Daily Meditation

Eating Your Emotions

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Forty Proof Tarot - The DevilToday’s draw is the Devil card of the Major Arcana. This card is traditionally read as an indication of temptations, addictions, obsessions, and other themes that have to do with self-destruction through indulgence.

Look at the incisors on that devil.  That’s what really stands out to me in this card today.  Not the chains or the horns or the hair… but the incisors.

Today’s card is a reminder that you need to feed your body sustenance it can use.  The better the fuel you feed it, the better you will feel.   It can be hard sometimes to stay away from those more unhealthy options, especially if there’s a connection in you between food and emotions.

Make sure that today is one of those days where you are good to your body… and not a slave to your emotions whispering about all the cookies and goodies that are waiting for you in the pantry.

@lucet.in.aurora.tarot’s #lucetinauroraMaartTarotChallenge Prompt
Prompt for March 14th: Your favorite incense to add to a reading.

DECK USED:  FORTY PROOF TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2023 Challenge Prompt
Topic for March 14th: Draw or write something free form inspired by the card(s).

Forty Proof Tarot - Queen of Cups, King of Cups, Two of WandsThe storm rages, and emotions swirl like debris in the air as the winds rail against the tower and the leaves cling tightly to the small moment of shelter they find. (King of Cups)

And in the tower the king sits and plots his course, listening to the wind roar and hearing the enraged roars and howls that tell him she will never stop but instead has plans to tear this world apart, brick by brick and branch by branch. (Two of Wands)

And yet he waits through the storm, hearing her calls until she is ready to gentle her rage and whisper of sunny days once more. (Queen of Cups)

DECK USED: FORTY PROOF TAROT

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Wander Lust Challenge Prompt
Questions for March 14th

Tarot of Oneness - Seven of Cups, The Lovers, Two of Wands, Spirit of CupsWhat can help me find myself?

Seven of Cups atop The Lovers – Stop worrying so much about what everyone else needs and pay attention to what is right and good for you for a while.

It’s okay to put yourself first sometimes.

What can help me find what I am looking for?

Two of Wands and Spirit (Queen) of Cups – Make sure that you’re plotting a course forward that includes emotional support and kindness toward yourself and others.

You can’t be a hard ass all the time, so make sure in your plans that you give yourself a little room for that softer side that’s trying to find its roots and grow within you.

DECK USED: TAROT OF ONENESS

Daily Self Kindness

I did a lot of napping today, which apparently I really needed.

Moments of Inspiration

/ Twist the Leaf / 2 Comments

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Таро бриллиантовый ДымToday’s draw is the Wheel of Fortune, which is traditionally a representation of the ups and downs that life has to offer. This is more than about good luck and bad luck, but about the “roller coaster” of life and how things are never still or stagnant, but always moving and changing.

Here in this image a man sits and daydreams about the fortune he could make by running a candle factory, the musings brought on by the trio of candles that burn beside him.

It’s in those candles sitting at his elbow in the card’s illustration where I draw today’s message from.  The message in today’s card is that inspiration comes from all sides and all sources. It lives in everything and nothing, and speaks to each of us differently and at different times. Instead of considering your flights of fancy a pipe dream, look at them as the spark of creativity and inspiration that they are… even if the ideas are spurred by even the most mundane of moments or things.  Where they come from doesn’t define their value… what you do with them does.

DECK USED:  ТАРО БРИЛЛИАНТОВЫЙ ДЫМ (Please buy Ukrainian)

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for March 13th: Smart & Sexy Day – Where in your life could you blend in a bit more smart and sexy?

Tarot VintageReading Summary: When it comes time to reap what you sow (Justice), a bit more smart and sexy can help convince (Strength) those coming for you to slow down and look at things in a more positive light (Page of Pentacles).

Take Away: Blending a bit more “smart and sexy” into your life can assist you in circumventing the worst of the repercussions that could be rolling down the line in your direction.

Use those smart and sexy qualities to help turn them to your way of thinking and show them a different path forward that could be better for not just you, but all involved.

DECK USED: TAROT VINTAGE

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Wander Lust Challenge Prompt
Question for March 13th: Where can I use a greater sense of playfulness and curiosity in my approach (to life)?

9 pents Rx atop 4 pents, devil and hermit

Таро бриллиантовый ДымReading Summary: When you allow yourself to lose sight of all that you have accomplished (Nine of Pentacles Rx), you lose the sense of stability that view affords you (Four of Pentacles). This then leads you back to unhealthy old habits (The Devil) that creates greater isolation in your life (The Hermit).

Take Away: Growing your sense of playfulness and curiosity in the day to day allows you to take a more positive outlook on not just your life and your own accomplishments, but the world around you as well.  When you don’t allow these more positive perspectives introduced through playfulness and curiosity to have a place in your day to day life, you end up closing yourself off from the world and decline physically, emotionally, and mentally as a result.

DECK USED: ТАРО БРИЛЛИАНТОВЫЙ ДЫМ (Please buy Ukrainian)

@lucet.in.aurora.tarot’s #lucetinauroraMaartTarotChallenge Prompt
Prompt for March 13th: Your tarot collection; small or big.

IMG_E1807c

Although I have over 4000 decks in my deck collection, not all of them are tarot.  I also collect oracle decks, playing card decks, lenormand decks, image only decks, game card decks, etc.

Out of the 4k, there are just over 1600 tarot decks in my collection, most of which are housed on this shelving unit pictured here. The only tarot decks not on these shelves are whatever decks I currently have in rotation for the month, as well as a small collection of “top shelf” decks that I use often and/or regularly and so keep more easily at hand near my reading table.

Daily Self Kindness

I told Gideon about my feeling tender and we played something where I could be in the small position again.  It’s helping.

Inner Luminescence

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Daily Calm with the Calm appToday’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was another of the Daily Calm sessions with the Calm app. The topic of the session was about using mindfulness to help us to stay in the present so that we are not allowing the mind to roam and scramble.

In doing this sort of practice throughout your day, the session explains that it can assist in lowering anxiety and creating a stronger sense of ease and comfort in our day to day lives, instead of constantly feeling discombobulated or rushed from one thing to the next.

Purple Cat Tarot - The HermitToday’s draw is the Hermit card, which is traditionally a representation of inner reflection and healthy alone time when one retreats to deal with and explore the self.

There is a beautiful sense of gracefulness in this card’s imagery, and a luminescence that goes beyond the lantern and speaks to me of how we can feel lit up from within when we explore and get to know our true selves inside and out.

I have found in my own life that the better I know myself, the more grounded and stable I feel, as if each part of myself I explore and get to know allows for more stable footing for me to stand upon.

In this card, the message is a reminder that there is more to explore and discover in one’s self-explorations than just the stability of knowing yourself well.  There is a beauty and peace that also comes with self-exploration, and in accepting all parts of ourselves through times of inner reflection.

@lucet.in.aurora.tarot’s #lucetinauroraMaartTarotChallenge Prompt
Prompt for March 12th: Tarot and your phone.

DECK USED:  PURPLE CAT TAROT

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Wander Lust Challenge Prompt
Question for March 12th: What is the significance of animals I am currently seeing or hearing?

Unusual Animals OracleReading Summary: Don’t allow opportunity for something new (Shoebill) to distract you from the rest and self care that you need (Snail). Instead, look clearly at your current situation and weigh it carefully before making a decision that could draw your attention in a new direction (Dung Beetle).

Take Away: You spend far too much time jumping on new opportunities, when instead it’s the long road of development on the paths and practices that you are already on that is in need of your attention and time.  Don’t let new and shiny things draw your attention away from what’s really important to you.

The only reason these things aren’t shiny to you is because they are so familiar to you that you now find comfort in them instead of eager sparks of anticipation.

DECK USED: UNUSUAL ANIMAL MESSAGES

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2023 Challenge Prompt
Prompt for March 12th: Do Spread 2
Question: The pros and cons to putting up a services post on IG.

Purple Cat Tarot and The Gratitude Postcard OracleReading Summary: In the Two of Swords, the kitty is blindfolded, whereas in the anchor card, the cat is not. Also, the swords in the card are at the same angle as the cat’s ears in the anchor card. These correspondences indicate that you need to make this decision with full clarity and awareness.

Front and center with the kitty looking out at you from above is the Ten of Wands, which speaks of overwhelm and poses the question of if this is really a good idea or not, considering all that you already have on your plate.

On the right, pay attention to the look irritation on the Emperor’s face when he looks over those cards on the table in the anchor card, while the white of the Emperor‘s fur corresponds with the titles of the cards on the anchor card‘s table.

Take Away: Yes, you could “take charge” and seize this opportunity, but at this time it will be more of a burden and an irritant than a benefit if you do. This isn’t a no… it’s a “not right now”.

DECK USED: PURPLE CAT TAROT AND THE GRATITUDE POSTCARD ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

This is another catch-up post, and I’m not entirely sure what my self kindness was for this day.

Listen In Silence

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Inspiratriz Tarot - The Hanged ManToday’s draw is the The Hanged Man, which is my favorite card in the tarot, regardless of the deck. This is because I have a personal connection with this card, but it also has to do with the meaning of the Hanged Man, which often represents taking a step back in order to see things from a new perspective, taking time to settle into new perspectives until they become familiar and comfortable, and with that, the surrendering and/or letting go necessary to foster growth.

In this particular Hanged Man card, the figure appears to be praying, which for me brings in an added level of spirituality as well as it’s more traditional meaning.

What I see in the message of today’s card is a reminder that everyone’s beliefs and spiritual paths are unique.  Just as you share your path with others, others are eager to share theirs with you.  Make sure you are listening when others speak on such things, instead of mulling over what you want to say next.

DECK USED:  INSPIRATRIZ TAROT

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Wander Lust Challenge Prompt
Question for March 11th: What can I learn from the plants and the trees I find around me right now?

Inspiratriz Tarot and The Herbal Astrology OracleReading Summary: Not everything can be rooted in pleasure (Mandrake beside Three of Swords). At those times, you need to take your disappointments and unpleasant experiences (Three of Swords), and use your own agency to turn them around into something useful for you (Ginseng).

Take Away: Even the most useless seeming of weeds and most toxic of plants have their uses.  Make sure that you are looking around and paying attention to what mother nature is offering you, and don’t let it go to waste.

Also, remember that even though there’s a good chance that your tree on the balcony won’t be coming back this year, it’s an opening for new opportunity and not just a loss with no boon or gain attached.

DECK USED: THE HERBAL ASTROLOGY ORACLE AND INSPIRATRIZ TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for March 11th: Johnny Appleseed Day – What interest could you pursue at this time that could become a lifelong passion?

Inspiratriz Tarot - Queen of Cups, Six of Cups, Three of Swords, King of PentaclesReading Summary: Assisting others in your life (Queen of Cups atop Six of Cups) in getting over their disappointments (Three of Swords) in order to develop greater stability in their own lives (King of Pentacles).

Take Away: You like to help people in finding what works for them, and this is something that you find fulfillment in. Helping them when they feel they’ve come to the end of their rope or are experiencing struggles and disappointments gives you the opportunity to let them see that something better is possible.

A lot of times, this is what your doing readings for others is all about, and it absolutely could (has already?) become a lifelong passion of yours.

DECK USED: INSPIRATRIZ TAROT

@lucet.in.aurora.tarot’s #lucetinauroraMaartTarotChallenge Prompt
Prompt for March 11th: A deck that is on your wishlist.

Il Tarocchi di Pinocchio c.1988 by Armando Valcauda
Right, so… this is IL Tarocchi di Pinocchio. It is a majors only deck that I have been in love with this deck for years and years. I absolutely adore the colorful and quirky artwork style, and I see a lot of humor in the illustrations. I’ve missed out on getting this deck for (what I consider to be) a reasonable price again and again. I’m still trying, and hopefully some day I’ll manage to get my hands on a copy and add it to my collection. For now, I continue to admire from afar and keep my fingers crossed.

DECK : IL TAROCCHI DI PINOCCHIO c.1988 BY ARMANDO VALCAUDA

Daily Self Kindness

This post is a catch-up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.

Good Enough

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Cute Ninja Tarot - Knight of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Knight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of an active beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s finances, resources, manifestations, home, health, and the physical world. This often translates into an active pursuit of these particular themes, alibi… usually a slow moving pursuit, as the Pentacles suit as a whole has a tendency to take its time.

The knight here in this card’s imagery definitely doesn’t appear to be taking his time, but then again, how can you be sure when he’s running with such effort if he’s actually getting anywhere?  Is he the tortoise going as fast as he can to his own personal abilities?  Or the hare, who chooses to sprint ahead recklessly.

Being the Knight of Pentacles?  He’s the tortoise. He might feel like he’s behind in the race, but he’s doing the best he can and that’s good enough.

Where in your life are you doing the best that you can and putting yourself down for it not being enough?  How much better would life be if you viewed these efforts as  good enough, instead of not enough?  Maybe it’s time to give that a try.

DECK USED:  THE CUTE NINJA TAROT

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Wander Lust Challenge Prompt
Question for March 10th: What can I do to cultivate a deeper appreciation for my current journey?

Kindred Lines OracleReading Summary: Don’t not allow moments of betrayal and deceit from others to create a feeling of uncertainty on your path (Moon atop Deceit). Only you know what works best for you (The Expert), so don’t give others the power to make you doubt yourself (Lost Identity).

Take Away: It can be hard not to take other’s harsh judgements and negativity to heart sometimes when it’s directed your way.  Just remember that they don’t know you as well as you know yourself, and there’s nothing they can judge you on.  You are your own worst critic, so if -you- aren’t seeing something wrong with what you’re doing?  Then there isn’t anything wrong with what you’re doing.

DECK USED: KINDRED LINES ENNEAGRAM REFLECTION DECK

@lucet.in.aurora.tarot’s #lucetinauroraMaartTarotChallenge Prompt
Prompt for March 10th: The second deck you choose.

Brian Froud's Faeries OracleI’m not sure if this prompt is asking for my second most favorite deck, or if it’s maybe the second deck you owned?  I’m not sure. 

This is the Fairies’ Oracle by Brian Froud.

When playing favorites, there are many decks that sit in “second place” to my top pick, and this is absolutely one of them.  It’s also the fourth non-lenormand/playingcard deck I ever owned. (Number one wad a debacle and I do not actually count, while number two and three I usually count together as I used them together and they hold equal standing in my heart… so in essence this would be number two instead of number four, in my mind.)

It felt perfect and -right- the moment that I opened it up and I have used this deck so much over the past 23 years that I’ve had to replace it numerous times due to wearing them out, damage to the cards, and in one strange instance… two cards ending up lost due to theft by crow while I was sitting right there at the time.

DECK USED: BRIAN FROUD’S FAERIES’ ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for March 10th: International Day of Awesomeness – How can you focus more in the present?

The Cute Ninja Tarot - Seven of Wands, Seven of Swords, Wheel of FortuneReading Summary: Whether you fight for what you value (Seven of Wands) or you bail on what isn’t working and start over (Seven of Swords), it’s a crap shoot where you’ll end up (Wheel of Fortune).

Take Away: Focus on the present instead of betting everything on the uncertainty of the future . When you spend too much time looking ahead, you lose focus on what’s right before you.

You can’t know all that’s coming down the line, so stop trying and spend that time connecting with the moment and what’s going on around you instead.   There’s plenty to deal with right now without adding on the “what if’s” of the future.

DECK USED: THE CUTE NINJA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a much needed nap when I got home.  I also did a bit of a vent earlier in the day about something that happened, which helped a bit in letting go of some of the tension at the time.

The Benefits of Friendship

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Daily Calm with the Calm appToday’s meditation was twelve minutes long, and was another of the Daily Calm sessions with the Calm app. The topic of the session was about discerning what is right for you, and how to let go of the things that aren’t.

I’ve never had too difficult of a time with knowing what’s right for me and what isn’t, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t struggled more than once to let go of those things that aren’t a good fit.

The problem for me isn’t in the identification, but in the feeling of expectation of what I think -should- be good for me vs what really is.  Well, and a dose of self-destructive tendencies added in.

Blooming Cat Tarot - Two of CupsToday’s draw is the Two of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of unions, duality, and partnerships in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, and creativity. This often comes across as harmonious attractions and themes of mutual attraction, although not always in a romantic manner.

What stands out to me in the imagery of today’s card is the symbolism above the two cats, which speaks to me of how those that are close at heart with you have an effect upon you.

Those closest to you that you connect with most deeply are connected to us on many levels. Their influence has an effect upon your health, your well being, and your peace of mind.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder to acknowledge the good that your loved ones create in your life.  Even if we don’t get along with them -all- the time?  That good influence remains.Don’t close yourself off to these influences and cherish those that are good for you.

@lucet.in.aurora.tarot’s #lucetinauroraMaartTarotChallenge Prompt
Prompt for March 9th: Two of Cups and a drink.

DECK USED:  BLOOMING CAT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for March 9th: Get Over It Day – What trauma from your past is ready to be healed and released?

Blooming Cat OracleReading Summary: It’s time to turn over a new leaf (Learn) and begin allowing others in instead of holding them at a distance (Connect). In doing so you can change your life for the better, as you have already begun to see (Rotation).

Take Away: You have spent the lion share of your life holding yourself apart from others. Just recently you have begun letting them in more, allowing them to have more of a connection with you and spend more time with you. In doing so, you have begun to realize the benefits of these connections more and more, and enjoy their company more as well.

Those that hurt you are long gone and others have come to take their place that love you and cherish you.  Embrace the change-out of those left behind for those that you connect with so closely.

DECK USED:  BLOOMING CAT ORACLE

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Wander Lust Challenge Prompt
Question for March 9th: How can the Universe help me manifest what I want to attract?

Blooming Cat Tarot - The Tower, Three of Swords, Ace of CupsReading Summary: Tower moments (The Tower) and disappointments (Three of Swords) are the universe’s way of telling you that something needs to change in order for better things to come (Ace of Cups).

Take Away: Shit happens.  Sometimes unexpectedly and with a great deal of pain and disappointment.  It can be extremely difficult to swallow these bitter pills and take it on the chin when things begin to fall apart.

The universe gives you these moments, though, in order to clear out what is in the way of something even better coming along that has the potential to make you even happier than before.

DECK USED:  BLOOMING CAT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I really wanted to have some time with Gideon tonight, but orders night was too busy to make it happen.  I did manage to get a 20 minute nap tho.