The Cold and Calculating Mindset

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #JuneMessenger26 Challenge
Message From My Spirit Guide Prompt for June 12th
: Vision
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Botanica Tarot Full Bloom Edition - King of Swords

Today’s draw is the King of Swords (Camellia), which is traditionally a representation of a projective “alpha” 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 someone that has a way with words and is able to use those skills to lead others to their way of thinking, as well as those that are in authority on intellectual topics such as professors, doctors, etc.

Cut out what stands in the way of you fulfilling your ambitions.

Sometimes, when going after our ambitions, we have to view the world around us with a cold kind of clarity that allows us to cut out sentimentality and other obstacles that may get in the way to the end goal.

This kind of cold calculation and determination is often how we get the things done that are really important to us. At the same time, it is also important to remember not to reside within this type of headspace too long, for it can begin to sap away at your humanity and compassion.

The message in today’s King of Swords and the “vision” prompt is a reminder that cold determination has its place and is an excellent tool to get done something that you need or want to achieve. It is not, however, something that is healthy to adopt full-time. Doing so blocks out the “good stuff” that life has to offer, which may hinder you from discovering new goals and ambitions to pursue.

DECK USED:  BOTANICA TAROT FULL BLOOM EDITION

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 2 | Entry 20 – Title
Affirmation : “I love love in all its forms and iterations.”
Prompt : Love has many definitions. It means many different things to many different people. What does it mean to you? Draw a card to help guide your reflection.

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Tarot - The Lovers card

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

My first reaction when The Lovers card came out was a sardonic “how apropos” type of dry humor. After all, what other card would be more fitting to this prompt?

I then turned more contemplative.

What elements of the card’s meaning resonate with me and this prompt?

The Lovers card has a couple of different meanings, and since I have a variety of different thoughts and feelings about love, this is pretty accurate in my case.

This card often represents connection, unity, and contractual obligation. It is commitment to another, and it’s sometimes considered the “marriage card” for this reason.

The Lovers card also often has to do with making the choices that are right for you, rather than the ones that are expected of you. This is more of a Marseille tarot interpretation, but I have a tendency to often blend that tradition with regular Rider Waite Smith.

That blend between both traditions is where I personally land in my own feelings concerning love.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

I like how in this card the two figures are back to back. It feels like each is giving the other space to really connect with their heart, represented by the woman holding her flowers to her heart, and hear what their heart has to say prior to making a commitment to be together.

Above, the cupid has his bow drawn, but he has yet to loose his arrow, giving the two figures the space that they need to sort out what their heart desires as well, and if the step they are about to take is going to be a good fit for them.

My prompt response and reflections.

When you blend the Marseille and RWS traditions of tarot, as mentioned above, what you come up with is that the obligations, contracts, unions, and commitments that you decide to commit to in life should be those that fit you personally rather than something you are doing just to fulfill expectation.

We love who we love, regardless of what others expect from us, and sometimes regardless of what we expect from ourselves. Our hearts have a mind of their own. They can’t be reasoned with by our brain, and like all emotions, logic plays no role here. Our hearts encourage us to gravitate towards those things that are a right fit for us, regardless of expectations to the contrary.

Other elements included in this reading:
Unakite D20 and D6 Gemstone Dice

DECK USED: DEMON SLAYER KIMETSU NO YAIBA TAROT

The @lightningwildflower June Inner Journey Challenge
Prompts for June 9th through 12th

Tarot Reading from the Botanica Tarot Full Bloom Edition

Venus conjunct Jupiter: How is abundance, joy, or love expanding in my life?

Page of Pentacles / Daisies – You are learning how to take things slower and appreciate the present more, rather than always rushing towards the next thing that needs to be done. In doing so, you enjoy more of the world around you, and this opens you up to experiencing more joy and abundance in your life.

Mercury square Saturn: What mental pattern is limiting me, and how can I shift it?

King of Pentacles Rx / Oak – Remember that stability is not created through stagnation. Too often, bracing in stillness feels like the stability that you’re looking for. In truth, though, all it’s doing is causing stagnation and knocking things further out of balance. True stability comes from being able to bend and flex with the winds in a storm like a tree and its branches.

Soften: How can I soften my inner critic?

High Priestess / Elderflower – You know the sound of the difference between truth and deception, including when it resides within your own inner voice. You also have a tendency to lean in to self abuse.

When your inner critic comes roaring to the surface, it’s important to pause and remember to seek out truth rather than what is convenient or self-depreciating.

Your familiarity with self-destructive narratives mean that you find it easy to accept negative inner talk without thought or consideration. The High Priestess and elderflower combo reminds you to connect with your inner nurturer and intuition to help you soften those narratives into something that rings true… instead of familiar but damaging.

Balance: What would emotional balance look like today?

King of Swords / Camilla atop Four of Cups / Pitcher Plant – Take care not to get sucked into emotional upheaval. It’s okay if you seem a little cold on the outside today, as it will help you stay balanced on the inside.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Scots Pine Cone for Purging Negative Influences
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  BOTANICA TAROT FULL BLOOM EDITION
Daily Self Kindness

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