The Holdout
Little buds
continue to open
providing pops
of bright color
in an increasingly
chill clime
as delicate looking
flowers
cheerily greet
each day
with the promise
of holding out
to share their beauty
just a bit longer
The Magic of Enthusiasm
Today’s meditation was attempted, although I was a bit too restless to actually pull it off.
Today’s draw is the Eight of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of hard work, honing one’s craft, apprenticeship, development of expertise in a craft, and can indicate repetitive tasks (which are often necessary to develop mentioned expertise).
Today is an orders day, which means I need to put into practice my skills and expertise. The affirmation card is a reminder that these skills are an expertise for a reason. Because I enjoy what I do, because I love creating things. This allowed me to make a living out of something I love, and that it’s important to look at the work through this lens instead of letting lack of enthusiasm leech in and steal away the potential for pleasure.
DECK USED: TERRA VOLATILE AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK
Mr Lionharts’ #TheNovemberTarot Solitary Tarot Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 4th
How can I nurture my creativity or curiosity today?
The Seer and Knight of Cups
Stop looking outside of yourself, for that creative inspiration and motivation you seek lies within. Your intuition and creative spark are related and you find the most enjoyment in your craft and creativity when you allow them (as well as your curiosity) free reign to explore and enjoy.
Why is it important for me to nurture this right now?
Lady of the Hedge and Hel
Nurturing this right now will help in soothing your feelings of unrest and anxiety, as well as your feelings of discontent and the leeching of enthusiasm that you’ve been experiencing.
DECK USED: HEDGE GUILD OTHERWORLD ORACLE AND THE WITCHES TAROT
Tarot Nerd’s Better Boundaries Tarot Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 1st thru 5th
What is the difference between a wall and a boundary, to me personally?
A wall is to block out something or someone that is usually not life changing just annoying or frivolous (Three of Cups), whereas a boundary is there to promote healthy growth (The Universe).
Where have I built walls that need taking down?
The Fool – The walls that are currently blocking out or tamping down on your enthusiasm for life and new things. You need to tap into that enthusiasm, and there are walls in the way that are separating you from that spark you need right now.
How do boundaries benefit me?
Two of Coins – Boundaries benefit you by providing balance in your life and encouraging a more diverse and healthy use of your time. By having good boundaries in place for yourself and others in your life, you are able to make sure that you don’t focus too hard on one thing and end up neglecting other things as a result.
How do my boundaries benefit my relationships with others?
The Chariot – You are not swayed by peer pressure or conformity. Boundaries allow you the control and independence that you need in your life, and thus shape the dynamics of your friendships, relationships, and interactions with others.
Where in my life would most benefit from stronger boundaries?
Queen of Cups – The desire for emotional mothering is something you need to build bigger boundaries concerning. Every time you think that your mother is going to give you that type of emotional support, you are then crushed again when her true nature shows up to spoil those hopes.
DECK USED: TERRA VOLATILE
(Writing this the day after.) I went to bed early.
Gideon’s Challenge
Tetchy
Prickly bits of feeling
tendrils reaching out
sensitive and raw
bewildered
confusion abounds
energy a jumble
sulking and uneased
take caution
not to pierce the skin
of those around you
please
it’s not their fault
you’re out of sorts
so pause a moment
just breathe
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
New Moon in Scorpio – November 2021
Today 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 brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot By the Moon series.
1. What do you need to face that you’ve been avoiding?
Knight of Swords – Your reckless energy expenditures. Where are you putting your time and energy that is not paying off? Here, we return to something that came up in a reading done yesterday. That is to say… it’s time to stop wasting time playing games on your phone. They aren’t giving you the rest you need, nor are they relaxing you at the moment. They’re just allowing you to retreat when it would be far healthier to spend your time in other ways.
2. What secrets need to come into the light?
King of Coins – It’s time to go some financial reorganization. You’ve put it off for too long. Things that need to be attended to need to be actually dealt with. This includes telling L it’s time to get a job again (okay, so not until January, but it needs to be brought up so she has time to prepare), instead of pretending you’ve got that shit under control without her help.
3. What conversation needs to be had?
Two of Cups – More appreciation of loved ones, more “I love you” for Gid. You’ve slacked off in both of these of late. Although it’s true that your love and appreciation is there whether you express it openly or not, it’s something that they need to hear.
4. What do I need to forgive in myself?
Temperance – Moderation does not come easily to you in so many, many different ways. If you enjoy it, it can become addictive. If you can punish yourself with it, it can also become addictive. It doesn’t really matter what it is as long as it can fill one or both of those prerequisites. You need to remember that it’s natural to slip up now and then. Just keep trying.
5. What shadow aspect requires integration?
Three of Coins – Why is asking for help so difficult for you? This is not the time of year for shadow work for you, but it is something you struggle with and need to be aware of, as not asking for help can easily become a form of self sabotage at this time of year.
DECK USED: LUX EX UMBRA TAROT
Fun Can Be Soothing
Today’s meditation was skipped once again.
Today’s draw is the Ace of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of the seed (or in the case of the Wands suit, the spark) of new beginnings and the potential they hold in the areas of one’s drive, enthusiasm, willpower, motivation, and passions. This is less about whatever it is that creates the spark, so much as the spark itself as a light within you to drive you forward.
Combined with the affirmation card for today, what I see here is a reminder that inspiration and enthusiasm does not always have to be chaotic or filled with harsh energy. Some things can be approached with an eagerness that is gentle and temperate instead of wild and pushy. What things in your life do you love that aren’t a clamoring cacophony of demand in your life?
I have very few of these things in my own life. My inner dialogue is constant and often overwhelming, and very often loud and demanding. It leaves little room for things that foster peace that I might enjoy. That is something I need to foster more of in my life, and that is where I feel that ideally meditation should step in and fit the bill… except that I’ve been allowing the chaos to push it aside.
DECK USED: EPIC TAROT AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK
Mr Lionharts’ #TheNovemberTarot Solitary Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question for November 3rd: Think of something good/nice you can do for yourself today. Draw a card (or cards) for feedback on your thoughts.
Something Nice: Let’s stay away from the games on the phone today.
Reading Summary: It’s not going to be easy (Valet de Pique) but it will allow for you to nurture yourself in healthier ways that don’t close you off emotionally (Dame des Cœurs) and help get you back on track to the things you should be doing (Le Pape).
Take Away: This is about my addictive nature when it comes to things I enjoy… or can hide within. I have been using the games on my phone to hide from reality, to hide from my feelings, to hide from my thoughts. To retreat… and yet not rest.
Learning to go back to dealing with things in a different way is going to be healthy for me, but not easy. Necessary, though.
DECK USED: JEU DE TAROT BRETON
#DiscordTarotholicsNov2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 3rd and 4th
What harsh truths do you prefer to ignore?
Prosperity, The Emperor atop Ace of Swords
You focus far too much on what is profitable, prioritizing it over new ideas that you may want to explore that aren’t filled with as much monetary potential.
There are a great number of things I would like to explore, but put on the back burner due to the lack of profitability. The message here is that I need to focus less on the money factor, and more on how fun or interesting exploring these other projects could be. Add factors of enthusiasm, curiosity, and potential fun into the decision process instead of basing my decision fully on if I can profit from them.
What do I need to focus on for self-care for this new moon?
Grieving, The Empress atop The Star
Stop focusing on the freedoms and pleasures that have to be put on the back burner in the upcoming weeks. Instead, you need to be training your attention on nurturing yourself in all the ways you can, and fostering that connection with optimism that has been faltering of late.
DECK USED: SPELLCASTING ORACLE CARDS AND EPIC TAROT
I got my flu shot today.
Gideon’s Challenge
Make Me Blush
Color flushes up
from collar bones
to slide along soft skin
of throat to eats
and tips pinken
as cheekbones
flush with pink hues
even as the color
continues to spread
to nape
all because you stare
so intently
that my heart flutters
wildly
