The Challenge of Easing Up

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, self-directed, and based upon the graphic by @twinkling.toad shown below and its words “If being hard on yourself worked… it would have worked by now.”

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Neo Tarot's Eight of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of hard work, expertise through practice, honing a skill, quality craftsmanship, handicrafts, and manifestations through skill and hard work. The card is often  the embodiment of the “practice makes perfect” adage.

I am spectacular at self-degradation and abuse. It’s a skill that was developed early, practiced often, and grown over a lifetime of practice and reinforcement.

These days I’m working on some new skills. Skills geared toward self-kindness and appreciation. I’m not going to lie… it’s hard going. But maybe, if I put as any years of effort into it as were put into self-recriminations and cruelty, I will become just as skilled at this new path as I have become at the old one.

Because, that old path? It’s just not working for me anymore. I came to that understanding a few years ago, and realized it was time to start breaking those long-ingrained habits, and to replace them with healthier ones.

What long ingrained unhealthy habits are you holding onto that aren’t working for you? Today’s card and meditation prompt ask if it isn’t time to start working on changing them into something healthier.

DECK USED:  NEO TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2025 Challenge
Prompt for April 21st, 22nd, 24th, and 25th
:

Oracle Reading with the Human Spirit OracleWhat difficult truth do you need to acknowledge?

Baby I’m a Star – You are far more capable (and interesting) than you realize. It’s difficult to set that ingrained modesty aside, but others can see you shine even when you cannot.

How can you accept this truth more fully?

Master of Destiny – Look at all you have accomplished and acknowledge that you have the skills, experience, and thirst for knowledge needed to tackle any obstacle that may come your way.

What illusion is clouding your perception?

Bound for Boundaries – Your boundaries are are being tinkered with more than you realize, and therefore not as stable as you think. Take care not to allow little everyday things to stretch your boundaries even in small ways right now, because bit by bit they’ll end up stretched out of shape if you do.

How can you break free of this illusion?

Any Way (the Wind Blows) – Be flexible, but only within the scope of what feels right for you. Don’t ignore your niggles of discomfort, for they are telling you something you need to hear.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Mugo Pine Cone for Resilience and Longevity
Pressed Pansy Flower for for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: HUMAN SPIRIT ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I took time to actually make a grocery list instead of just “winging it” as I have been doing lately, which always ends up with me forgetting something.

Movement Needed

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Once Upon a Time Cards, and Dawn of Dreams Tarot - Two of CoinsToday’s draw is the Two of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of juggling responsibilities, work/life balance, and prioritization.

There is always movement in the Two of Coins (Pentacles), no matter the tarot system you use. (This particular card is of the Marseille variety.) This is because balance isn’t stagnant, but a constant shift of adjustments.

Sometimes we forget that balance doesn’t always apply just to the physical world it’s not all about work/life balance, or the things that we do and don’t do in our lives. It’s also about thoughts, intentions, and emotions.

When we try to balance these things out, whether through efforts toward optimism to balance out natural pessimistic inclinations, or instilling more kindness and understanding to balance out our self-judgements, it’s important to remember that what works today may be either too much or not enough tomorrow.

We all have a storyteller in our heads that likes to speak to us of our shortcomings and spill out “what if” scenarios with worrisome endings. Instead of sticking to a rigid plan or practice, we need to be able to adapt foster that balance as the storyteller in our head adapts to try and upset it. In this way, movement becomes a dance so that the balance can be maintained.

DECK USED:  DAWN OF DREAMS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2025 Challenge
Prompts for April 17th thru 19th:

Oracle Reading with the Spirit Animals Message CardsWhat in life weighs you down?

Echidna – One of the things that weighs you down in life is the assumption that just because you need to remain vigilant and cautious for your safety means that you can’t be adventurous and explore new ideas. Stagnancy is not the protection that your fears and emotions tell you it is. Instead of trying to resist change and developments, work at adapting to them.

What in life lifts you up?

Rabbit – you are uplifted by your creativity and the ability to be inspired by new ideas at the drop of a hat. This is a sign of an agile mind and a healthy creative spark, and you need to make sure that you are remaining flexible to the world around you so that you can foster these qualities within yourself.

In what aspect of life do you need a new perspective?

Condor – Holding grudges gives people space in your mind and emotions rent free. Look at those that you continue to hold resentment towards and consider letting go. In purging these emotions and resentments, you can then allow yourself to move forward with a much healthier inner space.

What would this new perspective look like?

Mouse – This new perspective would allow you to turn your attention to a more mindful outward view as your inner space would feel more comfortable and less defensive. This in turn opens you up to a wider range of perceptions around you.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Cedar Heart with Feather Moss Sprout for Protection of Understanding
Citrine for Energy Lift (easing the weight of heavy energies)
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SPIRIT ANIMALS MESSAGE CARDS

Daily Self Kindness

I shared with Gid my concerns of a new stalker development that I’ve been worrying over last night, and today, I made sure to put some thought into his responses and concerns. I also did a few precautionary activities to make sure this person will find it harder to find my exact location.