#stctarotchallenge

That Moment of Relief

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#DailyCalm from the Calm appToday’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was another of the guided #DailyCalm sessions through the Calm app.

Ethereal Alchemist Tarot - Ten of SwordsToday’s draw is the Ten of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of painful endings, coming to the end of an unpleasant journey, backstabbing, and finding the “end of one’s rope”.

Here in this card’s imagery I see a wasteland. A wasteland at the end of a great battle. All swords have found earth, and no life remains. No one is getting up from this to keep fighting… the fight is at an end.

And here in lies the message.  The fight is at an end.  Take a moment.  Take a breath.  Feel that moment of relief as your burdens are set down and your muscles can ease their tension. The worst is now behind you.  In my case, for today, this message refers to my depression.  I can feel myself improving each day.  I am beginning to leave the darkness at the depths of the pit behind as I climb my way out.

DECK USED:  THE ETHEREAL ALCHEMIST TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Questions for…

Hollow Valley Tarot and Spirit Animal OracleThe Emperor – Day 7

What is something I should master in support of myself?

Frog Spirit – How to let go of the things that don’t matter is an important skill to support yourself and one that you need to work on mastering. Too often you hold on too tightly to those things you need to let go of, whether that be negative inner dialogue, bad habits, or sentimental items that you develop an emotional (or addictive) attachment to.

How can I use what I’ve mastered in in the past support of my Journey?

Rabbit Spirit – You know how to turn things around into your favor, and find the boon in bad situations. Instead of seeing struggle and problems as defeat, you see them as lessons. Hurdles instead of dead ends, mountains instead of impenetrable walls. Surmountable, with something to gain in the process.

The Hierophant – Day 8

What guidance is the Universe offering me for my Journey?

Hummingbird Spirit – Spend more of your time focusing in the present, instead of reflecting on the past or prospecting on the future. There is a lot that you have healed from in your past, and a lot planned for the future, but when you focus on either one of them too much, you miss out on all that’s good in the present.

In what area can seeking / applying {old} knowledge help me?

Cow Spirit – Positivity, optimism, and hope are positive influences that can lift you up and improve your life if you are willing to lean into that theme. You’ve seen proof of just  how well this method can work, but you have to actually focus on it and allow it in.

DECK USED: THE HOWEOW VALLEY TAROT AND SPIRIT ANIMAL ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for April 8th and 9th

Ethereal Alchemist TarotWhere are you slacking in your life at this time?

Three of Wands and Eight of Pentacles – You are not moving upon your goals right now, not even at a slow pace or in small increments. Slacking is, indeed, an understatement.  You have come to a standstill.

What can help motivate you in this area?

The Emperor and Five of Wands – Tap into that inner fighter and sense of responsibility, and just do it. It’s not about emotion, it’s about forcing yourself to move even when you aren’t “feeling it”.

DECK USED: THE ETHEREAL ALCHEMIST TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Bacon. I had bacon today. I’ve been on a protein craving for a few days. Today I made bacon twists and eggs, and it was spectacular.

Where the Small Joys Live

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#DailyCalm with the Calm appToday’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was another of the guided #DailyCalm meditations offered in the Calm app.

It’s odd to me that sometimes I am able to focus on what the guide is saying in the meditation, and other times? I only hear her voice, but not what she says. Today’s meditation was one of the latter.  It was very relaxing, but I really didn’t process what was said during the meditation.

The Houseplant Tarot - The SunToday’s draw is the Sun card, which is traditionally a representation of joy, happiness, success, warmth, and fun.

The imagery in this card is about photosynthesis, or well, that’s what I see in this card. I see a plant that is healthy and filled with joy as the sun provides its warm rays and leaves turn toward its warmth.

What is it in your environment that brings you joy? Are you taking it for granted? Today’s card is an encouragement to spend some time enjoying and appreciating those small things that bring us joy that we often find so commonplace that we start to take them for granted.

DECK USED:  THE HOUSEPLANT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for April 7th – Where do you need…

Anima Mundi Tarot and Energy Archaeology OracleMore space?

Page of Wands and Wisdom – Give yourself some room to grow and expand on a fundamental level. Look at your principles, your passions, your spiritual path… seek to become more than you are.

More air?

Four of Cups, Receiving atop Worthy – Don’t shame yourself into feeling you are not worthy of rest and self care. Instead, open the “windows” within your life that your judgements hold closed and allow cleansing air to wash away stagnant negativity.

More love?

Two of Cups and Supporting – Allow those around you to help and support you. You don’t have to do everything yourself. It’s okay to accept (and even ask for) help, and giving that help is one of the ways others express their love for you.

DECKS USED: ANIMA MUNDI TAROT AND ENERGY ARCHAEOLOGY ORACLE

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 6th and 7th

The Houseplant TarotThis season I will actually…

Seven of Pentacles – …allow myself to slow down and let things move at their own pace. Too often I push and shove, trying to force things to move at a faster pace instead of accepting they will develop in their own time.

In order to…

Eight of Cups – …put distance between myself and the impatience that isn’t working for me. All that pushing raises my stress level and creates an opportunity to make unhealthy decisions for myself instead of healthy ones.

I will take a step back from…

Ace of Swords – …new ideas and inner dialogue that is harmful to me. There is a darkness within that melds smoothly and seamlessly with the darkness of the depression.  It’s time to take a step back from that darkness and shine a light on the fact that I am treating myself badly deep within where others can’t see.

In order to…

The Hermit – …make sure that my alone time this season is good and healthy.  I love alone time.  I really, really love alone time.  But it’s important that when I indulge in alone time, I am doing so in healthy ways. This isn’t possible when my inner dialogue is in control and permeating my thoughts.

DECK USED: THE HOUSEPLANT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’m finishing this post before bed.  I know it seems like a silly and very little thing, but I felt like putting off finishing it until later.  When I do that, the posts build up like dirty laundry, with notes and half done writing left sitting for days sometimes.  I’m finishing this post so that I’m not starting another pile of what’s not finished here today.

Headlong Into the Squall

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

April Fools Tarot - Seven of SwordsToday’s draw is the Seven of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of sneaky antics, strategic action, and/or getting away with something.

It’s that last one that is what I see in today’s card, as the fleeing figures speak of running for cover before the shit hits the fan and consequences are rendered.

Today’s card is a reminder that you don’t have to weather every storm that comes along. You are not the masthead of a ship plowing into each wave and squall head first. It’s okay to step back and let someone else deal with the fallout now and then.

DECK USED:  THE APRIL FOOL’S TAROT

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 2nd, 5th, and 8th

The Hollow Valley Tarot and Guiding Light OracleThis week I will make sure to complete…

Four of Swords – The task and responsibility of giving myself the rest I need. Just remember that during this time, it will be important to work out plans for what comes next.

Because?

Untapped Inner Power – I cannot reach my full potential without time to rest, recover, and plan what comes next. When I give myself this, I am then in a better place to really allow my potential to shine.

This week I will reconnect with…

Justice – Divinity. Specifically, the energies of creation, evolution, and most especially balance. Balance within life and the universe. During the depression, I lost track of this connection as my focus was turned inward.

How?

Victim Mentality – By letting go of that intense inward focus, so that I can connect more fully to divinity, the universe, and the world around me.

At this time I am ready to…

Two of Cups – Reconnect with others. You’ve held yourself apart while upon your journey through the depression over the past three months, but it is now time to begin reaching out and reestablishing those bonds and connections.

So that I can…

Life Force Energy – Get back into doing those things that lift me up. Things like hiking and other activities that I’ve come to include others in over time and enjoy more (or differently) with them along. This is about doing activities that don’t provide alone time. Right now I am in need of their presence to assist in lifting me out of the depression’s shadows and closer to the light of freedom from its grip.

DECK USED: THE HOLLOW VALLEY TAROT AND GUIDING LIGHT ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: What does it mean to live a good life?

April Fools TarotReading Summary: Having people and things in your life that you value enough to protect (Nine of Wands), people in your life that you love enough to celebrate (Three of Cups), and the ability to choose what is worth sticking around for (Ace of Cups)… and what isn’t (Seven of Swords).

Take Away:  I think I love these cards.  They’re fucking adorable, and the creator really did a great job of connecting the imagery with the card meanings.

Anyway, that aside.  The answer here is about what (and who) you fill your life with.  It’s those things and people that you value that make your life worth living, along with knowing yourself well enough to know what you want to attach with… and what isn’t for you.

DECK USED: THE APRIL FOOL’S TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’ve decided I need to try to cut down a bit on sugar.  I’ve been feeling a bit ‘ech’ lately, and I think the sugar is the culprit.  It’s not showing up in my sugar levels, but I’m just not feeling as much joy with its consumption as usual.

Make the Effort

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Fantasy of Korea Tarot - Page of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Page of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, home,and manifestations. This can often translate into themes that have to do with learning new skills for work, new or resurfacing opportunities in one’s finances or resources, learning how to thrive with a handicap or disability, or recovery from illness.

I’m finding that I’m associating that last meaning with the imagery in this particular card and it’s all because of the oddity of the figure’s right foot.  Or rather, specifically?  Her heel.  It just seems malformed to me for some reason, and fits in with the falling of red leaves in the background that is, in this instance, a representation of pain.

Once upon a time, I spent three months living in a pain clinic.  You might imagine that pain clinics are meant to help people with their pain by relieving pain, but that is not what pain clinics are about.  When you are sent to a pain clinic, you are being told that the pain is permanent and will never go away.  They are telling you that you need to learn to live with the pain, so that you are not inconveniencing others with it, and so that it will have less of an impact on living a normal life.

This is what this Page of Pentacles reminds me of.  It is a reminder to lean into these skills that I learned in that long ago place.  The pain is always there, but you can mitigate it’s influence on your life and those around you if you’re willing to work at it.  Today’s card is an encouragement to be willing to work at it.

DECK USED:  FANTASY OF KOREA TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Questions for The High Priestess- Day 5

Haeohwa OracleIn what area am I guided to follow my intuition?

Oksoseon and Booyong – Take time to look closely beyond first impressions. There is immaturity in all of us. Are you acting rashly off your emotions and other’s outward impressions, or are you taking time to truly get to know them. Intuition can help you cut through both their masks and your assumptions, if you’re willing to let it.

What choices can I make in support of my inner truth?

Gyechu and Gangha – Don’t allow strife to dismantle your happiness. Instead lean into loyalty and love, and allow the rest to sort itself out.

DECK USED: HAEOHWA ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for April 4th and 5th

Fantasy of Korea TarotIn what aspect of life do you need a new perspective?

Four of Pentacles and The Hanged Man – Some spring cleaning is in order at home. Open up the windows and let in the fresh air. Wipe away the dust and allow energy to flow through and cleanse your space.

What would this new perspective look like?

The Empress and Five of Wands – A healthier outlook and more energy to lend to those things you are passionate about.

Notation – All golden cards are presenting a warmth throughout the reading (this is not a predominantly golden deck on the whole), promising a sense of renewed brightness and uplifting energy.

DECK USED: FANTASY OF KOREA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

We didn’t get to spend a lot of time tonight (Gideon and I), but the time we spent was wonderful and amazing and so very needed.

Flexibility Is Key

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Le Busque Tarot - Eight of SwordsToday’s draw is the Eight of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of willful ignorance, self-imposed restrictions, turning a blind eye (especially when it can be harmful to self), and entertaining a victim mentality.

The imagery in this card is essentially traditional, except that the bound figure is barely visible through the standing of the swords that surround them.  This speaks of not just what we aren’t seeing, but also the fact that what you can’t see might actually be quite detrimental to you.

The message here is a reminder that when you stand to rigidly in one place, there are things that will block your line of sight and make it impossible to see the full picture.  It is a reminder to stay open minded, and to seek understanding of what you aren’t even aware you are not fully grasping as yet. You will continue to be blind to these things you are missing until you’re willing to shift position and look closer.

DECK USED:  LE BUSQUE TAROT

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 3rd and 4th

Cat Wisdom CardsToday I will be selfish with…

Hiding – Your time. There’s only so many minutes in a day, and you have a lot to get done today. Bear down and go into hiding as you work, and it will help you to stay focused on what needs to be done.  Otherwise, distractions will start to seep in and pull your attention away.

Because?

Stay Focused – You have a lot to get done.  All of your energy needs to be focused on what needs to get done today. It’s an orders day and you haven’t done any prep in the previous few days to help you ease through today’s responsibilities. If you stay focused, you can get it all done.

Today I will be selfless with…

Take Action – Your altruistic urges. Be kind to others, even if you’re feeling pressed for time.  As has been said before. You never know what struggles and pain others are going through that they keep to themselves, and how very precious small kindnesses can be to those around you as a result.

How?

Proceed With Care – By ensuring that those who need a gentle approach from you get just that. You don’t have to be a bull in a china shop all the damned time.  Sometimes a gentle and cautious approach is better and can help more than coming at things horns first.

DECK USED: CAT WISDOM CARDS

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for April 3rd thru 6th

Le Busque TarotWhat makes me feel confident?

Six of Wands – Well no shit. Who doesn’t feel confident when getting praise and admiration from outside sources?

My “tone” in this particular response from the cards is because it bugs the crap out of me that it matters.  I absolutely hate that public opinion matters to me, no matter how natural it is for it to. No matter how ingrained it is into human nature. It niggles at my independent streak like a raw spot that won’t heal.

How would I describe my confidence?

Knight of Pentacles – Slow going, but improving and increasing over time. There’s a lot about myself that I like, but like most people, there’s also a lot that needs some healing and work. I’m on that journey, but this card indicates that progress is slow… but it’s still progress, so that’s good at least.

What takes my confidence away?

Judgement – Too much time spent communing with my negative inner voice, and not enough time focusing on where I want to go instead. You feed the wolf you want to thrive, right? I’ve spent too much time feeding the voice in my head that whittles away at my confidence, instead of doing those things and encouraging those thoughts that work to build myself up.

What builds my confidence?

Ten of Wands – Experience. Lots and lots of experience. The more experience under my belt, the more I learn and the more confident I become.  When things are new and different, there’s a lot of hesitation and caution, a lack of confidence.  But as things are experienced and more and more of life and the world becomes familiar, confidence thrives and grows.

DECK USED: LE BUSQUE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made stir fry today, even though I was pressed by time due to orders. I was craving veggies and so I made a chicken stir fry for dinner, which helped with the cravings immensely.

A Reflective Pause

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IMG_E9467Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was another of the #dailycalm sessions from the Calm app.

The topic of today’s meditation was about how we treat those closest to us, and how it’s natural for them to see out worst, but that through gratitude and appreciation we can help mediate showing our worst to them too often.

Bad A** Unicorns Tarot - The Hanged ManToday’s draw is the Hanged Man, which is traditionally a representation of taking a pause, considering alternate perspectives, relaxing into difficult situations, surrender or letting go.

I find that, with this particular deck, the little commentary on each card actually shifts the perspective of the card’s meaning a bit.  With this one, what I see is a bit of peace… but only after a frustrated moment of stagnancy.

A forced pause instead of one that is chosen. Yes, the peace still comes, as it’s there in the hint of a mandala in the background of the imagery… but you have to get out that little curse of frustration first in order to find it.

Today’s card is an encouragement to look beyond your initial reaction to what feels like an untenable situation, and see the boon. Find the peaceful moment in what could be a moment of frustration and chaos.

DECK USED:  BAD A** BABY UNICORNS TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Questions for The Magician – Day 4

Bad A** Unicorns Tarot and Gentle Wisdom from the Fairie Realms OracleWhat am I invited to create for myself right now?

Kindness and Reward – You know that old adage that says certain behaviors are their own reward? That’s what we see here. “Kindness is its own reward.”

Being kind to others is easy for you, but in these cards you are invited (and encouraged) to turn that kindness inward and be kinder to yourself.

The Magician is a reminder that you have all the tools, abilities, and skills needed to make this happen, you’ve only need to be open to actually moving in that direction.

What can help me grow within this creative endeavor?

Self Esteem and Future – Stay in touch with who you are and who you want to become as you move forward. As cruel as you sometimes are to yourself, on the whole you like who you are. This surety of self allows you to move forward with confidence.

DECK USED: GENTLE WISDOM OF THE FAIRIE REALMS ORACLE AND BAD A** BABY UNICORNS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for April 3rd: Do Spread #1
Focus on a relationship that’s important to you, whether that relationship be a friendship, a family member, or a loved one.

Bad A** Unicorns TarotWhat does this loved one need less of from you?

King of Wands – Bluster and bravado. Pride. Plowing forward toward one’s goals while ignoring issues and problems that need your attention. You do a lot of that disassociation with issues along the way when you’re in depression, but in this case you might have just trampled on J’s toes in the process.

What does this loved one need more of from you?

Ace of Cups – An open and honest expression of feelings, both good and bad. It’s important to make sure he knows how you feel, and that you’re willing to let him get out his own feelings as well with a sense of safety in doing so.  Help him feel comfortable expressing what’s going on so that you both are on the same page.

What in this relationship is being entirely neglected?

Judgement atop Five of Wands – There was a conflict in principles that needs to be addressed and dealt with. Friends don’t always agree on everything, and butt heads occasionally regardless of how well they might agree usually.  In this case, both are making judgements and assumptions instead of opening up and sorting out the issue.

Take Away: It looks like J and I need to sit down and hash out some differences in an honest and heartfelt discussion.

DECK USED: BAD A** BABY UNICORNS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Gideon time.  God yeah… ’nuff said.