daily draw

What We Have

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Although I meditated today, it wasn’t my normal type of meditation.  Instead I did my meditation while sitting in traffic with a combination of slow breathing exercises and focus on physical sensations such as the touch of the air moving over my skin.   It was a long drive, and I’m a bit out of practice in the commute now that I’m only taking it once every three weeks instead of twice a week.   The breathing exercises and focus on using those physical sensations as a calming influence helped immensely in keeping my stress in line as I dealt with traffic.

Herbal Tarot - Uva Ursi - Two of CupsToday’s draw is the Two of Cups, which traditionally is interpreted as a card depicting harmonious union and cooperation between two parties.

Uva Ursi is an herb of purification and cleansing, and when combined with what stood out most strongly to me in this card’s imagery today (that would be the caduceus above the cups) what I see here is a message concerning combining strengths to heal.

This card’s appearance today is a representation of our relationship and a reminder of what our union creates.

We are each strong and independent in our own right, and when brought together our skills compliment and reinforce each other, our knowledge and our emotions bolster each other, and the relationship becomes one of support and healing on both sides, each benefiting from the other’s strengths.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better channel anger into a force of positive change?

The Golden Girls Tarot

Reading Summary: Use that anger combined with the tools at my disposal (The Magician) to inspire (The Star) my passions (Page of Wands and Four of Wands).

Take Away:  The Page of Wands and Four of Wands don’t just indicate my passions in this reading, but rather those passions that create within me a sense of progress and pleasure.  Some of my passions are directionless.  Others are more addiction based.  Those are not the type of passions referenced here.

Here in the cards is a reference to the safe and secure passions that create within me a sense of accomplishment and progress while still bringing me a feeling of joy and stability.   When I need to channel my anger, it is in this direction that I should channel it, transforming it into a flare of that creative spark within me to spur forward my pursuits.

DECK USED:  THE GOLDEN GIRLS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How does my inner child feel right now?

Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot Reading Summary: Alice is uncertainty in all three positions.
Position 1) shyness + uncertainty and a need for comfort from others,
Position 2) curious + uncertainty and a need for comforting from the self, and
Position 3) irritation + uncertainty spurred by a vicious inner narrative.

Take Away:  The current state of my inner child is one of shyness, curiosity, and a hint of irritation hidden within the wings.  All of these are overshadowed by a sense of uncertainty and a need for comfort.  When the irritation blended with that uncertainty shows its terrible face, my inner critic slips in and begins to draw blood.

So the key here is that my inner child feels vulnerable.  The flavor of vulnerability might change depending on what has captured its attention in the moment, but the sense of vulnerability and uncertainty is always present.

DECK USED:  NICOLETTA CECCOLI TAROT

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question: How can I use this energy to my personal best advantage?

Dame Darcy's Mermaid Tarot

Reading Summary: Don’t forget to take in others input (Three of Pentacles) while sorting out and gathering up (Ace of Wands)what passions you’re carrying forward with you (King of Wands).

Take Away:  The previous reading on this topic indicated that discernment and destruction are the energies this month holds for me.  The cards today indicate that as I’m tearing things down to start certain pursuits and passions anew, make sure that this isn’t a solitary task.   Take in input from others, accept their help and their ideas. Allow them to help you begin anew, and allow them to be there to build you up along your journey.

DECK USED:  DAME DARCY’S MERMAID TAROT

 

Allowing for Joy

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and another of the long and silent followings of the plucking of harp’s strings.   I am considering seeing if I can convince L to make me a recording of her plucking at a cello’s strings instead.   I haven’t discussed it with her yet, but I am thinking I might enjoy it a great deal.

All in all the meditation and two minute cycle of piriformis stretching I’m doing during it is working out really well.  The ten minutes actually seems to go by a good deal faster in this style of meditation than it did during my guided practices.

Japaridze Tarot - The FoolToday’s draw is the Fool card of the major arcana, which is a card traditionally interpreted as being full of innocence, naivete, and boundless enthusiasm and potential.

What stands out to me the strongest today in the imagery of this card is the little dog and the unicycle…. and the fact that there is no human on that unicycle.  The dog is up there alone and having a grand time of it.

I feel like these elements in the card speak not just of enthusiasm, but of trust and confidence.   Without a human there to coax the dog forward, the dog must have trust and confidence in itself rather than in a master.

The message here is about trusting yourself.  It’s okay go after the fun and silly things in life that make no sense to anyone else but you.  Have trust in yourself and the confidence to enjoy yourself without worry about what other people (or your inner critic) may think.

DECK USED:  JAPARIDZE TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I bring more pleasure into my life?

Fanuna's Tarot

Reading Summary:  Indulge in your personal temptations (The Devil) without allowing others snide glances get in your way (imagery on the Three of Cups).  You know what’s right and are strong enough to tread your own path without their input (The Empress).

Take Away:  Right.  So the Three of Cups imagery really triggered a reaction that has very little to do with the traditional card meaning here.  It had to do with the sidelong glance and open mouth of the center figure, which in my perception today feels snide.  Like a gaggle of girls snicering and gabbing rumors back and forth, yeah?

So with that in mind, the message that the cards in this spread is the whole “you do you” thing.  Don’t worry about what others are doing… or how they do things.  Focus instead upon what brings you joy and dance to the beat of your own drum.

DECK USED:  FANUNA’S TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better connect with my inner child?

Tattoo Tarot Ink and IntuitionReading Summary:  Remember that as capable as you are (Magician)?  You don’t have all the answers (Hierophant). Don’t turn away (Four of Cups) from the good stuff (The World).

Take Away:  There is a definite theme going on in my cards today.   Here we have another message about not taking myself so seriously all the time.  A lot of times I bypass opportunities to experience joy as I lean into responsibilities instead, turning my back on things that will bring me pleasure either emotionally or spiritually… or both, because my sense of responsibility turns me toward the use of my skills, knowledge, and abilities to fulfill obligations instead.

If I want to connect more with my inner child, I need to stop ignoring those opportunities.

DECK USED:  TATTOO TAROT INK AND INTUITION

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question: What energy is available to me this month?

Bleu Cat Tarot

Reading Summary: Discernment (Six of Cups) and emotional exploration (Ace of Cups) as well as the destructive power to tear things down (Tower) so that something better can be built in its place (not this month).

Take Away:  The energy available to me this month is one of destruction and discernment.  The cards indicate that energy is about making good choices on what I’m tearing down and breaking apart, with the purpose of adding in space for my emotional well being and growth.    It’s about picking and choosing what to keep, and what to release, and not being afraid of breaking the plate if necessary so that it can be replaced with a different one.

DECK USED:  BLEU CAT TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How do I feel right now?

Tarot Mood

Reading Summary: Resistant to change (Four of Pentacles) even though I know it has to happen (Judgement).  Feeling a need for help in getting my shit together (Three of Pentacles) while trying to stay positive (The Star).

Take Away:  I am trying very, very hard to get over my discomfort with change and “go with the flow”, but the fact I’ve struggled the last two weeks with falling into old habits makes it clear there’s definitely an inner struggle here.  I do feel like I need help, but I’m not sure anyone can actually do anything for me on this path at the moment… and I find myself consciously pushing towards hope in order to keep that alive rather than giving in to the shadow that such struggles can cause within me.

DECK USED:  TAROT MOOD

 

An Iconic Love

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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

Working For It Makes It Worth More

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was another ten minute session like I had described yesterday.  This session was also relaxing, and I found myself “seeing” the notes of the harp in a sort of spacial energy type of way as drops of water landing on the surface of a lake to create ripples.  The actual physical sensation of the harp’s notes are more of a numb tingling on the backs of my forearms, which in a slow pace like is played for this meditation, is not aggravating or distracting, nor so overwhelming it starts to feel as if it’s creeping up onto my biceps.

Forager's Daughter Tarot - Nine of WandsToday’s draw is the Nine of Wands, which traditionally is often interpreted as

I’m not really sure how I feel about the imagery in this card for the Nine of Wands, to be honest.  Because I often associate the Nine of Wands as a card as a blend of exhaustion and vigilance, this imagery doesn’t really “fit” with my “comfort zone” for the card.

What I see here?  Is more along the lines of the 9 of Clubs when reading off playing cards.  That is to say that the imagery here is about striving for something that holds your focus and your passion.  So close… so very close… almost there.  And that thing is all you can focus on to near obsession as you reach for it… strive for it.

That message is congruent with what really stands out to me in the imagery of the card today as well, which is the little gray mouse and the glowing blackberries at the very top that the mouse strives for.  The mouse is so close and he just needs one last bit of oomph to make it.

The message in today’s card is about determination and strength. It’s about that old adage that says that “the things worth having are worth working for”.  That includes having a safe home and a place to go back to work… thus why I put myself in danger today to make sure both were safe and secure.

I’m sorry I worried you, man.  I love you.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I honor or uphold my heart’s message?

Light Visions Tarot

My Heart’s Message: Take time to enjoy imperfections (Four of Chalices), and remember that not everything needs to be “just so” (Alkamest).

To Honor This Message: Remember that sometimes shit just doesn’t balance out right away (Wheel of Fortune), and you have to be patient and let it develop over time (Death). Trust that the laws of cause and effect will balance things out (Justice).

Take Away:  The thing is that sometimes? I just get too wrapped up in making everything perfect.   In truth?  There is no actual “perfect” to be had, but I somehow forget that in my efforts to always do better and better.   And because I spend so much of my focus and time on being and doing better?  There are times I forget it’s okay not to be like that.  It’s okay to be happy with the here and now and to let the future take care of itself.

DECK USED:  LIGHT VISIONS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What is the biggest lesson that I have learned this month?

Fairy Tarot by Doreen VirtueReading Summary: How to be more grounded and centered (Queen of Autumn) in times of uncertainty (The Moon), and how to continue to move forward in making choices (Two of Winter) regardless of the uncertainty surrounding me at the time.

Take Away:  This is (obviously, from my past) a quality that I already possess, and yet with each repeat of that lesson it shows me a different way, a different aspect, and a new perspective as if each time another puzzle piece gets tucked into the big picture, and I can see just a bit more as my skills advance.  This is why lessons are sometimes repeated.  Not because you didn’t learn the first time… but because there’s even more to see and learn. 

DECK USED:  FAIRY TAROT BY VIRTUE AND VALENTINE

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I better protect my personal space?

Tarot of the 78 Doors

Reading Summary: Don’t allow yourself to get distracted or confused (Eight of Wands). Instead, move towards being centered for a better sense of stability (The Wheel), and focus on your passions with a balanced blend of authority and enthusiasm (King of Wands).

Take Away: When I’m centered and grounded, my attention is better focused on what’s important, on what is needed, and where the cracks and chinks in my armor lie as well as how to either fix or protect them better.   The cards here are speaking of that need to stay grounded and centered in my efforts to better protect my personal space, and to do so by filling that space up with my personal energy in order to make it very clearly mine for any that may come near.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE 78 DOORS

Pause and Consider

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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