Transitioning from August to September

Neurotic Owl Tarot and The Painted Runes

Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety.

Eight of Cups and Algiz – Now is a time to move on from anything unhealthy, and that includes unhealthy associations and negative inner dialogue. You already know what needs to go, so there’s no need for further reflection at this time, just get on with it.

The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward.

The Emperor and Gebo – Leave behind the idea that you are unshakeable, and thus that anything (or anyone) you invite into your sphere won’t have the influence to rock your foundation. It is a false belief, and it volunteers you for extra life lessons you don’t need right now.

What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.

Five of Pentacles atop Nine of Cups, Eihwaz – The restructuring and preparation as you transition towards the holiday rush is going to cause some disorientation and a rise of scarcity issues that have been set aside for quite some time now. Work on staying aligned with what you really want and don’t focus too hard on those rising concerns, as they are an illusion caused by stress.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Temperance and Othala – Moderation does not mean stagnation. Take a moment to really look at the actions and motivations of others. Do you need that in your life? If not, float free of it (and them) like a leaf skimming past rocks in a babbling brook.

The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.

Six of Swords and Jera – Instead of focusing on the hang ups and obstacles, look instead toward your accomplishments. Make a list. What have you done to improve yourself and your life this year? What have you overcome? What good decisions have you made? Seriously. You need to make a list to look back on as a reminder.

The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.

The World Rx and Wunjo – That feeling and faith that things are going along perfectly only to have your world turned upside down by a wrench thrown into the works. This is about the PayPal fiasco and the raw uncertainty and imbalance that was created through their unjust treatment. It isn’t fully healed yet, but you’re getting there.

Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.

Five of Wands and Inguz – Breaking free of inner conflict and stagnation that you were feeling in the spring is a remarkable feat you should appreciate having accomplished. This was a really big struggle for you for a time, and yet you managed to move past it into a happier and more comfortable place through a good deal of work on exploring your feelings and your connection with your guides.

A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.

Seven of Swords and Thurisaz – There are elements at play that are wanting to usurp your power and leave you confused and listless. Make sure you are shedding those things and people that you know are not healthy for you. Don’t hesitate, this is needed before you move forward and become distracted by other things.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Six of Cups and Kano – Tap into the positive memories and those things you cherish from the past to help motivate you forward into the future and the holiday season ahead. You need these extra little bits of spark to help light the fire of your creativity.

Message from the Spirit World – Your past is not just a wound that needs healed, but also your foundation and support. There are positive things in your past that have made you the man you are, and you can tap into them to lift yourself up as well as inspire you creatively and otherwise.

Message from the Mind’s World – Micromanagement of your world will turn what should be a boon into something far less enjoyable.  This shift is in perspective and not reality.  Make sure you aren’t gripping on so damned tight that you turn what should be a positive outlook into a mentality of fear and “not enough” thinking.

Message from the Physical World – Take a look at the shifts that have happened in your life recently and make sure there are no “leaks in the hull” that need to be patched up. A bit of preparation and early adaptation can make a world of difference in the long run.

Take Away – A lot of this reading is about letting go of people who are holding me back, holding me down, or have negative intentions towards me. I know who they are, and the cards here are indicating that now’s the time to make sure to release them so they’re not in the way moving forward.

DECKS USED: NEUROTIC OWL TAROT and THE PAINTED RUNES

Forethought Helps

Today’s meditation was skipped… again.  I did some nice breathing exercises in the shower, but I didn’t actually get a full meditation in.

Tarot Illusori and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Two of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of making future plans, plotting your course towards progress and possibility, and making the decisions that support this type of planning and the endeavors planning in this manner can support.

Sometimes, this card can also indicate when you are at a crossroads and need to choose a direction, and with the faces pointed in opposite directions combined with the pointing hands at the bottom of the card, this is the meaning that I see most strongly in the imagery for this deck.

Combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, what I see here is a reminder that we can’t do everything.  We can’t even try everything.  So it’s important, when looking at the things we choose to do and the directions we decide to go in, that we take a moment to think things through first.  Planning and common sense, strategy and tuning in with our interests and enthusiasms… all these things can help ups in choosing the path that’s right for us and that we have the best chance at success in following.

DECK USED:  ILLUSORI TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I focus on the future while being in the present?

Cat-Rot TarotReading Summary: Build your strength (Strength) by focusing more on having fun (The Fool) and getting the rest you need (Four of Swords).

Take Away:  These cards are a reminder that whether it’s in the now, or in the future, I need to make sure I’m making time for lighthearted pursuits and restorative rest.

I can use that time of rest to plot and plan, but don’t skip it or consider either the need for play or the need for rest as unnecessary. Only with these factors in my life will I be able to continue on and be strong for whatever trials the future might bring my way.

DECK USED: CAT-ROT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic
: Do Spread #4

Illusori TarotSeeds Sown – What seeds for my spiritual growth planted in the spring have flourished and grown strong?
Eight of Wands atop Six of Swords atop Seven of Wands

Reconnecting with your purpose and path, and where you want both directed. In the spring you were lost in a fog of stagnation and frustration. Over the summer you have quickly been able to bring yourself back on track.

The Chaff – What seeds have not flourished and I need to let go of to encourage healthy growth in other areas?
Ace of Wands

Exploring a crapload of new creative ideas you want to dive into, learn, and enjoy. There has been no room for that this summer, while the list of things to try and explore continues to grow, but none of it has received any attention. It’s time to let this go with a shrug and a “maybe next summer” mentality.

The Harvest – How can I best prepare how to reap the benefits of a positive and healthy harvest in the Fall?
Temperance atop Five of Wands

Make sure you are keeping a careful, moderating hold on your frustrations and reigning in those old habits of pushing too hard. The holiday season is coming, but it’s not here yet. Don’t get a head start by jumping ahead into mistreatment of yourself earlier than necessary.

DECK USED: ILLUSORI TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made L get my phone for me while I was stuck on the kitchen floor instead of forcing myself to get up before I was ready to go get it myself.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_7721The Lazy Day

Sit with me
on gritty sand
among the stones
on the shore
and tilt your head
to lean back
and rest with me
look up
beyond verdant green
to the stretch of blue
above
and daydream
away the day
in the summer balm

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?

Feline Marseilles Tarot, There Is Always Light Oracle, Wildcraft! Herbal Adventure Game Cards

Earth – Page of Swords and Repair – You need to do a bit of work on your relationships at home and clear up any miscommunication that is lingering between you and your sister. That niggling feeling you’ve been having of instability at home is coming from this issue.

Air – The Star atop Two of Wands, Encroach – Combat encroaching negativity with having a plan in place that includes hope, and connectivity with not just the physical aspects of your world but the emotional and spiritual as well. By having a plan in place, you can head things off at the pass and possibly bypass them altogether.

Water – The Fool and Shield – Work on preserving a positive outlook and enthusiasm for what’s coming through proactive protection practices. A shield is more than just a barrier to hide behind, but allows you to see what’s coming and better react upon its arrival.

Fire – The Hermit and Deceit – Don’t allow the machinations of others to dull your flame. Connect with your healthy alone time practices in order to weather any malicious mischief coming your way. In other words? More time in the woods is needed to shore up your foundation.

Waning – Elder (Sambucus cerulea) atop Burn – You’ve had time to process the sting of what happened last week and to restore yourself from the experience.  Although you are still a bit tender, it’s time to take the rebirth that has happened and carry it forward instead of dwelling upon it and treating it with kids gloves.

Waxing – Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) atop Poison Ivy – The crushed leaves of the Jewelweed are a well known treatment for poison ivy, and ice made with the herb frozen inside it are good for treating many types of rashes and skin inflammation. Lean into the things that bring you comfort, and head off irritants (whether things or people) at the pass before they can get to you and make a mess of things.

Take Away – There is a great deal of advice here on shoring up stable foundations and making sure that the things and people that could throw a wrench in my balance are dealt with quickly and efficiently through either leaning into optimism or purging these things before they can get a foot in the door.

DECKS USED:  FELINE MARSEILLES TAROT, THERE IS ALWAYS LIGHT ORACLE, WILDCRAFT! HERBAL ADVENTURE GAME CARDS

Pause to Reflect… Then Keep Going

Today’s meditation was skipped, again in deference for sleep.  Blissful, wonderful sleep.

Tarot de Maria Celia and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Four of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of apathy and disconnecting from those trying to help, and can also indicate meditation, or a need to step back emotionally and reevaluate.

This card has stability to it, and retreat here is often centered around trying to find balance or shore up one’s emotional foundation.

Combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, what we see here is that it’s okay to take those moments now and then when they’re needed. Just don’t let what’s meant to be a pause to recoup turn into giving up and quitting.

DECK USED:  TAROT DE MARIA CELIA AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Questions for August 28th and 29th

Ouisi Game Cards and The Tarot of LokaWhat loving lesson can I take from August?
Queen of Air and Top Left cards

It’s okay to allow your emotions to intermingle with the logic. It assists you in communicating them more clearly instead of bottling them up until they eventually overflow in an unintelligible mess.

A blessing from the cards for September.
Four of Flame atop Two of Flame, Bottom Right Cards

Take September to untangle the knots and find calm and stability. You don’t have to start moving forward yet but you do need to start making plans. Enjoy the peace and stability you have at home for just a little while longer, and use it to work out any kinks and calm any frayed edges.

DECK USED: OUISI GAME CARDS AND THE TAROT OF LOKA

CoffeexTarot’s Who’s Your Spirit Guides? Prompt
Questions for August 28th and 29th

Lighting the Way Oracle and Tarot de Maria CeliaWhat lesson am I meant to learn in this lifetime?
Crystal Ball atop Direction, Four of Swords

Taking your time to rest and reflect on your experiences will not get in the way of moving in the direction you need to go in. Just use your intuition to guide you, stay open to messages from your guides, and the rest will take care of itself.

What fear do you want me to release?
The Crow atop Cupid, Ace of Cups

There’s nothing in this world or the next that can take away the love of Gideon feels for you. Your soul is connected to his through one lifetime to the next, and I love you share remains perpetually fresh and endless.

DECK USED: LIGHTING THE WAY ORACLE AND TAROT DE MARIA CELIA

Daily Self Kindness

I spent the evening with Gideon.  And I refused a request someone had for me to write a testimonial to their reading skills. I was worried my refusal wouldn’t go over well, but… I just didn’t feel comfortable doing it. It’s still to be seen if it ends up being an issue.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_7711Never Enough

Over 157 miles
of coastline
and over 8000 lakes
dot along the land
all cold
and when you
wade in
with rocky sand
beneath bare feet
the chill stings
sharp
like stone edges
numbing
and I want to go
deeper

Photo © ZenStatePhotography