The Guardians
Standing tall
and strong
they bend
just enough
to not break
while each
steady branch
holds weight
too heavy
for the roof below
and the sentinels
watch over
those beneath.
The Mess Is Part of the Process
Today’s meditation was skipped.
Today’s draw is the Ace of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of the seed, start, or new beginnings in the area of one’s passion projects, inspiration, drive, willpower, and determination. This often translates into themes that have to do with budding new interests and new passion projects.
So messy! That’s what this imagery is about for me. It’s about the mess! Just like when getting organized, when starting a new project? There’s a certain amount of mess and disorganization involved. You can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs, and you can’t make a masterpiece without making a mess.
Today’s card is a reminder of the messiness that comes with exploring new things, and provides reassurance that that messiness is okay. It’s okay! It’ll clean up just fine when you’ve figured it all out and gotten things sorted. Now is the messy time… but it won’t be forever.
DECK USED: THE STARRY CAULDRON TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for February 20th: Do Spread #3
Basis: Today’s spread is a bit different than our normal in that we are not drawing random cards, but rather, we are picking out the cards we think fit best. For each position, pick the card you feel fits the question best for you, then explain why.
Which one card do you feel sums you up best?
Queen of Swords – I often see this card as my mother, but it is also true that I am my mother’s son. The difference is that I do not use my words to harm or lift myself up, but rather I try to use them to heal and lift up others. I use my knowledge to help others to think and grow and learn, I use my words to help them find their unique path and grow into who they want to become. I untie the knots of restrictions and restraints that others expectations and their own past experiences put upon them.
Which one card do you feel represents your strengths?
The Hanged Man – I feel that my greatest strength is my ability (as well as willingness, and even desire) to pause and reflect on things in order to see them from different perspectives. This allows me to see other’s viewpoints, and my curious mind then seeks to understand where others are coming from. Even when I do not always agree with these views and perspectives, I want to see them… to understand them. I want to spend the time to truly seek out these other viewpoints and grasp how they came to them. I can then add this knowledge to my own perspectives to grasp a fuller understanding of the situation in question as a whole, as well as how to navigate it.
Which one card do you feel represents your limitations?
Nine of Swords – Depression and anxiety are, in my opinion, my greatest limitations. They steal time from me, not just in the “lost time” of moments, hours, or days that are wiped from my memory during the more severe sessions in their grasp, but in the sheer amount of time lost to these issues and their influences. The time lost in stagnancy and in wading through the mire of the fog they create, as well as the time healing from their visits and influences over my thoughts and actions.
What kind of issues do you feel that you need to work on?
Temperance – Moderation is not something I do well or easily. If it’s pleasurable? I can become addicted to it in an instant, if it’s something I enjoy? It can easily become an obsession. It is only with care that I am able to keep these things from happening, but every once in a while… things slip under the wire even when I’m trying to keep them under control. Every once in a while my efforts towards moderation slip and I’m left falling into unhealthy territory. For this reason, I could have easily used the Devil card instead of the Temperance card, but it’s Temperance that I struggle to include in my life… addiction? That comes easy.
What message do you want to convey to everyone?
The Empress – Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. Be kind to the earth and respect that the earth nurtures you, feeds you, and protects you.
DECK USED: THE STARRY CAULDRON TAROT
I had another lazy day. I did do a little work today, but just in making sure I checked my customer emails and took care of anything that came up concerning them.
Gideon’s Challenge
Ties That Bind
Waves or fields
or frozen forests
we frolic
together
find the fun
and with each day
threads
of our bond
grow stronger
as souls entwine
and move as one
through it all
stronger together
than alone
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 – Knave of Cups, La Gourmande atop L’effarouchée – Push aside your fear in order to dive into the lessons that need learned. You are leaning towards shut-in behaviors, and this is not healthy for you. It’s time to work on re-training yourself and your reactions to take you out more, instead of indulging in the fears and habits that encourage distance from others and hibernation behavior.
Air – The Tower and L’Ethérée – More grounding is needed. Seek out those things that will allow your roots to dig deep and your sense of balance and solidity to flourish. A well rooted tree weathers the storm far better than a sapling. This last storm tore up some strong, well established roots. It’s time to dig them deep into the soil once more.
Water – Wheel of Fortune and L’Idéaliste – You need to work on accepting that you’re not going to be able to put out your absolute best into every single day, and that that’s okay. Demanding for perfection from yourself all the time it’s not healthy, and it puts you on an emotional roller coaster that you don’t need to ride.
Fire – The Magician and L’Impudique – Throw caution to the wind and be more adventurous. You have it in you, you just need to tap into those tools and skills that will allow you to explore more thoroughly and get out of each experience exactly what you want.
Waning – Mice and Tower – Ease up on those walls. You don’t have to be so on guard all the time in preparation of things going wrong.
Waxing – Tree and Dog – Connect and do healthy things with those that love you and want to spend time with you.
Take Away – Self care this week is all about making sure you don’t fall into the habits that isolate you from others and the world at large. Get out in nature and get the energy boost and grounding you need from your time among the trees. Be gentle with yourself this week and make it something you enjoy instead of just a week of hiding in a hole away from everyone and everything.
DECKS USED: WITCH FOLK TAROT, L’ORACLE D’EROS, THE CHELSEA LENORMAND RED EDITION
Addictions and Fixations
Today’s meditation was skipped (again).
Today’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of moderation, patience, temperance (literally), and finding balance.
Temperance is, hands down, the card that I struggle with the most. Like the bird (fox?) with its nose buried deep in the flower, I have a hard time taking things slow. I’m sure this illustration is trying to say “take time to smell the roses”, but what I see here is enjoyment to the point of distraction.
To me, the imagery in this card asks for reflection on just how wrapped up I have become in the different things I enjoy. Have I fallen too far down the rabbit hole on any of them? Where do I need to pull back to find a healthy balance?
DECK USED: WITCH FOLK TAROT
Mr Lionharts’ #TheFebruaryTarot Kindred Spirits Challenge Prompt
Question for February 19th
What can use a shift in perspective or attitude?
L’enfant and Le Rockeur – With Gideon, you don’t need to be any more than you are. He is not bored, but is instead continually fascinated by your softer aspects. There is no pressure here for anything other than your attention and affection… in any form in which you want to give it. When you cast your eyes upon him, he feels like a rock star, no matter whether it’s to seek him out for quiet moments, or for something more intense and carnal.
What can I do differently to facilitate this shift?
L’acrobate and La Reine – Be more proactive in getting what you need, instead of allowing yourself to ride the whims of others. This isn’t just about your relationship, but is about life as a whole and all of the relationships you have with others in your life. When you embolden one aspect, you embolden them all.
DECK USED:L’ORACLE D’EROS
#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 18th and 19th
Over what part of your life do you need to release some control?
The Star and Death – You are clamping down too tightly on your expectations for yourself. Optimism is not your natural modus operandi. Forgive yourself for the slip-ups and slowness of the changes you are trying to make towards a more positive perspective. The process is allowed to take time.
How can you better handle and/or respond to criticism?
The Tower and Knave of Swords – Don’t immediately fall into “end of the world” thinking, but instead use the criticism by filtering out the useful parts to learn from. Criticism is a learning experience if you allow it to be. Tell people that give criticism that they have given you something to consider, allowing them to feel heard and giving yourself room to learn and grow from the experience.
DECK USED: WITCH FOLK TAROT
The first day of vacation is always the hardest. It’s difficult to let go and -not- work, but that’s exactly what I did today.
Gideon’s Challenge
From the Inside Out
Your breath
washes over
my senses
hot and searing
your gaze
filled with intensity
that digs deep
to touch the soul
and even though
you’ve yet
to touch me with
calloused hands
your heat radiates
and melts me
Twisting the Leaf 