Listen In Silence

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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.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_0290Tenacity

When the wind blows
and the skies
are dark
or the sun shines
and blue
stretches wide
from horizon
to horizon
I will hold on
and cling tight
to you
because it is you
that makes
my soul sing
and the air taste
that much sweeter
on every inhale

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Good Enough

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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.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_1623Soothing Symmetry

There is something
so soothing
about seeing
those rows
so neatly tied
and ready to go
awaiting the spring
and warmth
from the sun
to awaken within
what is in
hibernation
until flowers give way
to ripe
summer berries

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

The Benefits of Friendship

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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.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_9456Transitions

Cotton candy
clouds
float by
overhead
painted
in pink hues
and as they
drift by
the breeze
ripples over water
to smudge
reflections
like the blurring
of the energy
within me

Photo © ZenStatePhotography