#DiscordTarotholicsApr2023

Shoring Up

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Bearot Deck - The EmpressToday’s draw is the Empress card, which is traditionally a representation of nurturing, the earth, mother energies, fertility, abundance, and the sacred feminine.

The deep golds and reds in this card speak to me of irritation, whereas the theme of the card itself is anything but.

This contrast connects to what’s going on in my life this weekend, and the message in today’s card is to be good to yourself today. Tomorrow is going to be a bit of a trial with the whole Easter dinner thing.

Take time today to be good to yourself and let yourself be pampered a bit. It will help shore up your strength and tolerance for what’s to come.

DECK USED:  THE BEAROT DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2023 Challenge Prompt
Questions for April 8

Althea OracleWhat in life holds you back?

Eyebright and Dandelion – Losing touch with past motivations that you need to reconnect with. You’ve been struggling with motivation and inspiration for a while now, and it doesn’t feel like it’s getting any better over time.  That struggle, more than anything else, is holding you back at this time.

What in life guides you forward?

Yellow Melilot and Nettle – Your insatiable drive for self sufficiency.  Even when feeling uninspired and unmotivated, your constant need for self-sufficiency and stability continue to push you forward and make sure that your responsibilities and obligations are met.

DECK USED: ALTHEA ORACLE

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Light My Fire Challenge Prompt
Question: What can focusing on my passions do for me?

The Bearot Deck - Five of Pentacles, Knight of Swords, The EmpressReading Summary: Focusing on your passions can allow you to confront (Knight of Swords) feelings of scarcity (Five of Pentacles) with a more understanding and nurturing approach (The Empress).

Take Away: Whether those times of scarcity are a reality, or simply your anxiety busy creating stories in your head, approaching them from nurturing and understanding perspective will give you the energy and power needed to confront them and defeat them, rather than allowing them to take over.

Not everything you are struggling with has to be confronted head on with aggression and not all of your struggles need to be looked at with derision.

DECK USED: THE BEAROT DECK

Daily Self Kindness

I did a bunch of little stuff around the house today that needed done, but worked to keep things as low-key as possible for the day.

Promoting Stability

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Cute Animal Tarot - Four of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Four of Pentacles, which is traditionally about stability and gratitude (sometimes to excess, which can turn miserly) for what you have. This is a stagnant sort of appreciation that speaks of not reaching for more, but instead being focused on what you have in the now.

Aging sucks.  I’m just saying… it does.  I had an eye test today. Or, rather, several eye tests today, and received a handful of bad news that all is related to aging.

In with the doctor, the man used the word “stable” a lot in reference to the changes I need to make in my daily life to ensure that the problems found during those tests didn’t get worse.  He said more than once that I have the ability to help keep these conditions “stable”.

Each time he said it, my mind went back to this card I’d pulled this morning.   The message in today’s card is to pay attention to the doctor’s advice.  Take notes and follow his directions.  You very much -want- to be stable in this… so do what you can to further that goal.

DECK USED:  CUTE ANIMALS TAROT

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Light My Fire Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I harness my energy to fuel my creativity and pursue my passions?

Witch Cat OracleRumi – Reconnect with the “why” in the things that you do. So much of your life is connected to your spiritual path, and at times your day-to-day tasks and habits connected to your spiritual path become rote. Remind yourself of the sacredness that lives within them. Even within things as small as taking a shower or washing your hands.

Nixi atop Miro – Return to doing your morning devotionals. It provides you a moment of gratitude practice that you are otherwise missing.

Take Away – By reconnecting with your spiritual path and practices, it can assist you in harnessing your energy and directing it towards those things you are passionate about.

DECK USED: WITCH CATS ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2023 Challenge Prompt
Questions for April 6th and 7th

Cute Animal Tarot - Two of Swords, Three of Wands, Six of Wands, Seven of Swords, The High Priestess, Ace of CupsWhat is your greatest weakness?

Seven of Swords – Your desire to see the best in people allows them to sneak in and fuck your over. You don’t see it coming because you don’t want to see that that’s who they really are.

How can you relieve or release this weakness?

The High Priestess – Listen to your intuition instead of arguing with it. Often in these situations, your intuition is trying to warn you, but you discount it’s advice as “jumping the gun” and instead try to give these people the benefit of the doubt until it’s too late.

What is your greatest worry?

Two of Swords – That your duration of deliberation when it comes to important decisions will either be too long or not long enough. You want to collect as much information as possible before deciding, but have a hard time not holding out to get even more information than you need.

How can you relieve or release this worry?

Ace of Cups – Accept that the reason you are holding out is emotional and usually indicates that the best advisable decision isn’t the one you really want to make on an emotional level.

What is your greatest fear?

Three of Wands Rx – Stagnancy and lack of direction. Being blown off course to the point that you lose your way and have to start over from scratch as a result.

How can you relieve or release this fear?

Six of Wands – Let others inspire movement when you can’t inspire yourself.

DECK USED: CUTE ANIMALS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

As mentioned earlier in this post, today was eye test day…. for the first time in probably two or maybe three years.

Finding the Boon in Slow Moments

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Funny Little Lizard Tarot - Two of CupsToday’s draw is the Two of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of unions, duality, and partnerships in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, and creativity. This often comes across as harmonious attractions and themes of mutual attraction, although not always in a romantic manner.

What stands out the strongest to me in the imagery in this card is the eggs.  To me, the eggs speak of not just the union of two entities, but that that union is creating something beautiful together.  This, in turn, brings to mind Gideon and I… and how we create something beautiful together every time we write together.

The message in today’s card is a reminder to take the fact that business was slow for the past few days as a boon. It means that you get to write with Gideon today and create a beautiful story with him.  It means you get to do something you enjoy with someone you care deeply for instead of putting your nose to the grindstone from the time you wake to when you go to bed today.

DECK USED:  THE FUNNY LITTLE LIZARD TAROT

@the_mystic_star’s April #MysticStarChallenge Prompt
Prompts for April 3rd thru 6th

The Earth Spirit OracleWhat card symbolizes my ‘Current Situation’ that is hiding in the Shadows?

The Ocean – The root cause of your feelings of overwhelm has yet to be unearthed, but instead lingers beneath the surface like a mystery yet to be solved.

What do I need to do to clearly see what is hiding in the Shadows?

The Wind – Movement. You need to begin getting outside more instead of simply thinking about it. You need the fresh air and exercise, and the time in nature to connect and reflect so that the cobwebs within you can be blown out.

How can I better understand what is hiding from me?

Destiny – Stop seeing it (that hidden element) as something to change or heal. This hidden part of you that spurs on your sense of overwhelm is an integral piece of who you are; a part of your make up. It doesn’t need healing or changing, but instead needs acceptance.

How can I minimize the resistance I have to this hidden aspect?

Abundance – Lean into feelings of abundance instead of your sense of scarcity. That scarcity is what is driving this hidden aspect of yourself, for it is abundance you seek. Help this part of yourself see that you already have an abundant life, and that things are not as dire as this hidden part of yourself wants to believe that they are.

DECK USED: THE EARTH SPIRIT ORACLE

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Light My Fire Challenge Prompt
Question: What can I engage in to bring more joy into my life right now? Draw up to three cards.

The Funny Little Lizard Tarot - Six of Swords, Ace of Wands, Two of SwordsSix of Swords – Move away from those things that are bad for you and frustrate you instead of lingering in them. Whether you linger due to a sense of responsibility, obligation, or self flagellation, you need to let them go instead of trying to hold onto them and forcing yourself to make them work.

Ace of Wands – Let your inspiration and curiosity lead the way to discovering new things you will enjoy. Whether it’s self care, or jewelry techniques, hobbies, or just new storylines and characters with Gideon.  Open yourself up and let yourself stretch into the idea that inspiration is knocking.

Two of Swords – Be decisive about leaning into that spark of inspiration, instead of lingering in these bad habits and situations. Complacency is not your friend.

DECK USED: THE FUNNY LITTLE LIZARD TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

As suggested by my card of the day, once I got my work in hand, I reached out to Gideon to do a bit of play together and bring some enjoyment into  my day.

Inspired Curiosity

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Toro 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.

What I notice most strongly about the imagery in today’s card is the spark of fire that is included in the feathers scattered throughout the image.  To me, this leans into the Wands suit a bit, and brings a bit of that energy into this card’s message.

The message in today’s card is to allow those things that spark passion in you to stir up your curiosity and passion for learning new things.  Let yourself explore rather than sticking to the straight and narrow, and see where your curiosity can take you and the inspiration you might find there.

DECK USED:  THE TORO TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2023 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: What does it mean to live a good life?

The Toro Tarot and Species by the Thousands Crystal TarotReading Summary: To live a good life is to find what makes you feel stable and right (King of Pentacles) through discernment and willpower (Amethyst and Pyrite), and then use organization to accomplish (Flourite) that overtime.

Take Away: You need a goal. One that makes you feel seated and suited. A goal that makes you feel that there is something right and good that you are working towards, that is fitted to you and what you need.  These cards are saying that living a good life is about keeping your focus on that goal and working toward it over time.  Without a goal like this to focus upon, these cards indicate that your time is wasted.

I’m not sure I entirely agree that -everyone- requires this, although I think that in many cases, this is absolutely the case.

DECK USED: SPECIES BY THE THOUSANDS CRYSTAL ORACLE

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Light My Fire Challenge Prompt
Question: Where can I infuse more playfulness and curiosity in my approach to life?

The Toro Tarot - Wheel of Fortune, Five of Pentacles, Nine of WandsReading Summary: You need to accept that not everything can be stable all of the time, and choose to go with the flow (Wheel of Fortune) rather than sinking into despair when things are not going quite right (Five of Pentacles). In doing so you protect (Nine of Wands) your ability to be playful and the inner spark that spurs on your curiosity.

Take Away: The “where” in this reading’s question boils down to “in those places that feel like they’re falling apart when things aren’t going as planned”.  This “where” is then about your finances and your business, for these are the places where the wheel of fortune turning on its head can cause you to fall into a sense of scarcity and really sink into feelings of misfortune.

In order to infuse more playfulness and curiosity in to these areas, you need to feel safe doing so… and to feel safe requires you accepting that life is full of ups and downs, and that when you come upon one of those down times it doesn’t mean its the end of the world.

DECK USED: THE TORO TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I started doing research today on where I want to source a new lilac tree for my balcony to replace the one that died out there over the winter this past year.

The Value in Traditions

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Lunalapin Tarot - The HierophantToday’s draw is the Hierophant card, which is traditionally  a representation of tradition and spiritual wisdom shared with others. It can also be an indication of institutions and conformity to expected norms.

The Hierophant card can be looked at in a variety of different ways.  I prefer to see it as a teacher… like a grandfather or wise woman teaching family traditions.  But, in this particular card’s imagery there is a great deal of Christian symbolism, which makes me lean into themes that have to do with conformity.

This is because in my experiences interacting with those that are very active in the church, there’s a whole lot of expected conformity among the group as a whole. An expectation that those involved must follow blindly, obey without analytical thought, and conform to certain prejudices and behaviors.  I’m not saying everyone in this demographic is that way, but it does seem the prevailing norm from an outside perspective.

And… probably not a surprise, but I’m not comfortable with that.  Neither are a lot of other people, apparently, because I run into people all the time in my interactions in the Pagan community of people that have left due to these issues, and rejected/discarded traditions just because it was expected of them to conform to them.

The thing is?  Traditions are great.  They create bonds in society and connections between people.  They carry the value of established history.  Today’s card is a reminder not to discard tradition simply because it’s expected of you to observe it.  Look for the value first.  Dive into the history and learn why these traditions are upheld.  It might even take shaking things up a bit to get to the answers you seek… but seek out the value first, then decide if they’re right for you or not.

DECK USED:  LUNALAPIN TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2023 Challenge Prompt
Questions for April 3rd and 4th

Nakisha's OracleWhat kind of person do you truly want to become?

Solitary, Day, Fawn – Independent, hopeful, and filled with wonder while being protected and cared for. To possess the ability to allow others to do this for you without the fear of losing your independence and autonomy.

What do you need to focus on for self-care for tomorrow’s full moon?

Guide, Shore, Fire – Let go of the idea that you have to do everything yourself. Instead, embrace the new lessons you have been given on letting others help you.

The more you lean into these lessons, the better off you will feel later on down the line.  With the full moon in full swing, more people means more energy to put towards your goals.

DECK USED: NAKISHA’S ORACLE

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Light My Fire Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I best embrace and embody a more carefree spirit in the present moment?

Lunalapin Tarot - Page of Swords, Ten of Swords, Three of Pentacles< Knight of WandsReading Summary: Let others help you with the things you are most enthusiastic about. Teaching them the ropes doesn’t mean they’ll stab you in the back.

Take Away: Yet another “you don’t have to do everything yourself” reminder.  Although you’ve done will at starting on this journy, there’s still a long way you have left to go.

Allow those you trust to actually help you. Teach them the skills they need to assist you in your passionate pursuits.

It’s not impulsive to trust those you are closest to with the secrets of your success and the skills used to further your goals. They won’t take that information and run as others might.

DECK USED: LUNALAPIN TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

My self kindness for today was staying in the car for most of the different store trips on the errands list for today and letting others deal with hunting down the things on the shopping list that needed to be purchased.

Reevaluation and Letting Go

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Fablemaker's Animated Tarot - Four of CupsToday’s draw is the Four of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of creating distance due to apathy or disinterest, meditation, or taking time to reevaluate one’s situation or emotions.

I hate to make two complaint posts in a row for my daily pulls, and yet today’s cards (not just the card of the day) are all about how I feel about this deck and my reevaluation of my feelings concerning it.

The thing is?  I love the artwork in this deck. It’s cute and colorful and beautifully done.  But the cardstock itself?  Ruins it.  The lenticular qualities make it damned near impossible to take a good picture… and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

There’s the fact that the cards have no core to them (black, blue… whatever) which means that you can see *right through them* in the sunlight.  I don’t mind the thickness of the cardstock at all, but there’s also the fact that the finish on the face of the cards is mirror-like shiny. To the point that even the most minute scratches or wear show in glaring detail… and speaking of mirror like finishes?  Lots and LOTS of glare as well. This mirror-like quality also makes photographing the cards  even more of a nightmare. (Which is saying something, because a part of my work involves photographing shiny and shimmering jewelry, so I know how to deal with mirrored surfaces and glare.)

Fablemaker's Animated Tarot

SO… I’m disappointed.  I was so excited for this deck and excited to finally get a chance to work with it this month, but… no.  On reevaluation… it seems I’ll be selling it instead of using it.  I’m really sad about that, too, because I love the artwork. It just turns out that these particular issues are deal breakers for me apparently…. which is something I didn’t even know until today.

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Light My Fire Challenge Prompt
Question: Draw a card and use its message to create a daily mantra for the month ahead.

Four of Cups – Take a look within and examine how you truly feel.  Take action only after that moment of reflection.

DECK USED:  THE FABLEMAKER’S ANIMATED TAROT

@the_mystic_star’s April #MysticStarChallenge Prompt
Prompt for April 1st and 2nd

Fablemaker's Animated Tarot - The Tower, Two of Cups, Three of Pentacles, Six of PentaclesWhat card symbolizes my ‘Current Situation’ that is known to me?

The Tower Rx and Two of Chalices – Catastrophic issues that prevent you from bonding properly.  These cards are about this particular deck and my rant in my card of the day write up for today.  It speaks of the bonding issues being something not able to be resolved.

What do I need to do to better understand my ‘Current Situation’?

Three of Coins and Six of Coins –  Reach out to the community and be generous in doing so.  Someone will love this deck far more than you do… you just need to find it a new home.

Take Away:  Clearly this deck wanted to talk about the issues I have with it and how to resolve them. I’ve taken these suggestions to heart and listed the deck online to sell, then at a discounted price on the Tarotholics server for community members to take advantage of if they wish.

DECK USED: THE FABLEMAKER’S ANIMATED TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

My self kindness today was letting go of the deck that this post is about.  I’ve put it up for sale.