#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge

Adding Flavor

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Today’s meditation was skipped.  Not intentionally, but apparently I fell asleep within the first minute or two and took an impromptu nap.  So…. no meditation today, just a bit of extra sleep.

Heaven & Earth Tarot - Four of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Four of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of stability and making grounded decisions pertaining to one’s health, home life, finances, resources, or manifestations.  It can also be an indication of being miserly or valuing money or resources above all else.

What stands out to me the strongest in this card today is the representation of the four elements within the square/circle of the four pentacles in the imagery.  The character in the card embraces one of those pentacles, and beneath it is the symbol for the element of fire indicating that the coin/pentacle he holds and all that it represents that is his greatest passion.  That doesn’t change that the other four symbols are present, with earth resting to the man’s left, air at the man’s feet, and water to the man’s right.

The message I see in this card today is about where your passions lie, and how no matter where that is?  Everything around you and everything you are in some way feeds into your greatest passions, rotates around those interests, and becomes a part of those things that hold your focus and drive you forward.

I have many passions, some stronger than others, and some far more long in the tooth than others.  These passions permeate my life, and it’s important to be aware of this and how it might skew perceptions and opinions.

It is one more thing in so much that makes each and every person’s perspectives unique and no matter how hard you try to keep those passions to yourself for one reason or another, they will leak out into the rest of your life in small and subtle ways.  Today it is important to acknowledge this and take pleasure in knowing that these things are a part of who you are and a part of what makes you unique.

DECK USED:  HEAVEN & EARTH TAROT

LionHart’s Elements Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: What energy is available to support me this month?

Paracelsus' Dreams Tarot

Page of Coins atop Five of Coins – When you are feeling discouraged and plagued by doubts and fears related to scarcity issues, remember that you are more than capable of learning a new way of do things and adapting each new situation that comes along. Don’t be afraid to dive into being the student to find a new path forward if the one you’re on has too many potholes.

Seven of Cups atop Nine of Coins Rx – Here there is a reiteration of what is said above.  Again we see feelings of uncertainty around finance and resources and the stability you cherish so much.  Life requires money, but be sure to remember that the ways in which to handle your money and make it work for you (as opposed to the other way around) are endless.  Look over your options during these times of struggle and uncertainty, and seek out the opportunities that will fit your situation best.

Knight of Swords – You are strong, intelligent, and ambitious.  Sometimes, that ambition can sneak out in impulsiveness, but as long as you keep that impulsive nature under control, you a are more than capable of learning what you need to learn and going after what is needed to re-establish your sense of security.

DECK USED:  PARACELSUS’ DREAMS TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicJan2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread 1

Tarot NoirSomeone Important In Your Life That Has Had A Lot of Influence On You

Roy de Deniers – This is a man that has taught me what responsibility and stability looks like. He is the head of the home, the stability beneath his family’s feet, and the rock they depend on.

Their Negative Influence On You and Your Life

Quatre de Bâton – He taught me what uncertainty within a home looks like and how those within a home might pretend to show the world a stability and camaraderie that isn’t truly present beneath the surface. He taught me that alcoholism can eat away at what would otherwise be positive and strong.

Your Negative Influence on Them and Their Life

Valet d’Épée – I made him feel like he had much to learn when he wanted to feel that he already knew all there was to know. This created a sense of vulnerability for him that he struggled with, and still struggles with from time to time. I do not fit the mold of the prejudices that his experience thus far in life have created in him and this is uncomfortable for him, but he has learned (and is still learning) to adjust to the new perspective I provide him.

Their Positive Influence On You and Your Life

Huit de Deniers – This is a man that has taught me what responsibility and stability looks like, and the value that lies in honing one’s skills and having an expertise (or many) under your belt. He taught me the value of hard work is, and the benefits that hard work can bring.  He has also taught me many of the valuable life skills that I needed when I struck out on my own in life and help me to the present day.

Your Positive Influence On Them and Their Life

Neuf d’Épée – I gave (and give) him something to worry about.  This isn’t usually seen as a good thing, but in this man’s life, as he ages and his children go beyond adults and through middle-age, he finds himself feeling useless and un-needed.  I give him the security of knowing that he is still needed, because I am younger and he took me under his wing, I haven’t yet reached the age where he feels I no longer need his help.  Because he worries about me and feels that I still need what he has to offer, he pushes to be stronger and hold on a little longer.

DECK USED:  TAROT NOIR

Dawn’s Light

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IMG_8485Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app with added interval timer for my piriformis stretching.

The topic of today’s guided meditation was about encouraging one’s imagination instead of squashing it under the weight of realism and responsibility.  Sometimes even unrealistic dreams come true, and it’s important not to crush the hope that lives within your heart by quashing your dreams before they have a chance to grow into fruition.

Bonestone & Earthflesh Tarot - Ace of CupsToday’s draw is the Ace of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of the seeds of new beginnings in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.

What really stands out to me in this card today is the glow.  I know that it looks like it’s coming out of the cup, but it’s really coming from behind the cup, as evidenced by the fact that the interior of the cup is dark.

The message here is about the shadows cast by the dawn.  Sometimes when we’re in the dark, which is often the case when we’re experiencing something new and different, we long for the dawn and the light that will make everything more familiar again.  But there are always going to be shadows on any experience, because there is no positive without negative and no light without darkness.

The message here in today’s card is to not allow the dark moments to taint the dawn light.  Bask in the glow and take a breath, and leave the darkness alone for another time.  Spend  some time focusing on the good and enjoying the now.  It’s okay to let go of the shadows for a bit.  They’ll still be there for you later on.

DECK USED:  BONESTONE & EARTHFLESH TAROT

LionHart’s Elements Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: What can I do to start my 2021 positively?

Tarot of the Divine

 Reading Summary: You need to start off on your journey with a plan (Two of Wands) to begin as you intend to continue (Justice).

The Five of Wands in this reading isn’t about the question at all, but rather it is an objection to me trying to get out a third card when the deck didn’t want to give me one. Sort of a “fuck you” to my insistence on having a third card.

Take Away: The cards here are a reminder not to procrastinate on the way I want to do things.  If I want to focus on self care this year, I need to start off this year focusing on self care.   If I want to focus on balance this year, I need to start off focusing on balance.  If my focus for this year is to be furthering my emotional intelligence and fostering my emotional growth, then I need to begin as I want things to continue.

To start my 2021 on a positive note, I need to begin as I wish things to continue. In this manner, I can pick up and maintain momentum on my intentions from the start instead of wasting time on procrastination and avoidance.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE DIVINE

#DiscordTarotolicJan2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What could you use less of in your life?

Guardian of the Night TarotFive of Pentacles atop Four of Cups – Procrastination being egged on by issues with scarcity. It isn’t so much that scarcity creates the breeding ground for procrastination to grow and thrive so much as… fear does.  And scarcity issues are fertile ground for fear to grow within.  And once fear has taken root and starts to take over like an invasive species of weed allowed to get out of control, it binds you up and drags you down until progress to getting things done and moving on to better horizons becomes no more than a crawl at best.

Ace of Wands – Clutter and feeling crowded (imagery in the card) due to having so many potential projects going on at once. New projects put off until there’s a bit more time build up over time, and that includes the ones that you’ve bought the supplies for and maybe even started before needing to set aside for one reason or another.  All that clutter is feeling mighty crowded these days and now is a good time to begin looking at ways to re-organize and clean out what isn’t working for you anymore.

Three of Wands – The drive that pushes you forward with such stringent enthusiasm, even when it’s not entirely healthy to push at that time. This also ties into the Ace of Wands and all those projects partially done or not yet started.  Leave behind the urge to keep piling more and more on your plate.  It doesn’t create progress or get you anywhere, it just slows you down.

DECK USED:  GUARDIAN OF THE NIGHT TAROT

Connection Is Important

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IMG_8459Today’s meditation took place after a soak in the tub and was just over eleven minutes long. It was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app with added interval timer for my piriformis and forearm stretches.

The topic of today’s guided meditation was about how unanticipated plot twists in our life can change our planned trajectory.  When reading the cards, you find this a lot if you do predictive readings. Shit happens and things change.  When you read for someone, you are reading the trajectory they are on in that moment.  But if something comes along to bump against them and change their trajectory, it can often change the outcome as well.

The meditation today was a reminder that we don’t want to stick so strongly and so stubbornly to our goals that we miss the opportunity for something different or better that might come along and change our course.

Heaven & Earth Tarot - Ten of CupsToday’s draw is the Ten of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of emotional satisfaction, utopia, or completion of an emotional journey.

What really stands out to me today in this card is the rainbow.  I really think this deck is breathtaking, and the way that they depict the rainbow here being so very faint and yet glowing brightly is almost ethereal to my senses.  It really sinks home to me the meaning of completion and well-being that this card is mean to convey.

The message here in this card is that it’s time to focus on my own emotional well-being and make sure that I get some time in with Gideon today.  Yes, I’m tired.  Yes, there’s still a few things left to do.  Yes, I’m feeling just a bit overwhelmed still.   But, a part of finding that “all is right in the world” place is in spending time with him and allowing him to soothe my senses and ease the tightness in my soul.

DECK USED:  HEAVEN & EARTH TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicJan2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What could you use more of in your life?

Atomic TarotReading Summary: Slow down (The Chariot) and allow your heart’s desires (Heart of Elements)to have more say (in your perspectives (The Hanged Man) in every uncertain step forward that you take (The Wheel).

Take Away: Sometimes when you’re moving along your path in life, it can be hard to know exactly what the next step is going to bring with it.  In these moments, you need to make sure that you slow down and give those things you enjoy and bring passion into your life more sway in your decision making process.

Life doesn’t always have to be about logic and responsibility.  Sometimes it can also be about passion and following where the heart leads you.

DECK USED:  ATOMIC TAROT

Purefield.Healing’s Taking My Power Back Challenge Prompt
Question: How do I define “power”?

Quantum Tarot v2

Reading Summary:  The ability to pause and see beyond the surface of a person or situation (The Hanged Man) in order to make the best decisions possible (The Lovers) for myself and those I collaborate with (Three of Pentacles).

Take Away:  True power is being able to see beyond yourself and your own personal views and perspectives.  The ability to take in other’s viewpoints and perspectives, to see things from their side of the table or take a moment to walk in their shoes to better understand where they’re coming from.   Being able to do this, and then use that information to make good choices along that path you walk with those walking the path with you is a form of true power.

DECK USED:  QUANTUM TAROT v2

Don’t Dig In Your Heels

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IMG_8447Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app with added interval timer for my piriformis and forearm stretches.

Today’s guided meditation was focused upon gratitude, not just for the good stuff in life, but through the struggles we go through as well.  It’s the struggles that build our character and make us into the people we are. They show the true us, and show us what we’re made of.  It’s important to acknowledge the struggles and problems we go through instead of trying to forget them because of that, and to be grateful for the growth that these times foster within us as well as within our relationships and those around us as well.

The Keymaster Tarot - Death, Queen of SpadesToday’s draw is Death atop the Queen of Spades.  Death is traditionally a representation of natural change that develops organically over time.
The Queen of Spades is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the areas of intellect and thought, reason and logic, as well as communication in all its forms.

What stands out to me the strongest in these cards today is the bull-like horns that the queen wears on her head.  These horns speak to me of stubbornness, and the death card atop this card that contains these horns indicates a need to slow down and think long and hard before digging in your heels on something.

I’m a notoriously stubborn person.  Not that I fight with others or use conflict to get my way.  I simply do what I want and continue on through obstacles that get in my way with dogged persistence. The thing is, though, sometimes this stubbornness can cause me to miss things… such as better ways to go about doing things, or different ways to get where I want to go…. or that there’s something better to aim for entirely.  This is where the death card comes in to remind me to pay attention and allow change to happen along the way.  Don’t stay so doggedly on a single point or path that I shut change out or try to push it away.

DECK USED:  KEYMASTER TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Grab a spread of your choice that you’ve been curious about.. and give it a go!
Spread:  Pull four cards and lay them out in two teams. The two in the first team are the enemies, they represent two obstacles you’re currently battling. The second team is the two heroes, they represent two ways you can overcome these obstacles. Time to fight!

Faerie's Oracle by Brian FroudTwo Obstacles You’re Currently Battling

The Singer of Connection – Isolation and a feeling of being bereft and alone. I have been struggling with this lately without realizing it, closing myself off to get through the orders that needed to be done on the 28th, the errands done on the 29th, the sorting and chores done on the 30th, the work and exhaustion of the 30th. All of these have conspired to leave me feeling disconnected and alone.

The Singer of Healing – When I am cut off from those that support me and allow that sense of well-being to flourish, my healing of the self begins to slow to a halt. In the wake of that halt, negative feelings of betrayal, distrust, and abandonment rise up to the surface and begin to pick apart not just my mind and spirit, but also my body as a slippery slope of negative thoughts and emotions take hold.

Two Ways You Can Overcome These Obstacles

The Bodacious Bodach – Get yourself organized and stop allowing chaos to reign. When you allow the days to just take on a life of their own and do their own thing, you find that your time gets stolen away and given to a crapload of shit you don’t really need to do and won’t help you in feeling better.  You need structure, even during your time off.

Geeeeeooo the Slooow – While Bodach might help you in getting organized and creating some loose structure during your time off, make sure that you don’t allow that organization to make you feel cocky enough that you put more on your plate than is healthy at a time when you should be resting.  Take your time and relax. Nothing is pressing at this time.  Chill.

The Potential Results of This Battle

Ffeff the Ffooter – A slowing down.  A grounding.  A time of self care and re-centering. Respect yourself and your needs, respect the earth and your connection with the earth.  Take this time to find your balance and get your feet well rooted and your energy stable. Taking a pause to do these things is the best result possible you can get out of this conflict between these opposing forces.

DECK USED:  THE FAERIES’ ORACLE BY BRIAN FROUD

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How has the Tarot/Oracle increased my insight over the past year?

Steampunk Tarot

Reading Summary: Over the past year tarot/oracle has taught me how to be more generous with myself (Six of Pentacles) so that I spend less time hiding from myself and those things that could hurt me (Eight of Swords) and stealing away my power (Seven of Swords).

Take Away: There’s a lot of shit that I wandered around ignoring for a long time.  Internal wounds and issues that I didn’t want to deal with and shoved aside, pretending they didn’t exist or didn’t influence my life.  The truth is, though, that the only person I hurt with this attitude was myself.  Instead of dealing with these things, they crept around under the surface out of sight, stealing away my strength and my power while I was busy trying to pretend that they didn’t exist. 

Over the past year, I’ve begin pulling those things out of their dark corners and shining a light on them, and in doing so I’ve discovered that a lot of the negative ways in which I treat myself stem from these things. And, that by being kind to myself, I’m able to help reverse some of the damage, and take some of my power back as a result.

DECK USED:  THE STEAMPUNK TAROT

What Goes Up Must Come Down

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IMG_8380Today’s meditation was just over eleven minutes long and was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app with added interval timer for my piriformis and forearm stretches.

Today’s topic for the guided part of the meditation was on the theme of “every day is the first day of the rest of your life” and how, when we keep this in mind, whether that’s every day, or every hour, or even every minute, it allows us to sink more firmly into the present and into those things that we want out of life, as opposed to being dragged down and distracted by the troubles and struggles of what came before.

Living Tarot - JusticeToday’s draw is the Justice card, which is traditionally a representation of cause and effect, repercussions and consequences, and can often be related to the law and justice system.

What stands out to me the strongest on this card is the jagged edges on the lightning strikes and how it contrasts so strongly with the soft swirls of the clouds above.

This speaks to me of the unexpected.  Sometimes when we do something we don’t expect the repercussions to be as harsh or heavy as they are and it takes us by surprise.  That doesn’t necessarily mean that we were treated badly or the consequence was to harsh in relation to the act that got us there… but it means that sometimes we need to think more deeply on what was done and how it affected others.

In other words, what goes up must come down, so choose your battles wisely.  Consider how you are effecting others and factor that into your actions. I think we all forget that part sometimes, myself included.

DECK USED:  LIVING TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Which is more important… love or trust?

Tarot of the Holy SpectrumReading Summary: Over-indulging (Three of Cups Rx) in generosity (Six of Pentacles) will create a sense of emotional satiation (Nine of Cups), but also a situation where hard work is needed (Eight of Pentacles).

Take Away: Love is one of those things that provides emotional satiation, and trust is something that requires hard work to foster and strengthen.

This is a story about moderation, and it indicates that neither love or trust is more important than the other. Instead, they both have pitfalls and positive influences.  They are equally important.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HOLY SPECTRUM

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How will I continue with the changes that are happening?

Naked Heart Tarot

Reading Summary:  Be aware that when you are feeling discouraged and down on your luck (Five of Pentacles), your immature emotional reaction (Spirit of Cups) is to fall into your addictions head first (The Devil).

Take Away:  They key here is in the awareness of the emotions and understanding that this reaction is immature and that there’s a better way.   The Spirit of Cups here indicates not just that immaturity, but also the ability to understand and learn from it, and find a better way to deal with things in the future.   One that is more mature and healthier.

DECK USED:  NAKED HEART TAROT

Love Languages

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IMG_8357Today’s meditation was just under ten minutes long and was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app with added interval timer for my piriformis and forearm stretches.

The topic of today’s guided meditation is about the nature of life’s impermanence. This meditation is really apropos due to it being so close to the end of the year, and part of the discussion included the mention of new years resolutions, and how hard it can be to keep them because life is constantly changing, and sometimes those resolutions we make just don’t carry forward well from what we wanted of the year before into what is going to be ours in the year ahead.

Giotto Tarot - Queen of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Queen of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s finances, resources, home life, health, and manifestations. This often translates into a nurturing figure or energy that wants to foster the health of, or help with the stability of, others.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today is the heart on top of the queen’s crown.  Pentacles are not really a suit that is all that focused on the emotions, but in the Queen we see that the things done for others here are an expression of the love and caring they may not be comfortable expressing in other ways.

The message here is to pay attention to how others express their feelings for you and for those they care about.  It’s not always as clear cut as what they say, but is sometimes in what they do instead.

DECK USED:  GIOTTO TAROT

LionHart’s 20/21 Tarot Challenge Prompt
Topic: What of 2020 do I take with me on my 2021 journey?

Vintage Japanese Art Tarot

Reading Summary: Responsibilities (King of Swords) raking me over the coals of anxiety (Nine of Swords) are giving way to allow an opportunity for a new and different tact (Ace of Swords) that welcomes in more enthusiasm and enjoyment along the way (The Fool)

Take Away:  Along my journey through 2020, I’ve learned a bit on how to worry a little less, and enjoy life a little more. This is something I’m encouraged to take forward into the new year and utilize to find a better, healthier, and more enjoyable way of doing things that doesn’t take so much out of me along the way.

DECK USED:  VINTAGE JAPANESE ART TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to focus on for self-care this full moon?

Silver Witchcraft TarotReading Summary:  Your connection with Gideon (Two of Cups) gives you strength (Strength) and allows you to find a grounding center you need right now (Four of Pentacles).

Take Away: Time in nature isn’t the only way in which you find your center and ground. You also need the strength and reassurance and connection that you have with Gideon as well.

Right now it feels like I’m playing a losing game of “catching up”, and the reminder here is that there’s more that I need to tend to for myself than just tasks that need to be done and a little extra sleep.

DECK USED:  SILVER WITCHCRAFT TAROT