Daily Focus

One Day at a Time, One Step at a Time

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Winter Waite Tarot 2018 Edition - Six of SwordsToday’s draw is the Six of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of leaving the past in the past, moving on, letting go in order to welcome in something better, and transitions towards something better.

As often happens with traditional illustrations of the Six of Swords, what stands out to me in the imagery in this card is the movement of the boat departing rough waters to head for smoother ones.

For me? This time of year is rife with the potential for falling back into old, unhealthy habits. Not just in self-care but in a myriad of different aspects of my life.

When I see this card.  I see a reminder that says “don’t look back”.  There’s nothing good waiting for you back there in those rough waters you’re leaving behind. Instead, stay focused on doing better, one day at a time.

DECK USED:  WINTER WAITE TAROT 2018 EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I’ve been “off” on taking my vitamins for a few days, and I got myself back on track today by taking my vitamins as I’m supposed to and filling up my pillbox so it’ll be harder to miss them over the week. I also backed out of six more Kickstarters.

Together, There is More to Share

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Jupiter's Eye Tarot - Ten of CupsToday’s draw is the Ten of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of feelings of completion, connection with others and harmony in those connections, and is often considered as the “happy family” card.

The imagery on this card reminds me of the stories of faerie mounds and how the portal into the land of the Fae can be accessed through them by being opened at certain times of the year, or through the ministrations of a witch. Meanwhile, the hands make me think of a coven, and the work that those within the group do together, lending their strengths to a mutual cause that none of them could achieve on their own.

The message I see here in this imagery, today, is that a great deal of success and achievement can be obtained by working together on a mutual goal, and the joy and satisfaction in this endeavor is something shared with all involved when all are on board.  Today’s card, therefore, is a reminder that joy, happiness, and contentment are richer when shared, rather than hoarded to one’s self.

DECK USED:  JUPITER’S EYE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I got some time outside. My ankle is definitely not happy about it, but the rest of me feels better.

New Horizons

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True Black Tarot 5th Anniversary Edition - Ace of CupsToday’s draw is the Ace of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.

Today was decorate the Christmas tree day, which is actually something I don’t remember doing an awful lot of in the past. It was amazing, though, unwrapping delicate glass icicles and hand painted ornaments, exploring the history of a family through the bits and baubles that are then hung from the branches of a tree filled with lights.

The Ace of Cups is about new beginnings, whether that be creatively, emotionally, or within the relationships in our lives. Today’s tree decorating filled all three of those themes for me, and warmed my heart from the bottom up, just like the golden glow warms the cup of liquid from the bottom up in the imagery of today’s card. The fostering, nurturing energy I experienced today, and the connection with others combined with the creative influences and stirring of my curiosity as each unique memento was revealed?  It fits all of these themes and lightens my heart in the same way the dove’s wings lift the bird to hover at new heights.

DECK USED:  TRUE BLACK TAROT 5TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I’m going to pay for it tomorrow and Thursday, but I lingered longer than I had planned before coming home today. It was a nice break and a needed one.

Prolonging Happiness

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Ravyness Drakon TarotToday’s draw is the Nine of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of themes that have to do with contentment, accomplishment, and satisfaction in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.

Look at that big ass cup that the dragon drinks from in this card. Is it no wonder that the dragon is content and satiated?  And yet, still more await the dragon in the background… a promise of still more goodness to come, and assurance that the satisfaction they feel is not a fluke.

This Nine of Cups is a reminder that not all happiness is fleeting.  Sometimes, when you find that perfect fit, it can be prolonged and build upon into something even better, if you’re willing to make yourself at home with the idea that happiness is allowed… and doesn’t have to be something you chase after or a temporary state.

DECK USED:  RAVYNESS DRAKON TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I treated myself to the next three books in the series I’m listening to on audiobook at the moment. The story in my ear helps me to focus on the work in my hands, and I’d just finished the last set of nine, so it was time for more.

Eggs… and Chickens

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The Wandering Moon Tarot - The MoonToday’s draw is the Moon card, which is traditionally a representation of uncertainty, illusion, anxiety, fear, the unknown, and the subconscious.

Okay so the moon looks like a cookie… or maybe a Ritz cracker, and the two hands look like they’re holding champagne flutes up in a toast.  What exactly are they celebrating? And, considering the theme of the card’s traditional meaning… are they celebrating too soon?

This card reminds me of that phrase, “don’t count your chickens before their hatched”.  It speaks to me of assumptions and not leaving enough room for unexpected changes, hurdles, and obstacles that might crop up along the way.

Sometimes, not knowing what’s coming keeps us alert and helps us in preparing for the unexpected that might otherwise trip us up.  This doesn’t mean expecting the worst or looking at everything in a pessimistic viewpoint, but rather simply making sure you’ve accomplished what you set out to accomplish before you start celebrating your success.

DECK USED:  THE WANDERING MOON TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I ate on a timer today, and made sure that I took a few breaks throughout the day instead of keeping my head down and plowing through the whole day without stepping away from my work.

November 26

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Hudes Tarot Deck - Page of WandsToday’s draw is the Page of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s drive, willpower, determination, passions, values and principles, motivations, and inner spark.

Pages are often about starting over, as the journey through the suit brings you to a conclusion in the Ten of Wands with being overly burdened, and then the Page comes after with his burden set down and ready to begin again and do things better the second time around.

The seriousness of the expression in this Page’s features speaks to me of having learned from mistakes, and carrying that knowledge forward into their second time around.  They have knowledge under their belt this time, and seek more still so that they don’t repeat the same mistakes again.

This begs the question… what in life have you found yourself beginning again?  What lessons from your past experiences can help you in doing better this time around?  Today’s card encourages us to look at these past experiences and gather up the lessons learned from them so that we can move forward and succeed when we try again.

DECK USED:  HUDES TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I managed to take a few breaks today to hang out on the server and banter a bit with Gideon, rather than just working straight through the day without any breaks.