#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge

Good Stuff Lies Ahead

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#DailyCalm from the Calm AppToday’s meditation was just over eleven minutes long, and was another of the guided #DailyCalm from the Calm app.  The topic of today’s guided session was about acceptance of ourselves and others.

This is something I struggle with. Accepting others? Easy for the most part.  But accepting myself is more difficult, especially when it comes to my injuries and mobility issues. Sometimes, when I skip my meditation?  I think I am punishing myself. And I know that sometimes when I do my meditation and push my stretching too far that I am as well.

Radiant Tarot - Two of SwordsToday’s draw is the Two of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of making plans, plotting a course, preparation and looking ahead, and making decisions for one’s future.

I realized last night that I just have today’s orders day to get through, and then I’m off for a few days.  I didn’t realize it until just a few hours ago, and I’m SO relieved.

The card here today is a reminder of the plans I have for the days ahead, the good stuff that’s coming, and that I need to look at all that good stuff and look forward to it instead of grumbling about having to work today.

DECK USED:  RADIANT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for April 11th and 12th

Oracle des MedeoresWhat illusion is clouding your perception?

Croisée des Chemins and Réconciliation – You need to remember that every decision does not need to be made right this moment. And, that every decision you make right this moment will not matter in the future.

How can you break free of the illusion?

Confusion/Doute and Réponse déjà en Soi – When in doubt, let go of logic and listen to what your intuition is telling you. The logical mind has limits that your intuition has the key to breaking free from. But you have to be willing to set that logic and reasoning you tend to lean into aside and go with what you feel in your gut instead.

DECK USED: L’ORACLE DES MEDEORES

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 11th and 12th

Radiant TarotI will continue to…

Nine of Cups – …practice appreciation and gratitude in my life. It’s important to acknowledge those things that I enjoy and appreciate them instead of taking them for granted.

By?

King of Pentacles atop Ace of Pentacles – I can practice this appreciation and gratitude by focusing on all the opportunities I have been given and all that I have built out of those opportunities.

I am grateful for…

The High Priestess – The guidance my intuition provides. The knowing that comes from that intuition, and the trust I have in that knowing that allows me to act on it without hesitation.

And this helps…

Judgement – ..keep me on the straight and narrow concerning the type of the man that I want to become, and how I will feel about my life at the end of my journey.

DECK USED: RADIANT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a break today to nap a bit, which was nice.  Especially nice since it was an orders day.

Furthering Your Goals

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#DailyCalm with the Calm appToday’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long, and was another of the #DailyCalm sessions from the Calm app.

The topic of today’s meditation was about worry, and how there is good, productive worry that allows us to sort things out and act on what’s bothering us, but also unhealthy unproductive worry where we stew over things that we have no control over. It spoke about how to tell the difference, and how the mindfulness aspect of meditation can help us in breaking the pattern of unhealthy worry.

PlusPeace Tarot - Page of SwordsToday’s draw is the Page of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, education, logic, ambition, and communication.

I feel like there is direction in this card far more than in the traditional imagery of the Page of Swords.  The sword in this card appears to point the way forward to greater heights, and that is where the message in this card lies.

Sometimes when we find ourselves ready to move forward and find our footing, we forget to connect what we’re learning to our overall life goals.  The reminder here is to make sure that you are doing that.  How is what you’re learning and the path you’re choosing to explore going to carry with you down the road?  Will it make you a better person?  Will it improve the condition of your life or those of others?  Is it frivolous and fun?  Does it have a purpose?

DECK USED: PLUSPEACE TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Questions for…

PlusPeace Tarot and L'Oracle Guérison de l'ÂmeThe Chariot – Day 10

What good opportunity is available to me right now?

La Lémurie – Your ancestors and guides have knowledge far beyond anything you could hope to learn in your own. Don’t be shy about reaching out to the to seek out knowledge or hesitant to acknowledge their influences in your life, for they are a part of your foundation.

How can I make the most out of this good opportunity?

L’Éveil – Give them the opportunity to rise up and speak to you. They are there waiting for your attention and acknowledgment, and eager to help.

Strength- Day 11

What awareness can help me overcome something?

La Claircognizance – The awareness that your intuition will not steer you wrong and can be trusted implicitly… blindly, without need to sort things through first. Where this knowledge comes from is not as important as shat you do with it and the trust that you put in it.

How can I grow within my strengths or personal powers?

L’Humiliation – Do not allow others judgements, jealousies, envy, or nay-saying words and actions to cause doubts to rise or to cause you to silence your abilities. You know yourself best and there will always be those who reject what they can’t (or refuse to) understand.

DECK USED: ORACLE GUÉRISON DE L’ÂME AND PLUSPEACE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #2
Question: How will my physical health and the plans that depend on it play out in the next two weeks?

PlusPeace TarotReading Summary: You are hale and healthy (King of Pentacles). Stay on the same path you are on, and continue to protect yourself with strength and determination (Knight of Wands), and you will be able to reunite with those visiting just fine when the time comes (Two of Cups).

The connection of orange and red is strong between the King of Pentacles and the Knight of Wands, speaking of the solidity of the King carrying forward into the Knight.  The blue is then absent from the Knight, but reflects from the King of Pentacles into the Two of Cups.  This connection speaks of continued stability in the relationships with others through the continued stability in your own health.

Take Away:  The message here is to keep doing what I’m doing.  I’ve been taking the immunity boosters ever since J tested positive for Covid, and I need to continue taking them as well as making sure I avoid exposure so that plans over the next couple weeks will go smoothly when Ms B comes to visit.

DECK USED: PLUSPEACE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I am once again playing catch-up with posts, and I can’t for the life of me remember what my self kindness was for this day.

Heading For Brighter Skies

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#DailyCalm from the Calm App - Steve Jobs QuoteToday’s meditation was fourteen minutes long, and was another of the #DailyCalm sessions on the Calm app. This session was a bit longer than normal, but oddly felt shorter.  I’m not sure why.

Today’s meditation was about intuition, and about how when we look within our selves at who we are and who we want to become, it can help guide us forward even (or perhaps especially) during times when we are feeling at a loss.

Tons of Luck Tarot - Eight of WandsToday’s draw is the Eight of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of expediency, action, and alacrity. It can also be an indication of air travel, which is what is depicted here in the imagery of the card in this deck.

The imagery in this card makes me think of more of a Six of Swords theme with a bit of The Sun mixed in for good measure. It’s about moving away from troubles and into brighter days and brighter skies. Leaving behind darkness to seek out the pleasure of sunshine and good times.

Today’s card is a reminder that I’m on the way out of my depression and need to focus on the light and on the climb instead of on what I’m leaving behind.

DECK USED: TONS OF LUCK TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt

Angels Among Us Oracle and Tons of Luck TarotQuestions for…

The Empress- Day 6

How can I create {more} abundance for myself?

The meaning of Archangel Jeremiel in this deck is the equivalent of the Judgement card in the tarot. This card speaks of examining one’s life and how far we have come, looking at all that we have done, and ascertaining that which we want to improve within ourselves and who we want to become.

Archangel Jophiel in this deck is similar to the Sun card in the tarot, and encourages focusing our attention on the positive, while leaning in to optimism and those things that bring us joy.

To create more abundance in your life at this time, the message here is that where we place our attention and focus is important. The more we focus on the positive, the more positive things are then invited into our lives.

What part of me can use a little bit of TLC today?

Merlin – When one manifests new things and experiences into the world, they then in turn change the world. You have lost touch with the true magic of your craft. It’s time to remember why you create, why you manifest the beautiful things you do and then send them out into the world. Remember that money is a byproduct, but should not be where focus lies or the goal of these endeavors.

The Lovers – Day 9

How am I currently treating {my relationship with} myself?

In this deck, the meaning of the Jesus card is about forgiveness and compassion. In the wake of the darkness and harsh judgements of the depression. You are now at a place where you are beginning to give yourself the compassion and forgiveness needed to heal and recover from that time of darkness, as well as the transgressions against yourself that took place during that time.

In what area or way am I asked to make choices in support of myself?

Saint Brigid in this deck appears to be the equivalent of the Queen of Wands in the tarot. She represents the inner fire within us all and our passions. These energies need to be stirred up in your life now that you are rising out of depression’s pit and finding the light again.

Side Note – There is an underlying message here in the vibrant amber glow connecting Archangel Jophiel, Jesus, and Saint Brigid that reinforces the message in the first prompt for today. It is an encouragement to connect more deeply in a spiritual level with my jewelry design and allow that connection to lift me up and bring more joy into the process.

DECK USED: TONS OF LUCK TAROT AND ANGELS AMONG US ORACLE

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April

Tons of Luck TarotThis year so far has prepared me for…

The Sun – Having served your time in the journey down into depression’s pit and in the climb back out again, this year so far has prepared you to truly appreciate being in the light once more and reiterated for you just how important gratitude, positivity, and optimism is in making life worth living.

Now I…

Nine of Wands and Strength – …can go forth with strength and awareness of not just what I need to protect myself against (the cloying grip of negativity and the depression that it can then pull me into), but also how to do so effectively.

This spring I will make a habit of…

The Magician atop Biased Rx – …not taking my abilities and unique skills for granted. I am aware of just how harsh and dark my inner critic can be, and the damage its pollution can cause in my mind and life. I will remember that I have all of the skills, abilities, and tools I need to manifest whatever I want into reality.

This will allow…

Seven of Cups atop Wheel of Fortune – …me to turn my dreams into reality and seize control of my times of good fortune, as well as find the boon in times of bad luck as well.

DECK USED: TONS OF LUCK TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Play with Gideon tonight really helped me with the tension I was starting to feel. The subdrop is coming… or well, it’s here even if it’s in the early stages. This time with Gideon helped in easing those feelings a bit.

That Moment of Relief

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#DailyCalm from the Calm appToday’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was another of the guided #DailyCalm sessions through the Calm app.

Ethereal Alchemist Tarot - Ten of SwordsToday’s draw is the Ten of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of painful endings, coming to the end of an unpleasant journey, backstabbing, and finding the “end of one’s rope”.

Here in this card’s imagery I see a wasteland. A wasteland at the end of a great battle. All swords have found earth, and no life remains. No one is getting up from this to keep fighting… the fight is at an end.

And here in lies the message.  The fight is at an end.  Take a moment.  Take a breath.  Feel that moment of relief as your burdens are set down and your muscles can ease their tension. The worst is now behind you.  In my case, for today, this message refers to my depression.  I can feel myself improving each day.  I am beginning to leave the darkness at the depths of the pit behind as I climb my way out.

DECK USED:  THE ETHEREAL ALCHEMIST TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Questions for…

Hollow Valley Tarot and Spirit Animal OracleThe Emperor – Day 7

What is something I should master in support of myself?

Frog Spirit – How to let go of the things that don’t matter is an important skill to support yourself and one that you need to work on mastering. Too often you hold on too tightly to those things you need to let go of, whether that be negative inner dialogue, bad habits, or sentimental items that you develop an emotional (or addictive) attachment to.

How can I use what I’ve mastered in in the past support of my Journey?

Rabbit Spirit – You know how to turn things around into your favor, and find the boon in bad situations. Instead of seeing struggle and problems as defeat, you see them as lessons. Hurdles instead of dead ends, mountains instead of impenetrable walls. Surmountable, with something to gain in the process.

The Hierophant – Day 8

What guidance is the Universe offering me for my Journey?

Hummingbird Spirit – Spend more of your time focusing in the present, instead of reflecting on the past or prospecting on the future. There is a lot that you have healed from in your past, and a lot planned for the future, but when you focus on either one of them too much, you miss out on all that’s good in the present.

In what area can seeking / applying {old} knowledge help me?

Cow Spirit – Positivity, optimism, and hope are positive influences that can lift you up and improve your life if you are willing to lean into that theme. You’ve seen proof of just  how well this method can work, but you have to actually focus on it and allow it in.

DECK USED: THE HOWEOW VALLEY TAROT AND SPIRIT ANIMAL ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for April 8th and 9th

Ethereal Alchemist TarotWhere are you slacking in your life at this time?

Three of Wands and Eight of Pentacles – You are not moving upon your goals right now, not even at a slow pace or in small increments. Slacking is, indeed, an understatement.  You have come to a standstill.

What can help motivate you in this area?

The Emperor and Five of Wands – Tap into that inner fighter and sense of responsibility, and just do it. It’s not about emotion, it’s about forcing yourself to move even when you aren’t “feeling it”.

DECK USED: THE ETHEREAL ALCHEMIST TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Bacon. I had bacon today. I’ve been on a protein craving for a few days. Today I made bacon twists and eggs, and it was spectacular.

Where the Small Joys Live

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#DailyCalm with the Calm appToday’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was another of the guided #DailyCalm meditations offered in the Calm app.

It’s odd to me that sometimes I am able to focus on what the guide is saying in the meditation, and other times? I only hear her voice, but not what she says. Today’s meditation was one of the latter.  It was very relaxing, but I really didn’t process what was said during the meditation.

The Houseplant Tarot - The SunToday’s draw is the Sun card, which is traditionally a representation of joy, happiness, success, warmth, and fun.

The imagery in this card is about photosynthesis, or well, that’s what I see in this card. I see a plant that is healthy and filled with joy as the sun provides its warm rays and leaves turn toward its warmth.

What is it in your environment that brings you joy? Are you taking it for granted? Today’s card is an encouragement to spend some time enjoying and appreciating those small things that bring us joy that we often find so commonplace that we start to take them for granted.

DECK USED:  THE HOUSEPLANT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for April 7th – Where do you need…

Anima Mundi Tarot and Energy Archaeology OracleMore space?

Page of Wands and Wisdom – Give yourself some room to grow and expand on a fundamental level. Look at your principles, your passions, your spiritual path… seek to become more than you are.

More air?

Four of Cups, Receiving atop Worthy – Don’t shame yourself into feeling you are not worthy of rest and self care. Instead, open the “windows” within your life that your judgements hold closed and allow cleansing air to wash away stagnant negativity.

More love?

Two of Cups and Supporting – Allow those around you to help and support you. You don’t have to do everything yourself. It’s okay to accept (and even ask for) help, and giving that help is one of the ways others express their love for you.

DECKS USED: ANIMA MUNDI TAROT AND ENERGY ARCHAEOLOGY ORACLE

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 6th and 7th

The Houseplant TarotThis season I will actually…

Seven of Pentacles – …allow myself to slow down and let things move at their own pace. Too often I push and shove, trying to force things to move at a faster pace instead of accepting they will develop in their own time.

In order to…

Eight of Cups – …put distance between myself and the impatience that isn’t working for me. All that pushing raises my stress level and creates an opportunity to make unhealthy decisions for myself instead of healthy ones.

I will take a step back from…

Ace of Swords – …new ideas and inner dialogue that is harmful to me. There is a darkness within that melds smoothly and seamlessly with the darkness of the depression.  It’s time to take a step back from that darkness and shine a light on the fact that I am treating myself badly deep within where others can’t see.

In order to…

The Hermit – …make sure that my alone time this season is good and healthy.  I love alone time.  I really, really love alone time.  But it’s important that when I indulge in alone time, I am doing so in healthy ways. This isn’t possible when my inner dialogue is in control and permeating my thoughts.

DECK USED: THE HOUSEPLANT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’m finishing this post before bed.  I know it seems like a silly and very little thing, but I felt like putting off finishing it until later.  When I do that, the posts build up like dirty laundry, with notes and half done writing left sitting for days sometimes.  I’m finishing this post so that I’m not starting another pile of what’s not finished here today.

Headlong Into the Squall

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

April Fools Tarot - Seven of SwordsToday’s draw is the Seven of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of sneaky antics, strategic action, and/or getting away with something.

It’s that last one that is what I see in today’s card, as the fleeing figures speak of running for cover before the shit hits the fan and consequences are rendered.

Today’s card is a reminder that you don’t have to weather every storm that comes along. You are not the masthead of a ship plowing into each wave and squall head first. It’s okay to step back and let someone else deal with the fallout now and then.

DECK USED:  THE APRIL FOOL’S TAROT

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 2nd, 5th, and 8th

The Hollow Valley Tarot and Guiding Light OracleThis week I will make sure to complete…

Four of Swords – The task and responsibility of giving myself the rest I need. Just remember that during this time, it will be important to work out plans for what comes next.

Because?

Untapped Inner Power – I cannot reach my full potential without time to rest, recover, and plan what comes next. When I give myself this, I am then in a better place to really allow my potential to shine.

This week I will reconnect with…

Justice – Divinity. Specifically, the energies of creation, evolution, and most especially balance. Balance within life and the universe. During the depression, I lost track of this connection as my focus was turned inward.

How?

Victim Mentality – By letting go of that intense inward focus, so that I can connect more fully to divinity, the universe, and the world around me.

At this time I am ready to…

Two of Cups – Reconnect with others. You’ve held yourself apart while upon your journey through the depression over the past three months, but it is now time to begin reaching out and reestablishing those bonds and connections.

So that I can…

Life Force Energy – Get back into doing those things that lift me up. Things like hiking and other activities that I’ve come to include others in over time and enjoy more (or differently) with them along. This is about doing activities that don’t provide alone time. Right now I am in need of their presence to assist in lifting me out of the depression’s shadows and closer to the light of freedom from its grip.

DECK USED: THE HOLLOW VALLEY TAROT AND GUIDING LIGHT ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: What does it mean to live a good life?

April Fools TarotReading Summary: Having people and things in your life that you value enough to protect (Nine of Wands), people in your life that you love enough to celebrate (Three of Cups), and the ability to choose what is worth sticking around for (Ace of Cups)… and what isn’t (Seven of Swords).

Take Away:  I think I love these cards.  They’re fucking adorable, and the creator really did a great job of connecting the imagery with the card meanings.

Anyway, that aside.  The answer here is about what (and who) you fill your life with.  It’s those things and people that you value that make your life worth living, along with knowing yourself well enough to know what you want to attach with… and what isn’t for you.

DECK USED: THE APRIL FOOL’S TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’ve decided I need to try to cut down a bit on sugar.  I’ve been feeling a bit ‘ech’ lately, and I think the sugar is the culprit.  It’s not showing up in my sugar levels, but I’m just not feeling as much joy with its consumption as usual.