Various Paganism, Tarot, Etc

Morning Bonus Read – Soul Lessons

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The Gentle Tarot - Soul Lesson Tarot Reading

Card to describe my next soul lesson.

Harvest of Stones – A stronger sense of stability and leadership in the areas of health and home. This isn’t always about others but has to do with how you feel on the inside, including how secure you feel, as well as how you treat your body and take ownership of your health.

How this lesson will manifest itself.

Nine of Thunder – Through stress, worry, and fear.  A tree does not gain strength without the challenges of the wind to test its mettle. It is through misfortune and struggle that we become stronger.  The more the wind blows, the deeper our roots go and the stronger we must become in order to continue to stand tall.

A way that I can absorb this lesson gracefully.

Six of Wands – Look to others for suggestions on the best path forward and allow them to lift you up and ease your mind.  This isn’t so much about seeking their approval, but allowing them to lift you up when you struggle and give you the assistance you need to keep going when your enthusiasm for the journey is flagging.

Why this lesson is in alignment with who I truly am.

Ten of Cups – It will help me to connect more emotionally with those I love, creating a greater sense of well-being.  True happiness goes beyond simply satisfaction, but requires sharing and community.  Fostering this happiness can help in finding a stronger sense of stability.

New opportunities that will arise from this lesson.

Four of Stones – More stability and better grounding. A more miserly outlook.  The opportunities here coincide with the lesson being learned.  It’s important to know when to hold tight to things, and when to let them go. Developing a slightly stronger urge to be a little more tight-fisted wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing when it comes to the financial aspects of life.

How can I follow my heart?

Flower of Wands – Do what makes you happy and help inspire others to do the same.

DECK USED:  THE GENTLE TAROT

Weekly Creativity Prompt – Feeling Your Way

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Prompt: “Draw a single random card from your favorite deck and share with us how the card makes you feel.”

Okay, so this isn’t perhaps my absolute most favorite deck, or even the most favorite deck I’m using this month.  But, it is one of the favorite decks I’m  using this month and I’ve really connected with it well and am enjoying it a great deal.

The Alchemist's Garden Tarot - Two of Cups - Rosa multiflora - Rose - ConnectionTwo of Cups – Rosa Multiflora (aka. Rose) – Connection

Throughout history the rose has been revered as a flower of love and the connection between people. Whether the color is red for passion, yellow for friendship, white innocent love, or pink for admiration, the rose is all about the connections that we make with each other and the communion of energies and emotions that are a part of humanity’s makeup.

When I see this card and Rosa multiflora imagery, the clusters of pink roses speak to me of that inter-connectivity and how people need people. This isn’t a single long stemmed rose, but rather it is a variation of multiflora, which grows with clusters of flowers gathered together.

Whether we are an extrovert or an introvert, all people thrive in connection with others… some thrive in large groups, and others with just one or two close people. But, it is that connection between people that helps bring depth and breadth to life as a whole, and most suffer in some way when it is not present in their lives in some manner.

The Alchemist's Garden Tarot - Root of Pentacles - Metrosideros excelsa (aka. Pohutukawa) - NurtureRoot of Pentacles – Metrosideros excelsa (aka. Pohutukawa) – Nurture

The Pohutukawa is an evergreen of the myrtle family that is endemic to New Zealand. The kahika flowers that this tree produces offer sweet nectar, while the strong roots that can even cling to rocky cliffs to support the colorful tree that towers above.

This combination of strength and beauty speaks deeply to me of the Queen of Pentacles and her strength… and her beauty.   She is supportive and warm, yet strong as iron.  She supports… she is sweet… and she is hard.

This card speaks to me of all these qualities.  It speaks to me of safety and stability.  Of someone that isn’t afraid to let their strength and stable foundation show, and can radiate beauty even as  they hold together all that matters to them.  It is a card that depicts a delicate and beautiful hand with an iron grip that will be used to support itself and others.

DECK USED:  THE ALCHEMIST’S GARDEN TAROT

Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius – May 2021

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Along with the Full Moon, which I did a reading for yesterday, tomorrow is also a Lunar Eclipse!  In celebration of that upcoming event, I decided to do a reading geared towards the eclipse and the energies surrounding it. This spread is brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot By the Moon series.

Lua Tarot - Lunar Eclipse Tarot Reading

1. What external influences are not serving my highest good right now?

The Hanged Man Rx – Make sure that you’re not allowing the closed-mindedness of others to influence your own perceptions. Be aware of where their motivations are centered in relation to the perspectives that they share instead of taking what is said at face value.  Dig deeper and read between the lines, then let go of what doesn’t serve you instead of falling into the trap of their perspective being the only one.

2. Where do I need to shift my perspectives?

Queen of Cups – It is not a weakness to seek out support and a sympathetic ear when you need one.  It takes strength to share your weakness with others and trust them to support you during those times instead of closing up and dealing with it all on your own.

3. How can I best re-charge my energy?

The Seeker – It’s time to get your ass back out in nature and do some hiking. This is about more than a bit of forest bathing, but should include some exertion and effort combined with the peace and comfort that the forest gives you.  Realistically, you can’t go on your own right now, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go at all, just make sure you pick your trails wisely so that whoever you take along can keep up.

4. What is the best course of action for my highest good?

Page of Cups  – Stay open and receptive to input and allow your creative energy to stretch and flex.  Imagination and enjoyment in what you do is a good thing and will help you thrive and move forward, just make sure you’re not closing yourself off emotionally as it will close you off in other ways as well and none of them are healthy.

5. What belief do I need to leave behind??

Knight of Wands – That you have to be go-go-go all the time, moving non-stop toward your goals.  It’s okay to rest, and it’s okay to take your time.  Don’t worry so much about how fast you’re getting where you’re going. Instead slow down and enjoy the ride and the stops along the way.  You’ll get where you want to go eventually and without the unhealthy pressure, burnout, and stress that going full speed all the time creates.

DECK USED:  LUA TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – Pet Reading

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Sparkly Lenormand Reading - Pet Tarot SpreadYour Connection

Mice – It’s all about the food.  Proof that sometimes the cards have nothing to do with their traditional meanings, here they are teasing me with the events of last night and this morning.  Last night, Miss Luna rolled her empty food ball right to my feet and sat beside it staring at me for a half an hour, trying to get me to fill it.  This morning, she was very mouthy about getting it filled and set down for her to eat.  Mice eat… and in the picture this is reinforced by the cheese.

Why you were brought together.

Heart – Heart connection. Need to love.  She needed someone to love her and take care of her, and I needed someone to love and take care of.  We were both in need at that time, and connected through that need.

What your pet really likes.
(The deck refused to give me a card for the word “loves”.)

Clouds – Cuddle time when feeling uncertain. Solidarity in times when things feel unstable and unclear.  When I’m feeling out of sorts, she comes and cuddles with me or sits near me, letting me know she’s there even if she might not want to be petted at the time.   When she feels uncertain or worried, she comes and sits on the other side of me.  Her comfy spot is usually between me and the door, but in these moments she changes to lying on the other side of me and settling her ass up against my hip for reassurance.

What your pet fears.

Key – Leaving the house or you doing so.  Again we see an intuitive response instead of a traditional one.  What Miss Luna fears the most is having to leave the house or me leaving and not coming back.  In fact, when I leave she will often sit on the end of the rug in the entryway and wait for me for hours, or if not, she will come running to greet me whenever I come home.  When I used to go away for days at a time, she would make herself at home in the spot where I sit on the couch and stare at the door for hours on end.

How to help your pet.

Anchor – Encourage feelings of security.  She likes the stability of a schedule and the dependability that it creates in her world.  She likes being able to depend upon me, as well.  In knowing I’m there for her and will take care of her always.

A message from your pet.

Dog – Miss Luna says, “I love you, Daddy. You’re the bees knees and I want to be with you for always.”

DECK USED:  SPARKLY LENORMAND

Full Moon in Sagittarius – May 2021

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On Wednesday is the full moon, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us. Today’s spread is brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot By the Moon series.

Stolen Child Tarot - Sagittarius Full Moon Tarot Reading

1. What impulses need taming?

Six of Flame – Be unique. Fitting in isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.  You know this already but sometimes you forget or the awareness gets pushed aside a bit.  It’s okay for that to happen as long as you remain true to your values and ethics, but it’s better to return back to the confidence of self that allows you to not feel the desire to fit in in the first place.

2. Where can I best direct my energy?

The Emperor – Own your environment, and own yourself. Focus on becoming better seated in your element and projecting that true strength that lives within you and that others depend on.  This doesn’t mean you are supporting them, but when you simply stand beside them, it makes them stronger as a result.

3. How can I best redirect my aggression?

Five of Oak – Don’t allow your feelings of scarcity to trigger you into being miserly. Turn it around into generosity instead.  Just because you feel like things are not going well doesn’t mean that’s the truth.  Work at letting go of the inward directed aggression that feelings of scarcity create. Instead, look at all you have and all you offer to others, and you can see just how well things are actually going.

4. How can I add a little spice to my life?

Page of Oak – Lean in.  Finding the fun and finding your way forward sometimes requires a bit more dedication than others. Push forward to seek more joy and more positivity.  Actively commit to this path and put genuine effort into the process. Don’t put it off for later as your happiness is important.

5a. What personal beliefs need re-examining?

King of Zephyrs – You don’t have to be harsh to be “large and in charge”.  Not everything has to be a battle plan with a sharp tongue and sharper mind behind the wheel 100% of the time.  Everyone needs down time.

5b. What spiritual beliefs need re-examining?

The Star – Leaving things up to chance now and then is not irresponsible and will work out just fine. Your guides are there and will help in times of need, so too will your own intuition.  The world… the universe… it will provide.  So relax a bit and enjoy a bit more of the world around you instead of believing that you need to have your thumb on the pulse of everything all the time.

DECK USED: STOLEN CHILD TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – Shadow Dossier

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“Use the mini-deity dossier to communicate with your shadow self for some shadow work.”

Golden Deer Casino Playing Cards - Cartomancy

Spirit – Jack of Clubs – Been through a lot but eager to try, your shadow self isn’t ready to give up yet and is excited to be getting some attention after being ignored for so long.

Personality – Queen of Clubs – Supportive of your endeavors, helpful in sparking inspiration, and desires to be involved in the process. They may not know the way but they’re happy to be your cheerleader and will be with you along the way.

Abilities – King of Diamonds – Again we see a supportive energy here with a heavily grounded foundation.  They encourage you in creating that stability you crave and are, in fact, the inspiration for that craving.

Traits – Three of Spades – All that grounding takes a tole and so does the fact that they’ve been pushed aside for so long.  Because of this, there’s a lot of negativity there that bleeds out when you’re feeling down, tainting the water and polluting the optimism you are trying so hard to foster in your life.

Omens and Signs to Look For – Seven of Diamonds – Progress takes time, but there are moments along the way when if you pause and really look, you can see their touch in your growth. Their fingerprints smudged upon the glass.

Manifestation – Five of Diamonds – In the past, your shadow self has had to fight to manifest in your life.  This process was always a struggle and took a lot of energy to accomplish, leaving you feeling drained as a result because you were resisting and forcing them back down and away.

Appearance – Ace of Spades –  They are looking for a new and better way to communicate with you.  With the old habits of shoving them away left behind, it’s time to find a better way to connect and thus a different way for them to make an appearance in your life going forward.

What They Want From You – Nine of Spades – They want you to help them with their worries and fears, anxieties and troubles.  Your shadow self holds on to a lot of these things and it needs help to release them, confront them, or process them in a healthy way so that they will no longer be a problem.

Things to Know – Six of Diamonds – They want to get better and be better, even if they don’t act like it sometimes.  It can be hard to move on to better things when sometimes it means leaving shit behind in the process that you’ve been clinging to for so long.   It’s the same for them as it is for you.

Things to Avoid – Nine of Hearts – Don’t get so cocky in feeling things are good that you forget about them.  It’s okay, of course, to fee good.  Just don’t leave them behind and alone in the process.

DECK USED:  GOLDEN DEER CASINO PLAYING CARDS