#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge

You’ll Get There

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Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was the fifth installment of the Foundations III series on the Balance app. It was a continuation of the Yoga Nidra technique, which I’ve mentioned before is a favorite of mine.  I’m not noticing a lot of difference between the different installments in this particular technique, but I don’t really mind since I enjoy the body scans.

Tarocco dell'Orror? and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Four of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of dejection, refusal of assistance, contemplative moments, meditation, and feelings of apathy.

Sometimes feelings of apathy come from anxiety.  You stress and worry and over time you feel this sense of disconnect because you just feel like it’s too much.  This is how it happens with me sometimes.  It gets to be too much and I shut down as a defense mechanism.

The problem is, in this “shut down” space? It’s so easy to fall into negativity and pessimistic habits.  It’s so easy to say “this shit just isn’t going to work” and decide to give up and not even try.  This can be especially the case when you feel like the world is trying to beat you down or is picking on you.

Today’s cards are a reminder to not let those feelings win.  To remember that this is temporary, whatever “this” actually may be.  The feelings, the situation, the problem, the trials… it’s temporary.  And you -will- get through it.

DECK USED:  TAROCCO DELL’ORROR? AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

PatriciaWestonWitch’s #wwpwHalloweenLenormand Prompt
Questions for October 1st and 2nd

Night Visions Oracle and Halloween Postcards TarotWhat do I need to sweep out of my life?
Curiosity and Temperance

Now is a time to let your curiosity and eagerness for life to flourish. Sweep away the hesitation and moderation in this area of your life, and let in all the wonder around you to dazzle and spark interest and energy in your life.

What message have my spirit guides for me today?
Temptation atop Message, The Lovers atop The Hierophant

An opportunity to learn something new is coming, and you’ll be very tempted to take them up on the offer when it arrives.

Make sure that you remember not to fill your plate too full and make yourself unhealthy as a result. As tempting as the offer is, consider if it is worth a decline in health and happiness to take that opportunity offered, or if it wouldn’t be better to set it aside and see if it comes back around for you again at a better time in your life.

DECK USED: HALLOWEEN POSTCARDS TAROT

The #EmbraceYourAlterEgo2021 Challenge for Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for October 1st thru 4th

Tarocco dell'Orror?Who am I?

Four of Coins atop Five of Cups – A pessimist with a fixation on stability and security.

Who is My Alter Ego?

King of Wands atop Six of Wands – Someone constantly driven forward by their passions and willing to lead the way to new and innovative ideas, but requires feedback from others to feel complete.

How do I see myself?

The Hermit atop Queen of Coins atop Seven of Wands – A champion of my own principles and values, with a heavy focus that is based on earthly delights and getting out alone in nature for restoration and replenishment.

How does my Alter Ego see themselves?

Page of Wands – Innovative and imaginative, with tons of great ideas to explore and new things to learn.

DECK USED: TAROCCO DELL’ORROR?

Daily Self Kindness

I let myself skip catching up on blog posts and played with Gideon and a friend in interactive storytelling RP instead.

Lowering Expectations

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Today’s meditation was skipped again cuz I overslept just a bit so I didn’t get on the road as early as I wanted to. I probably could have benefited from a bit of meditation tho before driving. I’ll remember that for next time.  That extra fifteen minutes in the house might be worth it if it helps my stress levels on the road.

Tarot Noir and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Five of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of financial disparity, scarcity issues, and other struggles, strife, trials, and tests in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, home, and manifestations.

The Thera-Pets card combined with the Five of Coins is all about doing what you can… and not pushing for more.  This is something that I had to learn financially last year, when the pandemic first hit and I lost all of my jobs except one.  I went from five part-time jobs and a thriving home business… to one part-time job and a home business that was doing well, but not growing as it had previously.  (Hard to grow a business selling pretty things when people don’t have money to buy pretty things, yeah?)

I had to make adjustments.  I had to lower my mortgage payment, and I had to lower my expectations of how long it would be before I could pay off my place.  I had to make spending adjustments, and shift the priorities concerning where money went, where I spent my money, and what got paid.

This was hugely stressful, and something that a lot of people went through when the pandemic hit. Unlike many people, I didn’t qualify for financial assistance.  I had to accept that… I’m not going to be able to do everything I wanted to do in the time table that I wanted to get it done in.   And that I could only do… what I can do.

Lowering expectations, especially expectations we place on ourselves is hard.  But no harder than the beating we give ourselves by keeping those expectations high and missing the mark.  So the message in today’s cards?  Make sure that your expectations that you set for yourself are realistic, then knock them back just a notch more, because they aren’t realistic and they aren’t reasonable, even if you think they are.

DECK USED:  TAROT NOIR AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonoftheWitchChallenge Prompt
Questions for October 1st and 2nd

Creepy TarotAs above, so below, what will Samhain reap…

The closer you get to Samhain, the faster things are going to move, and the more control you’re going to be exerting (The Chariot) on making sure the things that you want to get done to be carried forward are getting done (Seven of Wands).

With a holiday rush right around the corner at this time, what we see here is a pick up in speed and the tenacity to plow through obstacles that might be in the way.

or sow?

Togetherness and teamwork with a jovial tone (Three of Cups) towards the goals we’ve set out as the three of us prepare and adjust for (Page of Wands) what will come in the days after Samhain.

Not more than a week after Samhain, the holiday rush will begin. As L, Z, and I slip in to the last minute preparation for the holiday rush, togetherness will be a key element in those preparations.

From today until Samhain, show me how it will begin.

Controlled chaos (King of Wands and Wheel of Fortune), and confidence (The Magician).

Over the month, these are the elements in life that will begin to pick up speed and strength. As more energy is poured into them, they will grow in strength and purpose.

DECK USED: CREEPY TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 1st and 2nd

Tarot NoirWhat is my relationship with my ancestors / ancestry at this time?

Nine of Coins atop Seven of Coins – You haven’t been given any real opportunity to explore your ancestry and ancestors. You’ve not really found this to be a hardship thus far, although there have been times your curiosity has been piqued.

That said, you have a good deal of skill in divination techniques that you’ve developed over a long period of time. Although there are many different avenues of exploration available, you’re happy to contact your ancestors through divination work, and be content with this method.

How can I improve my relationship with my ancestors?

Nine of Wands atop Le Diable – Use your addiction to your advantage in this area, but make sure that you’re setting up good boundaries in order to protect yourself and what you hold dear.

This is an encouragement to keep going with your efforts to contact and communicate with your ancestors through divination, and most specifically, the cards. But they are also a reminder that you need to make sure you have protections in place while doing so.

DECK USED: TAROT NOIR

Daily Self Kindness

I gave myself credit for doing a good job on my paperwork perfectly today when I went over the border and came back. Some of the paperwork is quite complicated and can be hard to get right, but I nailed it on the first try!

Don’t Skip It

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Today’s meditation was skipped today as it was an orders day.

Cult of Weimer Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Lovers card, which is traditionally a representation of love, marriage, successful unions, and (as is often the case for me in readings) making healthy choices aligned with what you want in life.

I have a hard time with self care sometimes.  I just do.  It’s linked into my self destructive tendencies, I’m pretty sure.  There are just times when anything that is self care oriented sounds absolutely horribly miserable.  This includes exercise, meditation, morning smoothies, going outside for fresh air, physiotherapy for my mobility, working with my plants on the balcony… even eating or showering.

These are all things that are necessary to a healthy me, and yet… things I sometimes struggle with them regardless of that fact. Making healthy choices for myself (which means doing these things that are simple and easy and yet feel so horribly unpleasant during those times) is extremely important and yet can become monumentally difficult at times due to this.

And, today is one of those days.  Today’s cards are a reminder that need to do these things even when I don’t wanna.  That I can do it, that it’s not as horrible or monumental as it feels like it is… and that I need need to not let that dark cloud of “meh” convince me to skip it.

DECK USED:  CULT OF WEIMAR TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Grab a spread that you’ve been curious about and give it a go!

Noisy Museum Tarot

1 What part of me has been yearning to “get messy”?

Seven of Swords – The strategist is tired.

You know, I never really thought much about this before, but there’s some validity to that phrase. I plan and plot, I scheme and strategize… it is a constant cycle of weights and measures in my mind as I seek how to get the most out of every situation. How to make the most out of my time and energy.

What would it look like to not be constantly conniving and strategizing my life like this?

2 Why have I been censoring or editing myself?

Page of Swords Rx – I want to be kinder. I want to be a better person than the narrative in my head. This requires making sure I don’t spout off with answers or commentary without examining what I am going to say first in order to avoid being insensitive or worse. I don’t really consider this to be a bad thing.

3 Where/how did I learn that it’s not ok to be imperfect?

Two of Pentacles atop Nine of Cups – When I learned that not meeting the expectations of authority figures have consequences that imbalance myself and my life, turning everything on its ear.  Namely, this is a lesson that my parents taught me. I was such a disappointment to them in so many different ways that I didn’t have any control  over (sexuality, interests, etc), that I tried really hard to satisfy them in other ways in which I did have control over (perfectionism).

4 How can I release the tendency to self-censor?

Six of Cups – I am not my father. I need to leave those dark clouds from my past where they belong… in the past.  It’s possible to have learned the lessons needed from these experiences and carry those lessons forward with you into the present without carrying those dark clouds with you as well.

5 How would creating more of a joyful “mess” benefit me?

The Architect (The Magician) – It would provide me with a new set of skills and tools to navigate life with. By being overly rigid, I am cutting myself off from these additional skills.

6 How can I get messy (i.e., let my hair down, color outside the lines, play like a child, etc) today?

The Moon Rx atop Five of Cups – Don’t allow uncertainty to steal away your enthusiasm.

DECK USED: NOISY MUSEUM TAROT

BekahMurphysMagic’s #IntuitiveHealingTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for September 29th and 30th

Cult of Weimer TarotHow can I become more confident in my intuitive abilities?

Lean into optimism (The Sun), and ensure that you are making choices that keep your emotions (Seven of Cups) in balance with everything else going on in your life (Two of Pentacles).

Neglecting your emotional balance in deference to other goals and endeavors will damage your confidence on many levels, including how you interpret messages from your intuition. So, too, will allowing yourself to sink into a negative mindset.

What have I learned from healing and connecting with my intuition this month?

To stand back and take a breath (Five of Wands Rx). Success (Ace of Pentacles) doesn’t always necessarily require a forward leap (Ten of Cups).

This challenge was a reminder of how developed my intuition already is, and that sometimes it can be harmful to continually push to advance without taking time to sink into the growth I’ve already accomplished.

DECK USED: CULT OF WEIMAR TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I forgot to type in what I did for myself today but considering my struggles with self care today, I think the fact that I had a smoothie with spinach added in is pretty damned good.

Exchange Rates

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Today’s meditation was about ten minutes long and was a self-guided meditation using breathing exercises while doing piriformis stretches and trying to ease some of the tension in my back.

Tarot of the Thousand and One Nights and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Six of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of the give and take of generosity and charity, and at times can also represent the hidden (and possibly nefarious) expectations of someone feigning altruism for their own ends.

I very much see that last part of the traditional meaning mentioned above in the imagery of this card, in the way that the wealthy individual’s body language leans into the other man. His kindness definitely appears to be expecting something in return.

And that’s where the Thera-Pets card for today steps in.  It is a reminder that not everything has to be give and take. We all deserve kindness and care, love and understanding. We should not have to bargain for them or barter for them. Today’s cards tell us to take a look at the dynamics in our relationships and ensure that they are healthy.  Do you have to pay a price for the love and affection that others should be offering freely? If so, perhaps it’s time to examine your own self worth and figure out why you’ve made this type of exchange as acceptable.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt for the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Question: How do I make time for rest and relaxation… every day?

Tarot by CaroReading Summary: It is a conscious choice (Two of Swords) that you have to make in order to foster (Queen of Wands) your emotional health (Five of Cups).

Take Away: Your emotional health and well-being has been a major focus of the last few years, and being sure that you are making the right choices that further these goals is a part of that process towards better mental health. Sometimes this means making choices between what you truly want to do, and what you need either mentality or emotionally.

DECK USED: TAROT BY CARO

Healer Josephine’s #MindfulImperfectionTarot Prompt
Questions for September 27th thru 29th

Smoke & Roses Oracle and Tarot of the Thousand and One NightsWhat support does my body need in releasing hyper-vigilance and anxiety?
Bluebells atop Orange Lily, Nine of Swords

Stop looking at your body, the damage it has sustained, its limitations, and the chronic pain as an enemy. Be grateful for your mobility and all that you can do instead of looking at the worst case scenario at every turn.

What support does my heart need as I release rigid expectations, impossible standards, and harsh “shoulds”?
Helenium atop Freesia, Ten of Pentacles

Supportive friendships that will provide an ear when I need it are important. These friendships can help you to see see just how much you have in life, and that you don’t have to drive yourself so hard for more all the time, but instead need to spend more time focusing on what you have in the present.

DECK USED: SMOKE & ROSES ORACLE AND TAROT OF THE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS

Daily Self Kindness

I had to cut my deck gathering short today and lie down due to a headache that just kept getting worse and worse, even after taking something for it.  It developed into a migraine and instead of pushing on, I marked the decks still to gather down to get later and laid down for a nap.

Keep Going Anyway

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Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was unguided. Simply me, and some breathing exercises while I did my piriformis stretches.

Meraki Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Death card, which is traditionally a representation of slow, gradual, organic change. This is the kind of change that develops over time, and even when it has a “tipping point” that might take you by surprise, on reflection, you should have seen it coming as it developed.

Although not all change is difficult, for us humans, a lot of it is. We have a tendency to gravitate towards what is familiar and comfortable, latch on to those feelings, and not want to let go. When changes make us confront those tendencies, it can be extremely uncomfortable and even scary.

The Death card combined with the Thera-Pets card for today is a reminder that just because change can (and often is) uncomfortable, it’s also necessary and is often a very good thing.  And that those feelings of fear and discomfort when change comes calling are natural.  Feel them… accept them, just keep going anyway.

DECK USED:  MERAKI TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheSeptemberTarot Rise and Fall Prompt
Questions for September 28th thru 30th

Zombie Diaries Oracle and L'Œil de L'Âme TarotWhat has been a big lesson for me this month?
Meadow and Ace of Wands

There are things that are more important than the pursuit of every new inspiration and creative idea that catches your attention. Playing it safe and giving yourself some down time is not a sin, nor a punishable offense.

What have I established/realized for myself this month?
Petrified Tree and Ten of Pentacles

It’s okay to take your time. It’s okay to savor what you have right now instead of striving ever forward for more. Things that are meant to happen will develop at their own pace. Reaching your goals naturally takes time, and sometimes you discover even better goals along the way.

Where or in what way did I rise above myself this month?
Hibiscus, Ace of Swords Rx atop Guardian of Cups

Lack of communication can lead quickly to defensiveness and anxieties. You did well in ensuring that you reached out to others when you needed to this week instead of keeping everything locked inside… even during times when the act of reaching out stirred up its own uncertainties.

DECK USED: ZOMBIE DIARIES ORACLE AND L’ŒIL DE L’ÂME TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for September 28th and 29th

Meraki TarotGoal – What needs a little more focus and energy to complete before winter?

The Hermit atop Two of Swords – You need to take this time before the harvest season draws to a close to get out in nature as much as possible. You need this time in the forests, bonding with the earth, to help shore up your strength and energy for the busy winter months to come.

Pros – The Star – By spending this time in nature you can benefit from a greater sense of hope and connectivity with the world around you. This is something that increases your stamina for the gauntlet of the holiday rush on the horizon.

Cons – Five of Swords – More time outside means less time inside preparing for battle. Less time spent prepping. And, less stuff finished when the “battle” begins.

Obstacles – Eight of Wands – Your impatience is the biggest obstacle you face when it comes to this goal. You need to accept that there’s only so much you’re going to get done, and that you’ll have to pick and choose your battles instead of trying to do everything.

Solutions – The Empress atop The Hierophant – You’ve been working on learning how to put yourself first and nurture yourself. Don’t forsake those lessons now that it’s crunch time.

DECK USED: MERAKI TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had what I would consider a pretty much ‘did nothing’ day.  I don’t really feel like I accomplished much of anything really other than my cards for the day.

Leaning In

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Today’s meditation was about fifteen minutes long and was an unguided meditation of breathing exercises while I did my piriformis stretching. It was done a bit later than normal because the housekeeper came early and I waited to do my meditation until after she left, but otherwise it was pretty standard and comfortable.

Interim Tarot Beyond Borders and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Star card, which is traditionally a representation of the connection between the different realms of the human experience (spiritual, emotional, mental, physical), as well as of the guidance that can be provided through focusing on hope and optimism.

When you combine the Thera-Pets card with the Star card, what we see as today’s message is all about that sense of optimism and hope.  It’s about working to keep that feeling alive, and consciously focusing on fostering those thoughts in your head.  Especially when you are feeling anxious and worried, dealing with anxiety or experiencing dread.

During these times is the time to really lean in to those efforts toward optimism and hope.  The rest of the time?  That’s just practice. Practice for the really tough times when you really need that hopeful and positive perspective.

DECK USED:  INTERIM TAROT BEYOND BORDERS AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt

Children of Litha TarotCreate – The Chariot atop Four of Coins – Stability. Take control and create stability.

This is less about me, but about helping a friend that I spoke to about an hour after this reading was finished. As often happens for me when doing readings for myself, it gave me the advice that I needed prior to knowing that I needed advice.

Evolve – Temperance – Instill calm where there is chaos.

Again, this is advice given on the situation prior to the needing of advice.  The situation where this advice was needed came into the picture about an hour after this reading was first done. The guidance given helped in preparing me for what I needed to offer my friend in their time of need.

Balance – Nine of Wands and King of Cups – Make sure your boundaries are in place to keep you on steady footing, and talk to Gideon.

Still in preemptive mode as far as advice goes, this also rang true about an hour later. In hearing that I needed to have good boundaries in place, I was able to do this with less thought during my time supporting my friend… and those boundaries in turn helped me help others in this instance. In seeking Gideon out a bit later, I then was able to find the comfort that I personally needed.

This reading is a reminder that sometimes when you do a reading it won’t always ring true in the moment, but that doesn’t mean it won’t.  If given the chance, the cards can and will prepare you for things to come, sometimes without you even realizing they are doing so.

DECK USED: CHILDREN OF LITHA TAROT

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt for the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Question: How can I best express my love for others?

Interim Tarot Beyond BordersReading Summary: Create a sense of security from a position of leadership (King of Pentacles) instead of allowing things to fall (Eight of Wands) into anarchy (Five of Swords).

Take Away: Those around me seek the stability and unflappable assurance of my support.  Although I don’t often realize that I’m offering it, or even notice, they do.  And they feel when I occasionally (if temporarily)  “abdicate the throne”.  By standing strong and being the solid (and predictable) person they know, it keeps conflict to a minimum and puts chaos on hold.

DECK USED:  INTERIM TAROT BEYOND BORDERS

Daily Self Kindness

Yesterday was orders day and I made L get up from her late evening nap and help me package in order to cut the time packaging in half so that I too could go to bed at a decent time.