Nature’s Secrets
Hidden faces
in quiet places
peer out
as they blend in
hard to see
they hide
in plain sight
but yet we see
nothing but
autumn’s glory
as we play
the ultimate game
of hide and seek.
Full Moon in Gemini – November 2020
Today is 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 brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot By the Moon series.
1. Where am I deluding myself?
Happily ever after doesn’t just magically appear no matter how much you want it to. Cinderella may have had a fairy godmother, but you on the other hand have to steer your own chariot. Although the summer was very relaxing and the fall was filled with procrastination and lack of direction, you’re no longer in either of those seasons any longer. No time to dawdle anymore.
2. What am I missing?
The wind blows at your back and the water laps at your feet. They usher you forward and all you need to do is ride the energy they provide. You may have to do for yourself, but the chaos will make its own energy for you to ride if you open yourself up to it and let it sweep you away.
3. What perceptions need to be shifted?
What others see and think doesn’t matter. Don’t use your perception of their judgements as an excuse to swirl darkness into your life. Be kind to yourself instead and allow light to shine through the darkness that would otherwise be allowed to spread through your insides.
4. What requires further investigation?
Open your eyes and look around. A threat comes from the east and it needs your attention. You have the capability of deflecting the worst of it from landing and wreaking havoc, but only if you keep your eyes open for the attacking harpy that’s coming your way.
5. What possibilities are ready to show themselves?
This holiday rush is providing me the opportunity to see just how much illumination and light that a bit of extra optimism can bring into my life. The little seed of light that was available to me and fostered by me in the summer months is now ready to glow brightly, but will only be as bright as the energy that I feed into. Don’t forget to feed that light even when things are at their busiest and most chaotic.
DECK USED: EDMUND DULAC TAROT (TRIMMED NAKED)
Love and Kindness
Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was combined with interval timer for my stretches. The topic of this guided meditation was about the small choices we make… in other words, the butterfly effect.
It was about how with each small good choice we make for ourselves in our lives, we foster and encourage goodness and positivity and healthy habits to develop and take root. And how it’s important to encourage this positive growth, as opposed to feeding the bad habits and making bad choices that hold us back.
Today’s draw is the Ten of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of painful endings, the dying off of hard times, and the end of cycles of difficulty and trials. The swords suit is, after all, a story about tragedy and the Ten of Swords is the end of said tragedy before the hero of the story picks themselves back up and brushes themselves off to try again.
I find the imagery in this card to be extremely disorienting today. I’m not sure if it has always made me feel this way, but today? When I look at this card it feels as if the entire world has been turned upside down. And in this chaotic, confusing world the boy curls close the fox that is his companion to protect the fox from being hurt or lost.
The message here is about making sure that you are caring for your heart… your soft squishy insides. When the world falls into chaos, make sure you’re taking care of what’s important to you… including yourself. Kindness and love is needed. It might not conquer all… but it makes everything just a little bit better.
DECK USED: TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE
#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #4
What have I been taking for granted?
Nine of Coins – I spend so much time focusing on where I’m going and what I need to do that I’ve forgotten to take time to enjoy the present and what I have in the now. Gideon reminded me earlier today of this. I was sad about having lost my “easy”… that easy going nature I’d had when I was younger siphoned away over time as I started my own businesses and responsibilities piled on my shoulders.
He reminded me that yes, that “easy” was nice, but it was also a time in my life where I was struggling just to feed myself. In the same way as looking back on what I miss, I often train my focus forward on where I want to go… but in truth? I need to spend more of my focus on the now, and just how good I have it these days.
What’s been holding me back from seeing my blessings clearly?
Six of Swords Rx – My determination to move forward and claim more of what I want out of life, to achieve more and succeed. To stake my claim on the future. This determination has made it difficult to ease up and enjoy the present to its fullest.
How can I better express my gratitude in the future?
Knight of Cups – Instead of focusing so hard on responsibilities and goals, seek out the things that bring me joy and satisfaction and go after them instead. Seek the things that foster a bit of pleasure in the present instead of constantly striving for more out of the future.
What do I need to acknowledge gratitude for in my relationships?
Four of Swords – I am so grateful that those in my life understand my need for alone time and encourage that. It’s something that I don’t express a lot of gratitude for, but having had some experience in the past few years with some truly extroverted people that need a good deal of social contact? I have come to realize that the friends and loved ones I have are very unique in that they are supportive of my need for alone time. I didn’t realize how rare this was until… well, just now when thinking about it.
What do I need to acknowledge gratitude for in my finances?
Five of Cups – This is an echo of the response in my first question of this spread. It’s about realizing how good I have it now, and feeling gratitude for the present and all that I have in this present moment. I need to stop telling myself that I’m not doing enough… that it’s not enough… that I’m not enough.
What do I need to acknowledge gratitude for in my work life?
King of Cups – I am able to do what truly nourishes my soul. Sometimes I might feel worn down and tired, and I might not enjoy it as much as I could… or should. But, the fact remains, I’m doing what I love. I’m doing what I enjoy. And, through my work, I share my pleasure and enjoyment, my emotions and my hopes and the energy of my positive emotions with others with every single piece that I ship out.
DECK USED: TAROTS EGYPTIENS ANIMA ANTIQUA
Gideon’s Challenge
Autumn Nip
Autumn
slips to
winter cold
and
wet clings
to everything
but even now
beauty holds
all rapt
in its
embrace.
The transition from fall to winter is a slow one in this part of the world, filled with a nip in the air and cold rains, vibrant leaves and emerging green as evergreens overtake autumn shades.
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?
Earth – The Sun and Consulting the Ancestors – Echoing back to yesterday’s reading about where joy resides, here we see The Sun in the earth’s grounding position. What would your ancestors say to you if they saw you working the way that you do? Not your father, but your guides and those that love and support you on the other side. Would they tell you to work yourself to the bone and neglect yourself in the process?
Stability and security are merely a foundation. They are the safe and sturdy foundation on which you then dance joyously upon, safe in knowing each step of your dance will not be on crumbling stone, but sturdy ground.
Air – Ten of Cups and In the Clouds – Keep your chin up and make the effort to keep your inner dialogue positive. Crappy shit happens and stress can be a killer, but if you can keep your mind focused on the positive it will help you in overcoming the darkness that tries to seep in. And start taking some vitamin D.
Water – Three of Cups, The Ice Queen, Clandestine Escape – This week may feel like everything is working in sync, but watch out for the darker emotions just beneath the surface. Don’t freeze them out or forget they’re there, or you may find them sneaking up on you unexpectedly when you’re not looking.
Fire – Five of Wands and The Butterfly Trap – You know that saying that when you fall off the horse, get up and try again? Here it is, literally before your eyes. Keep in mind that things are going to take some patience and a bit of a gentle touch this week if you don’t want to fall on your ass again and again.
Waning – The Actress – Step away from showing a brave face this week and give the genuine article to the world. Vulnerability sucks, but it’s necessary, even now during the hurried chaos of the holiday rush. Don’t hide behind a mask of composure and control.
Waxing – Mother Earth – Rising into power this week and in need of your focus is the need to make sure you are taking care of yourself. This doesn’t just include self care activities like soaking in the tub or doing your meditation, but also making sure that you’re getting out in nature, even if it’s just for an hour now and then. Don’t forsake that connection, as it can help you in feeling more at peace and more in control.
Take Away – The take away here is that I need to make sure I focus on self care and fostering joy this week. Right now the holiday rush is about building up that foundation that helps foster stability and security. That stability and security is the building blocks that create the house of joy. Take care of yourself, love yourself, give yourself what you need, and be gentle with yourself. Stay aware of lurking shadows and keep them at bay by leaning into optimism, but make sure you don’t forget they’re there… and sneaky.
DECKS USED: SCORPIO SEA TAROT, EDMUND DULAC TAROT (TRIMMED NAKED), THE JOURNEY ORACLE
Foundations for Joy
Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was a guided meditation with interval timer for my piriformis stretches.
The topic of the guided meditation today was consideration for self. That is to say, it spoke on caring for yourself and making sure that you give yourself kindness and patience.
The guide spoke about how when you speak to your friends and loved ones, you use compassion and patience as a part of the dialogue, and reminded the listener that this is the same way we should be speaking to ourselves. With that same compassion and patience. One should not treat themselves as less than one treats others, after all. There’s no reason for it.
Today’s draw is is the Four of Pentacles, which is traditionally interpreted as a solidly grounded message of stability and security. This can often also lead to interpretations of too much stability or too much security as seen in one that is miserly or greedy.
What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today is the look on the man’s face. He just doesn’t look all that happy. In fact, he looks downright miserable. You would think that as hard as he’s holding onto that coin in his arms, that it would make him happy, and yet… it doesn’t.
The message here is not to get so wrapped up in monetary pursuits and the need for stability that you lose sight of what brings you joy. Security and stability allow for there to be room in your life for joy and happiness, but they are not joy and happiness in and of themselves.
DECK USED: TRADITIONAL MANGA TAROT
#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Grab a spread of your choice that you’ve been curious about… and give it a go!
What To Let Go Of – Four of Cups – Apathy and withdrawal. These things are not your friends right now, no matter how safe they might feel in the moment. You need those around you, and you need the connections. You need to allow your emotions space to flow even as you work… don’t shut yourself away and cut everyone else off. Remember that it’s not about “either/or” but rather about finding balance with both.
New Energy In Your Life – The Lovers -The new and better choices you have been making for yourself over the past year are trying to take root. The soil is not as fertile during this time of the year, and it’s important to give this growth a chance by continuing to focus on making healthy choices for yourself. Don’t ignore your needs just because things are busy and you’re caught up in the rush.
What Is To Come – Ten of Cups – Soon you will be able to delve back into the exploration of your emotions once more. You’ll be given the opportunity for growth in this area once again, and those that love and care about you will be there to help you and support you as you return to expanding upon your emotional growth and emotional intelligence once more.
The Way Forward – King of Coins – Take ownership of your actions and responsibilities not just to the business but also to yourself and your well-being. As much energy as you put into the business, this doesn’t make it your most important responsibility no matter how much you focus on it. Your most important responsibility is to your health and well-being.
