More Snow
I want more
of the white stuff
that falls from
the sky
and takes children
out of school
to play
while owners
walk pups
in the park
and kick snow
in the air
for enthusiastic
snapping
and happy yips
Don’t Let Them Rust
Today’s meditation was twelve minutes long and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions with the Calm app. The session today was a “loving kindness” practice that had to do with directing loving kindness first toward yourself, then towards loved ones, and then towards those that have wronged you or irritate you in some way.
Interestingly, they said that the directing feelings of loving kindness towards those that wronged you would be the hardest part of the practice, but for me? It was directing that energy and sentiment towards myself.
Today’s draw is the Eight of Hills (Pentacles) combined with the affirmation “As tempting as it may be, you can’t hate yourself into health.”
There is truth to the saying that depression is a form of self hatred. Over the years you have been in therapy you have developed a great many skills to help you with your depression.
These cards are a reminder that those skills are always available to you, and always improving with each use. Don’t let them get rusty. Use them, and use them often, even during times when you’re not in the grip of a depressive episode.
DECK USED: REMEMBERING THE SWEET FOOL TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN
#DiscordTarotholicsJan2024 Challenge Prompt
Questions for January 25th and 26th
What is your greatest vice you’re not consciously aware of?
Nine of Cups and “What if you embraced it for what it is instead of dwelling on how you think it should be.” – Slugabedery. Procrastination. Dallying in stagnancy because of an enjoyment that comes from the contentment involved in those moments.
What is a positive thing in your life that you are overlooking?
Four of Hills (Pentacles) and “Let go of the urge to understand or control. There is peace in surrender and trust that all is in alignment.” – You don’t have to work so hard for the stability you seek. It will come to you naturally, if you let it.
DECK USED: REMEMBERING THE SWEET FOOL TAROT AND REFLECTION MINDFUL RITUAL CARDS
I took a much needed nap today even though it’s an orders day. I also had the most magnificent turkey sandwich for lunch. Like, really amazing.
🌕 Full Moon in Leo – January 2024
Today 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 courtesy of Owl and Bones Tarot.
What is your reason to roar?
The Watchful Wolf – Protecting what’s yours. Whether it’s people or spaces… pack or den.
What makes you crave the spotlight?
The High Tower – You like to be admired. (Who doesn’t?) It lifts you up.
How can you share that light?
The Sad Prince – Stay humble and allow your vulnerabilities to show.
How can you better integrate feedback or criticism?
The Warty Toad – Don’t allow criticism or constructive feedback (even the badly phrased kind) to dim your heart’s glow. Process it with your mind, not your emotions.
Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.
The Slave’s Cave – Home doesn’t have to be a place of only toil and work. It can be cozy too.
DECK USED: FAIRY TALES METAPHORIC CARDS
Shifting the Path
Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #dailycalm sessions from the Calm app. The topic of the session was about intrusive thoughts during meditation, and how instead of trying to push them away or squelch them, it is better to tell them “thank you, but not now”. In doing so, we give them room to resurface later instead of trying to kill them off and ending up with them fighting back in response. It also removes the self judgement of telling yourself that you’re not “good at” meditation, allowing you to practice without harsh judgements and less frustration.
Today’s draw is the Six of Cups combined with the affirmation “Life is hard. You are coping. In the only ways you know how, and you’re doing fine.”
Expectations from youth were handed down to you with a heavy fist. They meant well. They meant well. They were hard in order to make you tough. They were rough in order to teach you strength. They were trying to protect you. It was simply too much, too soon.
Finding your own path that carries with you the lessons of the past is difficult. Sometimes you stumble and other times you struggle. Paving your own path opposed to that handed down to you is hard. You’re doing it, though. Don’t give up.
DECK USED: TAROT OF SACRED FEMININE
#DiscordTarotholicsJan2024 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for January 24th : Are all emotions irrational?
Reading Summary: Generation after generation (Eight of Cups) we work to build a foundation of hope (The Star) to guide us through times of uncertainty (The Moon).
Take Away: Emotions are unpredictable at times, but we can assist ourselves in making them more predictable and handling them better through preparation over time.
If you prepare yourself to have hope, then when things become tough, you are able to stand strong in uncertainty. Our emotions follow suit.
The thing is? We cannot prepare for everything or every emotion… there’s always going to be some irrationality in the mix.
DECK USED: TAROT OF SACRED FEMININE
I started watching Gyeongseong Creature today. I’ve been curious about it for a bit now, but I’ve been holding up on watching it because even if I watch while working, it slows me down.
Gideon’s Challenge
The Sub-Drop
The ache lives
in the hollow
at the pit
of the stomach
raw and hollow
and filled
with weeping tears
and dripping blood
as the ache
slips to tension
and sadness
slips to despair
and all I need now
is your arms
hold me together
a little longer
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
🎨 Weekly Creativity Prompt – King of Wands
Prompt: “Pull the King of Wands card from your deck(s). Compare the imagery between the card provided below and the card(s) from your own deck(s). How would you read them differently and why?“
Joie de Vivre Tarot – The energy of the charge harnessed for a purpose, this king doesn’t just charge forward with enthusiasm, he does so with a plan and invites you along for the adventure. “Come with me,” he says, “and experience all the possibilities life has to offer! Seize the day!” This is the energy that this card brings into a reading, whether it’s through indicating a person in the reading or the spirit/energy of the answer the querent seeks.
Witch Sister Tarot – The stag is king of the forest not through being an apex predator, but through his strength and commitment to family. He represents nobility and integrity, and stands fast for those under his care. He is passionate about family, and passionate about his role among them. He heads their family, protects them, and guides them forward… and they follow because he instills loyalty within their hearts with his strength and passion. Seeing the stag asks where you can step up and lead with integrity while sparking the passion of others through their trust and admiration?
Tarot of the North Atlantic – The sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whales, with a maw that opens impossibly wide. Although males are solitary other than in youth and mating season, they return and are welcomed back each mating season, again and again. Where do you need to pursue your dreams independently, with the occasional support and cheering on of your support system at your back to bolster you?
NYC Tarot – The Hedonist. This card echoes the energy of the Joie de Vivre card most strongly. The rock star stands on stage and performs, and the crowd screams their cheers, sings along with his songs, and idolizes him. This king is afloat on the pleasure of success, glowing bright in the light of admiration from others, and eager to grow his following. This card asks two questions on either side of a single coin. Where has success gone to your head? Where do you really shine, and how can you best share this with the world?
