The Confines of Fear

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions from the Calm app. I can’t remember what the topic of today’s meditation was about, but am distracted by the image in the graphic for today’s session and the pods or crud or… whatever it is in between the “petals” of the plant’s bloom in the upper left quadrant. I’m squicked out by poppy seed pods, and this?  This triggers that same squick factor for me.

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The Healing Tarot - The Moon CardToday’s draw is the Moon card, which is traditionally a representation of uncertainty, illusion, anxiety, fear, the unknown, and the subconscious.

What really stood out to me in this card when I drew it this morning is the “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” that is a part of the hermit crab shell in the foreground.

Sometimes, when we’re afraid? We hide. This is a natural human reaction, but if we do that too often, what ends up happening is we end up hiding from everything.

The Moon card today is a reminder that sometimes we have to come out of our shell, even when we don’t want to because we’re scared.  Fear of the unknown can be restrictive to the point of our detriment if we let it, and if we don’t allow ourselves to confront our fears, those restrictions will become tighter and tighter around us until we can no longer move at all.

DECK USED:  THE HEALING TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2025 Challenge
Philosophical Questions for March

Philosophical Questions Oracle Reading with the Tea Time OracleIs patience an inherent virtue, or is it learned behavior?

Rose Tea – Patience is one of those things that we have to learn, usually through a desire for a certain outcome or results. After we have experienced the rewards of patience and grace, it allows us to more easily embrace the concept. [Learned]

Is happiness an inherent desire, or is it a desire that’s learned?

Apple Crisp Tea – Once we have experienced happiness in one form or another, it becomes a focus of our desires from that day forth. Happiness feels good, and it’s natural for us to then gravitate towards those things that feel good and lift our spirits. (Inherent and Learned)

Is generosity an inherent quality, or is it learned behavior?

Sun Tea – Through experience we come to understand the importance of supporting each other, and how through that system of support people (ourselves included) don’t just make do or survive, but thrive. (Learned)

Is courage an inherent trait, or is it learned behavior

Sweet Tea – Courage is in acting not due to what is expected of you, but what comes naturally. It isn’t the absence of fear, but rather that there is “stronger stuff” within you that spurs you to act despite that fear. (Inherent)

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Hiba Tips for Grounding and Revitalization
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: TEA TIME ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch-up post, which means I have no idea what my self-kindness was on this day.

Unseen Machinations

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The Unveiled Tarot - Eight of SwordsToday’s draw is the Eight of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of willful ignorance, self imposed struggle or restraint, self limiting beliefs, negative inner narratives, self pity, and victimized mentality.

I am a big fan of this card. It reminds me of the whole operation room thing where they keep you awake (if numbed out of your gourd) while they work on you.

This card is a reminder that there are things going on that you can’t see.  That doesn’t mean you need to worry about them, but rather to let go and -not- worry about them.  It means that sometimes you have to let go and let things develop on their own without your meddling fingers in the mix, trusting that there are other fingers taking up the slack and guiding things to their rightful end even without you’re help. The surgeon during the operation doesn’t need your assistance, and sometimes? Neither does the universe.

This can be really difficult, especially for anyone with control issues like myself. That’s why we need these reminders, right?

DECK USED:  THE UNVEILED TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2025 Challenge
Prompt for March 20
: Do the Spring Equinox Spread

Spring Equinox Oracle Reading with the Ceccoli Oracle

Tulips: Where do I need to practice forgiveness to foster stronger loyalty?

Motivation – Sometimes when things fall apart, you need to look at the motivation behind what’s going on rather than just paying attention to the easily observed actions of others. When you see their motivation, it can be at times easier to forgive those things that you would otherwise hold a grudge on.

Robin: How can I give myself more compassion and patience?

Plenty – A mentality of scarcity makes you punish yourself too much and far too hard. Take stock of what you have and be happy with it, rather than always pushing for more. Remember how fortunate you truly are and how much you actually have.

Rose Quartz: How can I be more open to offering unconditional love to others?

Passivity – Remember that you need other people in your life. You can’t do everything yourself and shouldn’t have to. Your discomfort with other people and your own vulnerabilities makes you want to put up shields and distance yourself, but when you’re feeling that urge you need to focus on softening and allow them in instead.

Aquamarine: What do I need to help me to stay calm and courageous in the face of adversity?

Vigilance – Stay aware and watchful of what’s going on around you. When you close your eyes and try to ignore your surroundings, it doesn’t just allow you to ignore the thing that’s bugging you, but also disorients you to everything else around you as well.

Butterfly: What sort of transformation is waiting for me this spring?

Retreat – When things go unexpectedly, you will be given the opportunity to learn how to retreat gracefully, rather than in the grips of panic mode. Allow yourself to retreat instead of trying to stand strong or reacting without thought.

Clover: Where in life will luck play into protecting me from potential harm?

Lamentation – Don’t let your worries over what might happen make you regret holding back. The “what ifs” are a product of your imagination, not reality, and holding back only leaves room for regrets later on.

Rabbit: How can I encourage more abundance in my life this spring?

Advice – Take uninvited advice from others into consideration this spring. You may not have welcomed them or their words into your life, but they may just have a point that you’re otherwise missing if you don’t listen.

Other elements included in this reading:
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: CECCOLI ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.

Finding the Positive for March 17 – 19

Card of the Day Tarot Readings with the Faerie Tarot (Eight of Swords and Judgement card), Green Trace Tarot (Page of Swords), and The Cloud Tower Tarot (Knight of Swords)

March 17 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was eleven minutes long, and was one of the #DailyTrip sessions from the @Calm app. The topic of today’s session was about the benefits of stillness.  That is to say, the benefits that can be garnered by taking a moment when things feel loud or chaotic to just take a step back and breathe for a minute.  To feel the stillness within yourself in that moment, and then return to the world refreshed from visiting that momentary  sense of inner stillness.

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Today’s draw is the Eight of Swords atop the Judgement card.

  • The Eight of Swords card is traditionally a representation of self-imposed limitations and beliefs, closed mindedness, inflexibility, self pity, and restrictive thinking.
  • The Judgement card is traditionally a representation of looking back on one’s history and reflecting upon if they are happy with all that they have done and become in life, as well as getting in touch with one’s true calling, and themes to do with forgiveness and absolution.

When these cards are combined with the topic of today’s meditation,  there is a reminder here that although we are not always at our best?  We can be better by taking a moment to check in with ourselves and making sure we are still moving in the direction of our chosen path.

It’s easy sometimes to get sidetracked by thoughts of defeat or lack of confidence. Listening to our negative inner narratives can tear us down and make us blind to anything but the hard stuff and struggles.  In these cards is the reminder that when we realize we are struggling, it’s time to step back, pause, and re-orient ourselves.  Remember where we are wanting to go in life and the person we want to become, and make sure that our moment of struggle doesn’t draw us off that path and into the weeds.

DECK USED: FAERIE TAROT

March 18 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions in the @Calm app. The topic for today’s session was about the boon of being wrong.

I am a fan of this session, and I’ve meditated to it before in the past.  The idea here is that it’s when we’re wrong that we learn and grow, as long as we’re willing to be open to being wrong and learning from the experience.

I know a lot of people who struggle to admit when they’re wrong, but this has never really been a problem for me personally.  I like learning new things, and if that means someone proves me wrong in order for me to learn them?  That’s fine with me. It means in being wrong I’ve now gained more knowledge and experience than I would have in not trying at all.

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Today’s draw is the Page of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, logic, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with learning new ways to communicate with others, beginning new educational pursuits, exploring new ideas. and seeking to sate one’s curiosity.

Combined with the topic of today’s meditation, the message I see in this card today is about the learner’s mind. The Pages, when you really boil down to it, are students.  You can’t be open to learning new things and experimentation with concepts and ideas if you’re mind is closed to being wrong. It just doesn’t work.

The card for today, therefore, is a reminder that it’s okay to be wrong. It’s part and parcel of the process of exploration and experimentation.  It’s nothing to be ashamed of or resistant to, just open up and absorb the new knowledge it provides… and keep going!

DECK USED: GREEN TRACE TAROT

March 19 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions in the @Calm app.

The session for today explored a technique for dealing with difficult or intense emotions created by a man named Michael Stone, who used the French word “sain” (meaning healthy or wholesome) as an acronym for the practice.

S – Stop – Taking a moment to stop and identify that you are experiencing an emotion.

A – Allow – Allowing yourself to feel that emotion rather than trying to push it away or bury it.

I – Investigate – Explore how this emotion affect you physically? Where do you feel it in your body?

N – Non-Identification – “I am feeling frustration” rather than “I am frustrated” in order to keep yourself from becoming more deeply entrenched what you are feeling. This keeps us from being swept up in the emotion.

In using this method, the session indicates that we can better identify our emotions and deal with them rather than using unhealthy coping mechanisms, or getting so wrapped up in our emotions that they control us.

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Today’s draw is the Knight of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a projective and active “beta” energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with pursuing one’s goals related to their education, actively seeking one’s goals, action and decisiveness, and at times can indicate impulsivity without thinking things through.

The combination of today’s meditation session with this card speaks of a need to stop and think rather than act.  It speaks of the dangers of being impulsive, when what we want to do is learn and understand ourselves better.  This is something that can’t be done in a hurry.  Learning about ourselves, familiarizing ourselves with our difficult emotions? It’s not something that can be rushed.

Introducing logic and an intellectual side to this learning process allows to slow down and examine rather than allowing our emotions to overtake us and take logic away.  It’s not like intuition, where logic gets in the way. Instead, logic helps us shift out of the grip of our emotions, and thus examine thing and process them with a calmer perspective.

DECK USED: THE CLOUD TOWER TAROT

Start Now

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions from the @Calm app. The topic of today’s session was about self-care. Specifically, how when we connect more strongly with our own needs, taking good care of our physical bodies, this in turn allows us to connect more strongly with others as well.

This is because in order to connect with others, and specially to do so in a supportive role, we first have to support our own health and well being.  If we do not keep up our own health and strength, we are far less effected as a support for others. We break down easier and faster, we struggle more.

Only when we respect our own body’s needs does our body then allow us to extend ourselves in a strong and healthy way to also help or support others.

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Westwood Tarot - Eight of WandsToday’s draw is the Eight of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of action, speed, alacrity, fast paced events or change, or having a target goal in your sights that you are charging towards.

This card today, when taken in relation to the meditation session done this morning, is essentially saying “hey! put your focus here because this is for you! get on it!”

In other words, today I am being called out on not taking as good care of myself as I should… and the card is asking us to reflect on how we can care for ourselves better. What can we do now that can support our health and well-being?

Not only is this card asking us to reflect on this topic, though.  It is telling us to get moving on it.  Act, rather than simply think about it.  Touch grass if you need to touch grass. Go cloud watching if you need to cloud watch.  Stretch and move if you need to stretch and move.  Give yourself what you need to be healthy and strong. Stop procrastinating about it.

DECK USED:  THE WESTWOOD TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2025 Challenge
Prompt for March 16
: Do Spread 3

Oracle Reading with the Dragon Crystal Channeling Cards by Shingo and Yayoi

What to leave behind along with the winter’s chill.

Garnet – It’s time to set aside your feelings of aloneness. The garnet dragons are the dragons of co-creation. They speak of going after your dreams because when your dreams are accomplished, even though they may seem like selfish goals, make the world a better place as a whole. That means that the universe is on your side in accomplishing your dreams and so is the world around you.  You are never alone and on your own, so stop allowing your inner voice to tell you that you are.

What to take with you into the spring.

Azetulite – Clarity, purpose, and trust are the themes that you need to focus on bringing with you into spring. The Azetulite dragon asks you to trust both that you will get through struggles and come out the other side better for it, as well as in yourself and your path. Within you a better sense of clarity is awakening. Run with it, and don’t let the growing pains involved turn you off course.

What needs exposed to the light and the world this spring.

Sunstone – From the sunstone dragon you are being given a reminder that your strength and passion will get you through obstacles both large and small. Lean into your passions and let them help you burn your way through those things that stand in your way.  That passion within you is powerful. Let it shine.

What needs kept close for further contemplation and meditation.

Azrite – Your mediumship practice is still relatively new. The azrite dragon urges you to be open to listening closely to not just the cards as your familiar and trusted way to communicate, but all of your senses and sensations as well. There is a myriad of ways to communicate that you could be missing by focusing too hard on just one or two. Study and contemplate. No further action is needed at this time.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Pressed Pansy Flowers for for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: DRAGON CRYSTAL CHANNELING CARDS

Daily Self Kindness

I went back to bed for a bit after my morning work was done.

The Yapping Dog

Today’s meditation was eight minutes long, and was one of the #DailyTrip sessions from the @Calm app. It was a relaxing session that hit on the topic of when you are talking to someone about something, are you actually talking -with- that person, or -at- that person?  Are they really interested? Or are you just making noise?  The concept being that we all get enthusiastic at times when socializing and forget that a conversation is an interaction of two people, not just our own voices making all the noise.

🍵 Tasseomancy Notation:  Let’s play dragons. [image]

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Cardamom Dreams Tarot - Page of SwordsToday’s draw is the Page of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, logic, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with learning new ways to communicate with others, beginning new educational pursuits, exploring new ideas. and seeking to sate one’s curiosity.

When combined with the topic if today’s meditation, it brings up topic of how when we are exploring new ideas, enthusiasm can cause us to become a little over-enthusiastic in our desire to share what we’ve learned with others.

The message in today’s card is a reminder to make sure that in the sharing of those new topics and ideas with others that you aren’t preaching to them, but having an actual discussion where both sides are engaged and participating.  No one likes to be the recipient of all that eager barking where they can’t get a word in edgewise and the speaking party has no interest in hearing anything but their own voice.

DECK USED:  CARDAMOM TAROT

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot The Power of Now Challenge
Releasing Resistance Prompts for March 9 – 15

Forest Magic OracleI create space for new insights. What perspective is ready for a shift?

Chamomile – Seek out the heavy weight of negativity that is not serving you and work at releasing it. It serves no purpose to hang onto it or let it persist. Especially when clearing it out can allow something better to move into its place that will lift you up and strengthen you, rather than weighing you down and holding you back.

I revisit past experiences with fresh eyes. What wisdom is waiting to be reclaimed?

Lavender – Clarity comes after moments when you have stepped away to temporarily immerse your senses elsewhere. One of the most important parts of making sure that you are regularly getting out in nature for your own brand of shinrin-yoku is that when you come back from these visits, you experience a kind of calm and clarity you’re otherwise not able to access.

I welcome clarity through acceptance. What perspective can help me fully accept where I am right now?

Mistletoe –  Don’t stand so stalwart in your own opinions that you reject even listening to others. Set aside animosity, long-standing conflicts, and the need to be right, and in return it will allow you to better hear what others are saying and be open to finding a path to peace.

I honor the wisdom in slowing down. How can I make space for stillness and insight?

Oak – Stay steadfast in your meditation practice. Consistency is key to not only bolstering your personal strength, but also in finding a healthy and more comfortable balance between creativity and responsibility.

I recognize what no longer aligns. What am I ready to release?

Mint – In a reinforcement of the messages from Chamomile and Mistletoe above, you are being reminded that it is time to let go of old resentments and lingering angst towards others. It’s not that you won’t survive the storm if you don’t, but in not letting go you are stunting your own growth towards better things.

I integrate the lessons of the past. How can I carry forward only what serves me?

Mugwort – Your intuition is your friend. Instead of leading with logic or listening to your emotions, which can often cause you to cling to things better left behind, prioritize listening to your intuition and let it guide you on what to keep and what is to be left behind. The brain and the emotions are louder, but they’re also usually reactionary rather than driven by your best interests.

I move forward with openness and ease. What will naturally unfold when I embrace the path ahead without resistance?

Parsley – Themes to do with intelligence, creativity, and clarity of thought are on the horizon. You can encourage this to naturally unfold by care that your defenses aren’t so reinforced that even the good stuff can’t get through.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Yellow Aventurine for Confidence
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Desert Rose for Cleansing “The Cracks in One’s Armor”
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FOREST MAGIC ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

Okay, so it wasn’t a -success- per se, but I tried a new type of tea today in an effort to ease myself out of the rut that I’ve gotten in lately where that’s concerned. I’m grateful it’s only a sample and there’s just one serving left, but it helps open the door back up to a larger variety rather than reaching for the same thing over and over again.

Finding the Positive for March 13 – 14

Loong's Dream Tarot Ten of Wands, Arcana Iris Sacra Tarot Ace of Pentacles and Six of Pentacles, Tasseomancy

March 13 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was twelve minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions from the @Calm app. The session started out with one of my very favorite meditation practices; a yoga nidra where the narrator walks you through a full body scan from head to toe. It then moved on to the theme for today’s session, which was a discussion on ending relationships.

The discussion posed that when we end a relationship, it is not a value judgment on the other person, but rather simply deciding when something (or rather, someone) is or isn’t for you.

I have a hard time, seeing discarding someone from your life as not being a value judgment in one way or another. That said, the quote used (“I’m learning to love the sound of my feet walking away from things not meant for me”) makes sense to me and helps me in seeing this perspective more clearly, giving me some food for thought for the day.

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Today’s draw is the Ten of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of overwhelm, burnout, struggling under too much responsibility, and can indicate a need to do some prioritizing and delegation.

Joined with the theme for today’s meditation, what I see as the message in today’s card is that sometimes we need to sit down and take a good look at our friendships and relationships, and make sure that they are a good fit.  If someone in your life constantly makes you feel less than, exhausted, or negative… perhaps it’s time to consider that that’s not a relationship you need to have in your life.

The people who truly love and care about you won’t do things and say things to make you feel that way again and again. Accidents happen, until it’s not an accident but a pattern, and over time that pattern becomes too much.  Keep in mind that there’s no reason you  have to wait until things hit critical mass before you remove these people from your life.  The sooner you deal with it? The sooner that weight will be removed from your shoulders.

DECK USED: LOONG’S DREAM TAROT

March 14 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was nine minutes long, and was one of the #DailyTrip sessions from the @Calm app. The session for today explored sinking into one’s senses as a form of focus for one’s meditation. Not all of the senses at once, but by picking one to focus on for a duration of time, before you then shift to another. In this way, you then cycle through the sense of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.

The premise being that, even when you are not meditating, you can use this momentary hyper-focus on a sense, or cycling through the senses, to help you to center yourself when things are feeling overwhelming or chaotic.

🍵 Tasseomancy Notation:  Don’t take your shoes off or you’ll be sorry.

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Today’s draw is the Six of Disks atop the Ace of Disks.

  • In the Thoth tradition (which is the system for this tarot deck), the Six of Disks is often interpreted as success, achieving or creating harmony and balance, the opportunity to succeed at an endeavor, and the balanced stability that comes through experience.
  • In the Thoth tradition, the Ace of Disks is often seen as a representation of the “root” of the Earth element’s power. Within this root is the power of manifestation in the area of our resources and opportunities, as well as the connection between nature and our inner selves.

[Note that I am not as learned on the Thoth system as I am in the RWS system. The definitions above are my understanding of the Thoth system, and if you are in the process of learning that system, please take those interpretations with a grain of salt.]

Like the meditation topic for today, these cards, encourage focus in order to manifest a specific result. In the meditation, you focus on the senses (or a specific one of your senses) in order to find balance and center yourself in the middle of chaos. In these cards, it says when you are striking out on a new endeavor, make sure that you are focused on success so that you can manifest that success as you move forward.

If you focus on failure, you have a greater chance of failing. If you focus on success, you have a better chance of succeeding. Just as with the meditation exercise today if you were to focus on the chaos around you as opposed to upon a specific sense, instead of finding the centering that you’re looking for you would only sink deeper into chaos and overwhelm it creates.

DECK USED: ARCANA IRIS SACRA