ace of wands

🎨 Weekly Creativity Prompt – Envy in the Parking Stalls

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Prompt: “Pull (at least) three cards from your deck and use them to write about the daydream of a vehicle of your choice. (ex: a train or plane, yours or your neighbor’s car, a city bus, etc.)”

Golden Age of Romance Comics Tarot - The Sun, The Star, The Emperor, Two of Cups, Three of Wands, Six of Pentacles, Ace of Wands

Look at her over there tucked in her stall, all beautiful and eager and ready to go at a moment’s notice (Ace of Wands). She’s so clean and cared for, shiny and bright (The Star). I’d purr like a kitten too (The Sun) if I had an owner like hers (The Emperor). He really knows how to pamper her, going out of his way to provide for her needs (Six of Coins). We’d see the world together if he were mine (Three of Wands and Two of Cups).

DECK USED: GOLDEN AGE OF ROMANCE COMICS TAROT

Positive Transformations

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IMG_7893Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long and was a guided meditation with interval timer for my piriformis stretches.  The thing is, though?  I have no idea what the guided part of the meditation was about.

I mean, I was listening I think… and part of the reason I save the little graphics that come with my meditation is so that it can prompt my memory of the guided topic.   And yet…. even the graphic doesn’t prompt up a memory of the meditation’s topic really.  Not even a vague memory remains.  Maybe I was deeper into my meditation than I thought?

I suppose that the important part is that I actually did the meditation at all, though.  Which I did.  So… yeah.

Traditional Manga Tarot - Ace of WandsToday’s draw is the Ace of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s drive, inspiration, motivation, and inner spark.  This often translates into themes that have to do with new passion projects, sparks of curiosity, and things that strike your interest and kindle an inspired passion within you.

What really stands out to me in the imagery of this card today is the dress that the woman wears in the image.  She looks like she’s draped in malachite and surrounded in crazy lace agate.

Malachite holds within it the energy of transformation to ease struggles and foster insight.  Crazy lace agate is a stone used to foster and flourish joy in one’s life. This feels like a good omen, and I’m going to take it as such.

The message here today is to continue to transform those negative inner dialogues into positivity and optimism.

DECK USED:  TRADITIONAL MANGA TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #2
Question: I am struggling with incorporating self care into my day. What advice do I need to hear right now that will help me with this struggle over the next few weeks?

Dark Wood TarotReading Summary: Have patience (Temperance), because change takes time (Death). And it can hurt (white is you, red is change) so be prepared for that.

There are connections here in the colors that reinforce the message at hand.  In the Death card, the staff that death holds relates to the hair of the woman in the Five of Swords, and the gown the angel wears relates to the dress of the caught woman in the Five of Swords.

Connecting the figures in the imagery in this way,  you can see that the red haired woman (connected through color to Death/Change) is inflicting pain upon the caught woman in the Five of Swords card (who is reflected in the angel in the Death card drained of color).

Take Away: These cards are a reminder that it’s okay to miss self care now and then, because the effort to find balance after the changes made in my life (both by me in my effort to find better balance, and by the holiday rush) are going to cause a bit of imbalance and that imbalance naturally involves dropping the ball now and then.  And honestly?  Better to drop the ball just a bit on self care than on the business you’re trying to run during the holiday rush.  Thus…. it’s gonna hurt a bit because growing pains suck.  Instead of being hard on yourself, be kind and forgiving in those moments you slip up.

DECK USED:  DARK WOOD TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: When have I felt emotionally rich?

Golden Tarot by Kat Black

Reading Summary: This summer when I was resting (Four of Swords) after having experienced burnout (Ten of Wands), and was spending time ignoring much of the stressful crap (Eight of Swords).

Take Away:  The cards here are referring to the time off that I allowed myself each month over the summer. I’ve never really taken time off before, not even when going to my mother’s or out east.  I mean… yeah, I did… but not really.   What I found from that time is that when I’m able to step away from my responsibilities for a few days and breath, I find myself not just rejuvenated inside and out, but when I’m able to step away from the guilt of not working I’m also then able to focus on other things I enjoy as well…. and that I really like that.

DECK USED:  GOLDEN TAROT BY KAT BLACK

Examining Motivations

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At the moment, I’m playing catch up after having not kept up on my blog posts for a few days, so I don’t remember what the meditation was like today… or if I did it, to be honest. I will return to updating about my meditation each day once I’m caught up with my posts again.

Madam Lydia Wilhelmina's Tarot - Ace of WandsToday’s draw is is the Ace of Wands, which is traditionally an interpretation of new inspiration and enthusiasm toward new passion projects.  It’s not so much about the idea or the act of participating in a project, but about the spark of fire and drive that kindles in your soul when you are inspired.

It feels like there’s a message here in the clouded, deformed figures down in the lower right corner, and yet even now it doesn’t want to rise to the surface and speak to me. It’s about motivation behind why things spark your interest, and the hidden secrets we keep sometimes.

Oh… there it is. 

The thing is?  Sometimes when we feel that spark of inspiration? It’s important to take a pause and look at our motivations. Why are you so keen on this new idea or project, where is the interest and enthusiasm coming from?  Is it pure?  Or is it something being used to conceal or run away from something else you don’t want to deal with. 

For example.  Mopping the floor and cleaning the windows sucks.  But it might look really appealing if you’re trying to avoid cleaning the toilets instead.  

The best projects and creative endeavors are bred not from avoidance, but from pure inspirational spark.  Make sure that when you feel a spark in your soul that you are eager to explore, that that exploration is pure curiosity and interest…. and not motivated by procrastination or avoidance.

DECK USED:  MADAM LYDIA WILHELMINA’S TAROT

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: In what way am I suggested to protect my personal energy?

The Vampire Tarot

Reading Summary:  Grounded advance (Knight of Pentacles) and overcoming lack of joy in your entrepreneurial spark (Four of Wands Rx) through the sharing of that passion with others (Queen of Wands). It’s okay to feel, but don’t allow those feelings to mellow and stagnate (Queen of Cups… it’s about her face and how she’s holding the cup).

There is growth and advancement here in the inclusion of greenery both in the Queen of Wands and Queen of Cups.   Emotional influences blending with inspirational drive will allow for a breaking free of the cage you feel like you’re trapped in.  As long as you stay grounded, it’s okay to move slow.

Take Away:  Whether these cards are read left to right, or right to left, the key here in moving forward and continuing to grow in both my emotional wealth as well as my business requires some grounding, as well as slow but steady progress.  Don’t remain stagnant. It’s not healthy, no matter how appealing it might seem.

DECK USED:  THE VAMPIRE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: How important is play in living a healthy and fulfilling life?

Dead Waite TarotReading Summary: Play is the music of life. Whether you’re on your own and singing to the sky (imagery of Queen of Swords), or with those you love and serenading them from the heart (imagery on Ten of Pentacles)… either way that joy of play is what clears away the smog (imagery in Death).

Take Away:  Clearly, it’s very important.  It’s the fresh air that clears away the stagnancy and cobwebs in our lives and allows us to look at ourselves and the world around us with fresh eyes.  Lack of play encourages stagnancy and lack of growth. 

DECK USED:  DEAD WAITE TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question: How does the message from the 19th help me with my greater purpose?

The Gothic Tarot

Reading Summary:  It helps me open my eyes (Eight of Swords) to the fact that I’m not allow and am receiving strength from others (Strength) that are near and dear to me and have my best interests at heart (Four of Wands).

Take Away:  My spirit guides are represented here by the Four of Wands, as they are with me all the time… from birth to death they will be there to help and provide a stable “home base” of guidance along the way.

The message on the 19th was that they are behind me 100% and are my cheerleading squad, there to cheer me on and give me strength. The message opened my eyes to this face, and that knowledge provides me with an undercurrent of strength that I didn’t have previously.

DECK USED:  THE GOTHIC TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What has most influenced my spiritual path?

Luis Royo's Labyrinth Tarot

Reading Summary: Learning about different traditions and adopting what has felt right for me (Seven of Swords).  Hardships along the way that have taught me strength (Five of Pentacles).  Following my gut concerning what is right for me… and what isn’t (Eight of Cups).

Take Away:  This is about the development of my independence and finding the path that is mine alone.  It’s about accepting that I have my own path, and that that path is directed by my intuition and moral compass rather than by what others think or feel is right for me.

DECK USED:  LUIS ROYO’S LABYRINTH TAROT

Preparation Before Action

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Today’s meditation was cut short, as I had a telephone dermatology appointment.  Which seriously…. I don’t see why they bother.  In dermatology, a couple of pictures is not enough and it seems like a bit of a waste of time to have telephone appointments.  Not even video appointments like Zoom or FaceTime either… just voice supplemented with a couple of emailed pictures.

And of course, it didn’t go well and I have to go in.  Probably in June.

I will try to meditate again tonight before I go to sleep.

Forager's Daughter - Ace of WandsToday’s draw is the Ace of Wands, which is traditionally interpreted as a seed, new start, or beginnings concerning one’s drive, ambitions, or passions.  This often comes across in themes concerning the spark of new inspiration or new opportunities relating to one’s interests and ambitions.

What stands out to me today in the imagery of this card is the grape vines (especially the ripe grapes) and the spiderweb (which is actually supposed to be the north star, I think… but that’s not what I saw).

Grapevines, especially wild grapes, are vigorous grower.  They climb and climb, reaching for the sun, and the more sun they get?  The more they bear fruit.   Combined with the new moon above, the connotation here that see is one of bursting forth with energy and purpose.  No slow starts here… it’s all about the “get up and go“.

Combined with that symbolism is another aspect, that at first might feel counter-purpose to that burst of energy.  The cobweb (yes, I’m sticking with cobweb, because that’s what I saw) feels like a moment of pause.   When a spider builds a web and prepare to feast, they sit on the outside of the web and wait with perfect patience for something to become caught in the sticky strands. They wait for their opportunity  with patience and care, watching for the perfect moment to spring forward and claim the reward that comes from that judicious pause.

And that is the message here in today’s card.  It’s about my struggle with doing so much less than normal during the lockdown of the pandemic, when only one of my four part time jobs still exists, and even sales for my home business have slowed.   Now is the time to perfect my web, tighten up any loose strands that need brought into line.  Now is the time to practice patience, because soon enough the time to leap forward will arrive and things will once again be busy… and instead of feeling overwhelmed by inactivity, I will be overwhelmed by the familiarity of having too much on my plate at once.

It’s time to start viewing as preparation and the pause as a form of action… rather than something that is getting in the way of action and ambition.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I go about that process of self-forgiveness?

Tarot of 78 Doors

Reading Summary: Let go of (Death) some of that demand for more (King of Wands) and take some time to appreciate what you have (Nine of Chalices).

Take Away:  Not only does this answer the question on how I can go about forgiving myself for taking some “down time” for myself, but it also correlates with my card of the day today.  The message here is about letting go of expectations and releasing some of that “do it” energy that is driven by my ambition and drive for more and better.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE 78 DOORS

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to focus on for self care for this full moon?

The Muse TarotReading Summary: Delve into your inspiration (Two of Inspiration) to improve upon your craft (Eight of Materials).  Take some time to plan ahead for what I’m going to need and take action to get that done (Three of Inspiration atop Page of Materials (necklace chain).  Stop ignoring your intuition on this matter (High Priestess).

Take Away:  Order those 100 meter spools of necklace chain.  Order it now. 

Yessir!

*Chuckles*   Okay so I went and contacted my supplier to get me set up and order the chain.

DECK USED:  THE MUSE TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: What blessing can I embrace right now?

I Tarocchi Visconti Sforza Piccolo

Reading Summary:  This time is filled with opportunities (Ace of Swords and Ace of Wands) and I only need to tap into my intuition to choose a direction (The Popess).

Take Away:  All of today’s reads seem to be focused upon my ambitions and drive. That is to say, about my business.  Whether that be encouraging me to wait, or encouraging me to begin looking for those little sparks of seedling energy waiting to be snatched up and set into motion.   The blessing I am given the opportunity to embrace right now is the plethora of new inspiration and new ideas that are currently before me.   The Popess in this reading is a reminder that I can’t go after all of them, and have to choose wisely.

DECK USED:  I TAROCCHI VISCONTI SFORZA PICCOLO

Taking Care and Shifting Ground

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IMG_3077Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and focused upon using meditation to ease yourself out of anxiety and worry.   Although we don’t necessarily always have an empty mind during meditation, the goal is to not allow one’s thoughts to take over and let them pass by without reaction.

This skill, as you practice it and become stronger at it, is very useful in finding peace in times of stress and anxiety.  Sometimes, even just stepping back for a moment and taking a breath, clearing away thoughts and taking even just a single minute… even that can sometimes do wonders to lower stress and anxiety… and blood pressure too.

With how stressed and on edge everyone is lately, I think it’s really important to remember that you need to take those moments… take those breaths.  Don’t let yourself get carried away by the currents of anxiety and worry.

IMG_3078Today’s draw is the Ace of Wands, which is generally a card filled with potential and new starts for the areas of one’s passions, interests, and drive.

That said, the imagery in today’s card triggered an intuitive hit that had nothing to do with traditional meanings, for what I see in today’s card is very much focused upon the needle and the eye.   The message?   Remember not to touch your eyes.

This is a good piece of advice today considering the current health emergency going on in my area, and the fact that I will be traveling and around others in multiple venues today.  I have a habit of touching my eyes quite regularly due to year-round allergies, which makes this reminder even more appropriate for today.

DECK USED:  HUSH TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMarch Challenge Prompt
Question: What can I do to align with that energy? (Built off yesterday’s cards.)

IMG_3080

Reading Summary: Take the bull by the horns and move forward (Prince of Wands) with the qualities of the Hierophant the Fool.

Take Away: Yesterday’s cards indicated that was at a crossroads where I could sink back into fog and darkness, or move forward into clarity.  The cards today make it clear that the best choice is moving forward (obviously I knew that already) and to do so I need to lean into the energies of knowledgeable integrity and innocent enthusiasm.

DECK USED:  ENCHANTED TAROT MINI EDITION

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I replace judgements with more compassion?

IMG_3082

Reading Summary: Make a conscious choice (Lovers) that requires me to set aside apathy (Five of Water) grab the reigns with both hands moving forward (Emperor atop Ace of Air).

Take Away:  It’s okay to become invested in others rather than standing back on the sidelines and remaining unaffected.  Just make sure when doing so that you keep a good grip of control on your thoughts so that your own worries and anxieties don’t go taking a trip into those dark places with them.

DECK USED:  78TAROT’S ELEMENTAL TAROT OF THE NATURAL

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What is blocking my intuition right now?

IMG_3084

Reading Summary:  My intuition is not so much being blocked as stolen (Seven of Swords) by a lack of inaction (Temperance) caused by constant changes (Wheel of Fortune).

Take Away:  The Wheel of Fortune is my year’s card, which has been pretty fitting so far this year.  I’ve been struggling a bit with the uncertain footing of constant changes.  Unlike the lack of footing that comes with striding into the dark, the lack of footing with constant changes is more like trying to walk in the middle of an earthquake.

This type of uncertain footing makes it difficult for me not to “stand back and wait” which is my natural reaction to that type of situation. The cards here are indicating that that reaction is siphoning off a level of my intuition, though.  Thus, perhaps it’s time to start figuring out how to walk on the constantly moving ground beneath my feet.

DECK USED:  TAROCCO DELLE VETRATE TAROT

Seedlings and Sparks

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Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and a guided meditation on gratitude, and expressing that gratitude through not just appreciation but the direction of positive energy toward those things you are grateful for.

That includes directing positive energy and thought toward yourself.  Toward others.  As well as to the world at large.  Each of these aspects of life have things about them to be grateful for, and today’s meditation included the process of first grounding and centering, and then directing that energy to each of those three aspects of life.

Ace of Wands - Hush TarotToday’s draw is the Ace of Wands which is traditionally a representation of potential and new opportunities in the area of one’s ambitions, drive, and passionate interests.

What I see in today’s card is the needle in the bird’s beak, and the tendril of hair threaded through it.  Sometimes new projects and passions take a bit of effort and sacrifice.  The girl offers her hair to the bird so that the bird can build its nest.  The needle sparkles and shins in the sunlight, sparking interest as a worker climbs the girl’s cheek representing work to be done.

This Ace of Wands speaks to me of those tenuous first moments of inspiration, when things are not yet in motion, but there’s that moment of breath… a beat of the heart, where you can -feel- how right it is… how good it will be.   It’s an encouragement to go after those little sparks of interest an allow them to carry you away… the work will be worth it.

DECK USED:  HUSH TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMarch Challenge Prompt
Question: Energy surrounding the impending shift into spring.

Whispering Spirits Tarot

Reading Summary: Take back what’s yours (Seven of Wands) and plow right through (The Chariot) times of uncertainty (The Moon).

Take Away:  The cards indicate something that I also read in my Self-Care Saturday spread this week.  That is, that there is a surfacing coming and a re-claiming of self that will carry forward beyond this week and into the spring, pulling me out of the fog of uncertainty that I’ve been struggling with if I’m willing to be proactive in “riding the wave” to shore.

DECK USED:  WHISPERING SPIRITS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What good thing is ready to come into bloom in my life with the arrival of spring?

Les Métamorphoses du Jour Tarot

Reading Summary:  If I can give myself the nurturing care that I’m currently in need of (The Empress), and the room necessary to allow for emotional growth to take root (Ace of Cups), I will find that with the spring I will find a new sense of stability and camaraderie among those that I share interests and passions with (Four of Wands).

Take Away:  The spring is going to allow me to pull ahead of this fog I’ve been feeling over the past few months, but only if I allow it to happen. It will be important to not allow my grip to be too tight and controlling, either on on my emotions or by using cruelty to self to prod myself forward.

DECK USED:  LES METAMORPHOSES DU JOUR TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What does intuition mean for me?

Enchanted Tarot Mini Deck

Reading Summary: The addictive (Devil) path forward (Two of Wands) to future interests (Princess of Wands over the Ten of Wands).

Take Away:  My interests always have an element of burden to them, as I have a habit of overwhelming myself with the activities and things that I love.   Intuition represents to me a path to those interests, a path I enjoy bounding down again and again, until said interests become the burden that they always had the potential to be.

To be clear… intuition is the path.  It is not the interests it leads me to but the path that takes me there.  What I do with those interests that turns them into a burden lies upon the “shoulders” of habit and the mind.

DECK USED:  ENCHANTED TAROT MINI DECK