#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge

Look Around

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Today’s meditation was another of the skipped days.  This means that I did not meditate and unfortunately I can’t remember why.  It’s a Friday, oh…. OH.   It’s because I left early to drive up north and get back at a reasonable time.  So I skipped it. 

Bonestone & Earthflesh Tarot - Six of WandsToday’s draw is the Six of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of accolades and public recognition of success… whether the obtainment of them, or the need for them.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card is that the guy in the card is putting on his own crown.  There’s no one else in the card, just the guy and his crown and his big ass ego crowing with pride. 

The message that I see in this card has to do with not forgetting to look down.  Sometimes, it’s easy to forget that your personal perspective is just that… your personal perspective. This means when you’re feeling good sometimes you forget that not everyone is feeling good, and when you’re feeling like crap, not everyone else is feeling like crap.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in your own perspectives and forget to look around, especially when things are feeling intense or your ego is beating at its chest in a show of pride.  The message today is a reminder to look around and pay attention, and remember that although you are never alone… your personal perspectives are unique to you and only you.

DECK USED:  BONESTONE & EARTHFLESH TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicJan2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Draw or write something free-form inspired by the card(s).

Pamela Coleman Smith RWS TarotThere was once an old crone that lived at the edge of a small village and helped the residence with their woes.  She made teas and tinctures, herbal blends and salves and all sorts of good things… and sometimes bad things too.  She knew the secrets of how to heal and how to kill, and she listened to the troubles of those in the town with quiet patience before dolling out her gifts to those that sought her out for her secret knowledge. (The High Priestess)

One day on her way into town, the old woman was nearly trampled by a man on a horse.  When the horse reared up and hooves flew through the air, the man shouted his curses at the crone, insulting her with disparaging words and blaming her for the near-miss instead of taking responsibility for his own carelessness and lack of control. (The Chariot)

The old woman tsk’d at the brash man that was so course with his words and insulting in his attitude. She shook her head as she apologized to the man and offered him a gift to soothe his anger and pride. She provided the man with a talisman charmed for success, promising that as long as he wore it he would win every battle. Snatching up the talisman from her grasp, he looked it over and slid it on as she spoke words of success and victory and always managing to obtain just what he needs… and as he rode away she whispered after him “just what you need… but no more”. (Five of Swords)

From that day forth, the man would indeed win every battle and every challenge he put himself to… and yet he would never manage to obtain what he truly desired.  There would be no wealth… no full pantry or full coffers, no fine home or beautiful steeds.  For with every win he would get just what he needed in that moment… and no more than that.

DECK USED:  PAMELA COLEMAN SMITH‘S RWS TAROT

Small Steps vs Grand Gestures

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Today’s meditation was… oh hell I dunno.  I’m behind in getting my posts up by a few days and I don’t really remember what the meditation was for the 14th.  I’m pretty sure it was one of the days I skipped it though, as I seem to have skipped an entire four days in a row if my timer app can be believed (which, it can). So… yeah. 

Heaven & Earth Tarot - Seven of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Seven of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of delayed gratification, sustainability, and long term progress. Instant gratification this card is not, as all of the themes that this card has to do with involve waiting and the “long game”.

Again, what stands out to me the strongest in this deck is the words at the bottom of the card.   Not that I don’t find the artwork breathtaking, which I do… but the words say “Success Unfulfilled” which… seems a bit negative in connotation when the theme of this card is traditionally more about success being fulfilled over time.

Today’s card is a reminder to me that as I work through the orders that need to be done for shipping out tomorrow, I need to remember that this is the small work that growth is all about.  With every small bit of work, the progress becomes larger… and more.   And over time?  You find yourself at your goals and surpassing them.   But it takes time.   So take a breath and do the small work, and let things build over time.  Not everything has to be a grand gesture or massive action.

DECK USED:  HEAVEN & EARTH TAROT

LionHart’s Elements Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I best use my creative energy in support of my future self?

Occult TarotReading Summary: Lean your creative energy into your work (The Magician), and don’t allow yourself to be distracted by whims (Page of Cups Rx).

Take Away: When I’m not feeling particularly grounded, it’s really easy for me to end up distracted. Ideas and little side projects that catch my eye draw me away from my work, and then I struggle to get caught up with my work, etc.  It happens all the time.

The cards here indicate that if I want to use my creative energy in support of my future self, I need to make sure that I turn that creative energy back to my work again and again, taking the skills that I learn from those distractions and reinvesting them into my work.

DECK USED:  OCCULT TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicJan2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What is a really great idea you had but then forgot about?

Garnet Witch's TarotReading Summary: Shifting how I balance my responsibilities (Two of Pentacles) so that I can let some of the weight and responsibility (Magician) die out (Death), and make way for more emotional exploration (Ace of Cups).

Take Away: I wouldn’t say that I forgot about it.  Just… that it got put on the back burner while I was plowing my way through the holiday rush.

The weird thing (and current struggle where this is concerned) is that now that I’m on the other side of the holiday rush, I can’t remember what I was doing that made it feel like I was getting somewhere on this idea prior to the rush’s arrival.

DECK USED:  GARNET WITCH’S TAROT

Do What Makes You Feel Good

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Today’s meditation hasn’t happened yet.  I got up early this morning to get on the road, because I had a special hike I wanted to do.  It takes two hours to hike to the lake and nearly 45 minutes to drive to the trail head.  So if I don’t start out early at this time of the year, I won’t make it back to my car before dark. And at this time of year? It’s definitely too damned cold to be hiking after dark, even if I’m familiar with the route.   So… I will do today’s meditation before bed tonight.

Bonestone & Earthflesh Tarot - The StarToday’s draw is the Star card, which is traditionally a representation of hope, optimism, positivity, successful beginnings, and spirituality.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card is the eagle that emerges from the figure’s chest, and burst of light from the solar plexus.

What I see in this card is an encouragement to do what makes you feel good.  Do what is going to light up your inner spark and give you wings.

For me, this is seeking out fresh air and wet earth, trees clinging with moss and lichen, and bodies of water chilled by mountain temps.

I went hiking.  And it was fucking glorious.

DECK USED:  BONESTONE & EARTHFLESH TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicJan2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Are all emotions irrational?

Hieronymus Bosch TarotReading Summary:  The center vessel cards here are an indication of the two sides of one’s emotions.  One is irrational and always ready to follow one’s desires irregardless of the risk involved, and on the other wside we have the slow pace and reason of emotions brought about through consideration and depth.  Shallow… and deep.

The cards on the outer edges indicate what is needed to find balance in these emotions, and are linked to the cards through color connection. The birds align with depth, speaking of the nature of those emotions to drag you down if you are not careful with their unique seduction.   The Kings of the East on the other hand represent stability and forethought, which is something the impulsive and shallow emotions lack.

Take Away: No.  Not all emotions are irrational.  Sometimes they are… and sometimes those irrational emotions can be harmful without stability to help temper them.  Sometimes our emotions are brought about through thought and depth, but here too we run the risk of them being dangerous if we are allowed to sink too deeply. 

DECK USED:  HIERONYMUS BOSCH TAROT

Purefield.Healing’s Taking My Power Back Challenge Prompt
Question: What triggers me to give my power away?

Tarot de Marseille Anima Antiqua

Nine of Coins atop Eight of Cups – When I am in need of a break so that I can have some time to appreciate what I have.  If I’m not given that rest, it can create frustration and that frustration can then cause my power and control to begin to fray and slip through my fingers.

La Papesse atop Two of Coins – When I need time away from juggling to get in touch with my inner voices and intuition.  As above, this speaks of needing a break and not getting it.  In this case it’s not so much about being overburdened as it is about needing to step off the hamster wheel for a bit and take a cleansing breath.

Le Chariot Rx – When the world is moving too fast and I feel like I’ve lost control. Another form of overwhelm where I just can’t seem to catch those threads of fraying control and there is so much going on that I let them go rather than holding on.

Take Away:  What triggers me to let go of my power is being overwhelmed or worn down to the point that I need a break.

DECK USED:  TAROT DE MARSEILLE ANIMA ANTIQUA

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

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Today’s meditation was subverted for a nap.  Apparently I needed the sleep more than I realized, as I was going to be doing a guided meditation and as soon as I settled in place… I dozed right off to sleep.   I will try to meditate again before bed.

Heaven & Earth Tarot - Nine of SwordsToday’s draw is the Nine of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of anxiety, insomnia, and struggling with one’s inner voice and worries.

I’ve always loved this card in a wide variety of decks.  It’s one that I relate to greatly.   What stands out the strongest in the imagery of this card today is the astronomical symbols on the blanket covering the woman in the image.  Or rather, it’s the style of artwork that allows for some of those symbols to be so crisp and precise, and others to be blurred or indistinct.

I understand that this was an artistic choice, and one that was probably not intended to convey a message.  And yet, to me… it does.  It speaks of allowing yourself not to worry so much about the little things.   It’s about that phrase “don’t sweat the small stuff” because perhaps these details are so small that many wouldn’t even notice them… and perhaps so unimportant that some wouldn’t pay attention.  And yet to the artist?  These detail are very important and a conscious choice was made not to make them so minutely detailed that they took up the focus of the image as a whole.

There’s always lots and lots of things to worry about in life, but we need to make sure we don’t get so focused on the small stuff that we forget to look at the big picture and allow ourselves to get a good night’s sleep at night.  Let go of some of the small stuff and all those micromanaging inclinations… take a breath and relax.

DECK USED:  HEAVEN & EARTH TAROT

LionHart’s Elements Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: What am I asked to do about elements within myself that don’t support my plans?

Mundane Magick Tarot

 Reading Summary: Go on your merry way (The Fool) after the things that light your fire (Pupil of Lighters), and don’t allow your responsibility to others (Forecaster of Coins) to overwhelmed you (Ten of Lighters).

Take Away:  This isn’t about ignoring those elements within myself that hold me back, but rather allowing my enthusiasm to overpower them and weigh that enthusiasm as having far more weight than the responsibilities that try to drag me down.   In other words… beware the burnout that can happen when you let those that depend on you become a burden instead of an asset.

DECK USED:  MUNDANE MAGICK TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicJan2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to focus on for self-care during this new moon?

Future Vision Gem TarotReading Summary: Down moods and depression happens (Three of Swords). Use your strengths to rise above (Strength) and remember it’s only temporary (Wheel of Fortune).

Take Away: The whisper of my negative inner narrative has been flirting at the edges of my subconscious for about a week now.  The cards are a warning of the whispers that are trying to slip in and mess with my head.  They are a reminder than I am strong and I have tools at my disposal to help curb the coming depression into something more manageable.  They are also a reminder that these struggles are not permanent. They are temporary, and they will pass.

Depression often feels like it will never end, that you will never feel better and that this is feeling of depression is your existence for always.  Keeping in mind that it is temporary is an important part of making it through these times and to the other side.

DECK USED:  FUTURE VISION GEM TAROT

Whose Shoes Are Those?

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IMG_8635Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app with interval timer for my piriformis and forearm flexor stretching.

The topic of today’s guided meditation was about having appreciation for one’s failures and mistakes. This is actually a topic that’s near and dear to my heart, and it’s one that is connected to something that I struggled for a very long time to understand in others (and sometimes still do).  That is to say, I’ve never understood why people hold back from doing things out of fear of being bad at them or not doing them right.

One of the biggest steps to learning a new skill or ability is trying and failing, you then take that knowledge learned about what doesn’t work… and try again. And through multiple failures, you learn what works and what doesn’t… and eventually?  You don’t fail because you become an expert.   This is the process of trial and error that is what learning something new is all about.

Bonestone & Earthflesh Tarot - The Hanged ManToday’s draw is the Hanged Man, which is traditionally a representation of taking time to look at new perspectives and gather additional data.  It’s about taking a pause in order to see things from a different angle, and allowing yourself time to wrap your mind around different viewpoints and opinions, ideas and angles… to see things from a different view in order to find more depth in understanding.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card is the feathers in the lower right hand corner. They drew my eye very strongly today and are an indication of thought… of the fact that this man has a great need for thought and reevaluation… and clearly the opportunity to do so.

The thing is, even in situations like his?  We still have a choice on whether we are going to be open to reevaluation and a different perspective than the one we ourselves carry, or if we are going to remain closed in our own personal box and unwilling to see our situation (or any other topic) from a place removed from our own opinions and perceptions.

I have found, over time and observation, that I don’t communicate with people that are unwilling to try and see things from outside their own personal “box”, as if stuck in the certainty that their viewpoint on something is the -only- view point and only reality.  I struggle with communicating with people that have that mindset a lot, and it feels a lot like trying to squeeze blood out of a stone, especially when trying to help them in expanding their view to find a different perspective that might help them in some way.

I still try though, because I want to see their perspective… but I want to help them see more than that perspective as well in order to help them find a path out of the situations that have caused them to end up feeling stuck or stagnant.

DECK USED:  BONESTONE & EARTHFLESH TAROT

LionHart’s Elements Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I attune to my internal elements to manifest my best in 2021?
(I had to rephrase this question so that it better suited my needs.)

Wayward Dark Tarot

 Reading Summary: Part of making sure that I am attuned to my internal elements is in finding a balance between the self care and nurturing that I need in my life (pomegranates) and the strength and responsibility that I carry on my shoulders (stag beetle).  To do this, I need to learn how to create some organization and control within my inner narrative so that the negativity does not overwhelm (Princess of Air).

(Note: The first two cards are actually the Three of Cups and Four of Pentacles, but when they landed on the table in this reading, what I saw here were the Empress and the Emperor.  I have not been able to divorce my mind in this reading from feeling that the Empress and Emperor are within these cards and they were read intuitively as such.)

Take Away:  One of the things that sends me out of whack the fastest is when my pessimism and negative inner talk starts to take a front seat.  It screws with my head and tumbles me into overwhelm, and both my responsibilities and my personal self care suffer as a result.   If I want to attune myself to manifest the best 2021 that I can, I need to make sure I keep things in that department in hand, because I need to both ensure I am getting the self care I need, and also not dropping the ball on my responsibilities.

DECK USED:  WAYWARD DARK TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicJan2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What is something that you miss that you can bring back into your life?

The Deck of the Celestials TarotKing of Cups atop Two of Cups: More quality time with Gideon. More harmony and time together, working together and “feeding” off each other to create a positive and happy synergy.  This is something that the holiday rush took away, and that I didn’t get much of even during my time off after the holiday rush.  It’s something I’ve missed and, as the cards here indicate, is definitely able to be brought back into my life now.

Nine of Pentacles: More gratitude practice. Another thing that had to be set aside for a time during my holiday rush was the morning devotional that I usually do each morning prior to my meditation.  This devotional creates a daily regular opportunity for me to consciously focus upon the things in my life that I am grateful for, and express that gratitude openly.  I have not yet picked back up my daily devotional since the end of the holiday rush, but this gratitude practice is something that would benefit me and is definitely something that it’s time to reestablish now that the mess of the holiday rush is over.

Three of Wands atop The Magician: More confidence and surety in the direction I’ve chosen to go in. I’ve taken a lot of steps over the past year to learn new ways of looking at and handling the balance between my personal needs and my responsibilities, new ways of acknowledging and dealing with my emotions, and new perspectives on how to make space for personal growth.  All this newness creates a sense of unsure footing that can make avoiding backsliding into old habits difficult to avoid. The confidence and sure footed progress I want may be more of an illusion than reality… but the progress itself? It is something that it’s time to bring back into my life now that I am out of the rush and able to focus on my growth once more.

DECK USED:  THE DECK OF CELESTIALS TAROT

Steady Ground

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Today’s meditation was another of those “start meditating and end up napping” meditations.  Which is to say, I didn’t meditate today.  I napped. Apparently, I really needed to sleep, no matter how much I might have also needed the meditation.  I will try again to meditate tonight before bed.

Heaven & Earth Tarot - The HermitToday’s draw is the Hermit, which is traditionally a representation of taking time to oneself for inner exploration and reflection. It is about being alone in order to seek out one’s inner voice and do a bit of soul searching.

What stood out to me in this imagery is that when I first looked at it this morning, I first saw rough ocean waters behind the Hermit instead of the mountain range.

It is in this shift of imagery that I see the message in this card today, for it is about the need to have some sort of stability under your feet when you do your soul searching journey and not the instability of rolling waves.

Just as it is a bad idea to do shadow work on yourself when your world is in upheaval, so is a time when you don’t have steady footing a bad time to settle into aloneness and introspection.

During times of chaos and instability, you need others around you to help support you.  Do your alone time and introspection later when the world has settled into solid ground under your feet once more.

DECK USED:  HEAVEN & EARTH TAROT

LionHart’s Elements Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: What surrounding elements are currently supporting my plans?

Transire Tarot

 Reading Summary:  Energies of deconstruction (The Tower) and slow growth (Seven of Pentacles) surround and support me, no matter how worrisome those energies might feel sometimes (Nine of Swords)

Take Away:  It’s not always a bad thing to pick things apart.  By taking things apart you learn from them how they work and what they’re about, and you gain knowledge on how to build something better as a result.  But this process takes time, and sometimes that time can allow worries and anxieties to rise up to pick and poke at the mind.  Even worry can have its place, though.  It can motivate and keep you alert and paying attention one’s progress… as long as it doesn’t get out of hand.

DECK USED:  TRANSIRE TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicJan2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread 2
Question: How is Mister R handling things with his health at the moment? Is he going to stick around for a while longer?

Magical Nordic TarotReading Summary: The Queen of Cups through it’s coloring, stands alone, only the fish connecting it to the Strength card and the Six of Pentacles… the aqua of the water also connects to the dress in the Strength.  This is an indication that he is feeling emotionally sated and strong due to the support he’s receiving. He wraps himself in that support and it makes him stronger. It feels good to him that those at a distance have reached out to him during the troubles he’s been having (polar bear).

Through color connection, the Five of Swords is also an outlier in this reading, with only a slight echo in the bottom of the Six of Pentacles).  It lies beneath the Six of Pentacles indicating that he’s willing to fight hard to stick around, demanding that he get the most out of life and using the support of others to help him in that effort.  That support then flows down into the Strength card, again echoing the connection between the support he’s receiving, and the strength that he gets from it.

Take Away: It is when Mister R is feeling alone and separated from others that he begins to slide down into self-defeating mindset and attitude.  As long as he is receiving support from others around him, he will continue to fight and take strength from that support to stay on top of things.  That support gives him a boost in this fight, and also an emotional boon to his soul.

To give him the best chance, you need to call and talk with him often… and encourage others to do the same.

DECK USED:  MAGICAL NORDIC TAROT