Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🍃    •    ◈    •    •    •

Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Page of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, logic, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with learning new ways to communicate with others, beginning new educational pursuits, exploring new ideas. and seeking to sate one’s curiosity.

When I spoke to my shrink the last time, while we were discussing the idea of scheduling daily languishing time, my first response was a harsh condemnation about being lazy. In reply, she asked, “Wow, whose voice was that?”

To be clear? It was my father’s voice, but her calling me on it brought into focus the fact that even after years of trying to break free of the negative narratives in my head (which are invariably not my voice at all, but those in my past), it’s still my brain’s initial response when my guard’s down.

All this time, and I’m still learning how to talk to myself with kindness and treat myself as I would treat others.

My shrink would say to this observation that the years I’ve spent trying to be kind to myself and redirect my negative inner narratives is a drop in the bucket compared to how long I’ve had absorbing and learning to allow these narratives to have free reign. And, she’s right. There is no quick fix. I’m still learning.

Today’s message is a reminder to treat yourself with the same kindness, compassion, and understanding that you would give to others. And, to remind yourself daily that this is the goal. It’s a long journey, learning to turn self abuse and self criticism around into something more positive and nurturing, and this is one of the first steps; an essential one that needs to be repeated again and again.

DECK USED:  SUNNY ORANGE CAT TAROT AND WILDLING WISDOM ORACLE

@LightningWildflower‘s July Tarot Challenge
Belong Prompts for July 19 – 21

What do I need in order to feel seen?

Nile Crocodile – To feel seen, you need acceptance without them feeling the need to fix or change things. Especially an acceptance from others that your path is not open to being meddled with by outside opinions, and that just because your path is different than theirs, coexistence is not just still possible but desired.

What role do I often play in a group, and does that reflect who I really am?

Rabbit – You have a tendency to just go with the flow as long as whatever is happening doesn’t conflict with your personal values. If it does, as long as it’s not your own territory in danger, you’ll simple walk away rather than follow. If your territory is involved in some way , you’ll simple walk can be a fierce fighter when backed into a corner. This is all about who you are, and your unwillingness to sacrifice that despite pressures to do so in both large and small ways.

Where do I find it easiest to be myself?

Black Rhino – You find it easiest to be yourself when you’re alone and in your element (whether that’s in the forest, in the garden, or working on a creative project, etc). Being on your own without the push and pull of others on your attention or energy gives you the freedom to be yourself without it feeling like others are vying for  your time or attention, or interfering in some way with your self expression.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Aragonite for Truth and Understanding

DECK USED: ANCIENT ANIMAL WISDOM ORACLE 1ST EDITION

I slept in today.  I’d planned to get up and get a few things done, but when I woke up this morning I really didn’t feel like crawling out of bed. Instead of forcing myself as I normally would have, I burrowed back in and slept for a few more hours.