#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge

Soothing Warmth

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Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was one of the harp tone meditations where I sink into the sounds of the harp while chimes mark position changes for my piriformis stretching. It was easy and relaxing, and went by really quickly for some reason.  It’s odd how some days, that ten minutes can feel like an hour… and other days it feels like just a few minutes instead of a whole ten.

Herbcrafter's Tarot - Madre of Fire - ThymeToday’s draw is the Madre of Fire (Queen of Wands) which is traditionally interpreted as a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the areas of one’s drive, passionate endeavors, interests, and inner spark.

What stood out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today (besides the huge harvest of thyme) was the honey pot. Thymus vulgaris and honey are used to make natural cough syrup that has a warming and soothing effect on both wet and dry coughs as well as bronchitis.

The message I hear from this card today is that I need to focus on some self soothing.  There’s been a bit of irritation going on lately that flares up then eases and flares up again over the past couple of weeks.   I’ve not been able to really find an underlying source, and the card here indicates maybe the goal shouldn’t be so much about digging in the dirt, but in easing the blisters on my fingertips.

DECK USED:  THE HERBCRAFTER’S TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What does my subconscious want to say that I’m ignoring?

Student Tarot 4 Godard's BirdsReading Summary: Instant gratification (Queen of Swords) is all well and good, but you need to seize control of yourself (King of Swords) now so that you don’t lose sight of the long-term growth (Seven of Pentacles) that is your ultimate goal.

Side Note:  Instant gratification indicated in the Queen of Swords is in reference to me relating the Queen of Swords to my mother, and my mother’s nearly universal attitude of “I want what I want, and I want it NOW”.  This is a personal correlation and “instant gratification” is not normally associated with the Queen of Swords.

Take Away:  It’s time to slow down on my spending a bit and take a more measured approach so that I don’t find myself in hot water down the road.  I did a bit of splurging on playing card decks over the past month, and while those decks are pretty inexpensive (compared to tarot), they still add up over time.   Add to that a bit of carelessness in my grocery spending, and I’m at that point where I need to get things back in hand again.

DECK USED:  STUDENT TAROT 4 GODARD’S BIRDS

Ingenuity and Adaptation

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Today’s meditation was just over fifteen minutes long and was a centering meditation I use to find focus sometimes before doing client readings.

In this type of meditation, I often place labradorite on my solar plexus for soothing calm, smoky quartz on my forehead for clarity, clear quartz in my left palm for a wash of cleansing energy, and honey calcite in my left to attune myself to exuding a positive and caring influence on others.

This meditation is about attuning myself into these stones and their energies, and creating a flow of energy that sweeps through these different locations and qualities in order to create a sense of centering and ease.

Cosmos Tarot and OracleToday’s draw is the Knight of Fire (Wands) which is traditionally interpreted as an active beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passionate endeavors, drive, innovations, and that inner spark that creates interest and pushes us forward.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card is the rope and climbing hook that the imposter soldier is carrying.   The difference between him and the other soldiers is obvious, and yet he blends in even as he goes about his own thing.

The message here is that sometimes the things you do to protect yourself and others aren’t about confrontation. Rather, they are about knowing your skills and using them with ingenuity to get where you want to go.  Not everything has to be a fight or a struggle.  Think outside the box and find a better way.

I’m not sure where this message fits into my life at this moment, but the message rings true and relevant, as if it is something I need to keep in mind in order to adjust my behavior when needed so that things can go more smoothly than the would otherwise.

DECK USED:  COSMOS TAROT AND ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic:  A Mistake Made / A Lesson Learned

Midcenturian TarotReading Summary: When your crown becomes too heavy (King of Wands), you can’t always run away from your problems (Six of Swords). The lesson is that you continue to carry the stresses and worries with you instead of leaving them behind (Nine of Swords).

Take Away:  When I emancipated from my parent’s home, I expected that my life would be transformed and so would I. The new freedom was expected to give me a new perspective… and it did. But what I didn’t do was erase the damage of what had come before. That damage was carried with me and had to be dealt with regardless of the fact that I had moved on in other ways.

You can’t leave the damage done to you behind in the past.  It won’t heal by being buried or shoved aside.  Instead, it will fester under the surface until you ultimately decide to (or are forced to) deal with it.

DECK USED:  MIDCENTURIAN TAROT

#OwlandBonesJuly Challenge by Owl and Bones Tarot
Topic:  what is vulnerable // what is safe // what protects

Evolution Tarot

What is Vulnerable – Ace of Potions – My emotional growth.

What is Safe – Three of Coins – My business and working with friends to keep it stable.

What Protects – Queen of Wands – My inner spark that keeps me moving forward even when I do so at a slower pace.

Take Away:  This reading is about my current transition and the efforts I’m taking to stay on track with my emotional growth rather than allowing myself to delve back into the familiar shove of responsibility.   The fact that I am allowing others in and to help me is giving me the room that I need to keep that growth going and keep myself from closing off and bearing down in the physical world or responsibilities.  Instead, I’m allowed to explore while letting my inner spark move me forward instead of fear and obligation.

DECK USED:  EVOLUTION TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: A card to describe your creative self.

Albano Waite Tarot - Eight of PentaclesI am a hard worker that likes to hone my creativity into expertise.  I also have a habit of taking my creative interests and turning it into money making endeavors.

I think this is a part of the reason that I find it hard to just “relax and be creative”.  For me creativity is more than just something you do in your spare time or enjoy as a hobby.  Nearly everything I do has a creative aspect to it, which incorporates creativity into every aspect of my life in one way or another, including in how I make my money and provide resources for myself, my home, and my loved ones.

DECK USED:  ALBANO WAITE TAROT

 

Cleansing Energies and Fresh Air

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Today’s meditation was just under twenty minutes long, and was another purr-focused meditation as Luna again decided to come cuddle up against the side of my head while I was meditating, which shifted my focus from my breathing to her purring.

I really like this type of meditation.  It’s extremely relaxing.  I didn’t immediately fall asleep this time, but it was still really nice and I ended up lingering longer than I would have because I was really enjoying it.

The Herbcrafter's TarotToday’s draw is the Sun card, which is traditionally a representation of hope, joyous celebration, and all around good ol’ fun.

Spiritually speaking, Hypericum perforatum (St Johns Wort) is used to invoke the healing powers of light against the darkness and this is expressed no more evidently than it’s medical use as well, as medically this herb is best known for its anti-depressant properties.

The message in today’s card is about seeking out positive healing experiences and spending time outside soaking up the goodness of vitamin D while taking in the cleansing energies and fresh air of being outside among nature.

DECK USED:  HERBCRAFTER’S TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJuly Challenge Prompt
Topic:  I’m struggling to find my purpose.
Question: Why am I struggling to be honest with myself?

Aquarian Tarot

Reading Summary: Because change is hard… Juggling in my old way of doing things is hard to let go of (Two of Pentacles) because that familiarity is comforting to me (Six of Cups) and makes it difficult to choose a different path (Two of Rods).

Take Away:  It’s difficult to admit when you’re struggling, and that applies to me as well. I struggle all the time with the draw of the familiar and temptation to sink back into what I know so well rather than staying focused on the new path I’ve chosen for myself.  That struggle is… embarrassing and something that’s difficult to admit.

DECK USED:  AQUARIAN TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Is it always better to have more choices?

Wheel of the Year TarotReading Summary: There are always more choices available to us than we realize (The Fool). But as humans, we are not in the habit (The Devil) of seeking them out and instead stick with what we know (Six of Cups). When we do this, we miss out on long reaching opportunities and rewards (Seven of Pentacles).

Take Away:  I would interpret this answer as yes… and no.  What it’s saying is that we only perceive the number of choices we are able to handle… but that there are always more out there we cannot see.  When we open our minds to them, they become available to us… so I guess in my opinion this would be a yes.   Because the more open minded you are to possibilities and thinking outside the box, the more choices you have available to you… and I consider open mindedness and thinking outside the box to always be a good thing.

DECK USED:  WHEEL OF THE YEAR TAROT

#OwlandBonesJuly Challenge by Owl and Bones Tarot
Topic:  plant the seed // take root // grow

Karma Tarot

Plant the seeds of doing things in a more patient and measured way (Knight of Coins)

Take root a more restrained approach (Temperance) over the wild charge driven by passionate intensity and interest (Knight of Swords).

Grow each day that you follow this path. With each day you practice this new form of patience, restraint, and measured approach, you build up the ability to instill these traits into your daily life with more skill and less effort (Strength).

DECK USED:  KARMA TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: Do I believe I am creative? Why or Why not?

The Fifth TarotReading Summary: Yes (One of Shells). This is evident because I struggle with keeping a balance (Seven of Feathers Rx) between my responsibilities (Nine of Feathers) and the passion of my inner spark that drives me to go after and take part in (more like get carried away by) the things that inspire my creativity (Initiate of Fire). I often feel that my responsibilities (Nine of Feathers) are stealing away from (Seven of Feathers) my creative time (Initiate of Fire), and vice versa.

Take Away:  If I was not creative, there would be no struggle between my responsibilities and my passionate pursuit of those things that strike my interest.  It is in my nature to be both earthbound and realistic (Taurus Sun) as well as creativity driven (Scorpio Moon).  This conflict between the two is evidence of both sides of the coin and the constant need to find balance between them… thus evidence of my creativity.

DECK USED:  THE FIFTH TAROT

Don’t Discount Your Emotions

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and ended in a nap.  I meant to eat, and then lie down for ten minutes for my meditation before hopping online.  Instead I ate, laid down for ten minutes to meditate… and dozed off. Which sucked, but I’m glad that I at least got my meditation in.    Today’s meditation entailed Miss Luna snugging up against the side of my head and purring for me, and I spent my meditation focusing on the rhythmic rumble of her purrs.

Herbal Tarot - Two of Swords - PassionflowerToday’s draw is the Two of Swords, which is traditionally interpreted as a struggle in making a difficult decision or coming to an impasse where you have to pause and carefully consider your options.

What stands out to me the strongest in today’s card is the water in the background. This speaks to me of the decisions being made having an emotional component.  Perhaps the emotions are making the logical choice not the right choice and that is causing a conflict and struggle in making a decision.

The passiflora did not stand out to me at all in this card today, so I am not including it in the interpretation.

The message in today’s card is to make sure you don’t discount your emotions when making important decisions.  This is something I have a habit of doing pretty much all the time, and as a part of my emotional growth, this is something I’m trying to change.  The reminder is needed, because sometimes I forget.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question: Where am I being invited to challenge myself?

Tattoo Tarot Ink & Intuition

Reading Summary: Being kind to myself both physically (The Empress) and mentally (Knave of Swords), and slowing the fuck down (Nine of Wands with Knave of Wands).

Take Away:  I get this reminder a lot and it is fitting that it would appear here when asked what I’m invited to challenge myself concerning.  Being nice to myself is not an easy task for me, and takes a lot of conscious effort… so does slowing down and pacing myself.  They are both worthy of the effort put in, but they are definitely not simple or easy for me to do.

DECK USED:  TATTOO TAROT INK & INTUITION

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Write something free form inspired by the cards.

Japaridze TarotShe played from the heart
Opening up to all
Laying bare her treasure
Sharing her emotions
to all that would listen
and in each note
the immersive experience
took the spectators deeper
taught them more
opened their own hearts
and their own souls
were left bare as well. 

DECK USED:  JAPARIDZE TAROT

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question: Where or in what way did I grow this month?

The Crystal TarotReading Summary: Being more aware of the help around me that is out there for me if I reach for it (Five of Pentacles) rather than giving in to the temptation to continue following the ingrained habit (The Devil) of keeping my head down and plowing ahead (Eight of Wands).

Take Away: The cards here indicate that I’m doing better at not just being aware that there is help available to me when I need it, but actually asking for it and allowing that help rather than pushing it away and plowing onward alone under the weight.

DECK USED:  THE CRYSTAL TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: Where do I want to be in 10, 15, and 20 years from now?

Fanuna's Tarot

Ten Years – Happy and looking back on the past with fondness.

Fifteen Years – Full of energy and oomph and passionate enough about my inspirational pursuits to fight for them.

Twenty Years – Still driven by passionate nature, and finding new and interesting things that kindle my inner spark to go after.

DECK USED:  FANUNA’S TAROT

Staying Centered

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I’m playing a bit of catch up today.  I know that I meditated on the 29th, but I’m not sure for how long or the method I used since I’m now finishing up on writing this post on July 1st.  I did meditate tho… so there’s that.

Herbal Tarot - Medicine Wheel of Fortune - Slippery ElmToday’s draw is the Medicine Wheel (Wheel of Fortune) which is traditionally a representation of the unpredictability of life and the ups and downs we go through as we move through our lives.

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but the Medicine Wheel reference on this card makes me a bit uncomfortable.  This deck is very diverse… but it doesn’t tip into appropriation (IMO) anywhere but in this card and the use of the native wording on the card and references in the book.   I don’t see the imagery on this card as a medicine wheel at all, but rather as a sort of faerie ring in stone around a mighty elm tree.  I see incognito Fae encircling something respected and sacred.

Spiritually speaking, Ulmus fulva (Slippery Elm) is a representation of nourishing encouragement, strength, and the soothing of the spirit.  It is often used in workings that involve assisting in the acceptance of change, and centering the inner self while moving through transitions with ease.  Medically, it is an antiemetic with high nutrient content, meaning that even when someone is extremely sick and nausea, they can usually tolerate the herb if given in tea form or added as a powder to foods such as oatmeal or soup.

What I see here as the message in today’s card is a reminder to stay close to the center of the wheel.   In other words?  Stay centered.   Roller coasters and amusement park rides are all well and good for a few seconds, but when you incorporate that energy into your life it becomes a chaotic mess.   Stay centered and focused, and it’ll all work out just fine.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question: Who in my life could benefit from some extra affection at this time?

Dream Raven Tarot

Reading Summary: All of them (Ten of Cups). Don’t overtax yourself or beat yourself up about this (Seven of Wands), you love them all and do what you can for them and they know this (King of Wands). You aren’t slacking, they’re just greedy (Six of Cups). Stay balanced, because you just can’t please everybody all the time (Four of Pentacles).

Take Away:  Everyone in my life could benefit from me giving them some extra affection, but this is because they love me and… because they love me they are greedy for that affection.  It doesn’t mean I’m neglecting them, nor does it mean I’m doing anything wrong by keeping things in balance and doing what works (and is healthy) for me.

DECK USED:  DREAM RAVEN TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I carry more joy forward into the future?

Grimalkin Tarot Reading Summary: Develop new ways to incorporate your current passions and your creative spark into more of your life (Page of Wands), and work at keeping your inner critic in check (ignoring the red bird in favor of the dove in the Queen of Swords). You’re strong enough to make these changes (Strength).

Take Away:  Incorporating more joy into my life involves making sure that my inner critic’s voice is not allowed to carry as much weight as I would usually give it, but also requires following the spark of inspiration and creative interest when it flares up rather than ignoring it or pushing it aside.  Instead, make room for these things that kindle that inner spark.

DECK USED:  GRIMALKIN TAROT

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question: What am I asked to take with me moving forward?

Tarot Mood

Reading Summary: Stop worrying so much (Nine of Swords) and make your transition with grace (The World). This change you are slowly moving through (Death) is not as scary or complicated as you’re making it out to be (The Moon Rx).

Take Away:   Confidence and grace, while leaving behind my fear.  Making changes like those I’ve been working towards are not easy and take time.  Sometimes it seems like a constant uphill battle or feels like I’m going to fail. Sometimes anxiety over what the new results will look like rise up to make me squirm.  The encouragement in these cards is a reminder to stay centered and focused, and not allow these things to distract me.

DECK USED:  TAROT MOOD

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How will I know I am on track?

Trippin' Waite Tarot

Reading Summary: Gideon will help with that (King of Cups). Just stay calm and take your time (Temperance), and make good choices (The Lovers).

Take Away:  Well, you are not always the King of Cups in every reading where this card shows up.  But you are in this one.  Knowing that I stay on track is a group effort.  I need the outside input from those that know me the most and best.  As long as I listen to that input and stay true to my path and that slow progress, making the choices that feel right to my inner compass along the way, then I’ll continue to be on track and be able to feel (through my inner compass) that I have not deviated.

DECK USED:  TRIPPIN’ WAITE TAROT

It’s More Fun Together

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and was a full body scan much like yesterdays, that focused on energy rather than physical sensation.  It was, essentially, energy play where I took my energy in a rippled wave through my body from head to toes and back up again.  Powerful waves at first moving from head to toe and back again, like water sloshing back and forth in a tub.  Slowly, the waves then slowed and eased until they were smaller and smaller, and then finally settled into a still and calm pool.

Herbal Tarot - Three of Cups - TrilliumToday’s draw is the Three of Cups, which traditionally is interpreted as a time of coming together, celebration, emotional bonding with others, friendship, and positive collaboration with others.  It can also represent a “third wheel” type of energy or emotion.

I barely noticed the Trillium in the imagery of this card today.  Instead, my focus was drawn to the three women and the fact that their feet are bare and they each wear a dress in a different jewel-tone color.

The bare feet speak to me of vulnerability in this card, and the different colored dresses communicate a sense of diversity. This speaks to me of the energy of collaboration that happens between very different people, and how satisfying it can be when each person contributes their own unique flair to a project… making it truly collaborative and something that could not be done solo or by any others but those personally involved.

Sometimes I forget that I’m not alone and I can lean on others to help me.  I forget that in that help that’s given?  Fun can be had and it becomes more than work but a celebration.  I need to remember this more often and allow others in to help me instead of thinking I have to do it all myself.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question: Where am I being invited to take back my power?

Linestrider Tarot

Reading Summary: Put some enthusiasm (Knight of Wands) into reclaiming your joy (The Sun) and learn a better way of thinking about things and communicating with yourself (Page of Swords).

Side Note: Just as an aside… The Knight of Wands is the only card in this entire deck that I do not like. I just cannot un-see the stubby penis riding a horse that I saw when I first looked at this card for the first time.

Take Away:  The message here is not just about encouraging growth, but embracing it.  It’s about remembering that as I move forward in the changes I’m making, I need to actively search for and participate in the things that bring me joy.  Savor them and enjoy them instead of disregarding them or avoiding them.

DECK USED:  LINESTRIDER TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #2
How can I motivate myself to get my ass moving after meditation and get on with my day?

Sawyer's Path TarotReading Summary: The Queen of Swords and the Four of Swords have the same face… they are the same person and the same color scheme carries between the two cards including the background clouds.  Together they indicate that this change in my routine is new but not negative, and I need to take the time to wrap my mind around the fact that it’s good.

The outlier card in this reading is the center card.  It does not match or coincide with the other two in any way.  This discordance with the other cards indicates that if I follow the path my question is asking about, it’s not going to go well. It will create more hardship and cause a delay in getting where I want to go.

Take Away:  Don’t. You need this time of rest and recovery. As much as you want to get more done and fit more into your day… You need to understand that sometimes it’s okay to take a little time for yourself. That lounging about you’re doing is doing you good.

DECK USED:  SAWYER’S PATH TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I improve upon my self care?

Tarot of Metamorphosis

Reading Summary: It’s time to stop dragging my feet (Knight of Pentacles) upon my chosen path to instilling more happiness (Six of Cups) and joy in my life (The Sun).

There is a theme here in the imagery itself that speaks of getting back to nature. A transition from being trapped within the grip of the unnatural and material to finding pleasure in fostering nature’s growth to wallowing within nature’s embrace.

Take Away:  Between the theme seen in the cards and the initial interpretation of them, I am being encouraged to spend more time outside. Both in spending time in my garden on the balcony as well as hiking within the forests I love. More of both is needed in my self care routine.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF METAMORPHOSIS