two of Cups).

Take Away: You can give more responsibility to others than you are currently.  Stop allowing it to weigh so heavily on you. Let others help.

This is especially true with your tax preparation efforts (open ledger in the Eight of Pentacles).  They can help if you let them, so let them help you instead of thinking that you have to do every little part of it yourself.

DECK USED: TAROT FOR ALL AGES

Daily Self Kindness

I had a really long nap today.  I’m not even sure how long, but I know it was over three hours.  Ms Luna cuddled with me the entire time, and it was super nice nuzzling into her fur on those times I shifted in my sleep.

I Celebrate Solitude

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#DailyTrip with the Calm appToday’s meditation was thirteen minutes long, and was one of the #DailyTrip sessions from the Calm app.

The meditation was about a meditative practice being more than just those few minutes you sit still in the moment, but about the things you do to prepare for your practice.  Those moments and things that are done to help you unwind and settle into the quiet stretch of meditation, and how by making those small things we do to settle a part of the routine, we help further the positive effects of one’s meditative practice, as it allows the body and mind to prepare for what’s coming, and thus relax more easily and smoothly into the meditation and stillness.

@GlitterbyInk #AprilAffirmations24 Prompt
Affirmation Prompt for April 12th: I Celebrate…

Seed of Soul Tarot - The HermitThe Hermit – I celebrate healthy alone time.

Moments of solitude are important, and they are something that you need in your life… more now than ever.

Over the past year and a half you have not had much alone time, let alone much healthy alone time. It has gotten to the point where you are beginning to ignore that need within you entirely, including the ache it creates when you need this alone time and are denied it.

Instead of denying yourself, instead work on giving yourself the alone time you need, and instill into that alone time the celebration of seeking out the types of activities that make that alone time healthy for you.

DECK USED:  SEED OF SOUL TAROT

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Mercury Musing Prompt
Question for April 12th: How can I harness my inner wisdom to navigate my current challenges?

The Food Healing Oracle - Carrots, Celery, Red Bell PepperCarrots – Remember to bolster yourself with words of encouragement and nurture your sense of empowerment through positive reinforcement. When you lean into positivity and optimism, you give yourself a boost that is not just healthy, but also empowering.

Celery – Don’t languish! Get yourself up and moving. Stir the air in your lungs as well as the blood in your veins by opting to do something rather than doing nothing. It’s hard not to fall into the habit you’ve created of languishing when time allows rather than movement, but it’s time to work on breaking that habit.

Red Bell Pepper – Allow your creativity the freedom to spark and guide you forward. Ride its spark with curiosity and joy.  Just because you need to take care that you don’t get so wrapped up in new passions that you lose track of your responsibilities doesn’t mean you can’t still explore inspiration when it strikes and see where it leads you.

DECK USED: THE FOOD HEALING ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2024 Challenge Prompt
Question for April 12th: Walk On the Wild Side Day – What unpredictable bit of fun can you add into the upcoming weekend?

Seed of Soul Tarot - Ace of Swords, Nine of Cups, Queen of SwordsReading Summary: Use analytical problem-solving (Queen of Swords) and fresh ideas (Ace of Swords) to get past something that could otherwise steal your joy and sense of emotional satisfaction (Nine of Cups Rx).

Take Away: Make sure that you are staying open to thinking outside the box this weekend. In doing so, you can circumvent encroaching joy-killers and help yourself remain positive.

This includes possibly having to force these new ideas on others in order to redirect them onto a better path. Like you, sometimes others need a little nudge towards the unconventional as well.

DECK USED: SEED OF SOUL TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

More time outside at the rose bed.  All ten rose bushes are now planted and the only thing left is for the water to be hooked up to the drip system (not my job).

I Harvest Experience

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The #DailyCalm from the Calm appToday’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions from the Calm app.  The session began with a brief yoga nidra, which I always very much enjoy, then segued into the topic of criticism and how to deal with it in healthy and helpful ways.

The gist of the session is to not take criticism personally, but rather as suggestions and indications of how others are thinking or feeling. It reminded the listener that even criticism that is meant to be hurtful can provide insight if you seek out that insight with a lack of reaction and an analytical mindset.

@GlitterbyInk #AprilAffirmations24 Prompt
Affirmation Prompt for April 11th: I Harvest…

Animal Guides Tarot - Ten of SwordsTen of Swords – I harvest experience.

Learning experiences are important, and you have a habit of taking them in at every turn. Some of those experiences are pleasurable, and others not so much, but you gain knowledge and experience from each one that, in turn, then makes you better prepared moving forward on the path ahead.

You do not discount the lessons learned, and have a habit of using each experience to further your worth as well as your stability and dependability, which then fosters the trust and loyalty of others.

DECK USED:  ANIMAL GUIDES TAROT (TRIMMED)

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Mercury Musing Prompt
Question for April 11th: What self-care practices can I implement to nurture my resilience during this retrograde?

Petit Lenormand LoubellePractice 1 – Mountain and Clouds – Pay attention to your feelings of uncertainty, and do not allow them to become obstacles in your path.

Practice 2 – Garden and Fox – Keep an eye on those in social gatherings that think that they are clever… but are actually too clever for their own good.

Practice 3 – Scythe and Snake – Be aware of the snake in the grass and be ruthless in revealing their hiding places so that their true nature is out in the open.

Take Away – This is the third time in the past month that I have been warned about a “snake in the grass”.

This reading indicates I need to stay alert and aware of those around me, and not allow the said “snake in the grass” to use my insecurities as a manipulative tool. Instead, stay aware of what’s going on and expose them when the opportunity arises.

DECK USED: PETIT LENORMAND LOUBELLE

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2024 Challenge Prompt
Question for April 11th: Eight Track Tape Day – What blast from the past is ready for a revisit?

Animal Guides Tarot - Ten of Cups, Six of Wands, Two of Wands, Eight of WandsReading Summary: Leave people pleasing behind (Six of Wands) and move quickly (Eight of Wands) into planning for future (Two of Wands) happiness that includes your own happiness instead of just that of others (Ten of Cups).

Take Away: You have a tendency these days to put too much weight on what others want or need from you.

It’s time to return to that self-serving mentality you once worked so hard to strengthen and reinforce. It doesn’t mean you have to close others out, but that your happiness is just as valid and just as important as that of others… and you need to treat it that way instead of forsaking it at every turn.

DECK USED: ANIMAL GIUDES TAROT (TRIMMED)

Daily Self Kindness

I made sure to have some Gideon time today even though it was an orders day.