#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020

Your Unseen Influence

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped because I dozed off.   What was supposed to be a ten minute meditation instead turned into a three hour nap.  Seriously.  THREE HOURS.  So… I was a bit ticked with myself and decided to hold off on the meditation until bed time just to make sure I didn’t end up dozing off again in the middle of the day.

Madam Lydia Wilhelmina's Tarot - Page of CoinsToday’s draw is the Page of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of finance, resources, manifestations, hearth and home, or health. This often displays itself as someone learning how to be responsible in these aspects of life, or learning a new skill associated with those aspects.

What stands out most strongly in the imagery of today’s card is that the woman seems both quite sensual, and a bit cocky.  I have a hard time equating the pages of the tarot with “cocky” but I definitely connect the earthy sensuality of temptation and sex with the pentacles.

She is nubile and beautiful, and although her expression is a bit cocky, it also looks a bit tender. Like she is aware of her appeal, but doesn’t quite understand the power she holds… yet.  But she’s getting there.

The message in this card today has to do with that lack of self awareness… or rather, perhaps it is a lack of awareness of others, and the power and influence you hold over them.  Make sure to stay aware of that influence you hold, even when at times you may doubt it’s presence or it’s power.

DECK USED:  MADAM LYDIA WILHELMINA’S TAROT

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: I trust my intuition and I allow it to flow here.

Halloween Magick Tarot

Reading Summary: When I am protecting my home and values (Nine of Wands) from the outside world (The World), I am willing to go to great lengths to do so (Knight of Wands) with little moderation (Temperance Rx).

Take Away:  I trust my intuition and allow it to flow freely when it comes to anything that has to do with the protection of my home and loved ones, and the defense and strength of my values.

There have been too many times that my intuition has said something is coming, and if I had not listened could have resulted in disaster. I now have not even the smallest niggling of doubt when my intuition speaks in this area, nor even the slightest temptation in ignoring those impulses.  I dive in and do what needs done without question.

DECK USED:  HALLOWEEN MAGICK TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Listen / Process / Release

Luis Royo's Dark TarotListen – Three of Swords – When your feelings are hurt? They’re trying to tell you something. At those times, instead of wallowing in how you are feeling, take some time to try to pick things apart and find the message hidden within the experience.

Process – Queen of Pentacles – One of the aspects of the Queen of Pentacles is finding that work/life balance that allows for providing for the home and family financially as well as in a nurturing role.  This is very similar to the type of balanced juggling that I have been trying to instill in my own life, and feel that I have found but is not “cemented in place” as well as I would like it to be yet.

Release – Ace of Wands – As I move into the holiday rush (which is only a few weeks away now and time is running down quickly), that spark of inspiration for new projects and ideas needs to be put on the back burner in order to train my focus more fully on what needs done and the overwhelm that is coming.  Something has to give at this time of year to make room for that overwhelming pick up in orders…. and this is one of those things.

DECK USED:  LUIS ROYO’S DARK TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question: What is my presently most influential Spirit Guide’s personality?

Catton Candy Nightmare Tarot

Reading Summary: Sneaky (Seven of Swords), controlling (Wheel of Fortune Rx), and willing to do what is needed to make me see the truth in the world around me (Eight of Swords).

Take Away:  Sometimes sneaky is also clever, and honestly?  As hard as I worked for so long to ignore the presence of my spirit guides?  It does not surprise me that the one in the foreground at the moment is both sneaky and controlling. After all, without that ingenuity? They wouldn’t be getting their messages across, would they? The goal is to make sure I’m not closing my eyes to reality, and I think that for the most part they’ve done a pretty damned good job.

DECK USED: CATTON CANDY NIGHTMARE TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What are my divination challenges?

Zombie Tarot

Reading Summary: Slow progress (Seven of Hazards) can be frustrating (Five of Cups). Although that frustration can make it hard to be kind to myself (Empess), I need to make sure I’m giving myself the grounding (potted plant in the Empress card) and love I need (Locked Heart Charm) or it will just continue to hold me back (Anchor Charm).

The lily charm sitting over the woman in the Five of Cups indicates that when I am feeling frustrated, I can often feel like I’m in the right in feeling that way and have a hard time seeing that the feeling is temporary and lacking in true wisdom.

Take Away:  These cards (and charms) indicate that they are referring to my spirit guide efforts.  I want a stronger and more conscious connection with my spirit guides and it’s something I’ve been trying to develop since the beginning of the year.  Although I have found some success in the effort, it has been minute progress through very small, barely imperceptible steps.

The guidance in these cards is to make sure that I don’t allow that frustration to take over and ruin what small progress I’ve made or convince me to give up.  The smart play is to continue on and make sure that I’m being kind to myself along the way concerning the pace I’m moving at.

DECK USED:  ZOMBIE TAROT

Don’t Dawdle Too Long

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_6970Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was another of the guided meditations with interval timer for my piriformis stretches.  I’m sort of wondering if the additional soreness I’m feeling lately isn’t just because I skipped a couple of days of stretching, but also because I have not been going in to the sports medicine doctor for adjustments since the spring.

The topic of today’s meditation was in taking a pause when reacting and responding to others to check if you are being kind.   It focused upon the quote by Rumi that is posted in this blog post to the right.   I’ve never heard this quote by Rumi before, but I can honestly say that it’s become one of my favorites.  I work really hard to do this when I interact with others… although perhaps the “Is it necessary” gets skipped a bit more than it should.  Still, I think it is a good guideline, and something as a whole that we all need to keep in mind more often.

Tarot of Haunted House - The Hanged ManToday’s draw is the Hanged Man, which is traditionally a representation of taking a step back to mull things over or see things from a new and different perspective.  This involves letting go of your own preconceptions and opening your mind to a new view.

Although I see this in the imagery of today’s card, the card’s imagery brings up more questions than answers today.   The reason for this is that the skeleton hangs in darkness beyond an opening in a brick wall.  From that I begin to wonder just how long has that skeleton been hanging there?  How did it get there?  How was it discovered?

These questions bring me to what I feel is the message of today’s card.  That is to say, the message here is about just how long you take in that “step back” to consider other perspectives.  Yes…. making decisions requires seeing as much of the “whole picture” as possible.  But if you get so wrapped up and focused on collecting data?  Sometimes  you end up missing the opportunities presented to you.   It’s a delicate balance, making sure you don’t hang there in limbo so long that you end up walled in.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF HAUNTED HOUSE

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: I am in control of the path I walk by…

Curio Tarot

Reading Summary: …being generous and kind with your emotions (Queen of Cups), and not allowing your drive to be more and do better get in the way (King of Cups Rx). Instead, you need to make sure you’re taking time to rest and recover (Four of Swords) and focus on your balance (Two of Pentacles).

Note: The “to do more and be better” is more about the fact that the King of the same suit showed up beside the Queen of Cups, rather than the connotations of the suit he is in.

Take Away:  The indication here is that it is not me in control of my path when I’m allowing those inner demons to drive me on the focus of “more more more”. It’s only when I take control of my life balance, be kind to myself, and allow myself the rest and restoration I need in that I am truly in control.

DECK USED:  CURIO TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I embrace positive influences carried forward from my ancestors?

The Dark Mansion TarotReading Summary: Open your eyes (Two of Swords) and look forward at your progress concerning that emotional intelligence you’ve been working on (Queen of Cups). Inspire others with your kindness to believe in you and fight for you (Queen of Cups leading up into the Seven of Wands).

Note: The Queen of Cups came up reversed, but I think it is more to the point that she is supposed to be looking to the right (and the future), rather than the fact that the card actually means it’s reversed meaning.

Take Away:  It is a conscious choice to reach for progress and embrace the lessons the Queen of Cups has to offer about your emotions and how they influence not just yourself but others as well.

For so long I have chosen to ignore my emotions and their influences. I learned this behavior from those in my past… and this new path I am on is guided by not just my desire to break the pattern but the spirit guides that are there to help guide me along the way.

DECK USED:  THE DARK MANSION TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better embrace my Spirit Guide’s message from the 6th?

Grim Tarock

Reading Summary: Sometimes in moving on from what isn’t working for you (Eight of Fish), you find something better (Ten of Citadels). Learn to accept what you’re leaving behind isn’t worth keeping, and it’s worth the sludge and slog of the journey to move forward beyond it (The Hierophant).

Obviously this reading is based off the imagery and not the suits/card names.  The “learn to” is a nod to the Hierophant’s traditional meaning, but otherwise this reading is imagery focused.

Take Away:  When you abandon what is familiar, there’s always a bit of fear involved. That’s true even when what you’re leaving behind is something that doesn’t work for you or is unhealthy for you.  It’s important, during these times, to remember that what you’re moving toward is worth slogging through all that worry and fear.  As long as you keep moving, you’ll get there.  Just don’t look back.

DECK USED:  GRIM TAROCK

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What does the Sun mean to me?

The Cryptid Tarot

Reading Summary: Let’s use those swords (Eight of Swords/Averasboro Gallinipper) to make something great (Ten of Pentacles/Yowie), and let’s do it with enthusiasm (Knight of Wands/Gef the Mongoose).

Take Away:  That critter in the Eight of Swords card is probably pretty blind to just how useful those sword legs can be, but with the help of the Yowie and Gef, goth of which have a far more positive outlook going on, it’s possible to turn what appears to be a dangerous handicap into a positive boon.

This is the energy I see in the Sun, that transformative energy that can turn things around and instill a positive or optimistic spin on something perceived to be negative.

DECK USED:  THE CRYPTID TAROT

Enjoying the Present

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

#DailyCalmToday’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was a guided meditation with interval timer.  I’m still working on getting back the flexibility I lost by skipping my stretches for those couple of days.  I had not realized that in skipping a day or two it was taking so long to recover, but I’m definitely noticing now.

The topic of today’s guided meditation was about intentions, and about living in the present. It is about looking forward, all the while you keep your awareness in the present.  All too often, we get so wrapped up in plans for the future or the memories of the past that we forget that there’s a whole world for us to experience right now in this moment.  It isn’t just that “tomorrow is a new day” but every minute is a new day… a new lifetime… a new world.   Don’t forsake what you  have in the now for the things that are already dead and gone, or those that are not yet even a reality.

Madam Lydia Wilhelmina's Tarot - Six of CoinsToday’s draw is the Six of Coins, which traditionally is a representation of creating balance through generosity (or the openness to accept generosity from others).

What really stands out to me in this card today is the differences between the two highly coiffed ladies, and the more natural woman off to the left.  The ladies on the right make me think of the court nobility of centuries past with their white powdered skin and hair. The woman on the right feels to be below their station, as she is not so very “put together” as the other two, her skin tone and hair natural and indicating a lower station, no matter how lovely her dress may be.

And yet these women of higher station fawn over the other one, seeking to offer her what is needed to appear above her station and more on their level. The thing is, though, that the woman does not look all that thrilled with the offer.

And that’s today’s message. It’s okay to be happy with where you’re at, even if that’s not as well off as others around you. As long as you are happy, it’s okay to not be striving for more.  And if others don’t like that?  That’s their problem, not yours.

DECK USED:  MADAM LYDIA WILHELMINA’S TAROT

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: I am curious and full of wonder when I…

Halloween Tarot

Reading Summary: Watching others steal off with ideas that don’t belong to them (Seven of Bats) and claim these ideas as their own inspirations (Ace of Imps), while leaving the other person bereft and full of anxiety about it happening again (Nine of Bats).

Take Away:  This is about being curious concerning other peoples motivations on why they do things that hurt people, and how they are able to go against the norms of what is clearly wrong for their own selfish reasons. The motivations that create this ability strikes at my curiosity and my fascination. Not because it is something that I idolize, but rather it’s something that I don’t understand and have a hard time wrapping my mind around. It makes me want to pick their brains apart and figure out how they work.

DECK USED:  HALLOWEEN TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Does fate exist?

Ghosts and Spirits TarotReading Summary: We are all bound fate (Chains)… but if we are open to finding balance within the give and take of the world around us (Six of Pentacles), we can gain more control over what we do and where we go while getting there (Queen of Wands).

Take Away: The answer given by the cards is that yes, fate does exist.  That life isn’t about what is fated for us, but about enjoying the journey in getting there.  It’s okay if not everything is under our control, as long as we relish those things that are and live the best life we can while striving to become better people along the way. 

For example.  If you know for certainty that you are to die at 78 years old in a tractor accident, does that mean that you should really spend every day between now and then focused upon what’s coming?  No…. it means you set that knowledge aside and enjoy every moment of every day between now and then so that you can say you lived a full and fruitful life once it’s all over.  Fate is not the path we walk, but simply a few landmarks along the way on our journey.

DECK USED:  GHOSTS & SPIRITS TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question: How does yesterday’s message relate to my journey?

Twisted Tarot Tales

Reading Summary: There are going to be ups and downs in life no matter what you do (Wheel of Fortune), so you might as well enjoy yourself (The Sun), and take control to move yourself in the direction you want to go while doing the things you want to do (Queen of Wands).

Take Away:  The guidance on the 6th was to make choices that lift myself and others up while accepting that road blocks and hurdles are a part of life.  Today that message is related to my personal journey through a reminder that ups and downs happen and approaching them from a positive angle and go after my dreams.

DECK USED:  TWISTED TAROT TALES

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What do the Moon phases mean to me?

Dark Grimoire Tarot

Reading Summary: The down and up and back down again of energy (indicated in the contrasting energy between the Four of Cups and Three of Cups). Creating balance and moderation as we move through the phases again and again (Temperance).

Take Away:  The Moon’s phases are about the flux of energy that the moon goes through each cycle.  It reflects the cyclictic balance that life requires to be a positive and fulfilling journey.  Never too much downtime, never too much celebration and high energy…. instead the moon teaches us that there is room for both, and that both are needed and healthy.

DECK USED:  DARK GRIMOIRE TAROT

 

Start As You Want To Continue

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_6923Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was another of the guided meditation with interval timer added in for the position shifts of my piriformis stretches. It’s been a few days now since I’ve skipped my meditation and those stretches, and I’m still struggling with getting my flexibility back that I lost by skipping two days in a row. It’s not so much that I can’t get into the same stretch as before? It’s that it takes longer for my body to release in those stretches, which means it hurts longer, yeah?

Okay, so anyway. Today’s guided meditation focused on practicing a bit of “distance” in our experiences so that we have a beat in which to think before we react. This is a really good practice that is especially valuable when it comes to dealing with anger or frustration.

Developing the ability to take that momentary ‘beat’ of a second when you are feeling reactionary?  It is that split second between snapping at someone for no reason and ruining their day, and realizing you’re being snippy and course correcting not just your own day, but keeping from damaging someone else’s.

Tarot of Haunted House - Two of WandsToday’s draw is the Two of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of making plans and preparations, plotting the course forward, planning for the future, and focusing on progress.

While the poppet card in this deck was my second favorite card in this deck?  This is my third favorite.   Interestingly, though… it isn’t the spirit board and hand that draw my attention this time when I see this card, but rather the open window and the moon beyond.

There is also a significant pull in the imagery in relation to the foreground and the distant background.  There is a huge stretch here between the two, and yet both seem so close at the same time.

The message that I see in today’s card is to start as you wish to continue forward.  Today is a new day.  If you want to do meditation every day? Start today… don’t skip it.  If you want to do an hour of prep every day? Start today… don’t skip it. Procrastination breeds more procrastination, so stop procrastinating and be proactive instead.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF HAUNTED HOUSE

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: Something I could work on to strengthen/grow my magic.

Tarot Z

Reading Summary:  Look into better (Ace of Pentacles) and more proactive wards and protections (Five of Wands) that will allow for lower effort and more rest and recovery (Four of Swords)

Take Away:  Okay, so I agree that my wards and protections that I have in place in my home are a bit excessive.  Especially concerning that the Fae I have accepted and welcomed into my home seem to police themselves quite well.  This excessive approach was born from the home invasion that took my voice and, for a minute or two, my life.

It also stole a great deal of my sense of security, that I shored up using these wards and protections I’d developed.    The thing is though?  They do take a lot of work and time and magical energy to keep up.  This energy could be directed in other areas… but to be comfortable doing that I think I need to do some shadow work on that feeling of vulnerability that the home invasion caused.

DECK USED:  TAROT Z

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What positive theme/event in my ancestral past do I need to acknowledge?

Trick or TarotReading Summary:  Overcoming (The Sun) bad habits and unhealthy temptations (Old Scratch) through innovative ideas, as well as communication and learning from others (Page of Swords).

Take Away:  The indication in these cards is that this is a pattern. The cards here are saying that my addictive personality traits are a hereditary thing, and something that cycles through the life of my self and the ancestors before me. And that those who have used the advice of others and shared their struggles find innovative ways to rise above and find a better more positive path.

DECK USED:  TRICK OR TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question: What message do my spirit guides have for me today?

Tarot of Vampyres

Reading Summary: Make choices (Seven of Grails) that lift you up and allow for you to nurture yourself and others (Queen of Skulls). This is a learning process towards a new future (Daughter of Scepters), and like all learning processes there’s going to be some stumbling blocks along the way (Five of Pentacles).

Take Away:  The message here is about making sure that I’m being kind to myself and easy on myself when I stumble or back slide a bit on this new path of work/home balance and emotional intelligence that I’ve been traveling on. 

DECK USED:  TAROT OF VAMPYRES

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What is my biggest challenge when keeping a spiritual journal?

Da Brigh Black Tarot

Reading Summary: A traditional spiritual journal requires me to be self directed in expressing my emotions (Queen of Cups) without the support and help of others to assist me (Two of Cups) in working through the difficult times and struggles (Five of Spheres).

Interestingly? I thought that this reading was going to tell me that it was about time… but instead it called me out on that issue of “time” being an excuse instead of a genuine reason.

Take Away:  I used to keep a physical journal that was a blend of my spirituality and my personal tarot readings. The thing is? There’s no accountability at all, no encouragement… no input or new perspectives to be had or suggested, and no support. All of these things made it really hard to keep up on this physical journal.

Now?  I do most of my journaling here, and when something needs delved into deeper?  I do it with Gideon.  As I’ve picked up on how much personal readings I do over the past year, it has given a lot of fodder for picking up these helpful conversations. This has created a dynamic that provides me with different viewpoints than my own, as well as support, and also an opportunity to teach someone about my beliefs and my practices a little at a time.   All of this has been a huge plus for me.

DECK USED:  DA BRIGH BLACK TAROT

It’s Good Not To Be King

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_6920Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the guided meditations with interval timers for my piriformis stretches.

The topic of today’s meditation was about taking time to let in the beauty and the  majesty of the world.  To take it in and appreciate it, and allow it to calm you.   It was about how sometimes? Even when we feel like we need to act, and act right now, that it’s better to wait and watch, and allow things to unfold at their own pace.

This can be really hard, yeah?  But the key in today’s guided meditation was that if we can find beautiful and peaceful things to focus on, it can help us in allowing that space instead of jumping into the fray.

Madam Lydia Wilhelmina's Tarot - King of WandsToday’s draw is is the King of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy in the area of one’s inspiration, passion projects, drive, and that inner spark of curiosity and invention. This often translates into themes that have to do with authority figures or leadership energy that leads the charge, stirring up those beneath them to  lead them into the fray of whatever passionate interest is the focus of the time.

What stands out to me in the imagery of this card today is the pumpkin that is impaled upon the wand that the skeleton king holds.   The pumpkin as the drawing on a sugar skull on it, and reminds me of a head on a pike.

What I see in this imagery is that sometimes?  Sacrifices have to be made for progress to happen for the greater good.  Sometimes?  Things or people get left behind.  Not because it’s fair or even right… it’s neither.  But when you’re the king?  You have to think of the greater good.  Sometimes that means that things aren’t fair for everyone, and sometimes it means that things that feel wrong happen just to make sure the greater good thrives.

Today’s card is a reminder of why I despise being leader and try to avoid that when I’m able. It’s a reminder of how happy I am not to be those things, and how much comfort and relief I get from that fact.

DECK USED:  MADAM LYDIA WILHELMINA’S TAROT

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: How can my inner magick support my journey?

Gothic Horror Tarot

Reading Summary: You are the ruler of your own domain (King of Pentacles) and are skilled at the running of it (Eight of Pentacles) because your inner compass keeps things balanced (Justice).

Take Away:  I recently came to realize just how unique each home and household is.  How in the ecosystem of a home and those that live within it, certain knowledge that is unique to that ecosystem is spread between it’s members.  Things like preferences in foods and brands, differences in bathroom times and daily ablution periods, how quickly things run out and how they deal with these things. 

How smoothly these things are run and how well this information is shared is dependent upon those involved and whoever the “head” of that ecosystem is that keeps things running smoothly.  In my home, that person is me.  My need for organization and desire for a sense of security is a part of the magic of who I am, and applying this to my home and those within it helps us all move more comfortably upon our journey, and feel more safe with each step that is taken.

DECK USED:  GOTHIC HORROR TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Forgive / Accept / Honor

Luis Royo's Labyrinth TarotForgive – Nine of Pentacles – Forgive myself for wallowing in a sense of security.  It’s been really nice to feel like everything’s taking care of itself for a while and like it’s not on my shoulders to push myself hard as I can. It’s hard to feel like it’s okay to feel that way, though. I have a lot of guilt around letting myself wallow in it for a bit, especially as I try to get myself back in gear now to prepare for the busy season ahead.

Accept – Knight of Wands – Accept that it’s now time to get your ass up and get a move on.  Unfortunately, that more relaxed time I’ve been enjoying has come to an end.  It’s a bummer, because I’ve just started to enjoy it, but now it’s time to accept that I need to plunge into my work.  My creative business will not run itself, and requires a certain amount of preparation to function properly and run well during the holiday rush.

Honor – Ten of Cups atop Jack of Wands – I need to honor what I have learned through how I’ve invested my time over the spring and summer. I’ve put a lot of time and focus on exploring my emotional intelligence and growing my understanding of my own emotions over the spring and summer.  I’ve found that I need a bit of rest to find emotional fulfillment, and just how important emotional fulfillment really is.  These things that I have learned are very important lessons that I want to honor by carrying forward into the future with me.

Luis Royo's Labyrinth Tarot - Five of SwordsWhat does it mean to honor what I need in order to feel emotionally fulfilled?

The Five of Swords indicates that you need to appreciate how far you’ve come, how much you’ve done, and protect these things.

This protection is not about building walls or anything so stagnant.  It’s important to remember that  emotions do not thrive when closed up and walled off.  So using that type of method that you have often used in the past is not going to work this time around.

Instead, you need to look at a more active style of defense and protection by carrying these things that you have learned with you as you move forward and holding them close as you without suffocating them.

DECK USED:  LUIS ROYO’S LABYRINTH TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question: How does my Spirit Guide card relate to my card for the month?

Terrestrial Tarot, Carnival at the End of the World Tarot, Trionfi della LunaReading Summary:  With the emotional growth that I have been exploring over the spring and summer (Ace of Cups) has also come lessons about how stepping back from pushing myself so damned hard (Temperance) can lead to a stronger sense of emotional fulfillment and completion (Ten of Cups).

The Sun of my Spirit Guide and the Hierophant of my month’s card are providing the path forward (Two of Wands) that will allow me to preserve and foster what I have learned so far on my journey of emotional growth.

Take Away:  It is an indication that my Spirit Guide is trying to support me and the growth I’ve managed thus far, as well as the perseverance of what I’ve learned as I move into what is hands-down the most stressful part of my year each year.

DECK USED:  TRIONFI DELLA LUNA, TERRESTRIAL TAROT, CARNIVAL AT THE END OF THE WORLD TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can better connect with my spirit guide mentors?

Golden Age of Horror Comics Tarot

Reading Summary: Tap in to what you know and are skilled at (Eight of Pentacles), combined with your childhood experiences (Six of Cups). Examine how you can see this connection differently (The Hanged Man).

Take Away:  The message here is about looking a gift horse in the mouth.  The thing is?  Many of my greatest skills come from those in my past.  The experiences and the skills passed down to me that I have utilized to get myself where I am?  These are also from the same individuals in my past that I have spent a good deal of time resenting and avoiding. My guides are, in some cases, a piece of my past.  They were there then, either in living form or in the ethereal plane… they’re here now too.  They have always wanted what is best for me… so maybe it’s time to let go of some of those resentments and discomforts.

DECK USED:  GOLDEN AGE OF HORROR COMICS TAROT

A Nest Egg Reminder

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_6901Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was a combination of a guided meditation and interval timer for the switching positions of my piriformis stretching.  I haven’t done my piriformis stretches in a few days, and I can definitely feel it today.  The pull up into my spine and along my internal scar tissue was pretty intense, but it wasn’t so bad that it didn’t release with time.

The focus of the guided part of this meditation was about magic in the every day.  The thing is that there are times when repetitive actions and the mundane can sometimes feel very boring.  You walk the same path to and from work every day, and after a while it feels like there’s nothing new to see, yeah?

The meditation today encouraged listeners that that’s when it’s time to really start paying attention to the details around you and sinking into the experience. Pay attention to the patterns of leaves on the sidewalk, the smells in the air, the feel of the breeze, the whisper of tree’s branches or the blooming and fading of flowers. Become invested in the nuances and details, and you soon find that no two days are alike, no to walks are alike.  Everything changes, even those things we feel bored with or stagnant.

Tarot of Haunted House - Four of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Four of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of stability and security in the areas of finance, resources, hearth and home, health, and manifestations.  It’s about conservation of resources and creating a sense of security by having what one needs.

This is my second favorite card in this deck, and it is so funny that it came up today because when I shuffled the cards, I saw it on the bottom of the deck and specifically thought  “God I love that card.  If it’s meant to come up, it’ll come up”.  And then?  It popped right out of the deck for my pull during shuffling.

Poppets are used for a variety of different purposes.  Curses and hexes are what is most commonly known since they were made familiar through works of voodoo.  And yet?  That is not the only way these magical artifacts are used or the only thing they are used for.   Here in this picture?  You see a money poppet.  A boon spell for drawing in good fortune.  Specifically good fortune in the area of one’s finances and resources.

The message in this card is to “tend to your garden” and foster it’s growth.  Through that growth.  Through focusing on collecting and saving and creating a “nest egg” of a cushion, you create a sense of stability in your life that allows for shit to happen and life to continue on in some semblance of “normal”, even when times are at their hardest.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF HAUNTED HOUSE

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: What can I do to honor the magick within me?

Anne Stokes Gothic Tarot

Reading Summary: Hold tight to the faith (The Star) that you have the skills, abilities, and capability to deal with (The Magician) all of those things that you’re worried about (Nine of Swords).

Take Away:  To honor the magic within me, it’s important to accept that I have all that I need to deal with all the issues and all the worries that plague me.  It’s about having trust and faith that everything is going to work out, because no matter what life throws at me?  I can deal with it, adapt, and in the end?  Find a path of positive growth forward beyond it.  These worries? They’re just a distraction.  Set them aside and trust I can deal with what comes, no matter what it might be.

DECK USED:  ANNE STOKES GOTHIC TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #1
Question: How can I shrug off this feeling of blah and ineptitude?

Cute and Creepy TarotReading Summary: Both sevens RX. Stop looking at all the choices (Seven of Cups Rx) and make a dive for what you want (Knight of Cups) and do it now. No time like the present (Seven of Pentacles Rx).

There is a connection between the Seven of Cups and the Knight of cups in both coloring and theme.  This goes beyond the “Cups” suit correspondence and into how the two cards flow together.  Pick one cup.  Just one.  And go after it full force.

There is also a connection between the Seven of Cups and Seven of Pentacles that goes beyond the fact they are both Rx and both sevens.  This has to do with the clusters in both cards.  Many cups.  May pentacles.  Choices and selections and abundance that has turned against you, indicating a need to downsize.

Take Away:  Stop allowing everything that needs to be done overwhelm you and set you into a stagnant paralysis.  Pick one thing.  Just one thing… and do it.  Then pick another.  Don’t worry about all of it at once, and don’t worry about if you’re going to get it all done or not.  You can’t eat an entire cake in one bite, and you can’t get the prep done all at once.  Work at it one piece at a time instead.

DECK USED:  CUTE AND CREEPY TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question:  In what way do I embody the ______ card?

Skele-Tarot

My Card – Ace of Cups – The seed of beginnings of new relationships, new dynamics within existing relationships, new creative ideas, and new emotions.

In what way do I embody the Ace of Cups card?
Page of Cups, Five of Pentacles, Three of Cups

I’m doing my best to expand my emotional intelligence, and sometimes that is going to cause me to feel negative emotions, but I understand that these things are temporary and there is renewal ahead which means there is always hope.

DECK USED:  SKELE-TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What are my magickal influences?

Spirit of Halloween Tarot

Reading Summary:  In my life right now I am at a place where I struggle to lift the blindfold and see clearly my path forward (Eight of Swords). For a time, this caused me to lose faith in my abilities to ride out what may come and turn it around in my favor (The Magician).  Beside the cards that represent this struggle reside a card indicating the two prominent aspects of my life at the moment.  The Nine of Pentacles speaks of my goals and my current feelings of security and comfort.  The Ace of Cups represents my efforts at that new level of emotional intelligence and the growth I’ve managed so far this year… which is truly just the beginning of a much longer journey.

Take Away:  My magical influences at this time are being blocked.  The influence that helps me the greatest is my ingenuity and my adaptability, but with my current state, I am muffling it and drowning it beneath feelings of overwhelm that cloud my vision.  

DECK USED:  SPIRIT OF HALLOWEEN TAROT