Guardian of the Night Tarot

Boundaries for Stability

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Guardian of the Night Tarot Pocket Edition - King of Wands and the Walnut card from Listening to Flowers Cards

Today’s draw is the King of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passions, drive, determination, principles, values, and willpower. The King of Wands often indicates themes that have to do with leadership figures or authority figures with the ability to rally others to their causes and draw them in to their own values, principles, and passions.

The King of Wands has then been combined with the Walnut card from the Listening to Flowers deck, which says, “My boundaries are resilient as I encounter external forces. I am protected as I cross over thresholds of change. I trust my sense of awareness to guide me.”

I have a tendency to internally freak out during change. A lot of people can’t notice it from the outside, but on the inside, I am quite literally going “oh fuck! Oh fuck! Oh, fuck!” This is because I struggle with moments of uncertainty, specifically because they feel unstable, and instability is my least favorite of all experiences.

But what if stability or instability during change doesn’t have anything to do with what’s going on around us, but rather, what’s going on within us?

The message in today’s King of Wands and affirmation card ask us to consider… Is it possible to use our boundaries to help us in staying calm and collected during times of change? In using our boundaries in this way, can we then traverse through times of change more smoothly and come out the other side better prepared for what lies ahead?

DECKS USED:  GUARDIAN OF THE NIGHT TAROT INDIE POCKET EDITION AND LISTENING TO FLOWERS DECK

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 5th : my body is an open palm

Creative Writing Exercise with the Pacific Northwest Playing Cards

Physical pain is often a punishment. A slap across the face to bring me back to the present when I forget that I am not as young as I used to be. (Five of Diamonds and Three of Hearts)

This is especially true in times when I am being influenced by my need to create harmony with others by striving to do more and be more, when I am already juggling far too much and struggling to keep everything in balance. (Six of Clubs atop Two of Diamonds)

At these times, my body speaks up to remind me of all that I have done in the past to earn the scars I now wear covering my flesh like the lines of an open palm that then slaps me back down to size in a painful reminder of reality. (Nine of Diamonds and Queen of Spades)

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Foraged Ponderosa Pine Cone for Resilience and Adaptability
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Strength, Growth, and Renewal
Labradorite for a Focus on Mental and Emotional Healing
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: PACIFIC NORTHWEST PLAYING CARDS

@jourie.co‘s An Imaginative Life Journal Prompts
Prompt for September 5th : Which story about yourself no longer fits?

Tarot Reading with the Guardian of the Night Tarot Pocket Edition

Reading Summary: Happiness (Ten of Cups) is no longer something to be skeptical about or feared (Nine of Swords). Neither is it an end goal you are seeking to obtain (The World).

Take Away: In younger years, you held a lot of skepticism about happiness and finding a happy and contented life for yourself and others. You saw happiness as something that had to be worked towards and earned.

Over time you have learned that happiness is something that you find in the present moment, though, and not an end goal to be achieved. It’s something you build in the day to day, for yourself first, and through yourself for others as well.

Other elements included in this reading:
Holly Leaf for assistance in Gentling Negative Emotions
Garnierite for help in Releasing Anger, Anxiety, and Guilt
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: GUARDIAN OF THE NIGHT TAROT INDIE POCKET EDITION
Daily Self Kindness

I spent some time organizing unshelved playing card decks today so that I’m ready for next month and have a line up of decks in mind for this one.

Finding the Positive for September 25 – 27

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Guardian of the Night Tarot, Tarot of the Witch's Garden, Tarot of the Fairy Folk, and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal Cards

September 25

Four of Wands – Although you need to work, you are still home for the day.  Take time to wallow in the comfort of your environment, and time to open your mouth and cry out with what needs to be released in a place where you feel safe and don’t have to deal with others watching you, worrying about you, or judging you.  Home is the place to let things rip, as it’s your safe place.

DECK USED: GUARDIAN OF THE NIGHT TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

September 26

Eight of Cups – Un-clench your teeth.  Take a breath and let things move at their own pace for once.  There’s no need to push, and clenching your fists to plow forward when you don’t need to is causing you harm.  It’s time to turn things around before you fall so deeply in the pit you end up stuck in there.  Release what isn’t working and let it drift away.

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE WITCH’S GARDEN AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

September 27

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was focused on the message in today’s cards, which is…

Ten of Wands – “You are not a burden. We are lucky to have you.” Just don’t over-burden yourself trying to prove that you’re not a burden to others. You have nothing to prove.  Stop trying to do so much all on your own when you have others willing to help you carry your burdens.

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE FAIRY FOLK AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Bigger Game, Fuller Bellies

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Guardian of the Night TarotToday’s draw is the Three of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of teamwork, collaboration, and better results through combination of others skills added to a project.

What stands out to me in the imagery of this card, what stands out to me the strongest is the wolves. You see, wolves hunt in packs. They do their hunting as a community, and it is during a hunt where cooperation between wolves within a pack is most apparent. It is through this teamwork that they successfully hunt large game that feeds the entire pack.

Today’s card is a reminder that it takes teamwork to succeed, especially when you’re up against uneven odds. Through the participation of others, we can overcome those things that we would struggle with on our own.  It is a reminder to welcome others in, and allow them to help.

DECK USED:  GUARDIAN OF THE NIGHT TAROT

@The.Journey.Well ‘s Friendship & Community Challenge Prompt
Question for November 7th and 8th

Chronicles of Destiny Fortune CardsWhat area of your life gives you a sense of significance?

Conflict and Waterfall – Learning to flow within the discordance created by the struggle, strife, and woe in life.

It was once predicted through the cards that I would live a life filled with struggle, strife, and woe… and that the point of life was not these tests and trials that would come, but rather what I did with them, and what I learned from them.

I find significance in learning to grow with the lessons rather than fighting against them.

What things do you love to talk about?

The Dragon and The Dreamcatcher – My collections. My ambitions. My dreams… and sometimes even my fears.

DECK USED: CHRONICLES OF DESTINY FORTUNE CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for November 8th: Advice I need to hear at this time concerning my personal happiness.

Guardian of the Night TarotReading Summary: Following your intuition (The High Priestess) and giving yourself the space to grow emotionally (Queen of Cups) can provide you a path toward happiness that doesn’t have to hurt (Ten of Swords Rx).

Take Away: Not everything has to be so damn difficult to hold value. Sometimes going with the flow is better.  Stop punishing yourself and foster your happiness instead.

DECK USED: GUARDIAN OF THE) NIGHT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I brought my cane with me today even though I wasn’t really wanting to and almost chose to leave it behind. Turns out, bringing it along was a good idea.

When Everything Falls Apart

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Today’s meditation was skipped because I didn’t feel like it, which… at the time felt like a valid excuse to skip it for the day, but now I realize that it’s not and I should have realized it from the start.  I just felt such a heavy lack of enthusiasm and dread about it that I had a “fuck it” reaction and didn’t do it.

Heaven & Earth Tarot - Ten of WandsToday’s draw is the Ten of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of feeling overwhelmed and/or overburdened.  It is about struggling under the weight of one’s projects and responsibilities.  I often end up getting this card as a warning when I am approaching burnout.

What stands out to me the strongest in this card’s imagery to day is the upraised hands.  It’s as if we have caught this man in that single moment when what was a neatly stacked and bundled collection of wands decides to go awry and spread out.  The hands then raise up in an “oh shit” to try and catch what has clearly decided to split, separate, and break free.

We all have times when everything is neatly in a row and then suddenly one of the ducklings goes off track and chaos ensues. It’s not always about having overburdened yourself… but about losing control of that burden unexpectedly.     The thing is?   That is also a form of overburdening… as it’s important to leave some wriggle room for when that moment of “awry” happens so that you can deal with it instead of it overpowering you.

DECK USED:  HEAVEN & EARTH TAROT

LionHart’s Elements Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: What am I asked to take with me moving forward?

Mundane Magick Tarot

Reading Summary: Let go of your perceived failings (Judgement atop Emergent of Coins Rx), while taking forward into the future your empowerment (The Magician) and hope (The Star).

Take Away:  It is hard to let go sometimes when you feel you’ve fucked up or suck at something. Or, at least it’s hard for me to let go of it.  Especially if the repercussions involve destabilizing my security or hurting someone else.  The key to a healthier future, though, is to remember that from these experiences you learn and obtain tools that help you in dealing with them better in the future, and do what you can to focus on the good you can do moving forward.

DECK USED:  MUNDANE MAGICK TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicJan2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What is your greatest vice you’re not consciously aware of?

Guardian of the Night TarotReading Summary: When finding myself at the end of a journey (Ten of Swords) and thus the beginning of a new one (Ace of Cups), I often fail to pause and take stock (Four of Pentacles Rx) before moving forward.

Take Away: I’m so constantly going full bore from one thing to the next that I often forget that I need to take a break and find my footing again between one adventure and the next one.

Instead, I move on from what has been finished and dive enthusiastically into the next, allowing my pursuit if enjoyment and pleasure to carry me away into the new “thing”, whatever that thing might be, without that necessary pause to take stock, restock, and find my balance before continuing on.

DECK USED:  GUARDIAN OF THE NIGHT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I turned the water off for the sink and decided not to fuck with it today.  It was really frustrating me, as it’s still leaking.  It didn’t at first.  Not for the first few hours after I’d taken it apart and put it back together.  Then it started leaking again while we were doing the dishes.  So obviously… it’s not fixed.  I needed to step away from it for a bit, so I have decided not to deal with it today or tomorrow since it’s the weekend anyway so if I need to get hold of Moen, it won’t be possible until Monday at the earliest.

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Guardian of the Night Tarot, Faceted Garden Oracle, Flower Essences Deck 1 & 2

Earth – King of Cups, Violet atop Trumpet Vine – You need to be honest with those around you concerning the invading depression that has become more difficult to manage lately. Open up to let them know what’s going on with you.  Your home life and love life are both suffering from a lack of communication at the moment.  Stop hiding (and hiding from) what’s going on and speak up.

Air – Queen of Cups and Cosmos – Start with Z. She will help you to see things more clearly and be able to communicate them more clearly to others.  You struggle a lot with the “I dunno” issue when trying to speak about your emotions and depression when you’re “in the moment” of the experience.  She can help you to untangle your thoughts enough to get them out more coherently.

Water – Seven of Pentacles and Lotus – Focus on doing the things that connect you to your faith this week and create balance.  Your morning devotional and meditation are important. Take a more spiritual cleansing approach to bathing, etc.  This is not spiritual bypassing but rather using your faith to motivate you into better self care when you’re struggling emotionally.

Fire – Knight of Pentacles, Aspen atop Pomegranate – Give some of your control over to those that can take the weight for a bit while you get through this hurdle. It’s not permanent, but they can handle it in the short term while you look at the long play and bigger picture beyond the current moment.

Waning – Wild Card – The chaos will ease if you let it, but it’ll take following the advice laid out in these cards to make it happen.  Otherwise you’ll just continue to stagnate in the inner conflict and chaos you’ve been trying so hard to ignore.

Waxing – Thaw – Release your emotions from the frigid ice you’ve held them in and let them flow.

Take Away – The cards are right.  I have been struggling and trying so hard to push back against the depression that’s managed to slip in under my skin.  I tried so hard to not allow it to gain ground and to push back against it.   But It’s here and I can’t deny that.  I need to be open about it instead of trying to hide it.  I need to share and allow myself to let others in to help me… no matter how fucked up that feels right now.

DECKS USED:  GUARDIAN OF THE NIGHT TAROT, FLOWER ESSENCES DECK vol. 1 & 2, FACETED GARDEN ORACLE

Dawn’s Light

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IMG_8485Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app with added interval timer for my piriformis stretching.

The topic of today’s guided meditation was about encouraging one’s imagination instead of squashing it under the weight of realism and responsibility.  Sometimes even unrealistic dreams come true, and it’s important not to crush the hope that lives within your heart by quashing your dreams before they have a chance to grow into fruition.

Bonestone & Earthflesh Tarot - Ace of CupsToday’s draw is the Ace of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of the seeds of new beginnings in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.

What really stands out to me in this card today is the glow.  I know that it looks like it’s coming out of the cup, but it’s really coming from behind the cup, as evidenced by the fact that the interior of the cup is dark.

The message here is about the shadows cast by the dawn.  Sometimes when we’re in the dark, which is often the case when we’re experiencing something new and different, we long for the dawn and the light that will make everything more familiar again.  But there are always going to be shadows on any experience, because there is no positive without negative and no light without darkness.

The message here in today’s card is to not allow the dark moments to taint the dawn light.  Bask in the glow and take a breath, and leave the darkness alone for another time.  Spend  some time focusing on the good and enjoying the now.  It’s okay to let go of the shadows for a bit.  They’ll still be there for you later on.

DECK USED:  BONESTONE & EARTHFLESH TAROT

LionHart’s Elements Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: What can I do to start my 2021 positively?

Tarot of the Divine

 Reading Summary: You need to start off on your journey with a plan (Two of Wands) to begin as you intend to continue (Justice).

The Five of Wands in this reading isn’t about the question at all, but rather it is an objection to me trying to get out a third card when the deck didn’t want to give me one. Sort of a “fuck you” to my insistence on having a third card.

Take Away: The cards here are a reminder not to procrastinate on the way I want to do things.  If I want to focus on self care this year, I need to start off this year focusing on self care.   If I want to focus on balance this year, I need to start off focusing on balance.  If my focus for this year is to be furthering my emotional intelligence and fostering my emotional growth, then I need to begin as I want things to continue.

To start my 2021 on a positive note, I need to begin as I wish things to continue. In this manner, I can pick up and maintain momentum on my intentions from the start instead of wasting time on procrastination and avoidance.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE DIVINE

#DiscordTarotolicJan2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What could you use less of in your life?

Guardian of the Night TarotFive of Pentacles atop Four of Cups – Procrastination being egged on by issues with scarcity. It isn’t so much that scarcity creates the breeding ground for procrastination to grow and thrive so much as… fear does.  And scarcity issues are fertile ground for fear to grow within.  And once fear has taken root and starts to take over like an invasive species of weed allowed to get out of control, it binds you up and drags you down until progress to getting things done and moving on to better horizons becomes no more than a crawl at best.

Ace of Wands – Clutter and feeling crowded (imagery in the card) due to having so many potential projects going on at once. New projects put off until there’s a bit more time build up over time, and that includes the ones that you’ve bought the supplies for and maybe even started before needing to set aside for one reason or another.  All that clutter is feeling mighty crowded these days and now is a good time to begin looking at ways to re-organize and clean out what isn’t working for you anymore.

Three of Wands – The drive that pushes you forward with such stringent enthusiasm, even when it’s not entirely healthy to push at that time. This also ties into the Ace of Wands and all those projects partially done or not yet started.  Leave behind the urge to keep piling more and more on your plate.  It doesn’t create progress or get you anywhere, it just slows you down.

DECK USED:  GUARDIAN OF THE NIGHT TAROT