Otto Schmidt Tarot

Support Structures Are There For A Reason

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was non-existent yet again.  Just too much to do, too many places to go, and when I finally got a moment to stop and take a breath, the nap was way more needed so I went that route instead.

Whimsical Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Ace of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of the seeds of a beginning in the areas of one’s intellect, education, aspirations, and communication with others. This often translates into themes to do with new areas of research, new methods of communication or new people to communicate with, new jobs or projects where you are learning something new, etc.

What stood out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card is the moon phases that are etched into the blade, which for me represents a specific period of time (29.5 days, to be exact).  As my readings are so often predictive and this one feels the same, what I see here is in reference to the car accident I had on Wednesday and the great deal of communication going on between myself, the insurance company, my medical support team, and my attorney.

Combined with the (oh so very cute as fuck) Thera-Pets card for today, what I see here is a personal message indicating that there is going to be about a month of pretty intense communication before anything gets resolved.  Which… is fine.  I’m not particularly fond of spending time dealing with all these people, but I have a good support structure in place and I know that with some patience everything will get dealt with and cared for.

DECK USED:  WHIMSICAL TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

The Marching Into Darkness Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: If my shadow could talk, what would it say to me?

Otto Schmidt Tarot

Reading Summary: My shadow would say “I want to be happy and secure (Ten of Pentacles) and a part of the process and path (Ace of Wands). Give your inner critic (Judgement Rx) a break (Four of Swords) and make me a priority (King of Wands).”

Take Away:  My shadow does not want to be put back in the box and buried in the dark.  It is reaching for the light just as I am in my efforts to rise out of my depression, except in my shadow’s case it was imprisoned for much, much longer. It wants to work on finding balance and happiness and a path forward that is less about nagging at the self and self-abuse, and more about prioritizing self-care… including caring for the shadow within.

DECK USED:  OTTO SCHMIDT TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsMar2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What area of my life is requiring too much sacrifice?

Whimsical TarotReading Summary: Too much “leaning into” my sense of “my way or the highway” (Five of Rods).  Don’t be impulsive or over confident (Knight of Rods), but instead take things slow and make sure you aren’t being fooled into a false sense of security (Four of Pentacles).

Take Away: I’ve been over-compensating in trying to pretend I’m not worried or stressed concerning the business and the changes that I’m adjusting to in that area.  Although It’s good to be alert and aware, and keep track of things, I need to step back and be less invested here… and less stressed and worried as a result.

By allowing myself to sink too deeply into these issues, I’m becoming too rigid and may find it difficult to adapt when I need to or discern between what is real and what is all in my head.

DECK USED:  WHIMSICAL TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

As I mentioned above, I took a nap.  It’s an orders day, so that’s not something I would normally allow myself, but I was so tired when I got home from the body shop and doctor that I let myself nap for about two hours.

Emotional Balance

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Today’s meditation was skipped.  Yes… I know that last weekend’s Self Care Saturday specifically encouraged me to pick things up in this area, but there was just so much annoying shit going on and I couldn’t settle and do it.  I might do a short one before bed, though.

Otto Schmidt Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Queen of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, creativity, intuition, and relationships. Among other things, this often translates into themes that have to do with compassion and emotional support.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card is equally the swan, and that the look on the queens face looks very… clever.

These aspects remind me of the literary roleplay that Gideon and I used to do based on the Anita Blake series where we played were-swans and had a cove.  There was a particular player in the realm that wanted to come in as the queen of the swans, but we were concerned because she had a tendency to become overly emotional and allow it to screw with her roleplay as well as bleed over into screwing with other’s play and emotions.

The message here is that sometimes even those in charge have moments where their emotions are in control.  At times, this can be good and create a calm and comfortable, almost serene environment.  But only if there are checks and balances in place to make sure when emotions run  high things don’t get out of control.

When my own emotions run high?  I struggle a lot.  Today’s card, combined with the Thera-Pets card for the day, is a reminder that having an emotional moment (or hour… or day… or week) is not the end of the world.  At these times, find what anchors you (that foot the queen in the card still has on the ground) and use it to find your balance once more.

DECK USED:  OTTO SCHMIDT TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

The Marching Into Darkness Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: When do I make others feel guilty, manipulated, or pressured into doing what I want them to?

Harmony Tarot

Guilty: When I am feeling discontentment in a relationship and the need is arising to re-establish or re-evaluate boundaries.  This card indicates that during these moments, I may feel tempted to use guilt to snap the other person to attention and  get things moving and the restructuring started. (Four of Summer)

Manipulated:  Times when I feel the temptation to use manipulation on others or make them feel as if I am are when I am trying to motivate people out of their moments of stagnancy and into a place of inspired movement, often by speaking to them and using what is important to them to drag them out of that stall and into action. (Dusk atop Knight of Spring)

Pressured:  When I am feeling pressure and the strain of upheaval, there are times when I can unintentionally spread that pressure and strain to others either through the projection of my energy, or through how I interact with them or the things I say. (Two of Winter)

DECK USED:  HARMONY TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsMar2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What is my greatest weakness?

Otto Schmidt TarotReading Summary:  The Tower and the Two of Wands are connected through color scheme and through the contrast of the Empress between them.  This speaks to me of bypassing the energy and themes of the Empress in times of chaos and trouble (The Tower).  Instead of focusing on self care and nurturing energy (The Empress), I focus on finding a way to move past the chaos as soon as possible (Two of Wands) even if it is at my own detriment to do so.

Take Away:  Distancing myself from chaos is a habit that has worked for me in many ways.  The problem comes when you have to run over hot coals just to add that distance and get away from that chaos.  Then, is it better to linger in the chaos and destruction?  Or is it better to run over the hot coals?

The cards here indicate that there are times when it’s better to linger in the chaos, allow the destruction to happen around you, and focus instead upon your own self care and nurturing yourself and those around you rather than seeking out the fastest escape plan.

DECK USED:  OTTO SCHMIDT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I specifically and consciously chose to not reach out to someone in need of mental health support because I knew that I was personally not in a place in my own mental health where it would be healthy for me to do so.  Putting myself first in this manner is extremely difficult for me.