Cosmos Tarot and Oracle

Brain Shuffle

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Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and I did something a little different today (which I’m surprised my phone cooperated with me and it worked).  Essentially I overlaid my harp meditation with the incremental chimes over-top the guided meditation.  So I got both the guide’s voice doing her guided meditation thing, and the harp in the background, and the occasional charms that tell me when to change positions in my stretch.   It sounds complicated, but it was really great and definitely something I’ll be doing again.

Cosmos Tarot and OracleToday’s draw is the Page of Air (Page of Swords) which is traditionally interpreted as a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, logic, and the realm of communication.

What stood out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today was the swirling of the fish around the central figure.   This swirling reminds me of the confusion that I sometimes go through when my brain has one of it’s “moments”.

This got me to thinking about why sometimes I’ll get in the habit of doing something (like messaging you as soon as I get home from work, for instance) and I’ll do that for a while and then suddenly I just stop. I know this is something that confuses you when it has something to do with how I interact with you specifically. But I want you to know that it’s not just you, and in truth?  I don’t even realize when it happens.  It’s sort of as if my brain goes through some sort of cyclical reshuffling on a periodic basis. At these times, some small things get lost in the shuffle, and then when things re-shuffle again (or you remind me)… they resurface.

I don’t know if this is natural and something that everyone goes through… or if it’s part of the results of the head injury that I experienced when I was younger that still at times screws with my memory. Either way, the fish in today’s card brought this to mind, and I think that the message here isn’t so much a “moral of the story” message as it is an encouragement for me to think about this in general and let it become something I’m more conscious of as a whole, even if I don’t realize it’s happening in the moment.

DECK USED:  COSMOS TAROT AND ORACLE

#TarotForGrowthJuly Challenge Prompt
Topic:  I’m struggling to find my purpose.
Question:  How are fear and shame playing into my refusal to acknowledge my purpose?

Dixit Cards v4 Origins Expansion Pack

Reading Summary: There is a continuation of color in these cards that indicates a building from one card to the next.  In the first card, you have a moose among men and he swings with them without fear of condemnation or reprisal… shameless.   In the center card, the knight stands in the mouth of the monster without fear or either falling or being eaten alive… fearless.  In the last card, the owl eats fruit from its own brain tree, indicating self sufficiency.

Take Away:  I am shameless and fearless in this area. I am centered in my purpose and know my path well as it is the path I chose for myself.

This has always been the case for me, and I honestly have no idea where the confidence to walk my own path came from.  It’s just always been there.  I know what I like and no amount of fear or shame can sway me from it.  I know what’s right for me, whether that’s something I like or some moral dilemma, or the steps taken along my spiritual path or my life path.

I honestly have struggled with the Tarot for Growth questions for the past few days, because struggling to find my purpose is just not something that I personally have an issue with, so the questions that focus upon that issue are really not something I relate well to.

DECK USED:  DIXIT CARDS v4 ORIGINS EXPANSION PACK

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2020 Challenge Prompt
Question:  What do I need to focus on for self-care for this upcoming full moon?

Numinous TarotReading Summary:  Take some time to appreciate all that you’ve accomplished (Ten of Tomes), with extra emphasis placed upon the fact that you have accomplished these things by being the capable and resourceful individual that you are (The Magician).  Use this knowledge to push back against (Explorer of Bells) that inner critic that keeps trying to beat you into submission lately (Three of Bells).

Take Away:  My inner critic is a son of a bitch.  It’s no secret that this is something that I struggle with a lot. It works hard to convince me that nothing I do is ever good enough or ever enough at all. It pushes me forward, driving me to always give my all to every little thing… and the thing is?  It’s not just exhausting, but it’s impossible to give your all to every little thing.  With this upcoming full moon, the cards remind me to not give that inner critic credence, but instead look at all that I have done and how capable these accomplishments prove that I am… no matter what that inner critic says to the contrary.

DECK USED:  NUMINOUS TAROT

#OwlandBonesJuly Challenge by Owl and Bones Tarot
Topic:  stop // use caution // go

Women of Science Tarot

Stop – Three of Astro – Don’t allow your thoughts to pick apart at your inner confidence. It’s important to take what that inner critic says with a grain of salt.

Use Caution – Three of Macro and Justice – Pay attention to what tasks you are farming out to others.  You have exacting standards, and you don’t want to hand out tasks to others that will lower the quality of the end results.

Go – Ten of Astro – As a previous reading I did earlier in the week stated, it’s time to move forward with the transition and growth that I’m going through.  I’ve spent time gathering wool and exploring, but I can’t stay still forever.  It’s time to consciously work on letting go of the old and stepping into the new.

DECK USED:  WOMEN OF SCIENCE TAROT

An Iconic Love

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Today’s meditation hasn’t happened yet, as I decided to hurry my ass up and get outside and get some fresh air in the woods rather than spending the time in meditation.   So… I will do the meditation before bed tonight.   Thank you so much for deciding to come with me on my walk in the woods today, man.    I love you.

Forager's Daughter Tarot - Two of CupsToday’s draw is the Two of Cups, which is traditionally traditionally interpreted as indication of connections, partnerships, and attractions focused in the areas of emotions and relationships. The key factor in these attractions, partnerships, and connections is the mutual aspect within them.

What stood out to me the strongest today in this card when I saw it this morning was the pouring of water from the two cups above the ducks.   I didn’t understand why I was so drawn to the flow of water from these cups at the time, but I do now.  It is, essentially, the “rain on my parade”.   The water flowing from those cups splashing down upon the ducks below was an indication that things were not going to go as I had planned.

I missed the message in the moment, and only see it now in retrospect.

That aside…  The positive message in this card is not the splashing of water from the cups but rather the mallards themselves.  They are a representation of you and I… and our relationship.   Long standing… and universally understood. No matter where we are, no matter where mallards are, the connection between male and female are seen and understood as a connection between one soul and another.  A connection of love.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I move forward with more loving kindness toward myself?

Mystical Manga Tarot

Reading Summary: Set down my coins (Two of Pentacles) and take some time to celebrate (Four of Wands) the good stuff (The Lovers).

Take Away: This is a reminder from the cards that I need to keep myself from diving so deeply into work and responsibility that I forget about the good stuff.  I have fallen into bad habits over the past two weeks that are exactly along this line, and I need to return to focusing upon stretching out my obligations and responsibilities and creating space… rather than allowing old habits and ways of doing things to slip in and steal away my “good stuff”.

DECK USED:  MYSTICAL MANGA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #4

Cosmos Tarot and OracleWhat has allowed stress to take root in my life?:  The Dorado card indicates that by focusing too much upon my responsibilities and obligations I have allowed stress to take root. I am putting too much focus and value on work and responsibility.

What is the core stressor in my life I can change?:  Instead of just “intending” to create balance between my responsibilities and my need for more space in my life, I need to actually step forward and do it.  They Cygnus card indicates that intentions are only as good as the strategy you develop to bring those intentions to life… and sometimes you have to battle yourself to get there.

What can I do to ease my current stress and anxiety?:  The Comet card indicates that my stress and anxiety is the “harbinger of change”.  If I want to ease my current stress and anxiety, I need to do more than plan and strategize. It’s time to actually make changes instead of just thinking about them.

DECK USED:  COSMOS TAROT AND ORACLE

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How do I choose relationships that bring out the best in me?

Mystic Faerie Tarot

Reading Summary: Choose those that understand my goals (Ten of Pentacles), that have Gideon’s mark of approval (King of Cups), and accept that I will always bounce back eventually (Knave of Swords).

Take Away:  It’s easier to find healthy and positive relationships when you look for those that, even if they don’t hold the same goals as you, understand where your core values and goals lie and accept them as a part of you.

The second card is Gideon…. and it speaks of your love for me and your need to protect me from those that do not have my best interests at heart.  You gives me the freedom to choose my friends as I wish (as I wouldn’t have it any other way), but as the King of Cups, you often have observations and insights into people that I don’t see or understand at first.   Your input is often crucial in me finding those friends that are healthy and long lasting.  

The third card is about my ability to “bounce back” from hardships and struggles. It’s about finding those that support me in that rather than those that encourage me to wallow or remain in a negative headspace after struggle or misfortune has brought me to my knees.

DECK USED:  MYSTIC FAERIE TAROT

Pause and Consider

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and I am trying a new method for a few days to try and mix things up again.   With this new method, I have found a couple of tracks where someone is just randomly plucking strings on a harp.  I have set it up as background noise and set a quiet tone to chime every two minutes for the stretch of my ten minute meditation.

I’m using the plucking of those strings as a focus, and the two minute intervals for the hold on my piriformis stretching.   Today was the first experiment with this, and it was really nice.   Very relaxing and oddly? Not as difficult as usual to stay centered.

Maruco Animal Tarot - Seven of CupsToday’s draw is the Seven of Cups, which traditionally is often interpreted as representing a time when one is confronted with an abundance of options to choose from, or overwhelmed by them. In my readings, this card also often includes a message about making sure you look over your options thoroughly and choose wisely.

What most strongly stands out to me in the imagery of this card today is the dragon, and secondarily, the plant wreath growing out of the cup beside it.   I think that it’s important to note (and the contrast between the dragon and the plant are a prime example of this) that each of these cups is full.  In some cups there is good stuff, in other cups there is bad stuff.  In some of the cups, what looks good could actually end up being bad.

This really all boils down to making good choices, though. And the message that I get from today’s card is that I need to take time to really weigh my options rather than making rash decisions.  Make sure to look beyond the surface level and really dig deep to make sure I’m getting what I want… and not just what I think I want.

With so many decisions being made in my life right now and so many choices before me to work through and sort out, I think that this is actual advice.  And in a very literal way? This card is reminding me that I have tax crap to get done, and I need to get on that before the procrastination is too far out of hand to recover from.

DECK USED:  MARUCO ANIMAL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What is a better way to confront and/or deal with my fear of loss?

Spiritsong TarotReading Summary: Keep calm and foster the kindness within you (Temperance) while allowing your intuition and imagination free reign (Page of Shells) to carry you through (The Chariot).

Side Note:  I love a rhino as the Chariot.  I think it’s a spectacular choice for that card.

Take Away:  The cards indicate not to let fear have free reign, as that is a sure way to instigating the thing I fear the most into happening.  Instead, make sure that I am giving my imagination and my intuition all the room it needs to grow and thrive.  In doing so, the times when I risk losing both are lessened because they will have grown strong and more easily be able to stay in control.

DECK USED:  SPIRITSONG TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: How can I connect with my supporters on a deeper level?

Cosmos Tarot and Oracle

Reading Summary: Communication and interaction (Jupiter). Pay attention to ascertain how they are doing and what they need (Lynx). And by using the tools available to me to better their situation and allay their fears/help in their struggles (Aries).

Take Away:  There is some sort of really huge appeal to me in the combination of imagery between these two cards. The color correspondences between the three are breathtaking to me and really make their differences pop as well.

The cards indicate that the best way to connect with my supporters on a deeper level is to support them in turn, and make sure I am staying in contact and paying attention so that I know when I am needed and can be there for them at that time.

DECK USED:  COSMOS TAROT AND ORACLE

New Moon in Gemini – May 2020

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New Moon in Gemini May 2020

I have been putting these in my physical tarot journal, but after a few years of doing my tarot journal a certain way, I’m starting to feel it’s time to change things up.   As I’ve been using this blog to share my COTD (card of the day) pulls as well as my Self Care Saturday spreads, I thought maybe I would begin to transfer over to doing some of my other personal readings on here as well.    I still plan on keeping a physical tarot journal, I’m just starting to re-evaluate what I want to put the extra work into putting in it… vs placing here on this blog instead.

So… yesterday was the new moon, which is a time of new beginnings and looking forward with renewed energy.  The new moon’s placement in the sky puts the moon in the sun sign of Gemini for this new moon, which imbibes the new moon’s meaning and energies with that of the Gemini astrological sign.

This is the reading I did for the new moon yesterday. You will noticed that I have slightly rephrased a question or two in the spread.  This is to personalize the question to be clearer for my life or my personal understanding.

1. Where do I need to communicate more clearly?

This card is representative of my relationship with Gideon. I am his satellite… and he is mine. We are in a constant exchange of one trailing after the other, drawn by their gravity to constantly loop around and around… a constant companion. The Satellite card in this position is calling me out on the unnecessary silences that come when I am feeling vulnerable or out of sorts.

2. What truth needs to be recognized?

The appearance of the Pavo card in this position is also a nod to Gideon. It is about his watchful support and the depths of his protectiveness over me, the dedication he puts into my care and welfare.

Gideon… I hope that you know that I do recognize this and it is a part of you that I greatly cherish every day.  Over the past twelve years you have helped me to develop into the man that I am today, and your guidance and watchful protection has always been there for me to help me in feeling safe and secure as I move forward from each day to the next.

3. What drama do I need to step away from?

This has not manifested yet, but the Comet card indicates you will recognize the drama when it eventually comes into being through the synchronicity that surrounds it.   Pay attention to your what is going on around you in order to catch these moments of synchronicity and keep yourself from falling into drama that would be better avoided.

4. Where do I need to focus instead?

My mother.  Interesting for this to come up in relation to where to direct my focus instead of upon drama, as my mother is often right at the head of such dramas. Perhaps that is the point?

With the appearance of Aquila, the cards indicate my mother is the direction I need to look in.  Intuitively off of the imagery I see a need to look beneath the veil to find a truth.  This has to do to paying attention not to what she does or says, but to her underlying welfare and well-being.

This feels like a warning concerning drama that my mother will create in order to deflect my attention away from an underlying issue.

5. How can I put my inspiration into action?

Allow yourself room to feel safe and secure (Cirinus + Crux) even in the middle of moments when you need to lean into adaptation and adjustment (Chameleon).  Do what you can to connect with the earth (Cirinus + Crux), even when there is a possibility of adversity (Chameleon) and the responsibilities that you juggle feel like they are getting in the way (Sextans + Octans).

Note that there are tools for navigation here in both of the Earth cards.  The compass and the Sextans cards bracket the adaptability and adjustment of the Chameleon.  Ensure that you are remaining grounded and your plans are well thought out… do not just “wing it”.

DECK USED:  COSMOS TAROT AND ORACLE

The Power of Optimism

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Today’s meditation was attached to the end of my yoga / physio practice, as I was a little short on time today due to obligations to help an employer getting ready to re-open his business.

It was nice and relaxing, and honestly?  The yoga practice went a little more smoothly than I anticipated as well.  Usually I have a little bit more resistance in my hips and ribs when it comes to easing tension in the muscles.   Today, however, it seemed to ease smoothly in each position after just a deep breath or two.

Forager's Daughter Tarot - Ace of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Ace of Pentacles, which is traditionally interpreted as an indication of new beginnings or new opportunities in the area of one’s finances, resources, manifestations, and the physical world.

This card is essentially the “seed” of the pentacles suit, and is all about potential, just as when you plant a seed within soil that practice is all about the potential that seed has within it.

So much stood out to me today in the imagery of this card, that I got a little overwhelmed with it all and it took me a bit to actually walk back and figure out what stood out to me first.  What first stood out to me in this card when I pulled it this morning was the fruit. Although the apples on this tree are not quite ripe yet, they are plentiful, and the symbolism of apples as a whole is one of abundance.

I see the message of this card to be one of optimism.   When you plant a seed, you never know what is going to happen.  You have to wait.   When you plant a tree from seed?  That wait can be a very, very long one and there are many stages of worry and concern involved from waiting for the sprout, and then caring for that sprout to make sure it survives.

Growing an apple tree from seed takes years and a good deal of care, and yet when it is finally established and matured enough to bear fruit, the prize is sweet.

So the message of optimism has to do with planting the seed… and keeping a positive outlook as you foster that seed into growth.  Whether that seed is better health, starting a savings account in the hopes of creating a substantial sense of security one day, or literally planting seeds to grow your own food. Stay positive, and that positivity will help that seed to become a seedling… and foster that seedling into growth.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better prioritize my needs without falling into guilt?

Mermaid Tarot

Reading Summary: Remember that everyone has needs, and that’s ok (Judgement). You’re human just like everyone else (Five of Pentacles) and you go through crappy situations, just like everyone else (The Tower).

Take Away:  The message here is that I’m not invincible, nor am I perfect.   I make mistakes like everyone else, and I struggle from time to time, just like everyone else.   It’s okay to need to take care of myself… because if I don’t take care of myself, then I’m of no use to myself, or anyone else either.   Our flaws and our vulnerabilities are a part of what make each and every one of us who and what we are… and along with everything else that makes us human comes the need for self care.

DECK USED:  MERMAID TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Philosophical Question – Is absolute freedom / free will possible?

Cosmos Tarot and OracleIntuitive Interpretation: Freedom is subjective (Sculptor) and is all about how you choose to perceive the world (Libra). A mentality of victimhood will never find freedom (Cepheus).

Take Away:  Wow.  Talk about just “dropping the bomb and walking away”.  *Chuckles*  This makes sense to me, though.  Everyone has a different definition of what “freedom” and/or “free will” actually is.

Those that focus upon the positive and choose a path of optimism are more likely to find their definition of freedom and be happy with it.  Meanwhile, those that choose to linger on the side of negativity and pessimism, on the other hand, will very rarely ever find freedom, because they will always be looking for something more or something different than what is right before them.

I write this as a pessimistic person myself, incidentally.   I work very, very hard for each and every one of my little nuggets of optimism.

DECK USED:  COSMOS TAROT AND ORACLE

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: What should I learn from this time away from my ‘normal life’?

Sun and Moon Tarot

Reading Summary:  How to reign myself in (Prince of Swords) while discarding what isn’t working for me (Eight of Cups) so that I can take better care of myself (Empress).

Take Away:  I’ve said this again and again… and the cards have said it to me again and again… but I push myself too hard.  I know it.  The cards know it.  Pretty much everyone knows it.

The lesson I should learn during this time when “normal life” is  a distant memory and not likely on the horizon for a bit of time to come is that I need to better organize and prioritize my responsibilities, and weed out those that aren’t working for me or no longer resonate with me. By doing this, I free up space in my schedule and my life to better care for myself physically, mentally, and spiritually.

DECK USED:  SUN AND MOON TAROT

 

Renewal Will Come… Eventually

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Today’s meditation was once again interrupted.  This time by my sister yowling from the other room when she tried to do something she didn’t have the upper body strength to do alone and brought me running when she nearly crushed herself under a toppling shelf as a result.

So… once again I will be trying to do a bit of meditation before sleep tonight, once I head to bed.   I know it’s better than nothing, but I really do like doing it in the morning better.  Just sayin’.

Forager's Daughter Tarot - The Tower CardToday’s draw is the Tower card of the Major Arcana, which is traditionally a representation of sudden and often major change, usually accompanied by a good deal of chaos.

What stands out to me the strongest today in the imagery of this card is not the lightning or the damaged tree, but rather the little sprouts that are just starting to break free of the ground at the base of the tree, and the burn morels that encircle the broken up earth where the ruined tree stands.

Both of these speak to me of the renewal that comes after everything has been shaken up and burned to the ground.  The new sprouts are an indication of the growth that can be achieved by starting over, while the burn morels speak to me of the strength and adaptability of the energies of life and rejuvenation, as these specific mushrooms are mysterious even to today’s science, cropping up within the ashes of old fires from seemingly out of nowhere.

The message here in the imagery of today’s card is a message of hope. It is a reminder to open my heart to the possibilities the future will hold, rather than allowing myself to fall into pessimism, as is so easy for me to do.  We are all going through a hard time right now, struggling with the vast and varied effects that the pandemic has wrought in our lives.  This card is a reminder that things will eventually get better.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: How can I better overcome these challenges that I will face?

Mystical Manga Tarot

Reading Summary:  You have all the tools at your disposal (The Magician) and share those gifts with others all the time (Nine of Cups Rx). You just have to make the choice to champion for yourself as you already do for others (Seven of Wands).

Take Away: How I treat others and the help that I give them in the variety of ways that I do so from teaching to standing up for them, advocating for them and all these other ways that I contribute to the lives of others… these things are a clear display of the tools I have on hand to me to overcome the challenges of my own inner critic.  I just have to make the choice to lean into my heart instead of the viper in your head when dealing with myself, and use those skills I share so freely with others upon myself as well.

DECK USED:  MYSTICAL MANGA TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What needs to heal from past relationships?

Cosmos Tarot and Oracle

Reading Summary: These cards speak to me of my mother not being as supportive as thought she was (Earth) and feeling betrayed by that (Perseus) because it feels like my trust was laid out like a sacrificial lamb for her to shred after my father’s passing (Ara).

Take Away:  This reading brings up a lot of really uncomfortable emotions for me.  I don’t like seeing my mother in the new light she’s shown of herself since my father’s passing, but I’ve come to the understanding that the impression I once had of her was false and it took the removal of his far more blatant abuse for me to see her more subtle lack of support and selfishness.  Discovering this really hurt me deeply… and it still hurts.

DECK USED:  COSMOS TAROT AND ORACLE