#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge

No Need To Rush Forward

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Today’s meditation was supposed to be about twelve minutes long, but it got cut short a few minutes when the housekeeper showed up early.  Still, the portion of it that I did was nice, and did seem to help my anxiety a bit as well.

Terato Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Two of Fire (Wands), which is traditionally a representation of making future plans and plotting a direction forward, including all the decisions and work involved in plotting for progress.

I spend a lot of time focused on self care and self improvement. On becoming a better person, and healing old wounds.  These endeavors often feel like they need some type of planning and plotting of a course of action, regardless of the fact that my cards often remind me that they will happen at their own pace in their own time.

And that, right there, is the message in today’s cards.

Not everything needs to be planned out to the letter, nor is holding expectations on how long things should take or how far you should be able to go in a set amount of time help in these types of journeys.

It’s okay to savor where you are now and let the future take care of itself.  It’s okay to release expectations and let things develop at their own pace. As much as we want to heal and improve? We don’t have to push this endeavor. These things will work themselves out with only a bit of focus on your part… no detailed plans required.

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

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for September 20th and 21st

Lauren Marx Art Card and Black Lilly TarotWhat do you need to focus on for self-care for this full moon?

Connecting with the central image, there is decay in the Wheel of Fortune, renewal in the Seven of Cups, and deception in the Five of Swords.

Make sure you are taking care of to pay close attention to those around you and what their motivations might be. Not everything is as innocent as it might it first appear.

Transitions are happening at a quicker rate now that you are closer to the end of the month. Make the choices that begin to move you forward into the new “world order” of the busy season ahead. Doing this in a healthy way will help balance out the sense of unpredictability that is eating at your confidence, and allow you to retain the growth you’ve accomplished this year as you move forward.

What lessons can Libra season (beginning on the 22nd) teach you this year?

Connecting with the central image, there is a raw unraveling within the Four of Cups Rx. The Ten of Cups and Strength cards are threaded through with potential, while the Six of Wands connects with rampant growth.

Libra season wants to teach you to not be so hard on yourself when it comes to the things you’re unable to accomplish. Instead, you need to keep your focus placed upon where you want to go and what’s going to make you happiest in the long run. Celebrate your accomplishments instead of punishing yourself for your failures.

DECK USED: LAUREN MARX ART CARDS AND BLACK LILLY TAROT

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt for the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for September 19th and 22nd

Terato TarotHow do I choose hope over fear?

Justice – Keep in mind that life is about balance. That means that “leveling out” is the key factor that drives most of life’s experiences. Everything balances out in the end, but you can help it to do so by staying positive instead of letting your pessimistic qualities take hold and become self fulfilling prophecy.

Can I put myself first?

Three of Earth – Not without help from others. This is something you are still learning to do, and others in your sphere are helping with the process.  You’re not at the point yet where you’re able to naturally move in that direction on your own.

Can I accept myself – even my faults?

Page of Air – Your brain works in a very logical manner. Accepting yourself (faults and all) is going to be a mental exercise, not an emotional one. It’s through logic and reason that you will be able to find the acceptance of those faults.  By picking them apart (instead of punishing yourself for them) you can understand that they are a natural part of who you are… and a natural part of being human.

Do I feel I deserve…

Love – Seven of Water – Sometimes. This is constantly in flux depending on what is going on with you at the time.

Compassion – The Empress – Yes. Everyone deserves compassion, even you. This is something that you naturally offer to others, and expect without question in return from others.

Empathy – Nine of Swords – No. in fact you expect to be judged harshly.

DECK USED: TERATO TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Today was an orders day, but I managed to lie down for an hour or so after the housekeeper left and take a little nap. It was very much needed.

Right, Wrong, Ethics, and Wiggle Room

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Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was the second installment of the Foundations III series on the Balance app.

Today’s meditation focused on one of my favorite types of meditation; the body scan or yoga nidra method.

The Wandering Star Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Justice card, which is traditionally a representation of the cause-and-effect aspects of balance, and can also represent the law and judicial system.

I don’t know about anyone else, but sometimes I have a somewhat cavalier few of social norms and… even laws. It isn’t that I don’t know what the expectations are, it’s that I disagree with them.  This has never resulted in legal jeopardy, but it can cause social tensions from time to time.

The thing is?  Even though I don’t always agree with how things are expected to be by society, I have my own ethics, my own sense of right and wrong, and a very highly tuned moral compass.

At these times, I often worry that my views will cause adverse reactions and repercussions. And, admittedly, sometimes they do.  Today’s cards are a reminder to look at your own moral compass, your own ethics, and your own sense of right and wrong. How are they working for you?  Are there tweaks that need to be made or are you happy with how things are going?

DECK USED:  THE WANDERING STAR TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheSeptemberTarot Rise and Fall Prompt
Questions for September 19th thru 21st

Copper Rabbit Oracle and Soulful TarotWhere or in what way shouldn’t I be too hard on myself?
Woodsman and Ten of Wands

You can’t help everyone, as you can only take on so much. Don’t be hard on yourself because you have to pick and choose what you decide to tackle and what you decide to leave behind. We all have to do it, and you already give more of yourself than you realize.

Something that could benefit from a little more focus.
Test and Nine of Cups

Keep yourself focused on “the good stuff”. This includes working on keeping a positive outlook, as well as taking time to really appreciate all that you have.

A personal strength that can help/support me right now.
Dark Forest and Knight of Cups

The deep forest and liminal spaces there are waiting for you. Get your ass outside and draw upon the energy, balance, and grounding you need from those sources that you connect to so well.

DECK USED: COPPER RABBIT ORACLE AND SOULFUL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread 1
Question: How can I best navigate the transition from my current mindset and energies into those of the holiday rush to come?

The Wandering Star TarotReading Summary: Daylight connects the Strength and Eight of Pentacles together, speaking of what is already revealed through previous experiences.

Your experience in having done this transition many times in the past (Eight of Pentacles) has provided you with the knowledge, strength, and innate know-how to make it through it again this year (Strength).

Dark borders surrounding the imagery connect the Strength card to The Fool, speaking of the secret ingredient yet to be added.

To transition in a healthier manner (Strength), you need to instill a mindset of adventure into the process (The Fool).

Take Away: I’ve received this answer before for similar questions based around enjoying the holiday rush more.  The key is to work at making the holiday rush feel like an adventure instead of a trial and a chore.  It’s only if I am able to instill a bit of fun and adventure into the process that I’ll be able to find joy in the chaos of the busy season to come.

DECK USED: THE WANDERING STAR TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Well, impromptu nap aside, I also managed to have both my smoothie and my tea, as well as all my vitamins today. First time in a while.

It’s Your Path, Not Theirs

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Today’s meditation was… yes, you guessed it.  Skipped again.  No reason or excuses.  I slept in late and I just didn’t do it when I finally got my ass up.

The New Immortal Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Lovers card, which is traditionally a representation of love, unions, and making the choices that are right, good, and healthy for you.

Here in this card we see some funky people being their groovy selves, and this fits well with the Thera-Pets card for today, which is all about individuality and uniqueness.

These cards call us to reflect upon our decision making choices. When we are making decisions about our lives, are we making the choices that are right for us? Or are we making harmful decisions simply because of the influences of others.

Whether these influences are peer pressure, familial expectations, or some other push for you to choose a course that’s not right for you personally, today’s cards are an encouragement to identify these influences and ask yourself if there isn’t a better, healthier way.

DECK USED:  THE NEW IMMORTAL TAROT AND YHERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

BekahMurphysMagic’s #IntuitiveHealingTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for September 17th thru 20th

Tarot de Marseille of the New IncarnationHow can I connect with my Higher Self to enhance my intuition?

10 de Baton atop 8 de Baton – Don’t. Doing so at this point will be overwhelming for you. You need to allow your intuition to grow and develop at its own pace instead of pushing it forward.

How can I connect with my Shadow Self to enhance my intuition?

Ace de Baton – This card is saying “hey dumbass! You saw that previous warning, right?” While also indicating that if you really want to ignore the previous card’s advice, in order to connect more strongly with your intuition through shadow work, it’s going to take a great deal of commitment to the cause.

This is fire and determination that you will have to take from somewhere else, as it would be a new separate endeavor from your current goals.

What inner child wound do I need to heal to enhance my intuition?

2 de Baton atop 7 d’Epee – Don’t fool yourself into thinking this is a good plan right now. The soil is not fertile.

The cards are very much against this avenue of self-development at this time, no matter which direction you might try to come at it from.

What challenges do I face in healing?

La Papessa atop Roi d’Epee – It is through your intuition that you are guided in your healing journey. Don’t allow yourself to think that strategy and logic are leading the way.

DECK USED: TAROT DE MARSEILLE OF THE NEW INCARNATION

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for September 18th

Tulku Oracle and The New Immortal TarotYou – Chakra Mandala and Nine of Pentacles – At this time you are working at giving yourself a healthy balance between all of the different aspects of life. Leaning heavily into a gratitude mindset, you are working to appreciate the present more instead of constantly pushing towards the future.

Your Annoyance – Anahatha Mandala and Nine of Cups – Being emotionally open and vulnerable is exhausting.

What To Do About It – Deer and Three of Cups – Keep going. Lean on those in your trusted circle, but keep going. It won’t be exhausting forever, and in time you will recover both your energy and your sense of exhilaration.

DECK USED: TÜLKU ORACLE AND THE NEW IMMORTAL TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’ve finally accepted that I’m probably fighting off a cold or something.  I’ve been really tired lately, more so than normal, and I think that it’s caused by this immune response.  I’ve decided to accept that I need the rest instead of keeping on being hard on myself about it.

Self-Flagellation Doesn’t Help

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped again. I overslept.  I’ve been sleeping a bit more than usual lately and apparently I needed it, but it meant that I got a late start on my day and on the drive to the post office.

L'Œil de L'Âme Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Witch of Pentacles (Knight of Pentacles), which is traditionally a representation of focusing on long term goals and moving towards them at a moderate pace, hard work, and working under an established routine.

I often associate the Knight of Pentacles with a lack of speed. This isn’t always a bad thing, for sometimes when we are reaching for our goals, it’s important to take our time. And there are times that it’s not just important to take our time, but that we are forced to through one circumstance or another.

It’s not healthy to berate and otherwise beat yourself up for this slower pace.  Necessary or not, it’s okay to go slow now and then. It’s okay for things to take time.

Today’s cards are a personal message to me to remind me of this. They are saying, “So you’re running late… Who cares, it’s okay. just keep going, and do what you can to mitigate the issue. Don’t beat yourself up over it. There’s no point. And it just makes you feel like crap.”

DECK USED: L’ŒIL DE L’ÂME TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt for the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions through September 16th thru 18th

Messengers of the Great Bear Oracle and the Transient Light TarotHow can I silence my inner critic?

Jellyfish and The Wheel – Come to terms with the fact that you are perfectly imperfect, just like everyone else. Sometimes you’re gonna do things aren’t right and sometimes you’re gonna do things wrong, and that’s just the way it is. In fact, that’s the way it supposed to be.

What needs to be different in my life?

Dragonfly and The World – You need to work on instilling more mindfulness into your practice and into your life. More presence within the world around you, and a greater awareness outside of yourself.

How can I love myself more?

Crow and The Lovers – Work on making better choices that help in integrating with your shadow and resolving inner wounds, rather than shutting these things down or pushing them away.

DECK USED: MESSENGERS FROM THE GREAT BEAR ORACLE AND TRANSIENT LIGHT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for September 17

L'Œil de L'Âme TarotYour Addiction – The Magician and The Sun – Having the ability and autonomy to go after whatever it is that lights me up and makes me happy whenever I want.

This freedom to seek out pleasure as I see fit has made it harder for me to do the things that I don’t like doing, because I’m so focused on what feels good and what I enjoy that I am increasingly more reluctant to focusing on those other things.

How to Introduce Moderation – Ace of Swords atop Nine of Swords, The Star – You need to work on developing some new boundaries for yourself, while keeping a positive and uplifting outlook during the time needed to do the things that you don’t enjoy all that much.

I spoke with my shrink about this last Wednesday.  It’s about setting down parameters for things that are a must to do, period.  Like feeding the cat.  No matter what, every single day I get up and feed the cat.  I have to, because the cat has to eat. Other things, such as my smoothie, my tea, and possibly also my meditation, need to be looked at in a similar way.  They aren’t things you do because you enjoy them, but things that are simply a necessary part of your day’s structure and can’t be skipped.

DECK USED:  L’ŒIL DE L’ÂME TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I packed myself an extra lunch today for my trip, so that I’d have plenty of food with me and wouldn’t have to stop and spend money to eat somewhere along the way.  I also took a nap once I got home.

Indecision Isn’t a Sin

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Today’s meditation was skipped because it was an orders day but also… it was a holy goddamned 146 orders to be processed and packaged. So yeah.  A lot. No time for anything much besides work.

CW Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Lovers card, which is traditionally a representation of love, unions, and the making of decisions that are right and healthy for you.

The imagery here in this card is very Marsielle inspired with the man who must choose between two women.  In the Marseille tarot, these women are often depicted as a love interest and a mother figure, in that age old tug of war that happens in familial relationships.

The thing is? There are a lot of times when making healthy choices isn’t so easy. There’s a lot of different influences out there, a lot of push and pull, and sometimes? A lot of indecision clouding our own judgement.  It’s not always easy to know what’s the healthiest option, and it can be hard not to punish ourselves for not knowing which choice is the right choice and being more decisive.

The cards today are a reminder to be kind to yourself, even if you think that you should be able to decide right away.  Even if you feel you should be hard on yourself about your indecision or struggles.   Don’t.  Be kind to yourself and be patient with yourself, and accept that doing the best you can is all that should be expected… and you’re already doing it.

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

Mr Lionharts’ #TheSeptemberTarot Rise and Fall Prompt
Questions for 16th thru 18th

Tarot Astrologique Oracle and Cursed Auguries TarotLooking back to my 2021 so far, what can I be proud of?

Balance and Knight of Wands – You’ve done really well at finding a balance between that all consuming passion to push forward and do more and create more, and your personal needs for self-care and growth.

Something I should give myself more credit for.

Verseau, The Hierophant atop Ace of Swords – You are doing really well at learning to communicate more openly with others and, as a result, connect with them more easily. This, in turn, has made the prospect of communicating with others less daunting and more enjoyable.

How can I build on my earlier achievements of this year?

Germeaux and Five of Cups – Don’t look at asking for help as a failure or something abhorrent. Connecting with others and allowing them to help you will then allow you to foster the growth that you have made thus far this year, and keep it healthy and strong during the overwhelming busy season ahead.

DECK USED: TAROT ASTROLOGIQUE ORACLE AND CURSED AUGURIES TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: What is humanity’s biggest accomplishment?

CW TarotReading Summary: Communication. Intellect. (Ace of Swords)

This then created the ability for humanity to develop the skills needed (Eight of Pentacles) to foster each other as well as support the greater good (The Empress), even when we don’t always agree on the methods (Seven of Swords).

Take Away: Community.  This boils down to creating a community and functioning society.

Yes, society has its flaws, but at the same time, it’s what supports humanity through the generations.  The communities and society that we have developed and built allows us to support and help each other, grow as individuals and as  a group, and gives us the ability to network and connect, expanding our horizons as a result.

DECK USED: WS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I set up my phone to remind me to eat every three hours and made sure that I didn’t skip any of the alerts.

Rising to the Challenge

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped because I laid down “for a few minutes” and then… slept for three hours.  Way more than I meant to lie down for.

Ophidia Rosa Botanical Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Five of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of conflict, struggles, trials, and tests in the area of ones intellect, education, ambitions, and communication.

Right now I am struggling with my ambition, and with turning my slow summer mind and vacation longing heart around into the powerhouse of innovation and entrepreneurial oomph that is needed to not just catch up from my break last week, but also begin prepping for the holiday rush to come.

I think that we all struggle with changing gears sometimes, and with “rising to the challenges” set out before us. Today’s message in these cards is that it’s natural and normal to find yourself struggling to drum up that oomph now and then, but instead of giving in, it’s important to keep trying.

DECK USED:  OPHIDIA ROSA BOTANICAL TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic:  Draw or write something free-form inspired by the card(s).

Intuitive TarotThere was once a brutal king who had a young son. They clashed often due to the king’s sharp tongue and quick temper (King of Swords Rx), which always seemed to ignite whenever confronted with his son’s more cautious and thoughtful ways (Page of Discs).

The boy took the abuse from his father’s cruelty again and again, even as he took to heart encouragement from the queen (Queen of Wands) to learn to fight well and defend himself (Nine of Wands).

This went on for many years, with the queen always encouraging the boy to train harder and stand up for himself, and the boy never utilizing what he had been taught.

Then one day the king discovered the queen’s encouragement, and saw it as a betrayal.  The king went after the queen with his sharp tongue and cruelty, and where the boy had not been comfortable using what he had learned to defend himself (Nine of Wands Rx), he immediately leapt into action to protect his mother and queen (Nine of Wands). The king was defeated by the son, and all in the realm that had lived in misery under the cruel king’s rule rejoiced as the queen settled into her rightful place as ruler of the realm.

DECK USED: INTUITIVE TAROT

BekahMurphysMagic’s #IntuitiveHealingTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for September 15th and 16th

The Pulp of Tarot Expansion Set and Ophidia Rosa Botanical TarotHow can I better use my intuition to enhance my manifestations?
Maat’s Scales, Joker, Wheel of Fortune, Nine of Swords

When you are stressed and the world feels chaotic, you have no inspiration to create anything. At these times, instead of allowing your anxiety to have free reign as the world turns upside down and life feels unpredictable, reach for that highly tuned moral compass to lead you.

Using your inner compass as an anchor will allow for a calmer outlook, and give you the space you need to create, manifest, and otherwise draw ideas into reality more easily.

How can I better understand my intuition?
Druid, The Apple, Death, Strength

Stay grounded and attuned to the earth as you move through the changes that life throws at you. Be aware of where your strengths lie in this area, and use them to your advantage.

You have a strong connection with your intuition, and how it speaks to you through your body. Lean into that and work at getting more time in and among the liminal spaces that draw you so strongly, as they enhance the strength of your intuition’s “voice”.

DECK USED: THE PULP OF TAROT EXPANSION CARD PACKS AND OPHIDIA ROSA BOTANICAL TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had an appointment with my shrink today.  It actually wasn’t too bad and I felt like she gave me some good feedback.  That felt pretty good overall.   I also worked to get as much of the orders done today as possible so that tomorrow will be less stressful.