Daily Focus

Listen More Closely

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IMG_7933Today’s meditation was right at about ten minutes long today, and was a guided meditation with interval timer for my piriformis stretches.

The topic of today’s guided meditation was growth, and the discomfort that we go through as we grow.  It was about how that discomfort is natural and, although uncomfortable, is a good thing.  It’s through these growing pains that we develop into someone better, and become more than we currently are.

If, instead of accepting these growing pains and discomfort as a part of life, we instead turn around and hide from those uncomfortable feelings then we also hide from the experiences that provide us with growth and betterment.

Tarot of the Little Prince - Five of WandsToday’s draw is the Five of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of tests, trials, and conflict in the area of one’s drive, inspiration, willpower, and determination.  This often translates into either struggles that cause you to be held back and you fight against that barrier, or impassioned conflict concerning what one believes in.

What stands out to me in this card’s image today is the fact that the snake is actually fighting using a wand.  I mean… that’s remarkable right?  Okay so when I saw this today, I thought…. “Hm, watch out for unexpected trouble.”

Although to be honest?  I really didn’t expect “unexpected trouble” to come in the guise of a crazy ass 220 pound white guy with a rage issue screaming at me to go back to my “homeland” and take the “China flu back there with you” as he handed me my ass in a parking lot.

Thank you for the warning…. I’m sorry I didn’t listen more closely this morning.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE

#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Think of a problem that needs solving and pull cards in relation to… Where To Begin / What Half Way Looks Like / How to End Things / Long Term Ramifications
Problem: Keeping up with the holiday rush

Bosch TarotWhere To Begin – Strength – Remember that you’ve got this. You are capable and strong, you have the inner stamina and strength to make it through, no matter how bad it gets.  You run this gauntlet every year, and you always make it through just fine, if feeling a little ragged by the end.

What Half Way Looks Like – The Lovers – Half way there is a good time to remember that you need to include self care.  It can be really hard to fit in those things that help you feeling refreshed when in the middle of keeping the chaos in line. But you need it.  So don’t skimp on it.

How to End Things – King of Pentacles – Flush from the holiday rush, you will have your finances in a better place than they’ve been in some time.  Make sure you invest that money wisely, save it wisely, and put it towards that stability and security you constantly crave.

Long Term Ramifications – Six of Swords – Somewhere better than where you’re at now.  Positive advancement towards improvement and being “in a better place” financially.  That is what you run this gamut for each year, after all.

DECK USED:  BOSCH TAROT

Patience, Not Pushing

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I’ve managed to fall behind yet again… and I can’t remember whether I meditated on the 26th or not.  I don’t think that I did, but I did manage to soak in the tub for a bit. So I’ll leave this empty this time around as I finish up these posts that got started… but never published on the blog.

Traditional Manga Tarot - JusticeToday’s draw is the Justice card, which is traditionally about checks and balances.  It’s the fact that there will always be a repercussion or consequence to any action taken. Sometimes the consequences involve the law, sometimes it’s about karmic backlash from previous incarnations.  Sometimes, it’s just the nature of of cause and effect.

What stands out to me in this card’s imagery today is how calm and self contained she is.  Her posture perfect, her elbows in against her sides, ankles crossed and knees pressed. She sits silent and still, but she is not blindfolded like lady justice but rather watches quietly from that place of stillness.

The message here is about patience and being watchful.  Sometimes the smartest option is to step back and wait, watch… and listen. Sometimes the only way to get what you want is through patience instead pushing.

DECK USED:  TRADITIONAL MANGA TAROT

LionHart’s As Above So Below Challenge Prompt
Saturn Question: What {personal} limitations am I asked to accept and be more understanding of?

The Sabbath Tarot

Reading Summary: Things can’t be rainbow and sunshine (The Sun) all the time.  There are going to be times when you feel like you’re floundering and feeling hopeless (Five of Coins).  Just remember that it is through embracing yourself and fostering hope that you are able to pull yourself out of the depths (The High Priest).

Take Away:  The cards here are reminding me that it’s okay to feel down sometimes when things are going awry.  It’s okay to have bad emotions.  Don’t forget in your effort to find a more positive inner narrative and optimistic outlook that you don’t have to force it all the time.

It’s healthy to feel discouraged now and then as long as you rise above the temptation to tear into yourself about it.

DECK USED:  THE SABBATH TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Advice I need to hear at this time concerning my family relations.

Witches Wisdom TarotReading Summary: In the dead of winter (Ten of Air) broils the brightest fire (Ace of Fire). Be ready to guide the way when the time comes (Guardian)

Take Away: It looks like L or Z (or possibly both) may be coming up with a brilliant idea sometime in the next month or two and is going to need some support to make it come to life.

The message here is to make sure that I am supporting the inspiration and passion of that idea rather than dousing it or leaving her to her own devices.  By supporting the idea and helping it in getting off the ground, I in turn am able to help protect it (and her/them) from failure.

DECK USED:  WITCHES WISDOM TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What does it mean to speak my truth?

Scorpio Sea Tarot

Reading Summary:  Growth forward into the future (Two of Wands) from passionate pursuits (Queen of Wands) into a seat of experience and knowledge (Queen of Swords).

Take Away:  In speaking my truth, it means that I am able to take my experiences and carry them forward to help others with their own.  By having had my own experiences and learned from them, I can then take that experience forward and share my knowledge with others. In doing this, in sharing this with others, I am then able to speak my truth and allow it to help others in finding theirs.

DECK USED:  SCORPIO SEA TAROT

Realistic Boundary Setting

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I’m still in the process of catching up… and I can’t remember whether I meditated on the 25th or not. So I’ll leave this empty this time around as I finish up these posts that got started… but never published on the blog.

Tarot of the Little Prince - Nine of WandsToday’s draw is the Nine of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of setting boundaries and resilience in the face of adversity.

The snake is what stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today.  That and the staff that the young man holds.  The staff is not really a use against a snake in most cases, and the ability to set boundaries with a staff planted in the earth… against a snake?  Is impossible.

The message today is about realism.  It’s about making sure that you set realistic boundaries and expectations for yourself so that you aren’t setting yourself up for failure.  The limitations and boundaries you put in place for yourself and others need to be manageable for both parties involved, or they just won’t work.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE

LionHart’s As Above So Below Challenge Prompt
Saturn Question: What {personal} boundaries should I work on, honor, respect, or acknowledge right now?

Multi-Stabber Tarot

What Boundaries Should I Work On – The Wheel – It can be difficult to keep calm and carry on when the world’s going nuts and chaos is knocking on the door. Setting boundaries that keep the chaos at bay so that it doesn’t mess with your mind and emotions is important, and is something I need to work on.

What Boundaries Should I Honor – Seven of Pentacles – Sustainable progress takes time.  Sometimes I get too damned impatient and I try to push when I shouldn’t.  It’s important to make sure I’m honoring the process, and the time things take to turn out just right.  Not everything can be done in an hour or a day… or even a year. 

What Boundaries Should I Respect – Nine of Swords – Allowing my  inner narrative to turn dark and vicious does no one any good and especially not myself.  I need to respect the boundaries I have put in place to help me keep that negative inner voice at bay.

What Boundaries Should I Acknowledge – Knight of Pentacles – What I want is important, and the needs that drive me forward are too.  The fact that I am constantly so focused on security and stability is not a bad thing and instead of spending time making excuses for it, embrace that this is what you need.  Moving slow doesn’t mean you’re not moving.

DECK USED:  MULTI-STABBER TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Can a person without hope live a full and happy life?

Marigold TarotReading Summary: Fighting for what you desire (Five of Wands) and taking rather than earning it (Seven of Swords) because you have the skills to do so (The Magician).

Take Away: Yes. By sinking into baser pleasures and embracing hedonism and pleasures of the moment over thoughts of the future.  When someone truly lives in the moment and weighs one’s personal pleasures and desires over everything else in life, they can feel as if they are living a full and complete life even without hope… as there is no looking forward to the future and thus no need for hope.  Only a wallowing in the present moment, one moment at a time.

DECK USED:  MARIGOLD TAROT

Heal & Transform November Challenge Prompt
Question: What personal gifts does the Universe need me to share?

Sweeney Tarot

Reading Summary: Comfort the hurting (imagery in the Ten of Cups) while encouraging hope (imagery in the Ace of Cups) and independence (imagery in the Six of Swords).

There is color flow here between the forehead in the first card flowing green into the center card, and the angle of the arm in the center card connecting to the flow of the tree combined with color flow to blue in the third card.  This connects these three cards into a chronological flow.

Take Away:  It’s nice to hear when you’re on the right track. To know that when I connect with people and help them in finding a path that is uniquely theirs, that in doing so it’s more than just something that feels good to me but a calling.  And that, too, feels right.   Like… a stone placed in a stream to redirect the flow of water just so.

DECK USED:  SWEENEY TAROT

Positive Memories

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I’ve managed to fall behind yet again… and I can’t remember whether I meditated on the 24th or not. So I’ll leave this empty this time around as I finish up these posts that got started… but never published on the blog.

Traditional Manga Tarot - Six of CupsToday’s draw is the Six of Cups, which traditionally is a representation of the emotions that circle around topics of nostalgia and looking back into the past and embracing the joy and innocence that often comes with childhood memories and remembering past relationships.

What really stands out to me in the imagery of this card today is how much gold there is in the picture.  A golden glow seems to enshroud the entire scene, casting it alight in warm hues.

The message her is a reminder to keep your attention focused on the positive when you take a wander down memory lane.  Don’t allow yourself to stray off the path into the dark woods, but rather stay in that golden glow of warmth and positivity.

DECK USED:  TRADITIONAL MANGA TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Advice I need to hear at this time concerning my personal growth.

Edmund Dulac TarotReading Summary:  You’re going to pay for it (Justice) if you don’t allow yourself some rest (Four of Coins) and keep striving for a positive perspective during this busy time (The Star).  It won’t last forever (Eight of Cups).

Take Away: The holiday rush is a really difficult time for me on a number of different levels.  The reminder here that it doesn’t last forever is a good one, but doesn’t excuse not getting enough rest or allowing yourself to fall into those darker negative inner dialogues that can often drag you down.  Personal upkeep, but on a physical level and an emotional one are no less important now than any other time of year, just harder to fit in for a brief amount of time.

DECK USED:  EDMUND DULAC TAROT

Find The Boon

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I’ve managed to fall behind yet again… and I can’t remember whether I meditated on the 23rd or not. So I’ll leave this empty this time around as I finish up these posts that got started… but never published on the blog.

Tarot of the Little Prince - StrengthToday’s draw is the Strength card, which traditionally is more about inner strength than physical strength, and is a representation of persuasion and influence, an inner core of compassion, and the ability to bend others to one’s will.

What stood out to me in this card today is the expressions on the faces of both the boy and the fox. The holiday rush is in full swing and the message here is that even though it’s going to be a hard and busy day, it’s important to make sure that I’m finding some joy in it as well.

Don’t sink so deep into the work that you turn into a robot.  Breathe deep and find the pleasure.  The comfort.  And the joy in what you do.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE

#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Pick a topic and pull a card for… Tomorrow / Next Week / Next Month
Topic: My financial health…

Mary El Tarot 1st EditionTomorrow – Death – In the present, my finances are in the process of going through a natural shift.  This is not news, as with the holiday rush upon me, the money is flowing in freely and (sometimes) feels like it’s sifting through my fingers like sand as I spend on postage and supplies almost as quickly as the money comes in.

Next Week – King of Cups – In the week ahead, you will find that you will come to a place of ease and security.  Knowing that the money is there, knowing that bills are being paid and things are going well will give you an emotional boost and confidence.

Next Month – Five of Wands – By this time next month, you will be struggling with the slow down from the holiday rush.  Anxiety over the drop off of sales is natural, as is the struggle to push it forward and keep it going. Inner conflict and the need to push will be burning wild in your chest, conflicting with the slowdown and need to back off and ease up.

DECK USED:  MARY EL TAROT 1ST EDITION

Positive Transformations

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IMG_7893Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long and was a guided meditation with interval timer for my piriformis stretches.  The thing is, though?  I have no idea what the guided part of the meditation was about.

I mean, I was listening I think… and part of the reason I save the little graphics that come with my meditation is so that it can prompt my memory of the guided topic.   And yet…. even the graphic doesn’t prompt up a memory of the meditation’s topic really.  Not even a vague memory remains.  Maybe I was deeper into my meditation than I thought?

I suppose that the important part is that I actually did the meditation at all, though.  Which I did.  So… yeah.

Traditional Manga Tarot - Ace of WandsToday’s draw is the Ace of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s drive, inspiration, motivation, and inner spark.  This often translates into themes that have to do with new passion projects, sparks of curiosity, and things that strike your interest and kindle an inspired passion within you.

What really stands out to me in the imagery of this card today is the dress that the woman wears in the image.  She looks like she’s draped in malachite and surrounded in crazy lace agate.

Malachite holds within it the energy of transformation to ease struggles and foster insight.  Crazy lace agate is a stone used to foster and flourish joy in one’s life. This feels like a good omen, and I’m going to take it as such.

The message here today is to continue to transform those negative inner dialogues into positivity and optimism.

DECK USED:  TRADITIONAL MANGA TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #2
Question: I am struggling with incorporating self care into my day. What advice do I need to hear right now that will help me with this struggle over the next few weeks?

Dark Wood TarotReading Summary: Have patience (Temperance), because change takes time (Death). And it can hurt (white is you, red is change) so be prepared for that.

There are connections here in the colors that reinforce the message at hand.  In the Death card, the staff that death holds relates to the hair of the woman in the Five of Swords, and the gown the angel wears relates to the dress of the caught woman in the Five of Swords.

Connecting the figures in the imagery in this way,  you can see that the red haired woman (connected through color to Death/Change) is inflicting pain upon the caught woman in the Five of Swords card (who is reflected in the angel in the Death card drained of color).

Take Away: These cards are a reminder that it’s okay to miss self care now and then, because the effort to find balance after the changes made in my life (both by me in my effort to find better balance, and by the holiday rush) are going to cause a bit of imbalance and that imbalance naturally involves dropping the ball now and then.  And honestly?  Better to drop the ball just a bit on self care than on the business you’re trying to run during the holiday rush.  Thus…. it’s gonna hurt a bit because growing pains suck.  Instead of being hard on yourself, be kind and forgiving in those moments you slip up.

DECK USED:  DARK WOOD TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: When have I felt emotionally rich?

Golden Tarot by Kat Black

Reading Summary: This summer when I was resting (Four of Swords) after having experienced burnout (Ten of Wands), and was spending time ignoring much of the stressful crap (Eight of Swords).

Take Away:  The cards here are referring to the time off that I allowed myself each month over the summer. I’ve never really taken time off before, not even when going to my mother’s or out east.  I mean… yeah, I did… but not really.   What I found from that time is that when I’m able to step away from my responsibilities for a few days and breath, I find myself not just rejuvenated inside and out, but when I’m able to step away from the guilt of not working I’m also then able to focus on other things I enjoy as well…. and that I really like that.

DECK USED:  GOLDEN TAROT BY KAT BLACK