#5Things I Use Everyday & Can’t Live Without

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

flower-887443_960_720

Becca Night Owl, over on Youtube did her first VR tag.  And, well of course I don’t do videos, but I do like quizzes, so I’ll answer here.

Her question for the #5Things tag is… What five things do you use every day and can’t live without?

Now, this list is really more what I -don’t want- to live without to be honest.  As I’m a firm believer in the survivalist in my nature.  That said?  I’m not kidding about #3.  Medication-free means I’m very, very up close and personal with the overwhelming urge to off myself.

In no particular order…

1)  A deck of cards.  It doesn’t matter if they are playing cards, lenormand, or tarot, preferably.  But oracle cards, Dixit cards (which I use as oracle cards), or even Kipper (which I don’t know how to read but could use if needed), will do.  Not just for my daily draw, or even to keep my hands busy, but because you can also play games with them and that works for me when left to my own devices.   If I was stranded on a deserted island and I had no cards?  I’d make myself some cards.  They’re just that important.

2)  My  phone.  I hate to say it.  I really do.   But it’s my connection with you and that’s what matters.   So I guess you could say it isn’t my phone at all but YOU that I can’t do without.  I love you.

3)   My antidepressants.  Life isn’t worth living without my antidepressants… literally.

4)  Labradorite.  The qualities of this stone include grounding, dispelling anxiety, strengthening intuition, and tempering negativity… among other things.

5)  Citrine.  The quality of this stone that I find the most important, and the reason I wear it daily, is that it releases anxiety and transforms negative energy into positive energy.   It also is known for being emotionally balancing, activating creativity, encouraging self expression, and helps enhance concentration.

The last two stones, I have made into small charms and attached to my medical bracelet, meaning that I wear them 24/7.

First, Take Everything In… Then Act

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes and thirty eight seconds, and focused on creative play and how important that not just creativity is in life, but also creative play.  

In my case, these are two distinctly different things, maybe because my business is based off creativity, so I have work creativity… and then I have just for fun creativity.

For me, creativity is a part of life that is indispensable.  I need it.  I live it.  I breathe it.  It is in damned near everything that I do, and if I’m not actively participating in it, you can almost guarantee that it’s on my mind in one form or another.

Today’s draw is the King of Swords, which is a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of thoughts, logic, action, and communication.

This card is all about personal truths, owning your authority, and gathering perspectives before taking decisive action.   I’ve had a lot of “act now think after” moments lately (er… especially in the grocery store) and this card is a reminder.  It’s a reminder that this is not my true nature, and it is continuing the message from yesterday.

In other words, the message that is being conveyed is that I need to slow down.   I need to gather information, weigh everything and ensure I have enough perspective.  THEN make a decision or act.

Slow Down

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and focused on how all the little things in life are what make life worth living.  The intent in the guided meditation was to learn to better focus and be grateful for all of those little things, rather than taking them for granted.

Today’s draw is the Eight of Wands with a jumper card of the Three of Swords.

The Eight of wands is a representation of fast moving action, or a quick and energetic forward movement or action in the areas of one’s passions and enthusiasm, inspiration, and drive.

The Three of Swords was my jumper card.  It is a representation of heartbreak and emotional pain and all that it entails, including not just hurt and pain, but also sorrow and/or grief.

It took me most of the day to grasp the message in these cards.   I think the jumper card just took me by surprise and, on only about 3 hours of sleep, my brain just couldn’t function enough to grasp what they were saying.

As this draw is for a positive message to carry with me throughout my day and provide perspective, you can imagine that I spent a good amount of time dwelling on this.  Funny how, after taking a nap, it just comes clear… just like that.

These cards in conjunction with each other are telling me that sometimes when you leap ahead and go at something full boor, that  you end up in a mess of hurt as a result.   It is a reminder to slow down and take my time.  Anything worth doing is worth doing right, and sometimes that means that you take your time and pour over the little details rather than forging ahead all gung-ho.

I’m the Boss

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was eighteen minutes and five seconds of a beginners Yoga Nidra, which I found very relaxing, but had to cut short because I was falling asleep.   I may try this one again at a later time when I’m not so tired, but I’m not sure about the guide’s voice, so maybe not.  We’ll see.

Today’s draw is the King of Wands, which is a representation of projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the areas of drive, passion, willpower, and the inner spark.  The card speaks of innate leadership abilities, entrepreneurship, honor, and inspirational vision.

This was a good card for today, as it was a reminder to me that I am the boss.  Sometimes, that can be a hard pill to swallow for me, but I -do- employ someone now, and I’m in fucking charge.

My helper likes to try and push the envelope sometimes when it comes to how many hours I’m willing to give her each week.   During the holiday season, that’s fine because there’s SO much work coming in, and I’m usually flush enough to afford it.   At this time of year, though… hell, I can barely pull off the hours I’m currently paying her, so she definitely isn’t getting any extra.

Its my business, and my finances, and I need to do what’s best for both.   Which means standing strong and staying true to my goals, my endeavors, my passions, and my truth…. and not allowing myself to cave under pressure.

Ethony’s 31 Days of Tarot 2019 (Part 6)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

hermit

Okay! It’s time for another installment of Ethony’s 31 Days of Tarot challenge.

  1. What cards relate to you personally. NOT just your astrology association or court cards.
    I skipped this question last time, because I struggled with it a bit. That is because I relate to all of the “pip” cards in the deck. That is the whole point of the tarot’s minor arcana, actually, and especially in the case of the pips. So, I guess if I had to choose just one that I relate to the most, it would be the Two of Pentacles. In relation to me personally, it is all about the juggling of responsibilities, wants, needs, goals, home, work, etc. It’s that constant, never ending effort towards balance.
  1. What Tarot deck do you wish you could get into or vibe with but just can’t and why? (this is not an opportunity to deck or deck creator bash it is more about how we all work with different decks and like different things.)
    Marseilles decks. Which is odd, because I read playing cards just fine, and I love historical style decks. I love the aesthetic of Marseilles style decks as well, and yet for some reason I have a really difficult time connecting with them.
  2. How do you pick your Tarot decks for readings?
    I find that certain decks are “workhorse” decks, and are good at just about everything. But, I have found that in most cases, some decks just ‘read’ better at one or two things. It comes down to the the feeling that each deck has a tone and a voice that is uniquely theirs. You wouldn’t want someone snarking comforting words at you… and you wouldn’t enjoy a soft comforting voice when what you really need is someone smacking you upside the head to light a fire under your ass. It’s like that.
  3. What is your ‘go-to’ Tarot book and why?
    You know… this used to be 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack, but ever since I’ve started using the Tarot of the Hidden Realm, I’ve begun using that guidebook (Journey Into the Hidden Realm by Barbara Moore) to add new, interesting perspectives on different decks.
  4. How do you feel about Tarot deck modification? Do you draw on your decks? Trim the borders or is it a no go for you and why?
    I think this is pretty obvious from other posts on this blog, but I’m all for it. I don’t alter all my decks, but sometimes it helps me in connecting to a deck. For me, the modifications I do are primarily edging decks to make them feel a bit more “finished”, and trimming decks if the borders are distracting (or detracting) from the artwork or message. There have been a few decks I’ve chosen to trim as well, simply because they were too damn big. Usually, though? There’s other compounding factors involved that bring me to that decision.
  5. Do you carry out predictive Tarot readings? Yes, no, why?
    Yes, and no. I do occasionally read predictively, with the caveat that nothing in the future is ever written in stone until it has come to pass. So anything predictive that I might see in the cards is more about trajectories and energy flow than actual set-in-stone.
  6. What question/s do you most often ask the Tarot? (for yourself and for others)
    My daily pull is a request for “a positive message to carry with me throughout the day and provide perspective”. That is the exact wording of the query. Another question I often ask is along the lines of “what do I need to focus on in the ______ ahead?” The time frame changes, as does whether it’s a time frame, an event, or an occasion. Back when I read for others, the most common questions had to do with love and relationships, as my observation is that most people seeking the advice of a reader on this topic are either lonely, or miserable.

And that’s all 31 questions! Tada! This post is Part 6, and the final installment for Ethony’s 31 Days of Tarot challenge. Here is Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5 for easy reference.

I’ll be starting another quiz very soon. They do a lot of them on YouTube, and although I don’t make videos, I do like the whole “quiz” and “getting to know you” aspect of participating here on my blog.

Light Luggage

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was nine minutes and forty eight seconds, and focused on empathy. That is, the sharing of an experience and emotion with another person in order to make them feel heard, without trying to fix them or simply offering sympathy. (Sympathy = “poor you”; Empathy = “I feel you”)

It discussed how this process of empathy can help a person feel that you are there with them and supporting them, even when there is no ready solution available at the moment and all you’re doing is sitting with them, sharing space with them, and listening.

Today’s draw is the Three of Wands, which is a representation of creation, abundance, and looking forward towards your dreams and goals in the area of passion, drive, willpower, and the inner spark.

The appearance of the Three of Wands in today’s draw is a reinforcement of the readings I did yesterday for my self-care and the week ahead, as well as the reading I did for the Summer Solstice.

Both of these readings, and today’s card, we’re all about taking what I have learned through the return to my spirituality, and taking that with me in moving forward.

Returning to a more active spiritual practice has opened up a new facet of creativity for me, and brought a new aspect of positivity to my daily life that goes beyond just the daily card draw that I do each morning and share here on this blog.

The Three of Wands is an encouragement to take that renewed practice and positivity with me as I continue to move forward along life’s path.