Next World Tarot

Pay Closer Attention

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and was focused upon pain reduction through pranayama (breathing exercises). Honestly? I was having a bit of an anxious morning to begin with, as my family doctor’s phone was on the fritz and when I tried to call there was a “this line is no longer in service”.  It gave me a serious “oh fuck” moment as I worried if I was going to be able to get my refills.  (It’s all sorted now. I ran down there and talked to the receptionist in person. Apparently they’re having “phone problems”.)

Next World Tarot - Two of SwordsToday’s draw is the Two of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of struggling with a difficult choice and weighing your options in an effort to come to a decision.  It can also indicate an avoidance of making a choice, as is demonstrated by the blindfold.

Okay so… I didn’t see the significance of this when I pulled the card this morning.  I didn’t even guess that the fact that the rock the woman is sitting on looks like a toilet would be a warning of what was to come today.   Totally missed that message until it was too late.

And then… I look closer and realize that it actually is a toilet.  Jesus christ I really wasn’t paying attention this morning.

Right.  Tummy problems.  Today’s message was to watch out for tummy problems.  I did not listen… and I’m now paying the price.

Okay, really tho.   Today’s message is about making good choices.  I made a really bad choice today and the card gave me a very literal warning that I completely missed until it was too late.   It’s all about the good choices.

DECK USED:  NEXT WORLD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthAugust Challenge Prompt
Topic: I’m plagued by anxiety.
Question: Why have I struggled to hear anxiety’s messages in the past?

Tarot of Why

Reading Summary: Because the newness of it (Ace of Swords) has blinded me (Eight of Swords) and causes a need to regroup (Four of Swords).  This then smothers out the light (The Sun) by muffling my motivation (Knave of Wands Rx).

Take Away:  When a spike of anxiety happens, it feels like it’s coming out of the blue.  It’s painful and so “new” feeling that it leaves me stumbling blindly, as if reeling from a blow.  Because I react in this way, I then need recovery afterward, which steals away motivation and muffles out opportunities for more positive experiences.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF WHY

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Use Care / Be Carefree

Stunning TarotUse Care – Warrior of Swords – Use care both in your ambition but also in your comebacks. When you quip, sometimes it can be taken as more cutting than you intend it to be. Make sure that you are not getting so focused on your ambitions that you lose track of everything else around you.

Be Carefree – Three of Swords – You worry too much.  You spend too much time focusing on the negative and viewing the world through a pessimistic lens.  Stop closing your eyes to all of the good that surrounds you and work at being more carefree in enjoying things from a more positive and optimistic viewpoint

DECK USED:  STUNNING TAROT

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot#ElementalChallenge
Question: Water, when I am ready to release and flow, what should I know?

Alan Tarot

Reading Summary: There are always going to be others that care about me (Two of Hearts) and have the same vision as I do to help me along the way in my endeavors (Three of Diamonds).  Make sure that you aren’t leaving these people behind in your effort to find something better (Six of Spades).

Take Away:  “Release and Flow” is such a foreign concept to me. But the advice here makes sense.  If “release and flow” means going with the flow to move on from something crappy into a better situation, then it’s important not to leave those behind that are your support system and have a piece of your heart in their hands.  They should be along with you for the ride.

DECK USED:  ALAN TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What are my gifts?

Sacred Rose Tarot

Reading Summary: Diving into creative endeavors and passionate goals (Knight of Wands). Knowing when to cut and run (Six of Swords)… and when to stay and fight (Five of Swords).

Take Away:  Sometimes a gift can also be a curse, and the first part of the answer for this question is definitely one of those.  The gift of being able to hone in on my focus and plow into my intent, to go after what I want with single minded determination is both a gift… and a curse.  Because when you have that kind of focus, and that kind of drive?  Sometimes you forget about all the other important things that need to be tended to as well.

The second gift is the ability to know when it’s time to walk away, and when it’s time to stay and fight.  When I walk away, I do so for good reason.  It’s for my own health and well-being, and I rarely look back on these decisions.  On the other side of this coin, when I dig in my heels and decide to stay and fight for something I believe in, I become relentless in that and the determination and conviction I bring with me into these situations more often than not turns the table to my benefit.

DECK USED:  SACRED ROSE TAROT

Hope Lives… Even In Darkness

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and I was a little fidgety. I think it was because I got so much sleep last night that I ended up with a bit of excess energy trying to find a way free. Or maybe my body and mind just liked the hike so much yesterday that it was itching to go out for another one.   That is very possible as well.

Next World TarotToday’s draw is the Five of Pentacles, which is a representation of struggles, tests, trials, and conflicts in the area of one’s finances, resources, hearth and home, health, or manifestations.

The there was no one thing that really stood out to me in this card today, but what really stood out was the overall atmosphere.  All the buildings for sale and this girl sits with all her things packed up looking out at what surely feels like a wasteland at this moment.  In truth, the imagery really hit home considering the news that I’d gotten the other day about the possible fate of my own home.

I think sometimes we all have that feeling of the world falling apart around us.  When we’re in that moment, it’s hard to see that there might be a light down there at the end of the tunnel.  We don’t realize that we just can’t see it yet.

The message in today’s card is to not give up hope… even when things feel hopeless.  Even when things feel like they’re falling apart.   Don’t give up hope. This is just one more than that’s only temporary.

DECK USED:  NEXT WORLD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthAugust Challenge Prompt
Topic: I’m plagued by anxiety.
Question: How is anxiety trying to help me?

Odd Hand Tarot

Reading Summary: My anxiety is trying to warn me when I become too confident (Six of Wands) in my security and stability (King of Pentacles)… so that I can make sure I’m seeing the path before me clearly and won’t end up tripping over anything along the way (Eight of Cups).

Take Away:  Sometimes when you get a little too comfortable in your current situation, you can forget to look ahead, and forget to keep in mind that hard times are sure to come again eventually in one form or another.  My anxiety is a reminder not to get so comfortable that I forget to look forward and watch my step.

DECK USED:  ODD HAND TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #3

Magic TarotSeeds Sown – Ten of Pentacles – Of the seeds that I planted in the spring concerning my emotional growth, what has managed to flourish and grow strong is that I’ve been able to find more a centered and balanced sense of fulfillment in what I have in the present and where I am in my life.

The Chaff – Queen of Wands – Of those seeds that I planted in the spring, what has not flourished into fruition is that I didn’t get all of the creative things done that I wanted to accomplish this summer, such as the wood burning project. But that’s okay, and I need to let that disappointment go so that I can be “large and in charge” in other areas now that the fall is coming.

The Harvest – Temperance – To prepare to reap the benefits of the seeds that have flourished, I need to make sure I’m practicing patience and moderation as I move into the fall so that I can give my harvest the best chance of coming to fruition.

DECK USED:  MAGIC TAROT

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot#ElementalChallenge
Question: What feelings serve me best explored instead of ignored?

Big Things In Small Packages Tarot

The Sun – Joy. This is a feeling that I struggle with feeling I deserve. Instead of ignoring it, though, it’s one that I need to embrace and enjoy more often.  Too often I push it away in favor of responsibility and obligation.

Three of Wands – The urge to turn down the troubled path rather than a healthy one is something I’ve always struggled with.  These self destructive urges are by their very nature… self destructive.  Ignoring them doesn’t make them go away.  Instead it’s important to sort through those feelings when they rise up, and figure out where they’re coming from.

Queen of Pentacles Rx – Self-indulgence as a way to deal with my emotions is another of my self destructive patterns. This is one of those unhealthy paths mentioned in the Three of Wands.  It’s just that we are getting into specifics.  This is about consumption. Like with most self destructive urges, it’s important to seek out why they have arisen rather than sweeping them under the rug.

DECK USED:  BIG THINGS IN SMALL PACKAGES TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I bring more joy into my life?

Anthro Tarot

Reading Summary: Make sure you have direction (Three of Wands), but at the same time don’t push so hard (Eight of Pentacles Rx) that it steals away your joy (Seven of Swords).

Take Away: The message here is not so much about bringing more joy into my life but allowing it to have space there so that it can flourish on its own.  When I push too hard towards the future and make myself work too hard towards goals I become too damned focused on?   It smothers out the joy in my life.   So it’s okay to have direction… but don’t go overboard.  Leave space for joy, and it will grow and flourish in my life all on its own.

DECK USED:  ANTHRO TAROT

Preparation and Strategy

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and was one of the harp string meditations. It was relaxing but it was cut a little short by the phone ringing.  You can probably guess who was on the other end, yeah?   Anyway, the phone call kind of fucked with my zen, but at the same time?  I think that my meditation right before the call also helped me in dealing with her a bit better than usual.

Next World TarotToday’s draw is the Queen of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy in the area of one’s thoughts, logic, communication, and intellect.

This is a woman prepared.  That was the first thought that came to mind when I saw the imagery on this card this morning.  Not only does she have her sword and clearly appears to know how to use it, but she’s wearing sturdy boots, has her lunch box along as well as a bit of extra food on the side.  Colorful trillium shaped flowers blooming behind her combined with the delicate pink accents of her skirt speak of a secret softness mostly hidden, but she is focused and braced, ready for anything that comes her way.

What I see here is a message about preparation and organization (I mean, look at how neatly those fruit are lined up with the lunch box, yeah?)   It’s about having your ducks in a row, and being prepared for what is to come.

Even though I am taking a few days off, my mind is still turning over strategy and preparing for what is to come as the holiday rush creeps closer and closer.   I might not be putting my hands to work, but my mind is not so easy to restrain.  And maybe that’s okay, as long as I’m not pushing or stressing myself out.

That peek of softness also holds a second message in today’s card.  A reminder that even when you need to be on your guard, you don’t have to lose yourself in the process.

DECK USED:  NEXT WORLD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthAugust Challenge Prompt
Topic: I’m plagued by anxiety.
Question: What is my anxiety trying to tell me?

Tabula Mundi in Minima

Reading Summary:  Life is cyclical but can often also be overwhelming (The Universe). Your emotions are just a little too close to the surface (imagery in the Queen of Cups). Take a step back and make sure you’re still on track and in control of your trajectory (Two of Wands).

Take Away:  My anxiety has actually been quite a bit better lately, but when it starts to spike, the message is usually one of three. It’s telling me that 1) I’m approaching a state of overwhelm, 2) it’s trying to tell me that my emotions are a little too close to the surface and that is causing me to be reactionary, or 3) I need to check in with my direction upon my path and make sure I’m still on track.

DECK USED:  TABULA MUNDI TAROT  IN MINIMA

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Use Your Logic With This / Use Your Intuition With This

Gypsy Palace TarotUse Your Logic With This – Ten of Pentacles – When planning for the future and preserving the stability in my life that is so important to me, it is important to apply logic to the equation and methods.  Reacting with emotion or impulsivity will not get me where I want to go, instead I need to strategize and use my mind and logic to get there.

Use Your Intuition With This – The Hermit –  Sometimes when I need to retreat and be with myself, it’s in reaction to hurt or emotional upheaval.  These are not the times it is healthy to take that alone time.   I need to listen not with my emotions or my pain for these times of retreat, but instead listen to my intuition and allow that to guide me to when it is healthy and beneficial to retreat.

DECK USED:  GYPSY PALACE TAROT

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot#ElementalChallenge
Question: Fire, how can I attract exactly what I want to manifest?

Pride Tarot

Reading Summary: Be more open and free with my praise (The Messenger) for myself and others, while practicing acceptance (Three of Pentacles) of those things you don’t necessarily agree with concerning others (imagery in The Wheel of Fortune).

Take Away:  If I want to attract the things I want to manifest in life, I need to be kinder to myself and less judgemental of others.   Sometimes being close to others is a struggle for me, especially when certain qualities are displayed such as carelessness and immaturity.  The cards indicate that if I want to smooth out the bumps in the road before me, I need to understand that offering them praise for those things I agree with is okay, even while the things I disagree with keep me at a distance.

DECK USED:  PRIDE TAROT

I Was a Jerk

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was non-existent.  As anticipated, I pulled an all-nighter last night to get through my orders and get them out to be shipped today.  I then made the trip up north to check my mail and… god it was a long drive.  Even with J along to drive part of the way.

Getting home, even if I shaved a good hour off the trip by driving like a nutcase, all I could think about was sleep. So… yeah.  I slept.  A lot.  And there was no meditation.

Next World TarotToday’s draw is the King of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.

What really stands out to me in the imagery of today’s card is the expression on the woman’s face in the picture, and the lotus that she cups in her hands. She’s seen it all, she’s been beaten down and yet still has the strength to keep going, and the compassion to hold space and gentleness for the delicate lotus.

There is empathy here, and that is something that I really lacked today.  I’m so sorry about being a dick and making you cry. I love you so fucking much and just because I was tired and riding a bit of an anxiety wave is no excuse for treating you badly or being a jerk. I love you.

DECK USED:  NEXT WORLD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthAugust Challenge Prompt
Topic: I’m struggling with boundaries in my relationships.
Question: What can I do to meet that need revealed in yesterday’s cards?

Monstarot

Reading Summary:  Own what you have done (King of Pentacles) with understanding (The Luminary) so that you can move forward (The World).

Take Away:  The need revealed in yesterday’s cards was about accepting the part that the past plays on our present and future instead of struggling against it.  Acceptance of this isn’t easy for me, but to meet that need head on I need to own my part in things and treat what has happened in the past with loving understanding and an open heart.  By not closing myself off to the influences of the past, I allow myself to move forward more smoothly into the future, and not end up stuck and stagnant.

DECK USED:  MONSTAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I best advance on what was revealed in yesterday’s cards?

Big Things In Small Packages TarotReading Summary: Allow others to help you in getting things done (Three of Pentacles) so you don’t end up stuck in place (Four of Pentacles). Their help will create the motivation you need (Knight of Wands) while taking off some of the pressure you’re putting yourself under (hot tub imagery in the Ace of Cups).

Take Away:  Sometimes, even the smallest of things can feel like it’s just too much.  That overwhelm can create stagnancy as you hesitate to move forward under the pressure that is real regardless of being all in your mind.  By inviting others in to help, it takes some of that pressure off of you, and allows things to move forward more smoothly, creating momentum in the process.

DECK USED:  BIG THINGS IN SMALL PACKAGES TAROT

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot#ElementalChallenge
Question: Fire, when I am ready and willing to create, where do I begin?

Luminous Void Tarot

Reading Summary:  Make the choice (The Lovers) to go with what is familiar and what you are well versed in (King of Swords).  When you conquer these things (Five of Swords), it will give you confidence and success (Nine of Discs), as well as freedom to enjoy life rather than feeling under constant pressure (imagery in the Nine of Discs).

Take Away:  Although new ideas and projects are always shiny and tempting, sometimes when you start on a creative path, it’s the familiar things you do well that are more in need of your attention and more beneficial to your goals.  These familiar tasks are the path to success, even if you have to go to battle to get there.

DECK USED:  LUMINOUS VOID TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What inspires me?

Hilda Tarot

Reading Summary: Collaboration in that I need someone to tell me when something is a bad idea (Three of Pentacles) so that my creative juices flow towards (Six of Cups) opening up to better methods (Nine of Wands Rx).

Take Away: I’m inspired by roadblocks.  I’m inspired by those that give me constructive feedback that allows me to search for answers and grow instead of shut me down.  Being open and not defensive with those that help provide me with this type of feedback stoke the creative fire within me that allows me to stretch my creativity and abilities.

DECK USED:  HILDA TAROT

A Sense of Community

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was just under ten minutes long and was very restless and uncomfortable.  It wasn’t pain that was causing it, but the fact that I knew I had a lot of work to get done and just could not manage to put it out of my mind long enough to get in a peaceful ten minutes.  Hopefully I won’t be pulling an all nighter tonight, and will have a chance to do a do-over before bed.

Next World TarotToday’s draw is the Three of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of collaborative efforts in the areas of finances, resources, home life, health, and  manifestations.

This card’s imagery takes this from the scope of small groups collaborating with each other as is often where the mind first goes when seeing the traditional imagery for the Three of Pentacles, and opens it up into a community scope, which I really like.  It allows for a larger perspective, and encourages one to look beyond more minimal interpretations that you usually see come from the Three of Pentacles.

What I feel is the message of this card today is that it takes a community to create a community.  It takes people willing to come together to support a singular goal.  And, I think that this is something I want to discuss with L, because I feel like I want to encourage her to volunteer to be a part of our building’s council.

There’s been a lot of distance and lack of communication lately where the building is concerned, and I have a feeling she’d be a good addition and terrific at helping in getting the building back to feeling like a community again.

DECK USED:  NEXT WORLD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthAugust Challenge Prompt
Topic: I’m struggling with boundaries in my relationships.
Question: What pressing need of mine am I overlooking?

Stunning Tarot

Reading Summary:  Both slow growth (Seven of Pentacles) and eventual success (Nine of Pentacles both require A certain amount of controlled finesse.

The yellow combined in the second and third card creates a connection there that indicates we often need to look back at the past in order to build towards the future, and once success is obtained you need to continue to have an awareness of the past, but juggle it with future vision.

Take Away:  This is a direct response to my rant yesterday about the influence of parents on your foundation. The cards here are indicating that no matter how much you grow or how far you move forward in life towards something better, those things that made you bleed from your past are still going to be an influence and continue to be relevant.

DECK USED:  STUNNING TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Retreat / Hold Ground / Advance

Encore TarotRetreat – Three of Swords – Retreat from the pessimism and negativity that have the ability to draw me down into the pit of despair and depression.

Hold Ground – Page of Cups – Hold my ground with my creative endeavors. Explore and have fun with it and don’t allow it to become too staid and serious.

Advance – Knight of Cups – Advance in my emotional growth. Pay attention to those things that make me feel good and create a positive emotional response… and go after them instead of disregarding them as frivolous.

DECK USED:  ENCORE TAROT

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot#ElementalChallenge
Question: How can the element of Fire boost my (creative) energy?

Tarot del Fuego

Reading Summary: Allows me to identify my hearts desires (King of Cups), and use both my heart and gut (imagery in the Nine of Pentacles), to go after what I want and achieve my goals (Ten of Pentacles).

Take Away: Fire allows me to identify what my heart and soul wants. Rather than getting wrapped up in the mind and logic, the fire in my soul gives me the spark to go after those things and manifest them into reality.

DECK USED:  TAROT DEL FUEGO

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What drains my energy?

Alan Tarot

Reading Summary: Impatience (Eight of Clubs) concerning my creative endeavors and explorations (Page of Hearts). I’m not giving myself enough nurturing rest (The Empress).

Take Away:  What is currently draining my energies is twofold.  First and foremost, is the lack of rest and nurturing care directed toward myself.  Added to this is the fact I’m pushing too hard.  I need to spread out my efforts over a longer period of time instead of cramming them into a single day twice a week and pushing myself on those days until they turn into an all-day-and-all-nighter.

DECK USED:  ALAN TAROT

Hyunta… Yeah, You Heard Me

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and one of the harp strings meditations.  I had a bit of a problem getting still and staying that way.  I’m not sure why I was all fidgety today, but I just really struggled with staying still.  Not just in meditation either, but through my card drawing time, as well as the first hour or so once I finally sat down at the computer.

Next World TarotToday’s draw is the King of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s finances and resources, home life, health, and manifestations.

This card screams hyunta to me. You’ve worked hard and  finally gotten what you so dearly have strive for and wanted, and now you’re stuck wondering… That was it? Is this it?  That’s all?  It’s a blend of both satisfaction, and keen disappointment.  (Actually, the term originates from that post masturbation glow of having stroked one out and achieved your pleasure but then being on the other side of it you find yourself feeling like something’s missing…. but the sense of accomplishment and disappointment is very similar.)

The message here in this card for today is that goals are something to aim for, but not something to kill yourself over as you try to get hit them. Because once you get there, then you have nowhere further to go.

This is why it is so often said that life is about the journey, and not a destination.

DECK USED:  NEXT WORLD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthAugust Challenge Prompt
Topic: I’m struggling with boundaries in my relationships.
Question: How does devaluing my needs harm myself?

Gypsy Palace Tarot

Reading Summary:  It’s self limiting (Eight of Swords) to my ability to get a fresh start in going after my dreams (Page of Wands), taking control out of my hands  so that I lose my way (The Chariot) along life’s path (The World).

Take Away:  Devaluing my needs creates a cycle of destruction that is directed at my autonomy. It influences both my ability to see clearly and make good decisions concerning the direction I want to go in, as well as my ability to actually control my trajectory as a whole on my life’s path. 

DECK USED:  GYPSY PALACE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Weed Out / Replace With

Tabula Mundi in Minima TarotWeed Out – Six of Cups Rx – I need to let go of my fear that continuing in the path of allowing myself to have more rest and less burden is going to fuck up everything I’ve worked towards.  This fear is irrational and is not based in reality, yet my fear of shifting away from that mentality of being overburdened equals accomplishment and getting things done is holding me back from fully embracing my new path.

Replace With – Princess of Disks Rx – Continue to work at embracing a releasing of “industry”.  It’s okay to take some time for yourself, and it’s okay to enjoy that time.  Own your ability to relax and acknowledge that the world isn’t going to fall apart if you’re a bit selfish with your time and attention by directing it towards the self and self care rather than the business or the greater good.

DECK USED:  TABULA MUNDI IN MINIMA TAROT

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot#ElementalChallenge
Question: What am I asked to create for myself starting this week?

Big Things In Small Packages Tarot

Reading Summary:  Get your shit together (Nine of Cups) and put your thinking hat on (The High Priestess) so that you can seize the reigns (The Chariot) and get moving at going after that new vision of the same dream (Knight of Wands).

Take Away:  The new vision of the same dream mentioned here is about my business, and about how I have been trying to restructure how I do things so that I’m not so overwhelmed and overburdened all the time. In order to accomplish this new version of the same dream, though, there’s still some work that needs to be done.  Especially as we now head toward the end of summer and slip into the time to prep for the holiday rush.

This prepping process requires planning, but it also requires a lot of doing… and it’s that dynamic that needs to be picked up and run with this week.

DECK USED:  BIG THINGS IN SMALL PACKAGES TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What is working for me right now?

Tarot del Fuego

Reading Summary: Taking things slow (Eight of Wands Rx) and letting my new emotional growth (Ace of Cups) have the time and space it needs to reconcile with my past and find the value in what has happened in my history (Ten of Swords).

Side Note: This is really interesting imagery for the Eight of Wands.  I understand the representation in the imagery, though.  The fact that sometimes?  Things just move too fast.

Take Away:  Although I fully accept the experiences I have been through, the new emotional depth I’m experiencing due to the growth I’ve been exploring this spring and summer has needed a bit of a reconciliation with those experiences. Because I closed all of these emotions off during those events in my past, I did not really emotionally process these things.  I understand that and the cards indicating that this process is both healthy and ongoing.

DECK USED:  TAROT DEL FUEGO