#GothicSeanceTarotChallenge

Ever Expanding

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Today’s meditation was skipped because I ended up napping through it.  Not intentionally, but that’s what happened.  I still haven’t figured out how I go from on my back with my legs up the wall to sprawled out and comfortable to sleep.

Botanica Tarot and Flower Fortune CardsToday’s draw is the Queen of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, instinct, and communication.   This is the energy of support and sharing through knowledge, experience, and advice.  It is where ideas are fostered and encouraged.

In this deck, on the Queen of Swords is depicted the Red Oleander (Nerium oleander) which is an extremely poisonous plant that is both ornamentally beautiful, but extremely dangerous. The use of this plant in the Queen of Swords speaks of the duality in nature of this card’s energy.  For, not only can the energy behind the Queen of Swords be strong and supportive, but that energy can also be cold, harsh, and unforgiving.

The Flower Fortunes card for today says “Don’t limit your challenges, challenge your limits,” and this theme fits well with the Queen of Swords with its Red Oleander companion. The message is one of tough love, and speaks of the need to push yourself beyond what you believe to be your limits.  Sometimes, that sucks.  That push can be painful or frustrating, uncomfortable or a huge struggle.  But, if we don’t test ourselves and push for more from ourselves, then we can never truly know just what potential we have within us that is yet to be fulfilled.

DECK USED:  BOTANICA TAROT AND FLOWER FORTUNE CARDS

CoffeexTarot’s Self Love For The Summer Prompt
Question: How can I best give myself love this summer?

She Whispers Her Truth Oracle Reading Summary: Self-care is extremely important, and this summer it needs to take priority over the business and earthly pursuits of money and gain (Self atop Intellect). This includes the meditation you’ve been avoiding (Hold), and making sure that you take the time off that you need (Acceptance).

Observation: All of the cards pulled in this reading are of the air and water variety.  This speaks of the theme being one combined between intellect, communication, and the emotions.

Take Away:  So much of the year is filled with stress, strain, and the needs of the business.  You push yourself beyond limits during the late fall and winter months, you spend the time following that in a pattern of recovery and anxiety, often resulting in months spent in an MDE that steals away the spring.  This time… the summer time, is where you need to focus on yourself.

Care for your needs.  Meditation is one of those needs.  Although it feels like it does very little, the fact that even your heart rate’s average bpm drops significantly when you are meditating regularly makes it clear that it’s doing more than you’re aware of.  Take time off, do your meditation, and enjoy the self care activities while you can.  All too soon it will be autumn again and you’ll have to force your needs aside for the business once more.

DECK USED:  SHE WHISPERS HER TRUTH ORACLE

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: About friendship…
Question: How can I better hear my intuition and trust my judgment when it comes to making friends?

Botanica TarotIntuition – The Star (Jasmin) and Knight of Swords (Venus Fly Trap) – It’s okay to still have a hope in humanity and the goodness of people. It’s okay to be enthusiastic about wanting to have friends to share your ideas with, just don’t get it so enthusiastic that you become impulsive. When you’re in a hurry you make mistakes. So take your time.

Judgement – Seven of Wands (Datura) and Eight of Swords (Ice Plant) – Make sure that you’re looking outside yourself. For this particular endeavor don’t just trust what’s inside, because that hopeful nature that wants so badly to see good in everyone can blind you sometimes. Listen to others, pay attention to what they’re saying, and how they react to the people that you are trying to befriend. See if these reactions line up with your own perceptions.

DECK USED:  BOTANICA TAROT

TheSphinxRevolution’sGothic Seance Divination Prompt
Today’s Muse: H.P. Lovecraft
(Note: I’m using the writers in this challenge as a muse instead of as a mediumship/seance practice. So the questions are about me instead of about them.)

Meet the Self Oracle

What ambitions are dying inside of me? Why?
Fixe tes objectifs. Mets en lumière. / Transmutation Transcendance

The ambition that is dying inside of me at this time is that drive to do every little thing I’m inspired to do. At one time, every inspiration I had was explored with enthusiasm or set aside with only the intention that I will pick it up and explore it soon.  What I’ve come to realize, though, is that just because it’s a good idea doesn’t mean I have to dive into it. It’s okay to let some of them go and instead focus on only a few. This shift appears to be happening because as I grow, I’m becoming more centered.

What aspect of my life do I keep separate from others?
Crée, tu es le monde

My inner voice. My magical workings.

Although I guide others and how to hear their intuition and follow it more closely, and although I share with the world my talents… I don’t always share what is going on “behind the curtain”. Although I teach people about magic and witchcraft, and I am willing to share my knowledge in these areas, neither do I share with them my own personal spells or the details of what I am doing in my own life. The reason for this is because it opens these things up to being tampered with by others.  Thus, I protect my creative spark (both interior and exterior) through holding these things apart and protected.

In what ways do I feel a lack of influence in my life?
Confiance Courage

I feel like the majority of my confidence and courage comes from within instead of from others. Although I know that people are there beside me and willing to stand at my back, I find that I shy away from leaning into that knowledge the majority of the time. This doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate it, or that it doesn’t give me a hint of pleasure to know that they are there.  It means that my path is my path, my moral compass is my moral compass, and I feel strong enough in these things to stand confident within them.

Guidance that HP Lovecraft might give me about my spiritual journey.
Un message, Sois a l’écoute / Prends le temps… Reflexion

Open up and listen more closely to your intuition and your guides. Get back into your meditation practice, as it was a help you in listening to both more closely.

DECK USED:  MEET THE SELF ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

CHOCOLATE CAKE!!  And sexy time with Gideon.  I mean, with those two things as a part of my day, I think I’ve hit my self-kindness limit.  (j/k)

Expertise Takes Time

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Today’s meditation was skipped because it’s an orders day, although I really feel like I could have used it. I’ve been a bit out of sorts all day long.

Hexen 2.0 Tarot and Flower Fortune CardsToday’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles, which is about learning a trade, building upon a skill, or developing an expertise.  It is about hard work and longevity combining to create a refined skill set, and can also indicate a mindset of perfectionism.

The representation here on the card with its theme based around the Setun, and highlighting both the computer scientist Nikolay Brusentsov as well as the mathematician Sergei Sobolev, is a clear demonstration of the type of expertise that can be gained through hard work and patience.

Combined with the Flower Fortune card for today, which states “patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet”, what I see here is about the length of time that it can take to perfect a skill or, for that matter, what the outcome of those skills may be.

The message in these cards pulled for today is that sometimes it can be extremely difficult to be patient, especially with ourselves. In this day and age of immediate gratification, the idea that something we want to accomplish taking ten years, twenty years, thirty years…. it can be almost unimaginable to some.  And yet, that is how expertise is developed. Not in the sprint, but in the long cross-country run.

DECK USED:  HEXEN 2.0 TAROT AND FLOWER FORTUNE CARDS

TheSphinxRevolution’s Gothic Seance Divination Prompt
Today’s Muse: Bram Stoker
(Note: I’m using the writers in this challenge as a muse instead of as a mediumship/seance practice. So the questions are about me instead of about them.)

Mykologia: Fungi Themed Oracle How do you see yourself in the spectrum of saint or sinner?

Artist’s Conk (Ganoderma applanatum) – I am neither, and I am both.  I have my own personal moral compass and ethics.  Sometimes theses align with society’s majority… and sometimes they don’t. This allows me a versatility that many in a more rigid stance don’t really have an opportunity to experience, allowing me to explore and expand, use my imagination, and see what comes up. For it isn’t societal expectations that dictate what I can and cannot do, but that inner compass within myself that tells me what is right and wrong for me.

What kind of negative emotions are you feeding on? How do they frighten you?

Veiled Lady (Phallus Indusiatus) – I have been struggling a bit lately with what I see in the mirror.  I know the scars are a badge of strength and survival. I know that the damage is uglier in my mind than it is truth. I thought I had gotten over the whole “loss of a pretty face” aspect, and I think that for the most part I have.  But sometimes I look in the mirror and I see the scar on my cheek and on my throat and… I feel ugly.  So fucking ugly.  I’m not even sure why this bothers me, as I’ve adjusted to the looks and to the changes in interacting with others that losing that beauty wrought.  I’m not even sure it’s about how others see the scars… but about how I sometimes see them.  I know that they are not some hideous disfigurement, but sometimes they feel that way.

What is laying deep down inside you that you are afraid to unleash?

Giant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea) – It’s funny that “boldness” specifically came up for this question.  When I look at myself, I think… I’m pretty bold.  I’m open, I’m expressive.  I’m “out there” in my preferences.   But then I look around at others and see those that seem so free and filled with vigor for life, like splashes of color on the canvas of life.   And I think… am I a shadow of who I could be? Am I repressed?  Or is it just my nature to be more reserved?  There’s no “boldness” bursting at the seams to come out, but sometimes I wonder what adding a bit more to my life would look like.

Guidance that Bram Stoker would offer you on your spiritual journey?

Bleeding Tooth (Hydnellum peckii) atop Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) – Pain is gasoline on the fire of life and growth.  When you bleed, whether physically or emotionally, you are giving of yourself to the man you are to become. Don’t be shy about allowing your wounds to bleed and breathe, for they are a part of what makes you who you are and who you will grow into both in this life and those that follow.

DECK USED:  MYKOLOGIA: FUNGI THEMED ORACLE

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Prompt w/ #ConnectWithYourDeck Question
Topic: About life…
Question: What is my biggest challenge in this lifetime?

Hexen 2.0 TarotReading Summary: Extracting the good from my past (Six of Chalices), while learning to turn away from the rest (Four of Chalices), learning to move forward and do better than what was done to me a little at a time (Knave of Pentacles).

Take Away: It is extremely hard to turn away from the things that my father and family said to me, and the way that they treated me, during my youth. Although I was very steadfast in what I knew to be right (and right for me), there were lasting repercussions of that long standing string of abuses. 

As I work to move forward with my life and make of it something I am happy with and am proud of, the challenge in this endeavor is in leaving behind the bad and taking the good forward with me on my journey.

DECK USED:  HEXEN 2.0 TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I just had a chocolate muffin with chocolate chips and chocolate sauce.

Sometimes You Learn

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Today’s meditation was skipped because it’s hot as fuck in my apartment right now.  Two days of over 80 degF weather and power washing going on outside (which means all windows have to stay closed during the day) means that my apartment is hovering at about 85 degF and, even with the AC on in the evenings, doesn’t really ever drop below 80 degF.  It’s just fucking miserable.

Vox Arcana Tarot and Flower Fortune CardsToday’s draw is The Chariot, which is traditionally a representation of control, determination, and taking up the reigns to steer things towards their goals. The card is about action and movement, it’s about getting things done and getting where you want to go.

I had actually forgotten how wonderful so much of the artwork in this deck is.  This card is one of my favorites in the deck, in fact.

The theme of this card combined with the saying on the Flower Fortunes card, which is “Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn,” speaks to me about the fact that sometimes it doesn’t matter how much control you exert on a situation or endeavor… it’s just not meant to be.  Instead, what’s meant to be is the lesson that you learn in -not- succeeding.

The message in today’s cards is that you can’t control everything, no matter how hard you try or how tight a grip you have on the situation.  No one can control everything all the time.  No one can force something into being that isn’t meant to be.  So don’t look at these moments when things don’t go as planned as as failures, but rather as an opportunity to learn from the experience how to do better and be better… which is never a bad thing.

DECK USED:  VOX ARCANA TAROT AND FLOWER FORTUNE CARDS

CoffeexTarot’s Self Love For The Summer Prompt
Question: Messages my spirit guides have about loving myself?

Whispers of the Ocean OracleWhite Mouthed Moray Eel – Convey Your Meaning – You need to be more kind and ore respectful when speaking to yourself. Ease up on  your self-criticism.

Remember when communicating with others that people are not mind readers, and keep in mind that clarity is important for this reason. If you don’t think you are getting your message across?  Ask questions to make sure you are being understood correctly.

Nudibranch – Every Step Counts – You need to work on making it okay to take things slow.  Small steps towards your goals are still steps forward.  Don’t discount them (or yourself) as less than just because it means you’re moving a bit slower than you think you should be. It’s only your own personal perception that says you’re moving slowly.  Ease up on those expectations.

Lobster – Shedding the Old – As a number of readings have mentioned lately, it’s time to let go of the things that are no longer working for you.  Let go and make room for new, healthier practices to take their place.  Sometimes letting go of what’s familiar can make you feel vulnerable.  It’s normal to feel this way, but that doesn’t mean you should hold on tighter to that security.  Let it go and try leaning into your faith to keep you feeling secure during these vulnerable times.

DECK USED:  WHISPERS OF THE OCEAN ORACLE

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Why do people feel the need to distract themselves from reality?

Vox Arcana TarotReading Summary: Sometimes reality is too harsh  (Queen of Swords Rx) and our falls from grace too painful (The Tower). Distraction during these times can create in life a sense of positivity and joy that would otherwise be lacking (The Sun).

Take Away: Escapism is important for our mental health, especially when things are hard and we need a way to lift our spirits and bring something positive and enjoyable into our lives when things aren’t really the brightest.

Yes, escapism can be an unhealthy problem if it goes too far, but in small doses it can help us become healthier and happier when we find something that really allows us to “disconnect” for a bit.  It gives us an opportunity to decompress and exhale.

DECK USED:  VOX ARCANA TAROT

TheSphinxRevolution’s Gothic Seance Divination Prompt
Today’s Muse: Mary Shelley
(Note: I’m using the writers in this challenge as a muse instead of as a mediumship/seance practice. So the questions are about me instead of about them.)

Wilderness Collide OracleWho do you epitomize? What kind of a figure is it? How do they influence you?

Land of Oz atop The Gathering – This is about Z. It’s about how she has taught you how to face challenges, and shown you through example how to face your fears. She is not just your mentor, but also one of your closest friends and shows you every day how moving forward and leaning on others can help make you braver and stronger than you are when you stay silent and alone.

What lies inside you that wants to be unleashed? Your inner power or inner demon.

Second Star – Let your inner wild child free to dance among the liminal spaces and explore the dark hollows of the forest and trees. You need to get out into the forest.  Stop putting it off, stop procrastinating and avoiding it just because it can’t be done in just the way  you want it to be done.  Instead, dive in and explore, find a new method and let your curiosity free.

Incidentally… your new FitBit offers GPS.  Perhaps you should look into a way to set that up for L to track you so that you can all go on a picnic and you can go off into the woods on your own for a bit.  They can track you from afar and ensure you are okay.  Close for help… but not too close for comfort.   Regardless… you need this time in nature.  Your soul needs to commune and wallow in nature.

How do the otherworlds and the unseen influence you?

Alight – They encourage you to be your unique self, to speak your unique story, and use your unique ‘voice’ to communicate with others.  They guide your moral compass and provide you with that spark within that allows your true self to shine brightly for all to see.  This encouragement is a support for your soul, and reinforcement that you are on the right path.

Guidance that Mary Shelley might have given you on your spiritual journey?

The Roots – Take a moment to step back and observe from an unbiased vantage point more often.  Seek out the motivations that drive your actions, and pay close attention to the unspoken motivations that drive others. Don’t judge, just observe and absorb.  Seek to understand the ‘why’ behind it all.  This knowledge will be extremely valuable to you moving forward.

DECK USED:  WILDERNESS COLLIDE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

So, I tried a new allergy med yesterday, and I decided that I’m going to switch over today.  If over exposed to allergens, I still have a problem. But it makes me not as sensitive as the old one that’s been slowly losing its effectiveness with me.   I also did the dentist today.   This latter event is something I hate with a passion.  My synesthesia makes the sound of the ultrasonic scaler makes all the hair on my body stand up and my skin go cold and prickle.   It’s really unpleasant and I’m glad it’s done and over with.  I know it’s necessary, even if I don’t like it.

Opportunity Isn’t a Lap Cat

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Today’s meditation was skipped because I fell asleep in the middle of it.  So I guess you could say that I did it… but didn’t do it at the same time.

Dragon Tarot and Flower Fortune CardsToday’s draw is the Seven of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of sly and/or strategic actions or planning, betrayal of the thieving sort, deception, or getting away with having done something wrong.

Combined with the Flower Fortune card for today, which states “a pleasant experience is ahead, don’t let it slide by”, what I see here is a double meaning in today’s cards.

The first message is that sometimes opportunities for good stuff sneak by us unnoticed because we’re distracted by other things.  This isn’t always about deception or sneaky shit, but it is about that whole “the one that got away” theme that comes into play when you look back later and go “damnit, I missed that opportunity” or don’t notice but sit and wonder why we’re not being given opportunities… when in fact we’re just not paying close enough attention to see them being offered.

The second message that I see in these cards is that sometimes the crappy shit that happens is setting you up for something better.  Someone steals your car and you meet your husband at the car dealership.   Someone steals your wallet and in securing your accounts, your bank sets you up with a better and more lucrative account or finds a way to lower your interest rates. These types of experiences slip in and create a boon out of misfortune.  So don’t focus so hard on the bad that you miss the boon altogether.

DECK USED:  DRAGON TAROT AND FLOWER FORTUNE CARDS

TheSphinxRevolution’s Gothic Seance Divination Prompt
Today’s Muse: Edgar Allan Poe
Pure Magic Oracle(Note: I’m using the writers in this challenge as a muse instead of as a mediumship/seance practice. So the questions are about me instead of about them.)

How is your relationship with your guardians?

Florida Waters – It’s time to make a choice on whether you want to backslide into detachment, or move forward and remain connected, aware, and receptive to what your guardians have to offer you.  At this time in your life, your guardians are your guiding spirits.

It was revealed in a reading yesterday that they are feeling left out and ignored.  Take some time to reconnect and don’t allow busy demands and feeling overwhelmed to get in the way of that connection.  Instead, cleanse your energy, purge yourself of that negativity that’s been trying to take root, and return to being open once more.

What kind of an artist’s story do you want to build in your life? What kind of artist theme do you identify with?

Hecate’s Path – Spiritual paths and breaking free of stagnancy is important at this time. The theme that you want to build and that you identify with most strongly is the theme of constant change. Doing the same thing too long starts to feel like the death of your inspiration and enthusiasm sneaking up on you. Keep things fresh, try new things.  It’s always okay to do a bit of exploring, especially when you can find ways to tie your spiritual path into your creative endeavors.

What is your definition of success? How does the idea of success play out in your life?

Songbirds – Breaking free of negative influences and finding ways to approach life in a more positive and uplifting way.  This falls into both your definition of success as well as in how you seek to have success play out in your life.  You seek to leave behind what is harmful and negative, and to find a better and healthier way forward.

Guidance on your spiritual journey.

Salamander – Keep going.  Stagnancy is not your friend.  Stay on the path and keep working at keeping going.  You are stronger than you think, and have more to offer to your path forward than you think.  You are a survivor, and you need to remember that even the smallest of steps is still progress as long as you continue to move in the right direction.

DECK USED:  PURE MAGIC ORACLE

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: About feelings…
#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How do I feel right now?

Dragon TarotReading Summary: Rushed (The Chariot Rx) and overwhelmed (Seven of Cups), and imbalanced as a result (Two of Coins Rx).

Take Away: The Chariot indicates that this pressure is self inflicted, and thus the reason you feel rushed and overwhelmed is only due to your own personal expectations.

Let go and be a bit kinder, give yourself time to adjust to the changes you’ve made and the new balance found before you start tinkering again.  There’s no rush and you need the time to acclimate and adjust.

The reason you can’t figure out where to go next is because you’re not supposed to be going anywhere right now. Sometimes giving yourself time to adjust is all the progress you’re meant to make for the time being.

DECK USED:  DRAGON TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I turned the AC to point to where I’m sitting this evening instead of just letting it blow in the direction it usually does.  It might be a little selfish but I’ve been roasting alive all damned day and I feel like I need a little relief.