grimalkin tarot

Balancing the Scales

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Today’s meditation was an eleven minute long #DailyTrip session from the @Calm app.

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Cat Tarot by Louis Art - Justice CardThe @GlitterbyInk #NovemberWhispers25 Liminal Dreamland Challenge
Truth-Teller Prompt for November 12 : Dream
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Justice card, which is traditionally a representation of balance, cause and effect, repercussions and consequences, give and take, and can often indicate the law or legal system.

What comes around, goes around. Or… so we hope.

I’m a big fan of balance and fairness. It has often been proposed to me that this is part of my Taurus nature. I also like to see people get what’s coming to them when they screw me over in some way. It’s been suggested to me that this is a part of my nature in having a Scorpio moon.

Whatever the reason, sometimes it’s really hard to wait for what I see is justice’s retribution as the scales of balance swing back in their direction and hit them in the face.

The thing is? I don’t want to just believe that it’ll happen, I want to see it happen. (Again, Scorpio moon anyone?) Sadly, that’s not always possible.

The message in today’s card and “dream” prompt is a reminder that although we cannot always witness these moments when others receive their comeuppance, it can still be fun to daydream about retribution without actually acting on it ourselves. After all, if we act on it ourselves, who’s to say that we don’t go too far and end up having to get hit in the face as well.

So, go ahead and dream about it… just don’t act. Let the scales balance themselves out instead.

DECK USED:  LOUIS ART’S CAT TAROT

@LightningWildflower November Tarot Challenge
Earth and Water “The Fives” Prompts for November 13th thru 15th

Tarot Reading with the Grimalkin Curious Cats Pocket Tarot and Cat Mythos & Magick OracleFive of Pentacles

What story am I telling myself about worth or belonging?

The Hierophant and Self-Reliance – A piece of fiction that was sold as fact that the values of self-worth you were raised with are valid. This story insists that self-worth is based upon performance and self-reliance, hard work and success. Although these factors can play a part in self-worth, they should not be its foundation, nor its sole focus.

Where am I feeling scarcity, and what help might I be overlooking?

The Star; Shape-shifter atop Mysterious Guide – You are depending too much on your own perspectives during times when your mentality of scarcity is taking over. During these moments when your hope and optimism is at its lowest, you need to lean into messages of support from others instead of trying to stand strong and alone upon the shifting sands of your perceptions.

Five of Cups

What grief or disappointment am I carrying, and what healing might begin if I acknowledge it?

Ace of Pentacles and Self-Worth – You’ve lost a lot lately in the area of opportunities for your business, your entrepreneurial efforts taking a harsh blow. Focusing on pulling back from equating your successes to your self-worth will help immensely in beginning the healing needed in this area.

Other elements included in this reading:
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Foraged Beech Pods for Realizations that Foster Personal Growth
Desert Rosefor Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: GRIMALKIN CURIOUS CATS POCKET TAROT AND CAT MYTHOS & MAGICK ORACLE

The @owlandbonestarot #78DaysOfTarotSpreads Challenge
Strength Spread

Strength Tarot Reading with the Cat Tarot

What are you wrestling with inside yourself?

Eight of Cups – Seeing your business involuntarily downgraded from your main source of income back to a “side job” has been a significant blow to your confidence. With the factors involved out of your control, you’ve been tempted more than once to walk away since things detonated in the last week of August. This is still a theme that returns now and then through your mind, even though you’re starting to sort things out a bit now.

Where do you need to apply compassion?

Four of Pentacles – It’s okay to feel like you are on the defensive and need to hold on tight right now. Where often that tight grip of control can be a detriment, during this time when things are uncertain, being a bit of a control freak and more miserly than usual can be a boon.

How can you find strength in spirit?

Page of Cups – Let your emotions run their course and observe what they do. Just don’t give into the “what if” scenarios that your imagination may bring rise to. Instead, lean into creative endeavors that make you happy, regardless of if you’re good at them or not.

How can you find strength in body?

Six of Swords – Weigh what you consider to be a success against what others consider to be success… and find a happy medium, where you can both enjoy the fruits of your efforts as well as the journey. In efforts collaborating with others, your opinion is just as valuable as theirs.

How can you find strength in mind?

The Moon atop Ten of Cups – Don’t allow your (current and temporary) feelings of uncertainty to distract you from what is good in your life. Those moments of uncertainty are difficult to ignore, so don’t ignore them. Just find enjoyment where you can regardless of their presence.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Dried Lavender Bundle for Calming and Comfort
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Foraged Ponderosa Pine Cones for Resilience and Adaptability
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: LOUIS ART’S CAT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.

Staying Centered

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I’m playing a bit of catch up today.  I know that I meditated on the 29th, but I’m not sure for how long or the method I used since I’m now finishing up on writing this post on July 1st.  I did meditate tho… so there’s that.

Herbal Tarot - Medicine Wheel of Fortune - Slippery ElmToday’s draw is the Medicine Wheel (Wheel of Fortune) which is traditionally a representation of the unpredictability of life and the ups and downs we go through as we move through our lives.

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but the Medicine Wheel reference on this card makes me a bit uncomfortable.  This deck is very diverse… but it doesn’t tip into appropriation (IMO) anywhere but in this card and the use of the native wording on the card and references in the book.   I don’t see the imagery on this card as a medicine wheel at all, but rather as a sort of faerie ring in stone around a mighty elm tree.  I see incognito Fae encircling something respected and sacred.

Spiritually speaking, Ulmus fulva (Slippery Elm) is a representation of nourishing encouragement, strength, and the soothing of the spirit.  It is often used in workings that involve assisting in the acceptance of change, and centering the inner self while moving through transitions with ease.  Medically, it is an antiemetic with high nutrient content, meaning that even when someone is extremely sick and nausea, they can usually tolerate the herb if given in tea form or added as a powder to foods such as oatmeal or soup.

What I see here as the message in today’s card is a reminder to stay close to the center of the wheel.   In other words?  Stay centered.   Roller coasters and amusement park rides are all well and good for a few seconds, but when you incorporate that energy into your life it becomes a chaotic mess.   Stay centered and focused, and it’ll all work out just fine.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question: Who in my life could benefit from some extra affection at this time?

Dream Raven Tarot

Reading Summary: All of them (Ten of Cups). Don’t overtax yourself or beat yourself up about this (Seven of Wands), you love them all and do what you can for them and they know this (King of Wands). You aren’t slacking, they’re just greedy (Six of Cups). Stay balanced, because you just can’t please everybody all the time (Four of Pentacles).

Take Away:  Everyone in my life could benefit from me giving them some extra affection, but this is because they love me and… because they love me they are greedy for that affection.  It doesn’t mean I’m neglecting them, nor does it mean I’m doing anything wrong by keeping things in balance and doing what works (and is healthy) for me.

DECK USED:  DREAM RAVEN TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I carry more joy forward into the future?

Grimalkin Tarot Reading Summary: Develop new ways to incorporate your current passions and your creative spark into more of your life (Page of Wands), and work at keeping your inner critic in check (ignoring the red bird in favor of the dove in the Queen of Swords). You’re strong enough to make these changes (Strength).

Take Away:  Incorporating more joy into my life involves making sure that my inner critic’s voice is not allowed to carry as much weight as I would usually give it, but also requires following the spark of inspiration and creative interest when it flares up rather than ignoring it or pushing it aside.  Instead, make room for these things that kindle that inner spark.

DECK USED:  GRIMALKIN TAROT

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question: What am I asked to take with me moving forward?

Tarot Mood

Reading Summary: Stop worrying so much (Nine of Swords) and make your transition with grace (The World). This change you are slowly moving through (Death) is not as scary or complicated as you’re making it out to be (The Moon Rx).

Take Away:   Confidence and grace, while leaving behind my fear.  Making changes like those I’ve been working towards are not easy and take time.  Sometimes it seems like a constant uphill battle or feels like I’m going to fail. Sometimes anxiety over what the new results will look like rise up to make me squirm.  The encouragement in these cards is a reminder to stay centered and focused, and not allow these things to distract me.

DECK USED:  TAROT MOOD

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How will I know I am on track?

Trippin' Waite Tarot

Reading Summary: Gideon will help with that (King of Cups). Just stay calm and take your time (Temperance), and make good choices (The Lovers).

Take Away:  Well, you are not always the King of Cups in every reading where this card shows up.  But you are in this one.  Knowing that I stay on track is a group effort.  I need the outside input from those that know me the most and best.  As long as I listen to that input and stay true to my path and that slow progress, making the choices that feel right to my inner compass along the way, then I’ll continue to be on track and be able to feel (through my inner compass) that I have not deviated.

DECK USED:  TRIPPIN’ WAITE TAROT

How Long Is Your Reach?

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Today’s meditation was again postponed to take place at bed time.  I know.  And I agree with you that I need to get on track and more dedicated to doing my meditation practice in the morning again.  But it did not happen today.   I will put more of a push behind doing better about this, though. Because you’re right… morning meditation works a lot better for my self care than evening ones do.

Herbal Tarot - Seven of Cups - Juniper BerriesToday’s draw is the Seven of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of being presented with a variety of opportunities, and using one’s heart assist in making choices.  It can also represent feeling overwhelmed by the choices set out before you.

A lot of times when I get this card in my personal readings, it means that I am leaning too heavily on making decisions in my head, and that my heart needs to have its voice included in making whatever decisions are going on at the moment.

What stood out the strongest to me today in the imagery of this card was the sprig of Juniper at the top of the card, and the image of the little blue dragon that looks like its trying to get a nibble off that sprig.

Juniperus communis is used spiritually as a way to protect oneself from negative thoughts and influences, which fits in well with what I see in that little dragon, actually.   As what I see here in the imagery of today’s card and the relationship between the dragon and the Juniper sprig… is empowerment.

When you reach for the things you want, sometimes? Negative thoughts have a way of shortening your reach and influencing you to fall short of your goals.   The message in today’s card is to not allow those negative self dialog to have that kind of power.  It’s not about a specific thing or event, instead this card is about how to build my confidence and become stronger.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I align more with the wildness within me?

Tarot of a Moon Garden

Reading Summary: It is self defeating (Five of Swords) to intellectualize (Nine of Swords) your emotions so much (Queen of Cups). Set them free and allow them to find their own way (Six of Cups).

Take Away:  Funny that we just talked about this a bit ago.  Although, this question refers specifically to connecting more to the wildness within me.   So of course intellectualizing would be self defeating in that goal.  I’m not really sure that connecting to my wildness is what I need right now though.  So perhaps the intellectualizing is a good thing, yeah?

DECK USED:  TAROT OF A MOON GARDEN

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Philosophical Question: Are beliefs and superstitions the same?

Japaridze TarotReading Summary: When driven by our convictions and passions (Queen of Fire), belief and superstition can both provide a sense of emotional fulfillment (Ten of Tides) when we feel that we are being guided and protected by them.

When we connect with others that share the same beliefs or superstitions (Three of Gardens), the experience has the ability to create a sense of intellectual superiority over others that do not share the same views (King of Winds).

By the same turn, both beliefs and superstitions can create a sense of being overburdened if we become too focused upon them and too dependent upon them and their parameters (Ten of Fire).

Take Away:  What is being shown in these cards is about how both belief and superstition are related.  In these ways, they are absolutely the same.  I do think, though, that there are as many differences between belief and superstition as there are similarities.

DECK USED:  JAPARIDZE TAROT

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question: What more can I do to ready myself for the next mercury rx?

Simply Deep Tarot

Reading Summary: Have a plan in place (Three of Wands), depend upon your intuition to guide you forward (High Priestess), and keep plowing forward (Chariot).

Take Away:  I’m not usually particularly affected by mercury rx, but the people around me are and as a result what I notice most is a bit of a breakdown in communication between others… and sometimes between others and myself.  Essentially what the cards are telling me is to keep my head down and keep moving.  Don’t allow things to stagnate, and follow my intuition when I need a little boost or a bit of extra direction.

DECK USED:  SIMPLY DEEP TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What are my 3 goals for the next quarter of the year?

Grimalkin Tarot

Reading Summary: More understanding and nurturing of the self concerning stability goals (Queen of Pentacles. More stable and grounded self talk (King of Swords). Inner growth and maturity (Grimalkin).

Take Away:  I hadn’t really set out to make goals for the next three months, but these sound like really good ones.

The first goal is about allowing myself a bit of wiggle room concerning my usual obsession with stability and security.  This is a topic I’ve been hyper focused on for the majority of my adult life, and I’ve had a lot of readings indicating lately that I need to loosen those barbwire bindings I use to keep everything in control.  I have a feeling that this loosening is necessary if I want to do the restructuring I’ve been working on and have it be a success.

The second goal is about my inner narrative and being more kind to myself.  Or… not so much more kind as less unstable.  Less lashing out, more stability and strength.  There are good kings that make spectacular leaders, and bad kings that are tyrants.  Don’t be a tyrant.

The third goal is about learning from your mistakes and the growth and maturity you develop through experience.  This is a long standing goal, and I feel it’s also a healthy one to continue.

DECK USED:  GRIMALKIN TAROT

Staying Open to Change

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and another of the harp strings meditation sessions.   Another session that I had a bit of a struggle in concentrating, mostly because of the whole aggressive customer issue that was going on this morning and getting that dealt with.  I hate having to turn from kind and courteous customer service into that more firm and authoritative voice.

Anyway, it messed up my groove a little bit and because I was all stirred up and my brain was in “compose this message” mode, I really struggled at staying focused in the meditation today.

Herbal Tarot - Two of Pentacles - Yellow DockToday’s draw is the Two of Pentacles, which is traditionally interpreted as struggling with multiple priorities, the juggling of responsibilities, and finding balance (or being out of balance) between one’s obligations.

What stands out the greatest to me in the imagery of this card today is the combination of the yellow dock on the page, and the two sailboats off in the horizon.   The meaning of the sailboats in today’s message is twofold, as they speak both of freedom as well as adaptability and how, through that adaptability, freedom can be obtained.    The Rumex crispus is one I needed to brush up on, as I could only remember that it was a good cure for athletes food and edible in small quantities.

What I found is that the spiritual properties of Rumex crispus lies in the purging of what is no longer working for you, clearing out stagnancy in order to help strengthen what is left and allow for room and growth.     This message is very much in line with my current goals.

The message in today’s card is a reminder that I need to stay open to change in order for change to happen. If I close myself off, even if it’s subconsciously, it will effect my progress.  So stay present, stay aware, and stay open.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question: What unconscious rhythms have settled into my life?

Brady Tarot

Reading Summary: This reading is about “greener pastures syndrome” and the fact that when I am feeling fulfilled, I can’t stay still.  The progression here is in the new shiny thing (Ace of Roots) that I learn and master (Nine of Cups) and as a result end up bored or frustrated (Eight of Cups) and ready to move on to the next new thing (Six of Arrows).

Take Away:  Actually, this isn’t an uncommon rhythm for me, but it is one that I’ve experienced again and again throughout my life (although, not as often as Z apparently *LOL* who is where I got the “syndrome” title from).   It has to do with interests only being interesting for as long as they are a challenge, but not so much of a challenge that you can’t conquer them.   So you fall into this pattern of finding interests and exploring them until you feel you’ve reached a level of expertise, and then going “meh” and discarding them for something else.  Fortunately, I have far more staying power than Z, although I do this often with my periphery interests. 

DECK USED:  BRADY TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Philosophical Question: Is it easier to love or be loved?

Grimalkin TarotReading Summary:  In the center of this reading, we have a cat that stares adoringly at a firefly while the firefly is without any interest in the cat at all.  On one side, we have unrequited affection.  On the other we have homecoming and celebration shared with others.

Take Away:  In both scenarios (the right side and the left) there are emotions involved and in both the emotions involved include having “full cups” (even if on the left there are not as many full cups as you might desire.   I would say that, from these cards, it is better to love than to be loved.   I’m not entirely sure that I agree with that, but this is what the cards say to me.  They say that when you focus on your own heart, you will always have love… whereas if you focus on other’s hearts and love directed at you, you will always feel as if you are missing what you seek.

DECK USED:  GRIMALKIN TAROT

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question: Think of something you are proud of and draw a card for input.
Pride: Fostering stability and responsibility in my life.

Everyday Witch TarotReading Summary: The Queen of Swords (for once) did not immediately bring to mind my mother.  Instead, in this card she appears to be saying, “Good job.  Your independence is admirable. Keep it up.”   She is a reminder to listen to that good, strong, and proud inner voice that lives within me, and to not allow my inner critic to interject.

Take Away:  You are smart and resourceful. You can be the Queen of Wands without turning into your mother.

DECK USED:  EVERYDAY WITCH TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What good habits do I have?

Tarot of Passing Showers

Reading Summary: The ability to look at personal hardships (Three of Swords) and find the positive (Hanged Man and Art).

Take Away:  In the Thoth tarot (which is the system this deck is based upon) the fourteenth card in the Major Arcana is not Temperance, but rather Art, and speaks of taking something mundane and turning it into something precious.  Balance also plays a part in this card, and when combined with the new perspectives presented in the Hanged Man’s card, it demonstrates how I approach the struggles and strife in my life… and how I heal from them.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF PASSING SHOWERS

Constant Healing and Growth

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Today’s meditation hasn’t taken place yet, because when I laid down to do it, I ended up accidentally falling asleep rather than meditating.  SO…. I’ll be trying again tonight before bed.  As it is, I did get a decent nap in, but I also earned myself a kink in my neck and shoulder.

Herbal Tarot - Sage - The High Priest - HierophantToday’s draw is the High Priest (aka The Hierophant) which is traditionally read as a representation of tradition and institution, a guiding energy or figure in relation to religious knowledge and spiritual beliefs, and in some cases can also represent conformity to social norms.

There are a few aspects of this card that stand out to me today.  There is the man’s white turban, which (I had to look this up) is an indication of a saintly person leading an exemplary life. 

There is also the two pillars, which are the same two pillars as in the High Priestess card and represent the gateway to the spiritual realm. That he stands before these pillars instead of between them or behind them speaks to me of his energy being based in reality and the physical even as he guides those along their spiritual paths.

The third aspect is the sage plant. Salvia officinalis is essentially a healing antiseptic that is used not just for the body but also one’s spiritual health and the energies that surround them.   It is a cleansing herb that can be used to wash away negative energies just as it can be used to help heal bruises on the skin and promote healing. Whether sage is used internally or externally, it’s presence here in the card speaks of the Hierophant’s ability and responsibility to guide himself and others upon a path of healing and growth.

The message in today’s card is about following one’s inner moral compass.  Sometimes this isn’t easy.  Decisions get made and when you think about things you realize you were wrong and have to back-step, maybe even apologize, or eat crow.   It’s important that in these moments we learn from our mistakes and take on their responsibility with grace.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I attract more abundance into my life?

Tarot of Passing Showers

Reading Summary: Don’t forget that you still have a lot to learn (Page of Pentacles) and a part of learning is the mistakes you make along the way (Three of Swords). Keep hope alive (The Star), and you’ll be able to move through moments of defeat quickly and come out the other side still in control (Six of Swords beneath The Chariot).

Take Away:  It’s so easy to get too confident in something you feel you’re doing well at then end up knocked on your ass as you realize you aren’t the be-all end-all of it all. It’s easy, as well, to lose hope when you’re sitting on your ass in the mud absorbing that blow.

The cards here indicate that to attract more abundance into my life, it’s important to not lose hope in those moments, but to learn from them and pick yourself up out of the mud, evaluate what needs to change, then try again.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF PASSING SHOWERS

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What can I do to help my inner child feel less neglected?

The Brady Tarot 2nd EditionReading Summary:  Make the conscious choice (Lovers) to create a solid base (Father of Roots).  Your inner child needs a careful balance between firm guidance (Eight of Roots) and a gentle touch (Temperance).

Take Away:  The cards here are indicating that I’m not giving my inner child the structure and stability that it needs.  This isn’t about money, but about finding a place of inner grounding that allows for a solid foundation on the inside, so that my inner child has the solid footing it needs to express itself with more confidence and not fear the repercussions of backlash that a lack of temperance from my inner critic would contribute to the situation.

Thus, the answer here in the cards is to take my inner critic in hand and make the conscious and willful demand that it treat both myself and my inner child with a level and moderate voice.

DECK USED:  BRADY TAROT 2ND EDITION

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question: If you could leave one worry behind, what would it be?

Grimalkin Tarot

Reading Summary: Always needing to be the adult (Grimalkin) whenever things that involve my enthusiasm arise (Ace of Wands) or decisions need to be made concerning the paths my enthusiasm might take (Five of Wands).

Take Away:  You know, I had a whole laundry list of possible answers that might have come up from the cards when asking this question, some of them selfish and some of them not… but this one wasn’t on it.  Not that it isn’t true, just that it wasn’t on the list.

The cards here speak of my need to always be responsible and in control, no matter what I’m doing or what interests or passions are driving me or have struck my interest.  In other words… It’d be nice to be a little more carefree.  It’s not really in my nature, mind you… but it would still be nice.

DECK USED:  GRIMALKIN TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What is my biggest win?

Happy Tarot

Reading Summary: Learning to release some of my burden (Ten of Wands) by sharing it with others (imagery on the Two of Cups) so that I can ride that wheel with less centripetal force trying to make me stumble (Wheel of Fortune Rx).

Take Away:  So we are speaking here of the wheel not as a vertical wheel, but as a horizontal one, where I can stand upon its center and spin, or step off center and be pulled by centripetal force into stumbling.   By handing out some of my work and responsibilities to others, it makes it easier to stay in the center of the wheel, and easier to handle the responsibilities and obligations I carry instead of becoming overwhelmed by them.

My biggest win is in the realization of this…. and the actual absorption of this rather than simply acknowledging it and saying it’s right.  Instead I’ve taken this to heart and am truly making the effort to change how I do things, which includes allowing others to step in and help me… and asking them for help sometimes even when they don’t step in voluntarily without prompting.

DECK USED:  HAPPY TAROT