#EmbraceYourAlterEgo2021

Look Up

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped in deference for sleep today.

Spooky Cats Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Four of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of apathy and disinterest, dejection and reflection, as well as times of quiet meditation. The key here is in the hand that offers the fourth cup, and the fact that the figure either does not see the offer, or is rejecting it in an apathetic response.

When struggling, sometimes it can be hard to see beyond the misery of the moment.  I’ve dealt with this a lot in life when dealing with my major depressive episodes and times of recovery after injury.  It just… you feel stuck. Stuck, and alone, and miserable.  It can be hard to realize that the misery is only temporary… hard to believe in those times that there is an end in sight and things will get better.

It can be equally hard to see that there are people out there that want to help… are trying to help.

The reminder in today’s cards is to make sure that you look up and see what’s being offered during these times, welcome the help that people are offering instead of closing yourself off and assuming you are all alone. It’s not easy, but it helps those times be a little less painful, and eases the amount of misery experienced while waiting for things to feel better.

DECK USED:  SPOOKY CATS TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

PatriciaWestonWitch’s #wwpwHalloweenLenormand Prompt
Questions for October 18th thru 20th

Flowers From the Dead Oracle and Sugar Skull TarotWhat area of my life is full of tumbleweed?
Hawk and Death

Your ability to see changes in your life clearly is currently compromised. This is natural, and normal, but it makes going through these changes more difficult as there is an element of blindness involved, and this uncertainty can create hesitation.

What do I need to resurrect?
Chicken, The Lovers atop Wheel of Fortune Rx

Ensure you are approaching troubled times with bravery and the mindset of making healthy choices. You can’t always just trust everything is going to come out okay.  You have to actively make choices that will turn things the way you want them to go. This focus on making healthy choices will carry you through, instead of enabling you to self-sabotage and sink.

What needs to grow in my life?
Fox and Queen of Wands

It’s important to continue focusing on finding harmony between your indomitable drive and your self care. You can balance both and give up neither, but finding that balance is going to take time. More time, that is.

DECK USED: FLOWERS FROM THE DEAD AND SUGAR SKULL TAROT

The #EmbraceYourAlterEgo2021 Challenge for Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for October 18th, and 20th thru 22nd

Spooky Cats TarotWhat fears do I have?

Page of Brooms atop Seven of Cups – You fear that you’ll miss out on what could be a fucking spectacular opportunity due to hesitation. There is a lot of holding back lately, and a lot of letting opportunities go in the hopes that they will come back to you later. This has caused the fear of “losing out” to rise and grow recently.

What actions am I afraid to take?

The Empress – You worry that all this focus on self care is going to make you soft and weak. Stamina has always been a corner stone of your ambition and drive, and you’re afraid to be too nice to yourself or too kind to yourself and, in the process, end up “losing your edge”.

Why do these actions scare me?

King of Pumpkins – The idea of losing your edge through self-kindness and self-nurturing scares you because you are so hyper focused on stability and security. In losing your edge, there is a risk of losing that stability and security that you’ve gained.

How can this help me and my Alter Ego merge?

Queen of Cups atop Four of Cups – By allowing me to see that we are there to help each other. That driven alter ego that these readings over the month so far have been about, and that side of myself that wants to treat myself better and be healthier… they are two sides of the same coin. They are both me, and they can help each other and support each other (instead of conflicting with each other) if given the chance.

DECK USED: SPOOKY CATS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Bless the angel of midday naps.  The fire safety people were here at the building to do their inspections today, and the gas people were also here to do their job checking the lines and getting pilot lights lit in fireplaces. That shit started even before I made it home from the farm and the constant alarms going off and people in and out was exhausting.  So, after it was over I took the most wonderful nap ever.

The Moral Compass

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped, as today was orders day and there was just too much to get done.

Таро Темных Откровений and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Judgement card, which 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.

The combination of today’s Thera-Pets card combined with the Judgement card is about looking at your life, your progress… and your setbacks, and accepting that we can’t go full speed ahead at every turn and every moment.

It’s okay to struggle sometimes.  It’s okay to go slow sometimes.

As long as you are continuing on the path to becoming the person that you -want- to be, and making decisions that you will look back on at the end of your life with pride in the person you were and have become instead of with regret or disgust?  Then you’re still doing absolutely spectacular.

DECK USED:  ТАРО ТЕМНЫХ ОТКРОВЕНИЙ AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 18th and 19th

Arcana Mortis TarotEnergy I’m Emitting – Samhain and Ace of Wands – The energy that you are emitting at this time is a go get’em focus on the holiday rush to come with a deadline in mind landing squarely on Samhain. This energy is about drive and focus, and moving forward toward your goals.

What that Energy is Attracting – Circle of Salt, Three of Swords Rx atop The Magician – Confidence and competence to keep depression at bay as long as needed to get through the busy months ahead. The “flex” of energy attracts more of the same, and as long as you ride this energy you will continue to be protected from depression issues during the months ahead.

What To Do About It – Demonic Presence and The Lovers – You need to make sure that you are making healthy choices, and not just falling into the temptation of bad habits and unhealthy options.

What do I need to focus on for self-care for this full moon?

Remember that your feelings of tiredness and the desire for isolation are emotion based (Four of Cups) and temporary (Phases). They are not based in reality, but they can have real-time consequences in how they pull you away from your work (Eight of Pentacles) and away from getting the things done that you need to do.

DECK USED: THIS DECK IS HAUNTED ORACLE AND THE ARCANA MORTIS TAROT

PatriciaWestonWitch’s #wwpwHalloweenLenormand Prompt
Question for October 17th: What message do my animal spirit guides have for me today?

Таро Темных ОткровенийReading Summary:  Okay, so I have an issue with the illustration in the King of Cups today. He looks like some pansy ass fop of a guy about to get his toes pinched off by a couple of lobsters. I just had to get that out.

The theme here has to do with the Eight of Pentacles at the center. These cards indicate emotional indulgences (King of Cups) and the addictions that are spurred by emotions (The Devil) are both distractions to the work that you need to get done at this time (Eight of Pentacles).

Take Away: This is very true, but it’s also not necessarily a bad thing. At least, not as long as I don’t over indulge.  That is where things start to go awry and issues being to arise.

DECK USED: ТАРО ТЕМНЫХ ОТКРОВЕНИЙ

Daily Self Kindness

I can’t think of anything I did that was a kindness to myself other than making sure I had L’s help in packaging before bed so that it cut the time it took down by half.

Expectations and Progress

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was another of the unguided variety with breathing exercises, and lasted just under ten minutes.

Gothmancy Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Knight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of an projective beta energy in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, home, manifestations, and the physical world. The Knight of Pentacles is a “go get’em” energy, but one that moves at a slower pace and marches to the beat of its own drum.

The Thera-Pets card for today says “you are doing enough” and boy it sure doesn’t feel like it. It feels like I’m slacking off and not getting any prep done at all. I know that’s not true, but I also know I don’t feel like I’m getting the things done that I want to before the holiday rush starts. There’s been a lot of obstacles in my path this week that I’ve been forcing me to take things slower than I would like.

Today’s cards are a reminder that any progress is still progress, even if it comes slower than you’re used to.

DECK USED:  GOTHMANCY TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonoftheWitchChallenge Prompt
Questions for October 17th and 18th

Madhouse TarotThe wheel it spins, around, again, what have I started (Judgement), how will it end (Justice atop Knight of Swords)?

Looking at life through the lens of who you want to become and what you want to accomplish in this lifetime, and what you’re going to feel about what you see when you look back on at the end of your time, is a journey that you have chosen and continue to focus on.

The cards here indicate that it is only through following this path from one day to the next that you will reach the end of your journey, both happy with where you have come to be as well as what you’ve done along the way. No amount of strategy or manipulation will settle the scales into balance… only staying focused on the goal, and doing the work one day at a time will do that.

And as the serpent bites its tail, what will recur (Six of Swords), what must I prevail (Nine of Cups)?

Again and again throughout life, you are going to need to make decisions to leave behind things that are no longer working for you or are unhealthy for you, and move on to something better and healthier.

These choices to leave behind those things that are harming you or are unhealthy for you will be constantly changing. With each stage of life, you will need to make these decisions again and again in order to stay on top of what is going to work for you and makes you happy.

The goal in this is not just about health, but also about happiness. For it is only through having a positive outlook and being happy in the present that you will find true contentment.

DECK USED: MADHOUSE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #1
Question: How can I help myself stay positive during this period of preparation before the holiday rush?

Gothmancy TarotReading Summary: There is a color connection in the skin color between the Five of Wands and the Ace of Swords. This indicates that the communication between others might be a bit of a struggle right now, and is a part of what’s bringing you down.

The color connection in the reds and background between the King of Swords and the Ace of Swords then speaks to strategy being applied to new ideas and communication with others. By having a strategy in these areas, you can help pave the road to smoother communication.

Take Away: Speak up and be clear about what you want to happen during this time and what you want to accomplish. In doing so you are able to communicate with others what they can do to help you.

This communication well then bring people over to your side, instead of there being a constant feeling of conflict going on between what you want to accomplish and what they’re doing to try and help you.

DECK USED: GOTHMANCY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took the day off from the farm today. I just… needed some peace and quiet and a bit more sleep. Since everything is caught up and well staffed at the moment, it was a good time to take the day.

Uncertainties and Self Worth

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was another of the unguided sort. It was about ten minutes long and focused on breathing exercises while I did some stretching of my back and hips.

Jack-O'-Lantern Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Death card, which is traditionally a representation of slow moving, organic change. This isn’t the sudden, chaotic change of the tower, but rather it is a slow type of change that comes in over time, developing a little at a time.

What stands out to me today in the imagery of this card is the owl perched upon the scythe. This indicates to me a factor of knowledge and understanding.

Even slow change can give our confidence a beating sometimes. Just because we know what’s coming and see it developing over time doesn’t always mean we feel ready for it, or capable of riding it out.

Today’s cards are a reminder that sometimes? How we feel about ourselves is not a reflection of how capable we are.  Especially when we’re feeling down on ourselves. It’s a reminder that even during times of change and uncertainty, we are still enough. Even when we are feeling weak and worried… we are still enough. Don’t let anyone or anything make you think otherwise.

DECK USED:  JACK-O’-LANTERN TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonoftheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread for October 16th

Eldritch Tarot

Domination over the spirit.

The Emperor – You have a great deal more control than you think you do. Over yourself, and over others as well.  Use this ability wisely, and ensure that you are considering what is good not just for yourself, but also for others, when making decisions and taking action.

What can I do to work towards more personal freedom?

Queen of Pentacles – Lean into nurturing yourself more.  Give yourself the care you need instead of ignoring physical pain and pushing it under the rug. The better care you give your physical self, the more freedom you have both from exhaustion and pain, as well as from the limiting physical effects that these cause.

What choices or thoughts are not helping me right now?

Six of Swords – A desire to escape keeps lingering in your mind and it’s just slowing you down from dealing with the crap that needs to be dealt with.  Yes, it would be nice to take more time off.  Yes, it would be amazing to have a holiday season that wasn’t a marathon through hell.  But that’s not feasible, and lingering in those thoughts only allows discontent to flourish.

What feelings or emotions are holding me back?

Four of Cups – This echos up to the thoughts above and the discontent that is being bred by those thoughts.  You want more time. More rest.  You want to be able to discover and enjoy the sensation of being bored, the space of time needed to organize your life and set things in order.  This is not possible at this time of year, and that makes you a bit sulky. These feelings are understandable, but they are holding you back and slowing you down.

What actions could create more personal power?

Nine of Wands – Shore up your boundaries. Accept that this is the way things need to be right now and set your discontent in its place so that it is not standing in your way.

DECK USED: ELDRITCH TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2021 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 16th
What needs….

Jack-O'-Lantern TarotRevealed – The Empress – This card has been coming up a lot lately along with the Queen of Pentacles. Both of them are a reminder that I am not caring for myself as well as I could… or should. They are revealing to me that this is an important issue that needs dealt with.

Concealed – The Wheel – Everyone deals with the uncertainty that is bred through life’s lack of predictability. This card is a reminder not to allow these uncertainties to hold me back. Tuck them into place and move forward as if they aren’t there.

Discarded – Four of Cups – This was just mentioned earlier in my Lionharts reading that I did.  I need to discard my apathetic discontent over the fact that I can’t have the time and rest and… boredom that I want to experience right now.  It’s just not the time, and focusing on that discontent only creates obstacles and barriers.

DECK USED: JACK-O’-LANTERN TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had a blood sugar incident today that stole away most of my evening. I’m really irritated about this, but I’m trying to not punish myself about it either through my physical actions or my inner narrative.

Standing Up

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was just under ten minutes long and was an unguided sort of “pause and breathe” session.

Trionfi Della Luna and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Five of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of conflict, tests, and trials in the areas of communication, intellect, education, thought, and logic. This often translates into things that have to do with arguments and misunderstandings.

Sometimes? It can be hard to stand up for yourself.  Especially when feeling down in the dumps or struggling with your own inner demons and negative inner dialogue.

These cards are a reminder that even in those times?  It’s important to stand up for yourself anyway and not let people treat you badly. Don’t be a doormat and a victim just because you’re having a confidence crisis in the moment.

Show them that you deserve more. Don’t let them treat you like trash. You’re worth more than that.

DECK USED:  TRIONFI DELLA LUNA AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonoftheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread for October 15th

Таро Темного Пути

The power of the spirit.

The Magician – You have all the tools, knowledge, and ingenuity at your disposal to do whatever you want to do. You  have the ability to learn quickly what you don’t know, and adapt as needed to fulfill what is needed to continue forward toward your goals. Your spirit is… indomitable.

What foundation am I building upon, or what am I building towards?

Two of Pentacles – Balance. You have been focused on finding a better work / life balance for the past couple of years now, and although the trek has been slow, you are getting there and doing a little better with each month that passes.

What choices are or have been empowering me?

Knight of Swords – Movement. For a good part of this year you have felt stagnant and struggling. Over the past few weeks, this energy has shifted and energy is flowing once more allowing for movement and a charge forward towards your goals. This energy is a bit aggressive, but at the moment that is only empowering you further.

What emotions or feelings can make (or have made) me stronger?

King of Cups – This is a reference to your connection with Gideon and the fact that you look up to him and how adept he is at understanding emotions and nurturing them. With his help, you are learning to better understand and interpret your own emotions, and how to deal with them in a more healthy manner.  He helps you find steadier footing in the emotional confusion that comes from not burying your emotions as you have in the past, and this help from that corner makes you stronger.

What is a personal strength I can always rely on?

Three of Wands – Creatively, you will always have ideas to discover and new projects to explore. Sometimes this feels overwhelming, but it is a personal strength that allows you to always bounce back from failures and setbacks, and provides you with the ability to be the master and captain of your own future.

DECK USED: ТАРО ТЕМНОГО ПУТИ

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic for October 15th: Draw or write something free form inspired by the card(s).

Trionfi Della LunaOnce upon a time there was a little poppet in a shop who could only hold one or two pins at a time (Temperance), as he was only the size of the pad of a person’s thumb.

He was never chosen by the customers to be used because of his size, and people thought that if a little one could do, then a big one could do better (Two of Coins).

He sat on a shelf in the shop for a very long time with hope in his heart (The Bluebirds), waiting for the person to come along that might see the potential he holds (Ace of Wands).

Then one day a witch filled with the spark of purpose came in to the shop (Queen of Wands), and the poppet knew that this was the one he had been awaiting for so long (Seven of Coins).

She needed his help to aid a child stricken with sickness, and nurture that child back to health (Queen of Coins), and she purchased him on the spot.

She took him home with her, and in her wise and cunning ways, directed him to his path and purpose (Queen of Swords). Which he fulfilled with joy and enthusiasm, and the young child thrived as a result (The Sun).

DECK USED: TRIONFI DELLA LUNA

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap today.  I really didn’t want to, but after the drive up north and back, I was so tired.  Instead of fighting it, I laid down for a bit and felt much better as a result.

Crawling Is Fine

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was… not exactly skipped today.  I didn’t do a full meditation, but I did spend some time doing a bit of breathing exercises while I worked on my piriformis stretching.

Skele-Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Hierophant card, which is traditionally a representation of the teachers of tradition. This involves organizations like churches and those that work there like priests, ministers, etc as well as wise women and wise men, spiritual guides, grandparents teaching family traditions, deans or principles that teach school traditions, etc.

I often see the Hierophant card as a symbol of one’s ancestors, and especially at this time of year when the veil is thin, this is how the card comes up for me in readings.  Here in these cards, that is exactly what the card is representing, as it is in reference to the work that I have been doing on developing my mediumship abilities and connecting more closely with my spirit guides and ancestors.

I often feel like I’m making absolutely no progress in this area.  I know that’s not true, but the progress is so… subtle. Its hard for me to pick up on it.  Today’s cards are a reminder that not all progress needs to happen in leaps and bounds, and just because that’s the type of progress I am used to making on the things I choose to focus on… doesn’t mean it’s always going to work that way.   That doesn’t discount or devalue the progress we are making, though. Even when that progress is at a crawl instead of a walk or run.

DECK USED:  SKELE-TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2021 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 14th: How can I best release negativity carried forward from my ancestors to me?

Calaca TarotReading Summary: Everything balances itself out in time (Justice), just be sure that you’re using the inherited abilities you’ve gotten from your ancestors (Queen of Swords) differently than they have used them in the past (Death).

Take Away: Don’t be your mother. Have you ever wondered where she got the values that she has, and the ruthless pursuit of prestige she carries? She got those obsessions from her past.

You inherited her logical mind and her way with words. Instead of using these skills in narcissistic ways and to your own agenda in a game of “Life Chess” that you are hell bent on “winning”, make sure that you are using them to help others.

DECK USED: CALACA TAROT

PatriciaWestonWitch’s #wwpwHalloweenLenormand Prompt
Questions for October 12th thru 16th

Crypto-Terra Myths and Monsters Cards and Skele-TarotWhat ghouls need to leave my life?
Loveland Frogman and Page of Pentacles

Stop letting your physical condition slow you down. This means you need to pick back up your full physio routine, return a regular meditation practice, and go back to cutting out the foods you know piss your body off. You can feel much better than you do now, but you have to commit to putting in the effort.

Where do I feel lucky?
Mamlambo and Page of Wands

Creativity comes easily to you, and is something you greatly enjoy. So much so that your mind is constantly in a creative learning state and becomes bored easily when that part you is not being sated.

What haunts me?
Silver Cat and The Empress

No matter how hard you try to attract that mothering energy to you crave from your mother, you will repeatedly discover that that well is dry.

What do I need to bury?
Grootslang, The Fool atop Page of Cups

Don’t just shed, but bury those imposters seeking to feed off your energy through manipulation of your naivety and still unseasoned emotional intelligence.  You may not be able to detect them immediately, but when you do, you need to use them as a lesson for others.

What do I need to sever from my life?
Mapinguari and Two of Cups

More sharing. Less greedy solitary time. Being alone right now is not healthy. You need all the help you can get to keep you uplifted and on track during this time.

DECK USED: CRYPTO-TERRA MYTHS AND MONSTERS CARDS AND SKELE-TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I spent a good deal of time with Gid even though it was an orders day, and really enjoyed listening to him opening the surprise “just because” gifts that I sent.