The Quiet Place
High off the ground
away from
prying eyes
a quiet spot
not a soul
can peek inside
I have one too
at mountain high
beyond the lake
after a climb
a soft bed of miss
beckoning
and I can hear
as it calls my name
Where’s Your Peace
Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long, and was the last installment of the introductory series offered by the Balance app. It was a review of the range of breathing focus and body scan techniques that were taught through the previous sessions and was comfortable and easy to follow.
Today’s draw is the Ten of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of fulfillment, completion, and stability in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, home life, manifestations, and the physical world. This often translates into themes that have to do with having not just found your place of satiation and fulfillment, but then being in a place where you can then share that with others, like family and friends, to help them find stability as well. It is through this, that we can find a sense of completion that this card represents.
I am one of those people who unabashedly, absolutely needs this. I need that time outside. I need the time among the trees and nature with the bare earth under my feet and nature close in around me. Without it, nothing feels right in the world. The more time I get in nature, the better everything seems in life.
How about you?
DECK USED: ANIMISM TAROT AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK
#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for August 5th and 6th
Where Are You Content
Frog and Temperance
I’m very content with taking things slow where my emotions are concerned, and moderating things in this area so that I don’t get overwhelmed and out of balance. I understand that emotions play with my perception of reality and the world around me, and how important it is to go slow in this area.
Where Are You Frustrated
Black Panther and Heirophant
Learning how to let go of those things not working for me that I cling to out of familiarity. Although I’m starting to feel like I’m finding my way on this, I have spent a lot of time lately struggling with it and feeling frustrated.
The cards keep saying “let go, let go” and yet when I ask how, they simply repeat “accept, practice gratitude, and let go”. I accept and I understand the need for letting go of old habits and things that are not working in order to make room for new and better things, I practice gratitude daily, and yet I’m still struggling with letting go.
The Black Panther here speaks of the fear of the unknown being what is holding me back.
What can I do to work through my frustrations at this time?
Fox and King of Wands
Remember that some of the greatest things that you want in life take time to earn and work towards. Not everything is about instant gratification. Pause and reflect on what you really want, and use that time to strategize the best way to get there. It’s through your logical mind and your inner drive that you will find the path forward through these frustrations.
DECK USED: LES ANIMAUX-GUIDES AND THE VINTAGE BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS TAROT
The #MysticStarChallenge at the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for August 5th
What message does The Magician have for me?
Eight of Swords atop Two of Pentacles – Too much time focusing on stability in one’s life blinds you do everything else that is going on around you. If you want to be aware of the world, you have to look outward instead of focusing so much on your own life and your own goals.
What obstacles does The Magician want to warn me about?
Justice atop Seven of Cups Rx – Focusing too hard on your addictions is not going to find you the emotional satisfaction and satiation that you are craving. Sometimes we use our interests and addictions as a way to “self medicate” for other issues, especially emotional issues. This doesn’t solve anything, and it won’t get you where you want to go.
What guidance does The Magician have for me to overcome this obstacle?
The Devil and Nine of Cups – Focus on techniques to mitigate overwhelm. This is where your largest challenge lies and is what affects your life and emotional balance the most.
DECK USED: ANIMISM TAROT
I made Jer go to Michael’s for me to pick up something I’d ordered. I’m glad I did too cuz they tried to hand me off the floor model that’s missing parts. He was pissed on my behalf and let them have it, and a new in-box version will be there for pick up tomorrow.
Gideon’s Challenge
Summer Relief
Frigid water
offers relief
from sweltering
temperatures
of summer heat
do you wade in
a little at a time
or is it
a few quick steps
and then a dive?
I like to dive
and absorb the shock
as I glide along
the bottom’s rocks
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Morning Bonus Read – Self Growth
Your Past Self – Nine of Pentacles – Once upon a time? I thought that I had all my ducks in a row and everything in hand. Back when I was closing myself off to my emotions and working myself into the ground, I really thought I was in a good place.
Your Current Self – Seven of Pentacles – But I soon came to realize that there’s a lot more growth to come and it’s going to take a long ass time to work through. I began to realize that there was a lot more to life than work. I began to realize that I needed to slow down.
Your Higher Self – Three of Swords – I am my best and highest self when I’m able to look beyond my pain and negativity to see the growth and lessons these experiences are offering me. In the moment, this can be difficult, but I know that those lessons are there and I only need to find them and understand them. It does not take the pain away, but it gives the pain worth.
What Blocks Your Potential – The Devil – Ego. Over confidence. And allowing myself to indulge too deeply in what would otherwise be harmless pursuits. I have an addictive personality, and even though I’m aware of it? Sometimes it still manages to get its hooks in and take me for a ride I’m not ready for, causing blockages and detours, backsliding and often… recovery as well.
Family Patterns – Six of Pentacles – Being too generous and forgiving with my family. My father’s abuse. My mother’s narcissism. Their hurtful behavior is something that has left some serious scars, and yet I can’t manage to hold it against them. At least not to the extent that would seem reasonable and healthy.
Personal Issues – Four of Pentacles – Overly focused on security and stability. This is a need that grew from homelessness and severe scarcity. It comes from taking showers in the school locker rooms and sleeping under abandoned cars. It comes from the instability of couch surfing, and an apartment furnished with car tires, milk crates, and cardboard boxes. It’s my past… and yet something I still struggle with.
Conscience – Ten of Wands – Feeling guilty about slowing down and taking things slower, not doing as much, and not progressing as fast as I’m used to doing. That hard, nose-to-the-grindstone pace that I’ve been pushing myself on for so long has taken its toll and I know it’s time to slow down, but somehow? There are a lot of times when I feel so fucking guilty about that. About not doing more and pushing harder.
Desire – Temperance – Less pushing and more time off. More time to connect with my spirituality and path. More time to connect with the world around me. I have gotten a taste of the slower path and worked through some of my guilt concerning it, and I’ve come to a point where I actually crave more. This from the man who, just a couple of years ago couldn’t take a couple hours off without going stir-crazy.
Lesson – Wheel of Fortune – Ups and downs happen. It’s part of life. Adapt, and keep moving.
Advice – Page of Swords – Slow down more. Now is the time to indulge in this behavior. Soon enough the holiday rush will start and you will have so much work on your hands that you’ll be struggling just to keep up. While things are slow, it’s okay to take time for yourself. This is a new path, and there’s going to be struggles, but you’re aware of what’s come before and what needs to change.
DECK USED: CAT-ROT TAROT
Finding Light In the Darkness
Today’s meditation was skipped cuz I overslept this morning and it was one of those “go go go” days from the time I finally managed to get up.
Today’s draw is the Five of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of hardships, tests, trials, and scarcity in the areas of one’s finances, resources, health, home life, and the physical world and manifestations.
There is a certain type of person that I really admire. They are extremely rare, but you find them now and then. Those people that are able to be filled with hope and cheer, no matter their circumstances. When I was in chemotherapy, there was a patient I saw now and then when I went in for my treatments that was like this. She was battling breast cancer, and she always looked frail and fragile, and horribly ill. And yet, even knowing that she had to be in so much pain and feeling miserably physically? She always was cheerful and kind. Positive. Sweet to the nurses and full of hope.
She was… amazing. Breathtaking. And the lesson that this woman taught me about leaning into the good and cherishing what you have is something that I think these cards are encouraging today. The Five of Coins speaks of disparity, and yet even there are things to cherish during these times. Things to enjoy. Things to be grateful for. When you’re feeling downtrodden and like life is at your worst, these cards are a reminder to seek out those things and cherish them. Allow them to be a light in the darkness.
DECK USED: THE FELINE MARSEIILES TAROT AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK
Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Questions for August 4th thru 6th
What loving energy is here to support me this month?
Two of Pentacles – You have the support you need in order to help you find balance and keep it in check. Allow them to help you avoid diving into anything that will take away your attention from this time when you’re supposed to be resting and enjoying yourself.
What can I do to manifest a good month?
The Hermit – Make sure you’re going out and doing those alone time things that you love so much. Get out in nature and enjoy it. You need this time in order to stay happy and balanced.
What can keep in mind to manifest a good month?
Page of Pentacles – Remember that now is a time of discovery, and you’re learning new things. Sometimes these things take time, and it’s okay to go slow instead of just plowing in headlong.
Something I should try to enjoy or appreciate today.
Ten of Pentacles – Set aside worries and stressors when you go out to dinner with Z and L tonight. Instead, savor the togetherness and enjoy that you’re able to do this with each other.
DECK USED: RICHIE RICH TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Are you more of a dreamer or a believer?
Reading Summary: There is a dreamer in the fish that is present in the Six of Cups, a solid believer in the groundedness of the Ten of Pentacles, whereas the Four of Swords speaks of rest and a balance between both.
Take Away: There is no choice to be made here, and no imbalance… I am both. Evenly and easily both.
DECK USED: THE FELINE MARSEIILES TAROT
L and I took Z out to dinner at the Olive Garden today. I ate SO MUCH food. It was so good. Hands down the best meal I’ve ever had at Olive Garden. I had the Asiago Stuffed Tortellini Alfredo with Grilled Chicken. It was… so good.
Gideon’s Challenge
Bared To You
A tight bud
slowly unfurls
as sunlight bathes
green stems
and spread leaves
one petal
at a time
then another
they open
and spread wide
to show a bright
and shining soul
Just as you
peel back the layers
to reveal mine
