Too Much
Little things
pile together
bit by bit
until finely defined
details
become blurred
in the tangle
of all that
draws the eye
and pulls
on the attention
and fine details
fade away
under the onslaught
of chaos
Don’t Drop the Shield
Today’s meditation was skipped (again).
Today’s draw is the Knight of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of an active projective beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s drive, determination, passions, motivations, values and principles, and/or inner spark.
In this card, what draws my eye is the shield and the torch. The knight holds the torch high as he charges forward, his passion and intensity to the fore, and yet, he has not left his shield behind in his single minded purpose.
The imagery in this card is a reminder that no matter how wrapped up you get in your goals, your passions, or your values and priorities… don’t leave behind your boundaries. To be healthy in your pursuits, you need to continue to uphold your boundaries along the way, not set them aside because they are inconvenient or you think you won’t need them.
And… I don’t know who needs to hear this, but don’t forget to wear a condom people. No matter how hot and heavy things might get.
CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.
Fiery intensity
drives us forward
torch ready
condom in hand
DECK USED: UNSEEN WORLD TAROT
Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 8th: What {3 things} can help me establish a good foundation for 2023?
Protection – Make sure that you are clear on your boundaries, both with yourself and with others. By ensuring you know where the line is drawn, there’s less chance of people crossing over it (or you crossing over it into unhealthy behavior).
Mystery – Do not fear the uncertainty that resides within the unknown, but rather see it as an adventure, and a chance to set your curiosity free.
Repetition – Practice makes perfect. Many of the things you focused on and goals set in the past are worth repeating again this year. Look over past efforts and see what you could repeat again, and improve upon in doing so.
DECK USED: SHADOWSPEAK ORACLE
#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Topic for January 8th: Do Spread 2
Question: how can I better keep my energy up when I feel like dawdling in stagnancy?
Reading Summary: There is a difference between rest (Four of Swords) that you need need in order to stay healthy such as healthy sleep and meditation (how the figure is sitting in the Four of Pentacles), or laying about just because it feels good (The Devil).
In the anchor card, the tangle of tentacles doing a variety of tasks at ones corresponds to the messiness in the imagery of the Devil card, speaking of the habit you have of taking on too much at once being foolhardy and feeding into your desires to seek “feel good” respite as well as over indulge in it.
The hat on the octopus in the anchor card, on the other hand, is not tangled and stands out strongly, connecting with the figures in both the Four of Swords and Four of Pentacles (as does the lighter colors in the background connect to the anchor card). This speaks of a need to condense and focus on single things, rather than copious responsibilities. Refine your attention to one thing at a time, and make sure that you are adding rest into the mix where needed. Both rest for the mind (Swords)… and rest for the body (Pentacles).
Take Away: Rest and meditate as needed, but don’t sink into the trap of laying about just because it feels good. That habit will draw you in again and again if you let it. Make sure that you are not overextending yourself by taking on too much, as it draws you into seeking out those useless “feel good” moments that have no value.
DECK USED: UNSEEN WORLD TAROT AND GRATITUDE POSTCARD SET
I tried to get as much of the orders that have to go out on Tuesday done today so that tomorrow wouldn’t be as stressful.
Gideon’s Challenge
The Simmer Pot
Apple peel
and bits of core
star anise
and peel
of orange
a cinnamon stick
or maybe two.
A spark of heat
some time to stew
moon water roils
into fragrant brew
of simmering
scents
that warm the home
balm the sinuses
and soothe
the soul.
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)
These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.
The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?
Earth – The World – It’s time to emerge from the quiet cocoon that you’ve rested in recently after the journey through your holiday rush. Getting back into the swing of things and finding your new path forward awaits your attention.
Air – Nine of Fire – Make sure that you are keeping your boundaries in place where your inner narrative is concerned. Don’t let the biting cold of those harsher judgements slip past your defenses and start to chip away at the progress you’ve made.
Water – Ace of Earth stop King of Water – More time with Gideon is a good thing. Make sure that you are taking care to rearrange your time so that you are getting the nurturing energy and support you need from spending time with him.
Fire – Death atop Tower – Take little steps towards change so that it doesn’t all fall upon you at once. That shit doesn’t have to come up on you and slap you in the face all at once if you use a little forethought and move in the direction of the change that’s coming a little at a time.
Waning – Paths and House – Don’t sit in indecision and inaction just because the stagnancy feels safe.
Waxing – Cross and Bouquet – Getting unpleasant tasks done and out of the way will be a great boon for you this week.
DECKS USED: MONSOON TAROT AND NOCTURNAL GARDEN LENORMAND
Rise Again… Stronger
Today’s meditation was skipped.
Today’s draw is the Nine of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of boundaries, perseverance and resilience, the testing of one’s values and principles, and tapping into one’s protective instincts.
Here in this card’s imagery, we see the theme of perseverance and resilience in the phoenix on the dress the woman wears. Her long locks indicate time… a path and a journey that has taken a long time, and yet she rises to the challenge strong even still with her chin held high and a grin on her lips.
It takes a certain strength to make it through so much life, live through so many experiences, struggles, and journeys, and yet still come out the other side of it in a seat of power that leaves you ready to rise up and go again for more.
Today’s message is that we are stronger than we think we are, and we can survive much more than we think we can, coming out the other side stronger, wiser, and ready to face the next battle. Hold on to your values and principles, and face these challenges knowing that they will not defeat you. Like the phoenix, you will rise again.
CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.
Values
you hold dear
are strengths
that carry
you through
DECK USED: ELDER STORIES TAROT
Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 7th: What {3 things} should I focus on during the first months of 2023?
Lotus – Moderation. Make sure that you are not falling into excess in any of the areas of your life where this can often be a problem. You need to work on making moderation a theme for the first few months of 2023. Enjoy what you have and leave moments of excess for later in the year.
Calendula – Use positivity and optimism as a balm against the sting of darker tendencies towards pessimism. You have seen what leaning into the positive can do if you are willing. Make sure that you are doing so over the next few months to ensure you keep things light and healthy.
Heather – Reconnect with your spiritual path, and step back into your meditation and breath work. They are intrinsically connected, and working on one furthers the other and vice versa.
DECK USED: HERBALIST’S FLASH CARDS
#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 7th: Old Rock Day – What burdens from the past do you carry that need to be set down?
I learned the depth of responsibility involved in reading tarot for others the hard way. In the early years of my foray into the tarot, I did a reading for a woman dealing with depression and troubles in her relationship. Back then, my reading style was far different than it is now, and there was no focus on empowerment but only a very blunt reading of what the cards had to say directly in answer to a direct question. She did not get the answer she was wanting, and that night she killed herself. (The High Priestess)
No, I do not believe that my reading was the -only- factor involved in her death, but I do take responsibility for the fact that I sure as hell didn’t help things in any way, shape, or form. Having dealt with suicidal ideation myself, I know just how much damage can be done when you are at the end of your rope and you go to someone for help… and do not get what you need. (Eight of Cups atop Death)
I learned from this experience that when people come to you for a reading, most often they are coming to you for help… and you can’t always know their mental state when someone sits down for a reading. Being a good, conscientious, and responsible reader requires accepting this responsibility and taking it seriously. I shifted my practice to become more compassionate to my querents, and to deliver advice rather than just simple answers. For me, reading for others (and myself) has become about empowerment. It’s about giving people what they need. That’s not to say they always get what they want, but rather that bad news comes with advice and encouragement to find the boon in the situation. Encouragement to grow and prepare, learn and see new perspectives instead of just a pat answer that leaves them walking away heartsick and at a loss. (Queen of Pentacles)
What these cards are telling me I need to set down is my feelings of guilt that I still carry.
DECK USED: ELDER STORIES TAROT
I worked on orders in between posts with Gideon in play. I’ve really missed play with him and it feels so good to get to spend time with him again.
Gideon’s Challenge
Quiet Moments
Sunset
and shadow
play games
high above
as we sit
together
on a cold bench
tucked in
to each other’s
warmth
and watch
as the sun sinks
and the sky
turns vibrant
as light
begins to fade
Twisting the Leaf 