📆 Transitioning from September to October

Month End Tarot Reading with the Ostara Tarot

Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety.

King of Swords – You are a good leader, cunning and clever, but you are holding yourself too far apart from others in an effort to protect yourself from getting hurt. Allowing yourself vulnerability won’t wrest your power from your grip, but will instead only make you stronger.

The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward.

Page of Cups – This specific card has a tendency to come up for this question around this time of year. It is a reminder that with the holiday rush right around the corner, your time to explore emotions and work on your emotional intelligence is coming to an end for the year. Time flies, and soon it will be nose-to-the-grindstone with the holiday rush.

What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.

Ten of Wands – This card indicates that “ideal states” are like perfection, they don’t really exist and are overrated. You -want- to take on everything, put it all on your shoulders, and deal with it with alacrity and grace. This card is a reminder that that vision in your head is a lie.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

The Tower – Chaos is not your friend right now. Work on staying organized, and when things don’t go exactly as planned, relax into the fall instead of tensing up.

(Note: “Relaxing into the fall” is a term used in tight rope walking and areal gymnastics to encourage going boneless when falling in order to minimize injury. Much in the way drunks often have serious mishaps without injury.)

The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.

The Magician – You are independent, strong willed, and well rounded. You have all that you need to not just “make it through” but to accomplish whatever you set your mind to. Make sure that you are tapping into these qualities when they are needed.  You are far from helpless.

The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.

Page of Swords – Sometimes, like a kid running with scissors and someone gets hurt, people say things without thinking and carve a piece out of you in the process. Just like that kid with the scissors, it’s not intentional and not meant to be malicious. Make sure that you are looking beyond the injury to see the motivations of others clearly. Remember… accidents happen.

Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.

Knight of Pentacles – Sometimes the hard work isn’t worth it… but not often. When you continue to stubbornly push forward even when conditions are horrible, the rewards are nearly always worth the effort put in and then some. And, in the glow of accomplishment afterward, it’s easy to forget just how horrible the journey was now that it’s behind you.

A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.

Three of Wands – Watch out for the feeling of moving forward when you’re really just circling the drain hole. Keep your eves open for opportunities for real progress instead of just the illusion of it.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

King of Cups – Look to Gideon for support when you need it. He can help you in finding emotional stability if you let him guide you and follow his lead.

Message from the Spirit World – We take pride in your efforts to learn more about and understand your emotions instead of continuing your ignore them. It may feel sometimes like your running in circles, but you are in fact developing lifelong skills that will help you with future goals.

Message from the Mind’s World – Make sure that you don’t let your inner dialogue’s sharp tongue push you into taking on so much that you buckle under the weight. Loved ones are there to help. Use your freshly learned interpersonal skills to diversify the load.

Message from the Physical World – You’ll make things far harder on yourself than they need to be by not taking care to acknowledge where you are still learning and in need of help or guidance. Lean into those that can give you guidance when you need it instead of stubbornly insisting on going it alone.

Take Away – You are not abandoning your emotional intelligence journey by focusing on the holiday rush that approaches. That journey will still be there for you when you return to it after the rush is over.

Make sure you are delegating your work load instead of taking it all on yourself.

DECKS USED: OSTARA TAROT

Joy’s Gateway Drug

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Blood Moon Tarot and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Knight of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of an active beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passions and drive, willpower and determination, as well as their moral compass and beliefs.

Combined with the affirmation card for today, what I see here is a reminder that life is precious and we need to be passionate about enjoying it, savoring it, and being grateful for it.

Sometimes this is extremely difficult.  Sometimes… impossible.  But, it’s important even in those times to look at what catches the eye, sparks interest, and allows us to find a moment of joy to savor, even when it’s more fleeting than we’d like.

DECK USED:  PHANTASMA TAROT AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheNovemberTarot Solitary Tarot Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 29th & 30th

Ostara TarotWhere is light breaking into my life right now?

The Emperor atop Nine of Wands – Your “protective walls” came up out of ingrained habit to hide behind when your emotions became intense. They cut out the light that others love and kindness shine on you.

You are beginning to now be able to lower these walls and allow Gideon back in a little at a time, others will eventually follow in time.

What can I do to be more fully receptive of this light?

Seven of Swords atop Five of Swords – Stop fighting and trying to wiggle away. The defense mechanisms of your youth cause you to pull away, and although those defense mechanisms were a part of your past, and may spring up from time to time in the present, you don’t need to encourage them by leaning in and allowing them to steal any more of the light than necessary.

Where have these contemplations helped me find clarity?

The Magician – Acknowledging that there is a problem is the first step (and most powerful tool) in fixing that problem.

Today’s contemplations are helping to bring these habits concerning those walls into sharper focus and, as a result, returning the power and control back into my hands.

What can I do to further build on this moving forward?

Page of Cups – You are still learning how to identify and process your emotions. This is all very new to you still. You have learned a lot, but are still at the beginning stages of this learning process. Don’t get discouraged and give up.

DECK USED: OSTARA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic for November 29th
: Three Things to be Grateful For…

Blood Moon TarotTwo of Dreams (Air) – Autonomy. I am not bound by anyone or anything (other than societal laws, obviously). I am independent and follow my intuition and moral compass, unaffected by peer pressure or confined by other’s expectations. Everything I am and do is my choice, and there is always room to change direction as needed.

Temperance – Moderation is extremely difficult for me; a jagged pill that is tough to swallow. But, I accept it’s necessity and am aware of the dangers that come with my level of compulsive/addiction issues. Moderation is not easy, but it is something to be grateful for, as otherwise my life could (and would) spiral out of control.

Queen of Skins (Fire) – I am not alone in my passions and interests. My passion and drive inspires others and supports their drams, and they in turn support mine.

DECK USED: BLOOD MOON TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Again, playing catch up from over a week ago.  I just don’t remember.

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Ostara Tarot, Crystal Forests Oracle, Power Animals Oracle

Side Note – There is a noticeable color flow in these cards that runs from hot and fiery on the left to cool and calm on the right. This speaks of its own progression and transition as the week progresses.

Earth – The Magician and Red Jasper / Empowerment – You’ve got this. You have everything you need (including time) to get done all that needs accomplished this week with your business and manifestations. Touch that fire within and let it burn away any lingering sluggishness.

AirStrength and Blue Apatite / Trust – You are loved and trusted, and have the ability to use that trust to help those around you make good choices. Don’t forget that this power is a precious gift.

WaterTen of Wands and Wulfenite / Amplification – You are emotionally overwhelmed. The death last week has amplified emotional struggles you’ve been having and you are struggling to carry them instead of shutting down.

FireThe Sun and Blue Goldstone / Authenticity – You can use your emotions to sink deeper into your work, to take joy in the process and put yourself more intrinsically into the pieces you make.  Funnel some of that part of who you are and how you feel into the pieces and turn those emotions into something beautiful.

WaningFox – Emotions are going to be far more difficult to hide this week. You are trying to wait until you are home and caught up on orders, but cracks in your armor are starting to show.

WaxingSalmon – Let the emotions out and deal with them.

Take Away – Most of this weekend’s reading is about making sure I’m processing my emotions or doing something with them in some way instead of trying to either close them away or letting them stagnate and fester.

DECKS USED: OSTARA TAROT, THE CRYSTAL FORESTS ORACLE, POWER ANIMALS ORACLE

Unique Contributions

Today’s meditation was… you guessed it. Skipped.

Ostara Tarot and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Ace of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of the seeds of new beginnings in the areas of one’s intellect, education, ambitions, and communication.

I feel… like I’m not doing enough. And for once, this is not about the business and work. It’s about helping and supporting those around me during this time of loss, and expressing my own emotions.

The Ace of Swords is all about communication, and that little mouse in the card feels like about the right size to how much I’m helping (or expressing my pain).

And yet, I know that this perception is flawed. The message in these cards is a reminder that everyone grieves in their own ways. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and that I am helping others more than I realize.

DECK USED:  OSTARA TAROT AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheNovemberTarot Solitary Tarot Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 22nd

Blood Moon TarotSomething kind/encouraging I need to hear today.
Two of Dreams, Page of Honey atop Death

You are making the decision to learn how to deal with your emotions through this time of transition instead of burying them. It’s not an easy choice to allow yourself to express into the physical world how you are feeling, but keep making this choice to stay open instead of shutting down.

How can I extend this kindness to those around me?
Page of Dreams

Share with others. Learn not just how to stay open and allow others in, but also work at expressing how you are feeling as well. This is a learning journey not so much about identifying your feelings, but learning how to share them with others.

DECK USED: BLOOD MOON TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 22nd

Ostara TarotAdvice I need to hear at this time concerning my love life.

The Sun and Three of Pentacles – Happiness takes teamwork. Don’t forget that you are part of the team.

Greatest Strength

Death – Weathering changes together. After over thirteen years, we have been through a wide array of life experiences, troubles, and trials. Through it all we have been together, growing stronger through each of the changes in life.

Greatest Weakness

Ten of Wands – Not sharing your burdens until they become unhealthy and too much for you to bear. You try to take on too much and don’t allow him to carry more of the load until you are struggling under the weight of it all.

Finding Balance

The Magician – Together, you have what is needed to weather any storm and come out on top. He is the puzzle piece that fits with yours, filling in the gaps, just as you do the same for him.

DECK USED: OSTARA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had my muffin and tea with collagen peptides today. I e been keeping up with the yogurt but had t had the tea in a few days. I also took Miralax for the second day in a row cuz I’m having a bit of a problem.

Shining Bright

Today’s meditation was, yep.  You guessed it.  Skipped again.

Ostara Tarot and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the King of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passion, drive, inspiration, and enthusiasm. This often translates into themes concerning those that inspire others to their cause.  Motivational speakers, politicians, and other leaders that are able light a fire under others while directing that energy to their own means, goals, and passion projects.

That is the thing about leaders, right?  Especially leaders that “rile the troops” to their causes. It’s that confidence.  That surety.   That positive certainty that their cause is the one, and they speak out in that confidence, calling forth others to join them.

There is no fear, no discomfort, no self consciousness, or self doubt… at least none that we can see.  Just like bird song.  Just like the bird that sits perched in the tree and sings its serenade to the sun and the leaves and the bright blue sky.  It sings loud, and proud.

The message in today’s card is to seek out and find those things that you feel loud and proud about.  What are you passionate about?  So passionate about that you refuse to hide it from the world?  Where in your life do you shine?  Where in  your life could you?

DECK USED:  OSTARA TAROT AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheNovemberTarot Solitary Tarot Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 8th

Ecologies + Bizarre Biomes Game Cards and Le Tarot ArchétypalWhat makes me feel the most (care)free and unburdened?

Accepting that things take time (Seven of Coins) and relaxing into going with the flow, as water flows over rocks (Marine Biome) and grasslands sway to the summer breeze (Grassland Biome).

When I’m able to let go of the pressure and the pushing, always pushing harder and expecting more from myself.  This is when I’m able to feel the most carefree and unburdened.

How can I honor this feeling of freedom today?

Let go of excess aggression (Hawk) caused by feeling the pressure to rush (Temperature Fluctuation). Instead approach the day with a grounded energy of familiarity (Le Pape) and responsibility (L’empereur).

Today is an orders day, and that’s fine. Instead of rushing, take things at an easier pace.  It will take longer, but there will be less pressure to deal with… less stress.

DECK USED: ECOLOGIES + BIZARRE BIOMES GAME CARDS AND LE TAROT ARCHÉTYPAL

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 8th

Ostara TarotLet Go Two of Coins – Stop stressing so much about keeping everything up in the air and balanced. There’s a handful of things that are going to fall apart right now, especially due to the credit card fraud thing while that gets sorted out and a new card is sent out to you. Let the chips fall where they may and pick up the pieces later.

Find SupportFour of Wands – L needs to get her ass a job after the holiday rush. You haven’t talked to her about it yet, but you know that you need to. Throughout the pandemic you’ve managed to support her, and her safety is still a bit of a concern outside the home, but it needs to happen.

Dig DeeperAce of Coins – Make sure that you’re making a list and getting everything in order for when that new card arrives. Having a list of everything you need to switch over will help you in getting all of that set up more smoothly and assist you in picking up all those fallen chips and start anew.

DECK USED: OSTARA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I did as the cards suggested today.

#DatingTheTarot2020 a (non) VR to Candy Soul and Soil

So, this prompt was brought to my attention by Simon at The Hermit’s Cave, bit it originates from Candy Soul and Soil on YouTube. The concept here is what decks would fit these ten dating categories listed below. Although it was encouraged that you could use any kind of deck for this challenge (not just tarot decks), but I will be sticking to tarot specifically.

1: The Cheapskate Date… who did you date because they were cheap as chips and what was the outcome?

Student Tarot v2 Stained Glass

Student Tarot v.2 (Stained Glass) – Other than free decks and gifts, this is my cheapest deck. I paid $3.73 for it in a bargain bin at a little Asian market up in British Columbia, Canada. It was tucked away at the very back of a shelf cluttered with stationary and books. It is a beautiful deck and actually got me into collecting all of the different Student Tarot decks. Each one has a different style of art, and I currently have… seven versions. I’m not entirely sure how many versions there are total, because every time I think I know about them all I then end up finding another one.

2: The Slow Burner Date… the one you weren’t sure about on first meeting but over time you suspect it’s turning to love!

Ostara Tarot

Ostara Tarot – I bought this tarot because I was attracted to the artwork, but owned it for over a year before eventually using the deck for the first time. There was just something about this deck that I felt I needed to hold off on. Then, a year ago in November I finally pulled it out and used it for the full month and didn’t want to stop using it even at the end of the month. This is extremely rare for me as I usually want to rotate out to use different decks pretty regularly.

3: The Blind Date… because we are impulsive humans and sometimes we just rush in! Who did you date without looking or thinking?

Raja Tarot

The Raja Tarot – I saw exactly three cards in this deck when I bought it. All three cards were majors, and that was it. No one had pictures of this deck up to view. The creator didn’t either. I had an impulsive “fuck it” moment and bought it, and it was the worst purchase I’d ever made. Jesus… it’s bad. The cardstock is bad, the pips are bad… even the tuckbox is crap. So yeah. Bad. Bad bad date.

4: The Rebound Date… the one you keep going to break up with but keep being pulled back together!

Liz Dean's Golden Tarot

Liz Dean’s Golden Tarot – I have gotten rid of this deck and had it come back to me multiple times. I bought it from Amazon, gave it away, found it at a thrift store for $4 and bought it, edged it… gave it away. Found it at a GoodWill in Ontario Canada and bought it again. It just comes back again and again. This last visit from my rebound date, I’ve trimmed off the borders and titles to make it image only.

5: The Surprise Love Affair Date… the one you thought would be just ok but from first meeting it was love at first sight that took you by surprise!

Tarot of the Hidden Realm

Tarot of the Hidden Realm – When I ordered this deck, I really didn’t expect the reaction I had to it. I thought the artwork was lovely, and was interested because of it, but didn’t think it would be anything particularly overly special. Then I opened the box and touched the cards and it was so…. perfect. The art. The energy. The cardstock. The energy. I’d never felt anything like the energy I felt in these cards when I got them in my hands, and this is my very first “soul deck” connection. I’d been reading tarot for 15 years at that point, which just goes to show, sometimes surprises happen even to the well seasoned readers.

6: The “Not My Type” Date… the one you went on thinking it wasn’t really your cup of tea but what the hell… what happened?

Thoth Tarot Golden Edition

Aleister Crowley’s Golden Thoth – Right… so… I find Lady Freda Harris’ artwork to be extremely disturbing. It gives me really bad vibes and prolonged exposure (over a few minutes) can give me nausea and cold sweats. I bought this deck with every intention of studying the Thoth and exploring the system at length along with its original artwork. But I was never able to get over extremely visceral reaction to the artwork. I still own it, but probably won’t for much longer so I suppose this also could have gone down into the next category, but another Thoth style deck takes that slot.

7: The “I May Have To Delete Your Number” Date… the one that really didn’t work but you still haven’t broken up with yet, what’s stopping you?

Tabula Mundi Tarot en Minima

Tabula Mundi Tarot in Minima – This one doesn’t give me the same bad/uncomfortable vibes as the Crowley Thoth, but there’s something about the artwork that bothers me and I find myself often confused when I look at the cards in this deck. This is a weird sensation for me. I’ve been reading tarot for over 18 years, and reading imagery cards for years more… and yet these cards are just so confusing to me and no amount of familiarizing myself with them seems to solve the problem. For some inexplicable reason, I haven’t quite given up on them yet tho.

8: The Forever Love… True love… ok this one might be on the favourites list too but I’m curious and couldn’t resist!

Herbal Tarot

Herbal Tarot – I could have put one of my soul decks here, but if I’m entirely honest? Even though this is not one of my soul decks, it will forever hold my deep and abiding love. This was my second tarot deck and I have worn out multiple copies of it over the years. It’s diverse, multi-national, and there are a number of androgynous characters presented in the imagery. And… it’s all about plants. Unlike my very first tarot deck, which was horrible, this deck made sense to me immediately and was easy to read from the start.

9: The Stormy On/Off Date… the one you can’t stay away from, equal parts passion, lust and fighting! The one you have to have a break from but can’t stay away from either!

Tarot of the Sidhe

Tarot of the Sidhe – I find the artwork in this deck garish, and sometimes abrasive. And yet… there’s something about this deck that draws me back again and again. I’m not sure what it is, but I can’t help reaching for it in the summer months, even if I can only use it a few times before having to set it back on the shelf again.

10: The Friends With Benefits Date… who can you run to without commitment whenever you just have a need for them? The one who always just slots right back in like you’ve never been apart?

Hanson Roberts Tarot

Hanson Roberts Tarot – This was my third ever tarot deck, and like the Herbal Tarot mentioned above, I have worn out multiple copies of this deck over the years. There’s just something very “coming home” about picking up this deck and working with it. The artwork, the faces, the colors… it’s like a close friend giving a warm hug.