Put Down the Shovel

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Forest Enby Tarot - Ace of CupsToday’s draw is the Ace of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, intuition, and creativity.

On my emotional journey, I am still at the beginning of things and I am still learning. Everything is still very new, and sometimes it’s hard not to revert back to old habits of burying my emotions instead of dealing with them and allowing myself to experience them.

This is how I’ve done things for the majority of my life, but it is only recently that I’ve moved into a place where I can start to explore my emotions more fully. Today’s message is a reminder that emotions are not the enemy, so I need to make sure that I’m not treating them as such (the cup raised high).

DECK USED:  THE FOREST ENBY TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for April 28th

Oracle of Light and DreamsRevisit This – Woodland – Take some time to examine what is negatively affecting your patience at this time. Remember that a part of your emotional journey is how unfamiliar it is to be constantly bombarded by emotions you used to naturally and immediately silence so that they never had a voice. Stillness within chaos, as well as the patience to wait things out and watch instead of act, can help you.

Steer Clear of This – Toyland – Play without purpose has its place in life, but right now you need to make sure that the play you partake in furthers your goals. This doesn’t mean that you have to forsake play altogether, only that you need to find it and enjoy it in places where it can benefit you in other areas.

A New Way Forward – Forget-Me-Not – “Every small act of kindness is an opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of others.” (From the deck’s guidebook.)

Small acts of kindness hold just as much value as larger ones. Spread your kindness around in small pieces, and it will go far.

DECK USED: ORACLE OF LIGHT & DREAMS

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 28th and 29th

The Forest Enby Tarot and Oracle of Light and DreamsI have accomplished this.

Five of Pentacles, Five of Cups atop Seven of Pentacles – I am able to see and acknowledge how negative experiences contain a boon within them. And, I understand that looking at negative experiences from a positive perspective instead of a pessimistic one can assist in my long term growth.

So I can?

Peony – Take time to process and heal from the negative experiences in life without worrying that I’m less than or weak for needing that time. If the growth is long term, it means there is plenty of time to tend to those wounds, and no reason to rush through the healing process.

Because of the above, I am better equipped to…

The Tower and Justice – Deal with chaos and repercussions that decide to rest heavily on my shoulders.

So I Can?

Shadow – Better understand the process of growth and healing through the collected experiences I gather over my lifetime. Each experience is a lesson, and each lesson helps you grow.  It is a continuous process that never ends.

DECK USED: THE FOREST ENBY TAROT AND ORACLE OF LIGHT & DREAMS

Daily Self Kindness

I didn’t get a nap in today, but even though it was orders day, I did take some time to take a breather now and then, and made sure to eat on a schedule so that my blood sugar didn’t drop.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_9120The Tribute

Strength blends
with nurturing warmth
as the green drips
from branches
and the world
is filled with scents
of spring imbibed
with the flavor
of sweet incense
and as I kneel
upon a carpet
of pine needles
to give thanks
the gentle whisper
of encouragement
skims over my senses

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

🌑 New Moon & Solar Eclipse in Taurus – April 2022

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Tomorrow is the new moon, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us. Today’s spread is about the medicine within, and brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot by the Moon series.

New Moon & Solar Eclipse in Taurus Reading with the Curious Travels Tarot

What is blocking my prosperity?

Queen of Swords Rx – Negative inner narratives that beat you down and emasculate you emotionally and physically are blocking your prosperity not just in aspects of monetary wealth, but in the abundance possible in all areas of life. These are echoes from the past that pierced the skin and burrowed deep, and still require more healing.

Where am I playing too small?

Ace of Wands – You should be encouraging that inner spark of creativity and the joy it gives you to set it free. Stop smothering it.

What past financial situations do I need to forgive myself for?

Six of Pentacles – Taking help when it is offered is a bruise on the ego, but you need to allow yourself understanding in this area. Those that helped you when you needed it have forgotten all about it, so stop holding it over your own head.

What untapped well of wealth have I been ignoring?

Eight of Pentacles – You’ve spent a very long time honing your skills when it comes to your craft, specifically in the creation of beautiful jewelry. You have the ability to not just make money at this, but to truly enjoy the process as well.

Where can I be more fiscally responsible?

The Star Rx – Self-medicating through spending may make you feel good in the moment when your hope is depleted and you’re feeling down and disconnected, but it creates a bigger problem in the process.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

The High Priestess Rx – Your connection with your intuition is taking a hit lately while you were going through your depression. It’s time to start reconnecting.

DECK USED: THE CURIOUS TRAVELS TAROT

Reflecting On Gratitude

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Today’s meditation was skipped, although I did have a shrink appointment.

The Houseplant Tarot - Nine of CupsToday’s draw is the Nine of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of feelings of satisfaction, contentment, emotional satiation, feelings of gratitude, and occasionally… gluttony.

Look how the top left vessel almost strays off the page. This card’s imagery seems to say that it has so much that it is barely contained in the card at all. It echoes to the phrase “my cup runneth over”.

Today’s card is a reminder that having a mentality of gratitude is important. It’s important to look at how much you have in your life, how much it means to you, and how lucky you are to have all that you do. It’s important to recognize these things and appreciate them, for in doing so is where you find a sense of contentment and satisfaction with life.

DECK USED:  THE HOUSEPLANT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: What is Divinity?

Mara Lunne TarotReading Summary: Divinity lives in the direction we choose to go in our lives (Three of Wands), the people that we connect with along the way (Three of Cups), and how those connections help in carrying us forward and lifting us up (Eight of Wands).

Take Away: Divinity lies within us. Within the energy we are made from and how that energy connects and flows together with others. It’s about moving forward and growth, and about all of the small “inconsequential” things that help connect us to each other and the world around us.

DECK USED: MARA LUNNE TAROT

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 27th

The Houseplant TarotI will work toward actualizing my dream to…

The Magician and Ace of Wands – …connect my ingenuity with my inner creative spark. Over the last few years I’ve struggled with disconnection in this area, and as a result struggled with motivation in most areas of my life. These cards indicate that it’s time to get back on top of this and focus on working towards fostering that connection again.

By?

Eight of Pentacles and Seven of Pentacles – Focusing on the work, and on taking my time. This isn’t so much about blindly plowing forward, as it is about knowing where my skills and talents lie, and that it’s going to take time to reconnect with them in a way that will foster my creative inner spark instead of trying to smothering it.

DECK USED: THE HOUSEPLANT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I confessed to Gideon about my overdose. Along with this is admitting that it wasn’t an accident… more of an act of desperation when the pain level got to the point that it took over everything. I… really didn’t want to tell him, and have been avoiding coming online because I didn’t want to.  I know… I hurt him so fucking bad. The self kindness in the confession is that it needs to be out in the open, no matter how much I want to hide what I did.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_9521Rainy Day Hike

Raindrops
kiss skin
flushed with color
as soles splash
through puddles
squishy with mud
and the path
winds on
through the trees
as water drips
my hair
to tease cool
rivulets
along my nape

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Weekly Creativity Prompt – The Stolen Pair

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Prompt: Draw (at least) three cards and use them to tell us a story of a (real or fictional) pair of shoes.

Il Fantastico Viaggio Di Un Manichino Da Pittore In 22 ArcaniOnce upon a time there was a very expensive pair of shoes that was so eager to go home with anyone that would take them that they jumped at the chance to be stolen and spirited away by a young woman who couldn’t afford them. (Il Diablo)

The woman then felt so guilty for her crime and so worried that she would be caught (La Giustizia)  that the shoes were tucked in the back of the closet and never worn, left all alone in their box all by themselves for many years (L’Eremita).

Then one day the young woman’s house burned down, with the shoes still in the box hidden in the closet (La Torre). And as they burned, the spirit of the shoes rejoiced, for this meant that they would get a chance to try again for a better life next time (Il Mondo).

DECK USED: IL FANTASTICO VIAGGIO DI UN MANICHINO DA PITTORE IN 22 ARCANI