Morning Bonus Read – Starting Something

The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
This week, let’s do a reading about starting something.

Meow Star Playing Cards1. What is something you will need to start soon?

Queen of Clubs – Supporting my dreams and the dreams of others through my past experience and my personal inner drive.

2. What needs to be done before you can begin?

Queen of Spades – Pull yourself up “by your boot straps” and lean into your learned logic. Strategize how to deal with what’s to come and prepare the others.

3. What is the first step you need to take when it is time to start work on this?

Nine of Hearts atop Seven of Hearts – Connect with what you truly want so that you will not become overwhelmed.

4. What should you remember when working on this?

Ace of Clubs and Nine of Spades – It’s only temporary, but you have to go through the gauntlet to get the prize.

Take Away – The holiday rush is not here yet, but it will come whether I’m ready for it or not.  Although the time to act is not yet upon me, the time to begin mentally preparing and getting my plans in place is beginning. The better prepared I am, the less horrible the experience will be for myself and others when it’s upon us.

DECK USED:  MEOW STAR PLAYING CARDS

Morning Bonus Read – Finding Inner Strength

Neurotic Owl Tarot

Your inner strength. The area you can seek support.

Eight of Swords Rx – Your ability to see and understand far more than what meets the eye.

The foundation. Digging for the roots without disturbing them. This is where they cradle the core of your being.

Eight of Pentacles Rx – Find comfort in having the many skills that you have honed and made strong. You may only focus on one at a time, but they are all a part of your foundation, and it gives you comfort to know that you have more to offer, and more to fall back on if needed.

Barrier. What is between you and your own power?

The Hermit – Your tendency to spend too much time alone. Although a long time can be good for you, too much alone time is not.

Burden. What is holding you down and keeping you from finishing your journey? This card is always read as if reversed.

Two of Swords Rx – A lack of inclination to actually make a choice. This is not surprising, since I am not really interested in getting to the “end” of my journey yet. A part of my lesson in this lifetime is to enjoy the journey itself rather than focusing too much on the destination. This is something I didn’t understand a few years ago, but has come to light as I’ve begun delving into self-care and looking deeper within myself.

DECK USED:  NEUROTIC OWL TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – Self Love

Hilda Lenormand - Self Love Reading

Something to love about myself.
The Bear and The Tree

Regardless of the chronic pain I experience on the daily, I am always able to move forward into the activities I enjoy and dive into them again and again. This allows me to go out into nature and hike without worrying about if I’ll be able to handle the trails laid out before me, or passing up on some of those that will spiritually benefit me the most due to my body’s inability to handle the climb.

Where can I be more patient with myself?
The Broom and The Clouds

It’s important to remember that the pleasure seeking I do and the addictive tendencies I have are rooted in something that needs healed. They are a self-medicating behavior.  Don’t just berate myself when these behaviors get out of control, but be patient and look at what has triggered things to advance into unhealthy territory.

Where can I be kinder to myself?
The Clover and The Bouquet

Allow yourself to enjoy times when things are good and pleasure can be had.  It’s okay to sink into the enjoyment and pleasure, and wallow in a bit of happiness now and then.  There’s nothing wrong with that and it is a gift to yourself that can help you in restoring yourself and your view of the world around you.

Energies and strategies to draw on.
The Garden and The Tower

Lean into others to help you in moving forward and making sure you see what’s coming and can deal with it in a capable way.  You aren’t alone and you have others to support you, don’t forget about them when you need them.

DECK USED:  HILDA LENORMAND

Morning Bonus Read – Birth Charts Reading

The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
Let’s mix divination and astrology! Draw one card (or tile) for each of the planets in your birth chart, and see what the cards notice about each planet’s placement and meaning. If you’re familiar with your birth chart and its meaning, compare what the cards say with what you know or can learn from other sources.

I want to give a special thank you to the Astrology Owl site, which is where the astrology information in this post came from.  They’re site is very well organized and quite extensive, and I highly recommend the site for anyone seeking a quick look at any variety of Astrological aspects in their chart. My chart was looked up using the Astro-Charts website.

Felix the Cat Playing Cards

Sun (overall you)

Two of Diamonds – Always juggling responsibilities and trying to find the continually shifting sweet spot of balance. Unfortunately that juggling sometimes feels like a hell of a lot of work. Grounding helps immensely.

12th House 11° 17' Taurus - "You want to enjoy life’s moments and the pleasures that are available to you. A hopeless romantic you take your time in love and when building a relationship. There is a desire to succeed in life in a traditional way but on that same note you are deeply in tune with your own values making your pursuit of success authentic to you. You zodiac sign is associated with the earth element giving you a deep spiritual connection to the cycles of Earth, growth, and stability. You recognize that life is better enjoyed when you feel secure and stable in your relationships and environment." [Source]

Moon (your emotions)

Three of Clubs – Your emotional journey is uniquely yours. You have a plan and you’re trying to follow it… but you have a habit of lagging off now and then and losing track of what you’re doing. Still moving forward though, even then.

6th House 4° 53' Scorpio - "Highly perceptive and aware of the motivation of others. You desire to keep your emotions deeply private, often finding you need a few close confidants to open up to. As a Scorpio Moon you need an outlet for pent up energy. There is a sensuality and seductive quality to your interactions with others. The Scorpio Moon is associated with the water element. This gives an emotional and passionate overtone to your personality. In order to feel secure with someone you need loyalty. You take your relationships very seriously as you deeply invest yourself emotionally in everything. " [Source]

Rising (how you seem at first glance)

Six of Hearts – Generous, easy-going, welcoming. Appearing as if you know more about what’s going on than the average Joe, and may be willing to share that information with others… maybe. Good at self expression. Able to blend into the background or not, depending on what’s needed.  Old soul.

1° 14' Gemini - "As a Gemini Rising you will be playful and outgoing even if the rest of your chart implies a shier disposition. You will certainly have a way with words! A Gemini Ascendent will give you a natural curiosity about the world and a youthful and casual appearance. You have the ability to fit in anywhere making your style very chameleon like. A Gemini Ascendent will be adept with... getting their point across accurately. People are instinctively interested in getting to know you more." [Source]

Mercury (your mind and communication)

Ten of Hearts – Always open to communicating my positive thoughts and feelings, but not so much the negative ones. Finds communication with people that you’re comfortable with far easier than acquaintances and strangers.

12th House 23° 30' Taurus - "This Mercury placement in the natal chart provides the individual with a methodical mindset. You think things through developing ideas down to their absolute core. There is an ability with this placement to sum things up succinctly and accurately... As Taurus is an earth sign there is a very practical approach to communication when Mercury is placed here. When you engage in most conversations there is typically a reason behind what you are saying and you tend to have a very logical mental pathway... Change can be difficult for you as there is an appreciation for routine and predictability." [Source]

Venus (your love and attraction)

Queen of Clubs – All in, once you’ve made the decision. The fact is though it might take you a while to get there as you think things through first. You want others to see your way of thinking and how you do things. Supportive of others dreams.

1st House 23° 5' Gemini - "The Venus in Gemini individual will love having interesting and varied conversations with people. You will quickly leave a conversation that does not immediately grab your attention. You often enjoy word puzzles, keeping busy, and having fun. You will have a natural ability to...often knowing when people are lying to you and picking up on the hidden meaning behind what someone is saying. As a Venus in Gemini you absolutely dislike boredom. You ensure your environment and the people around you are keeping you mentally stimulated. " [Source]

Mars (your drive)

Eight of Hearts – Temporal. Everything is great until you let go of the balloon. Trying to juggle too much and ending up frustrated and having to let go of things instead of finishing them.  A need for fairness in life, which when isn’t present creates a fight against injustice.

10th House 16° 24' Aquarius - "You do not shy away from conflict with this placement but rather embrace the raw passion of fighting for the underdog. Nothing motivates you more than creating social change or having a run in with authority. There is an anarchist nature about you that is driving everything you do. You choose not to live by other people’s rules but instead your own convictions. As a Mars in Aquarius individual you have made your peace with the idea that you will not fit in. You were not made to follow the crowd. You are a visionary." [Source]

Jupiter (your luck and growth)

Jack of Spades – You will come out on top no matter what. It’s not about determination so much as it’s about adaptability and enjoying the climb on the food chain ladder. The challenge that can often feel like a game, and can be enjoyable as long as there’s sure footing and solid ground under your feet.

12th House 12° 19' Taurus - "Jupiter in Taurus in the natal chart will give your personality a creative and earthy flair. You will have an earth goddess vibe to you as you give off an energy of effortlessness and natural beauty. This placement is nurturing and indulgent. You are flirtatious and enjoy the attention of many love interests. There may be a tendency to keep your feelings to yourself. Jupiter in Taurus will give you the know-how on building wealth. You naturally enjoy security with this placement and will therefore do what you can to create a stabilizing career or streams of income. You typically enjoy life’s luxuries and do what it takes to have the funds to do so. " [Source]

Saturn (your sense of discipline)

Ace of Diamonds – Easily distracted by new and shiny projects and manifestative ideas. Wants to try everything.

8th House 2° 13' Capricorn - "Individuals with this placement are very deep thinkers and typically ambitious, although rarely apt to admit it. You tend to like work that is steady, reliable, and predictable. Saturn in Capricorn individuals are often very successful in the work they choose although will often having many failed attempts before they find success. People with this placement have great stamina tending to loosen up later in life once they find the success they were searching for. Saturn in Capricorn indicates a childhood with strict rules and restrictions often giving you a complex of not believing you are “good enough” for the people in authority. This tendency may have caused you to place unnecessary pressure and deadlines on yourself. When you do not reach the goals you have set you tend to be pessimistic or feel depressed about yourself. The energy of Saturn in Capricorn gives you a sense of duty and responsibility even for light-hearted and fun situations." [Source]

Uranus (your tendency to change)

Six of Spades – You are more likely to walk away than you are to change yourself to fit the situation. Your harmony is in finding those people and things that suit you, not changing yourself to suit them.  That said, you have a remarkable ability to adapt to changes around you when needed, making it look far easier than it often is.

8th House 0° 45' Capricorn - "The Uranus in Capricorn in the natal chart generation brings a rebellion to established systems of government and authority... desire radical changes in power structures. You tend to have a very linear mind... typically have the gift of foresight and can often sense events or disasters before they happen. This generation has a very inventive mind and enjoys practical applications of their ideas. Seeing ideas take shape in the physical realm is very satisfying to individuals with this placement. You are often in tune with alchemy, metaphysics, and the occult. " [Source]

Neptune (your dreams and intuition)

Six of Diamonds – Your intuition is often used to help others. Oh, you also use it for your own self benefit, but it is something that you enjoy offering out to others when you are able.  Your dreams are often shifting depending on what you’re focused on at the moment, but you’re fine with that as long as you have something to focus on and keep you busy.

8th House 10° 5' Capricorn - "Capricorn is associated with being very grounded and practical while Neptune is associated with dreams, fantasy, and delusions. Neptune in Capricorn is pulling dreams into the physical realm... There is an impulse to be spiritual but a need for evidence. You may go through periods of time in your life where you have a total rejection of your belief systems only to upcycle them at later dates. Neptune in Capricorn gives you a sense of spiritual connection and makes the often reality focused Capricorn more open to metaphysical and psychic experiences. Neptune in Capricorn individuals are working through the restructuring of how society expects one to make money. You may dream up and implement ways to create your own income outside of the traditional methods. Neptune in Capricorn individuals are bringing awareness to society’s often unhealthy relationships to work." [Source]

Pluto (your power and transformation)

Five of Diamonds – You are the Hanged Man. Transforming struggles and hardship into learning experiences and lessons. Pausing to think and take value from even the hardest of experiences. This allows you to be open minded, even during times of struggle.

6th House 11° 12' Scorpio - "The Pluto in Scorpio in the natal chart generation is here to transform society’s relationship to elements of life often thought of as private. Individuals born during this time are helping society accept things once thought of as taboo. Important life themes for the Pluto in Scorpio generations include sex, the occult, and death. You are bringing a restructuring to society’s view of these things. You are hoping for greater tolerance of sexual expression, spiritual connection, and uncovering aspects of life that have been repressed. You are asking people to address the shadows that exist in life and not create a facade that pushes reality farther and farther away. " [Source]

Summary

I would say that in most cases, the astrology text I found and the card interpretations are both spot on, but that they went in different directions.  This could be because I’m not well versed enough in astrology to have understood the planetary representations properly, though.

DECK USED:  FELIX THE CAT PLAYING CARDS

Morning Bonus Read – Standing in Your Power

Women of High Fantasy Tarot

1. What is often the reason I don’t stand in my power? (I had to rephrase this one.)

Queen of Coins – Because I want to support others, and sometimes that means toning myself down for a more gentle approach.  The aggressive tactics that I use on myself are not suitable to helping others. (Okay, so they’re not really suitable to be used on myself either, but that’s for another time.)

2. What I’m scared of about channeling my power.

Four of Coins Rx – Getting stuck in a rut of my own making. I’ve pushed so hard on certain methods and agendas for so long, that I worry I won’t be able to break free of the unhealthy ones. What -is- my power exactly if not that hard shove that gets things done? I know this is my inner uncertainties speaking, but it feels like a valid question.

3. A way that I can stand in my power.

The Lovers – Focus on making healthy choices and leaning into Gideon for help on staying on track.  I’m not in this alone and I don’t have to feel like I am.  Isolation may be a go-to habit, but it’s not a healthy one.

4. What I could accomplish if I did stand in my power.

Ace of Wands – The potential is endless, as I would be able to direct that powerful inner drive of mine in any direction I wished.

5. Something I should be more confident about.

The Magician – My capability and ingenuity. I am adaptive and able to make things work in my favor through the skills and abilities that I possess. Although I project confidence in this area, there’s often a feeling of self doubt when trouble comes knocking and I have to put these qualities into action.

6. How I can be more confident that the universe has my back.

Imagery in the Eight of Coins – Remember that everything is connected and it is through this connections that the universe helps and guides.  Support comes in all shapes and forms.

DECK USED:  WOMEN OF HIGH FANTASY TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – August

Belle Époque Lenormand - August Lenormand Reading

What clarity will August bring?

Star – August is a time to get in touch with the optimism that you’ve let slide over the summer months and bring it back into focus.  It’s good for you, and it helps you in your journey and growth.  Focus on finding the positivity and optimism, and instilling more of that into your life.  You need it to help lift you out and away from the rim of depression’s pit.

Is there an adventure that is calling me that I shouldn’t ignore?

Scythe – Yes. But it isn’t that you shouldn’t ignore it because you want to go down that path, but rather because you need to be aware that this possibility is there so that you can avoid it.  You’ve lost time this last week, and you run the risk of it turning into a slide down into depression’s pit if you don’t get a handle on things and pay attention to how close you get to the pit’s lip.

What can I do to open my heart to all the potential for self expression that this month’s Leo New Moon can offer?

Fox and Fish – Go with the flow, but be clever about it. A raft that floats down the river will get further by taking the easy, free flowing path than the one littered with rocks to navigate around and possibly hung up on.  In both instances you are going with the flow, but one executes strategy in the journey.  Don’t resist the flow of life around you, just make sure you’re paying attention and navigating instead of floating along and being beaten by the rocks along the way.

How can I magnify the imaginative energy that this month’s Full Moon in Pisces may bring?

Man – Lean into time with Gideon and the creative play that we can enjoy together.  This time together doesn’t just magnify your imaginative energy, but is also a soothing balm to your soul.

How can I make the most of the long days of summer?

Stork – Again, go with the flow.  The summer months are beginning to wind up.  Don’t allow yourself to resist the shifts taking place as autumn approaches, but instead let them flow around you.  Tensing up and digging in your heels won’t change anything, nor solve anything.  Instead, embrace the shift into the harvest season to come.

Overall theme for the month of August.

Cross – You’re tired.  You are worn and you have been struggling. August is a time to deal with these feelings and recover from them.  Whether they are physical, spiritual, emotional, or otherwise… you can’t carry them forward any longer and August is giving you the time and space to release these things and step free of the weight you have been  struggling under..

DECK USED:  BELLE ÉPOQUE LENORMAND