#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge

Self Worth Is From Within

/ Twist the Leaf / 2 Comments

Today’s meditation was just over eleven minutes long, and was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app combined with an interval timer for my piriformis stretching.

The focus of today’s meditation was about participating in the present instead of being always focused on the past or the future.  It went into the fact that our brains are naturally wired to look behind us and ahead, it’s a survival instinct that evolved and gave us the benefit over the predators that hunted us in ancient times.

It’s not as useful now, though, when we’re trying to enjoy the present, and meditation is one of the ways we work to overcome this echo from long ago.

Earthside Divine Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation TarotToday’s draw is the Strength card, which is traditionally a representation of inner strength and courage, as well as persuasion and manipulation based in one’s compassion.  The lion is truly tamed not through use of the whip, but through the soothing influence in one’s voice. Or… well, sometimes a little bit of both.

The thing is?  We learn this kind of strength through how we relate to the world and how we learn to navigate others.

The message, when combined with the affirmation card for today, is that self worth comes from within.  It’s not something given to us by others, but is a strength we nurture and foster within ourselves.

DECK USED:  EARTHSIDE DIVINE TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Questions for July 9th thru 11th

The Pri8m TarotWhat should I focus on right now to promote some amazing growth in my life?
Ten of Wands and Two of Wands

To promote amazing growth in your life, you need to focus on unburdening yourself of your overwhelm by sorting through your plans and working to figure out which ones to pursue… and which ones to leave behind.

What will this growth look like for me?
Ace of Pentacles and Four of Cups

This growth will look like new opportunities to find inner peace and healing through meditation and reflection. When sorting through those plans, make sure that you’re leaving room for your meditation practice.  To pursue new opportunities, you will need to be centered.

What would help me most right now to amplify this growth?
Seven of Pentacles and The Void

Patience. Remember that anything that you let go of now, it’s possible it will come around again later if it’s meant to be. You’re not losing out on anything important by going slow and letting go of some of those quicker opportunities.

DECK USED: THE PRI8M TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better connect with my inner adolescent?

Earthside Divine TarotReading Summary: Growth is a learning process that sometimes needs guidance (The Hierophant), whether that’s growth in the physical world (Page of Pentacles), or growth in the emotional realm (Page of Cups). Need for this guidance doesn’t mean you can’t be enthusiastic about your growth (Knight of Wands).

Take Away:  To connect better with your inner adolescent, you’ll need to show that enthusiasm towards your growth, and find the guidance you need to make it go smoothly, as you marry your physical world with the new emotional perspectives you are exploring.

DECK USED: EARTHSIDE DIVINE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I got both a nap and play time with Gideon.  I also finished my client readings so that I’m all caught up for my time off.

Be True To You

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was a guided meditation from the Calm app combined with an interval timer for my piriformis stretching.

The focus of today’s meditation was about the differences between sympathy and empathy, and how empathy can draw us closer to others, while sympathy holds others at a distance.

The Fox Tarot Pips Edition and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Judgment card, which is traditionally a representation of… well, judgement.

I’ve mentioned this before, but this used to be the card within the tarot that I struggled with the most. Then, a couple of years ago, I attended a card study where the Justice and Judgement cards were set in a comparative focus. In this study, these cards were presented as Justice being the immediate, present-day balance of cause and effect (which was how I viewed it anyway), and that in contrast, the Judgement card was about what you’ve done with your life as a whole. How is your life path going? Is it going in a way that you like? Are you happy with the person you’ve become and how you live your life and see the world?

This contrast actually turned my confusion around completely. By having set the Judgement card beside the Justice card, it made the differences clear to me, and helped me to clearly define my understanding of the Judgement card in a way I’d failed to be able to in the past.

Combined with the affirmation card for today, the message here is about staying true to yourself and the person you want to be, even when times are hard and you’re feeling discouraged.  Sometimes, it can be tempting to act out of character when you’re down on your luck and see an “easy way out” of the situation. It’s important (maybe especially during these times), to stay true to your values and principles and stay focused on the type of person you want to be.

DECK USED:  THE FOX TAROT PIPS EDITION AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

Cosmic_Crow_Tarot’s #FreedomTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for July 9th and 10th

Napo TarotWhat do I need to focus on protecting at this time?
Six of Cups and Three of Swords

My inner child. And those feelings of hopelessness and defeat once experienced in the past, that when experience now can bring that inner child back to the surface along with his pain.

What needs released in order to strengthen my independence?
The Lovers and Queen of Cups

The expectation that nurturing and love come from outside of yourself, rather than from within. The most valuable nurturing and love in your life should be that which you give yourself. Don’t expect others to supplement it. Including your mother.

DECK USED: NAPO TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question:  What do I need to focus on for self care this new moon?

The Fox Tarot Pips EditionReading Summary: Linger in the moment (Ten of Swords Rx) and set yourself to finding inspiration (Knight of Wands) in what you have now at your fingertips (Ten of Pentacles). Enjoy this time instead of allowing it to pass you by. If you make the choice to throw it away, you’ll only be stealing from yourself (Seven of Swords atop The Lovers).

Take Away: Starting today is my week off, and what is being said here is that I need to take this time to enjoy the present and not worry so much about the future or what needs to be done. Just enjoy each day as it comes, because if I don’t I’ll end up regretting it when my time off is over.

DECK USED: THE FOX TAROT PIPS EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I made myself take a nap even though I didn’t really want to.  I was just so tired, and I felt much better afterwards.

The Empty Cup

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the guided meditations from the Calm app combined with an interval timer for my piriformis stretching.

The focus of today’s meditation was about clarity of sight. That is to say it was about seeing the world around us with new eyes through a perspective of curiosity and openness.

A lot of times we become jaded with our surroundings to the point that we don’t even really notice them anymore. This jaded view makes the world drab and boring. In today’s meditation, we are guided to see the world in this new light, thus sparking interest and curiosity in the world once more.

Auset Gypsy Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Hierophant, which is traditionally a representation of guidance and tradition.  In some cases it can often also represent any sort of spiritual guidance or spiritual leadership.

I often identify with the Hierophant through my spiritual mentorship and teaching of the tarot.  And today’s cards area a good reminder that feels geared especially in that regard.

The thing is, I always want to be there for those that I’ve mentored to help them learn and grow.  It’s important to me.  But there are times when I just can’t be… when my own needs have to come first.

This is something I struggle with a lot, and in fact I think that many struggle with. We want to give of ourselves… even when our cup is empty and there’s no energy left to spare.  Today’s cards are a reminder that we all need to rest now and then, and it’s okay to take a step back and tend to yourself and your needs, even when others are depending on you.

DECK USED:  AUSET GYPSY TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Questions for July 7th and 8th

Dirt Gems Oracle and Auset Gypsy Tarot How can I celebrate my life more fully?
Peppermint, The Hermit atop Two of Swords

There is an echo of color and form in the peppermint card and the Two of Swords. He speaks of a need to dispel mental chatter and deliberation, whereas the Hermit on top shows the way to do this it’s through healthy alone time.

In order to celebrate my life more fully, there is a need to find peace within my inner dialogue and my constant need to make decisions that push me ever forward.

How can I allow others to celebrate me more fully and without resistance?
Ashwagandha atop Clary Sage, Two of Wands

Self development and growth takes time. You need to clear out your dark inner thoughts and feelings so that you can more easily see the motivations of others more clearly, with a perspective that is unpolluted by your past and your fears.

DECK USED: DIRT GEMS ORACLE AND AUSET GYPSY TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What can I do to help my inner child feel more protected?

Auset Gypsy Tarot Reading Summary: Nurture yourself (Queen of Cups) no matter if it’s a good day or bad day (Wheel of Fortune), and allow others to do the same (Three of Cups).

Take Away: Whether it’s a good day or a bad day, a positive experience or negative one, a success or failure… it’s okay to be kind to yourself and to sooth yourself. It’s okay to let others be kind to you as well, and to accept that kindness instead of letting it roll off of you like rain on a slicker.

By allowing this kindness and nurturing energy in, and taking the time to nurture yourself, you are also allowing your inner child to be nurtured, which helps them in feeling safe and protected.

DECK USED: AUSET GYPSY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I meditated on an orders day.  I… hm…. I dunno what else, but I managed that at least.

Ease Up

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_3164Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was one of the Calm apps guided meditations with an interval timer added in for my piriformis stretching.

The focus of today’s meditation was about living in the now. It’s all well and good to make plans for the future, but it’s important to remember that the future is fluid and ever changing. And to not let our focus rest so strongly on that unpredictable daydream of what might come that we forget to focus on what’s good in life right now.

Homebound Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Three of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of combining talents and expertise upon a project, creating a better result through teamwork, and learning through collaborative efforts.

In most cases? It isn’t the expectations of the world that I struggle with, but rather my own expectations that I struggle with resisting. I know that this is not the case for everyone, but in my case, I expect far more from myself than anyone else can possibly expect or demand.

This becomes a problem when I work with others, as sometimes it means that I start pushing them at the pace I demand from myself.  Or, I take over and do it all, instead of it being a collaborative effort it was meant to be.

Combined with the affirmation card for today, these cards speak of the need to go a little easier.  Not just on others, but on yourself as well. Not everything has to be done by you, and not everything has to be done this minute. It may  not feel like it, but it’s okay to move at a slower pace, and share the load.

DECK USED:  HOMEBOUND TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheJulyTarot #TarotSuitsChallenge Prompt
Questions for July 7th thru 9th

David Wilson's Animal Oracle and Homebound TarotSomething I should know about the things I wish to create for myself?

Strategy and The Tower – The deconstruction phase is going to take some strategy to get right.  Don’t rush. Strategize and let the bricks shift and the tower tumble on its own while you pick up the pieces and turn them to use for something new.

What steps I can take at this time towards manifesting my plans?

Veil and Seven of Cups – It’s your intuition and not logic that needs to be heard while making decisions right now. Touch upon the guidance of your spirit guides and ancestors, and keep in consideration Fae-think as well. This isn’t about “thinking outside the box” so much as where you get your inspiration from.

In what way can this creative process help me grow?

Elusive and Three of Swords – Sometimes inner pain is hard to pin down. This growth and creativity process has the potential to help me in healing old wounds that I haven’t been able to address as yet.

DECK USED: DAVID WILSON’S ANIMAL ORACLE AND HOMEBOUND TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Is happiness just chemicals flowing through the brain or something more?

Homebound TarotReading Summary: Don’t discount those chemicals flowing through the brain (Temperance). If you really think about it, most of our sensations and experiences come from those chemicals (The Hermit). They don’t lose value just because they come from within as a natural part of our bodies functioning rather than from some other outside influence (The Empress).

Take Away: There’s no indication in these cards that happiness is anything other than chemicals flowing through the brain.  What’s important in this reading is that we don’t discount these feelings, even if they are chemically induced.  They are still important and nurturing, and help us in finding a healthy sense of well being.

DECK USED: HOMEBOUND TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I went to the eye doctor today to make them fix my new glasses because they had some weird triple image overlay thing going on (color wise) what makes it feel like my peripheral vision is through one of those red/blue 3d glasses.

Curiosity and Creativity

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_3118Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and it was a guided meditation from the Calm app combined with an interval timer for my piriformis stretches.

The focus of today’s meditation was about not taking ourselves so seriously that we forget to find the humor in what can sometimes be frustrating situations. Things like losing your keys and finding them in the freezer don’t have to be all bad… Sometimes they’re also funny, if you let them be.

Kiddy Katz Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Page of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of imagination and creativity, curiosity, interesting possibilities, and opportunities that involve your creative side.

In the card we see a cat having a friendly conversation with a fish, which is really out of character for a cat.  And yet when we look at the affirmation card for today, the imagery in the tarot card is very fitting.

Today’s cards are about thinking outside the box and doing the unexpected.  Approaching things from a creative standpoint, the entire world takes on a different perspective and everything in it has the potential for a new meaning.  How we approach life (and our different experiences in it) and the mindset we keep while moving along life’s path plays a key role in how we experience life and the world around us.  Consider approaching life with more curiosity and creativity.

DECK USED:  KIDDY KATZ TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What can I do to help my inner child feel less neglected?

House of Pounce Game Cards and Kiddy Katz TarotThe Fool and Bottom of the Bowl – Don’t allow setbacks in your goals to keep you from having a good time, as well as enjoying those you’re with and the world around you

Four of Wands and Playing – There’s safety and comfort at home, and no reason you can’t be vulnerable there. Enjoy this space to the fullest.

Three of Wands and Pounce – Yesterdays cards indicated that the inner child was feeling rudderless and stagnant. You need to hear what’s being said here, and be proactive in resolving that stagnancy.

Take Away – To help my inner child feel less neglected, they need movement. Don’t let things hold you back or hold you down from enjoying the good stuff in life, combined with having a direction and actually moving in it instead of standing still.

DECK USED: KIDDY KATZ TAROT AND HOUSE OF POUNCE GAME CARDS

Cosmic_Crow_Tarot’s #FreedomTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for July 6th and 7th

Kiddy Katz TarotWhat is my true enemy?

Stagnancy (Three of Wands Rx). Lack of direction (Two of Wands Rx), and lack of action. Lack of an action plan.

Today’s theme on the whole for all of my card  pulls reiterates that stagnancy is not my friend and that it’s time to start looking at the world around me through a different perspective filled with more curiosity, creativity, and hope.

What is my greatest ally?

Awareness of your limits so that I don’t allow myself to get overburdened, and am not flirting with burn out all the time (Ten of Wands Rx). Meditation (Four of Cups).

Meditation helps me stay aware of where my energy levels are, and that awareness helps me keep from getting to that “flirting with burnout” point that I used to perpetually visit and linger in.

DECK USED: KIDDY KATZ TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I went hiking (and swimming) today.  It was a really great day, but the heat feels like it really took it out of me.

Stop, and Listen

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_3101Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and I don’t really remember all that much about it.  I remember being awake for the whole thing, just not… whatever it was about.

That said, I really like the William James quote that came along with today’s meditation (seen on the right), and I would surmise from that quote that the topic of the meditation was about the interconnectedness between people, no matter their differences may be on the surface.

Nigel Jackson's Rose Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Queen of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.  This often translates into emotionally supportive themes of nurturing  warmth and understanding coming from a place of authority.

The queen in this card has an almost zen posture, which fits really well with the affirmation card for today.  Both combined speak of the need to awaken your own Queen of Cups that resides within you and allow that energy to rise to the surface.  Not to be given to others, but rather to be directed toward yourself.

Sometimes, we forget to listen to our own feelings, and we forget how those emotions can effect us, our outlook, and our experiences.  It’s important to pause now and then and really listen to ourselves.  Our bodies and our inner dialog, and our emotions as well, for they all influence one another and you can’t get one in balance without balancing it with the others.

DECK USED:  NIGEL JACKSON’S ROSE TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Questions for July 4th thru 6th

Flower Medicine Oracle and Nigel Jackson's Rose TarotWhat should I be celebrating right now?

Oleander (strong boundaries) and Three of Swords –  You should be celebrating your accomplishments when it comes to the boundaries you’ve set for yourself and others. Boundaries are not always easy to uphold, but they help keep you safe, healthy, and happy.

How could I celebrate myself more fully?

Magnolia (nobility) and Knight of Coins – Allow yourself to move at a slower pace so that you can linger a while and smell the roses instead of always rushing ahead. Acknowledge that the journey is more important than the destination.

How can I celebrate my life more fully?

Sunflower (hope) and The Hierophant – Acknowledge that you are a role model to others. By showing what hope and optimism can do in your own life, you are showing others that it’s possible for them to do the same.

DECK USED:  FLOWER MEDICINE ORACLE AND NIGEL JACKSON’S ROSE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: How does my inner child feel right now?

Nigel Jackson's Rose TarotReading Summary: Rudderless (Three of Batons Rx), but ready to go (Knight of Cups). They see what is possible, but feel stagnant and unable to get there (Ten of Coins Rx).

Take Away: I’ve been feeling a lot of that rudderless stagnancy rising to the surface lately, and I’ve been writing it off as just being that things with finding balance and following my emotional growth has been going slower than I’m comfortable with.

This reading indicates that feeling is shared with my inner child, and perhaps might even be originating from there, or at the very least, be encouraged through that inner child and their dissatisfaction with the slow pace things are going at.

This wouldn’t surprise me at all, for I think that this slower pace is a more mature route, but I have always been one to plow in and push push push until whatever needs done is finished, no matter how ragged I wore myself in getting there.  Slow is… just not all that easy for me, and nor is it easy for my inner child either, apparently.

DECK USED:  NIGEL JACKSON’S ROSE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’m working hard at trying to get myself to bed at a decent time tonight because J and I plan on going hiking early in the day tomorrow.