Losing Sight of Priorities

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Divine Diversity Tarot - Ace of SwordsToday’s draw is the Ace of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, ambitions, and communication.

The angle of the woman’s face in this card as well as the radiant light behind her makes me feel that there’s a bit too much fascination going on.  She’s lost sight of her surroundings in becoming enamored with this new “thing” in her life.

Today’s card is a reminder to not sink so deeply into new ideas that you lose sight of the world around you.

DECK USED:  DIVINE DIVERSITY TAROT

Mr Lionhart’s #TheJulyTarot Be Here Now Prompt
Questions for July 10th thru 12th

The Bug Tarot and the Fairy Lights TarotWhat is something that has strongly contributed to who I am today?

Page of Pentacles atop The Lovers, Rooted Angel – Gideon’s influences in turning my attention to taking better care of myself and slowing down, as well as helping me to start integrating my very logic driven mind with a more accepting attitude of my emotions.

What wisdom from the past can help me with living in the moment now?

The Hermit and Destination – You’ve learned how to differentiate between healthy alone time and unhealthy alone time. This will allow you to sink into alone time that is healthy and enjoy it more fully while still staying on your chosen path. When you take care of making sure your choices in the now are good and healthy ones, you don’t have to watch the road ahead quite so closely in order to stay on track.

What am I asked to see as a work in progress instead of something concluded or finite? Why?

Knight of Pentacles, Magic Truffle Hunters and Emergence – Yourself. There is much more to delve into within yourself and your abilities, much more to explore and share with the world. Exploring and knowing yourself is a lifelong journey, never ending and always full of new faucets yet to be tapped into.

DECKS USED: THE BUG TAROT AND FAIRY LIGHTS TAROT (trimmed naked)

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic
: Do Spread #2
Question: How can I keep the momentum going on this new burst of energy and clarity I’m currently feeling?

Divine Diversity Tarot and Lauren Marx PostcardReading Summary: There’s a correlation between all three cards in the gold tones and the wreath of moths that circle the skulls in the anchor card. This speaks of all three cards being dominant in the reading, and connected together intrinsically.

In the Justice card, the flesh of the figure matches that of the entrails lying on black fur. The red tapestry in the background of the card also connects to the smattering of red moths at the top and bottom of the anchor card (and that especially congregate on the bound lamb). This speaks to me of an encouragement to not be complacent. When you feel yourself starting to sink into inactivity, remind yourself that you get what you give. If you feed into that stagnant energy it will grow and multiply.

Shades of blue connect the Ace of Wands and the King of Cups, and yet do not match anything within the actual anchor card (not even the smattering of blue that lives in the anchor card in the form of birds). As the anchor card is filled with death and decay, what we see here is that in order to keep things bright, crisp, and clean you will need to stay proactive in steering your thoughts in that direction, and lean into Gideon for help. Remember that emotions rarely follow logic, but can live alongside logic rather than clash against it.

Take Away: Be proactive and actually -active- in your pursuit of that lighter and brighter energy.  Lean into Gid when you need help with your emotions instead of letting them pile up or eat away at you.  You need to learn how to coexist with them instead of seeing them as your enemy.

DECK USED: DIVINE DIVERSITY TAROT AND LAUREN MARX POSTCARDS SET

Daily Self Kindness

I am playing some serious catch up and I have no idea what the self-kindness for this day might have been.

The Ant and The Grasshopper

IMG_4015Today’s meditation was fifteen minutes long and was attached to the end of my yoga practice.   I had read the quote pictured in this blog post prior to going into my yoga practice, and it stuck with me through the practice and into the meditation.

It had me considering some of those people I have met in life that have appeared cold to me, and how I often come off to others as cold and distant.  You have told me in the past that these people just haven’t had the chance to get to know me, but the fact is?  Should they need to get to know me to know that I’m not cold and distant? Should they need to get to know me in order to realize I, too, have feelings?

And yet, that impression?  Is mine.   That distance is created by me, whether it’s to protect myself or to protect them from the depression and vicious negativity I direct toward myself… or both.

Just the meandering path of my mind during that time… something to share.

Nine of Oak - Nine of Pentacles - Stolen Child TarotToday’s draw is is the Nine of Oak (Nine of Pentacles) which is traditionally a representation of solitary accomplishment.  That is to say, it represents that time at the end of a journey where you have accomplished your goal and find yourself in a place of abundance.   During this time, there is a moment when you enjoy that abundance on your own before moving on to sharing it with others.   The Nine of Pentacles is that moment of enjoyment and wealth that comes prior to the “sharing the wealth”.

What I actually see today in the imagery of this card, though, isn’t that moment… but the moment that comes just before it.   In the imagery of this card I see the moment when you are counting your resources and tucking things away, storing up and preparing.  The squirrel and the squirrel child here are not wallowing in their wealth and reflecting on how well they’ve done.  They are not in a moment of contentment and satiation.  But they are headed in that direction.

The message here is one of encouragement.  A reminder that I am doing well and the preparations I have made over time to create a sense of stability and security are going to pay off when I need them to.

DECK USED:  STOLEN CHILD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthApril Challenge Prompt
Question
: What can I do to remind myself of the hand my spirit guides play in my life? (built off yesterday’s cards)

Isidore Tarot

Reading Summary: Listen to and trust your intuition (The Priestess) instead of allowing the brain to overcome (Five of Swords) and steal away (Seven of Swords) the surety and comfort (King of Cups) that being in touch with that inner voice creates.

Take Away:  Like most people, my brain loves.. loves to cast doubt.  And in finding that connection to my spirit guides that I’ve been seeking?  That is the biggest hurdle to traverse. As connected as I am to my intuition, it’s still extremely hard to keep my brain from stepping in to cast doubts on what doesn’t feel quite fully manifested as yet.

DECK USED:  ISIDORE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2020 Challenge Prompt
Question
: What is my superpower?

Maruco Animal TarotReading Summary: Having a clear head (Queen of Swords) and an open mind (Page of Swords) while taking control (The Emperor) of any situation that requires flexibility and adaptation (Wheel of Fortune).

Take Away:  Perhaps this skill is because I have spent so much of my life suppressing my emotions, but when situations require a clear head, this is not something I usually struggle with.   The emotions turn off, and my brain kicks it up a notch. 

This is actually something I’ve been a bit worried about, when considering the new level of emotions and openness to my emotions that I’ve been slowly exploring and developing over time.  There is always that bit of worry that that objective, clearheaded intellect will become clouded by emotion and damage my ability to step back and see multiple perspectives without the pollution of bias getting in the way.

DECK USED:  MARUCO ANIMAL TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question
: How can I become more self loving?

Fairy Lights Tarot

Reading Summary: Work on taking more chances (Left Card) and entertain less self recrimination (Middle Card) and self doubt (Right Card).

The imagery in the left card gives me the impression of swinging from a branch over a cliff, and it reminds me of those swings kids use to swing out over swimming holes and jump.  Sometimes? Taking chances leads to adventure and joyous moments that you can’t find any other way.

In the middle card, the posture of the figures in the center speaks to me of shame and a feeling of defense from attack.   This impression is strengthened by the darkness of the shadows of their robes.

The moon in the right card frowns down upon the figures along the path.  While some bound forward toward that judging visage, others hold back, unsure and fearful.  The red and orange colors in this card also blend into that of the center card, indicating  a connection… a similarity of emotion between the two.

Take Away:  If I want to be more self loving, I need to let go of my self recriminations, my hesitations, and my self doubt.  Instead of allowing these moments to fill my life, I need to leap at the chance to grab hold of the opportunities for joy and revel in the fun that comes with new adventures.

DECK USED:  FAIRY LIGHTS TAROT

The Buffet… and Moderation

IMG_3968Today’s meditation was just under eleven minutes long and focused on the distraction of intruding thoughts and experiences in the middle of a meditation practice.  That is to say, it focused upon how to deal with these distractions and not allow them to frustrate you or pull you away from your practice.

Instead, the guided meditation encouraged approaching these distractions in a disconnected sort of way.  Choosing to take a moment to identify what it is that has distracted you, acknowledging it by naming it, and then letting it go and returning to your center focus (usually the breath).  That is to say, for example, that if you get distracted thinking about what you need to do for the day you pause to recognize you’ve become distracted.  You then label that distraction as “thinking” and accept that it happened, and then set it aside and return to your meditation focus.

This actually seems to work really well for me.  Everyone becomes distracted during meditation, even those that practice daily for years and years.  It’s a part of the process, and that pulling yourself back from distraction to return to your meditation is just as important a part of the process.

Seven of Brine - Seven of Cups - Stolen Child TarotToday’s draw is the Seven of Brine (Seven of Cups) which is traditionally a representation of feelings of overwhelm (or feelings of vast opportunities) created by having an abundance of choices open and available to you.

So many yum-yums… a veritable smorgasbord… so little time.

Laughing.   Okay, so that was my above thought when I first saw this card.  A raccoon presented with so many different delicious options that he’s left unable to decide what he wants to eat.

The message here has to do with having too much of a good thing.  I’m not really sure where this fits into my life today, but I will definitely be keeping an eye open for where this message might apply.   I do see it as a good reminder, though.  And a good message because of the value of its reminder.

It’s a reminder that moderation is a good thing, yeah?  And although I’m not especially good at moderation? I do understand it’s value.

DECK USED:  STOLEN CHILD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthApril Challenge Prompt
Question
: What is the root of my power?

Fairy Lights Tarot

Reading Summary: spirit guides (left card), reaching for and embracing change (center cards), moral compass (right card)

Take Away:  The root of my power is threefold and resides in the guidance of my spirit guides, my adaptability and willingness to adjust to change, and the moral compass within me that guides my actions.

There is a blending of colors from the spirit guides card into the change card that speaks of the changes I am often guided through the changes that come by my spirit guides in order to help me embrace those changes.

There is also a color flow between the spirit guides card, the “reaching for” card and the moral compass card that speaks of my spirit guides having a hand in my openness to adapt as well as the moral compass that guides me.

DECK USED:  FAIRY LIGHTS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2020 Challenge Prompt
Question
: What piece of advice will help me achieve my dreams?

Forager's Daughter TarotReading Summary:  Beware the last sword (Ten of Swords) that will be coming for you just as you begin to feel a sense of pride in your accomplishments (Nine of Cups) and a feeling of having finally found stability and completion (Ten of Pentacles).

Take Away:  This is a warning about becoming overconfident.  In order to achieve my dreams, the cards indicate that I need to take care not to let my progress and accomplishments go to my head.  There are going to be setbacks and struggles… even when I feel I’m past all that and think that I have found higher ground.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

 

Contentment and Gratitude

IMG_3766Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and focused upon using the 4-7-8 breathing technique to help  in lowering stress and inducing a sense of relaxation.

This is actually a method that I use regularly in the day to day, and often during my meditation.  It involves breathing in a full deep breath for a count of four, then holding that air in for a count of seven, then exhaling slowly to a count of eight.

When I use this technique, I use my heartbeats as the method of counting in order to make sure that the pace stays even through the entire process, and I’ve found it to be extremely beneficial in assisting me in relaxing during times of high stress.

Nine of Brine - Nine of Cups - Stolen Child TarotToday’s draw is the Nine of Brine (Nine of Cups) which is traditionally a representation of themes concerning satisfaction and attaining a state of contentment and comfortable completion in the area of one’s emotions and relationships.

What I see here is comfort and security, which I suppose is very much along the themes of contentment. The bones on the shore speak to me of a lot that has been lost by both parties, and yet the elephant and the youth move together in the shallows, leaning upon each other and taking comfort in each other.

This speaks to me of remembering what you have and appreciating it. Times of struggle and hardship can rip people apart, or they can bring people closer.  By approaching the relationships you have during these times with a sense of gratitude, it allows those relationships to strengthen rather than deteriorate.

I am currently experiencing this first hand with both my sister and Z.  This opportunity to spend so much time with both of them is a struggle, but it has also brought us closer.   The same, too, can be said for the drop and the bond formed as  I lean on you during those times of vulnerability.

DECK USED:  STOLEN CHILD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthApril Challenge Prompt
Question
: What impact is stress having on my life at this time?

Fairy Lights Tarot

Reading Summary:   Disconnect is shown in the curve of the “horn” that, in this reading looks to me like a disconnected umbilical cord that has been parted from the figure with the hole in its torso.  Others look on in horror, indicating that this disconnect involves a sense of loss.

Scarcity is seen in the center card, depicted in the colors of the card as well as the sharp thorns of light scattered throughout the image and slumped figures.  The imagery feels like needs that are sharp and painful and not being satisfied.

Loss is what I see depicted in the last card.  A sense of mourning in the curling slump of the figures in the center of the image and the curl of their hands and arms.  The blue feels stark instead of comforting.

Take Away:  This is less about how it is effecting my life and more about how it can very easily turn around and bite me in the ass if I’m not careful.   Stress, that is.   It has the potential to pull me into a mindset of disconnection and scarcity where  I fear loss and, as a result, struggle with these emotions as they drag me down and jumble up my head and heart.

There is no symmetry in these cards, speaking of that confusion.  No easy flow going on here.  Instead, everything is discordant, just like my emotions when stress starts to become overwhelming and eat away at me.

DECK USED:  FAIRY LIGHTS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2020 Challenge Prompt
Question
: What new perspective is waiting for me to be realized?

Forager's Daughter TarotReading Summary: I am not immune (Five of Swords) to the need for celebration and fun (Four of Wands) and need to make sure I’m taking a break from responsibilities (The Fool) now and then.

Take Away:  Ew… I don’t like this reading.  *Cracks up.*  But, I’m not saying it’s not true either, just that the idea of taking a break from responsibility in order to fool around and have a good time goes against my very nature.  I do understand that it’s a necessary part of life to cut loose now and then and I’m not exempt from the same human needs as everyone else… it’s just not easy for me to let it happen.  So yeah, as far as realizations waiting to be realized?  This is a good one where I am concerned.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

 

Motivations and Methods

IMG_3558Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was along the same theme as yesterday’s meditation, which is to say that it focused upon finding calm in the storm.

As yesterday’s focused upon where to look within yourself to find a center, this one focused upon how to reject the mental chaos of events and situations that create the opportunity for that chaos to invade and conquer.

The meditation spoke about the importance of regular meditation practice in order to prepare the mind for when these situations arise, so that we are more able to use the tools that meditation helps you develop to stay calm and centered when that is most needed.

Four of Brine - Four of Cups - Stolen Child TarotToday’s draw is the Four of Brine (Four of Cups) which is traditionally a representation of stability and/or stagnancy in the area of one’s emotions and relationships.  This often translates into themes involving taking time to reassess one’s emotions and/or ignoring outside influences and turning inward towards those emotions.

My interpretation of this card touches upon that theme but is a bit different as well, which is probably not much of a surprise.  What I see in the imagery of this card today is the python changeling accepting the gift of the persimmons from the monkeys in the trees… rather than preying on the monkeys themselves.

This speaks to me of reassessing one’s motives and motivations, and factoring in one’s emotions into that process of reflection. It speaks about finding a better way, and possibly letting others in to allow them to help you in finding that better way of doing things.  The cards indicate I will benefit from allowing others input to assist me in finding a “better way” today.

DECK USED:  STOLEN CHILD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthApril Challenge Prompt
Question
: What part of that is within my power to change at this time? (built off yesterday’s cards)

Forager's Daughter Tarot

Reading Summary: I need to actually get a plan in place (Ace of Pentacles), even if it’s not actionable until later on.  In this way I can take control of the situation when the opportunity is presented to me (Queen of Wands) and reap the benefits of being ready (Four of Pentacles).

Take Away:  Well there you go. Like with my business, this stagnancy with my physical body is another area where I will benefit from having a plan set in place before restrictions lift. By preparing and having a plan in place, I can then hit the ground running with solid footing when the opportunity is presented, and reap the rewards of that preparedness.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2020 Challenge Prompt
Question
: How can I obtain better clarity in order to move past those obstacles? (built off yesterday’s cards)

Fairy Lights TarotReading Summary:  Don’t allow bad habits and pessimism (left card) to overtake my sense of hope and wonder (middle card… note the bleed of color from the left card).  This too shall pass (right card… match of birds to the shades of color from the left card and bleed into the middle).

Take Away:  Pessimism is the biggest and most persistent of all my bad habits.  I say that it is a bad habit not because pessimism can’t be healthy, but because it can so easily fall into being unhealthy in my case.   The cards indicate that I need to take time and care in fostering my sense of hope and optimism so that my natural inclination towards pessimism doesn’t take over and pollute everything.

The last card is a reassurance that I often use for myself when going through a depression episode, which is to remind myself that nothing lasts forever.  The things I am struggling with now won’t last forever either.  It is a reminder to look for the light at the end of the tunnel and hold onto that hope and optimism, because even the dark times pass so it’s important to not allow them to drag you down any longer than necessary.

DECK USED:  FAIRY LIGHTS TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question
: What do I want right now?

New Liminal Tarot

Reading Summary: A blend of new perspectives and new ideas combined together in a balanced, calm, and hopeful way (Temperance).

Take Away:  There is a hint in the flow in how these cards communicate with each other in reference to the colors.  Each of the two left cards is separate from the other, but elements of color from each blend into the Temperance card on the right. This speaks to me about developing both separately (taking in new perspectives, and the development of new ideas)… and then combining them together in a balanced manner.

DECK USED:  NEW LIMINAL TAROT

#MidnightTarotChallenge Prompt
Question: What is my spiritual gift?

IMG_3568

Intuitive Interpretation and Notes:

The flow of color in these cards indicates a fierceness and passion in the defense of others that comes from the heart.

The transition to water from left to right (choppy seas to calm waters to frozen crystals upon the pond at the figure’s feet) speaks of a need for balance and calm in all things, even in times of conflict. 

Charging into the fray and chaos (the two left cards speak of chaos in the first and fearless confrontation through the knight on the lion in the right) with a calm heart and mind (the center card is filled with warmth but also with a good deal of tranquility is translated through calm waters and the presence of the white stag) in order to foster and protect others (the right card portrays a figure protecting a more helpless figure in the cradle of their arms with cool waters, calming colors, and ice crystals portraying a sense of balanced calm).

Take Away:  The spiritual gift that the cards are referring to here is my need to champion helpless and those that are treated unfairly.  I have a very strong need for balance in my life and an extremely demanding moral compass that requires fair treatment for all and a certain level of respect for all.

When my moral compass triggers due to witnessing the lack of fair treatment of those unable to defend themselves, I have a need to stand up and add my voice to bolster and protect them, and have no issue with stepping forward into the spotlight (or chaos) at those times to right that perceived imbalance.

DECK USED:  FAIRY LIGHTS TAROT