Daily Focus

My Struggle With Balance and Moderation

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There was no meditation today, although I will make an effort to do it when I lie down tonight to go to bed.

Today’s draw is from a new deck, as I try to switch the deck out once a month (more if I’m just not getting what I need out of it, such as I did last month).  This month’s deck is starting with a newer deck in my collection, the Stolen Child Tarot by Monica L Knighton.   I do not have the guidebook for this deck (as it hasn’t been finished yet), so all my interpretations of the artwork are just that, completely my own, as I have no input from the artist about their work to share at this time.

I would like to share the “theme” of the deck with you, though.   It is based after a poem by William Butler Yeats called “The Stolen Child“.

Come away, Oh human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world’s more full of
weeping than you can understand.

Ok…. so onward to the draw for today.   Today’s draw is the Ten of Flame, which traditionally is a representation of transitioning cycles, regeneration, endings and renewals in the area of one’s ambitions, drive, willpower, and passions.

In the picture for this card, you see a leopard boy looking very grown up, quite stern, and in control.  The leopard body is in repose while the human is erect and strong, a visage of a smaller cat aflame in the corner.

Intuitively speaking, this card speaks of control and strength of will, and that is the message that I draw from this card.   My inner beast is one that is often preoccupied with wants and needs in the form of pleasure pursuits and expressions of my creativity.  When I let it free, it can forget about practicalities and responsibilities if allowed to do so.   Today’s draw is a reminder to seek balance, but not so much control that you torch that inner spark that finds life so much fun.

It is the message of moderation that we spoke about earlier today, and you know just how much difficulty I have with moderation…. no matter if it is moderating that controlling workaholic self, or the fun and creative side.  Either way, this is something that I struggle with quite a bit, and so it’s not surprising that it is a recurring theme in my self care spreads and daily draws.   It helps that I incorporate a lot of my creative energies into my work, but yet that balance is still a struggle.

Today’s card is a reminder of the need for that, though, and an encouragement to keep at it.

Deck Used: The Stolen Child Tarot

The Happy Squirrel

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and was a full body scan that started at the top of the head and finished at the tips of the toes, going through each body part individually before then expanding your awareness to the body as a whole, and then eventually to your surroundings and all you can experience in the now of that moment.

I enjoyed it, although my mind kept wandering today.  Not on any one subject in particular, just wandering to wander.  I, of course, brought my focus back each time, although I have to admit sometimes it can get a bit frustrating when that happens.

Today’s draw is another double without a jumper, as they both came out of the deck together.  The cards in today’s draw are the Six of Cups (the Deer) and the Happy Squirrel card, which is an extra card in this deck that has placement just after The World card in the Major Arcana.

Intuitively reading these cards, I hear a warning that if I am not careful, sinking into memories of the past can lead down a treacherous path.

I know you will think “how is this a positive”, but the fact that it is brought to the forefront and I have been given a heads up IS a positive, as it encourages me to mind myself and my self care, as well as to remember to keep my eye on the present instead of getting lost in reminiscing on the past.   The Happy Squirrel says that taking that primrose path at this time is a bad idea, as it will lead to somewhere I don’t want to go.

Traditionally, the Six of Cups is a card that deals with recollections, harmonious reminiscing, and that pleasurable glow that comes from good memories in relation to emotions, relationships, intuition, and creativity.   In the guidebook for this deck, the Deer has the keywords of innocence, compassion, insight, security, love, and wonder.

The Happy Squirrel card does not have a traditional meaning, as it is not a traditional card.   You can read more about the Happy Squirrel card here and here, though.

In the guidebook for this deck, the Happy Squirrel has no keywords, only question marks.

Deck Used: The Animism Tarot

 

Needing a New Perspective

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes and sixteen seconds, and focused on creating space and perspective in times of high stress and emotions.

The message outlined in this guided meditation involved talking a step away and disconnecting with the situation in order to look at it from an observer looking in. During this time you are encouraged to take deep breaths and seek a calm within, so you that you can return to the situation with calm and perspective.

Today’s draw is another double without a jumper as they both emerged together. TWICE prior to this it tried to give me four card readings that I returned to the deck with a request for fewer cards.

The cards in today’s draw are the Four of Pentacles (the Skunk) and the Hanged Man (the Opossum).

My intuitive interpretation of the cards is that they are telling me that in order to feel settled and stable in my life, sometimes it’s important to view the world from a different perspective.

As you know, I spent a HUGE amount of my time in the grip of that fear of losing what I have.  The stability of my home and finances especially.  In a very real way, this is what drives me to work so hard.  Yes, three is some leeway, as I also enjoy my creature comforts, but that just means that I push myself that much harder so that I can have both.

The cards in today’s draw are telling me that if I want that sense of stability, maybe it’s time to start looking for a different perspective (rather than, say, killing myself with work in my current one).

I don’t have a solution for this right now, but I do hear what they’re saying and understand, and it’s something I’m going to have to spend some time thinking about.

Traditionally, the Four of Pentacles is a representation of stability, shelter, structure, taking one’s time to reassess, and in some cases stagnation in the area of one’s resources, creativity, hearth and home, finances, and the physical world.  In the guidebook for this deck, the keywords for the Skunk are confidence, courage, self-esteem, contentment, discretion, and defense.

In the Major Arcana, the Hanged Man is the 12th card, and traditionally represents surrendering and letting go, taking a pause, or finding a new perspective.  Like all Major Arcana cards, this card deals with not one specific aspect of the human experience, but a “bigger picture” aspect.   In the guidebook for this deck, the Opossum’s keywords are patience, introspection, focus, courage, opportunity, and creativity.

Sometimes when I read intuitively, the meanings for the cards will deviate from traditional meanings, but in contemplation of the traditional meanings of the cards drawn to day, as well as the animal meanings provided for this deck, I find that it all is in line with what I’ve already interpreted through my intuitive reading.

Deck Used: The Animism Tarot

 

 

Let Go

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and focused on a recurring theme in these guided meditations, which is the ‘pause’ or ‘the gap’.

Essentially, it encouraged taking a moment in your day from time to time to “mind the gap”, which is to say to find that moment of stillness and quiet between bouts of chaos and cacophony.  These small gaps are moments of peace that can be used as a balm on one’s nerves and soothe the soul.

I like this recurring theme in my guided meditations, because they work as a reminder to something that I don’t always remember to do on my own.

Today’s draw is the Three of Swords (the Dove), and I will speak to the traditional meanings of this card after I provide my intuitive take.    When I saw the imagery on this card, the immediate response was “Let Go”.

The card’s appearance has to do with my hesitations in stepping forward with the new project that I’ve been working on.  I’ve had everything ready to begin for some time, but I’ve been hesitating to take that last step forward and begin.

Today’s card is telling me to let go of my doubts and fears and hesitancy, and step forward into  what I have been working toward.  To that end, I have done just that with a portion of my morning, and officially put the wheels into motion.

Traditionally, the Three of Swords is a representation of negative self talk, lack of optimism, sorrow or grief, inner pains, and (of course) heartbreak. Numerologically speaking, the Three of Swords indicates growing pains and small gains, communication among the group, and the “third wheel” mentality within the area of thoughts, logic, communication, instinct, and education.

In the guidebook for this deck, the is associated with the keywords of communication, sacrifice, truth, hope, release, and renewal.

Deck Used: The Animism Tarot

 

Just Wait

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Today’s meditation was eleven minutes and sixteen seconds, and focused on the three types of learning.  These styles of learning are through the word of others, through your own research, and through actually doing.  It discussed how each type has its place in the process of one’s development of new skills, but it is the last of the three that really cements home changes in one’s skills and abilities.

I think this is especially true and very clear to see in when people are learning the tarot (or any divinitory system).   Books can only take you so far, watching others can only take you so far… research and study can only take you so far.  It is only once you begin actually reading with the cards (or other system) that you begin to cement into place your knowledge and methods and find the confidence and strength that only hands on experience can lend.

Today’s draw is the Five of Swords (the Mako Shark), which is a representation of trials, tests, hardship, conflict, and struggles in the area of one’s thoughts, logic, communication, instincts, intellect, and challenges.

In the guidebook for this deck, the Mako Shark’s keywords are dominance, power, fearlessness, drive, cunning, and endurance.

This card is really good for today, and I would like to share a quote from the Journey into the Hidden Realms book that demonstrates perfectly how I see the appearance of the Five of Swords in today’s draw.

“… while things look chaotic and dangerous, they aren’t as bad as you are making them out to be…. just let the situation play out naturally, it’ll blow over soon. Trying to take action now will only bring regrets.”

This is exactly right for today as I learned yesterday (along with multitudes of other sellers on the site) that Etsy has decided to completely revamp their advertising platform.  This is a platform that has worked VERY good for me over the years, and what they are incorporating into the new platform involves LESS control as well as the inclusion of a venue that has never worked well for me at all.  Because there are less controls, this means there’s no way to opt out of that advertising venue without curtailing advertising through them entirely.

I’ve been mulling over what I want to do about this, as I definitely have issue with a number of the changes.  I needed guidance, although I had not yet chosen to turn to the cards for it.   The cards, though, stepped up to provide that guidance regardless.

For the time being, I will take the “wait and see” route.  Once the dust has settled, then I will go back and review my options and make a more educated decision.

Deck Used: The Animism Tarot

 

A Breath of Fresh Air

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Today’s meditation was eleven minutes and thirty-seven seconds, and involved a full body scan from head to feet and then back up again.

These are, hands down, one of my favorite types of meditations.  I enjoy the process of moving from body part to body part, and it is mentally engaging enough to keep my mind from straying all over the place.

It also gives me a chance to touch in on what it is my body needs, where I am sore and need more stretching, what needs more attention to function dependably through the day.

Today’s draw is the Page of Wands (the Chinchilla) which is a representation of a receptive omega energy in the area of one’s passions, drive, willpower, and aspirations.  The Page of Wands is a learner, but a learner that is up for exploration and filled with curiosity, inspiration, and potential for discovery.

In the guidebook for this deck, the Chinchilla’s keywords are specified as discovery, curiosity, communication, awareness, innocence, and enthusiasm.

This is the mentality that I brought with me into my day today, and as a result we visited a LOT of places along the way back home including craft stores, grocery store (I made a new and absolutely SPECTACULAR dish tonight that I’d made up in my head in the grocery store), and even the park for a short visit.   This energy was like a breath of fresh air, and one that was greatly needed at that.