anima mundi tarot

Opening Up to the World

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Today’s meditation was a self-guided ten minute long session spent visualizing the patterns of sunlight through a canopy of green leaves.

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Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Anima Mundi Tarot - Eight of Swords

Today’s draw is the Eight of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of willful ignorance, self-imposed restrictions, turning a blind eye (especially when it can be harmful to self), and entertaining a victim mentality.

The Eight of Swords is then combined with Edouard Manet’s The Plum card from the deck Because Art Heals, which says, “The pause is part of becoming.”

When we pause, we are given the opportunity use this time to connect within, then open our eyes to reality.

Often this time is used to awaken our defense mechanisms and try and build a shield between us and the world. Shutting out experiences and awareness of what’s going on around us. There’s opportunity here, though, to center ourselves and open up instead, if we allow it.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that taking a pause gives us the opportunity use a moment in time to take a deep breath and open our eyes. These cards encourage us not to hide from the world, but instead take these momentary pauses to soften and open up instead of closing yourself off.

DECKS USED: ANIMA MUNDI TAROT AND BECAUSE ART HEALS DECK

@ambitiouslyalexa’s February Journal Prompts
Prompt for February 22nd

Oracle Reading with the Renais Tarot Oracle Deck

How I respond to stress

Moon – You have a tendency to respond to stress emotionally. This is because stress usually involves your fears rising to the surface and lighting the fuse on your anxiety. This feeds into reactivity, instead of rational thought.

Thus, the more uncertainty involved in the stressful situation, the harder it is for you to find stable footing.

How to improve upon how I respond to stress

Euterpe – Don’t sit and stew in the fear, anxiety and stress. Instead, channel your energy, emotions, and anxiety into creative endeavors. In doing so, you are using this energy in productive ways, and giving your mind something to focus on that doesn’t exacerbate your emotional reactions, allowing for both energy dispersal and distraction at the same time.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: RENAIS TAROT (ORACLE)

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2026 Challenge
Prompt for February 22nd : Do Spread 3
For each position, pick the card from your deck that you feel fits the question best for you, then explain why.

Tarot Reading with the Anima Mundi Tarot

Which one card do you feel sums you up best?

Two of Pentacles – I feel like I am constantly struggling with balance these days. There’s no stable footing, and I understand that that’s how it’s supposed to be. Balance is a dynamic situation, after all, always shifting and changing… but that lack of stable footing means I feel like its a constant struggle. A hamster wheel I can’t escape.

Which one card do you feel represents your strengths?

The Hanged Man – I like that I have the ability and desire to see other perspectives beyond my own. Not just see them, but to strive to understand them as well. It’s a quality that I don’t see very often in others, and I like that I’m able to pause in this way and find a larger view point than the singular one through my own two eyes.

Which one card do you feel represents your limitations?

Queen of Swords – I can be extremely harsh in my thoughts, judgements, and words. Both when directed toward myself as well as toward others. I have expectations about standard level of common sense and intelligence, ownership of one’s actions and responsibility. Sometimes when others don’t meet those expectations, my reprisals can be harsh (especially when I personally fall short of them).

What kind of issues do you feel that you need to work on?

Wheel of Fortune – The more that I delve into learning about my emotions and experiencing them instead of burying them, the more I struggle with the unpredictability that is an inherent part of life. Adaptability to shifts and changes in life seems to be becoming more difficult as I get older, and I feel that this is something I need to work on.

What message do you want to share with the world?

Two of Cups – Find your people. Stop trying to impress those people that aren’t a good fit for you. Instead, be authentic in putting yourself out there. Although it might attract backlash, it will also attract those to you that will appreciate the real you.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Scotch Pine Cones for Purging Negative Influences

DECK USED: ANIMA MUNDI TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I stayed in bed most of the day due to a migraine instead of trying to push myself to function anyway.

🎨 Weekly Creativity Prompt – Page of Wands

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Prompt: “Pull the Queen of Cups card from your deck(s). Compare the imagery between the card provided below and the card(s) from your own deck(s). How would you read them differently and why?“

The Slow Tarot - Page of WandsSlow Tarot – The kid in this imagery looks so happy and so proud of all that he’s learning and experiencing on this camping trip of his. He’s set up a tent, lit a fire, and stands tall with a big smile on his face. This card is a reminder that we need to take pride in our adventurous spirit, new experiences, and accomplishments… even the beginner ones. Maybe… especially the beginner ones.

Page of Wands - Hong Kong Tarot, Anima Mundi Tarot, Tarot of the Hidden Realm

Hong Kong Tarot – Leaving the house vulnerable and unprepared while thinking you actually are?  This is a serious novice move. Yes, some time outside would be wonderful, but honestly? Umbrella in hand or not, clothes are important. Sometimes, we don’t learn these things until we try them and realize it, though. Remember to look for the better way in the things you experiment with. One’s first try is wrought with pitfalls, large and small.  Pay attention to them, and you’ll learn all the ins and outs.

Anima Mundi Tarot – The salamander is associated with the Wands (fire) suit because, at least according to legend, the salamander can pass through fire without getting hurt. Through this association, they represent a theme of resilience through conflict. In this card, though, the salamander is colorless. There are no reds and oranges of flame as would normally be seen in such a depiction on a Wands card. I would read this to mean that there is a lack of reaching for one’s potential.  A stagnancy that one needs to break free of in order to breathe “life” into their situation.

Tarot of the Hidden Realm – Pure joy.  That is what I see in the expression on this boy’s face, and in the spark of color that fills this card’s imagery. I would read this card as an encouragement towards enthusiasm and going after those things that make you feel excited and inspired.  Reject those things you don’t enjoy and dive into the ones you do.

DECK USED: SLOW TAROT, HONG KONG TAROT, ANIMA MUNDI TAROT, TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM

📆 Transitioning from April to May

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Month End Tarot Reading with the Anima Mundi Tarot and The Energy Archaeology Oracle

Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety.

The Sun (Horse) and Release – You have (quite literally) been purged clean both physically and emotionally over the past week and you are now at a place where, with all that has been released, you have the opportunity to start again upon your path lighter and cleaner than before. This allows for the opportunity to focus on healthier and happier energies than before.

The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward.

Queen of Cups (Humpback Whale) atop Six of Pentacles, Supporting – Allowing your self-care and how you treat yourself to be dictated by your emotions needs to be left behind. You should be supporting yourself no matter where you are emotionally. Generosity and support towards oneself is not meant to be tied to one’s emotions.

What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.

Ten of Pentacles (Red Wolf) and Grace – Healthy, happy and hail, along with the ability to balance rest and recovery with active pursuit of your goals. No more fumbling around in a fog, but instead a clear objective combined with healthy balance.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Ace of Cups and Open – Be careful who you are letting into your “circle” right now. Being too open, forgiving, or invested in these new relationships and outside influences at this time can have a negative effect that you won’t want to have to deal with.

The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.

Strength (Hercules Beetle) and Refine – Pull from your inner strength to do the things that you know need to be done to help yourself feel better and become stronger. You know what these things are, and you need to work at doing them even when you feel uninspired to do so. Tap in to your inner strength to find the willpower to get them done, even when you don’t necessarily want to.

The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.

Death (Death Adder) and Power – There have been a number of experiences in the past couple of years where you’ve had to deal with feeling powerless (and helpless) in the face of change, and this has caused a disenchantment of late in life as a whole. It’s time to delve into these feelings and help restore faith in your personal empowerment, even (or especially) in the face of change.

Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.

Five of Wands (Antelope) atop King of Pentacles (Grizzly Bear), Potential – Empowerment comes in many different guises, and you need to remember and reflect upon those times when you have fought for what you believe in, having held strong and solid to defend and protect what is important to you. There is potential to carry this energy forward with you now, and allow it to lift you up and strengthen your resolve in the areas that need it.

A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.

Five of Pentacles, Activating atop Belonging – Keep an eye out for scarcity issues that may start creeping in and influencing how you see the world as well as your own behavior. You can circumvent this process by staying actively vigilant and ensuring when you see signs of it coming that you don’t ignore it or shut it out, but deal with it instead.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Two of Pentacles and Co-creation – An opportunity for collaboration with others that will allow you to find a better balance in the different aspects of your own life.

Message from the Spirit World – Feeling like an outcast sucks. Make sure that you are aware of when you feel this sneaking up on you, and when those feelings are being displayed in others. Use your inner compass and strengths to bring these issues forward and help work them out with others so balance can be restored.

Message from the Mind’s World – Finding the emotional support needed to let yourself let go of the past can help you in finding peace and better appreciate the present.  Only through forgiveness can this freedom truly be found.

Message from the Physical World – You have a chance at this time to release bad habits and other treatments of your physical self, and leave them behind.  Powering through isn’t the answer, and there’s a great deal of opportunity as you move past being sick to find a better path that will provide a stronger foundation for you to stand upon.

DECKS USED:  ANIMA MUNDI TAROT AND THE ENERGY ARCHAEOLOGY ORACLE

Seizing Ambition’s Reigns

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Anima Mundi Tarot - Ace of SwordsToday’s draw is the Ace of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, ambitions, or communication.

Here in the symmetry we see the sword surrounded by a crown, which is what stands out to me the strongest in this imagery and speaks to me also of a modicum of control in the areas mentioned above.

I have a crapload of orders to get done before shipping out on Tuesday morning.  Today’s card is all about ambition.  My ambitions to garner new customers and grow my business. My ambitions to succeed.  It is a reminder that if you want to achieve your goals, you have to seize control and steer yourself in the direction of those goals, touch upon your sense of ambition and let it inspire you to charge forward eagerly.

DECK USED:  ANIMA MUNDI TAROT

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 23rd and 24th

Flourot OracleI will work to sever…

Nasturtium – … my tendency to try and control my emotions, rationalize my feelings, and my efforts to somehow connect them to logic.

To make room for…

Weeping Willow – …feeling my feelings instead of putting them away and burying them. Even negative feelings have their place and time, and need to be experienced.

I give myself permission to…

Marigold – …be upset and cry, rage against, and otherwise feel my feelings fully instead of burying them.

Because?

Anemone – Holding in and burying my emotions will only create mental health issues, whereas if I let it out and actually experience them, I can then transform those feelings into something better and healthier.

DECK USED: FLEUROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Question for…

Anima Mundi TarotThe Suit of Wands- Day 24
What will be my mantra of creation for this astrological year?

Five of Wands Rx (Antelope) atop King of Wands (Coyote) – Confront conflicts with strength and integrity, differences of opinion don’t have to degrade into ugliness if you seize control and create direction for others.

The Suit of Cups- Day 27
What will be my mantra of vibration for this astrological year?

Four of Cups (Hermit Crab) – Seek inner peace. It’s okay to pass on opportunities if you’re doing so for healthy reasons. Focus on the value and comfort you find in your home base.

The Suit of Swords- Day 26
What will be my mantra of determination for this astrological year?

Three of Swords (Robin) – Disappointments in life do not have to take away all your joy and overshadow all aspects of your life. Don’t let times of disappointment and depression take over everything in life.

The Suit of Pentacles – Day 25
What will be my mantra of manifestation for this astrological year?

Four of Pentacles (Raccoon) – Focus on creating a greater sense of wealth and stability through the next twelve months. This supports not just yourself, but everyone around you as well.

DECK USED: ANIMA MUNDI TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made sure to set a timer and eat on a schedule today so that while I was so busy I wouldn’t forget to eat.

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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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?

Anima Mundi Tarot, Energy Archaeology Oracle, Binx Lenormand

Earth – Ten of Wands, Forgiveness atop Pride – Shit happens. Sometimes you over work yourself a your body is upset as a result. Sometimes money gets mismanaged or unexpected expenses rear up and you feel overwhelmed by it all. Don’t let your pride and resulting indignation from that pride turn around and hold you back from letting go of blame, whether that blame is directed at others… or cast upon yourself.

Air – Three of Cups atop Knight of Swords Rx, Dreaming – Don’t let thoughts of “should be doing” take away the joy of time spent with loved ones. You can still get done those things you long to do, just do them with others instead of alone. Speed isn’t always everything, and sometimes help might make things go slower instead of faster, but that’s okay.

Water – Temperance and Supporting – Stop pushing yourself so hard and give yourself time to process. Emotions aren’t something that just always makes sense right away, and even when they seem to make sense, they aren’t logical.  You can’t just plow forward and ignore how you feel.  Instead, you need to give yourself time to work through them and support yourself rather than ignoring what’s needed.

Fire – Three of Swords and Worthy – Disappointments happen and are a part of life. They are not a reflection upon you. This is about Gid and I’s friend “N”, and the fact that he’s still repeating old behaviors I’d hoped that we had helped him to correct in himself.  Old behaviors that involve abuse.

I’m very disappointed and I’m struggling with my emotions concerning this. Honestly?  I’m just not sure I want anything to do with him anymore… and that just makes the disappointment that much worse.  These cards are a reminder that his actions are not a reflection on me and I shouldn’t allow myself to feel responsible.

Waning – Mice and Tree – Degradation and corruption of health caused by pushing too hard and doing too much. Burnout is a real thing, and you need to make sure that you don’t allow it to slide past a bit of exhaustion and into taking advantage of your reduced immune system to create health issues.

Waxing – Fish and Tower – Go with the flow for now, but make sure you’re paying attention. Look around and be watchful as you move along in the currents of time.

Take Away – There’s encouragement here to go easy on myself this week, and to take care of myself and my needs.  Make sure I’m focusing on the present, and on the positive, so that I’m not dragged back into negative inner dialogues and unhealthy habits.  It’s still not time for indulging in alone time.

DECKS USED: ANIMA MUNDI TAROT, ENERGY ARCHAEOLOGY ORACLE, HELOISE LENORMAND

Where the Small Joys Live

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#DailyCalm with the Calm appToday’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was another of the guided #DailyCalm meditations offered in the Calm app.

It’s odd to me that sometimes I am able to focus on what the guide is saying in the meditation, and other times? I only hear her voice, but not what she says. Today’s meditation was one of the latter.  It was very relaxing, but I really didn’t process what was said during the meditation.

The Houseplant Tarot - The SunToday’s draw is the Sun card, which is traditionally a representation of joy, happiness, success, warmth, and fun.

The imagery in this card is about photosynthesis, or well, that’s what I see in this card. I see a plant that is healthy and filled with joy as the sun provides its warm rays and leaves turn toward its warmth.

What is it in your environment that brings you joy? Are you taking it for granted? Today’s card is an encouragement to spend some time enjoying and appreciating those small things that bring us joy that we often find so commonplace that we start to take them for granted.

DECK USED:  THE HOUSEPLANT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for April 7th – Where do you need…

Anima Mundi Tarot and Energy Archaeology OracleMore space?

Page of Wands and Wisdom – Give yourself some room to grow and expand on a fundamental level. Look at your principles, your passions, your spiritual path… seek to become more than you are.

More air?

Four of Cups, Receiving atop Worthy – Don’t shame yourself into feeling you are not worthy of rest and self care. Instead, open the “windows” within your life that your judgements hold closed and allow cleansing air to wash away stagnant negativity.

More love?

Two of Cups and Supporting – Allow those around you to help and support you. You don’t have to do everything yourself. It’s okay to accept (and even ask for) help, and giving that help is one of the ways others express their love for you.

DECKS USED: ANIMA MUNDI TAROT AND ENERGY ARCHAEOLOGY ORACLE

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 6th and 7th

The Houseplant TarotThis season I will actually…

Seven of Pentacles – …allow myself to slow down and let things move at their own pace. Too often I push and shove, trying to force things to move at a faster pace instead of accepting they will develop in their own time.

In order to…

Eight of Cups – …put distance between myself and the impatience that isn’t working for me. All that pushing raises my stress level and creates an opportunity to make unhealthy decisions for myself instead of healthy ones.

I will take a step back from…

Ace of Swords – …new ideas and inner dialogue that is harmful to me. There is a darkness within that melds smoothly and seamlessly with the darkness of the depression.  It’s time to take a step back from that darkness and shine a light on the fact that I am treating myself badly deep within where others can’t see.

In order to…

The Hermit – …make sure that my alone time this season is good and healthy.  I love alone time.  I really, really love alone time.  But it’s important that when I indulge in alone time, I am doing so in healthy ways. This isn’t possible when my inner dialogue is in control and permeating my thoughts.

DECK USED: THE HOUSEPLANT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’m finishing this post before bed.  I know it seems like a silly and very little thing, but I felt like putting off finishing it until later.  When I do that, the posts build up like dirty laundry, with notes and half done writing left sitting for days sometimes.  I’m finishing this post so that I’m not starting another pile of what’s not finished here today.