Daily Focus

The Fertilizer

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Today’s meditation was twelve minutes long and was the second installment of the Foundations II series on the Balance app. The meditation in this installment was about posture, and how your posture can enhance your meditation practice as well as influence you energy level and alertness both in meditation as well as throughout the day.

The Tarot of Loka and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Tower card, which is traditionally a representation of sudden unexpected change that often carries with it calamity and chaos. It is often the tearing down of something in order to make room for something else.

I personally had my own Tower card moment, recently. And I can honestly say that “Foraging for Beauty” in the moment? Was not easy.  IS not easy. Especially during the moment and when recovering from impact.

The thing is that sometimes when shit falls apart on you, it can be hard to see the good that can come from it. The message in today’s cards is to remember… all flowers bloom bigger and brighter with a bit of shit mixed into the soil.

DECK USED:  THE TAROT OF LOKA AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

CoffeexTarot’s Who’s Your Spirit Guides? Prompt
Questions for August 14th and 15th

Personal Power Oracle 2nd Edition and Crystal Bones TarotWhat negative forces are you protecting me from?
I Am Determined atop I Am Forgiving, Five of Crystals

“I am protecting you from those people that you are too forgiving of, that are determined to do you harm by tapping into your energy and tearing you down.”

In earlier readings it was made clear that they are here to build me up and guide me into strength. It makes perfect sense that this would be what they are here to protect me from.

What beliefs do you want me to accept?
I Am Curious, Five of Bones atop Justice

All strife and butting of heads works itself out in the end. It’s okay to stand back out of the way and watch with avid curiosity, rather than stepping in all the time to get involved in order to help them find compromise and resolution.

DECK USED: PERSONAL POWER ORACLE 2ND EDITION AND CRYSTAL BONE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Draw or write something free form inspired by the card(s).

The Tarot of LokaThere was once an old man that thought he was better than everyone else. A lifetime of people caving to his cruel tongue had turned him from a soured soul into someone rotten through to his very core. (Evil atop Ten of Air)

He had many people under him to do his bidding, and treated these people like tools for his use, instead of human beings. (The Magician)

Then one day a woman of pure heart caught his eye and he was overwhelmed with a need to claim her as his own. She was kind and gentle, supporting and sweet. These were qualities he could not resist, and he did everything he could to garner her favor and attention. (Queen of Water and Ten of Fire)

Unfortunately, a lifetime of cruelty and disregard for anything but his own whims and desires placed her out of his reach, and he was unable to claim what he now realized should have been his destiny.  A destiny that he’d selfishly squandered. (Judgement)

DECK USED: THE TAROT OF LOKA

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap.  I mean I know it’s not much but I do feel better for having taken it.

Savoring the Moment

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Today’s meditation was skipped.  I know that I should have meditated considering that I was all kinds of worked up this morning and through most of the day, but I just couldn’t manage to stay still and let it happen.

Tarot de St Croix Borderless Edition and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the King of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, home, manifestations, and the physical world.  This often translates into themes to do with wealth and expertise, as well as authority in the areas mentioned previously. Acumen, a sense of discipline, abundance, and establishing security are all a part of this theme.

One of the things I often see depicted in these cards is a figure at rest.  Alert and surrounded in abundance, but also at rest. It is like the old magnate that has finally reached the goals he’s set out for and now watches over these goals and guides others, but is no longer in a place where they need to plow forward in relentless pursuit of their dreams.

The thing is?  We don’t have to have reached the end of our journey and obtained our goals to enjoy these moments now and then.  Moments of pause and enjoyment for what we have, as we ascertain our good fortune and feel in the moment that “I am the king of my own castle* feeling of accomplishment.  In fact, we should be pausing to enjoy these things regularly.  Daily.

Don’t put them off ’til the end of your journey.  Enjoy those moments now.

DECK USED:  TAROT DE ST CROIX BORDERLESS EDITION AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Questions for August 13th thru 15th

Tarot de St Croix Borderless Edition and Wildcraft! Herbal Adventure Game CardsWhat am I guided to spend time on, or reflect on, today?

It sucked. It hurt. You don’t know what you tripped over (Scraped Knee), but you can’t sit there and whine about it all day. Where do you want to go from here? (Two of Wands)

Right, so… I have been banned from PayPal for life. And I have no idea why. None. Late last night I went to make a purchase and received an error message, so I went to see what was wrong and in the account was a notice that my PayPal account had been permanently limited and I could no longer use the account or make any changes upon it. Fifteen years using them on a daily basis for both personal and business means… then BAM… this happened.

I did not sleep. All night. I tried, but I was too worked up and freaked out. I waited until 6am (when their customer service opened up) and reached out to them. I spoke to both a service agent and a supervisor. Neither could tell me any information at all about why this happened or what I might have done to trigger it. Just that it’s irreversible. Permanent. And if I want those answers? The only way to get them is to sue PayPal.

These cards are a reminder that this is not the end of the world, just a small setback.  And that instead of focusing on the feelings of helplessness and victimization that this experience created, I need to focus ahead and on moving forward.

If not now, than when? Something I shouldn’t delay.

Take some time to heal (Yarrow), and then focus on rebuilding better and stronger (Three of Pentacles).

The thing is?  There’s nothing that I can do about this situation. I don’t have the kind of funds it would take to blow on a law suit against PayPal. It would be stupid, especially since I don’t really depend on the platform anymore like I did a handful of years ago.

The healing qualities of Yarrow indicate that it’s better just to let it go, and work on recovering from the blow, rather than stewing in it.  The Three of Pentacles is then an indication that there’s work to be done and to get to it.  Change over automatic payments to another source, shut down funding that comes through that venue, and reach out to my clients to let them know that PayPal is no longer a way in which they can pay for my services. Get my ducks in a row.

How can I make the most or best use of {my time} today?

Let go of that toxic shit (Nine of Swords) and build yourself back up (Echinacea).

Another healing herb to again remind me that I need to focus today on what will soothe those aches and restore my equilibrium. These cards are a reminder that what’s done is done and to not let the feelings that last night/this morning’s events stirred up linger and fester.  Let them go and step into getting back in balance.

DECK USED:  WILDCRAFT! HERBAL ADVENTURE GAME CARDS AND TAROT DE ST CROIX BORDERLESS EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

After my all-nighter of stress, and dealing with PayPal… then having a good hard cry based in those feelings of helplessness, confusion, and victimization.  I then quickly got to work and made sure all my recurring payments and responsibilities were otherwise covered.  This gave me the peace of mind I needed to get some sleep. I also spoke to Gideon briefly, which also helped.

Who Are You Really?

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Today’s meditation was.. skipped.  I think?  I’m pretty sure it was skipped.  I did take some time to do extra stretching and relax, though.  But I didn’t meditate I don’t think.

Illusori Tarot 27 and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’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, inspiration, willpower, interests, and inner spark.  This often translates into themes that have to do with (as the card says) intensity, being inspired to take action, and impulsivity.

There are a lot of things in life that it’s important to move slowly on, to take your time with, and to pause and reflect on before moving forward.  But connecting with yourself and your truth?  That is not one of those things.

I believe one of the greatest things anyone can do for themselves in life is seeing yourself for who you are, accepting yourself and all your faults, and allowing the truth of who you are to be something you delve into and explore in depth.  This type of exploration is a journey, but the rewards are immense.  Living your truth, speaking your truth, allowing yourself to live by who you truly are and who you want to be?  These things shouldn’t be something hesitated on or put off until later.  They are a lifelong journey that builds confidence and creates stability and roots within yourself, your life, and your journey as a whole.

DECK USED:  ILLUSORI TAROT 27 AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

CoffeexTarot’s Who’s Your Spirit Guides? Prompt
Questions for August 12th and 13th

Brian's Deck and The Neurotic Owl TarotWhat are you currently helping me on?
Grab It While You Can, Three of Wands atop Five of Wands

Go forth and seize this moment and do what feels right. It’s okay to be greedy sometimes, and to go after what you really want instead of settling for what you or others think you deserve.

What I need to do to reach this goal / path?
Appreciate What You’ve Got and The Lovers

Step it up on participating in a healthy gratitude practice. Paying attention to all that you have helps to center you in life and reinforce your values, but a regular practice helps build upon those good things and bring more focus to them. It will help you staying inspired to keep moving.

DECK USED: BRIAN’S DECK AND THE NEUROTIC OWL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for August 12th and 13th

Prism Oracle and Illusori Tarot 27Weed Out – Confidence atop Love, Two of Cups – Sometimes the most comforting of habits you’ve developed and, or the most amazing ideas you have that you are sure that you can carry through with, just can’t be followed through on. No matter how much you love them and want them to succeed.

Replace With – Frustration and Eight of Cups – When you run across these ideas and it becomes clear that it’s not going to happen, don’t flex your grip and hold on tighter. Trying harder isn’t the issue. Instead, you need to let them go.

Where could I benefit from a new perspective at this time?
Abundance and Seven of Wands

Your values and principles don’t need defending as long as they are working for you. No one can take them away from you. The theme in this reading involves sloughing off what isn’t working and what isn’t needed.  Your abundance will grow if you let go of these things.  (Little did I know how very true this would be in just a few hours later after these cards were pulled.)

DECK USED: PRISM ORACLE AND ILLUSORI TAROT 27

Daily Self Kindness

I un-backed 12 of the Kickstarter projects that I had previously backed, letting go of those twelve decks I had backed after having sorted through the projects I’m supporting and deciding which ones I wanted to keep and which needed to go.

Follow Your Spark

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Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long, and was the second installment of the Foundations II series on the Balance app.   Today, the series introduced the method of labeling, which is something I’m familiar with from other meditation exercises that I have done in the past.  I had a very hard time staying focused today and may end up repeating this installment in the series again as a result.

Tarot of the Imagination and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Chariot card, which is a representation of moving forward, will power, and the strength to choose one’s own direction and path, and plow forward upon it with determination.

“Follow the Spark” is an excellent message for The Chariot, as it encourages going after those things that really mean something to you, inspire you, and hold value for you.

It’s all well and good to push ourselves forward in the direction we want to go, demand the prize at the end of our hard work, etc.  But how many of us really take a deep down look at where we’re going and what we’re striving for?

Are you striving for someone else’s dreams? Or your own? Whose judgements, values, and desires do you allow to push you forward? Are they yours?  Are you sure? Take a look. Delve in. Find what truly lights -your- fire. And if your direction needs some realigning to go in that direction?  Use your willpower and determination to adjust your trajectory in the direction of what you truly want in life.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE IMAGINATION AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Can we understand good without evil?

Tarot of the ImaginationReading Summary: No matter your journey (Three of Wands), life is about balance, they are connected and always seeking that balance (Ten of Wands and Ten of Cups. Seeking only the good and positive (Five of Cups) doesn’t mean the evil and negative are not still there (Five of Pentacles).

Side Note: I had forgotten how much I like this deck.  It’s been a while since I’ve picked this one up.

Take Away: The answer here is no, but more than that, it indicates that when you try to eliminate the negative and evil from life, you set yourself up to be surprised by them when they rear their ugly heads in order to restore balance.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE IMAGINATION

Daily Self Kindness

The problem with playing catch up is that if I didn’t take a note about something done on the day? Sometimes I just can’t remember a couple days later when I’m trying to write it out. Today was one of those days. I didn’t write it down and I have NO idea what self kindnesses I might have done this day other than trying to relax and take it easy.

A Path of Little Miracles

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Today’s meditation was just over fourteen minutes long, and was the first installment of the second foundations series in the Balance app. The meditation focused on a review of what was learned in the initial foundations series that I’ve just recently finished, which is to say it was about the different breath work tools and body scanning that have been taught previously.

Tarot of the Nile and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Seven of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of slow growth over the long term, sustainability, and investing time or energy in something over a long period of time.

Regardless of the Egyptian theme of the cards, the imagery itself is very traditional in this card, with the farmer looking on at the gains that come from taking things slow and fostering growth.

Combined with the affirmation card for today, the message I get from these cards is about the journey to one’s accomplishments, not just the accomplishments themselves.

Just because something takes a long time to accomplish, doesn’t mean that there aren’t little miracles and treasures to enjoy along the way. The Seven of Pentacles and this affirmation card are a reminder that we need to enjoy the journey instead of focusing too hard on the destination at the end of the road.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE NILE AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Questions for August 10th thru 12th

Sacred Hags Oracle and Journey Into Egypt TarotWhat is a predominant or recurring theme in my life?
The Wild Child’s Prophecy and Prince of Cups

The restart. Taking on life with a fresh look at the halfway point in one’s life. Realizing we were too closed off and too beaten down by the past. You’ve chosen to start over rather than carry on that legacy further into your life.

This is the route at the very core of my emotional growth and the journey I have set myself upon. I understand the experiences from my past have poison the well, and instead of trying to siphon the poison out… I’m digging a new one.

What is a major lesson for me, my journey, or my life?
Juniper Smoke and Six of Coins

It is often hard to remember to pause and reflect, to take time to connect to the world around us, and really be present and hear what the earth and the air and the elements are trying to say. They whisper secrets, but it is only when you are still and quiet that you can truly hear what they have to tell you.

Slowing down as one of my largest struggles in life and a part of the journey mentioned in the previous question’s answer. Taking time for meditation and allowing myself the time I need out in nature is so much harder than it seems like it should be. I know this is because of the influences from my past push upon me a need to punish myself.

The lesson is about being generous with myself and allowing myself that time and space to tune in to the earth and the whispering voices of the elements. The space and calm needed to connect on a deeper level.

What can I personally do in support of my best life?
The Cailleach’s Crag and The Lovers

Balance and a healthy perspective require focus on all aspects of one’s cycle of growth. It’s not always about progressing. Sometimes it’s about resting, and sometimes it’s about things dying off to make room for new growth later on.

Being in the moment and making healthy choices for yourself requires that we focus on what is happening in the moment, not what is coming. So when you’re in a moment when it is time to slough off old things, be in that moment and do what needs done, rather than looking ahead and counting your chickens before they’re hatched. Same with when it’s time to rest.

DECK USED: SACRED HAGS ORACLE AND THE JOURNEY INTO EGYPT TAROT

The #MysticStarChallenge at the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for August 10

Tarot of the NileWhat message does The Lovers have for me?

Page of Wands – Make sure that you are making good choices when you pick the things that you want to delve into and explore further. You don’t have as much room on your plate as you think you do.

What obstacles does The Lovers want to warn me about?

Ten of Cups – You may find yourself feeling delayed and struggling to see a good perspective in your situation at that time. Don’t worry about it… just wait and work on looking for the good.

What guidance does The Lovers have for me to overcome this obstacle?

The Hanged Man – Remember that everything happens for a reason and whatever it is that is holding you back, it has a purpose, and you will be carried forward again eventually towards where you want to be in the end.

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE NILE

Daily Self Kindness

I stood up to say something was wrong tonight when Gideon and I were in play instead of keeping it to myself and trying to muscle my way through my responses.

What Do You Value?

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Today’s meditation was I ended up skipping again today.  We’re looking at another day where I didn’t write things down in the moment, though, and the first part of this day is a bit of a blur.

Many Queens Tarot and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Nine of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of wealth, success, and satiation in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, home, , manifestations, and the physical world. This card often translates into themes that have to do with the well earned boon of hard work paying off and the gratitude that comes with this good fortune.

Between the imagery of a figure with balding head that is admiring their plethora of crystals, and the encouragement in today’s affirmation card, the message that I see here is not so much about money, but about what we value.

Wealth comes in all shapes and sizes. It’s not about how much you have, but rather how what you have makes you feel. If you feel secure and satiated, then you have enough. It is much like eating. You eat until you’re comfortable, not until you burst at the seams.  In today’s cards there is an encouragement to examine what you truly value and what truly makes you feel comfortable and satiated.

DECK USED:  MANY QUEENS TAROT AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for August 9th and 10th

Lighting the Way Oracle and Tarot de Maria CeliaRetreat – Friendship and Seven of Wands – Let them believe what they want and do what they want. You don’t have to change their mind or convince them of your opinion as long as they’re not encroaching upon what you consider to be your territory.

This is about the vaccine and the fact that I’ve run into quite a few somewhat close acquaintances recently that are just not on board with getting the vaccine. Yet, they want me to go out to meet them for drinks or other get-together activities.

I am absolutely pro-vaccine. I was treated with bleomycin while in chemotherapy and my lungs have been compromised by this chemical that they used. I can only have the very lightest of oxygen given to me. I cannot be put on a heavy oxygen flow, and can absolutely not be put on a ventilator (nor can I scuba dive or do any other activity that requires air pressure being applied to my lungs).

I’m not willing to take the risk of possibly catching virus, because there’s a very good chance that my lungs couldn’t handle it and those life-saving techniques would not be able to be used on me.

These cards are letting me know that there’s no point in trying to convince these people to get the vaccine or the good that it might do for them. I just have to step back and let them do their own thing.

Hold Ground – Six of Coins atop The Tower Rx – Stay in your lane. You can’t help everybody no matter how much you want to, and some people don’t want your help anyway. It’s better to stay in your lane and protect what yours when your generosity is rejected.

Sometimes I run across people who for whatever reason refuse to see the positive in their negative situations. Instead, they want to wallow in their misery even when there is someone there reaching out a hand to help.

When people throw these pity parties and want to wallow in their misery instead of look for a solution or accept help, I need to stay in my lane and stand strong instead of allowing there stubborn insistence on suffering to set me off-balance.

Advance – Crystals and Page of Cups – Your spirituality and your emotional growth are intricately entangled with each other. This is an area of your life where no hesitation is needed and you can move forward whenever you want at your own pace.

How can I best advance on what was revealed in these cards?
Spider, Two of Swords atop Knight of Coins

Focus on what you can control and what you can create in your life and your world. You need to make the conscious choice to go slow and savor, rather than rushing forward too quickly and losing out on the experience and the knowledge you could gain from a slower approach.

Don’t be bothered by that slow pace. There’s no rush. It’s okay.

DECK USED: LIGHTING THE WAY ORACLE AND TAROT DE MARIA CELIA

CoffeexTarot’s Who’s Your Spirit Guides? Prompt
Questions for August 9th thru 11th

Cat Gurus Oracle and Many Queens TarotWhat do you want me to know about you?
Beerbohm and King of Pentacles

“I’m not going to steer you to be a people pleaser. I’m going to show you the way to own your world instead.”

Determined and purpose driven. Likes to have a goal in sight to work towards. Self-possessed in the best possible way. Likes it when you heed their guidance instead of looking for confirmation though outside sources.

What are your strengths?
Hamlet and Ten of Cups

Creating happy endings through working together and interpersonal coordination. Making sure things go in a way that everyone is happy with in the end. Excellent at working with your other ancestors and guides when needed.

How do I know when you’re around?
DC and Seven of Swords

When a warning is needed for something to come, they will step in to make sure that you are equipped and ready to best deal with what’s coming.

When you need to take care of yourself better and focus inward on your own needs, instead of on the world around you  and its demands. When the world demands become too much they can steal away more than you’re willing to give, and this guide will step in to point that out and make sure you are taking care of yourself.

DECKS USED: CAT GURUS ORACLE AND MANY QUEENS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Our quiet time with Alexandros and Yurei was… so amazing.  So much of what I needed and I feel so good.  It’s surprising, because although aftercare usually makes me feel a bit better, I don’t usually get this wealth of goodness with it that I did tonight.