Providing Comfort and Stability

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Cats of Aux Tarot - Ten of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Ten of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of accomplishments and abundance, and sharing that abundance with those around you.

The image in today’s card feels like a reminder that sometimes providing stability doesn’t come from providing for others. It doesn’t have to be about rent or money. Sometimes it’s about comfort and environment, contact and care.

Support and stability comes in all kinds. You may not be able to always give great gifts or help out financially, but you provide a sense of comfort, safety, and stability to a lot of people. Sometimes, that’s even more valuable than anything you could accomplish with monetary means.

DECK USED:  CATS OF ARX TAROT

@Lionharts #TheFebruaryTarot Queen of Cups Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 10th and 11th

Romantic Tarot, Fated Oracle, and Voie de la Découverte IntérieureWhat are my three best personality traits?

Seven of  Swords – Your ability to know what’s right for you. Peer pressure and indecisiveness are very rarely an issue for you because you follow your gut on what’s right for you, and leave behind what isn’t.

Nine of Cups – Your constant seeking of satiation. This trait often pushes you too hard, but at the same time? It ensures that you are always moving towards something good and seeking out what will make you happy.

Knight of Pentacles – Your determination to keep going. Your willingness to try new things, and keep trying, even when it feels like it’s taking longer than you’d like to get where you want to go.

How am I guided to use them?

All three of the cards in this part of the exercise speak of your romantic relationship with your partner and how to use these qualities in that relationship. (My brain was on him and it skewed the reading, and I decided to just go with it.)

Sexual Chemistry – Just as mentioned above.  You found what works for you and go with it, discarding what doesn’t as nothing more than things that aren’t of interest.  There’s no pressure to do things you don’t, and if there was, you wouldn’t stand for it.

Karmic Relationship – So many times, people think of “karmic” as being something bad, and yet in your case it is just the opposite. Through your skills at appreciating what works for you and willingness to seek it out. You are also willing to share that goodness with others, and through sharing, you also receive.

Sacred Friendship – Others are here to support you so that you do not have to push yourself so hard. They can assist you in staying at a steady pace instead of constantly trying to force yourself to move faster and get more done on your own. These friendships are sacred, not for what they can do for you… but for the caring and support that goes both ways in the process.

How can I nurture my passions today?

Don’t hold yourself back from the things you want (Résistance). Instead, allow them to fill you up (Lumière) and sate you from the inside out (Amour). You hold yourself back as a form of self-punishment.  Instead, nurture your passions by leaning into those things that light you up, warm your heart, and make you happy.

DECK USED: ROMANTIC TAROT, FATED ORACLE, VOIE DE LA DÉCOUVERTE INTÉRIEURE

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2023 Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 9th thru 11th

Cats of Aux Tarot - King of Cups, Five of Cups, Five of Wands, The FoolWhat is one of your most positive qualities?

Five of Cups – This card encourages you to see your natural inclination towards pessimism as a positive quality. It allows you to not be taken by surprise when unpleasant things happen, and helps you in being prepared for the future.

How can you help the positive quality flourish in your life?

King of Cups – In order for this quality to remain positive, you need to have the guidance of somebody who can identify when it is going into a negative space and effecting you emotionally, and is there to help keep you on a more positive track in its usage. Gideon often fills this role for you.

What is one of your least positive qualities?

The Fool – Sometimes you enthusiastically dive into things without thinking them through first. This often ends up with you feeling overwhelmed when you later find yourself with too much on your plate at once.

How can you utilize the least positive quality to your benefit?

Five of Wands – That enthusiasm has the ability to stir others up into a passion, if you share it with them, instead of putting it all on your own shoulders. They may go about adding their help and energy to the cause in different ways than you’re used to, just make sure you’re open to those differences.

DECK USED: CATS OF ARX TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch-up post, and I don’t remember what I might have done as a self-kindness on this day.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_0154Afternoon Delight

Fuzzy bits
of bedding
fly in the air
like tufts
of feathers
as we dive
into the sheets
and roll
together
in a tangle
of limbs
and low chuckles
blend with
loving whispers
of love

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

The Forgotten Cartomancy Reading

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows: “Let’s talk to our divination tool of choice about what we’ve forgotten!”

Urban Legends Playing CardsWhat have I forgotten that needs remembering at this time?

Three of Diamonds and Seven of Spades – Working together is the way forward, and not something to be moving away from right now. Just because the holiday rush is over doesn’t mean that they don’t still want to help, or that you don’t still need that help that they’re offering.

What do I need to forget about that I’m holding onto?

King of Swords and Queen of Hearts – Rigidity and a sharp tongue is not nurturing. If you want give yourself the support that you need, you can’t be harsh with yourself all the time.  Soften the tone of your inner voice and give yourself some comfort and support instead.

DECK USED: URBAN LEGENDS PLAYING CARDS

Novices and Potential

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Spiritual Tarot - Page of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Page of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, home,and manifestations. This can often translate into themes that have to do with learning new skills for work, new or resurfacing opportunities in one’s finances or resources, learning how to thrive with a handicap or disability, or recovery from illness.

This particular soldier does not look particularly thrilled, prepared, or… well, okay. He looks like a bit of an idiot actually, from the expression on his face.

We are all idiots sometimes. Especially when in the midst of trying something new. This guy is not war hardened, nor particular ready to go… but he has potential. And that is what today’s card is about. Potential.

The message in today’s card is that it’s okay to look like an idiot when learning something new. It’s a part of the process.

DECK USED:  SPIRITUAL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for February 8th: Philosophical Question – Why do people fear failure, even though they learn and grow from their mistakes?

The Path of the Illuminated Soul OracleReading Summary: Because change is hard (The Wind Chime), especially when combined with the fear that one’s failure may corrupt something good in their lives (The Snake In the Grass).

Take Away: Sometimes when we mess up or fail at something, it can have the potential to roll downhill and mess up other things in our lives. That “collateral damage” can be painful and very destructive.

Fear of this happening combined with the struggle concerning the changes that can be wrought often make it hard to just accept failure, even when it’s a part of the learning process.

DECK USED: THE PATH OF THE ILLUMINATED SOUL ORACLE

@Lionharts #TheFebruaryTarot Queen of Cups Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 7th thru 9th

Spiritual Tarot - Ace of Pentacles, Queen of Pentacles, The Emperor, Seven of Cups, Eight of PentaclesWhat practical advice can you offer me about my current path or journey?

Eight of Pentacles – The more time and attention you put into honing your skills, the more skilled you become. You can do anything your heart desires if you are willing to put the time and attention into it that it needs.

Where should I follow my intuition?

The Emperor – Being a leader means that you do things your own way and guide others in the process. Allow your intuition to be the key to what “your own way” entails.

Why is this important for me?

Seven of Cups – This is important because there are a lot of choices out there and sometimes they all seem like good ones. Your intuition can help you sort the wheat from the chaff.

What can I be grateful for about my life today?

Queen of Pentacles – You have those in your life that provide for you a sense of support, security, and stability… and those that you provide this for as well. It gives you a sense of “place” in this world.

How has this helped me?

Ace of Pentacles – It allows you to open up to opportunity when it presents itself in ways that would be a struggle previously.

DECK USED: SPIRITUAL TAROT

@thetarotprofessor Self Love Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 10th

The Path of the Illuminated Soul OracleI am worthy of happiness because…

The Pocket Watch – …we all are. We are all worthy of  happiness, and need it as we move upon our life’s path. It is a part of what life is all about, and although it is not a constant state that we can have all time time, it is one that is sprinkled along the path for us to discover and enjoy along the way.

What can I start saying yes to in order to claim my happiness?

The Universal Healer – Smiles, laughter, and fun. Lean into optimism and positivity even when your natural inclinations are pulling hard in the other direction.

DECK USED: THE PATH OF THE ILLUMINATED SOUL ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

Ahhhh this is a catch-up post, and I cannot remember what it was that I did for a self-kindness on this day.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_0137The Burning

Our passion
burns bright
like a match’s
strike
that catches
not just flint
to phosphorus
but sets the world
ablaze
and everything
burns
until all
that is left
is you and I
and scorched earth

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Idols and Role Models

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Today’s meditation was skipped, as was the card of the day, sue to migraine issues.

@thetarotprofessor Self Love Challenge Prompt
Question: Find your idol or role model in the tarot. (For example: Which figure in the tarot cards do you admire the most? Which card’s energy do you find yourself trying to channel and embody most often?)

IMG_E1111

Start listing all the reasons why this tarot card/figure is your role model.

Honestly? There are so many I could choose for this exercise, but I chose the first two that came to mind. Note that the choice of these cards is very much based upon their imagery. In other decks, it would be different cards.

Why do you admire them so much?

Five of Flame (Wands) – They fight for what they want, but never take it so far that it tears apart the family unit in the process. Conflicts happen, but the connections and ties that bind remain strong.

Ten of Swords – Fierce and wild, she survives against all odds.  The storm may take her to her knees, and yet she will charge forward still, screaming in the face of defeat and never giving up.

Why do you want to be like them?

Five of Flame (Wands) –  I like the idea that our individuality is not detracted from even when we belong to each other as a group or a family.  I like the idea that you can fight for what you believe in, even butt heads with others of your inner circle concerning what you believe in, and still those others remain just as cherished and important to you as ever.

Ten of Swords – That fierce energy to take on every challenge as it comes, and tear through it to move forward to the next.  You may not win them all, but that survivor’s spirit to fight ever forward is a draw for me.

What personality traits does this tarot figure have?

Five of Flame (Wands) – Strong. Stubborn. Not afraid of conflict. Independent without having to be alone.  Loving with strong priorities towards what is right for them balanced with those that they love.

Ten of Swords – Fierce.  Volatile. A survivor. Determined, with a never give up attitude.

What do others think of this tarot figure?

Five of Flame (Wands) – They are aware that this figure is determined and stubborn, and yet feel safe in their presence and even when in conflict with them, because they know that the disagreement will not wreck that connection. This provides a sense of security, even in moments of chaos.

Ten of Swords – Probably a bit of annoying that they always seem to be in chaos.  And yet there’s admiration there as well, for others recognize that they have been through a lot, and yet are still going strong and just as fierce as ever.

How does this tarot figure treat their family and friends?

Five of Flame (Wands) – They support and value their family and friends, but don’t allow them the power of peer pressure and is not a people pleaser.

Ten of Swords – Possibly a bit neglectful. They’re too focused on dealing with what is right in front of them and needing dealt with, slaying the chaos and surviving… that makes everything beyond that focus more of an afterthought.

What kind of lover or partner is this tarot figure?

Five of Flame (Wands) – Possibly a bit selfish, but they won’t leave you hanging entirely.

Ten of Swords – Wild in bed.  The type of lover that wants to wring ever last drop of pleasure out of the experience and break the bed in the process.

How does this tarot figure react when threatened or insulted?

Five of Flame (Wands) – I would say that this depends on who is doing the threatening or insulting.  In general, I can see them standing tall against these experiences, and allowing what is said to slide off their back like rain off of a slicker.

Ten of Swords – Immediately going on the offensive… or walking away because it’s not worth their time.  There is no middle ground.

Read the list back to yourself slowly and meaningfully. Let the magnificence of your tarot idol wash over you.

Take a moment to realize that you too embody these qualities. The reason role models and idols and mentors resonate with us so deeply is that we see ourselves in them.

Okay. I sort of disagree with the last statement (even if it is true for the two cards I chose in this exercise).

Although I think that sometimes the above is true, I feel that far more often individuals become our idols, role models, and mentors because deep down we see the potential of who we want to become within them. Those qualities then become a part of us because of that desire as we seek to follow their example.

I agree, though, that it means all those things listed above then become a part of who we are, for in our admiration we (whether subconsciously or consciously) begin to strive to be more like them, and those qualities we admire begin to develop within ourselves.

DECKS USED: THE STOLEN CHILD TAROT AND TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM

Daily Self Kindness

I actually skipped all cardwork for today. I knew the cards I wanted to use for the exercise above and already had pictures of them to work with.  I deleted and/or removed other cardwork to another day.