Better Boundaries Tarot Challenge

Sometimes It Hurts

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Today’s meditation was skipped once again, this time because sleeping was so much more appealing.

The Gnostic Tarot and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Three of Air (Swords), which is traditionally a representation of heartbreaks, disappointments, and hurt feelings.  Now, you might think that this theme should be a part of the Cups suit that rules over emotions, instead of the Sword suit that rules over the mind. But, we have to keep in mind that it is through our thoughts that we experience many of our negative emotions, and depression resides within the mind and not the heart.  Thus, it is through the Swords suit we find the card that speaks to these issues.

The thing about unpleasant and painful experiences, is that we learn from them.  We learn how to be better or what to do better, we grow and grasp things from a different perspective… but it is through pain that we do this.   The affirmation card here is a reminder to allow your heart to lead, even in times of pain and disappointment.  Even when you fear that it may hurt in the end.

The message today is that old adage by Alfred Lord Tennyson… “It’s better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all.”

DECK USED:  THE GNOSTIC TAROT AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheNovemberTarot Solitary Tarot Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 6th

Mystic Grove Oracle and Hush TarotWhat kind of energy surrounding me today?
Holly, Blackthorn, Yew, Two of Swords

Protection, especially from negativity, is a prevailing theme throughout the three trees that lend their energy to this reading. The Two of  Swords then indicates that in order to set aside negativity and protect yourself from it, you have to actually make an active and conscious choice to lean in a healthier and more positive direction.

Being aware of what’s happening with your pessimism and negative inner dialogue (Blackthorn), good luck (Holly), and the assistance of your guides (Yew) can only do so much to help you.  If you’re not willing to be decisive and put in the effort to lean into optimism, they won’t be able to keep you uplifted on their own.

How can I vibe with this energy?
Ash, Maple, Justice

Ask and you shall receive.  Cause and effect is a huge theme in your life and it is no less so here than elsewhere. If you give yourself positivity, work towards optimism, and be kind to yourself… in turn you receive positive results from that hard work. Your life becomes sweeter, happier, more positive and you become more conscious of the love and support that others provide you.

DECK USED: MYSTIC GROVE ORACLE AND HUSH TAROT

Tarot Nerd’s Better Boundaries Tarot Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 6th thru 8th

The Gnostic TarotWhat is my communication style?

Six of Air – Because of your mutism, you require people to abandon their normal ways of communicating in order to accommodate your needs in that department. Although you adapt to help others understand you more easily, they must adapt as well. Some are more willing to try new things… new methods… than others.

How can I best convey how I feel to others?

Death – Patience and adaptability are both necessary to get across your feelings to others.  Not just because of your communication challenges caused by your mutism, but because you are still learning how to listen to and understand your emotions. This means you are still learning how to express them in constructive ways. This change in how you deal with your emotions and express them is slow going, but continues forward one step at a time.

How can I best convey what I need to others?

The Fool – You can best convey what you need to others by throwing caution to the wind. Just come out with it instead of worrying about timing, wording, and strategy. Sometimes you just need to get it out and set it free.

DECK USED: THE GNOSTIC TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

It’s amazing how play with Gideon, even when it’s just something mundane and/or silly, can help make me feel more at peace and happy. Today we played Alexandros and Tatsumaki.

The Authentic Self

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Today’s meditation was skipped again.  Instead I spent the time (and about two hours extra beside that) on the phone with my bank sorting through fraudulent charges on my credit card.

Valentina Tarot and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Queen of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passions, enthusiasm, interests, determination, willpower, and inner spark.This often translates into themes that have to do with nurturing and encouraging the dreams, passions, and interests of others.

Combined with the affirmation card today, what we see here is just that.  It is about doing what is in your heart, expressing yourself, and allowing your true colors to shine free.

In nature, this is often displayed clearly in the colors displayed on the outside.  With people?  We have to work a little harder to show our true colors sometimes, especially if we’re used to being defensive or hiding from others.

DECK USED:  VALENTINA TAROT AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheNovemberTarot Solitary Tarot Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 5th

The Priestess of Light Oracle and Dancing in the Dark TarotWhat is a personal dream I should honor or work on?
Calming the Waters and Four of Swords

The dream of allowing yourself to have the calm, restful recuperation that you need. Even in times of actual physical injury, you rush recovery instead of allowing yourself the time that you truly need.  This kindness and space to heal fully and completely is something you continue to push aside again and again, even though you long for it often. Only you can give yourself permission to take that time.

What can I establish with manifesting this dream into reality?
Divine Mother and Four of Pentacles

A kinder and more nurturing life. More stability and more strength bred from that stable footing created by being the calm in the storm as well as hale and healthy.

DECK USED: THE PRIESTESS OF LIGHT ORACLE AND DANCING IN THE DARK TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 5th and 6th

Valentina TarotWish for the Future
Queen of Pentacles – Nurturing stability.

This is an echo of the Mr Lionharts reading that I did for today (previous reading).  It’s what I want.  I want stability, but I want to be kinder to myself.  I want to allow myself the things I need to rest, recover, and find my footing.  I want to feel cared for instead of neglected, but the only one neglecting me?  Is me.

Next Step in Getting There
Six of Cups – Letting go of the past.

A lot of the beliefs, drive, and tendencies to treat myself cruelly are rooted in the past. Finding ways to leave the past where it belongs and seeking out new ways to see myself and my performance in work and in life is the next step in “getting there”.  It’s something I’m working on, but I understand it’s going to take some time.

The Home of My Hope
Five of Wands – Those things  you hold dear and believe in.

This imagery reflects upon my belief in the need for fairness in the world. The need for people to fight for fairness. Yes, I know life isn’t fair, but I feel it could be much, much MORE so if people would only stand up for that concept instead of doing whatever they want or people please things into imbalance. No matter how many times I see fairness disregarded or abandoned, I continually seek it out, expect it, and hope for it to emerge in all sorts of everyday situations.

Advice from my guides that I need to hear at this time concerning my friendships.
The Heirophant – Lead and give guidance.

Your friends look up to you and through watching you, you give guidance on how to do things, and how to be better themselves. It’s okay that you don’t see it… just know that it’s true.

DECK USED: VALENTINA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took an ibuprofen and a nap.  I hate that taking naps cuts into time I could be spending with Gideon.  I wish there was more time in a day. A couple extra hours would be perfect.

The Magic of Enthusiasm

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Today’s meditation was attempted, although I was a bit too restless to actually pull it off.

Terra Volatile and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Eight of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of hard work, honing one’s craft, apprenticeship, development of expertise in a craft, and can indicate repetitive tasks (which are often necessary to develop mentioned expertise).

Today is an orders day, which means I need to put into practice my skills and expertise. The affirmation card is a reminder that these skills are an expertise for a reason.  Because I enjoy what I do, because I love creating things.  This allowed me to make a living out of something I love, and that it’s important to look at the work through this lens instead of letting lack of enthusiasm leech in and steal away the potential for pleasure.

DECK USED:  TERRA VOLATILE AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheNovemberTarot Solitary Tarot Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 4th

Hedge Guild Otherworld Oracle and The Witches TarotHow can I nurture my creativity or curiosity today?
The Seer and Knight of Cups

Stop looking outside of yourself, for that creative inspiration and motivation you seek lies within.  Your intuition and creative spark are related and you find the most enjoyment in your craft and creativity when you allow them (as well as your curiosity) free reign to explore and enjoy.

Why is it important for me to nurture this right now?
Lady of the Hedge and Hel

Nurturing this right now will help in soothing your feelings of unrest and anxiety, as well as your feelings of discontent and the leeching of enthusiasm that you’ve been experiencing.

DECK USED: HEDGE GUILD OTHERWORLD ORACLE AND THE WITCHES TAROT

Tarot Nerd’s Better Boundaries Tarot Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 1st thru 5th

Terra VolatileWhat is the difference between a wall and a boundary, to me personally?

A wall is to block out something or someone that is usually not life changing just annoying or frivolous (Three of Cups), whereas a boundary is there to promote healthy growth (The Universe).

Where have I built walls that need taking down?

The Fool – The walls that are currently blocking out or tamping down on your enthusiasm for life and new things. You need to tap into that enthusiasm, and there are walls in the way that are separating you from that spark you need right now.

How do boundaries benefit me?

Two of Coins – Boundaries benefit you by providing balance in your life and encouraging a more diverse and healthy use of your time. By having good boundaries in place for yourself and others in your life, you are able to make sure that you don’t focus too hard on one thing and end up neglecting other things as a result.

How do my boundaries benefit my relationships with others?

The Chariot – You are not swayed by peer pressure or conformity. Boundaries allow you the control and independence that you need in your life, and thus shape the dynamics of your friendships, relationships, and interactions with others.

Where in my life would most benefit from stronger boundaries?

Queen of Cups – The desire for emotional mothering is something you need to build bigger boundaries concerning. Every time you think that your mother is going to give you that type of emotional support, you are then crushed again when her true nature shows up to spoil those hopes.

DECK USED: TERRA VOLATILE

Daily Self Kindness

(Writing this the day after.)  I went to bed early.

Fun Can Be Soothing

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Today’s meditation was skipped once again.

Epic Tarot and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Ace of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of the seed (or in the case of the Wands suit, the spark) of new beginnings and the potential they hold in the areas of one’s drive, enthusiasm, willpower, motivation, and passions. This is less about whatever it is that creates the spark, so much as the spark itself as a light within you to drive you forward.

Combined with the affirmation card for today, what I see here is a reminder that inspiration and enthusiasm does not always have to be chaotic or filled with harsh energy. Some things can be approached with an eagerness that is gentle and temperate instead of wild and pushy. What things in your life do you love that aren’t a clamoring cacophony of demand in your life?

I have very few of these things in my own life. My inner dialogue is constant and often overwhelming, and very often loud and demanding. It leaves little room for things that foster peace that I might enjoy. That is something I need to foster more of in my life, and that is where I feel that ideally meditation should step in and fit the bill… except that I’ve been allowing the chaos to push it aside.

DECK USED:  EPIC TAROT AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheNovemberTarot Solitary Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question for November 3rd: Think of something good/nice you can do for yourself today. Draw a card (or cards) for feedback on your thoughts.

Jeu de Tarot BretonSomething Nice: Let’s stay away from the games on the phone today.

Reading Summary: It’s not going to be easy (Valet de Pique) but it will allow for you to nurture yourself in healthier ways that don’t close you off emotionally (Dame des Cœurs) and help get you back on track to the things you should be doing (Le Pape).

Take Away: This is about my addictive nature when it comes to things I enjoy… or can hide within. I have been using the games on my phone to hide from reality, to hide from my feelings, to hide from my thoughts.  To retreat… and yet not rest.

Learning to go back to dealing with things in a different way is going to be healthy for me, but not easy.  Necessary, though.

DECK USED: JEU DE TAROT BRETON

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 3rd and 4th

Spellcasting Oracle Cards and Epic TarotWhat harsh truths do you prefer to ignore?
Prosperity, The Emperor atop Ace of Swords

You focus far too much on what is profitable, prioritizing it over new ideas that you may want to explore that aren’t filled with as much monetary potential.

There are a great number of things I would like to explore, but put on the back burner due to the lack of profitability. The message here is that I need to focus less on the money factor, and more on how fun or interesting exploring these other projects could be.  Add factors of enthusiasm, curiosity, and potential fun into the decision process instead of basing my decision fully on if I can profit from them.

What do I need to focus on for self-care for this new moon?
Grieving, The Empress atop The Star

Stop focusing on the freedoms and pleasures that have to be put on the back burner in the upcoming weeks. Instead, you need to be training your attention on nurturing yourself in all the ways you can, and fostering that connection with optimism that has been faltering of late.

DECK USED: SPELLCASTING ORACLE CARDS AND EPIC TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I got my flu shot today.

Make Room For Both

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Today’s meditation was not a triumph, but an effort all the same.  I did lie down, and I did try.  I couldn’t quite get my brain to shut the fuck up, nor could I manage to focus on my breath for more than a few seconds at a time, but I did make the effort for a good fifteen or twenty minutes.

Dragon Companions Tarot and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the King of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s intellect, education, aspirations, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with professional acumen, authority figures in the education sector, cunning strategists, and those skills that are often referred to as having a “silver tongue”.

The thing about the King of Swords is that the energy of this card is often measured and restrained. Like chess, each move made is thought out and planned. Strategy is often a theme involved here, and strategy requires forethought and planning.

The affirmation card then encourages us to “run free” which speaks of allowing yourself time to step away from this  more strategized and structured approach to life, and allowing the freedom to be spontaneous now and then.  To enjoy time away from this mindset, time to enjoy life and the world around you without needing to plot the course as you go.  Other than when hiking? I’ve always struggled in this area.  I’ve struggled at that mentality of freedom without plans and plotting and strategy.  Today’s cards are a reminder that these opposites can live in harmony.  You can give yourself both.  They may mix like oil and water, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make room in your life for both.

DECK USED:  DRAGON COMPANIONS TAROT AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheNovemberTarot Solitary Tarot Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 2

Secret Woods Cards and Tarot of the Mystic SpiralWhere am I asked to give space or make space for myself?

Performer and The Magician – It’s okay to seek approval. Stop looking down on yourself for this, and instead start seeing it as a useful tool to inspire.

How can creating space for this help me on my journey?

Empath and Judgement atop Knave of Cups – In letting others see your learning journey as you create what you want out of life while continuing to follow the guidance of your moral compass, you inspire others to try the same. It allows them to see what is possible and reach for their own dreams.

DECK USED: SECRET WOODS CARDS AND TAROT OF THE MYSTIC SPIRAL

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2021 Challenge Prompt
Question for November 2nd: Advice I need to hear at this time concerning my personal happiness.

Dragon Companions TarotReading Summary: Prioritize a more nurturing attitude towards yourself and things will flourish with less strife and struggle (Queen of Pentacles). You don’t have to push so damn hard (Temperance) and always be up in arms (Seven of Wands) to get where you want to go in life (The World).

Take Away: I can’t figure out why I equate trial and struggle with success, but this isn’t the only reading lately that has essentially told me “work smarter, not harder”.

“Smarter” includes caring for myself better so that I can put my energy into the things I want without feeling so drained during or after doing so.  It means giving myself those things I need to replenish my energy, my positivity, and keep myself uplifted.

DECK USED: DRAGON COMPANIONS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I finally got some time with Gideon today.  We played going trick-or-treating, which is something I’ve been looking forward to doing with him for… at least two months.  It was so nice and the time with him was so… good.

Healthy Renewal Needed

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Today’s meditation was yet again… skipped.  It’s an orders day so, that’s probably not much of a surprise.  Then again, with how much I’ve been skipping lately?  It’s probably not a surprise regardless.

Tarot of Sacred Realms and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Queen of Pentacles (same as yesterday), which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, hearth, manifestations, and the physical world. The energy of this card is down to earth, and that of a nurturer.

As with yesterday’s cards, today’s cards are about getting out in nature. It’s something I need.  I need to feel the nurturing energy of the forest surrounding me.  I need to lie down on the wet moss and soak up that energy, let it sink in and spread throughout, saturating me with its cleansing gift in the way the rain saturates the soil.

I need to feel the freedom of this experience… and I need to find a way to do this that isn’t going to further inflame my right infrapatellar fat pad. There’s the rub, right?  First it was my left Achilles tendon, and now the right knee.  I still need to find a way to get that time in nature, though, and today’s card is a reminder that that time out in nature is important for my health and well being.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF SACRED REALMS AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheNovemberTarot Solitary Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: On this very day, these are three things that I know to be true:

Bloodstone and EarthFlesh TarotI feel… The Empress atop Seven of Swords – A need to get out in nature (well hello there COTD). These cards are a reminder not to allow the treacherous whispers of my inner narrative to negatively influence my self-nurturing choices. Instead, lean into the nurturing as a balm to those wounds.

l am… Ace of Swords – A writer. A communicator. A wordsmith. Miscommunication happens to everyone now and then, and is a part of life. That doesn’t change these things that are a part of my nature.

I want to… King of Swords and Ace of Wands – Win. At everything. I’m a fast learner, and I have a habit of demanding quality from myself at any endeavor that strikes my interest and I put my energy into.  I’m demanding, discerning, and expect the absolute best from myself at all times because I don’t like to fail. This doesn’t mean I can’t take failure gracefully, but rather that I take even failure as a learning experience that will allow me to improve and do better.

DECK USED: BLOODSTONE & EARTHFLESH TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do the All Saints Day Spread

Tarot of Sacred RealmsA message that your Ancestors would like to give you at this time.

The Moon – “What is there to really be afraid of anyway?” It’s all in the angle of the jaw and the side-eye. The message here is to be brave and not worry so much about the “what if” scenarios and unforeseen issues that might or might not happen.

A message your Ancestors have been trying to convey that you have not been receptive to in the past.

Page of Wands – If you aren’t getting satisfaction out of what you are doing, it’s time to try something new. (I think that I need to stew on this a bit.)

How to be more open to messages from your Ancestors in the future.

The Hanged Man – Listen closer and sit more with what comes through. Consider meditating after your readings instead of before, so that you can take that time to let their messages sink in.

How to honor and connect more strongly with your Ancestors going forward.

Nine of Swords – Prioritize their messages and your connection with them over your fears and anxieties. You blocked out your mediumship abilities for a long time out of fear. It’s time to release that fear.

DECK USED: TAROT OF SACRED REALMS

Daily Self Kindness

It was orders day, but I managed to take a very brief nap between getting home from the chiropractor and when the housekeeper showed up.