The Ostrich and the Frog

Today’s meditation was a self-directed ten minute session, focused upon the “Comfort Zone” card from The Az Oracle (shown) by @Sunni_Chapman and the guidance that came with that card.

That guidance says, “There’s a lot of chatter out there about leaving your comfort zone, and while that can be absolutely invigorating, I suggest taking your comfort zone with you! How? By bringing whatever comforts you, INTO your explorations, whether they are inner ones, outer ones, business ones, personal ones, relationship ones or otherwise… add some of your comforts to the mix!

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Jonasa Jaus Tarot 8th Edition - Eight of Swords and The Az OracleThe @GlitterbyInk #SeptemberSoul25 Challenge
Seeds of Intention Prompt for September 11th
: Alignment
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Eight of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of willful ignorance, self-imposed restrictions, turning a blind eye (especially when it can be harmful to self), and entertaining a victim mentality.

Okay, so… confession time. I have a tendency to play ostrich when I’m overwhelmed or angry about something. My very first inclination in those times is to pretend whatever it is… isn’t there. That it just doesn’t exist. Honestly? This willful ignorance sometimes pays off. Whatever it is sort itself out without my input or interference, or simply goes away on its own.

There’s a risk here, though.

The risk is that whatever is amiss becomes the new norm, and that by turning a blind eye to that situation I’ve begin to acclimate to this new norm without even realizing it.

When that happens again and again, it then becomes like that saying on how if you drop a frog into boiling water, it will jump out; but if you put it in first, and then slowly heat the water, soon you have frog soup without the frog ever even moving.

I don’t want to be frog soup.

This is why people stand up for their values, speak up when something doesn’t seem right, and protest when their rights or the rights of others are violated.

Today’s message ask us to consider… Are you listening to your moral compass and standing by your personal ethics and values? Or are you sticking your head in the sand and just hoping it will pass (whatever “it” is) regardless of the potential consequences? If the latter, what happens when the pot begins to boil and it’s then too late to say or do anything?

DECK USED:  JONASA JAUS TAROT 8th EDITION AND THE AZ ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2025 Challenge
Prompt for September 11th and 12th

Oracle Reading with the Sibyl of the Flora Oracle, Mary Feywood Postcard Collection, and the Astro Herbal Oracle CollectionYour Addiction – Stability (Juniper), safety (Pansy), and security (Balsamroot).

You’ve spent a long time developing these qualities in your life, and enjoy the fruits of those laborers. You are so focused, even now, I’m creating these things, though, that you often forget that there is more to life than that foundation you have so diligently built for yourself.

How to Introduce Moderation – Don’t allow that clever dark side of negativity and pessimism within you to get the wiggle room it needs to take root and make itself at home (Fox and Fae). Instead, make sure you are making time to get out in nature. Healing resides there if you’re willing to soak it in (Quiet Spot).

What personal growth should you be directing energy toward at this time?

You need to continue to focus on fostering the positivity and optimism (Camu Camu) needed to ease your anxieties (Ginger) and help you stay clear headed (Cerato).

You can’t think clearly when you’re anxieties are running wild, and your anxieties are fed by your natural tendency toward pessimism and negative self talk. You’ve been working for quite some time on the personal growth of slipping more positivity and optimism into your life, and you need to continue on this path.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Citrine for Energy Lift (easing the weight of heavy energies)
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SIBYL OF THE FLORA ORACLE, MARY FEYWOOD POSTCARD SET, ASTRO HERBAL ORACLE COLLECTION (I – III)

Daily Self Kindness

I picked up some chocolatey cereal at the store for breakfast tomorrow.

Recovery Takes Time

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Jonasa Jaus Tarot's Five of Pentacles and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate AllanToday’s draw is the Five of Coins combined with the affirmation “The amount of recharge time you need is entirely reasonable.”

Don’t feel like you need less rest (or punish yourself by not giving yourself enough rest) because things with the business and finances are in a time of scarcity right now. You still need the same amount of rest whether things are good or bad in the moment. Being unkind to yourself about it just makes it harder to recharge as you need.

Give yourself the rest you need. This is especially important right now when you’ve been sick.

DECK USED:  JONASA JAUS TAROT 4TH EDITION AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Tarot Trails Prompt
Questions for March 3rd and 4th

The Green Witch's Oracle Deck and Jonasa Jaus Tarot - Strength, The Sun, Queen of Pentacles, Seven of PentaclesExperience: What (new experience) A should I seek out this month that could support my personal growth?

The Sun Rx atop Strength, Sage – Clear out the manipulation in your life that is making you unhappy. This doesn’t mean cutting those people out of your life, but rather pointing out to them what they are doing (no matter how subtly they’re doing it) and that you are  unhappy with how they are treating you.

Explore: What opportunity for exploration am I being called to pursue?

Queen of Coins, Tend atop Earthworm – You need time digging in the dirt and communing with the green. It’s not yet time to start planting on your balcony, but it’s coming. Don’t put it off due to worrying that you won’t get the chance to keep it up like last year. Dive in and get your hands dirty.

What makes this essential at this time?

Seven of Coins and Oak Tree – The best growth comes from a good foundation. Making plans and making sure that you are planting those seeds when they need to be planted is important for a strong and healthy balcony garden. Not only that, but it gives you something to look forward to.

DECK USED: JONASA JAUS TAROT 4TH EDITION AND THE GREEN WITCH’S ORACLE DECK

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap today even though I really didn’t want to.  I’m starting to feel better, though, and the nap helped with that.

Weekly Creativity Prompt – The World

Prompt: “Pull the Hermit card from your deck(s). Compare the imagery between the card provided below and the card(s) from your own deck(s). How would you read them differently and why?

Tarot of the Hidden Realm - The WorldTarot of the Hidden Realm – Resplendent and spent, she lies among the green  and exhales a sigh of relief as butterflies flutter around her and reminder her of hope and that after she has taken this moment of rest?  She will rise to dance with them, and a new journey will begin. The imagery in this card speaks of relief, hope, and continuation. Just because we come to the end of one journey doesn’t mean it’s the end of everything… it simply means that you need to take a moment to orient yourself, and then lean into hope as you rise again.

Magickal Nature Tarot, Josana Jaus Tarot, Monsoon Tarot

Magical Nature Tarot – She dances in joyous celebration, skirt flared as she twirls in a feeling of completion and pleasure. She is there to remind us that endings are not to be mourned, but celebrated.  They mean that we have completed something.  A phase… a journey… it’s not dying but completing, and in that completion we find a touch of sadness yes.  But we need to focus on all the good it offers, the feelings of success and the boon we are being given and will be able to then carry with us into the future with a light step, lighter shoulders, and an even lighter heart.

Jonasa Jaus Tarot 7th Edition – Growing life within the womb is a miracle of womanhood, and the journey is both a beautiful blessing and a heavy burden. There is so much that can go wrong, and so much to take on, so many changes and so much discomfort. And when it’s time… and the birth comes? Well that can hurt too, and yet it too is a blessing beyond compare.  This card speaks of the boon and the bane that comes with growth and rebirth. You can’t have one without the other, but the end is worth the struggle when it comes down to it.

Monsoon Tarot – A figure emerges from a bed of flowers like they are slipping free of a Faerie mound, a nest rests as a crown on their head, eggs nestled within it and others lying among the flowers. This card speaks strongly of rebirth.  The World circles around back to the Fool, and what I see here is the Fool at rest before they wake and begin to move. It is that moment of pause where you acknowledge all you have accomplished and take a breath.  When your eyes open, you will step into the shoes of the Fool once more and an exciting new journey will begin.

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM, MAGICAL NATURE TAROT, JONASA JAUS TAROT 7TH EDITION, MONSOON TAROT

More Grounding, Less Fukery

TToday’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and focused upon balancing your own self care with that of caring for others.

Although my personal self care is usually sacrificed under the altar of fiscal responsibility, this does come a close second for me.  Especially with those that I am close with like my sister, and… reluctantly, my mother.

I’m aware that I’ve fallen into a bit of a self-neglect mode the last few days…er, weeks. And that has started to awaken my self destruct tendencies.  SO I’m doing my best to try and force myself into doing the self-care things I need, whether I’m really up for it or not.

Essentially, that is what today’s meditation was about.  Taking care of yourself.  Making sure you’re okay so that you can help others be okay too.  Sort of like putting on your oxygen mask on a plane before you help others with putting on theirs.

Temperance - Circle of Life TarotToday’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of themes concerning moderation and balance in all things.

As I’ve written recently in a previous post, balance requires constant adjustment, compensation, and compromise in order to make it work.  The imagery that stands out to me in this card is very much focused upon the two cups, but also the sparks of light that surround the angel. Sparks that appear to be made of the same essence of what is in the cups.

The message here is that yes, things feel like they are falling apart, and my scales of balance are way off kilter at the moment… but this is temporary.  Finding balance might take a bit of effort and careful experimentation, but I will find a way to keep the scales balanced if I work at it with patience and a calm, clear mind.

DECK USED:  CIRCLE OF LIFE TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMarch Challenge Prompt
Question
: How can I distinguish between healthy enthusiasm and potentially destructive impulsivity?

Reigning Rouge Tarot

Intuitive Interpretation:  Lack of Impulse

Take Away:  There is no impulse in these cards.  There’s no pounce and GO to them.  Even in the page where things are new and enthusiastic, it is in the grounded and steady suit of Pentacles.   What I see here is that if I want to tell the difference between healthy enthusiasm and destructive impulse, it’s in that lack of impulsiveness.  It’s in having forethought and grounded enthusiasm combined with that inner compass of right and wrong.  It’s grounded and solid, not flighty and impetuous.

DECK USED:  REIGNING ROUGE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2020 Challenge Prompt
Question
: Where do I need more support?

Janasa Jaus Tarot

Intuitive Interpretation:  Try again.  STOP being such a dick to yourself.  You’re tired and frustrated.  That’s okay, but it’s time to let go of the blame.

Take Away:  There is a need to bear down on practical actions in order to get myself through the “weeds” of the situation that I currently find myself in and not allow myself to fall into a place of self recriminations and self destruction.  Everyone is fucked right now. It’s not just me.  The economy and the health crisis, the whole thing. It’s a mess.  I didn’t cause it, I didn’t DO anything wrong.  There is absolutely nothing to beat myself up about.

These cards are telling me to not let that inner prick that likes to pick on myself take control even if it means enlisting the help of others to make that happen.  Stay grounded and keep moving forward.  You might not be able to see the end of the field through the tall grass, but it’s there… just make sure each step you take in getting there is based in the solid footing of practicality…. and for fuck sake, get yourself on a schedule already so you can move at a steady, dependable pace.

DECK USED:  JONASA JAUS TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Activity
: Draw 1-3 cards. What symbols speak most strongly to you in today’s card(s)?

A Darisa Tarot: The Lomisht

Reading Summary:   What stands out to me in these cards most strongly is the blood in the first card and how it matches the hues of the last card, but how the color scheme of the first matches the scheme of the second.  There is also a personal draw to the rain represented in the middle card, which to me represents a kind of contentment that goes beyond having “everything” and into a pleasure you can only have when having nothing.  This creates an interesting connection between the cards that indicates the beginning of a relationship rather than coming to the end of a cycle as the center card would normally indicate.   The concrete tablet in the last card stands out to me as well, speaking of road blocks between the flames of one’s aspirations and themselves if the sacrifice hinted at by the blood of the first card is not met.

Message in the Cards:  Sometimes partnerships take a bit of sacrifice in order to make them flourish and come out with positive results in the end.

DECK USED:  A DARISA TAROT: THE LOMISHT

 

Soaking Up Some Vitamin D

Today’s meditation was delayed until tonight when I go to bed because today has been quite busy and just didn’t have the time (or want to take time from other things, if I’m honest) to settle in and do the meditation earlier in the day.  Morning meditation is definitely more beneficial for me, though, on a whole.

The Sun - Circle of Life TarotToday’s draw is The Sun card, which is a representation of themes that include optimism,  fun, and positivity.

I still don’t see that in this card, to be honest.  But that seems to be the theme of this deck as a whole that my intuitive hits upon the imagery are of an entirely different vein than traditional meanings, or even the meanings in the book that came with the deck.

What I see in the imagery of this card today has to do with the defensive stance of the woman in the card, and the radiant power behind her.  That power feels like it is empowering her and providing strength.

What I see here is that I need some time outside, and… that’s fitting since that’s exactly what went on today.   Not around people…. okay so mostly not around people.   I took my sister and Z to the woods for a walk and we stopped over at the wetlands to enjoy some sun as well.     There were no other people around, and it was a nice (and needed) outing that seems to have given not just our bodies but our souls a refreshing breath of fresh air.

DECK USED:  CIRCLE OF LIFE TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMarch Challenge Prompt
Question
: What am I being invited to reflect upon this spring?

Tarocco degli Animali

Reading Summary: How I do things and how I can do them differently (l’Appeso) and better (La Giustizia) in order to get more out of life (Four of Cups) and foster a better outcome (La Torre Rx).

Take Away:  At the beginning of the year, I wanted to start restructuring how I did things with my business, but it had to be put off because of that fog of fear created as the reactions to last fall’s letter caught up with me.   Now, I am essentially being forced into slowing down and the cards are indicating that this situation is the prime opportunity I need to begin looking at making some changes  to better balance not just my business, but my home life as well.  It’s time to start looking at how I can do things differently moving forward, and start considering what small changes I can start making to move toward that vision.

DECK USED:  TAROCCO DEGLI ANIMALI

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2020 Challenge Prompt
Question
: What is my greatest weakness?

Wildwood Tarot

Intuitive Interpretation: Letting my thoughts run away with me until I’m so wrapped up in them and so worked up by them that I’m stuck in a state of catastrophizing.

Take Away:  So I readily admit this is absolutely something that I do… and yet even though I am aware I do it and don’t particularly find it at all wise or useful?  I still somehow manage to do it anyway.  I think it might be a part of the cycle of how I motivate myself to do shit I don’t really want to do… but turned into an avenue that becomes a detriment rather than useful.

DECK USED:  WILDWOOD TAROT (TRIMMED)

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question
: Draw a card and record the feelings you experience.

Jonasa Jaus TarotShe is protected and can therefore let go and be free.  She is sensual, and he is rapt. He watches on, holding flowers that are just for her… even if the truth is she handed them to him to hold for her rather than them being a gift.  The true gift here is his protection

The dynamic between the cards feels like a romance.  A secret love not acted upon by either party due to station, or due to the sweet taste of drawing out the temptation into a seduction all its own.

DECK USED:  JONASA JAUS TAROT

Hidden Threads of Inner Strength

IMG_3125Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and focused upon stepping outside one’s comfort zone.  The guided meditation spoke on how sometimes we need to step outside our comfort zone, and how as we do this again and again, our comfort zone begins to expand, and our ability to handle discomfort increases.

I think that everyone needs this reminder from time to time. It’s easy to want to nuzzle down into what’s comfortable and wall yourself into those places. The thing is, though, that it’s important to to step outside of those comfort zones… because life is meant to be lived, and a part of living a rich and fulfilling life is experiencing new things.

High Priestess - Hush TarotToday’s draw is the High Priestess card of the Major Arcana.   The Major Arcana cards deal with “big picture” themes that are not pared down into specific aspects of the human experience.  Traditionally, the High Priestess is a representation of intuition, the subconscious, and other hidden things connected to one’s senses, motivations, and spirituality.

Two things in this card’s imagery really stand out to me.  First is the bird cupped in her hand that whispers into her ear.   The other is the Catherine the Great quote wrapped around her wrist.  The full quote says “I may be kindly, I am ordinarily gentle, but in my line of business I am obliged to will terribly what I will at all.”  The quote’s presence holds special meaning for me in reference to this card.  It speaks of having an inner core of steel beneath a soft exterior.

The message in today’s card is about inner strength.  It’s about the inner strength that intuition can create within someone that trusts that inner voice implicitly and allows it to help guide their steps.

DECK USED:  HUSH TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMarch Challenge Prompt
Question
: Where would I benefit from readjusting my trajectory at this time?

Jonasa Jaus Tarot

Reading Summary: Let go of the shit that’s holding me back (Six of Coins) from making the steps forward into new territory (Ace of Swords).  Shit that’s holding me back? The stuff that has triggered my need to guard myself (Nine of Wands).

(The connection between the Six of Coins and the Nine of Wands is in the color coordination between the two cards.)

Take Away:  The fearful mindset and fog that resulted from it from “the letter” caused a bit of a mess for me and made me very “defense oriented”.  It’s time to let go of that mindset and stride forward confidently once more.

DECK USED:  JONASA JAUS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2020 Challenge Prompt
Question
: What in my life needs changing?

New Choice Tarot de Marseille

Reading Summary:  Emotional communication (Two of Cups) is not my strong suit, but instead of ignoring my emotions or refusing to try (Four of Cups), it’s time to examine my methods (Four of Cups Rx). I need to allow my development to move forward and mature into something new (Death)

Take Away:  Don’t shoot yourself in the foot by falling back on old habits.  If I want to continue to learn to connect to my feelings, I need to communicate what is going on with me emotionally rather than ignoring it or shoving it away. 

DECK USED:  NEW CHOICE TAROT DE MARSEILLE

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
OK, so in my opinion the original question for today’s prompt was not phrased well… So I rephrased the original question in two different ways and here are the results for each.

Question: How can I keep myself safe while using my intuition?

Tarot of the Golden Wheel

Intuitive Interpretation:  Trust.  These cards are about trust, and taking action based on that trust.  My intuition is an authority that weighs above thought and sparks from those mysterious insides rather than the brain or the physical.  Being safe while using my intuition requires absolute trust.

Question: How can I keep myself safe by using my intuition? (ie: How can I use my intuition to keep myself safe?)

Tarot of the Golden Wheel

Reading Summary:  You have all the tools necessary (Magician), you just need to be willing to listen to your intuition (Knight of Cups).  Allow your gut to sing, and avoid overreactions (Temperance).

Take Away:  This is something that I already do, as I’ve been using my intuition as one of those way in which I navigate the world for a very long time.  Over the past twelve years, my intuition has become stronger and stronger, which to me means there is a clear connection between emotions and intuition.  I don’t claim to know or understand that connection or how it works, but as I’ve become more in touch with my emotions and torn down more of the walls that I have hidden my emotions behind, my intuition has become stronger and less muffled. 

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE GOLDEN WHEEL