Finding the Positive for June 23 – 25

The Venus Morningstar Tarot's King of Pentacles, Asceticism Tarot's Page of Cups, American Renaissance Tarot's Six of Wands

June 23 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was a ten minute #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.

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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.

The card has then been combined with an affirmation card from the Pass Around the Smile Positive Guidance Oracle Cards, which says, “Balance: Take a closer look at where your energy is going. Prioritize and balance what is important to you.”

Where does stability actually matter, and where is it simply indulgence hiding behind a mask of stability and comfort?

I have found that I like to languish. That is to say I like to “bedrot” or just sit around fucking around on my phone and letting the time slip by as I do so. I feel like at one point this was actually considered just “relaxing with a book”, except that these days I don’t think the content we consume on our phones or the games we play on there really count as enriching in the same way a book would.

Instead, this languishing really holds no enrichment value and is simply a wasting of time. Time that could be used to relax in ways that are enriching such as going outside to take a walk, reading a book, etc.

The message in today’s King of Pentacles and affirmation card is a reminder that sometimes what’s comfortable isn’t as stabilizing as we want it to be. Are our go to methods of relaxation really relaxing us and allowing us time to rest and recover? Or are they simply causing us to hover in a moment of suspension?

These cards encourage us to examine more closely our indulgences and prioritize those of quality over those that aren’t. Consider which ones foster healthy stability in our lives, and which ones are simply wasting our time and energy without giving us anything we need in return, then lean into the former and do less of the latter.

DECKS USED: THE VENUS MORNINGSTAR TAROT AND PASS AROUND THE SMILE POSITIVE GUIDANCE ORACLE CARDS

June 24 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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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 Cups, which is a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, or intuition. This often translates into themes that have to do with emotional growth, second chances relationships, or exploring one’s creative pursuits.

The card has then been combined with an affirmation card from the deck, which says, “To receive what I want, I must not push against (the) unwanted. This is an expanding Universe, and all things must be allowed. In other words, for you to understand and experience what you desire, you must understand that which you do not desire, for in order to be able to choose and focus, both must be present and understood.”

The affirmation pulled for today bugs me. I both agree with the concept and disagree with the sentiment expressed within today’s affirmation card.

Yes, experiencing both sides of an experience, not just the good but also the bad, can absolutely create a greater depth of understanding. This is undeniably true. One can never truly understand the depths of clinical depression, for example, without having experienced it and come out the other side, or the torments of an abusive relationship without having been on one, etc.

At the same time? This affirmation seems to be saying you shouldn’t try to avoid these experiences, but lay down and let them happen instead of doing what you can to avoid or escape them. That is the sentiment I disagree with.

So, how does the Page of Cups factor into all of this?

It’s all about learning how to see others with empathy and kindness, and accepting that we can’t know how others feel, no matter how much we might intellectually understand the issue. Not everyone needs to experience every bad thing to give others the space and validation for what they’ve gone through. All it takes is a little kindness.

The message in today’s Page of Cups and affirmation card is a reminder that we can’t know what others have gone through or are going through. We can’t feel what they feel and know what they’ve endured. We can only approach them with the same kindness that we hope they would approach us with, and with the understanding that each of us has our own trials and tribulations, struggles and past with which to learn and heal from.

DECKS USED: ASCETICISM TAROT AND ASK AND IT IS GIVEN CARDS

June 25 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was a ten minute #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.

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

Today’s draw is the Six of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of public accolades, societal expectations, people pleasing, and peer pressure.

The Six of Wands has then been combined with a Denis Whitley quote from the Gratitude Insight Affirmation Cards, which says, “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, worn, or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.”

Just as happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, worn, or consumed… it also cannot be purchased. Not with money, nor through acts of people pleasing. Allowing others’ praise and admiration to be the foundation of your self worth means that you are depending on others to supply you with the pieces of happiness that should already be yours.

The message in today’s Six of Wands and affirmation is a reminder that joy and happiness are our right. They aren’t something others can own and dole out to us, nor something we can “purchase” from others through people pleasing. Happiness is in validating ourselves, celebrating ourselves and our accomplishments, and taking joy in the present and those things we enjoy. It has nothing to do with who does or doesn’t approve. Only your own approval truly matters in this regard.

DECKS USED: AMERICAN RENAISSANCE TAROT AND GRATITUDE INSIGHT AFFIRMATION CARDS

Gideon’s Challenge – The Green

Mossy Sign

The Green

The first place
to be
reclaimed
by nature
will be
where the
rain falls
often
and humidity
is high
for the green
will creep in
quickly
to take back
all that we
have stolen

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge – Satisfied

Greenhouse

Satisfied

Warmth
kisses the skin
dewy
and damp
as green things
grow
eagerly
and everything
has
its place
so that
the whole world
feels put
into order

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge – Cold

Choppy Water

Cold

When I
look at you
with eyes
no longer
a warm brown
but dark
like the
midnight sky
do you see
the heat
of anger
in their depths
or the cold
of a sea
where
icebergs
are born

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Just As Deserving

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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

Quill & Ink Tarot - Four of Swords

Today’s draw is the Four of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of taking time to rest, recuperation after a trying time, and stillness for restoration and meditation on the events that have brought you to this place as well as where to go from here.

The card has then been combined with an affirmation from The Az Oracle, which says, “When I look at you like this and you say ‘awwww.!‘… that is the sound of your heart flying open in a fraction of a second, that’s all the time it takes. THAT is the POWER of LOVE. The most powerful force on earth. How then, could anyone doubt love’s ability to change every. single. thing. (just as quickly)”

Giving yourself love is just as important as the love we give to others. When we fall in love with a puppy, when our heart expands at the sight of a squirrel… don’t forget that this love is something that shouldn’t just be directed towards others (or other things), but also towards the self.

One of the ways that we expressed love for ourselves is in allowing ourselves the rest and recovery we need. One of my greatest self-punishments lies in refusing to allow myself to rest and recover. Instead, always push-push-pushing forward and demanding more from myself.

Over time, I have learned to ease up a bit in this area. I don’t push myself through cycle after cycle of overwhelmed burnout, one after another. Instead, I try to give myself the space and grace to take things at an easier pace.

That said, I have not yet managed how to overcome my need to punish myself with sneakily passive aggressive acts of self abuse. I’m working on it though, and if this is an issue that you have as well, I hope you’re working on it too.

The message in today’s Four of Swords and affirmation is a reminder that rest, recuperation, and times of recovery are a kindness given to oneself that we all deserve. After all, how did we get overwhelmed in the first place if not by pushing too hard? Give yourself the same love that sparks to life within your interactions with the world around you, for you are just as deserving of it as that cute little puppy, squirrel, or other people in your life.

DECKS USED:  QUILL & INK TAROT AND THE AZ ORACLE

@de_tarotjuf’s De Zomer In! #detarotjufjunitarotchallenge
Prompts for June 20th through 22nd

Tarot Reading with the WilderWoven Tarot and Sacred Trees Oracle

Which relationship calls for more openness and fresh air?

Queen of Wands and Gog & Magog

Share with a greater sense of openness, honesty, and clarity how you feel and what inspires you with those that offer a give-and-take with you. It’s only those within balance with yourself that deserve this greater connection to your vulnerabilities, as well as your passions.

The joy I may simply allow myself to feel today

The Moon and The Tree of Strength

Appreciate your hidden strengths without the need to act or force that strength upon yourself or others today. Allow this inner strength to not just become an awareness within you, but suffuse you so that you know that even during moments when you are feeling uncertain you will still find the strength to stand strong and steady.

This challenge calls for transformation

Seven of Cups and The Twisted Oak (Snoegen)

When given options, it’s always important to prioritize those things that you actually want to have priority. If you have the option between languishing at home or getting out in nature, and you want nature to be a priority, then you need to make sure that that’s what you’re choosing when the opportunity presents itself. Don’t just think about it… stand up and actually choose it whenever the opportunity arises.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: WILDERWOVEN TAROT AND SACRED TREES ORACLE

The @lightningwildflower June Inner Journey Challenge
Reflect Prompt for June 22nd
: What brings me comfort and helps me feel safe?

Tarot Reading with the Quill & Ink Tarot

Reading Summary: The understanding that my feelings of scarcity (Five of Pentacles) are a choice of perspective and not actual reality (Two of Swords Rx), and that if it truly becomes a reality, I am more than capable of doing something about it (Knight of Wands).

Take Away: It used to be (once upon a time) that those feelings of scarcity -were- a reality. I know what it is to be without food or safety, to have no roof over my head, and to feel as if even if help was available that I was undeserving of it.

When I feel scarcity these days and panic comes roaring up to greet it, it’s an echo of those past experiences more so than the reality I am currently in. It’s fear of returning to those times when scarcity was real.

I know, too, that should scarcity come calling, I would find my way out of it just as I did in my past.

These things bring me comfort and help me to keep a grip on reality so that my anxiety doesn’t tumble out of control when money gets tight or struggles rear up in my path.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flower for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Carnelian Agate for Focusing On One’s Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: QUILL & INK TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I proposed a new idea to Gid today that I was a bit hesitant to bring up for us to explore in play.

Gideon’s Challenge – The Awwww

Sleepy Kitty

The Awwww

What is it
in our
nature
that makes
cuteness
something
we need
to touch
to truly enjoy
when really
all she wants
is your
admiring
gaze

Photo © ZenStatePhotography