Herbal Tarot

Cleansing Breaths

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IMG_5009Today’s meditation was a little over ten minutes long, and I chose to go with a guided meditation today.  The topic of the meditation was a guidance on one of the methods used to deal with invasive thoughts during your meditation practice.   I think that the quote in the graphic to the right covers that really well.  The method involves opting to acknowledge the thoughts that intrude rather than trying to push them away.   Instead, you recognize that you were thinking, and what it was about… but you don’t allow it to suck you into a dialogue.  Instead, you identify the rabbit hole as a rabbit hole and step over it.

Herbal Tarot - Three of Swords - Pleurisy RootToday’s draw is the Three of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of themes that have to do with disappointment, heartbreak, grief, and other forms of emotional hurt.

I used to feel that the Sword suit was a strange place for this card, as the Swords are supposed to be about thought, intellect, and communication. But, over time I’ve come to understand that it is not the heart or the emotions that spur these feelings represented in the card. Instead, it is the mind that spur these feelings… and the heart that then feels them.   Since the feelings are spawned from the mind, it then makes sense to me that they are in the Sword suit.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today is the two seed pots that are in the process of falling on the left side of the card.  These seed pods speak to me of renewal, while the plant depicted in this card speaks to me of purging.  Asclepias tuberosa (pleurisy root) is an expectorant, diuretic, and diaphoretic.  It very literally forces the body to purge itself of toxins and its spiritual uses are very similar.

Combined with the traditional meaning of the card, the message that I find here today is about letting go.  It’s about releasing the issues and problems, the bad thoughts and negativity.   Let go of the “can’ts” and the “this sucks” and instead embrace that sometimes things are difficult and sometimes they hurt… but that is temporary.   Once you’ve had a moment to wallow in those negative feelings, it’s time to let them go and keep moving.  Take a deep, cleansing breath and reach for a new start.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I invite more compassionate energy into myself?

Tarot Mood

Reading Summary: Let go of so much of the juggling (Two of Pentacles Rx). Balance out the feminine and masculine energies that are threaded through your emotions (King of Cups and Queen of Cups). Understand this is just one leg on a long journey (The World).

Take Away: You know, I hadn’t actually considered that there might be a bit of imbalance going on in the emotions I’m trying to become more comfortable with and that may be why I’m struggling with it.   It’s something I need to delve into and look at more closely, but the message from the cards rings true. The message in the Two of Pentacles and the World are not new and something that has been repeated often as a reminder lately, and are things that I am actively working on and keeping in mind.

DECK USED:  TAROT MOOD

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Philosophical Question: Does fate exist?

Tarot for DandelionsReading Summary: We move slowly along our path (Knight of Pentacles), making the wisest decisions and judgements that we can along the way (King of Swords), and determined to do the best that we can towards what sparks our passions (Queen of Wands) with the tools we have (Magician).

Take Away: Although I’m not sure that I agree with this answer, the answer in the cards says that no… fate does not exist.  These cards speak of autonomy, personal choice, and control over one’s path and one’s future.  There is nothing in these cards indicating a lack of control, nor direction being placed in the hands of fate.

Side note:  Yes, I covered the nipples on the Queen. These posts on my blog are backed up on Tumblr, which has a very strict “no female nipples” policy.  So I try to make sure I cover the nips when they’re visible just to make sure I don’t get booted off that platform. I think that also may be a policy on IG as well (although I’m not 100% certain on that one).

DECK USED:  TAROT FOR DANDILIONS

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question: Draw a card and let it serve as a reminder of something good about this very moment.

Phantasmagoric Theater Tarot - Seven of SwordsReading Summary: I’m not the one cleaning the bathrooms. I essentially logic’d my way out of doing the task myself and foisted it off on L.

Take Away: I mean seriously… who the hell wants to clean bathrooms. It’s a miserable experience and it’s something I usually pay others to do for me.  L and Z have essentially put it off on their chore list until it was the last thing, and then tried to skip it to start over on the list.  So, yeah.   I pointed out that the bathrooms needed cleaning and I’d already wiped down the ceilings for them, so they needed to finish it.

So!  We have clean bathrooms!

DECK USED:  PHANTASMAGORIC THEATER TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I live in abundance?

Tarot of MetamorphosisReading Summary: Make the most of what you have (Queen of Pentacles) and be grateful for it rather than constantly focusing on getting more (Temperance).

Take Away:  Abundance comes in one’s perception and there is no “line” or “enough” to where a line can be drawn to say that you’ve made it.  It’s about finding the things that make you happy and help you feel complete and fulfilled, and appreciating them instead of constantly looking for more.   This is what the cards reflect here.   Find those things in life that make you happy and fulfill you now… and you are already there.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF METAMORPHOSIS

Reassess and Reapproach

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and was relaxing despite the fact that it was an order day and I had a lot of crap to get done. I think that I just needed a break and the meditation gave me some time away from thinking about everything I had to get done so that I could relax and breathe. Usually, having a lot to do creates an opposite effect, so this was a nice change.

Herbal Tarot - The Tower - GarlicToday’s draw is the Tower card, which is traditionally interpreted as having to do with sudden change and the chaos that ensues when sudden change takes place. Unlike the Death card, where the change is gradual and organic, in the Tower card the change comes on suddenly and without warning, often with destructive force.

What stands out the strongest to me this card today is the red sky and the flames. It speaks to me of the type of chaos that is hard to recover from.  The type of chaos and destruction that feels like the end of the world.

Combined with the Garlic in this card, which is a representation of ostracization and time spent away from others to reconsider… and restructure.

It’s in the combination of these themes that I find the message in today’s card.  Sometimes when I am trying to restructure and rebuild (as I am now) it can feel like nothing is going right and everything is fucked up.  In these times, it can be a good idea to step away… take a breath… and reassess.   Consider the situation, and consider coming at it from a different angle.   The message here is about that different angle and is an encouragement to reassess.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question: Where am I being invited to recognize the beauty in myself, my life, and the world?

Tattoo Tarot Ink & Intuition

Beauty in Myself – The Hermit signifies that it’s time to respect that you need alone time now that you’re able to get it again and how healthy that alone time is for you. This message came through on the Tarotholics spread that I did as well, and there is a reminder here that I need to make sure I’m getting the alone time I need as a part of taking care of myself and my well being.

Beauty in My Life – The Eight of Wands indicates that it’s important to recognize that my purpose will go on and continue, even if I’m not pushing things forward every step of the way. This perpetual motion is natural and creates space for other pursuits and interests.  There is beauty in this.  In the ability to “coast” between pushes and allow other interests and passions room to flourish in those times in between.

Beauty in the World – The mystery of the High Priestess speaks of the fact that in order to see beauty in the world you need to see with your intuition, and not your logic. The beauty is there but it’s not in your face… it’s beneath the surface and requires reading between the lines.

DECK USED:  TATTOO TAROT INK & INTUITION

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: As an adult, where am I neglecting myself at this time?

Trippin' Waite TarotReading Summary: Meditation (Eight of Cups). And moving forward (Three of Wands) with the nurturing and self-care (Queen of Pentacles).

Take Away:  Right.  So… I’ve been slacking on the self care a bit lately.   Not just the meditation, although the cards call me out on that specifically here.   But also on some of the self care things that I normally do like the weekly soaks in the bath for example and the extra stretching that comes along with the meditation that I’ve not been keeping up on. I’ve also been slacking a bit on my daily devotional. All in all, these are things I need to pick back up on and do rather than think about and then “meh” out of again and again.

DECK USED:  TRIPPIN’ WAITE TAROT

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question: Where would I benefit from taking more time?

Golden Girls Tarot

Reading Summary: It’s time to slow down on your ambition and drive (Knight of Wands), and spend some more time focusing on being nurturing to yourself (The Empress) and enjoying what you have (Nine of Pentacles). Have some faith that you have everything in hand (The Chariot) and can afford the break (Nine of Pentacles on top).

Take Away: This wasn’t really a surprising result for this reading as this has been pretty much the theme of my personal readings for the past week or so.  The constant reminders are actually a good thing, as they help to keep me on track.   As is the reassurance that now is the time of year when I can afford a break and that everything is well in hand.

DECK USED:  GOLDEN GIRLS TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I better connect with my family?

The Crystal Tarot

Reading Summary: Be supportive (Ten of Pentacles) and make the choice (Two of Swords) to see the good and wallow in it (Nine of Cups). Don’t let harsh words or irritation steal away that pleasure (Seven of Swords).

Take Away:  The choice to enjoy and wallow is signified by the Two of Swords in this reading because that choice is extremely difficult for me.  Even when the choice is made, actually following through is still very much a struggle for me when it comes to letting to and just enjoying.  (Wallow, btw, comes from the over-spill of liquid from all the cups.)

The cards here indicate that I need to appreciate the good and practice gratitude, be supportive with my family, and not allow their negativity and negative (sometimes painful) qualities to pollute the good I find.

DECK USED:  THE CRYSTAL TAROT

Inspiration and Warmth

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and I was a little distracted because I think I’ve devised a plan to make more room for my decks.  I know, I know.  Not what I should be thinking of during meditation, but it kept popping into my head.  SO…  I suppose you could look at it as that I got a lot of mental push ups done during those ten minutes as I kept bringing myself back to center.

Herbal TarotToday’s draw is the King of Wands, which is traditionally interpreted as a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passions, ambitions, interests, and drive.    This often translates into themes that deal with inspirational leadership, authority mixed with an entrepreneurial spark, and vision one is on a path of leading others towards.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of today’s card is the cinnamon plant combined with the very strong look of determination on the face of the figure on the card and the fact that he is facing (to my way of reading right and left) the past.

Magically speaking, cinnamon is used to create a spark of inspiration and warmth, and what I see in the direction that the King faces here is that sometimes you have to look to the past in order to find the strength you need to move forward… and lead others forward with you… into the future.

The message here is about learning from the past instead of discounting it or trying to forget it.  The wise leader does not ignore lessons learned or potential lessons in their past, instead they take these experiences and move forward with them, letting them help and guide his steps and… in turn… the steps of those that follow them.

Although I do not really consider myself a leader, I do consider myself a guide and I enjoy helping others find their own personal path and discover what works for them and fits for them.  This means I don’t seek to create conformity, but rather to inspire… and I use my past experiences in many different ways to help in this goal.   Today’s card is an encouragement, and a reminder, to continue along this path with warmth and inspiration.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question: What toxic beliefs would I benefit from releasing?

Happy Tarot

Reading Summary: You need to take some time and reflect (Hanged Man) on the fact that you don’t have to be perfect all the time (Six of Wands).  Better to own your mistakes and transform them into strength (Queen of Cups).

Take Away:  The belief I need to release is that deeply ingrained need to do better and be better all the time.   The problem is that in that drive is the inner critic that makes sure that any time I fall short from these impossible standards, I pay the price for it.   The cards suggest to take a more understanding and caring approach, and ease up on that demand for perfection from myself.

DECK USED:  HAPPY TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to focus on for self-care for this new moon?

Tarot SireneReading Summary: It’s time to start moving in a direction (Three of Wands) that fosters your passions (Queen of Wands). This means that you might have to make some difficult choices (Two of Swords, and deal with a bit of sacrifice concerning your need for stability (Five of Coins).

Take Away:  A lot of the readings over the past few days have touched on this need to let go and allow myself some room to breathe and time to have some fun.  Here there is encouragement that now is the time.  The energy of the new moon gives a chance to start again, and I need to utilize that energy to move away from the slave driver mentality concerning my business and into an energy of more fun and enjoyment while things with the business are slow.

DECK USED:  TAROT SIRENE

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question: Instead of starting something new, what is something current I could focus on this new moon cycle?

Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot

Reading Summary (left to right):  It’s time to put an end (first card) to the slave driver mentality you saddle yourself with (second card), because overwhelm (third card) puts you on shaky ground (fourth card) and is not your friend (last card).

Take Away: These cards are pretty much a reiteration of what has been coming up over and again throughout the past few days. The cards have given me this answer in different imagery and different phrasing again and again.  I’m doing my best to listen, and to direct my energy away from obsessing over my business and onto other things… it’s just a struggle to achieve and feels like two steps forward for every one step back.

DECK USED:  NICOLETTA CECCOLI TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What am I grateful for?

Tarot of the Animal Lords

Reading Summary: That the cycle of life (imagery in The Wheel) may take me through many changes and a lot of chaos (The Tower), but it also provides me with a new perspective for each experience I have (The Hanged Man).

Take Away:  Sometimes I forget just how grateful I am for this quality in myself to take the negative aspects of what has happened in my life and turn them into a perspective that allows for positive growth.  Occasionally, though, I run into someone that seems determined to wallow in the feelings of negativity and victimization that horrible events can create, and I realize anew just how glad I am that I am not able to linger in that place. I think that my life is far better for it.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE ANIMAL LORDS

 

Stability For All

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As I mentioned in the post for the 18th, I’m in the process of catching up, although I do remember what happened with today’s meditation.   It was skipped.  I wanted to get on the road to head north for my mail as early as possible, so instead of lying down and risking falling asleep in the middle of my meditation, I skipped it.  I then played with you when I got home until I was dead tired and dropped right to sleep at bed time. So… no meditation today.

Herbal TarotToday’s draw is the Ten of Pentacles, which is a representation of fulfillment and completion in the areas of finance, resources, manifestation, health, and the physical world.

What stood out to me the strongest in the imagery of today’s card was the root (fruit) of the Wild Yam plant on the card.  Dioscorea villosa is a spiritual representation of releasing fears and using one’s talents and skills to better better not just your own position but to help others as well.   What I see here, though, is more than that.  The fruit of this plant holds strength in the soil.  It is the foundation itself that is strong, and where its strength lies.

The message that I see in today’s card has to do with building your own foundation, and using it not just to provide stability and comfort for yourself… but for others as well.  It is a message about cherishing those that are closest to you, and supporting them the best that you are able using the strengths that are at your disposal.

I have worked hard to manifest this stability in my life for a long time, but I have not taken the opportunity until recently to really appreciate the fact that I also provide this stability for others.   Today’s card is a reminder that I’m doing a lot more than I realize.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What can I do to help my inner adolescent feel heard and understood?

Tarot MoodReading Summary:  More fun (The Sun) combined with the assurance of slow and steady stability (Knight of Pentacles).  Don’t let uncertainty (The Moon) turn you harsh and your inner critic vicious (Queen of Swords Rx).

Take Away: As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t really have much of a connection with my inner adolescent, but I see the sense in the approach that the cards lay out here for me.  Who doesn’t want a little more fun, and who (when feeling vulnerable) doesn’t feel the need for a slow but steady hand?

DECK USED:  TAROT MOOD

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question: What should I take to heart right now?

Tarot of Metamorphosis

Reading Summary:  Being bossy and commandeering (Chariot) is not going to get me to a place of stability and security (King of Pentacles).  Resist reacting to instability (The Wheel) and follow your intuitive voice instead (High Priestess).

Side note:  I get a good chuckle out of the Chariot card in this deck every time I see it.  The blond is like “Pull my hair again and I’ll eat your face off!!” while the brunette is like “OOhhh, I wish he’d pull my hair like that”.

Take Away:  I need to let up on myself for a bit.   I need to let myself coast for a bit and ease back on the grip on those reigns.   It’s a good time to do it, being that I’m sliding into my slow season with the business. The Wheel card in this reading refers that the ups and downs of my business and how I sometimes freak out when things slip into a lull, but the cards indicate that a lull is just what is needed at this time.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF METAMORPHOSIS

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What is my hardest lesson?

Tarot of a Moon Garden

Reading Summary: Self-love (Ace of Cups Rx), and not deceiving myself into thinking things are bad (Three of Swords) when they’re not (Nine of Cups).

Take Away: I often use my fear of instability and inadequacy as a drive to push myself forward and prod myself into doing more and working harder, especially in times when I really need to take a break but don’t want to let go enough to allow it.  The cards here indicate that my hardest lesson is loving myself enough to recognize I don’t need to use these methods, and I can ease up and be kinder to myself.  I am aware of the lesson I am being asked to learn… it’s just the act of actually learning it, taking i to heart, and putting it into action that I’m struggling with.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF A MOON GARDEN

 

How Long Is Your Reach?

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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

Finding the Good

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was curtailed by the fact that I was too distracted by how much that I needed to get going. I was behind on orders even before I ever woke up, so it was a bit of a problem even sitting still long enough to get some of my stretches in, let alone a meditation.  I will try to fit it in when I go to bed this evening.

Herbal Tarot - The Sun - AngelicaToday’s draw is the Sun card, which is traditionally a representation of hope, joy, and fun.  The card is the epitome of positivity and vitality and often appears as a message of success.

I really like the last line of the guidebook’s interpretation of this card, which is “It’s time to regenerate the self and to follow the heart’s path.” What stood out to me (not surprisingly) in the imagery of the card, though, is the plant itself. Angelica archangelica is used spiritually to attract good energy and good fortune into one’s life, as well as to purify one’s energies so that one’s true heart path becomes clear to them.

The message in today’s card is one of enjoyment. It is a reminder to incorporate joy into my work and seek out the pleasure that creativity and creation bring. Today is one of my busy days, where prepping orders is the theme of the whole day. The message here is to bring joy into the process so that the day includes more pleasure and less obligation.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question: What is my relationship with sexuality?

Everyday Witch Tarot

Reading Summary: A cycle of greed (Six of Swords), overload (Ten of Wands), and then crash and burn (The Tower).  The interpretation of the first card is not off traditional meanings, but specifically off the imagery, which looks like thieves running away through the night.

Take Away:  What is described here is a cycle that we go through together on a pretty normal basis.  The issue here lies in the Tower card. It lies in the fact that when I have gorged myself to the full extent and am bloated and heavy with the goodness of our mutual pleasure, that then when my libido slips back into its normal lesser amount… I feel like I’m fucking up and the world is coming to an end.

It’s stupid, I know.  But ever since the RPLND, I can’t sustain that heightened libido and… it bugs me.  It feels like a failing.  Logically, I know that it’s not.  But, as we both know…. emotions are rarely logical.

DECK USED:  EVERYDAY WITCH TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Write something free form inspired by the cards.

Golden Girls TarotThe Sun – Maggie loved her life.  Every day was a dream filled with sunshine and roses.  She spend her time helping others and uplifting the spirits of everyone she knew. Never had she ever understood those that went through “clinical depression” and she always wondered why they couldn’t just “brighten up” and feel better.  All you had to do was turn your thoughts to positive things, after all.

The Tower – Then one day her husband was in an accident, and while he was in the hospital, she discovered that he was having an affair with a neighbor.  Her marriage and her life felt as if it was falling down around her, and for the first time in her life she was unable to find the light at the end of the tunnel.  No amount of positive thinking could make things better, and the discovery changed her life in ways that made seeing the positive impossible.

The Hanged Man – After a time, she took the advice of a friend and called a therapist and began going to regular appointments with a psychologist.   Through therapy, Maggie was able to see her split with her husband in a better light, and view the transition to a new life on her own as an opportunity instead of a disaster.  This new perspective, over time, allowed her to begin bringing positivity back into her life and her world view.

DECK USED:  GOLDEN GIRLS TAROT

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question: Why is honoring my own needs so important?

Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot

Reading Summary:  Depending on others (left card) can lead to either feelings of neglect (middle card) or micro management (right card).

Take Away:  If you don’t take care of you, who will?  More importantly… who will take care of you in the ways that you need?  Lots of people are happy to take care of this or that, but no one can take care of every need that another has, which leads to either a feeling of neglect or a feeling of being micromanaged.  Either way, it just doesn’t work. 

This is why it’s important to take care of yourself.  No one else can do it as well as you can.  Sometimes that means you can ask for help, though.  Just don’t expect that anyone is going to take it all on and do it as well as you can do it for yourself. Nor will others honor your needs if you don’t honor them first.

DECK USED:  NICOLETTA CECCOLI TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What takes me out of my comfort zone?

Trippin' Waite Tarot

Reading Summary:  I’m a big fan of stability (Four of Pentacles) and bounding forward at full charge to take risks (Knight of Swords), or to delve into the world of constantly flowing and shifting emotions (King of Cups), are definitely things that take me out of my comfort zone.

Take Away:  I’m not sure what more to say here.   I struggle with taking risks, and I struggle with that constantly shifting movement that is inherent in emotions.  I love being on solid footing and having a sense of stability and security.  Both taking risks and emotional shifts do not foster those qualities.   And yet, there are times when it’s necessary to delve into both, yeah?  It’s just a matter of choosing when and where.

DECK USED:  TRIPPIN’ WAITE TAROT