Beautiful
What we have
the passion we share
the trust
the honesty
and how you’re
always there.
None of these things
are taken
for granted,
but cherished
like treasure.
Beloved.
#31DaysofWitchcraft Prompt 7 (non)VR to Heather Carter
Heather Carter on YouTube put together a series of prompts titled #31DaysofWitchcraft that she’s been working her way through since the beginning of May. I really like this idea, but I can’t handle the responsibility of any more daily posts, so I thought that for the next few weeks, I would do one (or a few at a time) for the end of week “My Pagan Perspective” posts and work through them a bit at a time.
I can’t remember how many of these I’ve done so far, but I have a whole list still to go! So here’s prompt #7.
Do you work with a specific animal spirit? If so, which animal and why? If not, is there one you would like to work with?
I actually don’t work with animal spirits outside of using animal decks in my divination practice. I don’t feel comfortable working with them, because it feels like if i were to work with the Fae. As if I’m using them.
My moral compass says that using them in this way is not okay. At least, not for me. Animal spirits, like the Fae, are my friends. I don’t use my friends… so I wouldn’t use animal spirits.
That said, I might seek advice from them, and there are certain animal spirits / animal energies that I feel a close connection to such as the sea turtles and both river otters and sea otters. This doesn’t negate the connection that I feel to a lot of other animal energies, but those are the ones I am drawn to the strongest.
I also like bears… although that isn’t really so much something that I connect with personally, as that they just make me happy.
Creativity Requires Bravery
Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and tacked on to the end of my yoga/physio practice. I had a lot of orders to get through today, and I didn’t want to take a chance of falling asleep if I got too comfortable. Taking time off has a bit of a price to it, yeah? Lots of orders to get through and get processed to go out tomorrow, as they piled up during the time I took off. At least I got a little bit of it done yesterday while we played.
Today’s draw is the Ace of Fire (Ace of Wands) card, which is traditionally read as a new beginning, initial kindling, or the “seed” of a start in the area of one’s drive, motivations, passions, and inner spark. This card signifies the initial spark of interest in the things that capture our attention and keep us captivated.
Not surprisingly, what catches my attention in this card’s imagery today is the gigantic mullein plant standing tall and strong and ready for harvest.
Mullein is an anti-inflammatory with an extremely diverse amount of uses. Spiritually, it is also used to help in banishing bad dreams, foster bravery, and cleansing of psychic energies. What I see in the plant represented here in this card today and in relation to being on the Ace of Fire, is that when that spark of inspiration strikes you, sometimes you have to take a moment to center… to gather yourself… and then take a leap.
Creativity requires bravery. Following your dreams and going after those things you are passionate about takes bravery and strength. The message in today’s card is about fostering that strength and encouraging it to flourish so that you are better prepared to go after your dreams and explore the things that kindle that spark of inspiration within you.
DECK USED: HERBCRAFTER’S TAROT
#TarotForGrowthJuly Challenge Prompt
Topic: I’m so overwhelmed.
Question: Why am I so afraid to say no?
Reading Summary: I feel like I have so little control over the emotional side of my life (King of Cups and Two of Cups) that I feel the need to grasp and hold onto that control with an iron grip in the places where I can (The Emperor).
The bowed heads in the Two of Cups combined with Gideon represented by the King of cups indicate my submission and smallness. Thus the indication of “lack of control” comes forth between the two cups cards (emotional side of things) in this reading.
Take Away: I do not have a problem with saying no to others, but I very much do struggle with saying no to myself, whether that is in how I fill my plate with responsibilities and obligations, or in my addictions and pursuits and the things I want or want to do. This difficulty in saying no to myself in these areas stems from my need to feel in control. The more out of control I feel emotionally, the more I try to compensate by piling to much on my plate in those areas I feel that I do have control.
DECK USED: HANSON ROBERTS TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsJul2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Would life lose meaning if we could live forever?
Reading Summary: You could fill your cup again and again (Queen of Cups), and even become addicted to the joys that life offers (The Devil), and yet it is the nature of humanity to lose sight of the value of those things that is with us day in and day out and begin to take them for granted (The Emperor).
Take Away: Yes. If there is no end… there is no value. Even with the relatively short lifespans that humanity currently has, people take for granted the great gift and possibilities that life provides them each and every day. If immortality was possible, it would create a greater divide concerning one’s perceived value of life and thus its meaning.
DECK USED: WOMEN OF SCIENCE TAROT
#OwlandBonesJuly Challenge by Owl and Bones Tarot
Topic: prepare for change // draw your energy // conserve resources // emerge
Prepare For Change – 9 of Swords and The Adviser Rx – There is a recommendation in these cards to reach out to my therapist and make an appointment. I’m not sure what it is I need to sort through with her, but the message here is clear. I’ll take the advice and call and make an appointment, as it’s apparent that in order to prepare for a change to come, I need to reach out to her.
Draw Your Energy – The Moon and The Star – Remember that in times of uncertainty to turn my attention to fostering hope and optimism. It’s too easy to fall into the old habit of pessimistic thinking, and uncertain times can create a breeding ground for those old habits to slip in and take root.
Conserve Resources – 8 of Wands Rx and The Lovers – Slow down and spend some time basking in the sun of your relationship with Gideon. This choice isn’t always easy for you, as you want to move fast and get things done and push, push, push for more. But the fact is that the faster you move the faster you want to move, and the more you push… the more you want to push even harder. Make the choice to not follow that path.
Emerge – 8 of Cups – You’ve been working hard at changing things and stepping away from old habits. It’s time to start focusing on emerging on the other side of this transition. When you abandon one place, you are also arriving in another. Begin considering what you want this new reality you’re emerging into to look like.
DECK USED: VELEDA WOODS TAROT
Gideon’s Challenge
Faith
Your belief in me
is a beacon
in the darkness.
Your care for me
wind underneath
wings.
With you
at my side,
your encouragement
there to guide…
I soar.
You speak of loving me like it is the simplest thing in the world, but I know I am not the easiest person to love. You speak of supporting me like it is lifting a feather, and yet I know the strength of your arms. Thank you for always being there, for always believing in me, and for helping me to become the man that I am today.
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Tuning In
Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and was focused primarily on breathing in cleansing energy, and breathing out pain as I stretched and worked on a few stiff spots in my mobility. This type of meditation can be extremely relaxing when muscles and pain levels cooperate, but today was not one of those cooperative days. I did manage to get a little more range of motion going, though, so it wasn’t a total loss.
Today’s draw is is the Ten of Water (Ten of Cups) which is traditionally a representation of fulfillment and completion in the areas of one’s emotions, relationships, and intuitive gifts.
There were a couple of different things that stuck out to me in the imagery of this card today, the first of which was one of the key words at the bottom of the card. Although I absolutely see the sense in “marriage” as an interpretation of the Ten of Cups, I’ve personally never had marriage come up in relation to this card and it took me a moment’s pause to consider and… eventually, agree.
Also in the imagery of this card it was that the woman here has her eyes closed. This speaks to me of turning inward, and in doing so, becoming more aware of the emotions you are feeling in the moment. The slight curve on her lips indicates that she feels both peaceful and positive in this moment captured on the card.
The message in today’s card is to take time and acknowledge your emotions, and savor the good and positive pieces of your life that lift those positive emotions to the surface.
DECK USED: COSMOS TAROT AND ORACLE
#TarotForGrowthJuly Challenge Prompt
Topic: I’m struggling with self-worth.
Question: How can I learn to measure my worth exclusively in comparison to my past self?
Reading Summary: Don’t close yourself off and hunker down, becoming so focused on stability and security (Four of Coins) that you forget to look around. Opportunities lie in opening your eyes (Two of Swords). Instead make the choice to stay aware and to roll with the punches (The Wheel).
Take Away: In order to measure my worth exclusively in comparison to my past instead of on my present or future contributional abilities, I need to remember all of the times in the past when life has knocked me on my ass and how I have managed to get up again and again regardless of what has been thrown at me along the way.
DECK USED: TAROTBOT TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsJul2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Write something free form inspired by the cards.
Knight of Cups – Andrew’s worth had always been measured in his ability to get on well with his comrades and strangers alike. He was known to be a boisterous man filled with stories that made others laugh and a lover that captured the hearts of many women.
Strength – One day Andrew met a woman that he could not sway so easily as all the others. This intrigued him and drew him to her again and again like a moth to the flame. And with each visit to her bed he became more enamored with her, admiring her wiles and her wisdom.
Death – Through these many visits she opened Andrew up to a whole new world, and soon he had eyes for no one but her. Frivolous trysts and clandestine encounters no longer appealed, as it was the strength of Cassandra’s mind he admired most of all and he found that none other could shine as bright as she.
His life forever changed, he committed himself to her and they lived long lives together, challenging each other to grow, their fates entwined like the roots of an oak tree.
DECK USED: AQUARIAN TAROT
#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: When am I most creative?
Reading Summary: When I am regulating (Temperance) my responsibilities properly (Two of Pentacles) and leaving room for endeavors away from my obligations (King of Cups).
Take Away: I am most creative when I allow myself some time and space to do things that have nothing to do with my obligations and responsibilities. Exploring creativity in this free environment, without the pressures of money or business or obligation to weigh down the process, allows my creativity to truly be set free.
DECK USED: NEW PALLADINI TAROT
Gideon’s Challenge
Bright
Your love
shines
line sunlight
on my soul
and I bathe
in its radiance
as it
warms me
from the
inside
out.
I can feel the tangled knots of the drop now rising in my gut, seeking out a place to stick and stay, hide and rest. Your love is the shining light, bright and ever present, that helps keep that bundle of knots for lingering too long. Thank you for always being there for me during these times… even the ones where reaching for you becomes a challenge all its own.
I love you.
