Daily Focus

Spirituality vs Going Through the Motions

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Today’s meditation was skipped, although I did take a few minutes to pause and do my piriformis stretches.  I suppose it could be considered meditation, but it didn’t really feel like it.

Le Psycho-Tarot (aka Tarot Psychologique)Today’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of moderation, spirituality, and our connection with the world around us and the spiritual world beyond us.

The imagery in this card speaks of a need for caution when one leans into organized religion, and the need to connect to our spirituality outside of that rigidly walled box.

Sermons are empty if there is no spiritual connection. Spellwork is empty without a spiritual connection. Prayer is empty without any spiritual connection.  It is important to remember why you believe what you believe and to nourish and grow that connection you have with those beliefs.   That is what today’s card is about.  It’s a reminder to help your spirituality flourish instead of discounting it as something “other” and apart.  It is a part of you, and it is threaded throughout your being and your existence.

DECK USED:  LE TAROT PSYCHOLOGIQUE

Mr Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot Wheel of 22 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 26th: What can I do that can make a big (positive) difference for me this year?

Tailors Storytelling Game CardsReading Summary: Take a pause (Lost in Thought) to consult with your guides and intuition (Guide) in order to suss out the liars and lies (Successfully Lie) that could be destructive in your life (Destruction).

Take Away: Some people can take others at face value, and not seek the true person that hides behind the mask.  You are not one of these people.  Don’t try to be.

The information you seek from others as you get to know them is important, and so too is your inner “lie detector” (whether this is your spirit guides, your intuition, or possibly both).  Make sure you are listening to what it has to say and the warnings it has to offer.

DECK USED: TAILORS STORYTELLING GAME CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 27th: What is a negative thing in your life that you don’t need to stress over?

Le Psycho-Tarot (aka Tarot Psychologique)You have been seeking emotional growth (Page of Cups) for quite some time, leaning into it and seeking out others to help guide you in this (Queen of Wands).  There have been times during this process that this growth gets in the way of your work (Ten of Cups Rx).  At these times, you’ve freaked out, and thus stalled out on your growth as you worry about your work and your business (Eight of Pentacles).

This isn’t something you have to worry about.  You can do both.  When your emotional growth gets in the way of work, it’s important to remember that work will still be there even if you need to step away for a moment to deal with whatever else is going on.

DECK USED: LE TAROT PSYCHOLOGIQUE

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap.  Even though it’s an orders day, I laid down for an hour when I started to feel really soupy and off-center.

Caring Is Sharing

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Arcanya TarotToday’s draw is the Nine of Rain (Cups), which is traditionally a representation of

I had to take a look at the guidebook for this deck to understand where they were going with the imagery in this card (which is typically the kind of imagery you’d find on the Lovers card or the Two of Cups). It turns out that it depicts moving on from personal, solitary contentment to sharing one’s emotions with others. (Like the transition from the Nine of Pentacles to the Ten depicts personal success transitioning to sharing the wealth.)

Today’s card is a reminder that emotions are meant to be shared.  Whether they’re the good kind or the bad ones, they’re meant to be shared. If you’re feeling troubled like the emotions on the figures faces suggest?  Share this with others.  If you’re feeling ebullient comforted or content?  Share those with others too.  Emotions are better when they’re not kept closed in and “close to the vest”, but instead shared with those around you.

DECK USED:  ARCANYA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Would life lose meaning if we could live forever?

Arcanya TarotReading Summary: Discouragement (Four of Rain) would be sure to happen if you spent too much time on rest and reflection (Four of Wind). Instead, you would need to find a balance between stability and adventure (Two of Stones).

Take Away: So… no.  Not if you make sure not to let yourself get bored.  I have a feeling that finding that balance between the need for rest and a healthy dose of adventure would be very difficult, though.

That said? These cards indicate that it’s possible to not allow life to lose meaning.  It’s all in how you go about the living of it.

DECK USED: ARCANYA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Snuggle time with Gideon.  My soul was just starting to feel a tiny bit tight with the whispers of a possible subdrop to come, but some Gideon time is easing it up and making it feel better.

Keep Looking Up

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Little Wisdoms TarotToday’s draw is the Star card, which is traditionally a representation of hope, spirituality, peace, rejuvenation, and connection with one’s spirituality to the world around them and their inner selves.

I don’t usually include guidebook quotes in my daily cards, but this is a brand new deck and I was curious about the moth on the card.  What I found was a beautiful explanation of the imagery that I wanted to share. “Rosy Maple Moths are known as a symbol of hope. Their bright colours renew a sense of peace and joy as well. The ametrine point in the back represents spiritual clarity while white peace lilies are symbolistic of renewal and rejuvenation.”

Today’s card is a reminder to keep things fresh and stay optimistic.  I’ve been struggling a bit with negativity lately, and where negativity starts to slide in and whisper in my ear, the slippery slope of an MDE starts sneaking up to try and pull me in. I would very much like to try and avoid an episode this year.  The Star card and its rosy maple moth are a reminder to keep working at that optimism. Keep pushing for it and seeking a positive outlook. Keep trying.  Don’t stop.

DECK USED:  LITTLE WISDOMS TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot Wheel of 22 Challenge Prompt
Questions for January 24th and 25th

Little Wisdoms TarotHow can I best embrace my best unique, authentic self?

The Lovers and Eight of Wands Rx – Slow down enough to make better choices. You’re used to moving at full speed ahead and making decisions on the fly, but it’s important sometimes to take a slower approach and give yourself some time to think and weigh your options in order to truly find your best and healthiest option.

By embracing and being myself fully and truly, I allow myself to…

Seven of Cups and Strength – Make the choices that are right for you without becoming overwhelmed in the effort.  When you don’t know yourself, it’s harder to make the best choices you can.  Allowing yourself to fully accept and embrace your true self gives you the unique perspective of being able to better identify the best choices possible that are laid out before you.

DECK USED: LITTLE WISDOMS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Lots of Gideon time today, which I needed desperately.

Wallow a Moment in Gratitude

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Arcane Creatures Oracle of Ancient BeastsToday’s draw is the lucky pig king Arkan Sonney, representing good fortune.

The message here is in the delicate swirls and warm colors, and in the sweet smile on that little king’s mouth.

This card is a reminder as you work to appreciate the fact that you choose what you do for a living.  You enjoy what you do for a living.  You create… manifesting ideas into reality, pulling beauty out of the ether and into the world for others to cherish and enjoy.

You have the good fortune to be able to do what you love… to share your passions with others… and to use that manifestation magic within  you to uplift those around you and improve their lives.  Remember to look at and recognize just how very lucky you truly are.

DECK USED:  ARCANE CREATURES ORACLE OF ANCIENT BEASTS

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for January 24th & 25th

Arcane Creatures Oracle of Ancient BeastsWhat does your inner child crave that you’ve been ignoring?

The Swamp Oracle and Ancient Storm Coatl – You always push yourself to do everything on your own, when instead it would be better to seek out advice and get help.

Seeking advice and help in order to resolve a problem or complete a project does not make you weak. Instead, it gives you strength that can be carried forward into the future.

What concession can you make to provide for this inner child’s craving?

Ancient Reef Dragon and Elder Batcat – Realize that your life is not solitary. Even as unsocial as you are, your life is a community of connections and combined strengths. Be aware of those times when you need those strengths that you don’t personally possess, but your community does. This way, instead of putting unrealistic expectations on yourself, you can accomplish what needs done better, easier, and quicker by employing their strengths to your cause.

DECK USED: ARCANE CREATURES ORACLE OF ANCIENT BEASTS

Daily Self Kindness

I woke up L to come help me package so that I could go to bed before 4am.

Celebrating Connections

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was another moment of quiet time with breathing exercises and piriformis stretches.

Animals Divine TarotToday’s draw is the Two of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of union and connection with others on an emotional level. This is often a card that indicates the budding of a new relationship with another, although not always romantic in nature, where both parties connect through emotion or creative pursuits that align.

I’m a big fan of otters.  I love their energy and their flexibility, their speed and the way that they move seems like a celebration rooted in joy. Here we see two river otters that swim and circle around each other, like a watery dance of fluid movements and twining bodies.

The imagery in this card speaks to me of celebration and connection… and celebration of connections.  it’s a reminder that we can’t get on with everyone, and we need to appreciate and, in fact, celebrate those that we find in life that  we connect well with and love.

DECK USED: ANIMALS DIVINE TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot Wheel of 22 Challenge Prompt
Questions for January 21st thru 23rd

Animals Divine TarotWhat are my current strengths? (Draw three cards.)

Ace of Swords – You are always full of new and innovative ideas.

Three of Wands atop Five of Cups – Making the choice to lean into optimism (which is not necessarily a natural/comfortable fit for you) as you move forward, instead of falling back on pessimistic tendencies.

The Lovers – Using good judgement, even when it sometimes means consulting with Gideon or taking a moment to consider what Gid would say/think, and allowing his love to guide you in matters where you waver or feel uncertain (which is especially prevalent when confronted with self destructive tendencies).

How should I use my strengths to manifest my best 2022? (In relation to the strength above.)

Ace of Pentacles – A new perspective on comfort and stability is needed this year, and your ability to come up with new and innovated ways of seeing things is definitely something that can help you in this area.

Queen of Wands atop Five of Swords – This ability and willingness to choose optimism over pessimism will allow you to stay motivated, even during times when you come up against tests and trials along your path.

Eight of Pentacles – If the answer is to let something go or walk away from something, try to listen instead of balking. You are doing a lot of restructuring this year, and there are some things you have to let go of to make room for what you want to accomplish.

How can my strengths add value to the lives of others? (In relation to the strength above.)

King of Wands – When you share these new ideas with others, you then inspire them others to follow your lead. This means that over time you end up with an entire army of supporters there to march in your footsteps and support your inspirations.

The Star – It inspires hope and positivity in others. You might think at times that the “lean into optimism” thing is feeling a bit over the top, but it’s not as extreme as you think it is… and it inspires others that witness you making the effort and understand you are making a conscious choice to change how you see and deal with things.

King of Cups – It makes Gideon feel good to know he is a part of tour life in so many ways. His influence is good for you, and yours is good for him as well.

DECK USED: ANIMALS DIVINE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took it easy today.  I really didn’t want to, but… I thought today was a good day for it so… that’s what I did.  The only “work” type of stuff I did today was filling up a cart full of stuff I’d been trying to sell on eBay to be taken somewhere to be donated.  I also emailed a local senior center and an abused women shelter’s business contact to see if either of them would like some of the donations before I take the rest to the Salvation Army.

Staying Connected

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was a quiet time spent with breathing exercises and piriformis stretching.  It was peaceful and quiet… well other than some intruding thoughts about next steps in the home organization department.

Witches Wisdom TarotToday’s draw is the Four of Water (Cups), which is traditionally a representation of apathy and withdrawal, meditation, taking time for contemplation, and aloneness (which can often also be loneliness).

Here in this imagery we have the theme of connection.  You are not alone, even in your most solitary times.  Whale song travels miles through water to reach to others and connect, serenading the sea in the process.

Today’s card is a reminder of the connection you have to others.  Don’t withdraw into yourself.  Don’t allow yourself to pull away from them when that connection is something healthy that you need in your life.

DECK USED:  WITCHES WISDOM TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for January 23rd: Do Spread #2
Question: Once it’s all said and done, will I be happy with the end result of the living room shelves?

Witches Wisdom TarotReading Summary: There is a connection between the vines the woman wears in strength, and the lush beauty of the Ace of Cups.  This speaks of having the strength to work through newness, especially when there is an overlap into the Page of Cups Rx.  Uncertainty in lighter greens bleeds up into a greater certainty in the Ace of Cups, while both of these cards speak of newness.

There is also a connection between the Witch of Air and the Ten of Air.  In both cards, there is flight through the braids and skirt of the woman, the wings in the crows. This speaks of the ability to use your clever mind to discard and restart… the spinning of the figure indicating that this “discard and restart” may need to repeat more than once.  Combined with this, there is a hint of connection in the background colors between the Strength card and the Ten of Air, speaking of the ability to use your strengths to overcome a journey that ends in unsatisfactory ways, to use what is learned to do better.

Take Away: Overall, emotionally you will learn to be happy with it. It’ll be new, and there will be a lot of adjustment to make along the way before you get there though.

You’re going to go through organizing, and then re-organizing things a number of times before you find that peace and contentment you’re looking for. The good part is, is that one of your greatest strengths is your sense of organization. In the end you’ll figure it out, it’s just gonna take some time and repetition to get it right.

DECK USED: WITCHES WISDOM TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

When I wasn’t feeling well, I laid down instead of trying to push through.