The Shaded Bits
Secrets lie
buried
in dark petals
and hidden
niches
and as we
turn our faces
up to the sun
only the pieces
still
in shadow
show the truth
of who we
really are
Author: Twist the Leaf
Greener Grass Ahead… Maybe
Today’s meditation was skipped (again).
Today’s draw is the Eight of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of leaving behind what is not working in order to head towards something that will work better. This card includes themes that involve frustration, abandonment, disappointment, and withdrawal.
You know that saying about the grass always being greener on the other side of the fence? Here it is with a Halloween twist. The superhero looks back at all the little pumpkins and the one on the hill seems bigger than life and so much better! Yet I bet once he climbs that hill he’s going to find it’s the same size as the others… it just looked bigger beforehand.
Today’s card asks us to examine where are we over-glorifying something either unattainable, or that will cost us much to obtain? Is it really as good as we’re playing it up to be? Is it worth the sacrifices we’ll have to make in order to seize it for ourselves? Or are we building it up into something it’s not, chasing a mirage instead of reality?
DECK USED: TRICK OR TREAT TAROT
HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 26th and 27th
Where am I not taking responsibility for my actions?
Betrayal and Contemplation – When you feel betrayed by others, you have a tendency to get stuck in that feeling instead of seeking out where and how you might have contributed to what happened. This isn’t the same as blaming yourself, but rather, it is a need to seek where you could do better moving forward.
How can I begin to hold myself accountable?
Patience and The Call – Take time to really think things over and discuss them with others in order to obtain a wider perspective of the situation.
DECK USED: SPOOKY SEASON ORACLE
Mr Lionhart’s Seasons of the Witch Challenge Prompt
Question for October 27th: The Wicked – They took their brooms to seek the night, what wisdom can witches of the old provide?
Reading Summary: You only get one chance to live life to the fullest (Ten of Pentacles), don’t waste it by allowing stagnancy to take root (Four of Pentacles), being over critical with yourself and others (King of Swords), or by pushing so hard in your ambition that you are left all alone (imagery in the King of Swords).
Take Away: This is a reminder of some of the habits you have picked up that hold you back from truly enjoying life. It speaks of a need for balance between your ambition and the stability and peaceful stillness that you crave, as well as staying mindful of that inner critic that loves so much to tear you down and cause disruptions in your life.
DECK USED: TRICK OR TREAT TAROT
This is another catch-up post, and I don’t recall what I might have done for self-kindness on this day.
Gideon’s Challenge
The Longing
I long for time
with you
where bristled jaw
grazes
smooth flesh
and creates
burns of pink
on creamed coffee
with each nuzzle
and scrape
until I am left
breathless
and aching
for more
Touch me
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Solar Eclipse Tarot Reading
What is blocked and in the dark.
Snow Angel – You are missing the obvious. Make sure that you are tuning in to your intuition and what your spirit guides have to say instead of trying to tune out. Yes, this time of year can be overwhelming, but it’s important to continue to listen.
Death and the Maiden – You will be given the opportunity to see where you are being deceived and used by others. Pay attention to those around you and you’ll be able to see them coming instead of allowing them to sneak up on you and take you by surprise.
What I must do to achieve that future.
Faceless Ghosts and the Haunted Girl – Again.. listen to your guides. Don’t block them out or ignore them. Yes, this time of year can be overwhelming, but it’s important to continue to listen.
The biggest influence the Eclipse will have on the spirit.
Angel of Time – The eclipse will offer you a shift into a time of energy. Make sure you are not using this energy to overwhelm yourself with too many tasks and responsibilities. Instead, spread it out and use it wisely.
The best way to prepare the spirit for change.
Ghosts of the Pumpkin Patch – Practice gratitude for all you’ve done, accomplished, and have in your life. This effort to appreciate these things can help you through darker moments.
DECK USED: ORACLE OF SHADOWS & LIGHT
Valuable Lessons
Today’s meditation was skipped.
Today’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, or intuition. This often translates into themes that have to do with emotional growth, second chances relationships, or exploring one’s creative pursuits.
The figure in this card holds a flower and looks back in the direction of the past. She offers this flower to the past and appears just about to turn in that direction, and yet both of her legs still face towards he future.
This card begs the question… what lessons from your past need revisiting? Take time to reflect today on what has been left behind as insignificant, but you now realize was a lesson of great value.
DECK USED: UNCAGED TAROT
HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Question for October 25th: What behaviors do I judge myself for the most?
Behavior – Self Worth – Self doubt and a sense of unworthiness are a predominant part of how you view and treat yourself. You use these doubts and lack of self worth not just to keep pride in check, but take it too far and use it to hold yourself down and punish yourself as well.
How to ease up on myself in this area?
Nine of Pentacles – Look at all you have accomplished and how far you have come. You’ve done so much, and accomplished a great deal. Don’t forsake these things, but instead celebrate them.
Behavior – Perseverance – You push yourself too hard. You are a slave driver when it comes to your work, always pushing for more, and setting your expectations for yourself too high. You use this form of self abuse to motivate yourself, but it is as equally harmful as it is effective.
How to ease up on myself in this area?
The Empress – Consider… would you treat others this way? You are nurturing and kind, if sometimes stern, with others around you, but you never abuse them. Why would you treat yourself worse than you would a stranger? Work on being more supportive and nurturing towards yourself instead of always demanding more than you can give.
Behavior – Retreat – Berating yourself for the need to rest and recuperate. The guilt you put on yourself for “wasting time” takes away from how rested and refreshed you could be when emerging from your moments of rest.
How to ease up on myself in this area?
The Devil – This is an unhealthy habit that you have let go unchecked for so long it’s developed a mind of its own. To ease up in this area requires catching yourself in the act and redirecting to a healthier alternative.
DECK USED: THE ORACLE HALLOWEEN AND SCARY STORIES TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Do ghosts exist?
Reading Summary: This is entirely up to the individual and what they wish to do after death (King of Wands). Some move on, satisfied with all that they have accomplished and built (Nine of Pentacles), while other stay due to their connections with those they once knew (Three of Pentacles).
Take Away: It appears that the answer is a resounding “yes”, but that not everyone becomes a ghost. These cards indicate that whether one becomes a ghost or not depends heavily on whether or not they feel they have unfinished business yet to tend to.
DECK USED: UNCAGED TAROT
This is a catch-up post, and I do not remember what my self-kindness might have been for the day.
Gideon’s Challenge
Webbed Feet
I love the cold
and wet and gray
and when the fog
rolls in
to swallow the world
I ache
to sit on the shore
and watch
all that I cannot see
and feel
the kiss of autumn
brush against
my face
and say
Hello
