Forager’s Daughter Tarot

The Power of Optimism

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was attached to the end of my yoga / physio practice, as I was a little short on time today due to obligations to help an employer getting ready to re-open his business.

It was nice and relaxing, and honestly?  The yoga practice went a little more smoothly than I anticipated as well.  Usually I have a little bit more resistance in my hips and ribs when it comes to easing tension in the muscles.   Today, however, it seemed to ease smoothly in each position after just a deep breath or two.

Forager's Daughter Tarot - Ace of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Ace of Pentacles, which is traditionally interpreted as an indication of new beginnings or new opportunities in the area of one’s finances, resources, manifestations, and the physical world.

This card is essentially the “seed” of the pentacles suit, and is all about potential, just as when you plant a seed within soil that practice is all about the potential that seed has within it.

So much stood out to me today in the imagery of this card, that I got a little overwhelmed with it all and it took me a bit to actually walk back and figure out what stood out to me first.  What first stood out to me in this card when I pulled it this morning was the fruit. Although the apples on this tree are not quite ripe yet, they are plentiful, and the symbolism of apples as a whole is one of abundance.

I see the message of this card to be one of optimism.   When you plant a seed, you never know what is going to happen.  You have to wait.   When you plant a tree from seed?  That wait can be a very, very long one and there are many stages of worry and concern involved from waiting for the sprout, and then caring for that sprout to make sure it survives.

Growing an apple tree from seed takes years and a good deal of care, and yet when it is finally established and matured enough to bear fruit, the prize is sweet.

So the message of optimism has to do with planting the seed… and keeping a positive outlook as you foster that seed into growth.  Whether that seed is better health, starting a savings account in the hopes of creating a substantial sense of security one day, or literally planting seeds to grow your own food. Stay positive, and that positivity will help that seed to become a seedling… and foster that seedling into growth.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better prioritize my needs without falling into guilt?

Mermaid Tarot

Reading Summary: Remember that everyone has needs, and that’s ok (Judgement). You’re human just like everyone else (Five of Pentacles) and you go through crappy situations, just like everyone else (The Tower).

Take Away:  The message here is that I’m not invincible, nor am I perfect.   I make mistakes like everyone else, and I struggle from time to time, just like everyone else.   It’s okay to need to take care of myself… because if I don’t take care of myself, then I’m of no use to myself, or anyone else either.   Our flaws and our vulnerabilities are a part of what make each and every one of us who and what we are… and along with everything else that makes us human comes the need for self care.

DECK USED:  MERMAID TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Philosophical Question – Is absolute freedom / free will possible?

Cosmos Tarot and OracleIntuitive Interpretation: Freedom is subjective (Sculptor) and is all about how you choose to perceive the world (Libra). A mentality of victimhood will never find freedom (Cepheus).

Take Away:  Wow.  Talk about just “dropping the bomb and walking away”.  *Chuckles*  This makes sense to me, though.  Everyone has a different definition of what “freedom” and/or “free will” actually is.

Those that focus upon the positive and choose a path of optimism are more likely to find their definition of freedom and be happy with it.  Meanwhile, those that choose to linger on the side of negativity and pessimism, on the other hand, will very rarely ever find freedom, because they will always be looking for something more or something different than what is right before them.

I write this as a pessimistic person myself, incidentally.   I work very, very hard for each and every one of my little nuggets of optimism.

DECK USED:  COSMOS TAROT AND ORACLE

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: What should I learn from this time away from my ‘normal life’?

Sun and Moon Tarot

Reading Summary:  How to reign myself in (Prince of Swords) while discarding what isn’t working for me (Eight of Cups) so that I can take better care of myself (Empress).

Take Away:  I’ve said this again and again… and the cards have said it to me again and again… but I push myself too hard.  I know it.  The cards know it.  Pretty much everyone knows it.

The lesson I should learn during this time when “normal life” is  a distant memory and not likely on the horizon for a bit of time to come is that I need to better organize and prioritize my responsibilities, and weed out those that aren’t working for me or no longer resonate with me. By doing this, I free up space in my schedule and my life to better care for myself physically, mentally, and spiritually.

DECK USED:  SUN AND MOON TAROT

 

Finding Meaning In The Ordinary

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was non-existent today because I spent some time in the hospital instead due to an allergic reaction from a bug bite.   I have no idea what kind of bug it is, but I had no idea that I was allergic to any types of bug.   Still, it was definitely an allergic reaction and… well yeah.  It took up a good portion of my day getting everything under control.  I tried to meditate while in the hospital but god that was just impossible.  At least not in the way that I usually do anyway.  I mean, yes, not all meditation is the same and you can meditate anywhere, but it just wasn’t as… refreshing as I’d have liked.

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

It may be because the Hierophant card is my birth card, but I see the Hierophant a bit differently.  I don’t see institution or conformity. I see a teacher.  I see the energy of guidance and wisdom that is offered out to others.   This perception goes a long quite well with the aspects that stuck out to me in the imagery for this card today, as what really drew my eye today was the Viburnum carlesii in full bloom above, and the toad’s stately posture below.

Viburnum carlessi (Korean Spicebush) is a beautiful plant that is both fragrant and eye-catching.  It shares its celebration of spring with the world through the scent of its blooms, drawing attention to not just the beauty of spring but the freshness of the air and spring’s renewed spark of life upon the world.   The toad’s posture (as opposed to the toad itself) is what drew my eye to the toad.  It has a regal, posture of stillness and watchful patience that makes one think that he sees all and absorbs everything.

Both of these qualities combine to blend into a theme of taking in and absorbing the world around you, as well as finding hidden meaning in those observations.

When you do this, you then come to a place where you can share that meaning with others in a way that allows them to see what you see… and find meaning in the ordinary as well.   I take a great deal of joy in this process, and the message in today’s card is a reminder of just how much enjoyment I get not just from the teaching and guiding of others, but in the listening… seeking… and observing of the world around me, and discovering those hidden meanings for myself.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I use that success to remind myself of my strength?

Dixit v2 Quest Expansion Pack

Reading Summary:  I am protected (Left Card).  I am clever at avoiding obstacles (Center Card).  And I am grounded (Right Card).

Take Away:  I need to remember that in having pulled myself out of that place of destitution, imbalance, and struggle… I have gained the skills needed to help me avoid falling back into that situation again.

I have learned how to protect what is mine and create contingencies for when things go wrong.  I have learned how to think creatively in order to avoid mistakes and obstacles that could be fatal to my plans and goals.  And I have learned how create the solid footing in my finances and my life.

All of these skills are strengths that ensure that I will not fall back into that place of uncertainty again.

DECK USED:  DIXIT V2 QUEST EXPANSION PACK

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #3

Embroidered Forest TarotPositive Quality I Have That Others Admire: Introspection and the ability to remain unbiased and level headed.  Although my inner critic is vicious, people admire my ability to be honest with myself beyond just surface platitudes, and my ability to keep those judgements and criticisms self focused instead of turned outward upon the world or others.  My ability to remain unbiased and level headed fosters their trust.

Positive Quality I Wish I Had That I Admire in Others: The ability to be… satisfied, satiated, and feel genuine contentment even when things aren’t at 100%.  I spend so much time pushing myself to do more and do better that I find it extremely difficult to just “sit back” and be content.  This isn’t to say that I’m not grateful for what I have and appreciative of all the positive and wonderful aspects of my life…. only that I still feel the need to always push myself harder regardless.  I admire those that are able to step back and set that drive aside and covet that ability.

Steps I Can Take to Develop That Quality in Myself: It is a conscious choice that  requires letting go of disappointment in myself for doing less. It’s not enough to just “do less” and practice gratitude… but requires actually forgiving myself for being “lazy” and shutting down that inner critic that is the slave driver constantly pushing me in the direction of my ambitions.

Steps to Make My Current Positive Qualities Shine: Instead of creating a feeling of self-doubt and uncertainty within myself, accept that there are times when every positive quality is actually a negative… and every negative quality is actually a positive.  It is about how these qualities are perceived and used (or not used).

DECK USED:  EMBROIDERED FOREST TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: What do I need to do to incorporate more positivity into my life?

I Tarocchi Visconti Sforza Piccolo

Reading Summary: Tools (Magician). Knowledge (Hierophant). Release (Three of Swords Rx)

Take Away:  Lean into providing guidance and knowledge for others and it increase your sense of satisfaction and optimism as a result.   Honestly?  Sinking into the role of guide for others has become extremely comfortable and pleasurable for me.

Once upon a time I used to do guided hikes in the rainforests near my home and teach others about the earth and the rainforest, the vegetation and the cycles of the forest.  When I lost my voice, this ended and there was a long period where the only sort of “guidance” I provided for others was through helping the farm I work for improve their land, providing advice for customers at the nursery I work(ed) for, and helping friends find a modicum of balance in life.

I mentored students in tarot here and there, but there was a long stretch where even that fell to the wayside.  Then more recently, I began to reach out through the internet into pagan communities and tarot communities.  I began providing perspectives, and at times guidance, for others… and I began teaching again.   Sharing the skills and knowledge that I have has given me so much pleasure…. and has unleashed from within me a sense of well-being that I had been lacking for some time.  The cards here are an indication that this path is a good one for instilling more positivity and optimism into my life on the whole.

DECK USED:  I TAROCCHI VISCONTI SFORZA PICCOLO

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I say no and be kind?

Light Visions Tarot

Reading Summary:  It’s like ripping off a band-aid (Eight of Wands)… just do it.  But, use patience when confronted with their reaction (Knight of Pentacles) and help guide them toward choosing (The Dancing Lovers) to see the positive side of the rejection (Five of Chalices Rx).

Take Away:  It’s not about saying no or doing it kindly. No is no…. and sugar coating it doesn’t protect anyone, it just waters down the message.  The key to saying no with kindness comes afterward and how you treat the person as they process the rejection.  To do this with kindness, it’s important to not leave them twisting in the wind, but encourage them to see how the rejection could be to their benefit.

DECK USED:  LIGHT VISIONS TAROT

 

Stay True To The Path

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was fifteen minutes long and was attached to the end of my yoga/physiotherapy practice.   I went up north today to check the mail and I didn’t want to allow myself the chance of falling asleep during or after my meditation, so it was a better idea to incorporate it into my yoga practice instead of doing it on my own stretched out and folded up into a couple of stretches on the bed.   The floor is far less comfortable, after all, even with a yoga mat laid out.

Forager's Daughter Tarot - The EmperorToday’s draw is the Emperor card, which is traditionally interpreted as a strong “father” energy or “boss” energy. This has to do with themes that involve being in a position of authority, or possessing a sense of stability, structure, and established control.

What really stands out to me in the imagery of this card today is the banded agate rocks that the buck stands upon.  Banded agate has a lot of meanings and uses but it is most commonly known as a healing stone that reaches into the levels of the mind, body, and spirit to unify as it heals.  It is also a powerful against psychic attacks directed through harmful negative energy.

The traditional meaning of this card blended with the qualities of the banded agate provide me with a message about not allowing others to drag me down.  Keep my energy both positive and authoritative as I move through my day today and things will continue to go smoothly.  Step off this path… and you may fall into a tangled mess below.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I bring more alignment with self into my life?

Tarot Fauna

Reading Summary: Bring more restraint (Temperance) into both the juggling of my responsibilities (Two of Rocks) and allow for more acceptance (again, Temperance) of fickle nature of change (Wheel of Fortune).

Take Away:  The advice here is to add a little extra space to my plate… not to be filled up with things to do, but to leave a little bit of “wiggle room” in my schedule and in my pile of responsibilities so that when I need a little extra time and space, I have it on hand.  This is really good advice, and oddly similar to advice I gave in a reading to someone else earlier today with an entirely different question.

The truth is, though, that I do have a habit of piling so much on my plate that then, when I need a little space, I’m so overwhelmed with commitments and responsibilities that I can’t find it.   This starts a cycle of negative reactions and struggles that results in burnout (where I end up having to drop the ball on damned near everything) and then a recovery period after burnout.

DECK USED:  TAROT FAUNA

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Write something free-form inspired by the cards.

Stella's TarotThere was once a young fox who thought he had everything figured out.  He lived in a small forest filled with the security of family and friends, a plentiful amount of food (Ten of Disks).

So much so that the fox was able to be picky with his meals and often ignored the advice of his mother (Queen of Cups atop Four of Cups) to eat a diverse diet, instead choosing to eat his favorites again and again.

Over time, because the young fox had a sweet tooth that caused him to eat far too many berries and not enough meat, he became very sickly and unwell (Seven of Disks).

Then one day he saw his sister chasing after a rabbit. He was so fascinated by the joy she displayed as she ran and played (Knight of Wands), bounding after the bit of fluff this way and that, that he realized the error of his ways and was inspired to follow suit and learn from her how to take care of himself properly (Princess of Cups).

DECK USED:  STELLA’S TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What are my relationship deal breakers?

TaRat Rat Tarot

Reading Summary: Irresponsible with money (Page of Coins Rx). A bossy know it all (The Hierophant). Uncertainty and lack of direction (The Moon).

Take Away:  I’m actually surprised that stupidity isn’t up there. *Chuckles.*  Though, all of those things listed in these cards are definitely deal breakers for me.

1) I really can’t stand someone that is ultimately so irresponsible with their money that they can’t cover their responsibilities.  I see this behavior all the time and, while I don’t mind it in others as a whole? It’s not something I could ever saddle myself to, as I am far too focused on stability and security to tolerate that behavior when it might influence my own situation.

2) There is a big difference between someone who is dominant and wise…. and someone that’s just bossy and an ass.   I’ve found that although I thrive in relation to the first, and I would not be able to tolerate the latter. I’m too independent to allow someone with arbitrary demands have control over my life.

3) By the same turn, I am also too independent to tolerate being close with someone that has no clue what the fuck they think or feel or want.  This type of behavior drives me nuts, and it is something that I have often encouraged others to grow out of over time.

DECK USED:  TARAT RAT TAROT

Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_4264Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and dealt with pain management during one’s meditation practice.

As I use meditation to assist in my pain management, the techniques that were introduced in the guided meditation today are not new to me.  It was nice to be guided through a process that I usually do on my own without guidance though.  As if, by handing over control to the guide, I was able to relax a little more into the practice than I do when I am in control of the pace and path of the meditation on my own.

The method that was focused on in today’s meditation is what I call the “adjustment and acceptance” method, which basically means that if there is pain that can be alleviated by adjusting your physical positioning or posture, then make those adjustments.

If there is pain that remains, regardless of the adjustments you make, then this is pain that you must accept and allow.  Instead of fighting against it, you take that pain as a part of life and a part of you, and find ways to process it and function through it, moving forward with it as a part of you rather than seeing it as your enemy and something to resist.

Forager's Daughter Tarot - Five of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Five of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of tests, trials, and conflict in the area of one’s finances, resources, manifestations, and the physical world.  This often translates into themes that have to do with financial struggles, scarcity issues, health problems, and isolation caused by lack of resources.

What stands out to me today in the imagery of this card is the dried and barren Rubus brambles and the leaf of these brambles that hides the dead rat’s butt.  Although the brambles still contain a few berries and leaves, they are out of the rat’s easy reach and this has created a situation where the rat has starved due to a lack of ingenuity to move forward to another location and find the food he needs.   The leaf… on the other hand, feels like a hint of cover for one’s vulnerability.

The message here is sometimes you have to move out of your comfort zone to find what you need in life.  You can’t always play it safe and have your ass covered, sometimes you have to take on that element of vulnerability and risk to better your situation.

I’m not entirely sure where this fits into my life at the moment, but I feel that the message here is a reminder to keep my eyes open for an opportunity to make life better for myself and those in my home, and to be ready to jump at the chance when it appears before me rather than second guessing due to an attachment to being in my comfort zone.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better change or accept that aspect of myself in a loving way?

Dixit Deck v2 Quest

Dixit Deck v2 QuestReading Summary: Don’t allow that inner critic to rain out the event taking place (First Card). Stay open to new possibilities (Second Card) and magical moments (Third Card).

Never forget your old way of doing things is a dapper and seductive fuck (Jumper to the Right).

Take Away:  The message here is to make sure I don’t give credence to that negative inner critic that always tries so hard to tear me down.  I’m on a journey of emotional growth at the moment, and there’s a lot of new things and new experiences coming at me as a result.

I need to remember not to give into the familiarity and seduction my inner critic’s voice possesses and reach for the possibilities and experiences this growth is offering me.

DECK USED:  DIXIT V.2 QUEST EXPANSION PACK

 

Renewal Will Come… Eventually

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was once again interrupted.  This time by my sister yowling from the other room when she tried to do something she didn’t have the upper body strength to do alone and brought me running when she nearly crushed herself under a toppling shelf as a result.

So… once again I will be trying to do a bit of meditation before sleep tonight, once I head to bed.   I know it’s better than nothing, but I really do like doing it in the morning better.  Just sayin’.

Forager's Daughter Tarot - The Tower CardToday’s draw is the Tower card of the Major Arcana, which is traditionally a representation of sudden and often major change, usually accompanied by a good deal of chaos.

What stands out to me the strongest today in the imagery of this card is not the lightning or the damaged tree, but rather the little sprouts that are just starting to break free of the ground at the base of the tree, and the burn morels that encircle the broken up earth where the ruined tree stands.

Both of these speak to me of the renewal that comes after everything has been shaken up and burned to the ground.  The new sprouts are an indication of the growth that can be achieved by starting over, while the burn morels speak to me of the strength and adaptability of the energies of life and rejuvenation, as these specific mushrooms are mysterious even to today’s science, cropping up within the ashes of old fires from seemingly out of nowhere.

The message here in the imagery of today’s card is a message of hope. It is a reminder to open my heart to the possibilities the future will hold, rather than allowing myself to fall into pessimism, as is so easy for me to do.  We are all going through a hard time right now, struggling with the vast and varied effects that the pandemic has wrought in our lives.  This card is a reminder that things will eventually get better.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: How can I better overcome these challenges that I will face?

Mystical Manga Tarot

Reading Summary:  You have all the tools at your disposal (The Magician) and share those gifts with others all the time (Nine of Cups Rx). You just have to make the choice to champion for yourself as you already do for others (Seven of Wands).

Take Away: How I treat others and the help that I give them in the variety of ways that I do so from teaching to standing up for them, advocating for them and all these other ways that I contribute to the lives of others… these things are a clear display of the tools I have on hand to me to overcome the challenges of my own inner critic.  I just have to make the choice to lean into my heart instead of the viper in your head when dealing with myself, and use those skills I share so freely with others upon myself as well.

DECK USED:  MYSTICAL MANGA TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What needs to heal from past relationships?

Cosmos Tarot and Oracle

Reading Summary: These cards speak to me of my mother not being as supportive as thought she was (Earth) and feeling betrayed by that (Perseus) because it feels like my trust was laid out like a sacrificial lamb for her to shred after my father’s passing (Ara).

Take Away:  This reading brings up a lot of really uncomfortable emotions for me.  I don’t like seeing my mother in the new light she’s shown of herself since my father’s passing, but I’ve come to the understanding that the impression I once had of her was false and it took the removal of his far more blatant abuse for me to see her more subtle lack of support and selfishness.  Discovering this really hurt me deeply… and it still hurts.

DECK USED:  COSMOS TAROT AND ORACLE

 

Keeping a Healthy Balance

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_4189Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was focused upon listening to one’s intuition.   In the meditation, the guide encouraged finding the seat of your intuition and how it speaks to you.   Many people find that the seat of their intuition is “in their gut”.  Others find it is in a twinge at the back of their neck, or the raising of hairs on their arms.

For me, the seat of my intuition resides behind my solar plexus.  It speaks to me throughout my entire body, communicating through sensations and physical touches to my senses, and yet at its core it resides in that spot at my solar plexus.  It lives there, and when I consult my intuition, it’s there I reach.

In today’s meditation, the encouragement to find the seat of your intuition was followed by the benefits of fostering that voice and empowering it to grow by listening to it and following its guidance.  The more you follow your intuition, the more it will speak and the louder it will become.  That was essentially the lesson within today’s guided meditation which is very much the same message that I explain to my students when teaching intuitive tarot reading.

Forager's Daughter Tarot - The DevilToday’s draw is the Devil card of the Major Arcana.  This card is traditionally read as an indication of temptations, addictions, obsessions, and other themes that have to do with self-destruction through indulgence.

What stands out to me in the imagery of today’s card is the Aralia spinosa bush that sits behind the wolf.  This plant is called the “Devil’s Walking Stick” and it is very apt for the card as it is very easily to be mistaken for Elderberry. One that reaches for the berries and familiar with Elderberry might find an unpleasant surprise when the plant seems to then attack them and try to rip then to shreds with prickly thorns and spines not just on the stems but on the leaves as well. This connotation speaks to me of the need to take care, as something that might seem harmless is putting you in danger.

The tilt of the wolf’s head in the imagery is another element that stands out to me today, which appears to my perceptions to be far more watchful than ominous.  The wolf is an indication of one’s intuitive nature and deep inner knowing.   The watchful posture says that if I want to find what it is that is hiding behind an innocuous appearance in my life, I will need to use my intuition to suss it out.

The positive message here in this card is one of awareness and encouragement to reassess.    It’s time to do a bit of weeding in order to open space to breathe, and I am encouraged to use my intuition to reveal those things that are not serving me or look harmless but are potentially detrimental.  I have an addictive personality, and it’s important to stay self aware and on top of things to keep a healthy balance in my life between pleasure and responsibility.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I bring more of that fulfillment into my daily life?

Cosmos Tarot and Oracle

Intuitive Interpretation:  De-tangle (Mercury) and piece together (Ara) in order to reach for your passion (Scorpius).

Okay, so the interpretations above are off the imagery alone.  I tried looking at the info in the guide book for this deck, as astrology isn’t a strong suit of mine, but although the explanations of the cards made perfect sense, they didn’t read for me that way… probably because I’m so used to reading intuitively off imagery that it’s the way the deck chose to speak to me, regardless of my intention to actually read the guide with this deck.

That said?  The guide is excellent and very interesting.  It just doesn’t apply to this reading.

Take Away:   This reading is about all of the ideas that I have concerning the classes I’m teaching on the Discord server.   I have a lot of ideas, and where at first they are tangled up in each other, what I find when I begin to write them out and untangle them is that there is enough material for not just one class, but a series of them.   So the idea unfurls (Mercury) and then they get pieced back together into a series of classes (Ara) on topics I love and love to share with others (Scorpius).  I’ve had this experience twice now, and the cards are saying that I need to have a little faith in this process instead of always worrying that I’m going to run out of ideas.

DECK USED:  COSMOS TAROT AND ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better express to my loved ones how I feel about them?

Herbal TarotSarsaparilla symbolizes the ability to express your emotions to others, which combined with the Knight of Cups indicates that I shouldn’t expect my loved ones to just know how I feel and should take the time and effort to actually speak to them about how I feel.

Plantain is essentially a “decongestant” of the spirit, allowing for places where someone is feeling stuck to be eased and let go of. When combined with Justice, this speaks of providing guidance to my loved ones to assist them in finding the right path for them.

Trillium‘s symbolism lies within the “good stuff” in life that makes life worth living. The Three of Cups is combined with Trillium in this card, speaking about that “good stuff” having to do with family and friends, and spending quality time with them.

Mullein is a spiritual cleanser that allows the opening up of the lungs in order to circulate in positive energy through the breath and release negative energy on the exhale.  The combination of this herb with the Four of Swords speaks of taking time, as well, for the self in order to rest.  This rest is not about reflection, but rather about restoration and recovery.

Take Away:  I can better express to my loved ones how I feel about them by being open about my feelings and, instead of simply guiding them, spend some quality time with them enjoying their company as well.  The cards also remind me that I have a need for a certain amount of alone time and that it’s a requirement for my self care, and that I will better enjoy the time I spend with my loved ones if I tend to that need.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: What is the biggest challenge that I will face this month?

Tarot of the 78 Doors

Reading Summary: Financial uncertainty (King of Chalices Rx) brought about by making a long term choice (The Lovers) taking me down a path of in sharing the wealth that has the opposite effect upon my situation (Ten of Chalices Rx). My mother subsequently letting me have it for having done so (Queen of Swords).

Take Away: Thank you for the warning.  I’ll make damned sure to practice being especially miserly this month.   Honestly?  I’m way too hard on myself to want to deal with listening to my mother call me an idiot.  She has a sharp as fuck tongue and I’d rather just… not.

The opportunity to “contribute” to some cause, beneficial or otherwise, hasn’t really reared its head yet this month, but I’m going to be damn sure to keep an eye out for it.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE 78 DOORS

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What unrealistic expectations have I placed on myself?

Tarot Fauna

Reading Summary: I’m too harsh in my self judgements (Judgement) concerning bad calls/decisions/choices (Two of Feathers Rx) concerning the handling of financial matters and resources (Knight of Rocks). Ease up. You can only work with what is available to you (Temperance).

Take Away:  I think the spider in its web is a really good image for this reading, as it comes down to that tangled and sticky web of habit and constant judgement against the self, yes?  It’s something I fall into and get caught up in again and again.   The reading here is about not being so hard on myself about shit I have no control over.   Sometimes I fall into grousing over missed opportunities that weren’t really opportunities within my reach in the first place.

As a hypothetical example, say that you want to apply for a credit card with certain benefits, but you have to have a personal income of $100K to even apply, which is nowhere near your income bracket.  Then later down the road something happens and you’re kicking yourself for not having that credit card. There was no way you were ever going to get that card, even if you’d applied for it, but somehow you’re beating yourself up over not having it anyway.

The cards are essentially telling me to focus on what I can control, and let go of the rest.

DECK USED:  TAROT FAUNA