#selfloveforthesummer

Dive In

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IMG_8135Today’s meditation was just under fifteen minutes long, and like yesterday it was not a guided meditation, and I did my piriformis stretches separately from the meditation.

The focus of today’s meditation was on the graphic included to the right in this post.  It felt really fitting, as I was struggling with a very unreasonable and disgruntled customer today.  It also sets me up for dealing with what’s coming tomorrow, as we’ll be meeting up with my aunt and cousin tomorrow.

I want to remember the theme for today’s meditation for that event tomorrow, and I want to continue to be kind, even if they are not.  Kind to myself and others… even if they end up unpleasant and possibly pissing me off, as they have so often done in the past.

Anne of Green Gables Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Page of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s enthusiasm, passions, interests, and inner spark.  This often communicates into themes to do with learning a better way to go about obtaining one’s goals and ambitions, discovering new techniques or methods of diving into one’s interests, and reconnecting with one’s drive and passion for something that sparks one’s enthusiasm.

In this card the girl in the field dances in the dark, connecting to the joy of the dance itself and the night sky, both of which spark her inner fire.

Combined with the affirmation card for today, the message that I see in these cards is about making sure that when you find something that really speaks to you and inspires you, that you don’t just push it aside but take a moment to dive in and enjoy.  Maybe it’ll be a passing fancy, or it could develop into a lifelong passion.  Either way, to enrich one’s life such responses need to be explored, not pushed away and ignored.

DECK USED:  ANNE OF GREEN GABLES TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

#PrideintheTarot Challenge
Questions for June 11th thru 14th

Bach Flowers OracleA card for loving myself.

Red Chestnut – Make a conscious effort to step away from worry and anxiety. These things don’t help you or those around you, but are only holding you back and causing you harm. Let go of the “what if’s” and the fear of the unknown and allow serenity to slide into place instead.

A card for protecting myself.

Holly – You don’t need to flex so hard.  Your spirit guides and the energies that guide you are there to help in keeping you safe. You’re doing the things needed to protect yourself, and they are filling in the gaps.

A card for freeing myself.

Hornbeam – You need to get more active.  It’s all well and good to do your work and spend time with Gideon, to make sure you’re getting enough rest, etc.  But it’s through physical exertion that you truly purge your energies, and doing so in nature allows good, refreshing energies to then flow in to replace the negative being purged.  Get out and get moving among nature, even if it’s just a little bit here and there.

A card for rest.

Wild Rose – As mentioned in another reading recently, not all rest is about naps and relaxation.  Sometimes the rest you need comes through activity and exertion.  Echoing back to the “freeing myself” question, you need to get out in nature and allow the healing energy to flow through you as you purge what needs released.

DECK USED:  BACH FLOWERS ORACLE

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: About pain…
Question: Are there are ways to avoid the most painful moments in life without stunting one’s growth?

Anne of Green Gables TarotReading Summary: Happiness can be found either way (Ten of Cups), but there is no growth (Ace of Swords Rx) without change (Death).

Take Away: The answer here is no.  Although it’s possible to live a happy and contented life without those most painful moments, in order to grow, there must be change… and the most influential changes in our life include pain. 

Therefore, these most painful moments are necessary for our growth, allowing us to learn and expand through the experience and pain involved.

DECK USED:  ANNE OF GREEN GABLES TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Choosing to play Enu tonight in roleplay with Gideon turned out to be a really good self kindness tonight, as Enu’s natural cheerfulness helped to lift me up out of the funk I fell into after learning about tomorrow’s family get together.

The Importance of Self Care

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IMG_2335Today’s meditation was about fifteen minutes long and was not a guided meditation, nor did it include my piriformis stretching (which I did separately).  Instead it was a quiet meditation with breathing exercise, and an experiment with meditating with a large piece of garnet while focusing on the piece of artwork and writing by Glen Martin Taylor that is displayed to the right.

This piece and connected text really touched me deeply, as it speaks to me of my own personal struggles at the moment with letting go of the habits and methods that aren’t working for me in order to begin something better.  I’m struggling with letting go, even though I know I need to and even want to.

It speaks to me of the fear that I can’t quite articulate.  The fear that once I let go, nothing will fill the void and I will be left floating and untethered.

Headless Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Ten of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of overwhelm and potential burnout. The card is an indication of being overworked or carrying too much burden and the need to redistribute responsibility to ease these issues.

I really like the colors in this Ten of Wands.  I’m not always all that excited about vibrant colors, but for some reason this particular color scheme really speaks to me of that approaching moment of burnout and the heavy weight that responsibilities can often impose upon us.

Combined with the affirmation card for today, what we see here is a reminder that there’s only so much we can do.  We can only go so far, take on so much, before we break.  And when we break? We’re no good to anyone, including ourselves.   Better to pace yourself, pick and choose your obligations, and make sure that there is time in your schedule to take care of yourself.  After all, if you don’t take care of yourself, you’ll soon no longer have the ability to take care of anyone else either.

DECK USED:  HEADLESS TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for June 12th thru 14th

Whispering Herbs Healing CardsWhat do I need to start?
Marshmallow (Water) and Cascara Sagrada (Metal)

When you stand strong for what you believe in, it doesn’t always have to be an active thing.  Remember that there doesn’t always have to be a fight involved to get your point across.  Sometimes?  Just a look is enough to convey all that needs to be said, and can touch people just as deeply or deeper than any words that you may want to share.

What do I need to stop?
Marshmallow (Metal) and Parsley (Fire)

You have so much inspiration and enthusiasm for so many things that it can at time cause you to stew and spin rather than move forward.  Although standing still to find your bearings is good, there’s another step that you’ve been neglecting.  Make sure you’re picking and choosing your pursuits instead of trying to do everything at once. Too many interests at once can cause things to break down and fall apart.

What do I need to change?
Chaparral (Earth) and Yellow Dock (Wood)

I need to stop clinging to the things that are familiar just because they’re familiar.  If something is no longer serving me or is unhealthy for me, I need to make sure I’m letting it go instead of trying to hold on.  Without letting go of the stuff that doesn’t work, there’s no room for the stuff that will.  By holding back, I’m stirring up feelings of resentment that I’m then trying to ignore.  Stop ignoring the problem and start working on releasing those things and mentalities that I’m feeling such a desperate need to cling to.

DECK USED:  WHISPERING HERBS HEALING CARDS

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #2
Question: Concerning her happiness and send of security, how is Miss Luna feeling these days?

Headless TarotReading Summary: The Tower and Justice are connected through darkness in color combinations and the way that the bodies tilt into each other. The Nine of Cups and Page of Wands connect through vibrancy and body language. Their opened armed stance for each figure, combined with both being in dance poses with one leg lifted.  Together, the dance poses combined with open arms depicts a sense of safety and freedom.

Take Away: She’s feeling engaged and very happy, satisfied and content (Page of Wands atop Ten of Cups). There’s a bit of stress and uncertainty going on with her right now because of the construction next-door (The Tower), but I’ve been able to mitigate that (Justice) a bit by making sure that the sliding glass door is closed when they are working and minimizing the disruption and noise within the condo as best I can.

DECK USED:  HEADLESS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I got some cuddle time with Gideon yesterday before bed and… I didn’t realize how tight I was until I was snuggled up and the knots started to relax.

Don’t Overload Yourself

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IMG_2285Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and was a guided meditation from the Calm app with added interval timer for my pirifomis stretching.

The focus of today’s meditation was about consistency in one’s practice.  This is something that I really struggle with and I don’t think it has anything to do with the time it takes to do the meditation. The meditation went through the benefits of a regular meditation practice, as well as time management techniques on how to help fitting a regular practice into your every day.

The thing is?  I don’t think that my recalcitrance has anything to do with time.  I think it has to do with my self-destructive tendencies. I think that like so many other things such as my occasional disenchantment with food, my occasional risk taking behavior, and temptations to harm  myself stretched out over the length of my life… the avoidance is another way to neglect myself and otherwise hurt myself.

Business Class Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Ace of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings and awakening opportunities in the area of one’s finances, resources, work, home, health, and other manifestation abilities.

Sometimes it can be hard  when toiling away at our job or starting a new project, or even just working to support ourselves or our loved ones, to remember that there are opportunities all around us all the time.  The thing is?  Even those that are good at spotting those opportunities can’t jump on every single one of them.   We have to pick and choose.

Today’s cards are a reminder of that process of making choices. We choose what happens in our lives, and we choose where we go.  When opportunities arrive, we choose whether to jump on them, or let them slide by.  One of the keys to a healthy and happy life is making absolutely certain that we don’t jump on so many of those opportunities that we run out of the space and time to give ourselves the rest and self care we need along the way.

DECK USED:  BUSINESS CLASS TAROT AND FLOWER FORTUNE CARDS

CoffeexTarot’s Self Love For The Summer Prompt
Questions for June 12th & 13th

Salt + Sea Energy OracleHow can I be kinder to myself?

The Flamingo and The Crab – Let go of your recalcitrance when it comes to allowing others to work with you. Remember that others are there to support you and you don’t have to do it alone.

Pay attention to opportunities to do things in an unusual way. Don’t get so stuck in the mud did she miss out on something that should be much easier than it is when doing it the old way.

How am I limiting my self-love?

The Seahorse and Sunrise – Let go of doubts and just trust. Your intuition has never served you wrong, so twisting in the wind instead of just allowing it to lead is useless.

Also, you need to start doing your daily devotion and gratitude practice again and making sure that you’re fitting in your meditation in the morning. Stop putting it off.

DECK USED:  SALT + SEA ENERGY ORACLE

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: About peace…
Question: How can I best foster a healthy peace in my life during my time of rest this week?

Business Class TarotReading Summary: You’re spending too much time stressing (Nine of Swords) over not advancing as fast as you want and getting where you want to go (Knight of Pentacles) instead of celebrating your achievements so far (Six of Wands).

Take Away: More celebration and less stressing is very important.  You can’t go into a restful week with your brain filled with “should have done” and “should do” thoughts.

Let go of these thoughts and the stress that they create.  Get out of your head and stop worrying so much about where you’re going.  Look, instead, at how far you’ve come.  If you need help with that?  Gideon would probably be more than happy to rehash all your accomplishments from the past couple of years in order to show you just how far you’ve come.

DECK USED:  BUSINESS CLASS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I went through a number of Witches’ Box subscription boxes that I’d been putting off opening up and going through, and included Gideon in the process.  It was really nice doing it with him and far more fun than doing it alone.

Struggle Isn’t Failure

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Today’s meditation was skipped because I kept putting it off and putting it off and… I ended up running out of time.

Veleda Woods Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of hard work and progressing on one’s skills and abilities to build in an expertise.  This mastering of a skill can be through repetitive action or apprenticeship, and can lead to perfectionism when the energy of this card goes too far.

Sometimes, when we are on a path to working on a skill or ability, it can feel like it’s taking forever or that we’re not getting anywhere.  I know that I personally feel that way quite often.  I think it’s because so often so many things come easily to me.  Writing, photography, most of the creative endeavors I’m interested in exploring, etc.  So that when something comes up that I want to master that is a bit more challenging comes about, it feels like I’m standing still not because I’m not making progress… but because the speed of my progress is significantly decreased from what I’m used to.

Today’s cards are a reminder that even when we’re struggling with learning a new skill, it doesn’t mean we can’t learn it or won’t succeed.  it just means it might take a little longer than we’d like.  Be gentle with yourself and don’t put yourself down during these times.  Instead, focus on encouragement and celebrate every small accomplishment… and eventually, you’ll get there.

DECK USED:  VELEDA WOODS TAROT AND FLOWER FORTUNE CARDS

CoffeexTarot’s Self Love For The Summer Prompt
Question: What is a positive influence in my life right now?

Veleda OracleLove atop Adventure, Courage – Roleplay with Gideon. The writing we do, the characters and worlds we build… all of it.  It’s an adventure that we play out together.  An expression of our love as we build stories and lives out of our imaginations, flesh them out through time and words and creativity, and bond through them with each adventure we experience together with each other.

Courage, Foundation atop Awakening – Restructuring how I treat myself and how I balance my life from the ground up. This is something I’ve been working on for some time now and it’s definitely a positive influence on my life.  I’m much healthier and happier now than I have been in the past with my old methods of doing things.  There’s still a long way to go in the journey though.

DECK USED:  VELEDA ORACLE

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: About nature…
Question: Why does time in nature (or the lack thereof) have such a profound affect on my well-being?

Veleda Woods TarotReading Summary: You take energy from the trees and the green and the growing things (Seven of Swords), which lifts your spirits (Nine of Cups) and helps you feel satiated and at peace (Ten of Cups).

Take Away: These times in the forest helps you stay balanced by providing you with clean and sustainable energy that feels pure and good, filling you with positivity and positive influence.

Like a bath refreshes the skin or a long drink of water refreshes the body, the time spent in nature refreshes your energy and your soul, giving you a much needed uplift in not just your energy but also your mood.

DECK USED:  VELEDA WOODS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made sure to get through my post office haul today so that I wouldn’t have to do more of it tomorrow and through the weekend.  With time off this week, I wanted to get a few things out of the way and it felt good to be able to do that.

Choices Without Bias

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Today’s meditation was skipped, as it’s an orders day.

Metamyth Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Lovers card, which is traditionally a representation of not just love, romance, and marriage as it is often interpreted by many, but also about choices and making positive choices that are good for you.

Today I want to start with the affirmation card, though, as the topic dealt with on the card is actually something that a lot of people struggle with when first learning to read the tarot or other types of divination, especially when reading for self.

It can be hard to be objective and unbiased, especially when it pertains to something that is important to you or that you have a strong opinion on.

The Lovers card combined with this affirmation card is a reminder that sometimes the only way you can find a healthy option for yourself is by separating yourself from the situation and looking at it from the outside. Sometimes only with an unbiased vantage point can you find clarity.

DECK USED:  METAMYTH TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What good habits do I have?

Fauna Inspiration CardsHeron (Self-Reliance) – Independence and inner strength allows me to not just live the live that I want to live how I want to live it, but gives the opportunity for me to touch other’s lives and teach them to do the same.

Squirrel (Necessity) – I am very good at preparing “for the hard times” and making sure that I have what I need when I need it. And when I don’t have what I need, I’m resourceful enough to find a way.

Pelican (Optimism) – I always say that I’m a pessimistic person, and that I’m always fighting to put more optimism into my life to counteract that.  But, there are certain circumstances where my optimism does continue to shine. Creativity. Security building, etc. In these areas, confidence and optimism blend and thrive.

DECK USED:  FAUNA INSPIRATION CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: About abandonment…
Question: Where in my life am I feeling abandoned?

MetaMyth TarotReading Summary: In my ability (Strength) to move in to something new (Ace of Pentacles) and let go of the burdensome habits of the past (Ten of Wands).

Take Away: I am feeling abandoned by my own strength. Not in all ways, of course. But at this moment I’m struggling a bit on moving forward on this healthier path I’ve chosen.

I feel like I should be able to let go more easily and move forward into this new path that I’m working to tread without the struggle that I am going through right now.

I want to be able to transition more easily, to let go of my  unhealthy habits more easily, and yet I struggle with the letting go side of things.

DECK USED:  METAMYTH TAROT

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Question: New Moon and Solar Eclipse – What’s hidden? What’s come to front? Why?

Family TarotHidden – The Emperor – Having all the control. You’ve always had a very dominant streak when it comes to being with others, but yet in the thirteen years with Gideon, this dominant streak has become less and less demanding of air time.

Come To Front – The Lovers – Communion with Gideon. Letting go and allowing him to suggest choices that are healthy for you. Allowing his guidance to help you and his strength to support you. As you sink more into that softer, more vulnerable side of your nature that he brings to the surface, and begin to not just settle and become comfortable there, a balance is being created.

Why? – The Sun atop Knight of Coins – Because right now this is what you want and what is making you happy. You’re comfortable with expressing what you need and what you really enjoy. Your connection with Gideon allows you to have what you need when you need it and enjoy it to the fullest. Right now you need to be in a small place and not in charge, and he’s able to give that to you with the loving support you need.

DECK USED:  FAMILY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Even though it’s an orders day, I allowed myself to take a nap.  I feel much better for having done it too.

Occasional Uncertainty Is Okay

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Today’s meditation was skipped.  The construction across the street was deafening today, even with the windows and sliding glass door closed.  I had plans to do my meditation after they quit in the evening, but then I ended up napping and making dinner after and the plan just went to shit.  I really don’t want to start meditating with my earbuds in, but I am thinking that I’m not going to have a choice.

Lubanko Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is The Moon card, which is traditionally a representation of the unknown, confusion, fear (especially of the unknown), finding your way through dark and uncertain times, the subconscious, anxiety, and jumping at shadows.

There is no comfort in the Moon card, only a hint of the emerging awareness in the murky waters of the subconscious.  A path through the darkness lies concealed in the water, while all around is darkness and shadows, and the uncertainty that they create.

These feelings are common in times when you can’t be in control of a situation.  Feeling like things are out of your control creates a sometimes overpowering sense of anxiety, a riot of confused emotions, and even feelings of helplessness.

The affirmation card for today brings this type of situation into focus, reminding us that when things don’t go as planned and you feel like things are not within your control?  It’s okay.  It’s okay to feel that way sometimes.  It’s okay because who wants to be in control of everything in life?  Everyone?  Every moment and every small detail?

No one.  That in itself would create it’s own mess of stress and anxiety. So, when you’re feeling things are out of your control?  Take a pause.  Take a breath.  And remember that it’s just in this moment within this situation.  Things will feel less uncertain over time and as the situation involved resolves itself.

DECK USED:  LUBANKO TAROT AND FLOWER FORTUNE CARDS

#PrideintheTarot Challenge
Questions for June 8th thru 10th

Connolly TarotA card for living authentically.

Five of Wands – Sometimes fighting for what you are passionate about means leaving your nest of safety and security behind.

A card for embracing diversity.

The Hierophant – Teach by example. Show people how rich and complete life can be by staying open to the wide range of diversity that life has to offer.

A card for connecting with my body.

The High Priestess – Your intuition speaks to you through your body. That quiet knowledge needs you to pay attention, and you need to get things under control with your pain levels so that the pain is not muffling your intuition’s voice.

DECK USED:  CONNOLLY TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: How is “art” distinguished from something that “isn’t art”?

Lubanko TarotSummary: Art is filled with passion (Strength), it is empowering (Chariot) and transformative (Death).  It makes people think… contemplate… and seek to understand (Judgement). 

Take Away:  The cards here are indicating that art moves people.  It touches them on the inside and inspires.  It reaches in and makes you think.  It’s individual, and touches each person differently, connects with each person differently.

Even as subjective as art is, the fact that it reaches in and touches us is wherein lies what  makes art “art” in the first place.

DECK USED:  LUBANKO TAROT

CoffeexTarot’s Self Love For The Summer Prompt
Question: A self-love message from my inner child.

The Zen of Animals OracleHorse – Get outside and run wild for a bit.  You need that outside time and you’re not giving it to yourself.  The longer you wait, the worse the lethargy and restless discontent will become, so make the time to get out into the forest and frolic with the energies and entities among the trees and moss.

Dragon – Our greatest growths and deepest depths of our selves are developed under times of stress, strain, and discomfort. You’re a survivor, and you shine as bright as the dragon’s pearl shimmering in the sun, a glow of inner strength and depth earned through all you have been through.  Don’t forget just how strong and courageous you are.

Goat – You’re sure footed on your life’s path.  Sometimes you have to move slower than others, but as long as you are listening to your moral compass and following your intuition, you won’t trip or end up straying off your path.  Allow that moral compass of yours to keep your steps steady and sure as you move forward one step at a time.

DECK USED:  ZEN OF ANIMALS ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

Well, I didn’t really want to, but I ended up taking a much needed nap today.  Also, got a brief amount of quiet time to nuzzle and snuggle with Miss Luna (which is how I ended up taking a nap in the first place).