Next World Tarot

Abandonment vs With Abandon

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Today’s meditation was curtailed a bit short, as the girls came home from the store and needed help putting things away. Apparently as much as they love Costco, they are not really prepared for the weight of putting away bulk items on their own. It was fine, though.  I’ll fit in another meditation before bed tonight.

Update (as I’m finishing this post next-day):  I didn’t get a bed-time meditation in because I ended up pulling an all-nighter to make sure that I got all the order ready before bed.

Next World TarotToday’s draw is the Eight of Cups, which is traditionally interpreted as a representation of emotional withdrawal, rejection, or abandonment of something or someone due to a sense of disappointment or need to get away.

This card actually gives me a whole new perspective on the Eight of Cups than I’ve ever actually considered before.   Usually, when I see the Eight of Cups, it is about abandonment. It is about walking away from something. But I never considered that this walking away from something could be a walking away from constraints or restraints.

And yet, when you embrace abandon, that is exactly what you do.  You set aside those things that would drag you down or hold you back, and move forward unrestrained to embrace the freedom of having shed those restricting elements.  So in essence, this card shows not just the “shedding” that the Eight of Cups so often represents, but also the result of that shedding.

Abandoning my constraints and restraints for a better, more healthy way of managing my responsibilities is something that I have been working on a lot this year. Today’s card is a reminder of the fact I’ve promised myself some days off each month.  Days off that are just for me.   I work seven days a week (okay, so it’s supposed to be six, but lets be honest here, even on Saturday, I still work… I just do very low maintenance and low stress stuff).  It’s nearly time for another one of those breaks, and the card today is a reminder that that time is coming… and that it’s okay to look forward to it without guilt.

DECK USED:  NEXT WORLD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthAugust Challenge Prompt
I’m struggling with boundaries in my relationships.
Question: Why do I struggle with putting myself first?

Spark and Pen Tarot

Reading Summary: Because I worry about losing (Three of Heart) all that I have gained (Nine of Pentacles), and so instead I indulge in my addictions (The Devil) which then leads to uncertainty (The Moon) as a repercussions (Justice).

Take Away:  I’m being called out. This is about misdirection. I don’t put myself first in one area because I fear backsliding, instead I end up misdirecting that self care into a less healthy area that has the potential to create problems and, surprise surprise… causes backsliding.   If I put myself first in healthy ways instead, it is also possible I’d backslide, but without all of the uncertainty and mess that doing so in an unhealthy way causes.

DECK USED:  SPARK AND PEN TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Where Are You Content / Where Are You Frustrated

Luminous Void TarotWhere Am I Content?: For a while when the protests and riots started at the beginning of June, I had a lot of restlessness going on.  A lot of discomfort in the fact that I felt like… I was dropping the ball with my community by keeping my distance.  Over the past two months, I’ve done a lot of self-educating, though, that seems to have helped allay that feeling. I no longer feel powerless or up in arms so much as I feel I have learned and am learning… which for me feels far more powerful than anything else I could possibly do.

Where Am I Frustrated?:  Communication with my mother has become fucking torture. I do very much ache for a new start with her… and yet feel defeated because I know a new start won’t change anything, just restart the same old path we are already on.  This repeating cycle is because I want something more… and she is unwilling (or perhaps unable) to give it.  And so a new start would provide nothing for me.

DECK USED:  LUMINOUS VOID TAROT

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot #ElementalChallenge
Question: What part of me would benefit from nurturing at this time?

Vivid Journey Tarot

Reading Summary:  My faith in the universe (The World) and my passionate drive for the things I love (Knight of Wands) will be a nurturing balm for my fears of losing (Three of Swords) all that I have achieved (Ten of Pentacles).

Both The World and the Knight of Wands facing inward implies that they are a force to be applied to the central topic (center cards). The World on left represents looking at the past to see how everything always works out in the end. The Knight of Wands on right is in the position to lead me forward into the future, speaking of using my passions as my guide.

Take Away: You know that fear mentioned earlier about losing all I’ve gained? Here it is again. The cards here indicate that I need to nurture those feelings it by applying my faith in the universe to them, and allowing my burning enthusiasm for what I do to continue to be my guide. 

DECK USED:  VIVID JOURNEY TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What is important right now?

Sacred Rose Tarot

Reading Summary: It’s nothing you can’t handle, no matter which way you choose to go with it (The World), but you need to be aware (The High Priestess) that you are procrastinating (Knight of Wands) and there will be consequences for that (Justice).

Take Away:  This… is true.  And reassuring.  I am aware that I am procrastinating on some things, especially in relation to the business and starting my preparations for the holiday rush.  The reassuring part, though, is in The World card.  There is a reassurance there that no matter what happens, it’ll be okay…. things always sort themselves out in the wash.

DECK USED:  SACRED ROSE TAROT

Do What You Love

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and was one of the harp string meditations.  I didn’t extend my yoga/physiotherapy today, and so I didn’t extend my meditation either.  It was a relaxing process, and for once I didn’t have a lot of distracting thoughts dragging me off center again and again.  It was also nice that Miss Luna came to snug up beside me while I meditated today, which isn’t something she does usually during my meditation time. During this time she usually settles in at the foot of the bed a few feet from me instead.

Next World TarotToday’s draw is the Page of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s drive, passion, and that inner spark in the soul that spurs on one’s interests and enthusiasm.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today is the little green leaf on the staff the figure holds, and the little green lizards.   This is in relation to the very apocalyptic looking surroundings they are in the middle off.  The environment is filled with litter, the bridge in the background appears dilapidated. And yet… there is life here. Not just in the figure that is front and center, but also the lizards that surround her, the sprigs of new leaves on the staff in her hand, and the small tattered looking flowers among the scattered rubble.

This speaks to me of perseverance. Even when everything falls apart?  That inner spark within you will help you to survive, to carry on, and even to thrive under these conditions. This inner spark that lives within your soul is the seat of one’s adaptability as well as the source of life’s burning drive to survive at all costs.  Feed this inner spark the things you love to do… and it will turn into a blaze that will burn through adversity.

Do what you love.

DECK USED:  NEXT WORLD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthAugust Challenge Prompt
Topic: I feel like I’m struggling to see clearly.
Question: How would my life improve if I accepted that reality is inherently subjective and clarity is a myth?

Vivid Journey Tarot

Reading Summary: A crap load of misunderstandings (Five of Wands) and spurred on by clouded judgments (Judgement) making for feelings of defensiveness (Nine of Wands) that get in the way of positive relationships and good choices (The Lovers). Creating imbalance (Two of Pentacles Rx).

Take Away: When you accept that clarity is a myth, you stop striving for it. Yes, perfect clarity is unattainable because we are not omni-cognizant. But, that does not mean that we should not strive for perspectives beyond our own so that we can get a better idea of what’s going on and, as a result, obtain more clarity than we have when we are closed-mindedly willing to only look at our own view and our own perspective.

Once again, I think I missed the point of the question. I understand these questions are supposed to lead people to a healthier outlook, but all I see this question doing is leading them to a more close minded outlook and lack of perspective.

DECK USED:  VIVID JOURNEY TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic:  Hold Tight / Let Breathe / Set Free

Alan Tarot - Il Tarocchi di AlanHold Tight – The World – I need to hold tight to my path and the knowledge that each day is a new day.  Life goes through cycles, and with each cycle we learn and evolve, becoming more than we were before. My chosen path through these cycles is to improve… to become better.  Better at the things I do, better at my influence on others, better at being myself, and an all around better person.

Let Breathe – Knight of Spades and Seven of Heart – I need to ease up on the idea that I always have to move forward and choose which direction to go in right away. So often we feel like every decision needs to be made right away, and that can feel overwhelming. It’s okay to move slow and mull over your choices before making a decision. Giving yourself some space by being a bit less impulsive in your decision making process is a good thing.

Set Free – The Chariot – I need to let go of the idea that participating in any kind of conflict actually gets me somewhere. Things like blatant disrespect or perceived injustices can often cause me to get my back up. The thing is?  During these moments I want to jump in, in that moment, and give a bit of a verbal “smack down” for that kind of thing. But, that is rarely a wise choice and rarely gets you anywhere.

DECK USED:  ALAN TAROT

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot#ElementalChallenge
Question: Earth, I ground myself in you. What is your message for me?

Encore Tarot

Reading Summary: Instilling more joy and positivity (The Sun) will allow you to triumph (Five of Swords) in your work life (Eight of Coins).

Take Away: The message here is to remember that doing what you love is supposed to be fun.  Too often I get so wrapped up in the “work” side of things that I forget to truly focus on and appreciate the pleasure that my work gives me.  This includes not just my jewelry design business, but also extends to my work on the farm, at the nail salon, and even into my client readings as well.

DECK USED:  ENCORE TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How do I feel when I look inside myself?

Tabula Mundi Tarot in MinimaReading Summary:  Like an esoteric teacher that is also still learning (Hierophant on its side). Someone that walks their own path (Three of Wands), and has a lot of inner shadows (The Aeon Rx).

Side Note: My first impression of this deck is not particularly positive. The imagery feels chaotic and abrasive. I’ll continue to keep it in the rotation for the month, tho, as I need some time with it to get to know it a bit better.

Take Away:  The cards indicate that I identify with being a guide and teacher, but only when I feel that I am learning from others as much as I am giving to them in turn.  The cards indicate as well that when looking inside myself I can clearly see and feel that I have a clear path and direction to my life, but that my soul is clouded by shadows.

DECK USED:  TABULA MUNDI TAROT IN MINIMA

Taking Stock and Saying “Well Done”

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IMG_5597Today’s meditation was a little over fifteen minutes long and was focused upon the mentality of being “enough”.   This is a mentality that I struggle with a lot, and I chose this topic for my meditation because of the graphic to the right, which I saw on IG.

I really like this graphic, and it speaks a lot to how I view helping others…. and being a teacher and guide as a whole.  No one is perfect.  Everyone has things to work on and different experiences that come together to create the whole that is them.  All these little things we learn along the way can be offered to others to help them, and teach them.

It is like when I take on a mentee I’m always sure to let them know that I don’t know everything, and that I will learn from them just as they learn from me. Growing and learning is about give and take.  It’s about sharing and an exchange.  It’s not a one way street.

Next World TarotToday’s draw is the Ten of Pentacles, which is a traditional representation of completion and fulfillment in the area s of one’s finances, resources, health, the physical realm, and manifestations.

Interestingly enough, I don’t see the Ten of Pentacles in the imagery of this card.  To me, it feels much more like the Nine of Pentacles and all that solitary pleasure one takes in their accomplishments.

That said, what really stood out to me in the imagery of this card today is the alignment between the purse that the woman holds and the arc of moon phases in the sky surrounding her.  It is as if she’s swung her purse in a cheerful arc and it left behind a trail of moon phases in its wake.

This aspect of the imagery and what I see within it speaks of allowing yourself to find joy in your accomplishments no matter the time or season. There’s no wrong time to look at how far you’ve come, take stock of your accomplishments, and give yourself a little pat on the back.

DECK USED:  NEXT WORLD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthAugust Challenge Prompt
Topic: I feel like I’m struggling to see clearly.
Question: What comfort do I get from from the belief that reality exists separately from my perception of it?

Anthro Tarot

Reading Summary: Lost opportunities (Ace of Pentacles Rx) due to an unrealistic singular view (Nine of Pentacles) that comforts only you (The Empress).

Take Away:  OK… First of all I don’t like this question and I disagree with it entirely. I tried to rephrase it to make it more palatable to me… but that didn’t work either, and this is clearly reflected in the response from the cards.

In my opinion if you are unwilling to look outside your own perspective and see the world from the eyes of others and from their perspectives as well as your own, then you are closing yourself off and being close minded. I feel like this question encourages that close mindedness. I do not believe that seeing clearly means cutting out other perspectives and narrowing your view. I feel the seeing clearly requires seeing beyond your own personal perception of reality in order to see the whole picture.

Perhaps I missed the point of the question?

DECK USED:  ANTHRO TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #1

Spark and Pen TarotSeeds Sown – Six of Swords – Over the spring and summer, I’ve been working on shedding a lot of bad habits and other negative influences on my physical body like overworking myself and eating less junk every day.

The Chaff – The Chariot – My impatience is a big problem when it comes to most goals, and it’s no different in this case either. In this reading, the Chaff is my impatience. Discarding that impatience and accepting that I’m not going anywhere fast will make room for the type of growth I want to happen. Change takes time.

The Harvest – Nine of Swords – In order to prepare for the harvest to come I need to make sure that I’m staying on top of my mental health. Falling into a depression or creating a situation where anxiety rises into play will only set me back on my physical goals… not to mention my goals in other areas as well.

DECK USED:  SPARK AND PEN TAROT

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot #ElementalChallenge
Question: How can I best work with the energy available to me at this time?

Tarot Del Fuego

Reading Summary: Take your time (Knight of Cups Rx) and make good choices (Seven of Cups) that will lead to triumph instead of defeat (Five of Swords).

Take Away:  The energies outlined yesterday weren’t particularly pleasant. If you want to change the trajectory of that energy, you’re going to have to think clearly and really examine every choice available to you. This is a theme of strategization (Google says this is a word, but I’m still not sure), instead of just being reactionary.

DECK USED:  TAROT DEL FUEGO

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I get better at stopping to smell the roses?

Sacred Rose Tarot

Reading Summary: Practice at slowing down (Knight of Wands Rx), and adding a little bit of youthful enthusiasm (Six of Cups) to the effort. It doesn’t have to be solitary (The Hermit Rx), and you need to remember that just because you’re taking time for yourself away from everything doesn’t mean that the world’s gonna fall apart because you’re not there to hold it together (The Tower).

Take Away:  Lots of reminders to slow down and be mindful in the cards today.  In this case, that slowing down is meant to encourage me to find youthful fun in the process of taking a look around and time to smell the roses.  It’s about putting away the guilt and sense of driving obligation and responsibility so that I can be lighthearted in my enjoyment of the moment.

DECK USED:  SACRED ROSE TAROT