spacious tarot

Perspective During Struggle

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and focused upon mindfulness in everyday behavior.   That is to say… paying attention to your impulse reactions and considering whether they are serving you and your goals or not.

We all do it, yeah?  Jump to a response without considering what we’re saying or where it comes from.  Some are simply aware that we’re doing it (or have done it) than others.  Part of meditation and mindfulness is becoming more cognizant of this behavior and learning from it so that you can become a better person through self-examination and self-actualization.

Eight of Swords - Spacious TarotToday’s draw is the Eight of Swords, which is traditionally an indication of both the positive and negative aspects of self-restraint.

What I really see in this card today, though, is more of a Hanged Man perspective.   it has to do with the lone sword off to the side as the others are bound and restrained.

The message in today’s card is that sometimes when you are feeling all tied up in your own thoughts and struggles, it’s a good idea to take a breath and a step back, and try to see the situation from a different perspective.    By doing this, you can often find a different way to look at the situation and resolve any problems in your path.

DECK USED:  SPACIOUS TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJanuary Challenge Prompt
Question: What hard truth did I ignore last year?

Hydra-Nix Tarot

Reading Summary:  That sometimes you have push for the hard choices (Two of Swords) even when you’d rather sit back  and relax (Four of Swords) and stay out of it (The Hermit).

Take Away:  Okay so… sometimes when something is bothering me, instead of trying to deal with it, I will sort of just set it aside and pretend that it doesn’t exist.   A lot of times?  This works.  The problem resolves itself and I didn’t have to freak out about it after all.   The hard truth is, though… that sometimes?  It doesn’t work.  And in those times, having ignored the issue gives it time to grow and/or fester into something ugly and monstrous.

DECK USED:  HYDRA-NIX TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to focus on for self-care during this new moon?

Jeremy Miranda Oracle Cards and Faeries' Oracle by Brian Froud

Reading Summary: Too much spark and not enough grounding energy.

Take Away:  From moving out of the gray and into the warmth, to the erratic energy of the Sylph.  Progression along that path will lead to disorganization and confusion.

In other words?  I need to stop allow my attention to flit about. Some of the tasks I need to get done are unpalatable, and some are just downright boring.  But that’s okay.  I’ll feel better for having stayed on task and gotten them done.

DECK USED:  JEREMY MIRANDA ORACLE CARDS and FAERIES’ ORACLE BY BRIAN FROUD

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt
Question: How can I overcome setbacks?

Lo Scarabeo Tarot

Reading Summary:  Count your blessings (Ten of Cups), work with others (Two of Cups), and allow for there to be a balance of give and take (Six of Pentacles).

Take Away:  This is the exact same message I got the other day from one of these challenges that asked what was, essentially, the exact same question.   Same cards and everything, if I’m not mistaken.   And honestly?  This really does pick up on one of those things that I have a really hard time with.  That is, allowing others to help.  Not just allowing, to be honest… but even asking for help is often a huge struggle.  And that’s after I’m able to acknowledge I even need it in the first place.

DECK USED:  LO SCARABEO TAROT

 

Snowflakes and Drummers

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and, as with yesterday, I again incorporated it into my yoga/physiotherapy.

I’m sort of wondering if the reason I don’t get as much out of the meditation practice done during my physio is because I am focused upon my body instead of upon a positive message.   The guided meditations, on the other hand, provide a focus for the meditation that is always positive in some way.

Seven of Swords - Spacious TarotToday’s draw is the Seven of Swords, although what I see in this card today is not the traditional meaning, but rather speaks of individuality.

Conformity is not really my thing. In this card, there is a clear message of conformity on the right, and a clear indication of non-conformity on the left.   What I see here in this depiction is that non-conformity “breaks the mold”.

I don’t think that’s a bad thing, though.  Yes, it shakes things up and can cause a few “Tower Moments” along the way, but in the end, it’s the non-conformists in the world that create diversity and add flavor to life. It’s okay to be different.

DECK USED:  SPACIOUS TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJanuary Challenge Prompt
Question: What expectations about 2020 am I clinging to?

The Lost Forest Tarot

Reading Summary:  That I’m going to go after this new depths of emotions (Knight of Oceans) and find a clear path forward (Three of Fire) that will allow for growth and integration (Two of Skies).

Take Away:  That new depth of emotion from the fall is very intimidating to me, and I’ve had a hard time getting over my fear to make it through to exploring and working with them since the new year.  I’ve been stewing in that worry and the expectation that it should be easy for me.  It’s not a rational expectation, but there you have it.

DECK USED:  THE LOST FOREST TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can you bring more of what you want into your world?

Maregician Tarot

Reading Summary:  Rest and recuperation (Four of Spades), balance (Justice) in my judgements on myself and my values and performance (Judgement).  Without it three are consequences (Three of Spades).

Take Away:  I need to remember to take care of myself and not judge myself so harshly.  Balance is an important factor in self care, and in life as a whole.  In order to manifest more good things, though, self care is just as important as hard work and productivity.   Without that balance, shit starts to fall apart.

DECK USED:  MAREGICIAN TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt
Question: What do I need in order to make my week successful?

Wheel of Fortune Tarot by Ivy Feng

Reading Summary: Uncertainty (The Moon) comes with being distracted in the past (Six of Cups).  Better to focus on what lies ahead (Wheel of Fortune) and spend time creating balance between myself and others (Six of Pentacles).

Take Away: I’ve been having a lot of dreams of the past lately.  Specifically concerning the incidents that happened on both my bathroom, then later my kitchen floors. Those memories bring with them a lot of vulnerability, and that vulnerability can breed a degree of uncertainty.   The cards are indicating if I want to have a more successful week, be sure to set those dreams and memories aside as best that I can, and focus instead on the present and future, and on connecting with others in my life so that we can lean on each other and support each other along the way.

DECK USED:  WHEEL OF FORTUNE TAROT BY IVY FENG

 

An Optimistic View

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was incorporated into my yoga/physio routine.   When I do yoga first and then settle into the meditation after, it seems to create a sense of accomplishment to my routine that I don’t get otherwise.   That said, although it creates this sense of accomplishment, I don’t feel as if I get as much out of these meditation sessions as I do from guided meditations.

Or… maybe I’m just missing the guided meditations, as I haven’t been doing them all that often lately.

The Fool - Spacious TarotToday’s draw is The Fool card of the Major Arcana.   I love this card for the Fool because it has the feeling of beginnings in a way that I think a lot of cards lack.   Yes, there’s an end to that cliff, but looking out over the horizon, there is a vast array of possibilities that the artistry speaks of for me.

And that is the message of the card in today’s draw.  The Fool makes an appearance today to remind me that life is a journey, and each day presents new possibilities to discover and explore.  It’s okay to look at the world with a sense of wonder and set aside pessimism to take a deep breath and appreciate all life has to offer.

DECK USED:  SPACIOUS TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJanuary Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I keep my actions aligned with my goals throughout the year?

Bohemian Animal Tarot

Reading Summary: Don’t allow yourself to get overwhelmed (Ten of Fire) and focus on staying optimistic (The Sun), proactive yet well grounded (Knight of Earth) while taking the time to be kind to yourself and others (The Goddess).

Take Away:  These are all things that are a bit of a challenge to me.  I have a habit of stacking too much on my plate, being pessimistic, and allowing myself to be unkind to myself.  These traits will be a hindrance to staying on track with my goals this year if I don’t stay on top of them.

DECK USED:  BOHEMIAN ANIMAL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Draw 3 cards to tell the story of what you would do for a Dove Bar. (Had to change it from Klondike bar, cuz those things are nasty.)

Textured Tarot

Reading Summary: Dive to the deepest of depths (Ten of Swords), and fly to the highest of heights (The Sun), and use all of my substantial skillz to get what I want (The Magician). WahhhHaHaHa!!!  (LoL… Sounds like a Celine Dion song, yeah?)

Take Away:  Honestly?  Dove Ice Cream Bars are, hands down, the most amazing ice cream bars on the planet.  No contest.  I’ve tried them all and they are far and above the winner out of them all.  That said?  I intentionally drew these cards with humor in mind, and they didn’t disappoint. 

DECK USED:  TEXTURED TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt
Question: How will I know I’m improving concerning my procrastination habit?

Ethereal Visions Tarot

Reading Summary:  Less issues with being upset with myself (Three of Swords), less struggles and more of a sense of accomplishment (Six of Wands atop the Seven of Wands), and obviously I’d be getting my work done (Eight of Pentacles).

Take Away:  When I let things pile up because of procrastination, the longer it goes on the worse I feel about myself and life in general.  By keeping up with tasks and not allowing them to pile up, I’m able to release the sense of struggling to move forward as well as that sense of disappointment in myself and embrace a sense of accomplishment.   It’s also a pretty obvious and telling sign that I’m improving if I’m actually getting things done and feeling on top of my work and projects.

DECK USED:  ETHEREAL VISIONS TAROT

Out With The Old

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and again incorporated into my yoga/physio practice at the end of the forty minute session I do daily. Moving from the ebb and flow of my yoga practice into the stillness of those ten minutes at the end of the practice feels really nice, and gives my body time to ease out of the stretching and exercise to a calm state.   I really like it.

Spacious TarotToday’s draw is a double without a jumper, meaning that the cards came out together as one from the deck.   The cards in today’s draw are the Ace of Pentacles atop the Death card.

When I see these two cards together today, the message that I get from this imagery is that in order for new things to happen, sometimes old things have to die off first.  Its a part of the ebb and flow of life that some things must fade in order to make room for new things to develop.    It’s a rhythm that fits into every facet of life, and it’s no different in mine.

The appearance of these cards is a reminder that you can only fit so much on your plate.  In order to fit in more, you have to let go of something, because only so much will manage to stay on the plate at once.

DECK USED:  SPACIOUS TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJanuary Challenge Prompt
Question: What simple way can I show my loved ones that I value them this year?

Field Tarot

Reading Summary:   Make sure I’m there for them (Prince of Discs) during times of change (Death), and willing to lend an ear without casting judgement (The swan consulting it’s reflection in the Judgement card), and help them find a way forward (Chariot) when they are having trouble seeing a their path through (Princess of Wands) those difficult times.

Take Away:  Sometimes what loved ones need most is an ear and a little help finding the path through the trees.  This is something that my loved ones come to me for now and then through the years and it sounds like this year will be another one of those years.

DECK USED:  THE FIELD TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt
Question: How can I overcome my weaknesses?

Tarot Cats

Reading Summary: Weaknesses are not meant to be overcome (The Moon), instead they are meant to be sat with and learned from (Four of Cups) so that you can move forward into personal growth and while learning how to utilize those weaknesses to your advantage (Seven of Pentacles) for the future.

Take Away:  This answer really makes sense to me, because I’ve never really understood how you “overcome” weaknesses.  To me, everyone has weaknesses and you learn to adapt to them and use them to your advantage.  That doesn’t mean they aren’t still a weakness, only that they have become a useful weakness.

DECK USED:  TAROT CATS

 

Nudge Nudge

/ Twist the Leaf / 3 Comments

Today’s meditation was fifteen minutes long and was not particularly relaxing, although I really tried.  I think I was just too excited about the snow and couldn’t settle to get myself in the zone.  Even my yoga/physio was a bit restless and difficult to stick on track with today.

Three of Wands - Spacious TarotToday’s draw is the Three of Wands, which… seems to be what the Spacious tarot really wants me to see a lot of this month.  Out of the seven times I’ve drawn from this deck so far this month, five of them have given me wands.

The Three of Wands is about planning the path to one’s goals and ambitions, and beginning the execution of those plans.

It really feels like the deck is trying to tell me to get my ass in gear… which, has been difficult.  It’s definitely trying to light a fire under my ass, though…. or rather, prod me with a stick to get me moving.

Today’s guidance from this deck is that you can think about what you want all you want to, but at some point you have to start moving forward.   Now’s the time.

DECK USED:  SPACIOUS TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJanuary Challenge Prompt
Question: What risk does the universe want me to take this year?

Bohemian Animals Tarot

Reading Summary:  Learn to celebrate your accomplishments more (Four of Fire) and put yourself out there to help others discover theirs as well (The Shaman).  Also, seeking emotional stability through immersion (Queen of Water).

Take Away:  I’m very skilled at minimizing my accomplishments and/or discounting them as “nothing”.  It always feels awkward and a bit of a risk to me to not do that, as if I might fall into a pit of pridefulness (new word!) and become a jackass because of it… or something.  By the same turn, helping others requires accepting and being comfortable to put myself out there, and… I really hope I don’t come off as a prideful jerk doing so.  Just sayin’.

In the Queen of Water card, you can see the little seal in the far background submerged in water, yeah?   That is what stuck out to me in this card.  With weight put on that little figure’s presence, the card is telling me that if I want to find a stable balance with my emotions, I’m going to have to immerse myself into them and do the work at becoming familiar and comfortable with them, and that in doing that I will (over time) learn (and earn) that stability I seek.

DECK USED:  BOHEMIAN ANIMALS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #3  Will I have found a way to connect with and communicate with my spirit guide(s) by the end of the spring?

Vintage Oracle Tarot

Reading Summary:  Following uncertainty and darkness between the Moon and the Two of Swords, the darkness bleeds over from the moon into the card beside it.  This means there’s going to be a good deal of it throughout the spring on this issue.  There is also a color match between the girl’s dress and the ground upon which the Hermit treads, speaking of  a connection between her feelings of needing to work with intuition more rather than physical senses is going to be the foundation of my path forward.   In the sky, the light grows from utter darkness to moonlight glow, to a great full shine moving forward to the right in the Hermit card, which speaks of a progression but not of actual success, as the light is not in the foreground and bleeds off the card into the future beyond the time limit of the reading’s parameters.

Take Away:  The answer is no.  There will be a clusterfuck of confusion and uncertainty at first until I find a balance within myself that allows me to tap into the inner voice and intuition needed.  Once I find that balance, the path forward will lie before me.  I will make progress over this time period, but I won’t accomplish the reading’s goal by the end of spring. 

DECK USED:  VINTAGE ORACLE TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt
Question: How can I improve my time management?

Golden Art Nouveau Tarot

Reading Summary:  Get moving on my goals (Knight of Wands) and stop (Death) lollygagging (Six of Cups).  Take a different perspective (Hanged Man) on my addictions and interests (Devil), and turn them around into something more useful than their current state (the Hanged Man is on top).

Take Away:  This reading is about distractions and how I have been letting distractions do a lot more distracting lately than usual over the past couple of weeks.   The cards are telling me that it’s time to get back on track, and indicating the distractions that need the most work in order for time management to improve. 

The distractions represented here are the Six of Cups and the Devil, which speak to the childlike fun I’ve been having with some of the games on my phone, and the bit of overwhelmed distraction I’ve been experiencing concerning my deck collection.  The first I need to work more on.  The second is going to resolve itself now that I have a new bookshelf to work with and can begin sorting things out in a different manner for better organization.

DECK USED:  GOLDEN ART NOUVEAU TAROT

Balance in Boundaries

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and, as with yesterday, I chose to do my meditation without a guide.  For today, I did a quiet breathing exercise and full body scan that started at the top of the head and traveled to the tips of the toes, then back up again.

This is one of my favorite meditations, as it allows for the systematic relaxation of muscles that sometimes I don’t even realize are holding tension.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to get rid of headaches, and I have had one since waking up for work this morning.

Nine of Wands - Spacious TarotToday’s draw is the Nine of Wands, and I’ve really noticed that this particular deck seems to really love throwing wand cards at me. And.. I do mean throwing.  This one hit me right in the face between the eyebrows.

The Nine of Wands is traditionally a representation of culminations, fulfillment, and consequences in the area of one’s ambitions, drive, and passions.  This often communicates itself through themes involving resilience, persistence, and setting good boundaries.

What really stands out to me in this card today is the rose, and the fact that the wand it rests upon is in front of the other wands in this card instead of tangled within them or concealed behind them.  It speaks to me of not just boundaries, but the fact that sometimes you need boundaries in order to achieve growth.

Boundaries can sometimes provide a safe place for growth and development to take place without that protection.  The card is a reminder that when setting boundaries you need to do so with balance.  If the boundaries are too tight, then there is no air to breathe and no light to nurture growth.   If the boundaries are too loose, the rose can end up trampled.

DECK USED:  SPACIOUS TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJanuary Challenge Prompt
Question: What does my spirit enjoy that it didn’t get enough of last year?

Ethereal Visions Tarot

Reading Summary:  Taking the reigns (Three of Wands) and allowing my inner strength to rise (Strength) within my relationship (Two of Cups) within a grounded and self possessed manner (Nine of Pentacles).

Take Away:  This is about Dominance.   I had my reasons for not going there over the past year.  One of the strongest being the burn-out that was caused by the time between us when you were dealing with your grief and the imbalance we went through during that time.  That said, there were a few times I felt the urge and pushed it away, mostly out of concern that I wasn’t ready yet to step back into those shoes.

DECK USED:  ETHEREAL VISIONS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What does your inner child crave that you’ve been ignoring?

Jeremy Miranda Oracle Cards

Reading Summary:  All of the cards here are depicting shades of cold, and the layout is bracketed in ice.  It speaks of cold on so many levels, but with three of the four of the cards also depicting being on the inside and looking out, there is a very clear message to me of the need to get outside and enjoy nature.

Take Away:  Get your ass outside already.  Yes, it’s cold… but do it anyway.

DECK USED:  JEREMY MIRANDA ORACLE CARDS

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt
Question: What do I need in order to create a better evening routine?

The Prediction Tarot

Interpretation: Focus, organization, and intuition. Honestly?  This isn’t a read off the cards and their traditional meanings, but rather off of intuition from the imagery before me.   There is a lot of stress placed within these cards about new methods and finding a balance between the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual aspects in my life.  If I want a better evening routine, the cards indicate that I am going to need to focus on finding that balance.

DECK USED:  THE PREDICTION TAROT