Autumn Sands
Misty mornings
filled with fog
and low clouds
that blend
together
as they slip
through the trees
muffling the world
while filtering
among leaves
and branches
like sand sliding
through fingers.
Author: Twist the Leaf
Accolades To The Self
Today’s meditation was just under ten minutes long and was a guided meditation with interval timer to allow for my piriformis stretches.
The topic of today’s meditation was about checking our expectations in order to assure you do not create repeated situations of disappointment. This is something that I have been doing my entire life and, I suspect, is something that the majority of pessimists do regularly.
Interestingly enough… even with this precaution in place? There is one place where I am continually finding myself disappointed and caught in expectations that… I didn’t really think were unrealistic and yet have been proven to be again and again. That area would be… people.
I am taken by surprise and disappointed in this area so many times when it comes to people and their common sense, their intelligence, their respect of others or the earth, their ability to empathize, their lack of awareness… The list goes on. People… somehow even my low expectations are often just too lofty. As I’ve aged, the bar has dropped more and more, and yet is never low enough it seems.
Today’s draw is the Nine of Pentacles, which is traditionally an indication of taking stock and enjoying the fruits of your labors. It is about appreciation and accomplishment, and the pride of a job well done.
What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today is the boy’s fist in the air. It creates a sense of celebration in this card, indicating that his accomplishments are something that he is elated about.
I also note that, unlike in many Nine of Pentacles cards, he is not alone. He is accompanied by a lamb that appears to gaze up at him in admiration, perhaps helping to reinforce for him his sense of accomplishment.
The message here in today’s card is about appreciating your own accomplishments, and doing so regardless of who looks on or what their opinions may be on the matter. If you can’t take pride in your own work and triumphs, no amount of praise or adoration is going to get you there.
DECK USED: TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE
LionHart’s As Above So Below Challenge Prompt
Mercury Question: What can I learn from my Mercury Zodiac placement?
Reading Summary: To not tolerate (Six of Swords) what doesn’t work for me (The Sun Rx), when there is so much out there that could suit me better (The Universe).
Take Away: There’s definitely a lot that I already do not tolerate and am willing to shed when it doesn’t work for me. The thing is, though? There is also plenty that I have not yet managed to shed. Much of these things have to do with my upbringing and the negative inner narrative that has spawned from that time in my life. The cards indicate that having Mercury in Taurus is an element of my chart that could help me in learning to let go of these things and find a better path that is more suited to me personally.
DECK USED: MULTI-STABBER TAROT
#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Self care I need right now for the…. Mind / Body / Spirit
Self Care I Need Right Now For The Mind
The World is a reminder that everything is going to be okay. The world moves on and life moves on, and even when things are sometimes difficult, that too is temporary.
Self Care I Need Right Now For The Body
The Wheel of Fortune reminds me that I need to stay grounded. Don’t step to the edge of the wheel where the spin is felt more severely. Instead, remain as close to the center as possible, so that the pull and chaos of the spin does not affect your body and life so strongly.
Self Care I Need Right Now For The Spirit
The Page of Pentacles atop The Magician indicates that new tools are coming my way. I need to make sure that I claim them for myself instead of ignoring them, as they will help in manifesting what I want to bring into reality once I have learned to use them well.
DECK USED: EDGAR ALLAN POE TAROT
Heal & Transform November Challenge Prompt
Question: What hidden aspect of myself would be better exposed for the world?
Reading Summary: My ability to share the heart’s truth (Queen of Cups) during times when people are most open and receptive to healing words (Four of Swords) that will guide them into making the choices that are best for them (The Lovers).
Take Away: Gideon has mentioned this on numerous occasions. That sometimes I come out with a seemingly random (or not random but unexpected) little nugget of thought during a conversation with people, that to these other people is groundbreaking and speaks to their heart, opening them up to something they hadn’t realized was possible. I don’t know when I’m doing this… and don’t realize notice when it happens. But I’ve had people occasionally come back and tell me about these moments.
DECK USED: MARY EL TAROT 1ST EDITION
#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: When do I feel happiest with myself?
Reading Summary: When I am in control and in my element (The Chariot) sharing my knowledge with others (The Hierophant), and guiding them toward making the decisions in life that are best for them (The Lovers).
Take Away: Yes… I am a control freak. I admit it. I need my independence, I need my autonomy, and I absolutely need to be in control of my own life. I also love sharing my knowledge with others, as well as helping them in not just learning the things they want to learn, but in helping them in finding the path that is best suited for them. Whether done in small ways or large, I also learn during this process… as well as finding it very rewarding besides.
DECK USED: ELEMENTAL TAROT
Gideon’s Challenge
The Visitor
Delicate
and tiny
beautiful
and strong,
complex bits
that come
together
to create
a life
so different
from my own.
I’ve always found it fascinating how tiny creatures like birds and mice are so very complex in their bodies. How so much complexity can be contained in something so very delicate and small is amazing to me.
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Revelry Can Be Healthy
Today’s meditation was skipped. This is primarily because I overslept and felt like if I went to lie down and meditate, I’d end up dozing off again. I figured that an impromptu nap, although nice, probably wasn’t going to make my day go any smoother, so I decided to put the meditation off until later. At this point, it’s now a meditation that I will do before bed, since it’s now the end of the day.
Today’s draw is the Four of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of the passion and stability found in one’s home life, the celebration of that stability and the relaxation it can provide, and the joys of homecoming.
When I think of the Four of Wands, I think of that moment when you step through the front door and take a breath. The stress and tension of the outside world sloughing off and falling away as you exhale, and leaving behind a sense of relief. That, in its own way, is very much a celebration… but it is not the kind of celebration that I see here in the imagery of today’s card.
What I see here looks more like revelry.
And… why not? Sometimes a little lighthearted revelry to celebrate the comfort and stability of your home life is a good thing. A form of appreciation and expression of joy at the harmony and security you’ve grown and fostered for yourself and those you love.
DECK USED: TRADITIONAL MANGA TAROT
#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #2
What drives my urge to spend beyond my means?
Reading Summary: The desire to have what I want when I want it (Seven of Swords), and feeling a lack of nurturing in my life (Queen of Cups Rx), combined with an enthusiasm that tries to blind me to reality (The Fool).
The Seven of Swords and Queen of Cups lean into the past, indicating that these urges are rooted in my past instead of within the present or future. There is also a color connection between the Seven of Swords and the Fool which indicates that the “I want what I want when I want it” urge is a foolish endeavor, and rooted in childish mentality.
Take Away: I am feeling called out. *LOL* Fortunately we are talking about urges, and I have the self restraint to make sure I do not spend beyond my means… no matter how tempting that might be sometimes. The indication here is that that urge to spend beyond my means is rooted in the need for a balm to some inner part of myself that feels neglected and abandoned… combined with a bit of the whole “I want what I want when I want it” added in there.
DECK USED: GOLDEN TAROT BY KAT BLACK
Heal & Transform November Challenge Prompt
Question: What aspect of myself am I ready to nurture and embrace?
Reading Summary: Everybody is looking towards the past, and thus this reading is about the past and how it influences my present and future.
In the past lies the home life I craved filled with stability, security, comfort, and harmony (Four of Wands Rx). I’m ready to lean into my meditation and spirituality (Four of Cups) to overcome the obstacles that my past has created (Nine of Wands) and move forward in learning how to build my own home (Daughter of Coins).
Take Away: The cards here indicate that it is time to use my spirituality and meditation to assist me in overcoming my shadows concerning my home life when I was young and how it influences how I treat myself and look at my future goals concerning home life and stability. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding my stability and security when it comes to my home life, not because I am unable to create these things, but because there is a negative whisper inside where my shadows live that tells me it’s never enough.
It’s time to start nurturing that part of myself, and accepting that the past does not have to reverberate into the future.
DECK USED: EMERGING FROM DARKNESS TAROT
#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What is my biggest strength?
Reading Summary: Using my sense of order and organization (Nine of Wands) to assist me in getting what I want out of life (Ten of Coins) and using my creativity to get me there (Knight of Cups) despite the obstacles that stand in my path (Queen of Wands Rx).
Take Away: The fact that I am adaptable and willing to use my creativity to advance towards my goals, combined with my sense of order and organization, is my greatest strength as it allows me to overcome obstacles that might try to block me along the way.
DECK USED: TAROTS EGYPTIENS ANIMA ANTIQUA
Gideon’s Challenge
Chemistry
When
the lick of flame
touches
the skin
and the world
sparks
with fire’s glow
it’s only you
I think of
reaching for.
Light my fire.
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)
These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.
The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?
Earth – The Hierophant and Vitex – Restraint is needed this week when it comes to your finances and your health. Take some time this week to reassess your finances and make some adjustments. Make sure when you see your financial advisor later this week that you discuss these reassessments and lean into that restraint for the time being. (Now is not the time to tip your mortgage payment back up to double payments.)
Air – Page of Cups and Mugwort – Anxiety and depression come from the mind, and they have a habit of trying to sneak in when you’re feeling vulnerable. You’re going to be feeling a bit tender footed this week and you need to make sure that you are doing your meditation to help in keeping your negative inner dialogue from disrupting your balance.
Water – Ace of Cups and Masculine Energy – You need to acknowledge over this week the progress that you have made with your emotional growth and new emotional intelligence. Don’t discount the work you’ve done and the progress you’ve made. Keep in mind that you are strong and capable, and will be able to sustain yourself and support what you’ve accomplished through the holiday season’s busy times simply by acknowledging that the progress exists.
Fire – Six of Swords atop Three of Swords Rx, Feverfew atop Skullcap – It’s time to focus upon moving past your disappointments into a healthier and more productive mental space. You might end up feeling a bit under the weather this week and it’ll mess with your inspirational spark, but you need to examine whether this “under the weather” is truly a physical ailment… or possibly psychosomatic in nature.
Waning – Bear (Introspection) – Now is the time to focus on moving away from introspective pursuits that pull you into yourself and away from others. Going out in nature is healthy, but don’t pull away and retreat in other aspects of your life that would leave you susceptible to the negative effects of solitary time.
Waxing – Horse (Freedom) – Open your mind and heart to new paths and inspirations. Although the cards above indicate inspiration might be in short supply, don’t allow your “under the weather” feelings to choke out the ideas that come through. Explore them and enjoy them.
Take Away – Financial restraint. Make sure I’m meditating to counteract vulnerability and the negative effects of my inner dialogue. Keep in mind my progress and accomplishments, and take care of my health by delving into what may be behind when I’m feeling sick.
There doesn’t seem to be a cohesive message this week, but rather a handful of different smaller tips of things to keep in mind.
