Your Path… In Fiction

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So, my Friday paganism posts have sort of become a rare once in a while thing.  Which, is fine. But, I really enjoyed a question posted last night on one of the Discord servers I am a member of. I thought I’d share my response to it here.

Question for September 10th: How would you describe your practice if it belonged to the main character of a story?

RainforestPath

The man knows so much of the natural world and was friends with the forest and the things hidden there in the shadows between the trees and the dark hollows of nurse logs.

He is bonded to the world through earth and soil, crystals and sand, leaves and bark and clinging moss. Their energy is his energy, and his is theirs in turn, and with every day that passed his roots entangled more and more with those of the trees and green things within the damp forest soil.

Through this connection, the world speaks to him and he takes that knowledge and carries it forward, offering it to others that might seek to listen and learn. Using it to benefit those that reside in his heart, protect those that he holds near and dear, and to encourage those around him to do better… and be better.

The Instability of Fear

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Today’s meditation was skipped… unintentionally.  I sort of laid down to do the meditation and ended up dawdling on my phone and then dozing off.  So… I never actually made it to the meditation part, but it was relaxing regardless.

Cult of Weimar Tarot and TheraPets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of moderation, taking things slow, and a  connection between the physical, emotional, and spiritual realms.

Although the woman in the imagery for today’s card has wings, she appears to have taken a pause to think and reflect rather than leaping first.  Sometimes, it can be important to pause and consider before reacting, and this can be especially important in times of anger, stress, or fear.

What I see in the message for today’s cards is that in times of fear, it’s important to not act rashly. Far better to take one’s time and get a good sense of the situation and surrounding influences, take a breath, and step outside of the fear and into a more rational space prior to committing to a course of action.

This can often be difficult, but the first step is recognizing you are in a mindset of fear in the first place.

DECK USED:  CULT OF WEIMAR TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for September 9th

Sacred Nature Oracle and Tyldwick Tarot 2nd EditionYour Personal Pain

Lupine (Lupinus albus) and The Chariot atop Temperance – Anxiety caused by old habits and habitual thinking that going faster and more productivity is always better. The “PUSH” of unreasonable demands you’ve used to punish yourself, and force yourself to do more and more in the past, trying to slip in and reestablish itself in the present.

A Healing Action To Take

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) atop Marigold (Calendula officinalis), Queen of Cups – Pay attention to what you truly need and allow that to carry you forward like a leaf riding the breeze. Being kind to yourself is a learning journey for you, and it’s okay to seek out others to help you stay on track.

Possible Positive Outcome

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and Knight of Cups – The ability to more easily express your emotions and desires, both to yourself and others. This in turn can create within you a lighter and more open energy, free from fear and consternation.

DECK USED: SACRED NATURE ORACLE AND TYLDWICK TAROT 2ND EDITION

Healer Josephine’s #MindfulImperfectionTarot Prompt
Questions for September 11th thru 13th

Sibyls Oraculum and Cult of Weimar TarotHow can I feel safe being imperfect?
Strategy, High Priestess atop Three of Cups

See your differences not as imperfections, but as unique qualities to be celebrated and used to your advantage.

These qualities are something that can give you an edge, for although they are commonplace to you, they are often a mystery to others, providing you with an element of surprise that you would not otherwise have.

How can I be more open to making mistakes?
Synthesis and Hanged Man

Mistakes are learning tools, not failures. With each mistake that we make, we learn how to do better and be better… as long as we are open to these lessons.

Make sure to look for the lessons to be learned in these experiences, and absorb what you’ve learned that will improve upon both yourself as well as your goals.

DECK USED: SIBYLS ORACULUM AND CULT OF WEIMAR TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I dawdled in bed this morning after I got home from the farm.  Just relaxing and screwing around, watching YouTube videos, scrolling through Instagram, and playing my little Township farming game on my phone.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_7717Obsessed… Yes

I want to swim
to numb the toes
and dive right in
where frigid cold
slides over skin
in frigid embrace
that nips and bites
while I float
under blue skies
and currents turn
me in its grasp
as crisp fresh air
fills lungs
with every gasp

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Morning Bonus Read – September

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Lonely Dreamer Tarot 2nd Edition - September Tarot Reading

What is the energy surrounding you this September?

Gradual change (Death) while taking care to remain seated and keep your emotional growth as the focus (Nine of Cups).

Although the holiday rush is on its way, it’s not here yet and I need to remain focused on settling into the emotional growth that I’ve made this year for the month of September, processing how far I’ve come and where I’m at now before diving into preparation for the holiday rush.

Small changes can be made along the way this month, but I need to make sure I don’t dive right in too early as it could damage the progress that I’ve made in my emotional growth.

What needs letting go from the previous months?

Shadow –  I’ve done a great deal of shadow work this year. But, it’s time to put that away now that fall is approaching. September allows me some time of adjustment to the things that I’ve learned, so that I can move forward with purpose as the season moves closer and closer to the holiday rush to come.

If I don’t let it go, it will make things more difficult in the months ahead.

As the seasons change, how can you best apply your focus toward your goals?

King of Swords – Have a plan, and stay focused. I know what I want, and I know it’s going to be a rough journey. Just stay focused on those ambitions and goals, and it’ll be fine.

How can you best bring more abundance in to your life?

Seven of Wands – Make sure to stay strongly rooted and connected with my moral compass and what I know to be right and wrong. Make good choices and don’t let others lead me astray with their contrasting values and their own goals. 

I was given advice recently that went against not just what I know to be right for me, but also against what my guides have been advising me on for months.

For a moment, because it spoke to my old habits and tendencies, I actually entertained it in my mind. I’m not sure if this is because it came from an external source, or because it was a temptation of old unhealthy behavior that would be so easy to fall back into.

That advice, of course, was it discarded… As it should’ve been. But this is a good reminder to be careful of repeats in the months ahead.

What influence will provide positive change this month?

King of Wands – It’s mine.  My goals, my passions. My desire, drive, and ambitions. Take the reins and set the pace. Remember that, in life and especially in the business, I am the captain of the ship. Be sure to delegate where needed to keep things running smoothly.

Message from Spirits and Guides.

Page of Swords – Learning a new path and new methods to achieve your goals can often be confusing. It’s okay to feel like you’re fumbling around in the dark sometimes… everybody does once in a while.

DECK USED: LONELY DREAMER TAROT 2ND EDITION

Individuality and Authenticity

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Today’s meditation was just over thirteen minutes and was the last session in the Foundations II series of the Balance app.  It was focused upon following the breath with the rise and fall of the chest and stomach as the focal point for the breath exercises.  I really needed the meditation today, as I woke up with anxiety and the meditation assisted me in getting it a bit more under control.

Tarot of the Master and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Eight of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of being held back due to turning a blind eye, not seeing what is right in front of you, and the ignorance of facts. It can also represent being held back by a victim mentality that blinds you to everything except your own situation and inner narrative.

One of the things that really stands out to me in this particular Eight of Swords is the fact that each of the swords is different. No two are identical.

Combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, the reminder here in today’s message is about authenticity and how each of us is unique and different.  And, just as you often turn a blind eye to other’s imperfections, accepting people with their failings and flaws, so too will they for you.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE MASTER AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

BekahMurphysMagic’s #IntuitiveHealingTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for September 6th thru 8th

Language of Flowers Oracle and The New Immortal TarotWhat shadow needs healing so I can better connect with my intuition?
White Hibiscus (Respect) and Queen of Cups

You need to accept emotions as a natural part of life instead of something to be “dealt with”. They are a part of you that deserves the same understanding and respect as every other part of you.

Where am I facing blocks in my intuition?
Mexican Marigold (Vitality) and Nine of Cups

You are spending all of your energy chasing pleasure and contentment instead of on your spiritual development. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is blocking you from any significant intuitive growth spurts for the time being.

How do I address this blockage in my intuition?
Snowdrop (Hope) and Ten of Cups

Keep doing what you are doing and it will all come together in the end. Your focus can’t always be on your spiritual and intuitive development. It’s both natural and healthy to have times when your attention is focused elsewhere.

DECK USED: LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS ORACLE AND THE NEW IMMORTAL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: What are the three major strengths of humanity?

Tarot of the MasterIX di Bastoni – Resilience and determination. Persistence.

Regina di Bastone – The ability to support others dreams even while we pursue our own.

I di Coppa – Empathy.

Take Away:  All three of these qualities combine in a way that helps in demonstrating kind and conscientious strength for ourselves and others.  This allows us all to grow both as individuals and a community.

These strengths teach us that we are strong on our own, and even stronger together, supporting each other to reach our goals and dreams.

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE MASTER

Daily Self Kindness

I drank just a little bit of caffeine tonight.  Just enough to give me a bit of a boost so that I could spend some time with Gid after getting home from a stressful and exhausting day visiting my aunt and assembling her new furniture.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_4474Evening’s End

A seagull’s view
from rooftop’s ledge
watching sun
sink
behind clouds
and set
the sky ablaze
in rich tones
while ships
are called home
and birds settle
to roost
for the night

Photo © ZenStatePhotography