Daily Meditation

Growth Is a Journey

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Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was another of the guided meditations in the Calm app combined with an interval timer for my piriformis stretches.

The focus of today’s meditation was about how when you focus too hard on a goal or endeavor,  you often end up missing so  much else going on around you… and all of the fun as well.

Fine Line Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotinal Spport Animal CardsToday’s draw is The Hermit card, which is traditionally a representation of taking time to one’s self for the purposes of contemplation and self-development. The Hermit is the solitary time needed to cast light upon new paths in one’s life and growth.

The Thera-Pets card combined with the meaning behind the Hermit card leaves he in a place of remembering what was said in my Self Care Saturday spread this week.  That is to say, that this week needs to be about enjoying… having fun… relaxing.  Leaving the mundane and weight of responsibility behind and allowing myself time to breathe.

Sometimes… okay, almost always, this is extremely difficult for me. But, when I first started allotting time off for myself on a semi-regular basis last  year… it was nearly impossible.  It’s no longer impossible, it just takes a bit of effort. A bit of struggle.

Slowly but surely, I’m becoming more accustomed to taking this time off and enjoying it, and with each time I do it and feel the benefits that I reap from it, I learn a little more about how to do it more easily and with less feelings of pressure and guilt entangled into the experience.

DECK USED:  FINE LINE TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Question: What role does play hold in my life?

Sidewalk Chalk Tarot de Marseille

Reading Summary: Sometimes you get a little carried (Cavalier de Bâton) away in overburden yourself (Dix de Bâton) with those things that you’re really enthusiastic about and want to explore creatively (Cavalier de Coupe).

Take Away: My creativity is my where play resides in my life.  I’ve never been much of the “carefree” type.  I don’t fool around or spend a lot of time doing the whole “fun and games” thing.  I find joy and pleasure, passion and spark, in my creative process and all the different ways in which I express myself creatively.

The problem with this is that my work is also creative in nature, and sometimes when I’m diving into one or the other, they blend together, compound on each other, and I end up overwhelmed.  Then the fun dies and I’m left with feelings of overburden and responsibility… and no pleasure or play at all.

DECK USED:  SIDEWALK CHALK TAROT DE MARSEILLE

#DiscordTarotolicsApr2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #1

Fine Line Tarot and Carrot CardsWhat does this loved one need less of from me?
Eight of Cups and The Rolling Rabbit

Stop ignoring the need for fun and pleasure, or pushing it away and considering it not a priority or not important.  It is important and shouldn’t be rejected, ignored, or devalued. A part of his purpose, he feels, is to give me a chance to cut loose and find pleasure in life. Don’t reject the value of these things or view them as inconsequential.

What does this loved one need more of from me?
Eight of Pentacles and The Safe Burrow

Lean in and let him do what he does best, which is making you feel safe and secure, helping you to relax, and sheltering you when you are feeling out of sorts or overwhelmed. Expressing when you are feeling this way is important, and it’s important to him to provide that safe haven for you when you need it.

What in this relationship is being entirely neglected?
The Chariot and Kicking

My dominant nature. Usually this is something that only really displays itself outside of my relationship with him.  There is something about Gideon that specifically pulls on my submissive side.  Outside of him, dominant traits usually reign if only at times in how I control my life and lead in the ways I’m comfortable. But, there are times that it rises up within the context of our relationship.   This is not one of those times.  Yes, that side of myself is being “entirely neglected” right now, but I’m very aware that when those needs rise, I can speak up and they will be welcomed eagerly with open arms.

DECK USED:  FINE LINE TAROT AND CARROT CARDS

Daily Self Kindness

I spent the majority of my day relaxing and spending time with Gideon in play.  It’s been a very “chill” day.

Smelling Roses… or Tulips

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Today’s meditation was skipped because I was lazy as hell and stayed in bed way longer than I had intended to.  As my first day off, I think it’s fair to say that I did a good job in lazing about, even if I didn’t actually meditate.

Rabbit Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Seven of Tulips (Cups) which is traditionally a representation of being presented with a wide variety of choices.  This can be a book of fortune that allows you to select exactly what you want or what is best for you, but sometimes it can also be overwhelming and lead to confusion and indecision.

What stands out to me in this card is the oh-so-very dejected angle of the rabbit’s ears.  He’s really innit now, yeah?  Completely flummoxed and without a clue just which flower he wants to eat first.  His good fortune is in the bounty of options available to him… and yet, it sometimes doesn’t feel that way when you’re having trouble choosing.

Combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, what I see here is a need to slow down. You don’t have to choose your path right this instant.  Life is not a race.  Slow down.  As long as you’re still moving forward, that’s what really matters.  Maybe the rabbit just needs to pause and take some time to smell the flowers before choosing one.

DECK USED:  RABBIT TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Question: Where does my creativity need nurturing?

Seventh Sphere Tarot de Marseille

Reading Summary: Everywhere (The World) you are passionate about (Five of Wands), but with moderation and a balanced approach (Temperance).

Weirdness Side Note:  The World card here in this deck reminds today me of a vagina.  The Star card in this deck reminds me today of a uterus diagram.  Both of these connect to a need for that nurturing energy to be poured into how I deal with the conflict I’m feeling in the area of my creativity.

Take Away:  Honestly?  My creativity has been suffering since the new year.  Or… well, maybe since November. Between the holiday rush and then the MDE that followed, my creative spark has been taking a bit of a beating.  And… I admit I’ve been beating up on  myself a little bit for its lackluster enthusiasm in this area.  It’s really not like me… at least not the me I’m used to.

The need for time off and some time to recover has been pretty intense for the past few days, and what I see here is that there isn’t one particular area where I need to direct that nurturing energy, but rather I need to work on being kinder to myself and make sure as I move forward into my recovery that I take things slow so that I don’t overwhelm myself as my enthusiasm starts to respark.

DECK USED:  SEVENTH SPHERE TAROT DE MARSEILLE

#DiscordTarotolicsApr2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can you tap into additional inspiration this month?

Rabbit TarotReading Summary: Take things slow and smell the roses (Knight of Tulips). Take time to really delve into and enjoy (Queen of Sticks) the creative manifestation that helps root you (Ace of Daisies).

Take Away:  It’s not so much about going after things as it is about taking some time to appreciate what’s already there. Chill.  Enjoy.  Maybe wallow just a little bit.  It’s okay to have a little fun this month and it’s okay to take a break to do that.

This is a fitting message for my time off, and a reminder to allow myself to enjoy this time instead of feeling bad about not getting things done or pressuring myself to get other non-work stuff done since I’m not doing work stuff.

DECK USED:  RABBIT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’m actually playing catch up at the moment, so I can’t really remember what it is that I did on the 3rd for self kindness, but I bet I played with Gideon in our new realm… and that counts!

Cheerleaders In The Wings

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Today’s meditation was skipped today primarily because I was worried that I’d doze off, and thus not get on the road in a timely manner this morning.  When I got home, I was then too eager to sit down and spend time with Gideon.  So… meditation did not work out today.

Tarot of the Nymphs and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Seven of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of nefarious acts, clever and cunning deception, being sneaky, and other types of strategic acts, as well as getting away with something.

And… today’s message was just for me and specifically related to my day.  I planned to do something highly illegal (although not remotely triggering to my moral compass or ethics). There was a bit of nervousness about that coming up on the day’s events and my plans and the message here between the Seven of Swords and the “You can do the thing!” encouragement of today’s Thera-Pets card was just what I needed to hear to ease my anxiety and settle my nerves.

I won’t go into what that ‘thing’ was here, but suffice to say that everything went off without a single hitch, and the cheerleader encouragement from the cards this morning definitely helped my nerves and execution of said “thing”.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE NYMPHS AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Question: What role does creativity hold in my life?

Seasons of the Arcana Tarot

Reading Summary: It is the foundation of stability in my life (King of Pentacles) and allows me something positive to focus on (Five of Cups Rx) during troubled times (Three of Swords).

Take Away:  Creativity plays many roles in my life.  It’s both my entertainment and my livelihood.  It is the basis of my business, and the place I retreat to when I need to relax or when my mind is racing and needs to slow down. It is threaded throughout most of my activities, both professional and personal. Without creativity, it would be harder to lift myself out of times of disillusionment, and I would not have the steady and stable foundation under my feet that I have built my life upon.

DECK USED:  IDEAL SOULMATE TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsApr2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What is the most valuable thing you can do for others this month?

Tarot of the NymphsReading Summary: Lighten their load (imagery in the Ace of Pentacles) by taking charge (Emperor) and facilitating change (Death).

Take Away: Not everyone handles change as well as others do. The cards here indicate that one of the most valuable things I can do for others this month is helping in lightening their load by helping them in finding their direction and supporting them through the changes that need to take place.

Sometimes? People just need a guiding hand to help them figure it out and find their direction.  Sometimes doing that on their own is just too much.. too overwhelming.  Stepping in to help in these moments can assist them in finding their footing.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE NYMPHS

Daily Self Kindness

Gideon and I started a new realm today and played with brand new characters this evening, which is always exciting and I’ve been looking forward to all day long.

Chaos and Change

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Today’s meditation was skipped because I ended up falling asleep in the middle of it.  I’m not exactly how this shit works yeah?  Because I’m in a stretch position with my legs up on the headboard/against the wall.  And yet sometimes?  I doze off and wake up curled up and comfortable. How?

TPatch Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal Cardsoday’s draw is the Resurrection card of the Patch Tarot.  Normally this would be the Devil card.  The thing is?  This particular deck has a very unique perspective on a lot of the cards.  Sometimes, the imagery is completely different.  Other times, the imagery is almost classic based, but with some little odd twists that change the meaning.

In this particular card, what really stands out to me is the representation of all of the elements present and swirling around the central figure. There’s a lot of chaos in this card, although not necessarily any kind of negative chaos.  Just… a lot going on, yeah?  And that’s where the message lies here today.  It lies in the fact that not all chaos is a bad thing.  Sometimes, it’s the catalyst to some of the best things in life.

When combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, what I see here is a reminder not to get worked up and over anxious over change and chaos. This can be really hard to resist, but it’s important to remember that it’s just as often that good stuff emerges from change and chaos as bad, we just don’t fight against the good stuff.  Allow the chaos to swirl around you and reach out for the good within it and it will make the chaos more palatable and the changes it brings easier to accept.

DECK USED:  PATCH TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

LionHart’s Sacred Self Divination Challenge Prompt
Question: What personal theme am I asked to explore this month?

Seasons of the Arcana Tarot

 Reading Summary: Exploring my heart’s desires (Knight of Cups) through home related comforts (Four of Wands) and the pleasure of time spent with those nearest and dearest (Two of Cups).

Take Away:  This is a fitting message considering that I’m kicking this month off by taking some time off and plan on spending a lot of time with Gideon over the next week.  I also plan on cleaning out my storage locker in the basement as the first step (among many steps) in making space in my apartment for shelves. 

DECK USED:  SEASONS OF THE ARCANA TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsApr2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What is the most valuable thing you can do for yourself this month?

Patch TarotReading Summary: Relax with those that make you happy (Six of Cups). Hydrate (Five of Cups). Enjoy the stuff that inspires you (Nine of Wands).

Take Away: The message here is that for the month of April I need to spend time savoring time with others spent relaxing and enjoying each other’s company, make sure that I’m taking care of myself and my body, and allowing myself to enjoy what I’m doing rather than holding myself back or feeling as if I don’t deserve to enjoy and should instead “buckle down” and be more “practical” with my time and attention.

It’s about self care… and about making sure I’m enjoying life instead of trudging forward.

DECK USED:  PATCH TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I gave myself a number of mini-breaks throughout the day today.  It set me back on time a bit, but I didn’t feel burnt out and ready to quit until a bit later in the night.  I’m not sure which is better, feeling fed up and wanting to quit sooner.. but getting done sooner.   Or feeling that feeling later, and but getting it all done taking more time.  Either way it still seems to show up right around the 85% finished mark.

Stirring Up Energies

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IMG_0268Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and another of the short Calm app meditations combined with the interval timer for my piriformis stretching.  Thing is?  Although I benefit more from the eighteen minute meditations than I do the ten minute ones?  I have a hard time allotting myself that extra eight minutes.  I’m not sure why but I do.  So…. I’ll save those for when need that extra amount of meditation and go for the shorter ones for the day-to-day.

The focus of today’s meditation was about trying new things and not -avoiding- trying new things if the reason for avoiding them is just that it’s uncomfortable in some way.  All new things are uncomfortable.  All new things can cause worry or anxiety or discomfort.  That doesn’t mean new things are bad.

Denizens of Earth Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Nine of Earth (Pentacles) which is traditionally a representation of satisfaction with a job well done and the sense of security that comes from that. It’s often a solitary card, but one filled with gratitude and self-acknowledgement for one’s blessings and accomplishments.

The crocus is one of the first announcements of spring each year, emerging from cooler temps to greet the warmth of the season and it’s earthy themes of rebirth.  It is a sign that spring has arrived and all is well, and that the bounty of summer is coming.

What I see in this card is not so much about what you have, but rather the potential of what can be achieved.  The promise of opportunity ahead to fulfill your needs, succeed in those things that create stability and comfort in your life, and not just survive but thrive in the budding energy that spring has to offer us all.

When combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, the message here is that not only is the opportunity there for you to make these things happen, but so too is the capability within you to do it.  Sometimes we feel like we’re just not enough, and because of that feeling, we allow opportunities to pass us by that otherwise we would have jumped at.  Don’t allow this spring to be one of those times you let opportunities pass you by. Instead, choose those things that will help you thrive, and pursue them.  You have it within you to ride spring’s energy and direct it into a positive outcome.

DECK USED:  DENIZENS OF EARTH TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

LionHart’s Whispering Woods Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: What good have I achieved for myself this month?

Bumbleberry Hollows Tarot

 Reading Summary:  New beginnings and new ideas this month (Ace of Swords) have allowed me to turn past bad habits and tendencies (Six of Cups) into something healthier and more beneficial moving forward (Nine of Pentacles).

Take Away:  I’ve come to the realization this month that emerging from depression is a form of rebirth.  A way to change things I’ve done wrong in the past an do better in the future.  In the past, my focus coming out of a depression has always been about “getting back to normal”, but I’m starting to understand that this is not the only way to approach my recovery, and that emerging from depression’s darkness provides me a way to essentially “begin again” and create new habits and new ways of dealing with things.  That the depression wipes out the majority of old habits, creating a blank slate to rebuild upon… and in this opportunity resides the potential for building something better.

DECK USED:  BUMBLEBERRY HOLLOWS TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsMar2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #3

Denizens of Earth TarotWhat to leave behind along with the winter’s chill?

Father of Earth (Dragonfly) – It’s time to trade in more stagnant and staid energies for something with more vitality and alacrity. Being grounded is all well and good, but not to the point that you’re losing range of motion and opportunity through inaction.

What to take with me into the spring?

The Emperor – A sense of empowerment is necessary and you need to make sure you foster those feelings as you move into the spring.  Allow that sense of being “large and in charge” spur you into using your energy wisely to not just find your footing but run with those things that you want to build in your life and accomplish.

What needs exposed to the light and the world this spring?

The Lovers – You are doing the best you can to make the choices that are healthy for you and this is not something to hide away from the world, but rather something to celebrate.  When combined with the forward motion of the Emperor in the previous position, we see a message of leading by example.  Encouraging others to make healthy choices in their lives by showing them how it’s done within your own life.

What needs kept close for further contemplation and meditation?

Child of Fire (Red Fox) atop The Wheel – Inspired ideas that you want to explore need a bit more time to percolate in your head before you act on them. You have plenty to do without adding on more that will imbalance everything and “upset the apple cart”.  Keep them close and sort them out before acting, as you need this time to make sure these ideas become a success, rather than depending on luck to make them work and succeed.

DECK USED:  DENIZENS OF EARTH TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I bought CocoPuffs!  Okay so yes, I need to eat healthier and I get that but it’s COCOPUFFS!  I will just have to practice that whole moderation thing and make them last.

Lessons Lost

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped, although not intentionally.  I ended up falling asleep and having a nap instead, and when I got up it was a bit later than I’d like and I had to do my cards before I lost the sunlight.  Thus… no meditation.

Baby Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Wheel of Fortune, which is traditionally a representation of the ups and downs of life and how life can, at times, be unpredictable.  At times, there are those that read this card as being about good luck, or about bad luck.  In truth, it is about both and how one’s fortune is constantly changing.

What stands out to me in the imagery of this card today is the fact that the baby on the far left looks scared.  The thing is?  Sometimes that’s just how things go.  Fear is a part of the human experience and it can teach us lessons,  just as mistakes and pain can.    It can also allow us to learn from other’s mistakes, so when it’s our turn to learn that lesson the other person learned?  We have a step up to doing things better than the person before us did.

When combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, the lesson here is that even in our mistakes, there’s a lesson to be learned.  Even in our fear and pain, there’s something to be gained.  But we have to look for it.  Sometimes these lessons go by unlearned because we are too stubborn or too wrapped up in the misery to look for the lesson.  It’s important to look for the lesson.  That is… the lesson that makes us better than we were before the experience came along. The lesson that makes us better at something, and/or a better person.  If all you take away is the negative aspects of the experience, then the experience was wasted and the lesson the universe intended you to learn is lost.

DECK USED:  BABY TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Question: How can I more easily depend on others to help me?

Tarot Art Nouveau

Reading Summary:  Start your journey over (The World) from the beginning (doubled Aces) with a fresh and open heart (Ace of Cups) and new perspective on your passions (Ace of Wands).

Take Away:  In the process of surfacing from the MDE, I am given the opportunity to “begin again” with a new perspective.  Like a snake shedding its skin, as I come out of that dark pit of depression, what was before is being left behind and I am able to start over in how I deal with my responsibilities and how I handle myself concerning stress and pressure.  The cards here represent that new beginning, and remind me that if I want to allow people to help me more in my life and responsibilities (which I do), I need to reassess my feelings concerning this and adjust my passions and drive to include them from the beginning.

DECK USED:  TAROT ART NOUVEAU

#DiscordTarotolicsMar2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to focus on for self-care for this full moon?

Baby TarotReading Summary:  Restructuring (The Tower) how I expend my energy.  There is a need to instill more care and nurturing into how I do things (Queen of Pentacles), which will take a bit of learning… which will be slow going but worth it (Page of Pentacles).

Take Away: As my other reading for today already mentioned, I’m at a place where I have the opportunity to do things differently.  A place in my recovery from my depression where I can “begin again” and do things better this time around. I’ve been working for a long time at finding a better way to treat myself and nurture myself, to care for myself while I carry on the responsibilities that lie on my shoulders.

I need to make sure, during this full moon, that I tip my energies towards that restructuring of how I do things, and lean into those efforts to approach things in a better and healthier way.

DECK USED:  BABY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I didn’t get angry at myself for taking a nap today.  I also managed to resist buying a few decks that I’ve been tempted by but have decided to wait on until later.  Perhaps late in the fall when orders for the jewelry business pick up.  I don’t think there will be any worry about losing out on getting them between now and then in this case, and if I still want them by then, I’ll have the extra money to splurge.