The Approach
They come
marching
in a line
stretched long
although made
of fluff
bringing a bite
in the air
with them
as they move
as one
towards land
promising the need
for warm mittens
and ear flaps
Weekly Creativity Prompt – Mood Boards
Prompt: “Draw a random card, and create a mood board for that card. You can use the card you drew in your mood board, but only that specific card from that specific deck (no others of the same card from other decks). Build your mood board using whatever other elements you wish to express the theme of the card and its meaning.”
The Emperor puts out fires… and starts fires. He is the “man” in charge, and not adverse to the luxury provide through success that his position of authority entails, and yet he will work hard for those in his care. Encouraging growth in those that depend on him, he wants those around him to thrive, but will not tolerate usurpers that may try to step on his toes or lay claim to what is his.
The Fool sees life as an adventure filled with unlimited potential and exciting things to explore. Vivacious and naïve, he bounds forward with carefree enthusiasm that is instilled in all that he does. Rose colored glasses and a sense of adventure make life for the Fool a treasure trove of experiences that he’s ready to plow into headlong without a worry to be found.
Judgement has sharp edges when at its harshest. A weight we carry as we gather up our experiences throughout life, then look for the exit sign while examining all we’ve collected. Its not about what we own but who we are and what we’ve done with our lives. Do we hide away from responsibility? Or step forward and shout out loud our truths? Through faith and love we reach the end not under the thumb of guilt, but ready to rise above.
DECK USED: TAROTS UNIVERSELS
It Could Always Be Worse
Today’s meditation was skipped (again).
Today’s draw is the Ten of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of the end of a painful journey and other painful endings, the pain of betrayal, and moments of loss or defeat.
Here in today’s card and it’s imagery, there is a message encouraging you to acknowledge the issue you were faced with went far better than planned, and that you have come out on the other side of it wiser than when it began. The fact that there is one sword that is not piercing the moon, but instead lies resting above it all, is a reminder that things could’ve been much worse.
My most recent Etsy adventure with their customer support went far better than previous experiences. They seemed to actually read my issue and understand it, and instead of brushing my concerns under the rug as usually feels to be the case, they appear to have taken them forward to the tech department, and resolved the financial implication that was involved as well.
I wish all customer service contact with Etsy could be more like this one, for… for once I actually feel heard. It might have felt like a huge stab in the back at the time, but it was resolved far easier and better than expected and things could have gone far worse.
DECK USED: GOLDEN NIGHT TAROT SILVER EDITION
#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 21st and 22nd
What skill in your tarot practice needs improvement?
Page of Swords and Knight of Cups – It’s time to learn a new skill… and stop hesitating.
This is about my explorations into mediumship. I am curious and I have a lot to learn in this area. I’ve been hesitating and putting it off instead of diving in to explore. This is a venue that I really didn’t have much interest in and tried hard to avoid in my practice for a very long time, but over the last few years my affinity for it has grown and my curiosity has been piqued. It’s time to dive in and explore the possibilities more fully.
How can you best work at improving this skill?
Ten of Pentacles and Two of Wands – Set a goal, and then make plans to work towards it. A lesson plan of some type, even loosely made, will help you in getting on track in studying and exploring this aspect of tarot more thoroughly.
A little structure can go a long way, and a goal combined with that structure will provide direction. I’m not always a big fan of structure, yet I’m aware that I thrive under its influence.
DECK USED: GOLDEN NIGHT TAROT SILVER EDITION
I had a wonderful nap today. Usually my naps are kind of so-so. A recharge, but not really good. This one was real good.
Gideon’s Challenge
Saying Goodbye
Sweet moments
weigh heavy
in tufts
of memory
as the soul aches
for losses
and cold winter
creeps in
to the heart of men
as the sadness
of loss
swallows
us
whole
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Transitions Lenormand Reading
What shift is taking place in my life?
Clover and Snake – There’s lots of opportunities that look awfully good coming your way, but you need to be careful that you don’t let an opportunity that looks just right end up biting you in the ass. That “grass is always greener” mentality isn’t really true, so make sure you are paying attention to your assumptions. You want to catch this before it matures. Better self awareness is needed.
What needs to be released so that I can welcome this change?
Tower and Gentleman – Being too on guard is not healthy. It’s not walls that you need in order to protect yourself from the snake among the grass and clover patches. It’s awareness and strength, as well as owning up to one’s choices and responsibilities.
How will this support my continued growth?
Paths and Lily – Clearer thinking and better decision making will grow from this if you allow yourself to shift with these transitions and follow the wisdom lain out here.
DECK USED: STORYTALE LENORMAND
Think First, Then Speak
Today’s meditation was skipped (again).
Today’s draw is the King of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, logic, intellect, education, ambitions, or communication.
What catches my eye in this card is the fact that the king is actually kneeling, and the sword is pointing down instead of up. This brings him closer to the ground, and puts a less aggressive spin on the energy of the king in this card.
The message here is an encouragement to make sure that you speak from a grounded place of knowledge. Don’t run off at the mouth on things that you are not educated on. Don’t speak as an authority on something that you don’t know enough about. Acknowledge that you don’t know everything, not just to yourself but others. Ensure that you have your facts straight before you open your mouth.
Sometimes what we think we know is not enough, and this card is a reminder that it’s better to err on the side of caution and do your research before you speak, than speak out when you know nothing and look like an ass doing so.
DECK USED: OMNI TAROT
Mr Lionharts’ #TheFebruaryTarot Kindred Spirits Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 20th and 21st
What do I need to forgive?
Knight of Wands atop Two of Wands Rx – Okay, so again I had some troubles with Etsy. This time because they didn’t give me a chance to perform any customer service with a customer prior to taking the reigns and dealing with the situation themselves.
I think this is something that I need to forgive, as I think that they are trying to improve their way of dealing with things to make customer service better for shoppers. But, in their enthusiasm for this idea, I think that they just went a little overboard in their efforts. From the email I got this morning, it looks like they’re in the process of working it out and will be reimbursing me for my loss in this area.
In what way can this help me?
Seven of Swords – I’ve gained knowledge into the inner workings of changes on something that most of the sellers on the site have no clue about yet. I’m not sure entirely how useful this knowledge is, but it is a change that has taken place quietly behind the scenes that most are not aware of.
What part of me is currently being oppressed?
Five of Pentacles – I’ve been working on putting a little more self-control into my spending of late. I don’t think this oppression is a particularly negative thing, even if it makes me feel a bit of a scarcity issue as a result. Better to feel a bit of scarcity emotionally about something, rather than actually have to experience it manifest in your life.
How am I to rise above this?
Queen of Swords – It’s important to sit with these choices and think through all the ways that this oppression I’ve been working at instilling in my life is a good thing for me. In doing this, I’m able to council myself on the fact that even if I’m feeling a bit negative about it all, it really is a good thing.
DECK USED: OMNI TAROT
Nap time was something I really didn’t want to do today, as I wanted to spend the time with Gideon. I did take a nap though. Since we’re up until 3 or 4 in the morning playing, it’s necessary to make up that sleep somewhere. The nap time helps with this.
Twisting the Leaf 