optimism

In Defense of Imagination

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Today’s meditation was seven minutes long, and was one of the #DailyTrip sessions from the Calm app. It spoke on the importance of being in the moment, and that when we are meditating, that involves taking each moment one at a time.

In life, it’s important to be present in the now.  Not always looking back or looking forward. By some this is called “stopping to smell the roses” and it allows us to appreciate life and our existence in it.

The meditation today took this a step further, encouraging not just a slow down that allows us to savor the present, but when we meditate, to slow things down even further.  Noting one sensation, then another, then another.  Giving each of them a moment of our undivided attention instead of pushing them away or ignoring them.  To, in this way, use meditation as a way to saturate ourselves in the moment and deepen our appreciate of it.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🌱    •    ◈    •    •    •

Card of the Day Tarot Reading with Tarot of the Guiding MuseToday’s draw is the Seven of Wands atop the Page of Cups.

Sometimes we forget that our imagination is important. It’s not just something for little kids to play games with, but an important part of our lives as adults as well. It’s the birthplace of creativity and ingenuity, after all.

Many less imaginative people snark at people with an active imagination, telling them that they need to “grow up” or looking down on them as silly in some manner. They try to quash the imagination in others.

The cards for today are a reminder to not let these people get to you. Don’t allow them to smother your imagination and creativity.  Just because they can’t do it?  Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Instead, it means you have a talent that they do not, and it’s something to protect and let shine, not hide away or smother out.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE GUIDING MUSE

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot The Power of Now Challenge
Prompt for March 1 : Do the Be Here Now Tarot Spread

Be Here Now Tarot Reading with the Meraki Tarot

What is keeping me from fully witnessing the present?

Eight of Wands – You’re always in too much of a hurry to be moving forward and progressing. When you’re always in such a rush to keep moving forward, it’s impossible to pause and linger in the present moment.

How am I creating distance between myself and the stillness within?

Page of Wands – You are too busy, and two “scattered” in your interests and passions. With so much going on and so much eagerness to explore so many different faucets and avenues before you, that stillness has nowhere to truly shine, or even fully awaken.

What can help me fully embrace the present moment?

King of Swords atop Two of Swords – It can help you to fully embrace the present moment more by making practical choices and cutting out with brutal precision those things that are weighing you down and keeping you from being more present in the now.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: MERAKI TAROT 4TH EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I started working on orders today (a day early) in order to ensure that I’d be able to go north a day earlier than normal this week.

Finding the Positive for February 21 – 23

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Lighthouse In Fog Tarot, Love and Courage Quest Tarot, Myths & Legends Tarot, and Sweet-Ass Affirmation Cards
February 21 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🕯️    •    ◈    •    •    •

Today’s draw is the Queen of Wands atop the Five of Swords.

When others are feeling defeated, take a moment to step back and help them find their footing again. It’s easy to see them as not your problem, or even as a potential obstacle now no longer in your path. The cards for today, speak of taking another path.  One of compassion.

These cards are a reminder that it costs us nothing to help another who has stumbled get to their feet. Kindness costs us nothing but a little bit of our time.

So when you see someone struggling, take a moment to provide them with some encouragement. Help them light that inner spark of passion and purpose within them once more. It costs very little to give an encouraging word or a kind gesture, and it lifts not just the recipient up in the process… but yourself as well.

DECKS USED: LIGHTHOUSE IN FOG TAROT

February 22 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🕯️    •    ◈    •    •    •

Today’s draw is the Temperance card combined with the affirmation “I do what I love. I love what I do.”

Earlier this month, I did a reading that talked about my addictive tendencies, and how it’s not about addictive substances, but rather about pleasure and dopamine and moderation.

The lion’s share of my income comes from running my own business. I love this job, but there are times when I get a bit burnt out on it. Especially when I end up in a rut just remaking the same things over and over because they sell well, instead of being given the freedom to create new things and experiment at will.

That, though, is a part of being responsible.  Isn’t it?  We have to sacrifice a little of our passion if we want to create something steady and stable. We have to do the things we don’t like, and combine them with those things that we do.  Would I be happier wildly creating at will without the need to do the repetitive parts of running a business?  Probably… at least for a while until the business started to fail because the drudgery parts of it weren’t being done. 

The cards for today are a reminder that moderation is needed in all things, even those things that are good for us, and especially in those things that we enjoy.  Otherwise?  Things can easily get out of hand.

DECKS USED: LOVE AND COURAGE QUEST TAROT AND SWEET-ASS AFFIRMATIONS 3

February 23 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🕯️    •    ◈    •    •    •

Today’s draw is the Eight of Wands combined with the affirmations “I decorate my life with quality relationships, experiences, and purpose.”

Quality over quantity is an important message here in today’s affirmation card. It’s a reminder that more isn’t always better.  That is especially true when it comes to the people you surround yourself in.

Look at the witches in the Eight of Wands. They are a tribe.  Like minded and moving together, they are aligned with each other and all heading in the same direction.

Have you found -your- tribe yet? Or are you still forcing yourself to try and blend in with those that don’t quite fit you well at all?  That is the question asked in today’s cards, along with an encouragement to stop trying to “fit in” with those that aren’t for you, and instead start looking for those that -are- for you and that you will fit in with effortlessly.

DECKS USED: MYTHS & LEGENDS TAROT AND SWEET-ASS AFFIRMATIONS

Finding the Positive for February 17 – 19

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Brightwork Tarot, Dick Pic Tarot, Tarot Draconis, and Sweet-Ass Affirmations

February 17 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🕯️    •    ◈    •    •    •

Today’s draw is the Four of Wands combined with the affirmation “My mind is exceptional. My body is optimal. My soul is serene.”

Your body is the home of your soul. It’s not meant to be perfect any more than life is meant to be easy.  It’s through the challenges we face, both in life as well as with our body, that we grow and learn and become better people than we are currently.

Limitations are frustrating, absolutely, and there’s lots of people that don’t like the body that their souls are housed in, whether that is because of disabilities or defects, weight issues, or any other issue.  Everyone… absolutely everyone has things about themselves they’re self-conscious about.  The important part? Is to love your soul’s home anyway, and value what it does for you.  After all, where would you be without it?

DECKS USED: BRIGHTWORK TAROT GOLDEN LOTUS EDITION AND SWEET-ASS AFFIRMATIONS

February 18 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🕯️    •    ◈    •    •    •

Today’s draw is the Queen of Cups (Zaddy of Urinals) combined with the affirmation “By pumping my action muscle I make hesitation my bitch.”

Yesterday’s cards were about acceptance of your body, and today’s are about improving it in the ways that will make you and your body happy.

It’s about setting unreasonable expectations behind and acceptance, with the knowledge that we can all do a little bit better, and take care of ourselves a little bit more.

For me, this means making sure that I’m getting time outside in nature, no matter the time of year or the weather.  It’s what I need, both for happiness emotionally as well as my physical well being.  It means making sure I do my PT exercises each day so that I don’t stiffen up and lose mobility. It’s about making sure that I’m taking in enough protein and fuel to keep me going rather than skipping meals.

All of these things are things I have learned over the years that I need in order to be healthy and happy.  Some of them?  I don’t always enjoy, but I know that I need them. I do them because I need them, regardless of if I’d rather hibernate away or relax in bed for another half hour instead of getting up.

Self care is important, and means giving yourself the things you need for your body and soul to both feel healthy and happy.  Don’t forsake them just because you’d rather play possum.

DECKS USED: DICK PIC TAROT AND SWEET-ASS AFFIRMATIONS

February 19 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🕯️    •    ◈    •    •    •

Today’s draw is the King of Cups atop the King of Wands. They encourage us to take a moment to look where we’re going, and who we are taking with us along for the ride.

Kings are leaders, and in the Cups and Wands suit, they lead through passion and understanding.  The problem is that sometimes, we need to make sure that we aren’t getting so wrapped up in the flames of our passions that we forget to pay attention to making sure things are going smoothly not just for you, but for others on the journey with you as well.

Make sure that you check in on those other people in your life and ensure they are doing okay, rather than ignoring their needs and how they’re doing while your gaze is focused on your goal.

DECKS USED: TAROT DRACONIS

Returning to the Earth

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🕯️    •    ◈    •    •    •

Lunar Lost Tarot's Six of Cups and Rage Create's Sweet-Ass Affirmations 3Today’s draw is the Six of Cups combined with the affirmation “I am Randy for some earth candy.”

Oy.  Okay so I don’t really get… or like… today’s affirmation card. The affirmation on the front is confusing to me, and to be honest? I find the writing on the back very “stream of consciousness” babble-ish and a bit on the vulgar side in a sort of ‘ick’ kinda way.

BUT.  I pulled it, so I’m gonna use it.

The Six of Cups is all about nostalgia, and combined with this affirmation card, what I’m seeing here is an encouragement to look back on those things that you have done in the past to connect with nature, and consider it’s time to revisit some of those activities.  That can be things like walking in the woods, skinny dipping in a lake, or just spending some time sitting out on the lawn listening to the breeze.

These times are special. They are treats to savor, and it’s time to consider revisiting some of them.

DECKS USED:  LUNAR LOST TAROT AND RAGE CREATE’S SWEET-ASS AFFIRMATIONS 3

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2023 Challenge
Prompt for February : Do Spread 3

Tarot Reading with the I Am Not A Doll Tarot

Which one card do you feel sums you up best?

Two of Pentacles – Always trying to find balance. There has been a lot of time in my life lately spent trying to establish balance in my life and feeling off-balance more often than not. Although I’m managing to juggle everything, the problem is that I’m feeling overwhelmed with the effort at the moment, and I am seeking not just a better balance, but a steadier foundation to work from as well.

Which one card do you feel represents your strengths?

The Hanged Man – The ability and desire to seek understanding beyond myself. Sometimes when I become too overwhelmed, I lose touch with this as I become too focused on my own struggles. When this happens, I feel a shift in clarity, as if my ability to see clearly has lost a large portion of it’s awareness and understanding.  When that overwhelm eases, that clarity returns and feels like a superpower.

Which one card do you feel represents your limitations?

Ten of Wands – A tendency to take on too much and not realize it until it’s too late. This is where the overwhelm previously mentioned comes in.  When I am feeling good, I feel like I am able to conquer all that I put on my plate… and then my balance shifts and I stumble.  I lose my clarity and become overwhelmed because when not functioning on all cylinders I can’t keep up.

What kind of issues do you feel that you need to work on?

The Devil – Addictive tendencies are something I continuously need to work on. If it feels good? Its addictive, because dopamine is addictive.  It took a long time to understand this, and that it’s not about “addictive substances” for me, but about pleasure, dopamine, and moderation in order to not allow my addictive tendencies to get out of control.

What message do you want to share with the world?

Death – Change is hard, but it doesn’t have to be something you fear or fight against. It’s human to be uncomfortable with change, but change is inevitable.  Do your best to move with it rather than fighting against it, and you will find life will feel far less turbulent as a result.

Other elements included in this reading:
Sigil: Sustainable Healthy Energy
Gneiss Wishing Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort

DECK USED: I AM NOT A DOLL TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I spent the day with Gideon, and let my dominant side have free reign for a bit.

Finding the Positive for February 13 – 15

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Starlight Tarot Gold Edition, Student Tarot No. 5, Ink Witch Tarot Second Edition, and Rage Create's Sweet-Ass Affirmations

February 13 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🕯️    •    ◈    •    •    •

The @GlitterbyInk #FairyTales25 Challenge
Once Upon a Time Prompt for February 13 : Unknown

Today’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles atop the Four of Pentacles.

The message here is a reminder that if you want to be a greedy fuck (look at that pinched expression on the woman in the Four of Pentacles), you have to work hard to get there. Stability, especially in the face of the unknown, doesn’t come easy.

It recently came to my attention that some people thrive in chaos, and have absolutely no interest in stability in their lives.  This seriously blows my mind.  Stability is such a driving force for me in my life, a need as great as water or food in fact, that it’s hard for me to wrap my mind around the idea that others might reject the idea and, in fact, even thrive without it.

For me, stability is the end-all be-all, and I feel like I can never have enough.  It is the thing that constantly drives me to push myself harder.

The message in today’s cards brings that work into focus, as well as the fact that maybe?  Just maybe I’m grasping too tightly to the idea of more stability and working myself to the bone (and to my detriment) in the process.

DECKS USED: STARLIGHT TAROT GOLD EDITION

February 14 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🕯️    •    ◈    •    •    •

The @GlitterbyInk #FairyTales25 Challenge
Once Upon a Time Prompt for February 12 : Trickery

Today’s draw is the Four of Cups combined with the affirmation “I am a contagious fireball of laughter and joy everywhere I go.”

In my bathroom, I have a picture of a cat with a huge (human) smile spread over its face.  This cat is called “Bathroom Kitty” and she sits in a frame on my bathroom counter where I can’t avoid seeing her every morning when I wake up.   Bathroom Kitty makes me smile.   Even when I’m feeling at my absolute worst?  Bathroom Kitty makes me smirk… or snort… or react in some way.  She lightens the mood.

Even today, when you’re feeling sick as a dog throughout your entire digestive system from entry to exit. You have the opportunity to spread kindness and lift other’s spirits instead of dragging them down.

The cards for today are a reminder not to take feeling sick out on other people. Instead,  just rest and take it easy. The trickery here is in the fact that you’re not actually getting sick, regardless of that you feel like you are. You’re paying for misbehavior from the night before, even if you don’t feel like you deserve it. (Tuna fish sandwiches, potato chips, and peanut M&Ms before bad is a very, very bad idea.)

DECKS USED: STUDENT TAROT No.5 AND RAGE CREATE’S SWEET-ASS AFFIRMATIONS 2

February 15 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🕯️    •    ◈    •    •    •

The @GlitterbyInk #FairyTales25 Challenge
Once Upon a Time Prompt for February 15 : Bravery

Today’s draw is the Page of Cups atop The Emperor card.

You abound with creative spirit and the spark of inspiration.  It’s a significant part of your inner fire and what makes life worth living for you.  In the cards pulled today, there is a reminder here to not allow your sense of responsibility bog down your creativity and imagination. There’s room in your life for both.

Often, responsibilities have a tendency to take priority, and when you pile on too many responsibilities in your life, it can be hard to find time to “cut loose” and create new things or really sink into the creative spark and enjoy your imagination.    These are integral qualities within you, though, and need time and space to thrive in order for you to be healthy and happy.  Make sure you’re allowing time for them to flourish.

DECKS USED: INK WITCH TAROT 2ND EDITION

Forsaking Impulsivity

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🕯️    •    ◈    •    •    •

Tarot Reading with the Gaze Mirror Eye of Medusa TarotToday’s draw is The Hanged Man atop The Fool.

The Hanged Man is all about pause and reflection. When placed atop the impulsive Fool, what we see is a reminder that it’s not always a good idea to jump first and ask questions later.

I’ve been receiving a lot of messages on this theme lately.  Reminders to hang back, take a pause, watch but don’t react, etc.  Here again is the same theme.

Don’t be impulsive. Sometimes, situations come up that make impulsivity feel like the most natural reaction.  Sometimes we jump into action at lightning speed, thinking we can “fix” whatever is wrong quickly and be done with it.

But sometimes?  That’s not the best course of action.

The cards for today are a reminder that taking time to look at things from a different angle, wait for things to progress and see where they go, and consider different perspectives  is not time that’s wasted. It helps you to prepare to act with a level head instead of with reckless abandon.

DECK USED:  GAZE MIRROR EYE OF MEDUSA TAROT DESIRE MIRROR EDITION

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2023 Challenge
Prompts for February 13 and 14

Tarot Reading with the Sharman-Caselli Tarot and Frames DeckHow is your self-love journey going lately?

Page of Swords atop Three of Swords Rx; The Messenger – Don’t beat yourself up when you stumble. You are still learning, and have been doing great, regardless of the occasional setback.

There is also an encouragement here in these cards to make sure during those moments when you stumble into a setback that you’re not lashing out at those around you that don’t deserve it. It’s easy to fall into this behavior without realizing it, and end up regretting it later.

How can you improve upon your self-love journey?

King of Pentacles atop Two of Wands; Peripherals – Don’t forget how important stability is to your peace of mind. Make plans and stick to them, or you could end up corroding the stable foundation you’ve built beneath you. Don’t become so laser focused that you miss what is going on around you.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried American Elm Leaf for Wisdom and Inner Guidance
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: THE SHARMAN-CASELLI TAROT AND FRAMES DECK

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch-up post, and I’m not sure what my self-kindness was for this day.