Author: Twist the Leaf

Grace and Patience

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Untamed Mystery Tarot Noir EditionToday’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of moderation, balance, and patience.

A bleeding rose and an hourglass of skulls stands out in this card, as does the fact that everything in the card (including the crane) is tied together by ribbons of energy that flow throughout the card’s imagery.

There is a certain beauty and grace that comes with moderation. A serenity that I struggle to understand and instill in my life.  And yet, when moderation is not given its due, and we are impatient or over eager, there is a tipping point where things become harmful to us.  A point where the death of moderation breeds damage to our well-being.

Today’s card speaks of the need to look at those places where we struggle with moderation and balance, and acknowledge the damage that allowing ourselves to get “out of hand” can cause.  How can we do better?  What mindfulness tactics are needed to keep things gracefully balanced and flowing smoothly?

DECK USED:  UNTAMED MYSTERY TAROT NOIR EDITION

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Question for October 20th: What self-destructive behaviors do I exhibit?

The Lantern Guide Deck and Trauma OracleBehavior – Emotional Abuse – That inner narrative you have going on is vicious and cruel, and is focused on tearing you down one brick at a time.

How can I help myself turn this around?

Two of Birds (Wands) – Have a plan and stick to it. You know how to shut up that voice and steal its power, so make sure you do these things and have what you need in place to foster healthier practices.

Behavior – Ignored – You neglect yourself, your needs, and your self-care. Everyone needs nurturing and care. You are no exception. By ignoring issues that need tending, you neglect and ignore things you need to tend to in order to stay healthy and well.

How can I help myself turn this around?

The Hanged Man – Take a new perspective with the things you are tempted to ignore. See them as the small things they are rather than the huge things your feelings try to say that they are, for when you ignore them they only grow and fester larger and larger until the become as massive as you thought they were all along.

Behavior – Disesteem – Putting yourself down is something carried over from your past. You took to the task when they were no longer able to do so.

How can I help myself turn this around?

Eight of Lanterns (Cups) – Do not allow your negative inner narrative to take control or have a voice. Instead, turn away from it toward the warmth and understanding that work better for your well-being.

DECK USED: THE TRAUMA ORACLE AND THE LANTERN GUIDE DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for August 20th: Windowsill Candle – Where do you need to lean into the light (positivity/optimism)?

The Untamed Mystery Tarot Noir EditionReading Summary: You have a tendency to fall back into doomsday thinking (The Devil) when confronted with the fickle turns of fate (Wheel of Fortune) instead of leaning into the new path with your emotions that you’ve been walking upon the past few years (Page of Cups).

Take Away: Sometimes, it’s still difficult for you to pull away from the pessimism and see a more positive perspective.  Remember that this is a journey of exploration. Experiment with positivity and optimism to better explore its potential during these times when uncertainty and negativity feels like it’s getting the upper hand.

DECK USED: UNTAMED MYSTERY TAROT NOIR EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

This is another catch-up post, and I didn’t write down my self-kindness at the time, nor can I remember what it might have been.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_6397Before Bed

Lying still
and quiet
beneath you
as you
mantle large
above,
and hands
will reach up
to skim on skin
with a light touch
as I curl
into that space
where I feel
safe

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Clearing Your Space Tarot Reading

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Clearing Your Space Reading with the Embroidered Graveyard Oracle

What do I need to know before using this space?

Reign Breaker – There is a need to seize control of this space, to flow your energy through it and allow it to see your strength.  Use this strength to protect what is important to you without restraint, for there is no need to be shy here.  Be bold. Be impetuous.  Demand what you want rather than allowing the energies here to dictate how it is used.

Vibration of the energy that is leaving this space.

Our Song – The echoes of those that have lived and died on this land seek to depart as new life arrives.  They do not wish to leave in vain, though, but wish you to hear what they have to say before they move on.

Type of energy I should channel to clear.

Celebrate Uniqueness – Every home is unique, as they are a place where one’s self expression finds a voice, and we find comfort in surrounding ourselves in those things we love and enjoy.  In clearing this space of those energies of the past, use this individuality to create something new and uniquely yours.

The new vibration that is entering this space.

Mother – This is what you are… and it is why you are here.  To be close to those you love and connect with those that call you “mother”.  You nurture and seek to slide into this role more fully and with greater purpose at this time in your life, and in everything you do, your mindset and energy fills this “mother” role.

Energy I should bring into this space once its been cleared.

Absolute Protection – Change the locks and put poles in the window channels. Put up wards and protections to help keep you and your home safe. Seek out those things that don’t just make you feel safe, but actually provide an extra level of safety and protection.  Fire extinguishers.  Fire alarms. A security system and a doorbell with a camera.  Not everything is magical in nature, as practical matters are also paramount for well rounded protection.

DECK USED: EMBROIDERED GRAVEYARD ORACLE

Standing Up and Standing Out

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Hocus Pocus Tarot - Six of Candles - Six of WandsToday’s draw is the Six of Candles (Wands), which is traditionally a representation of public accolades, people pleasing, putting others opinions of you as a priority, prestige, or peer pressure.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of today’s card is the crooked candle in the center.  All the other candles stand upright, all undisturbed and uniform, but there is one that does not.  One that marches to its own drummer. One that does not conform with the rest. And yet? Its flame still burns brightly, and that angle looks almost jaunty as the flame dances.

The message in today’s card is an encouragement to look at those places in our lives where we conform to the standards and demands of others instead of letting our uniqueness shine, and to examine why, as well as where we might let our unique selves shine more brightly going forward.

DECK USED:  HOCUS POCUS TAROT

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 18th and 19th

Return to Cat Land OracleHow am I playing small in my life due to fear?

Times of uncertainty when your mind is scattered and you’re struggling with clarity (Fog) hold you back from accomplishing the personal growth and financial stability you desire (Luxury atop Growth).

More accidents and mistakes happen in these times when clarity is illusion e. Often, instead of moving forward during these times, you freeze. This moment of stagnancy then becomes a setback.

How is my shadow impeding my current goals?

Instead of viewing times if irritation (Bugged) as a phase in life that will pass and allowing patience to win out (Phases), you often react based on your emotions in the moment (Cat’s expression in the Bugged card).

DECK USED: RETURN TO CAT LAND ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Is there an afterlife?

Hocus Pocus TarotReading Summary: There are those that stay and refuse to budge (Four of Pumpkins), and those that slip out of life into the beyond filled with the urge to learn and explore the unknown (The High Priestess). Some move on and become something else… something new (Death), while others choose to stay and do their own thing on their own (The Hermit).

Take Away: These cards indicate that there is not just one afterlife, or one answer to this question.  There is no indication here of death “snuffing one out” and there being nothing beyond death… but the cards show here that what lies beyond the crossing point of death is different for everyone.

DECK USED: HOCUS POCUS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch-up post and I’m not entirely sure what my self-kindness might have been for today.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_5001Life Goes On

Even when
summer heat
stretches past
mid October
and no rain
comes
and the trees
are too confused
to change
their colors
even still
life
goes on

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

The Sharp Teeth

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Trionfi Della Luna Illustrated Pips EditionToday’s draw is the Judgment card, which is traditionally a representation of judgements, one’s inner calling and chosen life path, and looking back on one’s life to consider how they feel about the path they’ve taken and who they have become.

The imagery in this card makes me think of purgatory. Or, well, my idea of what purgatory is anyway, which is to say a moment (or eternity) of torment as you look over all those things you have done in life and find the results… lacking, or lackluster, or even something we feel that we are deserving of punishment for.

This card, instead of encouraging looking at these things and punishing ourselves for them, instead asks us where are we being too harsh with ourselves? Where are we judging ourselves with sharp teeth and harsh flames, instead of with understanding and care?

DECK USED:  TRIONFI DELLA LUNA ILLUSTRATED PIPS EDITION

Mr Lionhart’s Seasons of the Witch Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 18th thru 20th – The Deities

Light in the Darkness Oracle and Tarot of FearGoddess Circe of sorcery, what transformation would you suggest for me?

Knight of Swords and The Guide Home – Seize upon a direction before you leap. This time of year often involves a lot of anxiety for you. You can circumvent some of that anxiety by taking action and having a plan and direction in place, instead of being impulsive but directionless.

Goddess Hekate, your voice is heard, what in death be given birth?

The Magician and Your Light – You are entering into a time of darkness where the necessity to keep your head down and focus on your goals is key. Keep in mind that you also need to allow yourself a moment to breathe by looking up now and then to make eye contact with the world around you.

Goddess Lilith of liberty, show me where I should be free?

Strength and Sunrise – Your strengths rise to the surface when you give yourself the rest you need to come back renewed and refreshed.

DECK USED: TAROT OF FEAR AND LIGHT IN DARK PLACES ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 18th: Gravestone – What part of yourself that needs to be revisited?

Trionfi Della Luna Illustrated Pips EditionReading Summary: Allowing apathy to take hold (Four of Cups) is the road to disaster (The Tower). Make sure you are keeping your eyes open and staying aware of what’s going on around you (Death’s Sword through the Eye) to preserve your hard earned stability (Four of Coins).

Take Away: When you ignore the world around you and retreat into yourself, you open up a chance for depression to slip in and begin eating away at your insides. You have the ability to slip into depression without any encouragement at all, so don’t give yourself the opportunity to lose yourself in it prematurely or encourage it when you can avoid it creeping in.

DECK USED: TRIONFI DELLA LUNA ILLUSTRATED PIPS EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I used the motorized scooter thing at Walmart today instead of insisting on walking.