Daily Focus

Grace Costs You Nothing

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#DailyCalm with the Calm AppToday’s meditation was ten minutes long, and another of the #DailyCalm sessions from the Calm app. It was interesting that today’s topic for the session was about envy, when just last night Gideon and I had just had a discussion about the use (or rather misuse) of the words jealousy and envy in everyday conversation.

The meditation discussed how love opens us up to experiencing new things, allowing us to find new connections and explore new horizons.  Whereas envy, on the other hand, picks things apart through nitpicking and negative emotions.

Insecta Obscura Tarot - The Tower and Six of CupsToday’s draw is the Six of Cups atop The Hermit (they demanded to come out together). The Six of Cups is traditionally a representation of nostalgia, and The Hermit is traditionally a representation of alone time and self-reflection.

What I see in today’s cards is a reminder not to be harsh on yourself if you occasionally fall into old bad habits when it comes to your alone time.

I have a habit of dawdling after my meditation, relaxing into a few extra minutes of down time while I play on my phone or scroll through Instagram. It’s not a particularly good or useful habit… and it wastes time.  And yet?  It happens sometimes.

Today’s card is a reminder that, as a book I recently read says, “Grace costs you nothing.” Be kind to yourself and just seek to do better in the future.

CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.

Some habits
die slow deaths,
be kind
when relapse happens

DECK USED:  INSECTA OBSCURA TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 14th: If there is one thing I could change for the better, what would it be?

Star Light CardsReading Summary: There is an intrinsic and unending (Limitless) strength that comes in leaning into the positive (Light), and allowing that effort toward optimism and positivity to permeate through your life (Nucleus).

Take Away: Your nature is one of pessimism and distrust. This is what you were taught through your formative years, and was reinforced through adulthood.  But, what you’ve found is that when you counterbalance your negativity and pessimism with an effort to lean into positivity and optimism, it helps you to balance things out a bit.   This effort lightens  your mood and your perspective, allowing you to see the world in a bit more positive light than before, which in turn helps in keeping your depression at bay and lifting your spirits.

If there was one thing you could change for the better, it would be to make this process easier to accomplish, and share it with others in a way that would show them its benefit without coming off as that abrasive “goodness and light” vibe that turned you away from things that could help in the past.

DECK USED: STAR LIGHT CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Topic for January 14th: Draw or write something free form inspired by the card(s).

Insecta Obscura Tarot - Judgement, Nine of Blades, Nine of Swords, Five of CupsThe girl wept tears
tinged with blood
as her fears weighed
heavy upon her head
and the nightmares
followed her
into the waking world
through harsh
inner whispers
of “should haves”
and “what ifs”
until, on her kees
she asks…
“Why me?”

DECK USED: INSECTA OBSCURA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I gave up on looking for something that’s gone missing rather than allowing myself to continue to wind up and get more and more upset.

Kindness Goes a Long Way

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Daily Calm with the Calm appToday’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions in the Calm app.  It dealt with consistency in the things that are good for you like meditation practice, self care things, etc. It spoke about the importance of consistency, but also visited our resistance to establishing and sticking with it.

This is something that I personally struggle with, and I really enjoyed the listen, so I ended up saving it to return to again and repeat at a later date.

Best Tarot - StrengthToday’s draw is the Strength card, which is traditionally a representation of inner strength, persuasion usually through means of compassion, influence and/or manipulation, and courage.

And that’s one damned -funky- looking lion on the imagery for this card.   It takes a special kind of either stupidity or bravery to approach situations of uncertainty with confidence. Illnesses and deformities can take one aback, especially when surprised by them.

Today’s card is a reminder that illness and deformity is not always catching, and that with those that deal with these struggles on a daily basis?  A bit of kindness and care can go a long way toward connecting with them on a deeper level.

CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.

Let warmth
from within
ease the way
with prickly pears

DECK USED:  BEST TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 13th: How am I asked to begin to incorporate my lessons of the past?

Gamilas Tarot (Oracle)Reading Summary: In order to “make the bar” and be truly well (Passe), you have to give yourself (Six of Clubs) the kindness you need and allow yourself time outside (Terre). You can’t talk yourself out of this need (Parole), so just do it.

Take Away:  Your behavior is self punishment and self neglect, both of which are a part of your self-sabotage patterns concerning how you treat yourself and your well-being.  No amount of reasoning with yourself that you don’t -need- time in nature is going to change the fact that you do, and no amount of self-denial is going to keep you hearty and hale.

Instead of repeating patterns of the past, turn over a new leaf and be more generous with yourself.  Give yourself what you need instead of withholding it out of habit or through the machination of inner demons.

DECK USED: GAMILAS TAROT (ORACLE)

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 13th: Blame Someone Else Day – Where in life are you assigning a scapegoat when you need to take more responsibility?

Best Tarot - The Magician, Queen of Wands, The LoversReading Summary: It would be far healthier for you (The Lovers) to own your part (The Magician) of your falling out with your own personal Queen of Swords in your life.  It’s not that she doesn’t play a very strong part in the dynamic that has become the norm between you two (Queen of Swords looking into the past with a lifted chin), but that she didn’t create the situation all on her own.  You chose to turn a blind eye (Magician in the lower left position and appears to be stubbornly ignoring the Queen of Swords looking down her nose at him) instead of seeing things clearly where she is concerned.

Take Away: Relationships are a two way street, even bad ones.  We each play a part in the dynamic that develops between us and others, and can’t blame everything on the other party all the time, no matter how much we’d like to.  Own your mistakes.

DECK USED: BEST TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I meditated again (as you can see above) and I saved this meditation because I liked it and the topic deals with something I struggle with in my meditation, which is to say… consistency.

Giving Others a Leg Up

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Daily Calm Quote from the Calm appToday’s meditation was ten minutes long and was one of the Daily Calm meditations from the Calm app.  It was a body scan from head to toe, focused on gratitude for what each body part does for you in your day to day life. The interesting part for me?  Was that they went from the heart and lungs… to the legs. They skipped entirely over the spine and digestive system… and I’m not entirely sure why. I added them into the meditation, though at the end, as I think they are just as important (if not always as well functioning in my own body) as the rest.

The Royal Court Tarot - Queen of SwordsToday’s draw is the Queen of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s mind, intellect, education, logic, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with strong and supportive individuals that give spectacularly good advice based upon their own experiences and creative thought processes. They are willing to support your dreams, especially if those dreams involve learning new things, expanding your education, and broadening your horizons.

What draws my attention in this imagery is that the Queen seems quite reserved. That, and the black roses along the bottom right of the card that have the look of decay spreading through the vegetation that covers the lower half of the card. This speaks to me of the dangers of “holding one’s tongue” when you could be using it to help others.  Life is hard enough without making people struggle when they don’t have to. If you have advice that will be well received by others, especially advice based off personal experience? Share it. Holding back just allows struggles to thrive and problems to spread.

CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.

Don’t hold back
knowledge earned
when sharing
can bolster others

DECK USED:  THE ROYAL COURT TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 11th and 12th:

Oracle of the Moon DeckWhat can I do today to {begin to} support my personal growth?

The Judge and The Rumor/The Book – Make sure you are doing your research and not either assuming things or taking other’s words as gospel. Do your own research and make up your own mind for yourself. It’s okay to hear what others have to say, just don’t let that be the only information you gather.

What has my past taught me that could help me right now?

Rot and The Anvil – Letting things weigh heavy on your shoulders and heart only leads to stagnancy and depression, which then quickly slips in to start eating away at your insides. Keep moving, even when you “aren’t feeling it” in the moment.

DECK USED: ORACLE OF THE MOON DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 11th and 12th:

The Royal Court Tarot - The Chariot, Ten of Pentacles, Eight of Pentacles, Knight of Pentacles, Two of PentaclesPhilosophical Question: Is it truly possible for people to change?

The Chariot and Ten of Pentacles – Yes, but they have to actually want to change and be willing to put in the work. Creating true change in oneself is uncomfortable, and can be a miserable experience. You have to have the willpower and drive to not just want the change to happen, but to stick to it to not just manifest those changes within yourself, but also get those changes to stick and stay. Even then, sometimes it’s not enough to create permanence.

Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day – What “wild and fabulous” behavior can help you break out of your shell more often?

Two of Pentacles, Knight of Pentacles atop Eight of Pentacles – Give yourself more balance in your life by allowing your development and progress to move at its own pace instead of pushing ever forward with impatience.

This doesn’t particularly sound “wild and crazy” until you consider that it goes entirely against your nature.

DECK USED: THE ROYAL COURT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took things a bit slow today in the order fulfillment part of today.  It made it all last a bit longer, but with a great deal less stress.  I also meditated today for the first time in… months.  I’m pretty sure it’s been months.

Carrying the Torch

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Weaver Tarot - Ruler of Wands - King of WandsToday’s draw is the Ruler of Wands (King of Wands), which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passions, drive, determination, principles, values, and willpower. The King of Wands often indicates themes that have to do with leadership figures or authority figures with the ability to rally others to their causes and draw them in to their own values, principles, and passions.

What catches my eye today in the imagery of this card is the ouroboros that encircles the crown. The ouroboros is a symbol of the unity of all things, and the connection of the spiritual to the physical moving together in an always changing but never ending cycle. It represents the concepts of eternity and endless return.

To me, seeing the ouroboros encircling the crown says “long live the king” and in this case?  The king is the authority that instills within others a sense of values and principles.  It is the idol… those that we look up to and choose to follow because they are right and good… and passionate about this cause.

The message in today’s card is to appreciate those that inspire you to be a better person. Who in your life and your past has inspired you to do better and become better, to choose principles and values that matter or shown you how to stand strong in what matters most?  Take time to appreciate what these people have done for you, and what you have built out of the inspiration that they sparked within you… and the inspiration that you may now be giving others in turn.

CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.

Smiles are contagious
and
applied passionately
so too is empowerment

DECK USED:  THE WEAVER TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Questions for January 10th

Secrets of Wand Wood OracleWhat will be my 2023 theme of evolution, growth, or change?

Change, Unlock, and Be More Witchy! – Direct your attention to the changes in your life that will help you to focus more on your spiritual path and practices. You have an opportunity to grow and evolve in your practice this year, but you need to set your intentions there and lean into the changes that come your way to make it happen.

What area, or part, of my life does this theme apply to?

Bond, Tradition, and Wonder – Your connection with your ancestors and spirit guides, and your inclination towards mediumship. Over the past couple of years you’ve worked to become more comfortable with these connections and skills, and it’s time to focus on continuing that journey.

DECK USED: SECRETS OF WANDWOOD ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 10th: Peculiar People Day – How can you encourage those that are outcasts to feel more welcome?

The Weaver Tarot - Sovereign of Swords (Queen of Swords, Judgement, Five of CoinsReading Summary: Less judgement (Judgement with Five of Coins), and provide advice in a way that is supportive instead of condescending (Sovereign of Swords).

Take Away: Sometimes? You struggle with what you perceive from others as stupidity.  You need to take a pause, though, and think if it’s really stupidity, or just lack of experience that you’re observing.

You’ve experienced so much, and have a lot of good advice and guidance to give that could help these people, but it needs to be delivered in a way that keeps others receptive and doesn’t shut them down.  Make sure you are not channeling your mother’s attitude or tone during these times. Selflessness combined with honesty will work far better.

DECK USED: THE WEAVER TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I am going to bed super early tonight.  I’m just so very tired.

The Pervasiveness of Darkness

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Darkana Tarot - Five of CupsToday’s draw is the Five of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of pessimism, negativity, and closed mindedness.

The figure in this card mourns the broken glasses sitting on the steps rather than being grateful for the two still sitting at their feet containing wine. The chaos above the figure reflects their mindset, splatters and scratches leaving no room for clear thinking.

The imagery in this card speaks of when things are not going our way, how having a pessimistic and negative mindset makes things that much harder.  That negativity clouds the mind, tinging everything in it’s dark and gritty perspective and not allowing us to see what is salvageable from the situation.

Today’s card is a reminder that even crap-ass days have a silver lining.  It might be thin and remote, but it -is- there.  You just have to look for it.  Don’t let pessimism and negative inner narratives steal from you whatever can be salvaged from the experience.

CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.

Darkness descends
and pollutes the air
sucking dry
our hope

DECK USED:  DARKANA TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 9th: What can I do to create and maintain stability in my life right now?

Invisible Sun Sooth DeckCreate – I frutti proibiti sono i più dolci (Forbidden Game). Everyone wants a taste of the “forbidden fruit”. Not because it’s good, but specifically because it’s forbidden (Crowded Tomb). Don’t follow the crowd when there are things out there that will suit you far better (Unknowable Truth).

No one knows what’s best for you better than you. In order to create stability in your life, make sure that you are continuing to walk your own path and be your own drummer, don’t allow others to make choices for you, or try to convince astray with peer pressures.

Maintain – Be both cutthroat (Assassin) and discerning to the point of picky (Cat) in choosing who you spend your time with.

A carry over from the “Create” position, these cards tell us to step away from those that are not good for us rather than allowing them to continue to try and influence our lives.  To maintain stability, we have to be surrounded by those that are truly supportive of us and our true selves, not sticking around just to try and swerve you off path and onto whatever objectives they have for you.

DECK USED: INVISIBLE SUN SOOTH DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 9th: Play God Day – What is something that you can do to improve the lives of others?

Darkana Tarot - Knight of Cups, The Sun, Page of WandsReading Summary: Gideon (King of Cups) needs your time and attention. Allow him to help show you (Page of Wands) how to truly sink in and enjoy your time together (The Sun).

Take Away: It can be hard to get back into the groove of those things you enjoy when you’ve stepped away from a long period of time.  Activities that used to feel as natural as breathing can end up feeling a bit awkward and clumsy.

That doesn’t mean you don’t still enjoy them, only that you need a little guidance back to finding that pleasure and enjoyment that you were so in tune with before.

The holiday rush has pulled you away from a lot of these activities, but your time with Gideon can help you in reconnecting with them, and with him, on a deeper level once again..

DECK USED: DARKANA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I set myself up to eat on a timer today, as it was an extremely busy day playing catch-up from my extended time off.

Don’t Drop the Shield

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Today’s meditation was skipped (again).

Unseen World Tarot - Knight of WandsToday’s draw is the Knight of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of an active projective beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s drive, determination, passions, motivations, values and principles, and/or inner spark.

In this card, what draws my eye is the shield and the torch. The knight holds the torch high as he charges forward, his passion and intensity to the fore, and yet, he has not left his shield behind in his single minded purpose.

The imagery in this card is a reminder that no matter how wrapped up you get in your goals, your passions, or your values and priorities… don’t leave behind your boundaries.  To be healthy in your pursuits, you need to continue to uphold your boundaries along the way, not set them aside because they are inconvenient or you think you won’t need them.

And… I don’t know who needs to hear this, but don’t forget to wear a condom people. No matter how hot and heavy things might get.

CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.

Fiery intensity
drives us forward
torch ready
condom in hand

DECK USED:  UNSEEN WORLD TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 8th: What {3 things} can help me establish a good foundation for 2023?

Shadowspeak OracleProtection – Make sure that you are clear on your boundaries, both with yourself and with others. By ensuring you know where the line is drawn, there’s less chance of people crossing over it (or you crossing over it into unhealthy behavior).

Mystery – Do not fear the uncertainty that resides within the unknown, but rather see it as an adventure, and a chance to set your curiosity free.

Repetition – Practice makes perfect.  Many of the things you focused on and goals set in the past are worth repeating again this year.  Look over past efforts and see what you could repeat again, and improve upon in doing so.

DECK USED: SHADOWSPEAK ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Topic for January 8th: Do Spread 2
Question: how can I better keep my energy up when I feel like dawdling in stagnancy?

Unseen World TarotReading Summary: There is a difference between rest (Four of Swords) that you need need in order to stay healthy such as healthy sleep and meditation (how the figure is sitting in the Four of Pentacles), or laying about just because it feels good (The Devil).

In the anchor card, the tangle of tentacles doing a variety of tasks at ones corresponds to the messiness in the imagery of the Devil card, speaking of the habit you have of taking on too much at once being foolhardy and feeding into your desires to seek “feel good” respite as well as over indulge in it.

The hat on the octopus in the anchor card, on the other hand, is not tangled and stands out strongly, connecting with the figures in both the Four of Swords and Four of Pentacles (as does the lighter colors in the background connect to the anchor card). This speaks of a need to condense and focus on single things, rather than copious responsibilities.  Refine your attention to one thing at a time, and make sure that you are adding rest into the mix where needed.  Both rest for the mind (Swords)… and rest for the body (Pentacles).

Take Away: Rest and meditate as needed, but don’t sink into the trap of laying about just because it feels good.  That habit will draw you in again and again if you let it.   Make sure that you are not overextending yourself by taking on too much, as it draws you into seeking out those useless “feel good” moments that have no value.

DECK USED: UNSEEN WORLD TAROT AND GRATITUDE POSTCARD SET

Daily Self Kindness

I tried to get as much of the orders that have to go out on Tuesday done today so that tomorrow wouldn’t be as stressful.