Pareidolia
A peaceful glide
along city streets
as lights change
from green
to red
and movement
slows to a stop
while tired gaze
slips from
traffic lights
to the waiting
and finds a
shocked transformer
staring wide eyed
through the window
and I start to laugh
July 23 – Mental Health Card of the Day
Today’s meditation was a self directed ten minute long session based on the included graphic by @Sunni_Chapman; which has a figure holding a bunch of dandelion tufts as if to make a wish and says “I’m doing exactly the right things, because I’m doing what I want. Doing what you want is the right thing, if you want to get what you want.”
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Four of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of one’s passionate love for the security and welcoming energies of home. This often translates into themes that have to do with homecoming, celebrating home and stability, as well as relaxation in comfortable spaces.
Combined with today’s meditation, the card pulled for today really brings home to me just how often I’m not doing what I want. Because… what I want? Is to be at home. Honestly? That’s all I want, even as unhealthy as that might be.
I say that because there was a time in my life where I was living as a shut-in. I could barely make it to the store and back, and it’s -very- easy to imagine slipping back into that inclination, especially lately when I feel like all I really want to do is hide away from the world. Why exactly is that? I think it’s because I feel overwhelmed.
All.
the.
time.
Coming home, therefore, at least gives some little small modicum of relief from that feeling. I mean, it’s still there, but there’s this comfort in stepping into a private familiar space that’s yours. I savor that feeling every single time I step through my front door. Every time the katy bar is put into place. Every time my ass hits the couch cushions or my body settles on the bed.
The message for today is a reminder not to take these comforts for granted. Savor them. A moment of appreciation is needed for those things in life that just feel -good-… even the small ones.
July 24 – Mental Health Card of the Day
Today’s meditation was nine minutes long, and was one of the #DailyTrip sessions in the @Calm app.
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Storyteller (Hierophant) card, which is traditionally a representation of traditions, spiritual guidance, long standing institutions, teachers and guides, and themes that deal with conformity and social norms.
When I meditate, a lot of times, I have a tendency to focus more on the inhale than the exhale. I noticed this tendency today while meditating, as the session encouraged visualizing the inhale as drawing in light and energy, and the exhale as releasing stress and tension.
It made me wonder, what other experiences and/or benefits am I missing out on in life by doing things my own way instead of exploring traditional methods? After all, traditional methods became traditional, carrying on through generations, for a reason.
The message in today’s cards is to be open to exploration of long held traditions. You might feel certain that your own way of doing things is a better fit for you, but this isn’t actual fact (and is instead just your own assumption) until you actually give those traditional methods a try.
July 25 – Mental Health Card of the Day
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 King of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s financial security, resources, health, home, labors, manifestations, and other elements of the physical realm. This often translates into leadership that creates a grounded sense of stability for others.
For me, today is an order catch-up day. Having stepped away from processing orders for a handful of days, they have understandably built up in the background and need to be caught up on.
I used to try and do my catch-up all in one shipment. I’ve come to realize that that’s not doing me much good, though, for as soon as I’m caught up I then need another break.
So instead, I now split the outstanding orders into two piles. The more difficult time-consuming orders in one pile, and the rest that can be done easily and be quickly knocked out in another. The more difficult pile, I work on over the span of a weekend, giving me plenty of time to get them all done and ready to ship out in my Tuesday shipments. The pile of easy ones, I prep for a Friday shipment because I usually only have Thursday (or sometimes just Thursday night) in which to get them done.
Although I hate that this means catching up takes more time, it significantly reduces my stress and energy expenditure.
Today’s King of Pentacles card combined with the affirmation. “Go easy on yourself. Life is not a speed run.” is a reminder that part of being responsible and taking care of those responsibilities, is a responsibility to take care of yourself. It’s okay to do things at your own pace. The world will fall in line behind you if your boundaries give them no other option.
The Slow Crawl
The rain
has gone
and the drops
of cold water
that
heart and soul
long for
are kept
selfishly
away as
blue skies reign
and
temperatures
rise
Surprises
Although they
look sweet
pretty berries
are blue
but not
blueberries
and those fooled
may grimace
with the first
pop of skin
as tart flavors
flood over
the tongue
and I laugh
Today is the new 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. Today’s spread is courtesy of @onyerbroom.
Where am I being called to shine?
Hyacinth – Although you might feel like you are constantly in a time of flux and chaos has a stranglehold on you, others find you to be a sense of stability and constancy in their lives. This new moon, dedicate yourself to trying to touch upon that stability yourself that you lend so effortlessly to others.
What strength is rising within me?
Crocus – Rising within you is a greater ease in finding enjoyment in play. Sometimes it’s extremely difficult for you to connect with your inner child and the playfulness that resides within that inner spirit. Those blockages are thin right now, and as a result you are being given the opportunity to allow this playfulness rise up and make life a bit more colorful and fun.
What wild desire needs space to grow?
Apple Blossom – Step out of your comfort zone and confront your fears. The only way to get past the blockages that are holding you back is to take them head on. Skirting around them will get you nowhere.
Observation: Although this deck is filled with cards from throughout the seasons of spring through autumn, all of the cards in this reading thus far have been spring flowers. This indicates something new awakening during this time and, with it, a great potential for growth.
New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.
Geranium – Remember that you aren’t on your won, and you do, in fact, have true friends you can trust that are willing and eager to come with you at your side through every step along your journey. Take care not to give the impression that you’ve forgotten about them or make them feel like they’ve been left behind.
Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Goat Figurine as Sympathetic Representation of Amalthea
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On One’s Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
Little Touches
With medication
taken
and water bottle
in hand
the bed
that’s not my bed
waits
for me to try
and find comfortable
as I find comfort
in your gifts
there
to remind me
of your love
Twisting the Leaf 