Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_0290Tenacity

When the wind blows
and the skies
are dark
or the sun shines
and blue
stretches wide
from horizon
to horizon
I will hold on
and cling tight
to you
because it is you
that makes
my soul sing
and the air taste
that much sweeter
on every inhale

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Good Enough

Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Cute Ninja Tarot - Knight of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Knight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of an active beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s finances, resources, manifestations, home, health, and the physical world. This often translates into an active pursuit of these particular themes, alibi… usually a slow moving pursuit, as the Pentacles suit as a whole has a tendency to take its time.

The knight here in this card’s imagery definitely doesn’t appear to be taking his time, but then again, how can you be sure when he’s running with such effort if he’s actually getting anywhere?  Is he the tortoise going as fast as he can to his own personal abilities?  Or the hare, who chooses to sprint ahead recklessly.

Being the Knight of Pentacles?  He’s the tortoise. He might feel like he’s behind in the race, but he’s doing the best he can and that’s good enough.

Where in your life are you doing the best that you can and putting yourself down for it not being enough?  How much better would life be if you viewed these efforts as  good enough, instead of not enough?  Maybe it’s time to give that a try.

DECK USED:  THE CUTE NINJA TAROT

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Wander Lust Challenge Prompt
Question for March 10th
: What can I do to cultivate a deeper appreciation for my current journey?

Kindred Lines OracleReading Summary: Don’t not allow moments of betrayal and deceit from others to create a feeling of uncertainty on your path (Moon atop Deceit). Only you know what works best for you (The Expert), so don’t give others the power to make you doubt yourself (Lost Identity).

Take Away: It can be hard not to take other’s harsh judgements and negativity to heart sometimes when it’s directed your way.  Just remember that they don’t know you as well as you know yourself, and there’s nothing they can judge you on.  You are your own worst critic, so if -you- aren’t seeing something wrong with what you’re doing?  Then there isn’t anything wrong with what you’re doing.

DECK USED: KINDRED LINES ENNEAGRAM REFLECTION DECK

@lucet.in.aurora.tarot’s #lucetinauroraMaartTarotChallenge Prompt
Prompt for March 10th: The second deck you choose.

Brian Froud's Faeries OracleI’m not sure if this prompt is asking for my second most favorite deck, or if it’s maybe the second deck you owned?  I’m not sure. 

This is the Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud.

When playing favorites, there are many decks that sit in “second place” to my top pick, and this is absolutely one of them.  It’s also the fourth non-lenormand/playingcard deck I ever owned. (Number one wad a debacle and I do not actually count, while number two and three I usually count together as I used them together and they hold equal standing in my heart… so in essence this would be number two instead of number four, in my mind.)

It felt perfect and -right- the moment that I opened it up and I have used this deck so much over the past 23 years that I’ve had to replace it numerous times due to wearing them out, damage to the cards, and in one strange instance… two cards ending up lost due to theft by crow while I was sitting right there at the time.

DECK USED: BRIAN FROUD’S FAERIES’ ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for March 10th
: International Day of Awesomeness – How can you focus more in the present?

The Cute Ninja Tarot - Seven of Wands, Seven of Swords, Wheel of FortuneReading Summary: Whether you fight for what you value (Seven of Wands) or you bail on what isn’t working and start over (Seven of Swords), it’s a crap shoot where you’ll end up (Wheel of Fortune).

Take Away: Focus on the present instead of betting everything on the uncertainty of the future . When you spend too much time looking ahead, you lose focus on what’s right before you.

You can’t know all that’s coming down the line, so stop trying and spend that time connecting with the moment and what’s going on around you instead.   There’s plenty to deal with right now without adding on the “what if’s” of the future.

DECK USED: THE CUTE NINJA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a much needed nap when I got home.  I also did a bit of a vent earlier in the day about something that happened, which helped a bit in letting go of some of the tension at the time.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_1623Soothing Symmetry

There is something
so soothing
about seeing
those rows
so neatly tied
and ready to go
awaiting the spring
and warmth
from the sun
to awaken within
what is in
hibernation
until flowers give way
to ripe
summer berries

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

The Benefits of Friendship

Daily Calm with the Calm appToday’s meditation was twelve minutes long, and was another of the Daily Calm sessions with the Calm app. The topic of the session was about discerning what is right for you, and how to let go of the things that aren’t.

I’ve never had too difficult of a time with knowing what’s right for me and what isn’t, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t struggled more than once to let go of those things that aren’t a good fit.

The problem for me isn’t in the identification, but in the feeling of expectation of what I think -should- be good for me vs what really is.  Well, and a dose of self-destructive tendencies added in.

Blooming Cat Tarot - Two of CupsToday’s draw is the Two of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of unions, duality, and partnerships in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, and creativity. This often comes across as harmonious attractions and themes of mutual attraction, although not always in a romantic manner.

What stands out to me in the imagery of today’s card is the symbolism above the two cats, which speaks to me of how those that are close at heart with you have an effect upon you.

Those closest to you that you connect with most deeply are connected to us on many levels. Their influence has an effect upon your health, your well being, and your peace of mind.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder to acknowledge the good that your loved ones create in your life.  Even if we don’t get along with them -all- the time?  That good influence remains.Don’t close yourself off to these influences and cherish those that are good for you.

@lucet.in.aurora.tarot’s #lucetinauroraMaartTarotChallenge Prompt
Prompt for March 9th: Two of Cups and a drink.

DECK USED:  BLOOMING CAT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for March 9th
: Get Over It Day – What trauma from your past is ready to be healed and released?

Blooming Cat OracleReading Summary: It’s time to turn over a new leaf (Learn) and begin allowing others in instead of holding them at a distance (Connect). In doing so you can change your life for the better, as you have already begun to see (Rotation).

Take Away: You have spent the lion share of your life holding yourself apart from others. Just recently you have begun letting them in more, allowing them to have more of a connection with you and spend more time with you. In doing so, you have begun to realize the benefits of these connections more and more, and enjoy their company more as well.

Those that hurt you are long gone and others have come to take their place that love you and cherish you.  Embrace the change-out of those left behind for those that you connect with so closely.

DECK USED:  BLOOMING CAT ORACLE

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Wander Lust Challenge Prompt
Question for March 9th
: How can the Universe help me manifest what I want to attract?

Blooming Cat Tarot - The Tower, Three of Swords, Ace of CupsReading Summary: Tower moments (The Tower) and disappointments (Three of Swords) are the universe’s way of telling you that something needs to change in order for better things to come (Ace of Cups).

Take Away: Shit happens.  Sometimes unexpectedly and with a great deal of pain and disappointment.  It can be extremely difficult to swallow these bitter pills and take it on the chin when things begin to fall apart.

The universe gives you these moments, though, in order to clear out what is in the way of something even better coming along that has the potential to make you even happier than before.

DECK USED:  BLOOMING CAT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I really wanted to have some time with Gideon tonight, but orders night was too busy to make it happen.  I did manage to get a 20 minute nap tho.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_9456Transitions

Cotton candy
clouds
float by
overhead
painted
in pink hues
and as they
drift by
the breeze
ripples over water
to smudge
reflections
like the blurring
of the energy
within me

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Still More to See

Daily Calm with the Calm appToday’s meditation was ten minutes long, and one of the Daily Calm sessions with the Calm app. I kind of spaced out in the process of this one.

At first it had the focus on the breath, and then after a moment there was the explanation and guidance towards the topic of the meditation… but I was some at peace with my breath work that I forgot to listen.

In fact, even after the session was over, I lingered for a bit longer.

Vice Versa Tarot - Page of CupsToday’s draw is the Page of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition. This often translates into themes that have to do with the resurfacing of old relationships, delving in to explore new creative endeavors, and the growth of one’s emotional intelligence.

The imagery in this card makes me think of secrets and the things we don’t know.  This fits with the Page, as there are many things that the Page has yet to learn.

The message in today’s card is a reminder that no matter how much we reveal about ourselves and our emotions, there’s still more to discover and learn.  Stay open to new lessons and new discoveries.

DECK USED:  VICE VERSA TAROT

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Wander Lust Challenge Prompt
Question for March 8th
: What inner strength can I draw on to empower myself?

Forest Folklore Tarot - Six of Wands, Ace of Rings, Ace of Pentacles, Four of WandsReading Summary: Your independence allows you to not worry so much about what others think (Six of Wands Rx) when opportunities knock (Ace of Rings), instead you look at what works best for you and furthers your core goals of stability and comfort (Four of Wands).

Take Away: Your independence is one of your greatest strengths.  This does not mean that you do everything yourself or have to stand alone, but rather that you know what you like and are not vulnerable to peer pressures.

This strength allows you to stay true to your own goals and desires when new opportunities arise instead of becoming distracted by what others want or think you should do.

DECK USED: FOREST FOLKLORE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2023 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for March 8th
: Is love an inherent emotion, or is it learned behavior?

Vice Versa Tarot - Hanged Man, Nine of Swords, Three of CupsReading Summary: Everyone sees love differently (The Hanged Man). It can be a bane that hangs around the neck and makes us miserable (Nine of Swords), or an elixir of life we are forever grateful for (Three of Cups).

Take Away: These cards indicate that love as itself is absolutely inherent and something that we all have within us and the ability to experience.

That doesn’t mean we all react to it or experience it in the same way, though, nor view it in the same light. For some it’s a blessing, for others a curse.  It all depends on  your perspective, and the experiences that you have along the way.

DECK USED: VICE VERSA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a really long nap today.  I’ve been feeling a little prickly like I’m coming down with something, but the napping seems to help.  Ibuprofen as well.