Senseless Temptation
Pristine beauty
untouched white
as only little birds
disturb the snow
In the cold
I stand
and watch
water ripple
fighting the urge
to set bare feet
to snow
then dive in
and freeze
Music to Craft By
Today’s question is brought to you by two of the witchy type servers that I’m a member of on Discord. Both servers asked the exact same question within a few days of each other and I thought it might make for a good topic here.
Prompt from Server #1: “What song(s) put you in a witchy mood?”
Prompt from Server #2: “What kind of music do you like to listen to when you work magic?“
Okay, so I love music. I really do. But, there are a number of activities that I can’t do while listening to music. Because I have sound → sensation/smell/taste synesthesia, music can often have unintended distractionary repercussions, so I have to be careful to what I listen to and when. For example, I have a playlist of music I can listen to while driving because none of the songs cause me physical sensations that would distract me from what I’m doing. I couldn’t guarantee that if I were listening to the radio, where a song or sound might come up that could create a painful pinch in my hand or arm, or a pins and needles sensation in my foot or leg.
For this reason, most of the time when doing spellcraft and different spiritual workings, I don’t use music as it can create “phantom sensations” that can be distracting. That said, I do have a playlist full of certain songs that safely “fit the mood” that I will use when I want to include music. Some of those include…
Dissolved Girl by Massive Attack
To Be Free by Emiliana Torrini
Not all of these (or all of those on the playlist) are sensation-free sound. But none of them create unpleasant sensations, smells, or tastes that might distract me from my focus. And, of course, all have the same “vibe” to the music that helps “set the mood” that I like for spellcraft and witchy-type activities. I think that for a lot of people, music can really add another level of depth to their practice, and even another element of “flavor” to the magic itself.
Stronger Together
Today’s meditation was just a bit over seventeen minutes long and was the third installment of the mantra course on the Oak app. I included the interval timer for my piriformis stretches as well.
The focus of today’s meditation was (surprise, surprise) using mantra in meditation. For this particular segment of the course, there was no vocalization of the mantra at the beginning and, although I know this wasn’t the intent of having the mantras be a mental exercise instead of a vocal one? I feel so included. Silly, I know. But it’s really nice to be able to follow along without having to improvise due to my mutism.
Now… that’s all well and good, and the meditation was relaxing… you know I can’t not say something about the quote included in today’s meditation.  I really dislike this Lao Tzu quote, as I’ve mentioned before. Yes, nature does not hurry. No, everything does not get accomplished. That’s the whole point of changing seasons. Flowers die before they can bloom, leaves fall before they’ve turned, animals die because winter came early… not everything gets accomplished.  The quote makes absolutely no sense and I have no idea why it is so popular.
Today’s draw is the Ten of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of moving beyond emotional contentment to happiness and sharing this emotional abundance with those around you. It’s about positive relationships and a sense of harmony shared with friends, family, and loved ones.
I really like the imagery in this card. At first, the card seems a bit plain other than the dancing fish. And then, when you look closer you see that the cups that are overflowing with a wealth of water (emotions) are of all sorts. Wine glasses and baby bottles, sippy cups and dog bowls and mugs and saki cups. There are all types to represent all the different types of people that make up the emotional bonds of family and friends in life. The imagery here very literally is a visual representation of the Hebrew bible phrase “My cup overfloweth,” which for those that are unfamiliar with the phrase, means “I have more than enough for my needs”.
When combined with today’s Thera-Pets card, the message in today’s cards is that the current journey through struggle and strife is not a journey taken alone. Loved ones are there in good times and bad, and those that truly love you will support you even when you’re going through the worst of it.  Don’t forsake their support when you need a little help, instead let them lift you up and remind you that as strong and capable as you are? You’re even stronger and more capable together.
DECK USED:Â FIFTH SPIRIT TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS
LionHart’s Mercury Retrograde Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question:Â What am I asked to (gently) let go of during this Full Moon?
 Reading Summary: Use your ability to inspire yourself and others (Queen of Wands) to gently begin nudging out the sadness and depression (Three of Swords) that has been stealing all of your attention lately (Seven of Swords).
Take Away: The figure in the Three of Swords so obviously needs a nudge to get them off their stool, but that nudge just as obviously needs to be soft and gentle. The energy of inspiration can be gentle, but that takes a little more focus than just whisking yourself away in the inspiration. Instead this is about giving yourself the inspiration to get off the stool, not to pretend that things are fine but simply to help straighten the spine and start moving.  At one time or another the time comes to stop looking at the big baddie that has oppressed you and start looking forward instead. During this full moon it is time to stop staring over your shoulder so intently…. and look forward instead.
DECK USED:Â PAULINA TAROT
#DiscordTarotolicsFeb2021 Challenge Prompt
Question:Â What skill in my tarot practice needs improvement?
Reading Summary: I need to work on being more gentle and nurturing (The Empress) in my delivery (King of Swords with the megaphone and the Five of Swords positioned to surround The Empress on all sides..
Take Away: True enough. I am always very focused on being empowering to those that I read for (as well as for myself) that sometimes I forget that there are times when a delivery also needs to be gentle and nurturing. My readings often hand people the facts in a way to “light a fire under their ass” and I rarely coddle.
This means that my skills at coddling are not as strong as they could be, and as a result I can often come off a bit harsh, or even confrontational.
DECK USED:Â FIFTH SPIRIT TAROT
I took a pain pill. My foot was really bothering me today and even after I put it up for a bit it wouldn’t ease up on the throbbing ache.  It isn’t hot, so it’s not an infection.  So I went ahead and took half a vicodin along with my ibuprofen.
Gideon’s Challenge
The Hidden
A tangled thicket
of dark branches
which
rattle and scrape
with each slight
frozen breeze
yet deep within
sheltered and safe
lies a spark
of life
waiting for warmth
and a chance
to break out
and be free.
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Full Moon in Virgo – February 2021
In a couple of days, it will be the full 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 Sharron Basanti of Seeds of Shakti.
1. What medicine does the Virgo Full Moon offer?
Ten of Swords – You are coming to the end of a harsh and harrowing journey. It hurts so bad, the pain you have sustained is great, but with the end of one journey comes the promise of something new beyond. Although you are not yet at the “something new” stage, the Virgo full moon offers you the tail end of that long and arduous path that you’ve been struggling down.
2. What area in my life needs more structure and organization?
Wheel of Fortune – No shit. *Clears his throat.* Right. So the reference here has to do with how one feels when the wheel is turning, yeah? Consider that you stand on a playground merry-go-round. If you stand at the edge of the ride, then as it spins you feel the centrifugal force so strongly that it is hard to hold on, let alone do anything other than hold on. By the same turn, as you move closer to the center of the ride, the pull to the outer edges is decreased. You can stand up straight and not hold on so tightly, etc. There is less pulling against you… and less chaos as a result.
What needs more structure and organization in my life is my perception of life as a whole. I need to move towards the center of the wheel… I need to center and ground and find that balance that can only be found by finding one’s center instead of being pulled wildly outward toward the edges.
3a. What lifestyle changes would my body benefit from?
Hanged Man – More time taking a pause. More personal time. More time settled within those quiet and still places that allow me to find myself and thus find perspective and peace. When things are feeling off center and chaotic, it is difficult to focus on your health and well being.
3b. What lifestyle changes would my mind benefit from?
King of Pentacles – Again we see a reference to being grounded and focusing upon one’s roots. The King of Pentacles indicates that I need to focus on the stability and security that I have spent a lifetime accruing. Allow it to provide reassurance and take strength and comfort from the fact that everything stable in my home life right now.
3c. What lifestyle changes would my heart benefit from?
The Empress – And a connection to the earth and grounding again is indicated here in the Empress, who provides a reminder that caring for yourself and others needs to be more important than more material pursuits. This card indicates that during this full moon, it’s important to keep my focus set upon my self care and the care of those around me. And here we again see an encouragement to get out in nature and benefit from mother nature’s influences on my own mind, energy, and emotions.
4. What project that has been on the back burner forever needs to be revisited and completed?
Seven of Wands – I often see this card as “fighting the good fight”, and to be honest… that effort along with everything else has had to be on the back burner lately while I dealt with my depression. I do not think that this is the kind of endeavor that can be completed, but I do think that as I stretch further towards the light at the end of my depressive episode, I will be able to re-engage in standing up for and defending those things I believe in.
5. Message from the Ancestors.
Page of Swords – Remember that this is a learning experience. Not just the depression, although that too is its own learning experience. But life. Life is a learning experience. it’s not a race or a battle, but rather one learning experience after another on a journey towards growth and becoming more (and better) than what we are today.
DECK USED: JONASA JAUS TAROT 5TH EDITION
Sharing the Journey
Today’s meditation was just over sixteen minutes long and was the second installment in the mantra course meditations through the Oak app. I combined this meditation with the interval timer for my piriformis stretches.
Like before, the focus of today’s meditation was about becoming comfortable using a mantra during one’s meditation practice and the practice started out with a vocalized mantra but within the first minute it was encouraged to go into a mental mantra. This made the class much easier for me to follow along. I felt like I had a slightly more difficult time focusing today, but I still found the meditation relaxing.
Today’s draw is the Queen of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s intellect, education, communication, and reason. The Swords are about the mind, and the Queen has all her experience to guide her, which she then uses to communicate with and guide others.
The Queen of Swords is experienced and although her sword is not raised in an offensive pose, her hands upon the hilt show that she is ready. Her upright position speaks of healthy intelligence, sharing, and support. Her experiences are a guide for herself and for others. And here is where the message lies.
I have mentioned this on my blog before, but here we see the theme come out in the cards themselves, a confirmation that I am on the right path in sharing my experience with others. Instead of hiding my depressive episodes from those around me as I have done for the majority of my life, I am being open about them this time around. I am allowing people to see what is going on with me, to observe the experience.
I don’t do this to gain attention or sympathy, nor to inflict my experience upon others (there’s a reason I hid it for so long, after all), but rather… to tell others that they are not alone. To allow people who may also be going through similar experiences to see that there are others out there… others going through something similar. Others that share their pain.
Depression is so often so very fucking lonely. You don’t want to “inflict” your low mood upon others so you withdraw into yourself. In that withdraw you are then even more lonely, and feel as if you are a burden on others, a burden on those you care most about. You feel alone… and this compounds upon the depression itself until you feel hopeless… and feel as if there will never be an end to this horrible feeling. That it is the reality… the only reality… and will stretch into the rest of one’s life.
I share so that those that share this horrible experience can see that they are not alone. And so that they can see it is not endless. It is not forever… but rather it is a journey to get through. Temporary. And that I’m here too. I want to tell everyone that is going through this… You are strong. You are resilient. You will get through this. It is temporary.
DECK USED:Â BYZANTINE TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS
The Radical Love Tarot Challenge Prompt
Topic:Â Â Moments of healing
Question: How can I make sure I am not fighting against my healing progress?
Reading Summary:Â Stay open to learning new things (Page of Swords) and don’t over burden yourself (Ten of Wands) with too many plans for what comes next (Two of Wands).
Take Away: The reminder here is to avoid making plans for “after I’m back on my feet” and instead live in the moment. Take things as they come for the time being, and allow myself the time I need to learn and heal and get what I can from the process. Worry about the future later on when such pursuits won’t hinder or distract me from my current healing process.
DECK USED:Â MOONDUST TAROT
#DiscordTarotolicsFeb2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question:Â What is love?
Reading Summary: Celebration of family and home (Four of Staffs), respect for what those that came before can teach you (Patriarch), and generosity for those that have less than yourself (Six of Coins).
Take Away: Love is community. The cards here speak of community, of learning from each other, growing from each other, helping each other… and celebrating each other. It’s about the “each other”. It’s about connection and gratitude and appreciation. That is what love is.
I think that there are many, many different types of love. But I think that this answer rings true throughout all those different types. Appreciation, gratitude, and connection is what threads us all together and without that connection to someone (or something), what is there to care about? Or love?
DECK USED:Â BYZANTINE TAROT
I went to the woods today. I couldn’t hike because of the whole knife through the foot and using a crutch thing, but I drove out to one of the trail heads that allows ATV use, and asked one of the campers out there to take me up deeper into the mountain. Promise of payment if they came back for me in an hour made sure I got a ride back down to my car again.  All in all it was a really nice visit, even if I couldn’t hike like I normall would have liked.
