Building Confidence

Today’s meditation was skipped again.

The Prismatic Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Eight of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of bailing on a situation out of frustration or disappointment, themes of abandonment or withdrawal, and moving on.

What stands out to me very strongly in the imagery of this card today is the moon in the sky at the top of the card.  This speaks to me of the fact that when you walk away from something, there’s always a hint of doubt and uncertainty involved.  It’s a natural part of the process.

The addition of the affirmation card for today provides guidance for these situations, providing a reminder that when you are treading into unfamiliar territory and dealing with the uncertainties of what you’re leaving behind, that it’s important to center yourself, and that breath work is an excellent way to do this.

DECK USED:  THE PRISMATIC TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheJulyTarot #TarotSuitsChallenge Prompt
Questions for July 4th thru 6th

Earthcraft Oracle and The Prismatic TarotKeeping this in mind can support me in my plans this week.

Forest Bathing and The Emperor – Be proactive in getting the self care that you need. Forest bathing is one of your absolute favorite activities, but are you being proactive in making sure you get what you need? Or are you putting it off and letting these opportunities to get out in nature get away from you?

What am I invited to create for myself?

Spirit of the North and The Fool – Don’t let your enthusiasm create impossible expectations. Stay grounded and remember that everything worth having is worth working (and waiting) for.

What should be cleared or dealt with before I begin to create?

Spirit Weaver and Page of Swords – Believe in yourself and your capabilities. If you really aspire for something to manifest in your life, you’re capable of forging that path forward. Just make sure you have the information and tools necessary before you take the leap.

DECK USED: EARTHCRAFT ORACLE AND THE PRISMATIC TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question
: Do Spread #1

The Prismatic TarotWhat needs to be left behind as I focus on further growth?

The High Priestess Rx – You need to let go of doubts pertaining to your intuition. That secret knowledge is always right, always there just for you, whispering in your ear from beneath your skin.  Those times you ignore it and second guess it, it never turns out well.  Let go of the hesitation.

What is in full bloom for me right now?

Knight of Wands – Inspiration and enthusiasm is at your fingertips, you just have to reach out and allow it to actually spark.  Once it does, there’s a good chance that if you aren’t careful it will carry you away, so work on keeping moderation in mind as you begin to explore.

Where do I need to direct my focus for further growth?

Ten of Cups – Focus on what makes you happy and what creates emotional bonds with others in your life.  It’s about now, and about those connections. Not everything can be about “some day”.  Make sure that today is weighed as more important, and that those with you in the now are a higher priority than future plans.

DECK USED:  THE PRISMATIC TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Still in the catch-up train.  So I’m not 100% positive what my self kindness was for this day.

Perfectionism Is Not Your Friend

Today’s meditation was skipped.  No excuses, I just didn’t get it done. 

The Master Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of hard work, honing an expertise, and perfectionism.

The Eight of Pentacles in this deck is a very classic image, where the figure works hard to hone their craft and perfect their skills.

The thing is, though?  Perfectionism isn’t always a blessing or a virtue.  It can sure seem like it sometimes, but when you get stuck in the mindset that nothing is ever good enough and you can do better?  It can become extremely detrimental.

The affirmation card in today’s draw is a reminder of this dangerous pattern, and how sometimes we have to just leave things be and not push for more, or better. 

DECK USED:  THE MASTER TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

Cosmic_Crow_Tarot’s #FreedomTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for July 3rd and 4th

Ancient Animal Wisdom Cards and The Master TarotWhat do I depend on too much?

Hippopotamus and Six of Wands – Reassurance from outside sources.  Although it can be nice to hear good things from others, it’s important to let them feel good but not depend on them for your sense of personal value.  Nor can they heal old wounds.  Only you can do that.

What do I not depend on enough?

Dugong Tiger and Ace of Swords – So many ideas, and so little time. You need to lean more into that balance you’re trying to accomplish. Let that become a strength you develop over time and use to sort out your ideas.  You have the ability to prioritize wisely, if you’re willing to work at it and develop it.

DECK USED: ANCIENT ANIMAL WISDOM ORACLE AND THE MASTER TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Again, I’m working on catching up and I just have no idea what my daily kindness was for this day.  I’ll start being able to add these again once I’m caught up.

Restoration Is Important

Today’s meditation was about ten minutes long and 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 shame concerning our past experiences and traumas.  It was about how we carry this shame with us, and how it can eventually eat us alive… but that the solution is simple.  Sometimes, what is needed most, is just to be heard.  To speak our truth and be heard, understood, and cared about.  This is often why therapy can be such a good tool for people.  It gives you someone to talk to that is not about judging you, but hearing you and helping you.

Tarot at the End of the Rainbow and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Four of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of taking time to rest, recuperation after a trying time, and stillness for restoration and meditation on the events that have brought you to this place as well as where to go from here.

We all need rest. This is something that took me a long time to accept in myself.  I used to push myself hard, so hard.  Again and again I’d push myself to burn out, give myself just enough recovery that it would let me push forward again.

These cycles just brought me deeper and deeper into exhaustion.  I was not treating myself or my body well, and after a time, it became to rebel against this treatment.  Now, I’ve learned that I need that rest.  Everyone needs rest.  And it’s only through caring for your body and  your needs, that you can then continue forward and achieve your goals.

DECK USED:  TAROT AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for July 2nd & 3rd

Oracle of the Essences 2nd Edition and Tarot at the End of the RainbowWhat inner injury from my childhood needs healing?
Pink Pepper, Cassia, Ace of Coins

Being constantly told that I’ve never enough just the way I am and that no matter what I tried it was never going to be good enough.

How can I begin working on healing that injury?
Birch, Grapefruit, and Two of Swords

Don’t allow what was said then hold so much weight, take a deep breath and let us roll up all that pain and discontent that this experience still has for you… then exhale it out. This is something that you’re going to have to consciously put time and attention into in order to eventually be able to choose to let go of.

DECK USED: ORACLE OF THE ESSENCES 2ND ED AND TAROT AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Questions for July 2nd and 3rd

Tarot at the End of the RainbowWhat message does July have for me?
The Chariot and Seven of Swords

Look at that smile on the leprechauns face! July is offering me the opportunity to reconnect with my values and principles, to examine them and choose wisely so that I can make sure that I continue on the path that I want to continue on as I move forward into the future. My future and direction upon my path are in my own hands. I need to ensure that my actions are compatible with the direction I wanna go in.

What challenges is July going to bring me?
Five of Swords atop Ace of Wands, Three of Swords

Disappointment over not being able to go after all of my different ideas and passionate pursuits. Lots of prioritizing will be needed and I’m going to have to leave some things behind in order to shine in the things that I end up prioritizing.

DECK USED: TAROT AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW

Daily Self Kindness

I’m sort of playing catch up at the moment, so I don’t actually remember what I did for myself back on this day.  I should have written it down at the time, but I didn’t and now I’m not sure.

A Work In Progress

Today’s meditation was skipped because it’s an orders day.

The New Chapter Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Fool card, which is traditionally a representation of new beginnings, rebirth, innocence, naivete, blind trust, optimism, and unrealistic expectations.

What really sticks out to me in these cards today, though, is not in the Fool card, but rather it’s in the words “nothing is ever enough for a mind always striving for more” in today’s affirmation card.

I fall into this trap again and again, whether it’s with my emotional growth, my business, my financial stability… it seems that at the root core of everything, I am always striving for more. Pushing for more. Demanding more from myself than might be expected from others.

I have not figured out how not to push. I have yet to discover how to simply be still in the now without fighting to move forward and accomplish more. The Fool card here is a reminder of this folly that I can’t imagine I am alone in struggling with.  It’s a reminder that we are all pieces of work in progress, always in progress.  There’s no need to push.

DECK USED:  THE NEW CHAPTER TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheJulyTarot #TarotSuitsChallenge Prompt
Questions for July 1st thru 3rd

Hedgewitch Botanical Oracle and The New Chapter TarotWhat major energy am I invited to work with this month?

Dogwood (Cornus florida) and Death – It’s time to change up your wards. Whether they’ve been tapped early through extra challenges to their protections, or you’ve shared enough information on them to leave you vulnerable, it’s time.

What major energy is here to support me throughout the month?

Burdock (Arctium lappa) – You excel at being stubborn. Use that to your advantage.

How can I best embrace and work with this available energy?

Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) and Four of Wands – These cards echo back to the first question. You need to make new defenses and wards for your home and all that you hold dear. It’s stressful, but this needs to be done throughout the month. Start changing things up, and refresh everything a bit earlier than normal with new methods in place in order to both protect and ensure stability and peace in your home life.

DECK USED: HEDGEWITCH BOTANICAL ORACLE AND THE NEW CHAPTER TAROT

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

The New Chapter TarotReading Summary: By looking inward (The High Priestess) and not allowing your more solemn nature and self destructive tendencies (The Hermit Rx) to stand in the way of seeing life as an adventure (The Fool). Stop pushing so hard to move on and move past everything (Ten of Swords Rx).

Take Away: To connect with my inner child on a deeper level I need to spend more time looking inward at what makes me tick and what uncertainties and hidden motivators are lurking in my subconscious.

I also need to take time to look at life in a more optimistic and positive light, and use that perspective to set aside destructive tendencies.

All this pushing I’m doing is fear and an effort at avoidance so that I don’t have to deal with these things or look too closely at things that make me uncomfortable.

DECK USED: THE NEW CHAPTER TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap when I got home from the farm today, even though it’s an orders day.

Sleep Deprivation and Chainsaws

Today’s meditation was skipped because I dozed off.

Luna Sol Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is The Magician card, which is traditionally a representation of being in possession of all of the skills, abilities, and tools necessary to reach one’s goals and accomplish one’s ends. It’s about being capable and skilled, resourceful and gifted with what is needed to get the job done.

I’ve been seeing the Magician a lot lately. In fact it’s been daily… maybe even multiple times per day over the past week or so.

The message from the Magician when combined with the affirmation card for today is a reminder that you can have all the skillz and tools in the world, but if you’re not getting the rest that your body and mind needs?  You’re not going to be able to actually use those tools as intended.

And keep in mind that sleep deprivation is not the only type of lack of rest there is.  Pushing too hard, demanding too much, stressing over every little thing… all of these things are also things you need rest from in order to function at full capacity.

DECK USED:  LUNA SOL TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

CoffeexTarot’s Self Love For The Summer Prompt
Questions for June 29th & 30th

Prairie Majesty Oracle and Luna Sol TarotHow can I bring more peace into my life?
Earthworm (Breathe) and Five of Disks

Stop worrying so much about failure.  Let go of your scarcity issues and the fear that you’ve allowed to drive you for so long. It’s okay to ease up on yourself and breathe. Shit is not going to fall apart just because you’re not pushing yourself past your limits.

How can I accept more love this summer?
Two of Swords, Prairie Dog (Dig) atop Dickcissel (Warble)

This answer echoes back to the previous question and the need to make definitive decisions about how you want things to go in your life now.  Are you going to allow yourself to be driven by fear and dictated by your past?  Or are you going to step forward into a kinder and more genuinely -you- way of treating yourself that doesn’t involve being abusive to yourself? The healthy choice is obvious, and leads to that acceptance of love mentioned in this prompt.

DECK USED:  LUNA SOL TAROT AND PRAIRIE MAJESTY ORACLE

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic
: Grab a spread of your choice that you’ve been curious about… and give it a go!

Mykologia Fungi Themed Oracle and The Brady Tarot

A Card to Begin the Second Half of the Year
Red Cage (Clathrus ruber) / Stagnancy – You have been feeling a bit stuck in your growth for a while now, twisting against the caged bonds that you can’t quite seem to break free of. Part of this is a discomfort with letting go of the familiar, but don’t discount the idea that outside influences are also at play here.

Progress of Seeds Planted in Early 2021
Anemone Stinkhorn (Aseroe rubra) / Like Attracts Like – Are you perpetuating what you want or are you encouraging negative influences to flow. If you want positivity, luck, and happiness then you need to work at promoting happiness in your life.  This is why you are currently stuck in limbo and confusion.  You’re not being decisive enough, and you’re not working hard enough to push toward optimism.

Action to Take to Reach My Goals
Brain Mushroom (Gyromitra esculenta) / Intellect – You need to tip a bit back toward logic and intellect.  You’re rushing the emotions thing and that’s creating a negative influence and impatience.  Ease up a bit.  It’s okay to lean into logic.  You don’t have to discount one to foster the growth and health of the other.

A Key Thing Coming In For Me This Year
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) / Lucidity – Clarity of thought including finding clarity in the places where you are now struggling in a fog of confusion.  You have the opportunity to seize that clarity and make it your own, and from there to better express to others not just how you are feeling but where these feelings come from.  It’s here in this place of clarity and expression where you’ll find balance.

Outside Influences: Positive or Negative
Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera) / Second Guesses – When your instinct or intuition says something, make damned sure that you’re listening.  It’s so easy sometimes to fall into second guessing those intuitive moments or instinctual reactions.  But… they are never wrong.  Ever.  So don’t argue against them, just listen and act according to their guidance.

Who or What Will Assist Me?
Wood Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) / Speaking (Up) – Be true to who you are and don’t hide that from the world.  Allow self expression to ring true and shine bright.  You are at your best when you are genuinely presenting yourself to the world, so bare your soul and show people what you’re made of by sharing your truth and your values with those around you.

A “Wild Card” For The Rest of the Year
Yartsa Gunbu (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) / Sexuality – Okay so this has been a bit of a “wild card” for you ever since the cancer.  Remember that it’s okay for your drive to go up and down, and Gideon is not going to blame you for having times when you just can’t kick your libido into gear.  Your sex drive is unpredictable.  It happens.  Enjoy it when it’s active, and allow yourself to rest and enjoy other things with him when it’s not.

My Theme Card For The Remainder of 2021
Black Truffle (Tuber melanosporum) / Self-Care – The remainder of 2021 will continue to focus on finding a balance in your life between self-care and your responsibilities, and learning how to put your self-care as a priority without allowing guilt to slide in and try to spoil the experience.

JulyNine of Roots (Accomplishment) – For the month of July, work on focusing on how much you’ve accomplished and in being grateful for all that you have. Now isn’t the time to push for more, but to live in the moment and appreciate all the good in your life.

AugustMother of Horns – It’s possible that August is going to be a bit of a struggle for you this year.  The urge to push forward and plow through time you should be resting in order to work instead will be strong.  Make sure you are focusing on taking care of yourself, as well as those around you.

September –  Two of Roots (Equilibrium) – The beginning of this month is the slowest time of year for your business, and the end of the month ramps up into the first preparations for the holiday season soon to come.  Direct your focus on making sure you are creating a good balance between work and home and your self care, so that as work responsibilities begin to build, you aren’t neglecting these other aspects of your life.

OctoberThe Star – Preparation is the name of the game for October, with a hopeful eye on the months to come and the holiday rush just around the corner.  This month is filled with hope and anticipation. Make sure to keep that energy as well as the demands you put on yourself gentle, and balance your energy to give yourself the rest and care you need.

November Five of Arrows (Defeat) – As the holiday season begins its rush within the beginnings of this month, it can be a difficult shift to move from a more rested and balanced way of life to the constant demands that the business requires at this part of the year.  As self care takes a back seat and balance goes out the window, by the end of the month you end up feeling as if you are already at the end of your rope.  Remember… by the end of November?  There’s only 3 weeks of holiday rush left to go.  You may feel run into the ground, but you can do this.

DecemberDaughter of Feathers – A second wind, or maybe just finding your groove, either way you’ll find that dragging ass feeling from the previous month lifts as you  move into December.  Focus on the future, focus on what you enjoy about your work, and your passion for what you do and what you love about what you do will carry you through the rest of the rush and allow you to find that breather at the end of the month that you need.

DECK USED:  MYKOLOGIA FUNGI THEMED ORACLE AND THE BRADY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I acknowledged that I was feeling distracted and flighty, and agreed to pausing play with Gideon for some quiet together time in IMs instead of trying to push myself to continue playing.

Breaks Are Not Setbacks

Today’s meditation was done submerged in the bathtub today.  Well, submerged all but my nose, mouth, and knees anyway.  It was another hot day and I took a cool bath and did my meditation in there during my hour of cool-down. There was no real focus other than on my breathing and the cooling, calming sensation of the water all around me.

Inner Child Cards Fairy Tale Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Nine of Crystals (Pentacles), which is traditionally a representation of personal satisfaction and satiation with one’s home life, abundance, and financial independence.  This is the well earned moment where you realize all you have worked toward and feel gratitude for that.  It is the last step of accomplishment before we begin to share our good fortune with those around us.

The thing is, in order for many to get to this point in their lives, they feel that they have work themselves to the bone and that they need to be on top of every little thing and in control 100% of the time.

The reminder in the combination of the Nine of Pentacles with the affirmation card for today is that your goals don’t require constant diligence and supervision. It’s okay to enjoy what you have in the now. Momentum will keep things moving forward, even while you take a break.

DECK USED:  INNER CHILD CARDS FAIRY TALE TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: Where do I want to be 10, 15 or 20 years from now?

She Whispers Her Truth OracleAlthough I don’t really look so far ahead, I thought that this reading might be fun to help tell me what things I might likely be into doing or be of interest to me through these long term perspectives.

Ten Years From NowSelfless – Whether I am committing more time to reading for others, or more time teaching and mentoring others, I can see this being something I’d be interested in exploring.  Ten years from now I will be forty-three and my mortgage should be fully paid off.  Without that weighty responsibility weighing on me, it’s possible I’d have a bit more free time to do these sort of things with.

Fifteen Years From NowInvestigate – Still interested in exploring new things and seeking out answers.  At forty-eight years old, it would be terrific to still be fostering a sense of excitement and curiosity at the mysteries before me. The possibility of new ideas, passions, and interests keeping things fresh and life interesting sounds good to me.

Twenty Years From NowAwaken – A new journey… and new potential.  At fifty-three years old, the peacock indicates that even as I move into a different stage of life and deal with the issues that new stage will hold for me, I’ll be ready to stretch myself and seek new motivation to keep me going.  New goals could inspire new changes.

DECK USED:  SHE WHISPERS HER TRUTH ORACLE

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic
: About similarities…
Question: How can I strengthen my awareness of the similarities between myself and others?

Inner Child Cards Fairy Tale TarotCinderella (The Moon) and Earth Child (The World)

These cards are calling me out on my uncertainty when interacting with others.  I don’t think that most people realize just how awkward I feel when interacting with others.  The Moon here is a reminder that I’m not the only one that feels that way.  Lots of people have social anxieties and uncertainties.  The World  then steps into this reminder to let me know that it’s okay to feel that newness and awkwardness, as it’s a part of the process of growth.

Ten of Crystals (Pentacles)

I have a lot to offer. I don’t always feel like it, but even though I might see myself as inconvenient, awkward, and a pain in the ass… others don’t.  They see someone that has accomplished a great deal and is happy to share what they’ve learned along the way with everyone else.

DECK USED:  INNER CHILD CARDS FAIRY TALE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Cool bath time again today.  I soaked in a nice cool bath for about an hour earlier today after I’d pulled the decks I’m putting into rotation next month (and put away all of this month’s other than the one’s I’m using tomorrow).