Waiting for Snow
As cold creeps
across the land
and slips among
the trees
I wait
with bated breath
for the first
fall of flakes
to coat the world
in a moment
of pristine white
and allow us all
to see
winter’s beauty
on display
Author: Twist the Leaf
Haunted Times Cartomancy Reading
The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows: “Alright! It’s Halloween/Samhain, so let’s do some divination about what’s “haunting” us in our lives.”
What’s sitting over my shoulders and/or clinging to me?
Nine of Hearts, King of Spades atop Five of Hearts – Your inner narrative is a demanding taskmaster with harsh judgements and a sharp tongue. It is putting in overtime trying to crush happiness under its boots and leave you aching and in need of retreat.
Is this something that will always be with me, or that I should try to work into my life?
Four of Hearts, Queen of Clubs atop Jack of Clubs – Although that inner narrative may be permanent, the amount of influence it has over your emotions is temporary. Make sure that you are leaning into your passions, and dipping into creative endeavors and those things that motivate you, to help provide you with extra strength to resist that negative inner narrative when it rises up.
Or… is it something I need to banish and/or does not serve me to keep?
Eight of Diamonds and Nine of Clubs – Only hard work and good boundaries can keep the influences of that negative inner narrative at bay. It cannot be banished entirely, but it can be controlled and mitigated if you’re willing to put in the effort.
What is the best way to handle it at this time?
Three of Hearts atop Three of Spades, Jack of Hearts – Lean into others in your life to help lift you up when you start to feel the darkness creeping in. They have the ability to teach you how to lean into the positive and seek out optimism for an emotional lift during these times. Something you’ve yet to master on your own quite yet.
DECK USED: ONCE UPON A TIME PLAYING CARDS
Don’t Look Back
Today’s meditation was skipped.
Today’s draw is the Death card, which is traditionally a representation of organic change, slow moving transition, and occasionally, death… although not always death of a person or animal.
What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card us that the figure faces into the past. It speaks to me of the need to leave the chaos of change behind you once the transition has completed.
Today’s card is a reminder not to keep looking back, but instead set the past behind you along with the discomfort of the transition period, and move forward with openness to embrace the new.
DECK USED: EARTH TAROT OVERGROW EDITION
#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 3rd and 4th
What do you want from your inner circle?
Three of Pentacles – Help, even when I’m horrible about asking for it. I want to know that they are there for me when I need them, and that I am able to depend on them for assistance… even during times when I might not be all that graceful in asking for it.
The Emperor (on its side) – Tolerance for when I’m a bossy ass. I’m stubborn and often lean hard into taking control of situations in order to assure a positive outcome. I need tolerance from my inner circle during these times, as I know that I am often aggravating when this tendency rises to the fore.
What do you hope for?
King of Swords atop Queen of Cups – I hope to instill more emotion into my life without it making me feel “weak”.
DECK USED: EFFLORESCENT TAROT COLOR EDITION
@The.Journey.Well ‘s Friendship & Community Challenge Prompt
Question for November 4th: Advice I need to hear at this time concerning my friendships.
Reading Summary: Those friends that are consistently with you through thick and thin (Strength), and supportive of your efforts to improve yourself and your self-treatment (Queen of Cups) are the friendships to focus on. Don’t give attention to the takers and those always demanding more from you (The Unattainable), as they will never be what you need and will just suck you dry.
Take Away: Don’t take those that are true friends through thick and thin for granted. New and shiny “friends” can’t take the place of those that are tried and true. Sometimes we forget this and take them for granted as a result. Awareness of this tendency can help in making sure that your friends don’t -feel- as if they are being taken for granted, even if you don’t always act as grateful as you could.
DECK USED: EARTH TAROT OVERGROW EDITION
I had the most miraculously good sleep on my new bed last night, then I spent a little extra time wallowing in it when I got home from work.
Gideon’s Challenge
The Spring
Remember
the other side
to winter
when
the blossoms
are bright
and the
sweet new buds
of green
dot along
nature’s edges
as the sun breathes
life and warmth
back into
the cold places
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Rejecting the Well Tread Path
Today’s meditation was skipped.
Today’s draw is the Devil card, which is traditionally a representation of temptation, harmful excesses, addiction, and self-harm.
The imagery here in this card speaks to me personally, and to my personal situation at this time in my life. I crave more time outside in the woods among the trees. I crave elevation and the embrace of the autumn forest with its dripping moss and raindrops and the scent of decaying detritus. And yet? I am trapped inside due to an injured ankle.
I could go. I really could. But it would not be healthy, or smart, of me to do so… and would in the end cause more harm than good. And so… I resist as I sit with longing and wish I was healthy, hearty, and hale… and able to visit the forests I crave and that are usually so healthy for me to visit.
The message in today’s card is about what is healthy for you, and what isn’t. What temptations, even familiar ones that may often be the best thing for you, are you tempted to participate in even though at this time they are not healthy for you at all? This card encourages us to catch ourselves before we set down these harmful paths.
DECK USED: THE DARK EXACT TAROT AETHERIC EDITION
#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 3rd
Wish for the Future – Place and Teacher – More time for… and a dedicated safe place where you can teach what you know to others. When you have the time, you’re without a place… when you have the place, you always seem to have no time.
Next Step in Getting There – Music and Play – It’s okay to be spontaneous. Not everything needs to be planned out in advance and on a schedule. Remember that when you add fun and play into the mix, everything holds more value.
The Home of My Hope – Place and House – Your hope resides wherever you are. It travels with you when you travel, and settles with you at home when you are there.
DECK USED: A KINDLY WORLD GAME CARDS
Mr Lionhart’s The Suits: Revisited #TheNovemberTarot Prompt
Questions for November 3rd and 4th
Major Arcana – What can help me make the most of this week?
Wheel of Fortune and Four of Swords – Get all the rest that you can while you can. This is the last week before the holiday rush begins. Take advantage of the time off this week to rest up.
Suit of Wands – What am I invited to create for myself (or for those around me)?
Ace of Wands and Three of Cups – Give yourself and others permission to cut loose and have some fun this week. It will rekindle the creative spark needed for what lies ahead.
DECK USED: THE DARK EXACT TAROT AETHERIC EDITION
I got help from J in putting the new bed together today. It still took over eight hours to complete… but it’s done now and so comfortable. No more elbows or knees slamming into me in the night, and plenty of room for Miss Luna as well.
Gideon’s Challenge
A Friendly Stalker
I wander
through the woods
and the towering
trees
peer down at me
with falling leaves
that litter my hair
and as I move
from tree to tree
upon the trail
there is a
not so silent
stalker
that follows along
from
branch to branch
Twisting the Leaf 