Daily Focus

Creation, Evolution, and Balance

/ Twist the Leaf / 2 Comments

Today’s meditation was disrupted by the fact that I had to run Z to the hospital.   I did do a good deal of 2 minute pauses and deep breathing while at the hospital in order to keep myself calm and clear headed.   But I didn’t really get an actual, official meditation as the emergency happened just after I had lain down to try and get the meditation practice in.

Z is fine, and back with us, btw.  She just had to stay overnight to make sure that her allergy reaction didn’t return as the medication used to suppress it wore off.

Ace of Oak - Ace of Pentacles - Stolen Child TarotToday’s draw is the Ace of Oak (Ace of Pentacles) which is a representation of the seeds of new beginnings in the area of one’s resources, finances, health, and the physical plane.

Aside from the Five of Flame, this is one of my absolutely favorite cards in the Stolen Child deck.  The imagery in this card speaks to me of the aspects of nature and energy that I revere in my practice.   That is, that it speaks to me of the energies of creation, evolution, and balance.  It speaks to me of cycles and balance.

The appearance of this card today and the message it brings has very little to do with traditional meanings, and everything to do with my perception of those energies represented within the imagery.   This card is a reminder that my morning devotional where I call upon those energies and the energies of the elements is an important part of my day and finding balance in my life… and calling me out on skipping it.

DECK USED:  STOLEN CHILD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthApril Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I honor that lesson? (built off yesterday’s cards)

Mibramig Magical Tarot

Reading Summary:   Accept that I’m doing a good job (Ten of Pentacles) and that this lesson is one that is needed (The Tower) in order to become stronger and more assertive in life and a better provider (King of Wands).

Take Away:  I have definitely felt a shift happening as I’ve lead my family (sister, childhood mentor, mother and her nurse) through the crisis that this pandemic has created.  I feel less and less like a kid fumbling in the dark and working at “playing house”, and more and more the responsible and dependable rock that they need.

DECK USED:  MIBRAMIG MAGICAL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What gifts does the new season bring with it?

Considerate Cat TarotReading Summary:  The opportunity for a little more independence (Nine of Pentacles) that I should grab hold of and use to nurture myself and care for my needs (The Empress) rather than ignoring or rejecting for not being enough (Four of Cups).

Take Away:  Alone time is a really scarce commodity these days and that’s something that I’ve really struggled with.  The cards here indicate that I’m going to have an opportunity for a bit more autonomy with this new season, and instead of squandering that opportunity because it doesn’t feel like I’m getting enough… I need to cherish that opportunity and use it to help take care of myself and my needs.  This feels like an encouragement to jump at opportunities to get outside and enjoy time in nature, no matter how small, short, or limited those opportunities may be.

DECK USED:  CONSIDERATE CAT TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What energy am I attracting in my life?

Forager's Daughter Tarot

Reading Summary: Seeing the world (The World) from a new perspective (Hanged Man) that will allow for a closer connection with others (Two of Cups) through self expression and exploring new ways of communication (Page of Swords).

Take Away:  That openness to new perspectives is something that I always welcome, but the blend of that with a connection to others is something that is very new.   I usually have a really difficult time connecting to people and the message here is that at this time it is important to seek out and be open to finding new ways of communicating with others that help foster those connections that I’m usually not very strong at developing.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

 

Developing Understanding

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_3944Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and focused upon connecting with your inner voice and emotions, and allowing meditation to take you to a place of stillness that allows us to better hear that inner voice that can sometimes be so very quiet.

By stilling our mind and bodies, sometimes we are able to better connect with that voice.  And by using meditation regularly, we become more adept at finding that quiet stillness and sinking into it.   It allows that stillness to become a part of you.  A part of you that grows and develops over time until that inner voice is able to open up and become much louder, and speak to you more often.

Ace of Zephyrs - Ace of Swords - Stolen Child TarotToday’s draw is the Ace of Zephyrs (Ace of Swords) which is traditionally a card that indicates the seed of new beginnings concerning thoughts, intellect, and communication.

What really stands out to me in the imagery of this card today is the combination of vertical and horizontal eyes.  This speaks to me of multiple perspectives, where the green that leaks from the eyes and into the brain then speaks to me of absorption.

The message in today’s card is about learning.  It’s about allowing yourself to be open to new perspectives. Not just open to them but allowing them but allowing yourself to absorb and understand these perspectives, seeking new knowledge and new understanding in the process.

This is something that I seek out regularly.  Even if I can’t relate to the perspectives that I sometimes collect, I am always open to hearing them and they give me the knowledge to know what others feel and think and believe.   I think it’s important to be open to at the very least hearing other’s perspectives.   I think that you need to be confident enough in yourself and your own path that every perspective you hear does not end up adopted as your own, though, as well.

DECK USED:  STOLEN CHILD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthApril Challenge Prompt
Question: What lesson am I being taught at this time?

White Sage Tarot

Reading Summary:  How to provide a sense of stability (Four of Pentacles) and emotional security (Ten of Cups) while plotting a course forward (Two of Wands) that leads my loved ones through difficult times (The Emperor).

Take Away:  With everything that has been going on in the world lately, and the fact that we are in lock down together (my sister and I and our childhood mentor), there is a lot of uncertainty going on.  The lesson that the cards indicate I am learning at this time is how to create and provide that sense of security and stability for others, and lead them through times of uncertainty and struggle.

DECK USED:  WHITE SAGE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What is Divinity?

Marshmallow Marseille TarotReading Summary:  Guidance (Hierophant) towards living a better life (Judgement). Connection (Two of Cups) and stability (Four of Pentacles).

Take Away:  Divinity is the guiding light in the darkness that helps us learn to be better.  Better people. Better at the things that we do.  Better at making good choices.  It gives us the capacity to create connections both with others and with divinity itself, and creates within us a sense of stability that fosters our strength and moral compass.

DECK USED:  MARSHMALLOW MARSEILLE TAROT

 

The Mistakes of Others

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was… non-existent.  Ugh.  I was going to do the meditation after I did the neti pot of my nose (you know, so that I can breathe because my allergies have been up in arms for three days now).   But then I did the neti pot and discovered a raging sinus infection going on up there.  The salt on the wound reaction throughout the front of my face caused a severe headache among other lesser issues and, after a great deal of cussing (that no one could hear) and stomping (that everyone could hear), instead of meditating I ended up lying down and taking a nap.

The Heirophant - Stolen Child TarotToday’s draw is the Heirophant (Hierophant) card, which is traditionally a representation of spiritual guidance and wisdom shared, as well as constructs of conformity and institution.

What I see in this card’s imagery today definitely has to do with learning, which is an intrinsic theme of this card, but it has to do with learning from other’s mistakes rather than in the institutional or traditional means usually indicated by the Hierophant.

This message has to do with the little water nymphs and their fishy tails, and the trapped and soon to be eaten catfish on the rock under the pelican’s foot. The nymphs look on and see the lesson learned by the fish, understanding the caution needing to be executed in order to continue their own survival by witnessing the danger and the mistakes of others first hand.

The card in today’s draw is a call to pay attention.

DECK USED:  STOLEN CHILD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthApril Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I introduce more simple joys into my current routine?

Cosmic Tarot

Reading Summary:  Stop skipping out on my self care (Empress) and look at ways to instill a little more order (Princess of Swords) into the uncertain parts (The Moon) of my day to day routine.

Take Away:  I just love it when I get called out for skipping self care opportunities (sarcasm).  Okay so yes.  I have not been doing all of the whole self care stuff I should.  Although… I have been getting plenty of sleep, so at least there’s that.

Anyway.  The message here is that I need to step up my self care, and let my organizational freak flag fly.  That by doing so I will overcome my uncertainty and open up room for more simple joys to step into that space.

DECK USED:  COSMIC TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #2  Is that RV across the street going to be moving along to somewhere else in the foreseeable future?

ETA Tarot - Emerging Toronto Artists TarotReading Summary:  They have a lot to accomplish yet (Seven of Pentacles) but are eager to start having some fun (The Sun). Too much pot (Five of Wands) is making it a struggle to keep their eye on the ball (Two of Pentacles).  Note: Second sentence is an intuitive hit off of the imagery rather than anything to do with traditional meaning of the cards.)

Take Away:  So.. yes.  But it’s going to be quite a while yet. I’ve seen a good deal of progress going on, but there’s also long gaps between when they come to do work that the cards indicate are filled with partying.  This is slowing down their progress and going to cause it to be quite some time yet before the RV is ready to be moved anywhere.

The cards do indicate, though, that it will eventually move.  They’re eager to get on the road and start enjoying the freedom that the RV represents.  It’s just going to take some time yet before that happens.

DECK USED:  ETA TAROT (EMERGING TORONTO ARTISTS TAROT)

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What is my life purpose?

Fantastical Creatures Tarot

Reading Summary:  To take the struggles, hurdles, and hurts that come (Seven of Swords) “like a man” (The Emperor… and just saying? But I hate that phrase) and continuing to move forward at a steady pace (Knight of Pentacles).

Take Away:  Perhaps the purpose involves learning how to take the difficulties in life and move forward from them without falling apart in the process… or maybe it involves just doing it so that others can see that it can be done and thus learn from my experiences and mistakes.  Either way, the theme of the cards here deals with overcoming difficulties by remaining steady and sure and filled with purpose even when those setbacks make that attitude and action a struggle to accomplish.

DECK USED:  FANTASTICAL CREATURES TAROT

 

Sustainable Strength

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and attached to the end of my yoga/physiotherapy session, which was extra long today as I’ve been struggling with a bit of increased immobility in my right hip, probably due to my lack of visits the sports medicine clinic over the past month or so that they’ve been closed due to the pandemic and the lockdown orders.

I was aware when they closed down that it would be a bit of an issue.  I was hoping that the stiffness that I experienced when my ribs slid out of alignment and settled into their current position that that would be the worst of it.  Apparently there is more to come.

Knight of Oak - Knight of Pentacles - Stolen Child TarotToday’s draw is the Knight of Oak (Knight of Pentacles) which is a representation of an active beta energy, personality, or person in the areas of resources, health, finance, and the physical world. This often translates into themes that deal with the steady progress of hard work and routine (as opposed to the more rash energy of the other knights) as well as topics that have to do with the steady attainment, sustainability, and conservation of resources.

Honestly?  Whenever I see the imagery in this card, it makes me think of you.  Not that I see you as the Knight of Pentacles, but rather that there is something in the imagery itself that reminds me of you being both reasonable and resourceful at the same time.

And that is where the message of today’s card resides.   It is in that steady and reasonable energy of using one’s resources wisely and plotting the course that makes sure that those resources retain sustainability for the future. Although, unlike when I see you in the card, this message is not found  today in the figure or the moose, but rather in the water at the feet of the moose and the touch of the hand upon it.

Today’s message is a reminder that I have the capability to make our resources work for as long as needed to get through this mess with the pandemic and closures, etc.  I can and will stretch what we need and find that resourcefulness to make it through and bring those I care about through it with me.

DECK USED:  STOLEN CHILD TAROT

 

Self Nurturing Is Important

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was just under fifteen minutes long and was another of those guided “contact your spirit guide” meditations which… was another flop.

Honestly?  This one was all about the narrator’s voice.  I really did try to stay focused and allow my body to relax into the meditation, but her voice was just so…. ugh.  Not nasally or scratchy but somehow still grating.  I can’t really explain it.  I was sure I could relax to the voice and yet some odd quality in it just… wouldn’t allow me to relax enough to get into the meditation.

Queen of Oak - Queen of Pentacles - Stolen Child TarotToday’s draw is the Queen of Oak (Queen of Pentacles) which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the areas of the physical world, nature, resources, etc.  This translates into themes to do with a blend of practicality and strength combined with nurturing receptivity.

What really stands out to me in this image is the touch of hands over the heart and the life blood that mixes with the honey.  It speaks to me as a reminder that even as you care for others, you still need to care for yourself as well.

I think that the message here and how it relates to my life is pretty self explanatory.  I’m not the greatest at balancing my self care into the rest of my life and responsibilities, and that is what today’s card is encouraging me to work harder at.

DECK USED:  STOLEN CHILD TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: Am I settling for less than I deserve?

New Liminal Tarot

Reading Summary: I spend too much time working alone (Three of Discs). I need to accept the help of others more readily, and will gain more strength as a result (Strength).

Take Away:  The answer is yes.  I am settling for less than I deserve because I don’t accept help from others as readily as I should.  In accepting that help, it does not create a vulnerability or a weakness, even if this is what I have always been taught as a child.  Instead, the ability to accept help from others is a strength, and one I need to work on developing if I want to stop settling for less than I deserve.

DECK USED:  NEW LIMINAL TAROT

#MidnightTarotChallenge Prompt
Question: What expectations am I holding for myself that need to be shed?

Universal Celtic TarotReading Summary: I lean too heavily on trying to find value in past experience (Six of Pentacles) instead of accepting with quiet strength (King of Swords) that sometimes discomfort and uncertainty is just what it is (The Moon) and moving on from it (Eight of Wands).

Take Away:  I truly do believe that our experiences are there to teach us something.  If not to develop our human mind and self, than to teach and develop our inner spirit.  The cards indicate that maybe sometimes I spend a little too much time looking for that benefit and finding answers to fill in where confusion resides, rather than just letting things go and moving on from them.

DECK USED:  UNIVERSAL CELTIC TAROT

 

Contentment and Gratitude

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_3766Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and focused upon using the 4-7-8 breathing technique to help  in lowering stress and inducing a sense of relaxation.

This is actually a method that I use regularly in the day to day, and often during my meditation.  It involves breathing in a full deep breath for a count of four, then holding that air in for a count of seven, then exhaling slowly to a count of eight.

When I use this technique, I use my heartbeats as the method of counting in order to make sure that the pace stays even through the entire process, and I’ve found it to be extremely beneficial in assisting me in relaxing during times of high stress.

Nine of Brine - Nine of Cups - Stolen Child TarotToday’s draw is the Nine of Brine (Nine of Cups) which is traditionally a representation of themes concerning satisfaction and attaining a state of contentment and comfortable completion in the area of one’s emotions and relationships.

What I see here is comfort and security, which I suppose is very much along the themes of contentment. The bones on the shore speak to me of a lot that has been lost by both parties, and yet the elephant and the youth move together in the shallows, leaning upon each other and taking comfort in each other.

This speaks to me of remembering what you have and appreciating it. Times of struggle and hardship can rip people apart, or they can bring people closer.  By approaching the relationships you have during these times with a sense of gratitude, it allows those relationships to strengthen rather than deteriorate.

I am currently experiencing this first hand with both my sister and Z.  This opportunity to spend so much time with both of them is a struggle, but it has also brought us closer.   The same, too, can be said for the drop and the bond formed as  I lean on you during those times of vulnerability.

DECK USED:  STOLEN CHILD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthApril Challenge Prompt
Question: What impact is stress having on my life at this time?

Fairy Lights Tarot

Reading Summary:   Disconnect is shown in the curve of the “horn” that, in this reading looks to me like a disconnected umbilical cord that has been parted from the figure with the hole in its torso.  Others look on in horror, indicating that this disconnect involves a sense of loss.

Scarcity is seen in the center card, depicted in the colors of the card as well as the sharp thorns of light scattered throughout the image and slumped figures.  The imagery feels like needs that are sharp and painful and not being satisfied.

Loss is what I see depicted in the last card.  A sense of mourning in the curling slump of the figures in the center of the image and the curl of their hands and arms.  The blue feels stark instead of comforting.

Take Away:  This is less about how it is effecting my life and more about how it can very easily turn around and bite me in the ass if I’m not careful.   Stress, that is.   It has the potential to pull me into a mindset of disconnection and scarcity where  I fear loss and, as a result, struggle with these emotions as they drag me down and jumble up my head and heart.

There is no symmetry in these cards, speaking of that confusion.  No easy flow going on here.  Instead, everything is discordant, just like my emotions when stress starts to become overwhelming and eat away at me.

DECK USED:  FAIRY LIGHTS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What new perspective is waiting for me to be realized?

Forager's Daughter TarotReading Summary: I am not immune (Five of Swords) to the need for celebration and fun (Four of Wands) and need to make sure I’m taking a break from responsibilities (The Fool) now and then.

Take Away:  Ew… I don’t like this reading.  *Cracks up.*  But, I’m not saying it’s not true either, just that the idea of taking a break from responsibility in order to fool around and have a good time goes against my very nature.  I do understand that it’s a necessary part of life to cut loose now and then and I’m not exempt from the same human needs as everyone else… it’s just not easy for me to let it happen.  So yeah, as far as realizations waiting to be realized?  This is a good one where I am concerned.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT