#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge

Half Full… and Half Empty

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and was a quiet time spent focusing on breathing exercises while doing forearm and piriformis stretches.

Oceana ArcanaeToday’s draw is the Five of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of looking at things from a pessimistic mentality, missing the big picture, and loss of perspective.

It’s interesting that I seem to run into this card most often on order days.  The days when I have to work on orders no matter what… even when I don’t wanna.

On the one hand, having so many is a great sign (especially since I cut back on my advertising budget and things appear to still be going strong regardless… although you can bet I’m watching that like a hawk).   On the other hand? It means less time with Gideon. No nap.  And… sometimes?  A complete lack of motivation to get anything done.

Obviously, the boon outweighs the bad or I wouldn’t be running my own business and keep doing things as I do.  Today’s card is a reminder of those boons.  A reminder to look at the good stuff so that the less enjoyable parts aren’t so difficult to work through.

DECK USED:  OCEANUM ARCANAE

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for January 17th

Oceana Arcanae

What do you need to focus on for self-care during this full moon?

Know when to (The High Priestess) move out of the way (imagery in the Eight of Pentacles) and let things develop on their own (The Tower).

Sometimes it’s better to let everything crash to the floor than to try and catch it and hurt yourself in the process. Knowing when to act and when to stand back and wait is intuitive, and a skill you have developed over time and need to utilize at the moment.

In Reference To – Four of Wands atop Ace of Pentacles – New developments at home and having that contented and stable atmosphere at home that you prefer. (This is either about Lins getting a job or the hanging of the tv.)

Full moon advice from the Minoan goat goddess Amalthea.

The Ace of Wands landed atop the Ace of Pentacles, speaking of enthusiasm connected to a new project.

The Queen of Pentacles landed atop the Four of Wands and managed to slide  under the High Priestess.

When it comes to your home, you know how you like things and how you want them to be. It’s okay to be motivated and enthusiastic about this new project, just make sure that you are choosing your moments wisely on when to approach it and work on it.

Well that clears that up (about what the first part of this reading was referring to).  This is about the rearranging I want to do at home and the changes I want to make.  Like most things that involve some sort of work or labor, I have a habit of shoving forward.  Not to rush, but because I like to single-mindedly focus.  Drawing things out instead of investing fully and burying myself in it, it’s difficult to stay invested.  That is the encouragement here, though.  Don’t let it take over  your life and all of your focus. Work on it in stages and let it develop over the next handful of months instead.

DECK USED: OCEANUM ARCANAE

Daily Self Kindness

Hot cocoa (with mint) during packaging time was a nice change from the norm.  And… I’m really happy with the new mug warmer that I bought for my packaging table, too.

Dark Clouds vs Paradise

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Tarot of Mystical MomentsToday’s draw is the Six of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of leaving behind what isn’t working for you in order to find something better and healthier.  This is often along the themes of leaving behind discord and strife for “calmer waters”.

Here in this imagery we have a woman lounging among the clouds, seeking an anchor and dreamily looking down at an abandoned island. Her dark cloud is ominous as she looks at something brighter and warmer and far more peaceful below.

This card is a reminder that the rush is over. A reminder that without the chaos and distraction of the holiday rush to keep things going and keep you uplifted (or numb) it’s time to lean into optimism once more.  Don’t be lackadaisical about it… don’t allow yourself to sink into sedentary stagnation.  Reach for the energy, the light, the optimism and the positivity that is needed to keep you from ending up in that dark cloud instead of in paradise.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF MYSTICAL MOMENTS

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #3

Tarot of Mystical MomentsSomething Important In Your Life

The Empress – Taking better care of myself.

The influence that the essence of Fire has on this important something.

Page of Wands – It can be difficult to find enthusiasm on this topic, especially as you get distracted so easily by different ideas and interests. So much of your life is ruled by these moments of enthusiasm that it can be hard to concentrate on the things that feel more “routine”.

The influence that the essence of Air has on this important something.

Two of Swords – It’s about choice… and remembering that you made the choice in the moment so that you will make it again and again. It’s about not following your emotions that say “blah, I don’t wanna” to the routine self-care that you need, and making the choice to do it anyway regardless of those feelings.

The influence that the essence of Water has on this important something.

Ace of Cups – Although this new journey toward building a better relationship with yourself is a good thing?  It can also be a bit overwhelming (based off the imagery specifically).

The influence that the essence of Earth has on this important something.

Two of Pentacles – That overwhelm is caused by imbalance and lack of stability. If you want to find a way to get on track with doing what you need for yourself on a regular basis, whether or not you “feel like it” in the moment?  You need to find a way to fit it in that works with everything else in your life instead of trying to wedge it in here and there.  Give these things a more permanent placement within your day, so that each cycle includes them automatically, instead of you trying to fit them in when and where you can.

DECK USED: TAROT OF MYSTICAL MOMENTS

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap today.  I didn’t really want to, but I was giving Miss Luna a nuzzle and the sandman hit me on the head. Apparently I needed it as I felt much better when I woke up.

Pulling Out Thorns

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped… although I did make the effort today.  It just didn’t work out.

Abstract Futures Tarot by Hilma's GhostToday’s draw is the King of Cups, which is a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition. This often translates into themes that have to do with strong leaders with understanding and emotionally supportive qualities.

When doing readings for myself, the King of Cups often comes up as a representation of Gideon. He is very much one of those strong, dominant types with an emotionally supportive core.  He draws people in with that core of understanding and support, and leads them with an integral ease. In most cases, people don’t even realize they yield to his guidance, because it’s so natural to do so.

This card today is absolutely about him, and the sharp edges are a reminder that even when I am out of sorts, I still need to communicate this with him.

Today’s card says “Share your sharp edges with him and let him help you pull out life’s thorns”.

DECK USED:  ABSTRACT FUTURES TAROT

GroundedInMagic’s #Lovers2022TarotChallenge Challenge Prompt
Questions for January 14th and 15th

Abstract Futures Tarot by Hilma's GhostHow can I be more open to clearly communicating my needs to others?

Find common ground (Three of Pentacles) and take your time (Temperance) to use your tools most effectively (The Magician).

Don’t go overboard. You don’t need to wax poetic to get your point across and doing so often can feel like “too much”.  This isn’t saying that you’re asking too much, but more that you need to find ways to communicate your needs so that -they- understand them better.  Speak their language instead of your own.

How can saying no (setting boundaries) be an act of love to myself?
Queen of Wands and Two of Cups

Tough love is still love, and it opens you up to things more aligned with your personal vision and values by removing avoidable obstacles.

DECK USED: ABSTRACT FUTURES TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had play time with Gid today.  I had been feeling a lot of tension in my gut, and the play time has helped untie those knots.  I feel better now.

Family and Friends

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Meowholic TarotToday’s draw is the Three of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of togetherness, revelry, celebration, and the bonds of friendship.

A few days ago, I had a reading that focused on what I need to work on balancing in my life for a positive year.  In that reading, it indicated that I needed to balance a greater sense of motivation with more focus on enjoying quality family connections.

The Three of Cups in this deck reminds me of that reading, and of how the reading indicated that the motivation would take care of itself down the road as long as I started out with focusing on the family and friends aspect of my life first.

The thing is? Family and friends make life better. Sometimes? It can be hard to let ourselves make time for them or focus on them when there’s so much else going on in our lives. But, as that reading indicated, and as I’m reminded now? In giving them that time, we receive in return the energy and motivation to do more and be better.

DECK USED:  MEOWHOLIC TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot Wheel of 22 Challenge Prompt
Questions for January 14th through 16th

Meowholic TarotSomething I should avoid or try to focus on less this year.

Judgement and Five of Cups – Don’t judge yourself so harshly for your down times and moments when you fall back into pessimism. It isn’t a failure, and it isn’t a setback. It’s just moving at your own pace. The pace you go at should be the one that is happy and healthy for you… not whatever expectations you set for yourself to set yourself up for failure.

How can I best move past problems as they arise in 2022?

Page of Pentacles and The Hanged Man – With a thorough and methodical effort to see things from a different perspective.  Patience is important.  There’s no rush to get through things or solve problems quickly, so don’t put that extra pressure on yourself.  Instead, take time to really explore the issue from all angles and find the best solution instead of the quickest one.

What am I to remind myself of when times get rough this year?

Page of Swords and The Chariot Rx – Slow down and look closer. Lean into logic and find a better way.

DECK USED: MEOWHOLIC TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap, which was amazing.

Carefree Moments Allowed

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was

Ask the Witch TarotToday’s draw is The Fool, which is traditionally a representation of new beginnings, naivety, an adventurous perspective, and not looking before you leap.

The Fool in this card… is a mess. They go about their way with great enthusiasm and a good dose of obliviousness, with a missing shoe, tattered clothes, and their eyes firmly closed. Ignorance is bliss, and like a drunkard can fall without getting hurt…. so too can the oblivious fool pull through unscathed. Well, at least most of the time.

The card here is a reminder to have fun and not worry quite so much about sequences when doing so. As a recent reading can contest, I have a hard time throwing caution to the wind and letting my inner child free to frolic and explore.  Today’s card is a reminder that it’s okay to play and there is a certain amount of protection that comes in the joy and enjoyment you can find in these type of blissful moments and pursuits.

DECK USED:  ASK THE WITCH TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2022 Challenge Prompt
Question: Pull your most favorite and least favorite cards from your deck, and explain why you feel that way.

Rider Wait Tarot - The Hanged Man and TemperanceMost Favorite – The Hanged Man – I connect strongly with the Hanged Man and always have. When I was ten years old, a family friend did a 78-card life-path reading for me, and the Hanged Man turned up as the significator card (not chosen, but drawn) at the center of that reading. When she did the reading again ten years later, it did so again, and then a third time yet again when she did the reading for me when I turned thirty. Clearly, this is my card, and although when I was younger I wasn’t always thrilled about it, I’ve come to develop a deep connection with it.

The Hanged Man is a reminder that no matter what trials in life may come my way, there is always something to be gained… some boon to be found. Even if I have to sit with it a while to find its value. It reminds me to pause and look at things from more than my own perspective, and to strive for a more rounded view of the world and those in it.

Least Favorite – Temperance – A huge majority of the time that Temperance shows up in a reading for me? It’s telling me that I need more moderation in my life. I have an addictive tendency and am proof something does -not- need to be a narcotic to become addictive. Anything (yes, absolutely anything) that feels good in one way or another can become addictive.

Temperance shows up to help remind me to stay on the straight and narrow and not fall into the traps of addiction. This can often be a huge struggle of constant diligence for me, and and there are times when Temperance can begin to feel like the nag that is constantly reminding me to do better and more diligent in this area. (Not to mention there to kick me in the ass when I slip up).

DECK USED: RIDER WAITE TAROT

GroundedInMagic’s #Lovers2022TarotChallenge Challenge Prompt
Question: What beliefs or values will I fiercely defend?

Ask the Witch TarotSo… I have to precursor this by saying that there are a -lot- of beliefs and values I will fiercely defend.  I could have pulled two values… four… eight… even more, and had plenty to share.  I chose to pull for two.

Page of Wands and The Fool – The creative spark. Look how the Fool leaps towards the Page of Wands.  All bright energy and enthusiasm, blind trust and eagerness. This is about enthusiasm, and personal inspiration.  It’s about having the freedom to go after one’s interests.  It’s about learning new things, exploring, and finding excitement in the pursuit of what makes you light up on the inside.

The Hermit – Independence… and the importance of knowing oneself, and being honest with oneself. I am fiercely independent.  Even as Gideon’s submissive, I have boundaries in place that protect and defend that independence.

I am also a fierce advocate of being honest with oneself.  Knowing yourself is important, for unless you are willing to look at yourself with truth and honesty, see the bad parts of yourself and accept them… how can you grow?  It is only through acknowledging when someone is wrong that you can then work on it and improve… and become better than you are in the present.

DECK USED: ASK THE WITCH TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had chocolate truffles from Fran’s Chocolates.  So good.

Success Lives Outside the Box

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Crimson Eye TarotToday’s draw is The Hierophant Rx atop the Death card. Traditionally, the Hierophant is about tradition, learning the old ways, and knowledge that is passed down overtime from one generation to the next. Reversed, this card often means there is a need to break free of tradition and think outside the box.

The Death card is traditionally a representation of organic change that happens over time. It’s the type of change that develops slowly and can often be seen coming, even if we decide to ignore it instead of face it head on.

I don’t usually take two cards for my card of the day pull, but when these landed on the table they did so definitively and it felt right. And so… here we are.

Today’s pull is about rearranging my living room in order to get shelves put up in the summer. It’s something that I have been thinking about quite a lot over the last week as I plot and plan what I want to do, and have been planning in the back of my mind for the last couple of years.

These cards are an indication that I need to think outside the box in concern to how to get my plans to work. Most specifically, the fact that I want to put the TV over the fireplace, which will take a bit of planning and brainstorming if there are no studs behind that wall as I suspect is the case.

Today’s cards are a reminder that these changes are possible, but they’re going to take a bit of ingenuity, new perspectives, and outside the box ideas in order to accomplish.

DECK USED:  CRIMSON EYE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2022 Challenge Prompt
Question: Are all emotions irrational?

Intuitive Night Goddess TarotReading Summary: True emotion is born in the heart (Ace of Cups), and does not come from the head (The Sun). This means that by their very nature emotions are not logical, as the heart is a mystery (The Mystic).

Take Away: We can use our head to puzzle out emotions and make them look rational and logical, but that is not how the heart works. In this way, emotions are always irrational, even if our brains are able to rationalize them after the emerge.

DECK USED: INTUITIVE NIGHT GODDESS TAROT

Personal Inquiry (Not a Challenge Prompt) in Relation to Today’s COTD
Question: Will the “TV above the fireplace” thing work out?

Crimson Eye TarotReading Summary: Collaborate with (Three of Pentacles) people that have been doing this for a long ass time (The Hierophant) and you will be happy with the end results (Ten of Cups).

Take Away:  I’m in the process of looking for a carpenter to help me in this part of the transition process.  These cards indicate that I’m on the right track, and to not try doing this by myself, but seek out help from a professional to make sure it gets done right.

DECK USED:  CRIMSON EYE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took some time to read through and think over this info-graphic by Persephone’s Sister today. She has a point and it feeds into the fact that I have a habit of “putting off” the day-to-day self care tasks far too often and waiting until I need them instead of doing them regularly in order to prevent reaching that point in the first place. It was a new perspective on this problem that I struggle with that I think might help, in the end, with me getting on track with doing more regular self care practices.

Crisis Control vs Self-Care by Persephone's Sister