#SeasonoftheWitchChallenge

Don’t Knock It ‘Til You Try It

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_7011Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and was about finding the path that is right for you and seeing ourselves through our own eyes instead of basing out self worth on what others think of us.

I think everyone does this to a point.  We all worry, in one way or another, about what others think of us or how we are perceived.  That’s pretty natural and probably has something to do with some sort of “human tribal/societal genetic wiring” of some kind or another.

The key, though, is to make sure that you prioritize how you feel about yourself above how others feel about  you. This requires having a positive view of yourself.  An honest view that allows for you to have things that you are proud of, and things that you like about yourself.  It means knowing your strengths and your weaknesses and finding a place within yourself where you are happy with yourself and who you are.

We are all works in progress, but its that comfort in your own skin that allows you to take other’s opinions and perceptions in stride, and not allow them to take over your life or your own perceptions of yourself.

Madam Lydia Wilhelmina's Tarot - DeathToday’s draw is the Death card, which is traditionally a card that indicates organic transition.  That is to say, it is about the slow and gradual build up of change that takes place over time.   Sometimes change happens all at once and is a chaotic mess of clashing energy and distress (aka The Tower)… the Death card, on the other hand, is about the kind of change that happens over time though. The kind of change that happens little by little until one day it reaches a tipping point  where you realize something is happening, and that it has been happening all along.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today is the hourglass in the lower right side, and the fact that with whatever is lying on the desk behind it?  It kind of looks at first like a gavel.

The message in today’s card is “Don’t knock it until you try it.”  Sometimes?  When we go through change we make snap judgements and reject the changes without even giving them a chance to grow on us, or time for us to adjust and give it a go.  But what we learn when we relax into change instead of immediately going up in arms to fight against it, is that we adapt more quickly and re-discover happiness more easily.

Consider the potential if we could relax into changes more often, and find our joy again more quickly in the wake of those changes.  Imagine how much less time we’d waste and how much more happiness we could enjoy.

DECK USED:  MADAM LYDIA WILHELMINA’S TAROT

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: As above, so below, I will channel this {top of the deck}, so I can grow {bottom of the deck}.

Tarot of the Sweet TwilightReading Summary: A certain amount of solitude and self reflection (The Hermit) can help me in growing beyond the perceived limitations of my ambition (Knight of Swords).

Take Away:  The message here is that when I channel my inner hermit and go after that alone time that I need?  It fosters within me the ability to stretch my limits and do better, learn more, and become stronger.  I am one of those people that needs their alone time. I need time by myself to ground.  This alone time gives me the opportunity to settle and process. From there I can then move forward calmer and stronger than before.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE SWEET TWILIGHT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #2

Anne Stokes Gothic TarotBat – What is ending at this time that needs my awareness and focus?
Six of Cups

Last year at this time of year, I was far too close to my past and it allowed feelings and reactions to experiences in my past to rise up and overwhelm me a bit.   This card is a reminder that I need to set my past experiences and feelings from the past aside for now in order to make sure they do not invade and create a repeat of the experience.

Calendula – Who is a loving constant in my life that needs a bit more recognition?
Ten of Pentacles atop The Lovers

This card is pointing to my twin sister, L. Over a decade ago, my sister came to me and told me that she wanted to move out of our parent’s house, but felt uncomfortable living on her own. I made the choice to allow her to come move into my home, and she has been here ever since.

She is, in essence, a part of my home now. It’s hard to imagine living here (or anywhere, for that matter) without her. I think that the choice I made those years ago was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my entire life… which is saying something, because I’ve made a hell of a lot of good decisions along the way so far.

Owl – What do I need to know right now to trust that I’m on the right path?
Ten of Cups

This card is the carrot dangled before the ass, yeah?  It’s telling me that my emotional growth that I’ve been working on is leading somewhere positive and that I’ve made the right choice in diving into this exploration and taking up the journey towards greater emotional intelligence.

This is actually something I needed to hear, as I have been worried about the effect that the upcoming holiday rush might have on my progress.  I think I’ve gotten to a point now where I realize though, that even if I backslide a bit during the holiday season, that I’ll be able to regain my footing and continue on that path of exploration once the rush has ended.

Rosemary – What memory in my past needs revisited to guide in my future safety?
King of Swords

For a very long time, I associated very strongly with the King of Swords. Over the past few years, I’ve found that has shifted a bit and I relate far more to the Queen of Swords these days than I do the King. The memory of when I was in that place where I related more to the King is something I need to keep in mind to guide me in my future safety. The strength and the accuracy and ambition, as well as the sharp and keen perception and tongue, are still there. They reside beneath the surface and can be brought out when needed. This is important to remember.

Black Cat – Where is conformity more of a risk than independent thought?
Ace of Cups

My emotional journey is something that is unique to me.  I can’t follow in another’s footsteps, nor allow others to lead the way, because my emotions are my own and how they manifest and communicate with me, as well as how they relate to the world around me, are unique to me.

Although I can take in guidance as needed, it’s important to remember that this journey is about my path and my growth… and it is important to not restrain myself to expectations (whether mine or that of others) when exploring the path ahead and this growth.

Wormwood – During this time when the veil is thin, what in my life needs protection?
Eight of Swords

There is much I have not learned yet and much I do not yet know.  Because of this, there is much yet that I don’t see or understand.

This is about my explorations of mediumship, spirit guides, etc.  I have been doing a bit of delving, in very surface ways, into the mediumship and spirit guide area of things.  The card in relation to this question makes it clear that I need to be careful and take precautions even in these smallest of explorations during this time of year when the veil is at its thinnest.

Raven – Where can sating my curiosity lead to the resurrection of something I’ve lost?
Queen of Pentacles

I need to call Ms B.

DECK USED:  ANNE STOKES GOTHIC TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I embrace my Spirit Guide’s personality more effectively?

Tarot de Marseille Par Pole Ka

Reading Summary: The two left cards really stand out strongly to me in this reading.  They hold warmth and power that feels like it overshadows the rest of the cards. The Kings, on the other hand, both appear to be decreasing in power in some way, from the leeches that suck power from the King of Swords to the blood dripping from the head of the King of Wands.

Heart open (Ace of Cups and The Empress), and personal motivations on the back burner (King of Swords atop King of Wands).

Take Away:  To embrace my Spirit Guide’s personality more effectively, I need to remember that they speak through my intuition and to not just hear them clearly but understand their messages most effectively, I need to be open and welcoming to their messages. Closing myself off muffles their communications, and when I am digging deep into my  personal motivations and ambitions?  I am usually very much also closing myself off.

DECK USED:  TAROT DE MARSEILLE PAR POLE KA

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I my perform spellcraft more effectively?

Ludy Lescot Tarot

Reading Summary: Slow down and be mindful of secrets (Eight of Wands and the skulls under the stairs). While you delve deeply into the study and learning process (the men in both the Seven of Swords and Page of Pentacles are deep in study… one of maps and the other in books), make sure that you do not neglect hands-on experience (Five of Wands).

Take Away:  The advice in these cards is that in order to more effectively improve my spellcraft I need to make sure I don’t lose myself so deeply in theory and study that I forget about the experimentation and practice part of things.  Both are equally important, as is taking things slow so that you don’t miss something important along the way.

DECK USED:  LUDY LESCOT TAROT

You Don’t Have To Do It Alone

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_6992Today’s meditation was  just over ten minutes long and was another guided meditation with interval timer.   The thing is tho?  I wasn’t really paying attention to the guided meditation part today.  I’ve been a bit flaky and “off” today, which means that I’ve not been able to really fully focus or concentrate today.  Which is fine, because a blank mind was very easy to fall into…. but listening to that guided meditation as she spoke about whatever it was she was speaking about?  Not so easy.   And even if I listened to it (which I’m almost positive I didn’t), I clearly didn’t retain it.

At the same time?  I liked the quote provided by the meditation today, so I included it in this post.  It speaks to the survivor in me, and to the chronic pain patient in me.

It speaks to me of acceptance so that you can continue on.  Being told that you will never be pain free again, that you will be in constant pain for the rest of your life? It’s a hard pill to swallow.  A really, really hard pill to swallow.  But, once you can accept it and choose to live on and enjoy life regardless, tho?  Then your life finds ways to stretch and accommodate for that pain, allowing for you to have love and joy and all those experiences alongside it…. instead of having to forsake them all because of it.

Tarot of Haunted House - TemperanceToday’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditional representation of well… temperance.  Wikipedia says that Temperance is defined as “moderation or voluntary self-restraint... typically described in terms of what an individual voluntarily refrains from doing. This includes restraint from revenge by practicing non-violence and forgiveness, restraint from arrogance by practicing humility and modesty, restraint from excesses such as extravagant luxury or splurging by practicing prudence, and restraint from rage or craving by practicing calmness and self-control.”

Although this is a large part of what the Temperance card is about, it is not the whole of it, as the Temperance card goes beyond the virtues of moderation and also reaches past them into the philosophical spiritual connection that practicing those virtues can create.  This means that the Temperance card is not just about the virtues of moderation, but also a connection to one’s spirituality, and thus a connection between the earth and divinity.

I don’t really see much in the way of the spiritual aspects in the imagery of today’s card, though.  What I see here is a statement about restraint and moderation being a choice.

The message here is about making that choice. Moderation is not a strong suit for me, and when I find myself at a point where I am no longer able to make that choice on my own?  It ends up being something I have to walk away from instead.  The encouragement here is to not walk away so quickly, but work harder at making moderation a standard in life…. perhaps with the help of others when needed.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF HAUNTED HOUSE

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: Ever mind the rule of three, what ye send out {card 1}, comes back to thee {card 2}.

Dark Angels TarotReading Summary: Sharing your knowledge and skills (The Magician) carelessly with those unwilling to walk the path and do the work (Eight of Swords)… and you are charging directly into regret and backlash for your reckless behavior (Knight of Cups Rx).

Ever mind the rule of three, what ye send out {reckless sharing of knowledge and tools to those not ready for such things}, comes back to thee {backlash for your reckless behavior}.

Take Away:  And this is why I do not provide hexes, spells, curses, etc. to novice witches… or to any witches for that matter. If they don’t have the knowledge under their belt to make their own spells, then they’re not far enough down the path yet to do the spell they are asking about.

I actually just ran into the situation last night on a Discord server, and run into it pretty regularly with new witches that have not figured out that this practice is something to be respected and not a toy.  I’m not referring to basic candle spells or things like that.  I’m referring to advanced spellwork (which hexes and curses definitely fall into).

I’m happy to provide guidance on ingredients that might benefit certain purposes and tools that might help someone get where they want to go within their spellcraft, but I’m not giving anybody any spells or curses or hexes. In my personal opinion and experience, people need time and practice to grow and be able to build their own experience and spells, and adapt them to be personal to them… instead of just cut copy and paste what someone else gives them without understanding any of what they’re doing or what the elements they’re using mean.

Obviously, as you can see, this is a pet peeve of mine.

DECK USED:  DARK ANGELS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What negativity in my ancestral history is it time to let go of in the present?

Golden Age of Horror Comics TarotReading Summary: Sometimes when you trust in others to do the work for you (Three of Cups) instead of doing it yourself (The Magician) you can end up experiencing malicious backlash (Witch in the Background of the Three of Cups) and hardship as a result (Five of Pentacles).

Take Away: Although I don’t agree with a lot of the ways that I was raised, one thing that I do agree with is that I was raised to be independent, strong, and hard-working. I was taught that there are no good shortcuts, therefore there’s no point in looking for them because they only end up causing problems.

This is something that my ancestors have learned, and through them I was taught to be different and do different… learning from their mistakes.

DECK USED:  GOLDEN AGE OF HORROR COMICS TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question: How does my personality align with that of my Spirit Guides?

Cute and Creepy Tarot

Reading Summary: I am open to my intuition (The High Priestess) and willing to follow where it leads (Knight of Cups), and in doing so, embrace the results as they pour in along the way (Nine of Cups).

Take Away:  My personality aligns with that of my spirit guides because I am open to allowing direction from my subconscious and my intuition, and they’re taking that opportunity to lead me forward and help me find positive outcomes in my life.   Without my willingness to blindly follow these qualities in myself… qualities they manipulate to nudge me along in my trajectory…. and without their willingness to do the nudging?  It wouldn’t all come together so seamlessly or winningly.

DECK USED:  CUTE AND CREEPY TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What does magick mean to me?

Murder of Crows Tarot

Six of Wands – An interest to excel at.

The thing is?  I enjoy the spellcraft and magic(k) part of my path, quite a lot.  I enjoy the studying and the learning, the researching and the experimentation.  I enjoy expanding my horizons and finding my strengths and affinities.  I also enjoy being knowledgeable in these areas and able to help others (and yes, at times, even looked up to by others) with knowledge and experience I can share.

The Star – A way to connect spiritually with the world around me and its energies.

My faith is based upon the energies that surround us.  Energies of the elements, energies of creation, evolution, and balance.  These energies are how I see divinity, how I grasp how the world works, and are the foundation of my path.  Spellcraft and magic(k) are at their very core taking control and direction of energy through intent and using tools assist in that purpose.  In this way, spellcraft and magic(k) then becomes an extension of my faith, and a connection to divinity.

The Chariot – And a means to an end.

None of the above changes the fact that spellcraft and magic(k) is a tool.  It is something that is used to accomplish a goal.  You put your intention into action to make something happen using energy as the force for moving things along.

Take Away:  In the end, spellcraft and magic(k) are many things to me, although these three are definitely at the top of the list.  It’s a part of my faith, a means to an end, a connection to divinity, and a passionate pursuit. It is a sense of security and a lifelong past-time, a hereditary gift passed down from my mother and my ancestors… and much more.

DECK USED:  MURDER OF CROWS TAROT

Your Unseen Influence

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped because I dozed off.   What was supposed to be a ten minute meditation instead turned into a three hour nap.  Seriously.  THREE HOURS.  So… I was a bit ticked with myself and decided to hold off on the meditation until bed time just to make sure I didn’t end up dozing off again in the middle of the day.

Madam Lydia Wilhelmina's Tarot - Page of CoinsToday’s draw is the Page of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of finance, resources, manifestations, hearth and home, or health. This often displays itself as someone learning how to be responsible in these aspects of life, or learning a new skill associated with those aspects.

What stands out most strongly in the imagery of today’s card is that the woman seems both quite sensual, and a bit cocky.  I have a hard time equating the pages of the tarot with “cocky” but I definitely connect the earthy sensuality of temptation and sex with the pentacles.

She is nubile and beautiful, and although her expression is a bit cocky, it also looks a bit tender. Like she is aware of her appeal, but doesn’t quite understand the power she holds… yet.  But she’s getting there.

The message in this card today has to do with that lack of self awareness… or rather, perhaps it is a lack of awareness of others, and the power and influence you hold over them.  Make sure to stay aware of that influence you hold, even when at times you may doubt it’s presence or it’s power.

DECK USED:  MADAM LYDIA WILHELMINA’S TAROT

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: I trust my intuition and I allow it to flow here.

Halloween Magick Tarot

Reading Summary: When I am protecting my home and values (Nine of Wands) from the outside world (The World), I am willing to go to great lengths to do so (Knight of Wands) with little moderation (Temperance Rx).

Take Away:  I trust my intuition and allow it to flow freely when it comes to anything that has to do with the protection of my home and loved ones, and the defense and strength of my values.

There have been too many times that my intuition has said something is coming, and if I had not listened could have resulted in disaster. I now have not even the smallest niggling of doubt when my intuition speaks in this area, nor even the slightest temptation in ignoring those impulses.  I dive in and do what needs done without question.

DECK USED:  HALLOWEEN MAGICK TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Listen / Process / Release

Luis Royo's Dark TarotListen – Three of Swords – When your feelings are hurt? They’re trying to tell you something. At those times, instead of wallowing in how you are feeling, take some time to try to pick things apart and find the message hidden within the experience.

Process – Queen of Pentacles – One of the aspects of the Queen of Pentacles is finding that work/life balance that allows for providing for the home and family financially as well as in a nurturing role.  This is very similar to the type of balanced juggling that I have been trying to instill in my own life, and feel that I have found but is not “cemented in place” as well as I would like it to be yet.

Release – Ace of Wands – As I move into the holiday rush (which is only a few weeks away now and time is running down quickly), that spark of inspiration for new projects and ideas needs to be put on the back burner in order to train my focus more fully on what needs done and the overwhelm that is coming.  Something has to give at this time of year to make room for that overwhelming pick up in orders…. and this is one of those things.

DECK USED:  LUIS ROYO’S DARK TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question: What is my presently most influential Spirit Guide’s personality?

Catton Candy Nightmare Tarot

Reading Summary: Sneaky (Seven of Swords), controlling (Wheel of Fortune Rx), and willing to do what is needed to make me see the truth in the world around me (Eight of Swords).

Take Away:  Sometimes sneaky is also clever, and honestly?  As hard as I worked for so long to ignore the presence of my spirit guides?  It does not surprise me that the one in the foreground at the moment is both sneaky and controlling. After all, without that ingenuity? They wouldn’t be getting their messages across, would they? The goal is to make sure I’m not closing my eyes to reality, and I think that for the most part they’ve done a pretty damned good job.

DECK USED: CATTON CANDY NIGHTMARE TAROT

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

Zombie Tarot

Reading Summary: Slow progress (Seven of Hazards) can be frustrating (Five of Cups). Although that frustration can make it hard to be kind to myself (Empess), I need to make sure I’m giving myself the grounding (potted plant in the Empress card) and love I need (Locked Heart Charm) or it will just continue to hold me back (Anchor Charm).

The lily charm sitting over the woman in the Five of Cups indicates that when I am feeling frustrated, I can often feel like I’m in the right in feeling that way and have a hard time seeing that the feeling is temporary and lacking in true wisdom.

Take Away:  These cards (and charms) indicate that they are referring to my spirit guide efforts.  I want a stronger and more conscious connection with my spirit guides and it’s something I’ve been trying to develop since the beginning of the year.  Although I have found some success in the effort, it has been minute progress through very small, barely imperceptible steps.

The guidance in these cards is to make sure that I don’t allow that frustration to take over and ruin what small progress I’ve made or convince me to give up.  The smart play is to continue on and make sure that I’m being kind to myself along the way concerning the pace I’m moving at.

DECK USED:  ZOMBIE TAROT

Don’t Dawdle Too Long

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_6970Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was another of the guided meditations with interval timer for my piriformis stretches.  I’m sort of wondering if the additional soreness I’m feeling lately isn’t just because I skipped a couple of days of stretching, but also because I have not been going in to the sports medicine doctor for adjustments since the spring.

The topic of today’s meditation was in taking a pause when reacting and responding to others to check if you are being kind.   It focused upon the quote by Rumi that is posted in this blog post to the right.   I’ve never heard this quote by Rumi before, but I can honestly say that it’s become one of my favorites.  I work really hard to do this when I interact with others… although perhaps the “Is it necessary” gets skipped a bit more than it should.  Still, I think it is a good guideline, and something as a whole that we all need to keep in mind more often.

Tarot of Haunted House - The Hanged ManToday’s draw is the Hanged Man, which is traditionally a representation of taking a step back to mull things over or see things from a new and different perspective.  This involves letting go of your own preconceptions and opening your mind to a new view.

Although I see this in the imagery of today’s card, the card’s imagery brings up more questions than answers today.   The reason for this is that the skeleton hangs in darkness beyond an opening in a brick wall.  From that I begin to wonder just how long has that skeleton been hanging there?  How did it get there?  How was it discovered?

These questions bring me to what I feel is the message of today’s card.  That is to say, the message here is about just how long you take in that “step back” to consider other perspectives.  Yes…. making decisions requires seeing as much of the “whole picture” as possible.  But if you get so wrapped up and focused on collecting data?  Sometimes  you end up missing the opportunities presented to you.   It’s a delicate balance, making sure you don’t hang there in limbo so long that you end up walled in.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF HAUNTED HOUSE

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: I am in control of the path I walk by…

Curio Tarot

Reading Summary: …being generous and kind with your emotions (Queen of Cups), and not allowing your drive to be more and do better get in the way (King of Cups Rx). Instead, you need to make sure you’re taking time to rest and recover (Four of Swords) and focus on your balance (Two of Pentacles).

Note: The “to do more and be better” is more about the fact that the King of the same suit showed up beside the Queen of Cups, rather than the connotations of the suit he is in.

Take Away:  The indication here is that it is not me in control of my path when I’m allowing those inner demons to drive me on the focus of “more more more”. It’s only when I take control of my life balance, be kind to myself, and allow myself the rest and restoration I need in that I am truly in control.

DECK USED:  CURIO TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I embrace positive influences carried forward from my ancestors?

The Dark Mansion TarotReading Summary: Open your eyes (Two of Swords) and look forward at your progress concerning that emotional intelligence you’ve been working on (Queen of Cups). Inspire others with your kindness to believe in you and fight for you (Queen of Cups leading up into the Seven of Wands).

Note: The Queen of Cups came up reversed, but I think it is more to the point that she is supposed to be looking to the right (and the future), rather than the fact that the card actually means it’s reversed meaning.

Take Away:  It is a conscious choice to reach for progress and embrace the lessons the Queen of Cups has to offer about your emotions and how they influence not just yourself but others as well.

For so long I have chosen to ignore my emotions and their influences. I learned this behavior from those in my past… and this new path I am on is guided by not just my desire to break the pattern but the spirit guides that are there to help guide me along the way.

DECK USED:  THE DARK MANSION TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better embrace my Spirit Guide’s message from the 6th?

Grim Tarock

Reading Summary: Sometimes in moving on from what isn’t working for you (Eight of Fish), you find something better (Ten of Citadels). Learn to accept what you’re leaving behind isn’t worth keeping, and it’s worth the sludge and slog of the journey to move forward beyond it (The Hierophant).

Obviously this reading is based off the imagery and not the suits/card names.  The “learn to” is a nod to the Hierophant’s traditional meaning, but otherwise this reading is imagery focused.

Take Away:  When you abandon what is familiar, there’s always a bit of fear involved. That’s true even when what you’re leaving behind is something that doesn’t work for you or is unhealthy for you.  It’s important, during these times, to remember that what you’re moving toward is worth slogging through all that worry and fear.  As long as you keep moving, you’ll get there.  Just don’t look back.

DECK USED:  GRIM TAROCK

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What does the Sun mean to me?

The Cryptid Tarot

Reading Summary: Let’s use those swords (Eight of Swords/Averasboro Gallinipper) to make something great (Ten of Pentacles/Yowie), and let’s do it with enthusiasm (Knight of Wands/Gef the Mongoose).

Take Away:  That critter in the Eight of Swords card is probably pretty blind to just how useful those sword legs can be, but with the help of the Yowie and Gef, goth of which have a far more positive outlook going on, it’s possible to turn what appears to be a dangerous handicap into a positive boon.

This is the energy I see in the Sun, that transformative energy that can turn things around and instill a positive or optimistic spin on something perceived to be negative.

DECK USED:  THE CRYPTID TAROT

Enjoying the Present

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

#DailyCalmToday’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was a guided meditation with interval timer.  I’m still working on getting back the flexibility I lost by skipping my stretches for those couple of days.  I had not realized that in skipping a day or two it was taking so long to recover, but I’m definitely noticing now.

The topic of today’s guided meditation was about intentions, and about living in the present. It is about looking forward, all the while you keep your awareness in the present.  All too often, we get so wrapped up in plans for the future or the memories of the past that we forget that there’s a whole world for us to experience right now in this moment.  It isn’t just that “tomorrow is a new day” but every minute is a new day… a new lifetime… a new world.   Don’t forsake what you  have in the now for the things that are already dead and gone, or those that are not yet even a reality.

Madam Lydia Wilhelmina's Tarot - Six of CoinsToday’s draw is the Six of Coins, which traditionally is a representation of creating balance through generosity (or the openness to accept generosity from others).

What really stands out to me in this card today is the differences between the two highly coiffed ladies, and the more natural woman off to the left.  The ladies on the right make me think of the court nobility of centuries past with their white powdered skin and hair. The woman on the right feels to be below their station, as she is not so very “put together” as the other two, her skin tone and hair natural and indicating a lower station, no matter how lovely her dress may be.

And yet these women of higher station fawn over the other one, seeking to offer her what is needed to appear above her station and more on their level. The thing is, though, that the woman does not look all that thrilled with the offer.

And that’s today’s message. It’s okay to be happy with where you’re at, even if that’s not as well off as others around you. As long as you are happy, it’s okay to not be striving for more.  And if others don’t like that?  That’s their problem, not yours.

DECK USED:  MADAM LYDIA WILHELMINA’S TAROT

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: I am curious and full of wonder when I…

Halloween Tarot

Reading Summary: Watching others steal off with ideas that don’t belong to them (Seven of Bats) and claim these ideas as their own inspirations (Ace of Imps), while leaving the other person bereft and full of anxiety about it happening again (Nine of Bats).

Take Away:  This is about being curious concerning other peoples motivations on why they do things that hurt people, and how they are able to go against the norms of what is clearly wrong for their own selfish reasons. The motivations that create this ability strikes at my curiosity and my fascination. Not because it is something that I idolize, but rather it’s something that I don’t understand and have a hard time wrapping my mind around. It makes me want to pick their brains apart and figure out how they work.

DECK USED:  HALLOWEEN TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Does fate exist?

Ghosts and Spirits TarotReading Summary: We are all bound fate (Chains)… but if we are open to finding balance within the give and take of the world around us (Six of Pentacles), we can gain more control over what we do and where we go while getting there (Queen of Wands).

Take Away: The answer given by the cards is that yes, fate does exist.  That life isn’t about what is fated for us, but about enjoying the journey in getting there.  It’s okay if not everything is under our control, as long as we relish those things that are and live the best life we can while striving to become better people along the way. 

For example.  If you know for certainty that you are to die at 78 years old in a tractor accident, does that mean that you should really spend every day between now and then focused upon what’s coming?  No…. it means you set that knowledge aside and enjoy every moment of every day between now and then so that you can say you lived a full and fruitful life once it’s all over.  Fate is not the path we walk, but simply a few landmarks along the way on our journey.

DECK USED:  GHOSTS & SPIRITS TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question: How does yesterday’s message relate to my journey?

Twisted Tarot Tales

Reading Summary: There are going to be ups and downs in life no matter what you do (Wheel of Fortune), so you might as well enjoy yourself (The Sun), and take control to move yourself in the direction you want to go while doing the things you want to do (Queen of Wands).

Take Away:  The guidance on the 6th was to make choices that lift myself and others up while accepting that road blocks and hurdles are a part of life.  Today that message is related to my personal journey through a reminder that ups and downs happen and approaching them from a positive angle and go after my dreams.

DECK USED:  TWISTED TAROT TALES

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What do the Moon phases mean to me?

Dark Grimoire Tarot

Reading Summary: The down and up and back down again of energy (indicated in the contrasting energy between the Four of Cups and Three of Cups). Creating balance and moderation as we move through the phases again and again (Temperance).

Take Away:  The Moon’s phases are about the flux of energy that the moon goes through each cycle.  It reflects the cyclictic balance that life requires to be a positive and fulfilling journey.  Never too much downtime, never too much celebration and high energy…. instead the moon teaches us that there is room for both, and that both are needed and healthy.

DECK USED:  DARK GRIMOIRE TAROT

 

Start As You Want To Continue

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_6923Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was another of the guided meditation with interval timer added in for the position shifts of my piriformis stretches. It’s been a few days now since I’ve skipped my meditation and those stretches, and I’m still struggling with getting my flexibility back that I lost by skipping two days in a row. It’s not so much that I can’t get into the same stretch as before? It’s that it takes longer for my body to release in those stretches, which means it hurts longer, yeah?

Okay, so anyway. Today’s guided meditation focused on practicing a bit of “distance” in our experiences so that we have a beat in which to think before we react. This is a really good practice that is especially valuable when it comes to dealing with anger or frustration.

Developing the ability to take that momentary ‘beat’ of a second when you are feeling reactionary?  It is that split second between snapping at someone for no reason and ruining their day, and realizing you’re being snippy and course correcting not just your own day, but keeping from damaging someone else’s.

Tarot of Haunted House - Two of WandsToday’s draw is the Two of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of making plans and preparations, plotting the course forward, planning for the future, and focusing on progress.

While the poppet card in this deck was my second favorite card in this deck?  This is my third favorite.   Interestingly, though… it isn’t the spirit board and hand that draw my attention this time when I see this card, but rather the open window and the moon beyond.

There is also a significant pull in the imagery in relation to the foreground and the distant background.  There is a huge stretch here between the two, and yet both seem so close at the same time.

The message that I see in today’s card is to start as you wish to continue forward.  Today is a new day.  If you want to do meditation every day? Start today… don’t skip it.  If you want to do an hour of prep every day? Start today… don’t skip it. Procrastination breeds more procrastination, so stop procrastinating and be proactive instead.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF HAUNTED HOUSE

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: Something I could work on to strengthen/grow my magic.

Tarot Z

Reading Summary:  Look into better (Ace of Pentacles) and more proactive wards and protections (Five of Wands) that will allow for lower effort and more rest and recovery (Four of Swords)

Take Away:  Okay, so I agree that my wards and protections that I have in place in my home are a bit excessive.  Especially concerning that the Fae I have accepted and welcomed into my home seem to police themselves quite well.  This excessive approach was born from the home invasion that took my voice and, for a minute or two, my life.

It also stole a great deal of my sense of security, that I shored up using these wards and protections I’d developed.    The thing is though?  They do take a lot of work and time and magical energy to keep up.  This energy could be directed in other areas… but to be comfortable doing that I think I need to do some shadow work on that feeling of vulnerability that the home invasion caused.

DECK USED:  TAROT Z

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What positive theme/event in my ancestral past do I need to acknowledge?

Trick or TarotReading Summary:  Overcoming (The Sun) bad habits and unhealthy temptations (Old Scratch) through innovative ideas, as well as communication and learning from others (Page of Swords).

Take Away:  The indication in these cards is that this is a pattern. The cards here are saying that my addictive personality traits are a hereditary thing, and something that cycles through the life of my self and the ancestors before me. And that those who have used the advice of others and shared their struggles find innovative ways to rise above and find a better more positive path.

DECK USED:  TRICK OR TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question: What message do my spirit guides have for me today?

Tarot of Vampyres

Reading Summary: Make choices (Seven of Grails) that lift you up and allow for you to nurture yourself and others (Queen of Skulls). This is a learning process towards a new future (Daughter of Scepters), and like all learning processes there’s going to be some stumbling blocks along the way (Five of Pentacles).

Take Away:  The message here is about making sure that I’m being kind to myself and easy on myself when I stumble or back slide a bit on this new path of work/home balance and emotional intelligence that I’ve been traveling on. 

DECK USED:  TAROT OF VAMPYRES

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What is my biggest challenge when keeping a spiritual journal?

Da Brigh Black Tarot

Reading Summary: A traditional spiritual journal requires me to be self directed in expressing my emotions (Queen of Cups) without the support and help of others to assist me (Two of Cups) in working through the difficult times and struggles (Five of Spheres).

Interestingly? I thought that this reading was going to tell me that it was about time… but instead it called me out on that issue of “time” being an excuse instead of a genuine reason.

Take Away:  I used to keep a physical journal that was a blend of my spirituality and my personal tarot readings. The thing is? There’s no accountability at all, no encouragement… no input or new perspectives to be had or suggested, and no support. All of these things made it really hard to keep up on this physical journal.

Now?  I do most of my journaling here, and when something needs delved into deeper?  I do it with Gideon.  As I’ve picked up on how much personal readings I do over the past year, it has given a lot of fodder for picking up these helpful conversations. This has created a dynamic that provides me with different viewpoints than my own, as well as support, and also an opportunity to teach someone about my beliefs and my practices a little at a time.   All of this has been a huge plus for me.

DECK USED:  DA BRIGH BLACK TAROT