The Control Is Yours

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IMG_8306Today’s meditation was  just over ten minutes long, and was another guided meditation with interval timer for my stretching.   I almost skipped today, to be honest, but forced myself to lie down and do it anyway.  Might be time to change things up on the style of meditation to keep things interesting.

The topic of today’s meditation was about how each and every one of us view life subjectively through our own perspective. It’s natural to forget this, and to forget that everyone else is in the same boat, viewing life through that same window of perspective.  Their window.

The meditation encouraged looking beyond that and exploring the concept of sonder.  Sonder is the realization that everybody around you, even strangers, are living a life just as rich and complex as yours. That their experiences are unique, and that they have different things going on in their lives that create different experiences and perspectives completely apart from your own perceptions.

Bonestone & EarthFlesh Tarot - Ace of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Ace of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new opportunities in one’s work, finances, resources, home, health, or manifestations.

What stands out to me the strongest of the imagery in this card today (and I really want to work with this deck more so I think I’m going to carry it over into January), is the roots of the plant that grows through the skull.

Those roots look so much like Mandragora officinarum (mandrake) roots that it’s uncanny, although it is not a mandrake plant from the trailing stems of the plant’s growth above ground.  Still, the sight of the roots brought to mind the use of mandrake root as poppets and that in turn brought to mind the use of poppets in directing one’s will and intent.

The message that I see here in today’s card is about molding one’s new opportunities to your will.  You drive the bus on these new opportunities.  Not fate.  Not luck.  Not any other person.  It’s on you to steer the bus in the direction you want it to go, and the best place to start with that… is at the beginning.

DECK USED:  BONESTONE & EARTHFLESH TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better foster my relationship with friends and loved ones?

Yule OracleReading Summary:  Grace is repeated within the first two cards, and reinforced by the red and white color scheme that they also share.   In order to bond more closely (Holiday Cookies) with my friends and loved ones, it is important to take a measured and balanced approach (Ice Skates) while encouraging them to seek out their best life and best selves along the way (Evergreen).

Take Away: The cards here are about being supportive, but in a “hands off” sort of way that allows people to make their own choices and choose their own path.  Advice and perspective is warranted and welcome, but don’t push.  Allow them to weigh things for themselves and make the choices they feel are best for them as they take new steps along their personal life paths.

DECK USED:  YULE ORACLE

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What do I need to hold onto through the transition from this year into the next?

A Charlie Brown Christmas Playing Cards

Reading Summary:   My ability to find balance and harmony within my passions (Six of Clubs) needs to be weighed against the drive to push too far too fast (Nine of Clubs).  Remember to look at what I’ve done and the accomplishments I’ve made in a positive light (Nine of Diamonds).

Take Away:  If I take the time and ingenuity to keep myself in a positive mindset and see my deeds in an optimistic and positive perspective, it will allow me to foster my passions instead of becoming disappointed in them.  Remember to take that step back and slow down, and I won’t get so choked up in unhealthy deadlines and responsibilities to the point that I lose sight of everything else and fall back into that turtle shelled “go go go” zone where nothing else but more progress and getting more done matters.

DECK USED:  A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS PLAYING CARDS

Gideon’s Challenge

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Fence Chains and WireHard Body Cuddles

Coined
in loving arms
as long legs tangle
to brush
against leaner
versions
of the same.
Cold nights
warmed
as I become
so wrapped up
in you
that the world
disappears.

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Must Haves in Reading Tarot for Others

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Today’s post is inspired by a prompt from the Tarot Discussion channel on the Tarotholics Discord Server.

What personality trait/skill do you think are needed to do readings for others?

I very much do believe that there are a variety of skills and qualities that a tarot reader needs to develop and possess in order to branch out into reading for others. That isn’t to say that all tarot readers that read for others have these qualities, but rather what I consider to be qualities important in a tarot reader worth going to for a reading.

In order to read for others, I feel that what is needed above everything else is a Sense of Responsibility. Reading for others isn’t a silly game and the messages you convey to a querent have far reaching repercussions. Serious damage can be done in just a few words, because while the querent is in a reading they are wide open to suggestion and trusting you not to abuse that trust. They are seeking guidance, and many querents will take what you give in a reading at face value with blind trust. This means that you need to take care with your words and messages… which leads me to the second quality.

Empathy. This is not to say someone needs to be an empath, but rather that you need to be able to listen and understand where your querent is coming from so that you can fashion your response in a way that will benefit them and not break their will, damage their hope, or take away their autonomy. This includes being able to deliver bad news in an empathetic and empowering way.

Communication Skills. It is important to have a way with words and expressing yourself that is clear and understandable to others. If you cannot properly convey your meaning and get to the point of the reading, as well as fashion your words in a way that helps the querent be receptive to what you (and the cards have to say), then the reading is going to end up a flop no matter how accurate or well meaning you may be.

Knowledge. You need to be able to read the cards and do so accurately. If you don’t know what they cards on the table mean, how can you possibly read them for someone else? I see readers now and then that don’t read the cards at all but lay them out then proceed to give their querent advice not based on the cards at all but on their own opinions. That is not giving a tarot reading.

Confidence. This is something that comes with practice, but what I am referring to here is confidence not just in your skill as a reader and your knowledge of the cards, but also in knowing what works for you, what fits for you. Trial and error and long hours with the cards help in building this confidence over time and is why many aspiring tarot readers continue to only read for themselves long after they’ve learned the card meanings… they are still growing into these methods and different techniques, and finding works best for them.

Humility. You need to be able to accept you’re not going to be right all the time. You need to be able to say “I’m sorry that this didn’t resonate for you. Maybe this was a one-off reading, or maybe it will come into fruition in the future. Sit with it a while, and keep in mind that I may have read the cards incorrectly in this case.” No one is right or accurate 100% of the time. That’s just the way it is.

The Ability to Take Criticism, and not just the constructive kind. People don’t always hear what they want to hear in a tarot reading, and some will react badly to the news no matter how empathetic or empowering you are in your delivery. Some people react in extreme ways, which can include by lashing out. Be prepared to have these clients show up from time to time… because if you read for others (especially strangers) often enough, they are going to appear before you eventually.

Some of these qualities are things that come naturally to different people. Others are qualities that one has to work on or that develop over time through life experiences. The thing is, though. I see reading for others as a responsibility, and whether you are reading for others casually or in a formal setting complete with an exchange of money, I think these qualities are important to develop and utilize in reading for others in order to make it a safe and happy experience for everyone involved.

A Little at a Time

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IMG_8295Today’s meditation was just under twelve minutes long and was a guided meditation from the Calm app with an interval timer added in for my piriformis and forearm flexor stretching.

The topic of today’s meditation was… *takes a minute to wrack his brain*
Huh. I have no idea.  Not even with the graphic to the right as a memory prompt.   I know I listened to it, but I really can’t remember what it was about.  Usually this means that it was a message that I didn’t really relate to.  That said, I did do my meditation at least, yeah?

Simplicity Tarot - Three of WandsToday’s draw is the Three of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of moving forward with direction and a plan in place to guide you.  The Two of Wands just before this card is all about making that plan, and here in the Three of Wands we now see the plan moving into action.

What stood out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today is the little ships out on the water.  (And the green and red of the guy’s clothing, which was a bit of a Christmas-y surprise for a non-holiday deck, and inspired a little heart lightening Christmas music listening earlier in the day.)

The holiday theme inspiration aside, the little boats feel like a message to make sure that as I am taking things in small, bite sized amounts. We all know that I suck at just taking it easy and not doing anything, but even if I decide to do a little bit here and there… the key is to do a little bit, and not get wrapped up in things that will only cause me stress during a time when I’m trying to rest and recover.

DECK USED:  SIMPLICITY TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to be more grateful for?

Vintage Japanese Art TarotReading Summary:  You need to be more grateful that I have all the time I need (Seven of Pentacles) in order to learn to think of (Page of Wands) my work differently (Ace of Swords), as well as shifting how I go about doing it (Eight of Pentacles) in a way that incorporates more of my spirituality in my inner self into the process (High Priestess).

Take Away: That’s a lot of cards to say that the only deadlines in my work and my business are those that I set for myself.  Although, it’s true that this is something I need to acknowledge and be more grateful for, and to do this I need to give myself more space.  Allow for that time  needed to find something better and connect to my work in new ways.

The cards here, ultimately are indicating that there is far more to my work than just work, and I need to be aware and open to the fact that if I ease off on the pressure I am so often pushing onto myself, I will be allowed to find these hidden facets.

DECK USED:  VINTAGE JAPANESE ART TAROT

Mystic Star December Challenge Prompt
Question: What gift does the Universe have for me in the year ahead?

Winter Waite Tarot 2019 Edition

Reading Summary: Less worry (Nine of Swords Rx) and less uncertainty (The Moon Rx) when going through changes (Death).

Side Note:  The Nine of Swords and Moon actually landed on the table perfectly in place and reversed, but I like the pretty imagery on the cards too much to photograph them that way.  *LOL*

Take Away: I’ve mentioned recently in a previous post that I often struggle with change, even when that change is good and/or healthy for me.  The cards here are indicating that the gift that the Universe has for me in the year ahead is not so much that there will be less change, but that I will learn to deal with change better with less worry and uncertainty to hold me back and make the process unnecessarily stressful.

DECK USED:  WINTER WAITE TAROT 2019 EDITION

Gideon’s Challenge

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Western Red Cedar Bough TipsMore

Layer
upon layer
of need,
each builds
upon
the one before,
growing
in strength
as the old
gives birth to new
until, insatiable…

I reach for you.

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Morning Bonus Read – Year Ahead Visions

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My Year Ahead Vision Tarot Spread - Naked Heart Tarot

What lessons can I take forward from the past year into the year ahead?
Spirit of Pentacle

The world will not end if I take control and allow myself the growth that I need without allowing my inner narrative of negativity to get in the way.  When I stand my ground instead of caving to the temptation of bad habits and unhealthy rhetoric of my past, I become stronger against those things that would have previously held me back.

What challenges, barriers, or obstacles may I face in the next year?
Three of Pentacles atop Three of Swords

Well, it looks like Z might finally get to go home at some point.  The cards here indicate a breakdown in collaboration between myself and others I’m working with.  This will be disappointing and cause what is normally an uphill battle to become an even bigger struggle.  I don’t see being able to hire a new helper this year as yet, not with everything going on with the pandemic.  Stabilization will take time, and I doubt that’ll be something I can look at until 2022.  So… yeah.  There could be some serious struggles and disappointment coming up where it comes to keeping up with my work… especially if I lose a portion of my collaborative team along the way.

What do I need to focus on in the year ahead to overcome those challenges, barriers, and obstacles?
Ace of Cups

The Ace of Cups here indicates that maybe it’s okay for these challenges to be coming up this year, and that it could leave a bit of extra room (or I may need to make a bit of extra room) for emotional growth.  It’s important to remember to do what I can, then let the rest go.  I’ll hurt to accept that I may not be able to handle it all, but it’s better than the damage I can do to myself by trying to take on more than I can handle on my own.

What opportunities will be available to me in the year ahead?
The Tower

Tear that shit down and rebuild.  I have been slowly finding a new path to walk upon when it comes to my personal care and my business, my spiritual and emotional growth, and how I deal with my stress and responsibilities.  But, in order to really take the dive into this new path, I have to actually let go of the old one and let it crumble in my wake.  This year will provide me with the opportunity to do that, but remember that like all opportunities, this is something I have to actually reach for and won’t come to fruition without investment and effort.

What will be the overall theme of the year ahead?
Ace of Wands atop The Lovers

Healthier pursuit of the things and endeavors that are important to me.  This may include reevaluating those things that are important to me and adjusting my priorities to make sure that my self care and making decisions that are healthy for me take a higher priority.

DECK USED: THE NAKED HEART TAROT