#lucetinauroraMaartTarotChallenge

Watch For the Quiet Ones

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Likely Tarot - Five of SwordsToday’s draw is the Five of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of conflict, tests, and trials in the areas of communication, intellect, education, thought, and logic. This often translates into things that have to do with arguments and misunderstandings.

What stands out to me in the imagery for this card is not the feathers hanging in the sky, but the flowers that gather at the bottom and the promise of danger that they pose.   It feels that they are a reminder that there are two different types of people when their angry.  There’s the type full of flash and fire that will confront you head on, and the quiet type that will simmer in silence but is far more toxic and dangerous in the end.

The message in today’s card is a reminder that when it comes to conflict, make sure that you pay attention to the quiet ones.  Everything is not as okay as it might seem, and when they go quiet? It’s time to put in a little more effort to finding common ground.

DECK USED:  THE LIKELY TAROT

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Wander Lust Challenge Prompt
Question for March 5th: How can I embrace and use my natural environment to help me with my current journey?

L'oracle des MurmuresReading Summary: Balance in life (center card) requires a balance of both work (left card) and play (right card).

Take Away: Not allowing yourself enough balance between play and work creates an imbalance in your life that makes it harder for you to communicate with others, and also harder for you to connect with your intuition.

You need to get out in the green, even when there might not be as much green around as you’d like. Take an easy path through the forest, if needed.

Just making sure you’re getting out there at all will help you in balancing out your life so that you can enjoy your work more, and other elements in your life will feel less disjointed as a result.

DECK USED: L’ORACLE DES MURMURES

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2023 Challenge Prompt
Prompt for March 5th: Do Spread 1 – With spring approaching, it’s time to start cleaning out the old energies of hibernation and stagnation that winter can often bring. In this spread look for those thoughts and things that need to be let go in order to allow you to flourish this spring.

The Likely TarotWhat do I need to let go of to…

Ease My Mind – Ace if Swords and Two of Wands – New plans and new aspirations need to take a backseat as you move into spring this year. Let yourself just live in the moment and enjoy yourself instead of always looking forward to what new opportunities may be just around the corner.

Lighten My Heart – Justice Rx and The Hanged Man – You have a choice when you make a decision on how you look at things. You can look at them from a balanced and more forgiving perspective, or as a punisher meting out consequences. Choose the former and allow an attitude of forgiveness to rise up the spring, rather than leaning into harsher viewpoints.

Free My Creative Spark – King of Wands and Knight of Pentacles – You don’t always have to be top dog on every passion project. Allow yourself to drop the ball every once in a while, and see how quickly others move to pick it up.

DECK USED: THE LIKELY TAROT

@lucet.in.aurora.tarot’s #lucetinauroraMaartTarotChallenge Prompt
Prompt for March 5th: These cards were “besties”.

Hanson Roberts Tarot and The Herbal TarotAlthough not my first deck (which was a complete disaster and only worth mentioning in discussions about owning decks that don’t work for the reader and/or are unsuitable for learning), these two were the second and third decks I ever owned, and the first that I ever connected strongly with.

The Hanson Roberts Tarot (left) and Herbal Tarot (right) traveled together from living situation to living situation, from shelter to couch to car to cardboard box, and eventually from home to home throughout my mid-to-late teens.

They are the best of friends, and will always be connected in my mind through the bond from those years in my life.

DECK USED: HANSON ROBERTS TAROT AND HERBAL TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I ordered pizza and made chocolate chip cookies for myself today.

Let Them Learn

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_E1670Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was a Daily Calm session from the Calm app.

The topic of today’s session was non-contention.  That is, how life can move a bit smoother if we choose to allow the struggles and obstacles in life to flow around us and us go with the flow… rather than fighting against the current.

Not everything has to be a fight, and being oppositional all the time holds a great deal of unnecessary struggle and strife.

IMG_E1671Today’s draw is the Justice card, which is traditionally a representation of repercussions and other themes that have to do with cause and effect, and can often indicate the involvement of law enforcement or the legal system within a situation.

I like how the sharp edges in the artwork of this card match so well the theme of Justice as a whole.  That knowing look and the sharp edges of the woman make it clear that there is no mercy here, only repercussions.

Today’s card is a reminder that it’s okay to be harsh now and then.  Sometimes, for people to learn their lessons?  A little harshness is needed.  You cant sugar coat and carefully pillow things forever, or they’ll never learn.

DECK USED:  THE ALCHEMIST’S BOOK OF SHADOWS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2023 Challenge Prompt
Questions for March 3rd and 4th

IMG_E1672Caregiver Appreciation Day – What caregiver in your life is in need of loving care in return?

Cat Alice – It’s Z.  I can’t even pick out why in this card I see her in the imagery, but I do.  Not just in the pose of the Cat Alice, but even in the transposed shadows on the wall.  It’s her.

How can I provide that person the loving care that they need?

Unseen Dangers atop The Way Up – Offer her a life line. Remind her that you’re there, hand out and willing to help lift her up when she needs it.  Sometimes, that fact gets lost in murky waters and she begins to feel far too alone.

Hug a GI Day – Service comes in many forms, what service can you do for others today?

Decluttering – Give others a hand up by talking with them sincerely and helping them to sort out what is working for them from what isn’t.  This goes beyond just the sorting process, as these people in your life might also need a bit of encouragement to actually leave behind those things that aren’t working instead of keeping it all as litter in their lives.

DECK USED: THE ANSWER IS WITHIN METAPHORIC CARDS

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Wander Lust Challenge Prompt
Questions for March 3rd and 4th
And @lucet.in.aurora.tarot’s #lucetinauroraMaartTarotChallenge Prompt
Prompt for March 4th: A reading by candle light.

IMG_E1673What part of me am I encouraged to show, express or share more?

Six of Cups – It’s important to connect with good memories. When you share history with others that know you and were there, they help you to not just see the good, but see the past more clearly as a whole.

Where am I to use my instincts and follow my intuition?

Four of Cups – Keep going with your meditation. It’s only been a few days, but you know that in keeping up with it, it will allow your intuition’s voice to speak more loudly.

Why is this important for me?

Ten of Wands atop The Emperor – In order to make good decisions for yourself and others, and not feel overwhelmed by it all, you need the balance that meditation provides as well as the stronger connection it provides you to your intuition.

DECK USED: THE ALCHEMIST’S BOOK OF SHADOWS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I didn’t sleep much last night, so I gave myself license to take a couple of naps today to work at catching up on some of the sleep I’d missed.

The Threshold

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

DailyCalm with the Calm AppToday’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the Daily Calm meditation sessions from the Calm app. The topic of today’s meditation was the humanity based philosophy of Ubuntu which, in my understanding, is in many key ways very similar to Confucianism (interesting article comparing the two was found here).

The session spoke of our happiness being reliant on the happiness of those around us, and  how connecting with others we can grow a more happy environment and life than by selfishly keeping all joy and happiness to ourselves and leaving others out of it.

Nigel Jackson Tarot - The World cardToday’s draw is the World card, which is traditionally a representation of completing a journey and the potential that comes from growth, which can allow us to then begin a new journey (note, that the World is not about the new journey, but rather the end of the old and the potential for what’s next).

When the figure steps through the laurel wreath on the card, it the symbolism of a new beginning. As they step through the wreath, they leave behind the old, and look forward as they cross the threshold into the future. The key in this card is in the fact that this figure is not behind the laurel wreath about to step through, nor in front of it, already having crossed the threshold.  Instead, the figure is in the process of crossing, one foot in the past and the other in the future.

In this liminal space between the past and the future, there is a huge amount of potential, and that is what today’s card is about.  The message in this card is all about potential go after what you want… to make the future what you want it to be. Make sure, as you cross out of the past into the future that you keep your eyes forward and know what you want for yourself, who you want to be, and what you want to become.

DECK USED:  THE NIGEL JACKSON TAROT

@lucet.in.aurora.tarot’s #lucetinauroraMaartTarotChallenge Prompt
Prompt for March 3rd: Your significator (the court card that “is” you)

Nigel Jackson Tarot - Queen of CoinsQueen of Coins – I mentioned this card in this exact same question just the other day, but I figured I’d expand a little bit on my answer this time around.

The Queen of Coins is often about balancing responsibilities with an effort towards nurturing multiple themes in one’s life at once. Home life and work need equal attention to grow and be healthy, and the Queen of Coins seeks to do just that. In fostering both themes, there is a need for balance and a strong and grounded foundation from which to work from.

This figure works best when rooted in stability, and in turn provides stability to others both at home and at work.

This is the stability and balance that I strive to create each day for both myself and for those around me.  Through that endeavor I seek always to put home and work in harmony and balance, rather than at odds.

DECK USED: THE NIGEL JACKSON TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap. A much longer nap than I intended to, but I feel much better now.

That Morning Spark

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Tarot by Kalan - Ace of WandsToday’s draw is the Ace of Wands, which is traditionally interpreted as a seed, new start, or beginnings concerning one’s drive, ambitions, or passions. This often comes across in themes concerning the spark of new inspiration or new opportunities relating to one’s interests and ambitions.

I was in contemplation earlier and came across the realization that I no longer seem to have something that pulls me out of bed with eager anticipation in the morning, and in the face of that… I’m finding it harder and harder to not dawdle in bed, stay longer and sleep more instead of embracing the arrival of each day with open arms.

Today’s card is a reminder that this is something I need, and if it’s not something I’m getting?  Then it turns my entire perception of the world upside down.  Therefore, the message here is that it’s  time to start looking for something that will spark that fire within once more each day when I wake up.  It’s time to start considering where to find my next spark of inspiration

DECK USED:  “THE TAROT” TAROT DECK

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Wander Lust Challenge Prompt
Question for March 2nd: What is ready to take shape or manifest for me?

Charm of Ink Inspiration CardsReading Summary: Taking time to slow down (Slowing Down the Pace) and meditate (Settling to the Meditation) will allow you to better handle times of uncertainty (In the Foggy Tower).

Take Away: Okay so, the cards have been nagging for months to pick back up a regular meditation practice.  Here is the clearest message yet.  You need to meditate.

Regular meditation doesn’t just provide you with physiological benefits of lowering your resting heart rate and blood pressure, but allows you to deal with a variety of stressors and uncertainties far more easily and gracefully than you do when you are not meditating regularly.

So get back to it and allow yourself that inner strength that it can provide for you in times of stress.

DECK USED: CHARM OF INK INSPIRATION CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for March 2nd: Old Stuff Day – What in your life is overdue for being tossed out?

The Tarot by Kalan - Two of Swords, Seven of Cups, Queen of Swords, Eight of PentaclesEight of Pentacles atop Queen of Swords Rx – The cruel and unhealthy narratives you direct toward yourself concerning your work and hard earned skills need to go. You’ve worked too hard and come too far to be still listening to that bullshit and allowing it to have an influence over your life and how you feel about yourself.

Seven of Cups atop Two of Swords Rx – The waffling and indecision need to stop. It’s time to step up and be more decisive in those areas where you have been hanging back in uncertainty. You will feel much better if you stop hesitating and just choose.  In fact,  you will feel much better even when you make the wrong choice, rather than making no choice at all.

DECK USED: “THE TAROT” TAROT DECK

@lucet.in.aurora.tarot’s #lucetinauroraMaartTarotChallenge Prompt
Prompt for March 2nd: The place where you read your cards.

Tarot Reading Table

I do readings a whole lot of different places from parks and cafes to friends homes, work places, laundromats, etc.  But, I can share the two places where I do the majority of my readings.

The first image (left) is my reading table at home.  What you see here is my reading table, spellcrafting workspace, and deck rack where I hold the decks that I’ve pulled to use for the month. The spellwork table is a solid table, but the reading table is actually a wooden tv tray with two square upside down serving trays stacked on top of it.  This allows me to have a large enough space for readings, even with large cards, and switch between the two grays for different wood grained surfaces in different sizes.

The second image (right) is the coffee table where I do readings usually at least once a week.  It’s located in a friend’s house that I consider to be my “home away from home”. In this picture, it’s in a different position than normal and usually sits with the couch over where the Christmas tree is in the pic.  When I read on this table, I use a reading cloth due to the reflective glass surface.

Daily Self Kindness

I just finished weeding out a total of fourteen campaigns from my pending list on KS.

It’s all up to you… no one else

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Fox & Owl Tarot Mini Deck - The ChariotToday’s draw is the Chariot card, which is traditionally a representation of control in action, moving forward with determination and willpower, motivation, and the success that is bred through these themes.

The imagery in this card says to me that you choose where you go and you choose the speed you get there. At a crossroads it’s entirely up to you which direction you choose, and with a bicycle, so too is it up to you if you walk the bike or ride it, and what speed you choose to ride at.

The message in today’s card is about autonomy and will, and is a reminder that sometimes we all have to seize control and steer our own boat (or bike).

On a personal note, this card comes at a time when I need to be reminded to get on track with catching up on orders, as my vacation is now over and there’s a backlog to plow through.  It is telling me to strap on and get moving, put my determination to the task, and get things done in order to stay on my chosen path and not be lead astray.

DECK USED:  FOX & OWL TAROT MINI DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2023 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for March 1st: Is generosity an inherent virtue, or is it learned behavior?

The Cantigee OracleReading Summary: Sometimes it’s a leap spurred by inner inspiration (A Charmed Leap), but usually it’s learned behavior (The Infinite Web) through experience (The Living Mountain).

Take Away: As seems to be the answer for a lot of different philosophical questions, the cards here indicate that there isn’t just one pat simple answer.

These cards indicate that sometimes, people feel inspired to be generous through their own hearts. This appears to be from people with truly beautiful souls and is a rarity.   Far more often, generosity is learned through the example of others and through our own life experiences.

DECK USED: THE CANTIGEE ORACLE

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Wander Lust Challenge Prompt
Questions for March 1st

Fox & Owl Tarot Mini Deck - Page of Swords, Death, Three of Wands, High PriestessWhat am I guided to open myself up to, or explore this month?

Page of Swords and Death – Work on accepting that curiosity and the urge to explore and learn new things has a natural ebb and flow, just like everything else in life. Sometimes it’s on, and you’re ready to go, and other times you just need a bit of a break and to let it go.

How can this help me?

Three of Wands and The High Priestess – This can teach you that you can put things away and pick them back up later, instead of having to plow through to the end all at once. It will also allow you to turn your energy and attention in the direction of your intuition during down times, strengthening that bond with your intuition and how it communicates with you.

DECK USED: FOX & OWL TAROT MINI DECK

Daily Self Kindness

I had some play with Gideon while working on orders today.  It was a nice balance.  Tomorrow will be busy, but I needed a little more us time.