Stella’s Tarot

Two For The Price of One

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation has not taken place yet.  I’ve been feeling a  bit out of sorts today, and while I know that meditation might be able to help this, at the same time I’ve been feeling very contrary and resistant… so, it hasn’t happened.  I will make sure to meditate before bed though, and try to put a little more effort into making sure it gets done in the mornings, as I know I benefit a great deal more from morning meditation than I seem to by doing them in the evening.

Forager's Daughter Tarot - The FoolToday’s draw is the Fool card of the Major Arcana, which is traditionally read as a card representing innocence, new beginnings, naivete, and boundless enthusiasm. There is a novice and untried air to the Fool, as he has yet to have tripped over a single pebble or stubbed his toe on a single root yet on his journey.   There is also a hint of anticipation, as adventures await the Fool, and he’s eager to begin.

I have to admit that as the Fool, I struggle with this card a bit.  Not me as the Fool, but this imagery as a representation of the Fool.  Because the taproot in this imagery looks like it is going through the egg (as opposed to behind it) this card feels far more to me like the World card than it does the Fool card.   Granted, the World and the Fool are connected by the Major Arcana’s cycle… so it is still fitting.  It just… fits more to me as the World.

That aside.    What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery on this card today is the Monarch butterfly working at wiggling its way free of the cocoon.  That imagery does indeed speak to me of the Fool and the World.  It speaks to me of the Fool because the butterfly is breaking free into a brand new form never experienced before.  It is eager for freedom and fights to get free of the cocoon in order to spread its wings.  At the same time, the other cocoons not yet open speak to me of the World.  For there is an ending and a beginning within those dangling pods, a transformation in the making.

There is a transformation happening in my life at the moment as well.   As I plan at returning to more regular work, and begin sorting through responsibilities and obligations, I am transforming how I used to do things into a new plan and a new norm.  The Fool has been a secondary stalker card for me over the past few weeks, trailing along behind the Ace of Cups, it appears again and again, just not quite as frequently.

The Fool’s message is twofold.  New beginnings and fresh starts take a change of mindset… and, that the change of mindset needed is one of wide eyed curiosity and eager optimism.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I honor or uphold my body’s message?

Animal Wisdom Tarot

Reading Summary: Find a way (Fox), even if it feels like stealing time from something else (Magpie). You need the perspective provided (Bat) to help join emotion and intuition (Dolphins) for that growth that involves both (Nautilus).

There is, through color and mood of the skies in both cards, a connection between the Bat and the Fox that speaks of using my ability at being able to see multiple new perspectives to help me in finding a path to what my body needs.

There is also a connection between the Dolphin card and the Nautilus that involves a great deal of color combination as well as the spiral beneath the water in the Dolphin cards and its corresponding spiral of the Nautilus shell.   These correspondences reinforce a message in yesterday’s read about the interconnection between the emotions and intuition on this journey of growth that I’m on.

Take Away:  I can honor my body’s message (which is that I need to take better care of my body so that I will feel better overall) by shuffling my crap around to find the time to get in a bit of exercise, keeping in mind that if I do not there’s a good possibility I’ll end up stunting the growth I’ve been trying to foster in myself lately.

DECK USED:  ANIMAL WISDOM TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What loss do I fear the most?

Stella's TarotReading Summary: The death of hope (The Star) and happiness (The Sun) closing me off to the world and sinking me into my own inner hell (Nine of Swords) as it obliterates my ability to see multiple perspectives (The Hanged Man Rx).

Take Away:  So the true fear of loss here has to do with losing my ability to view things in an unbiased manner and see multiple perspectives. The death of hope and happiness is the path to that outcome.

The thing is, that it really terrifies me to actually think I could lose that.  That perspective.  That ability to step back and really see things from “both sides” or multiple views.  It worries me that without that ability, I would become closed minded and hard… which is something I would never want.

DECK USED:  STELLA’S TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: Given the current restrictions, how can I give and receive support to those important people in my life?

TaRat Rat Tarot

Reading Summary: You have to take action (Three of Wands) to celebrate what you have (Four of Wands) even in the worst of times (Ten of Swords). homecoming = reaching out

Take Away:  The Four of Wands is not just a “celebration” card, but also holds roots in the concept of “homecoming”.  Which is to say that in this case that ‘celebration’ seen in the cards has more to do with enjoying what I have…. enjoying my loved ones and taking action to enjoy them in the ways I am able… even when things are more difficult or feel impossible.  This is where phone calls and other forms of communication come in, as they allow that celebration of our connection, even from afar.

DECK USED:  TARAT RAT TAROT

Self Awareness and Vice

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_4480Today’s meditation was just under ten minutes long, and focused upon choosing your words wisely.  Okay so it was a bit more than that.  It was about taking a beat to get in touch with your reactions, and using that moment to recognize if you are having an emotional reaction.  To recognize if there isn’t a better way to respond than by jumping to your first reaction and raising your voice or following blindly in a raise of your emotions.

Too often when we are confronted with conflict or with something that puts our back up for one reason or another, we react without thinking.  The meditation today was focused on finding a better path by using the mindfulness learned in the practice of meditating and finding a more calm and collected response.

Maruco Animal Tarot - The DevilToday’s draw is the Devil card, which is traditionally interpreted as a representation of temptations, obsessions, and addictions.  It often refers to themes that have to do with self-imposed restrictions or self-imposed situations where one’s vices become a problem. It can also occasionally refer to that inner “shadow self” that contains the parts of ourselves and traits that we prefer not to accept or bring out into the light.

[Traditional Symbology Side Note: In the lovers card in the traditional RWS tarot, these same figures stand before two trees.   The female figure stands before the Tree of Knowledge.  The male figure stands before the Tree of Life. Here in the devil card (both in this deck and also in the traditional RWS) you see the representation of these trees reflected by what sprouts from the tails of these figures.]

I added the side note above, because what stands out to me the strongest today in the imagery of this card is the tails of the two chained fuzzies below the white tiger devil.  In this imagery, both tails have “born fruit” that feels like the fruit of that is their vice… their obsession.  Their addiction that keeps them chained.  In the case of the figure on the left, it is about the pleasure of abundance and “forbidden fruit”.   In the figure on the right, it is about the spark of one’s passions and drive.   In both cases, although what has put them in their current predicament is different, the results are the same.

The second thing that stands out to me is that in both cases, their eyes are closed…. but the tiger’s eyes are open and feel as if they have a depth of understanding to them.  This, interestingly enough, speaks to me of a blend of empathy and strength.

The message here is to make sure you are aware of those things that make you tick, and those things that have the potential to become more than that and enslave you.  I have a tendency toward addiction, and the message for me is one of self awareness.  Being self aware allows me to enjoy the things I love without taking it too far.  And, allows me to know when it is getting to a point where “taking it to far” has stopped being a possibility and has become a reality.

DECK USED:  MARUCO ANIMAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: What does my inner child want me to know at this time?

Mystical Manga Tarot

Reading Summary: This new opportunity to do things differently that’s currently before me (Page of Coins) needs to be considered with a good deal of introspection and thought (Eight of Swords) as well as careful planning.   At the center of that planning and the working through of how to proceed?  Make sure you are factoring in the need for continued self care (Empress).

Take Away:  The reorganization that has happened as a result of the pandemic has created an opportunity for me to rearrange not just how I work, but how I see things and where my focuses should lie.   The cards here are an encouragement to make sure that I don’t forget about the dedication I’ve put into self care during this time, and carry it forward into the future by careful and well thought out planning.

DECK USED:  MYSTICAL MANGA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #2
What does Miss Luna want from me that I am not providing enough of?

Animal Wisdom TarotReading Summary: More good stuff (first two cards). Less change and instability (Moth Rx). Note the flow of colors in the background which connects the first two cards, indicating that she connects the joy of my attentions (Hummingbird) with the joy of passionate action (Tiger).  This connection is reinforced by the similar color palates and abundance of light in the first two cards, which speaks of joy and happiness.  Whereas the absence of light in the last card speaks of displeasure.

Take Away:  The cards here are saying that Miss Luna wants more play time with me.  She wants to have fun and finds that fun and action a sort of positive reinforcement.

What she wants less of from me is instability and change.  There’s not a lot that I can do about that as I can only provide so much stability considering my unstable schedule.  I do work hard to give her a bit of predictability within her days tho.

DECK USED:  ANIMAL WISDOM TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: When do I take on the mood of someone else?

Stella's Tarot

Reading Summary: When I recognize that in the great scheme of things, there is no difference between others and myself (Death Rx), which allows me to connect with them through empathy (Three of Swords) and commiseration (Three of Disks).

Take Away:  Although I am not an empath, I am very much able to feel empathy under the right circumstances.  Those circumstances essentially require me to relate to and commiserate in some way with the other person.  I am then able to “take on” their mood and emotions.  This is not so much the sharing of emotions that an empath would experience, but more of a reflection of those emotions like a mirror.

DECK USED:  STELLA’S TAROT

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Tarot of the 78 Doors, TERRA Oracle, The Crown: ETA (Emerging Toronto Artists) Oracle

Earth – Knave of Swords and Rhino (Fear) – You’re going to find yourself at a crossroads this week where you will have to choose between observation or action.  Make sure that you don’t allow your fear to be the reason that you hold back from stepping forward into the light.

Air – Six of Swords and Praying Mantis (Mindfulness) – Make sure you’re not “winging it” this week.  Have a plan and move forward with purpose and intent. The first step to manifestation is forethought and planning.

Water – Six of Wands and Elephant (Kindred) – Do not allow admiration or praise to be an opening for someone to endear themselves to you. Just because they admire something you do or a quality about you that you are proud of does not make them a good fit as a friend or a confidant.

Fire – Eight of Swords, Stingray (Balance), Manatee (Compassion) – Don’t get frustrated.  Things are not going to go as planned this week concerning creative endeavors.  Remember that it’s okay to make mistakes. Learn from them and move on instead of brooding over them and making a big deal out of it.   A balanced and compassionate view of these mistakes is a far better approach, and will keep you from getting stuck in self recriminations.

Waning – Empire – It’s time to get away from the city and step outside the concrete forest and into actual trees. The good news is that a vast number of trailheads have opened up in the area for day-hikes.  Spend some time outside and let that time cleanse the pollution of too much time in the city from your soul.

Waxing – Duality –  Note that this card is very close to touching the mindfulness (Stingray) card.   Moving into this week, make sure that you are allowing for an open mindfulness that allows for multiple views of the situation at hand and an unbiased quality to looking forward so that you can see all of the divergent paths that are possible before you.  Possibilities abound, and allow yourself to split apart in that forward thinking so that you can explore each thoroughly before ever taking the first step.

Take Away –  Lots of planning, watchfulness, and forethought involved with this week.  Not so much action.  The week ahead is about preparation.   Acting on creative inspiration is going to cause a little distress and struggle, but that’s okay because it is something you will learn from, so even in failure it will not be a useless experience.
And… it’s time to get your ass outside and enjoy some time in the forest’s embrace.

DECKS USED: TAROT OF THE 78 DOORS, TERRA ORACLE, THE CROWN ETA ORACLE

Stay True To The Path

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was fifteen minutes long and was attached to the end of my yoga/physiotherapy practice.   I went up north today to check the mail and I didn’t want to allow myself the chance of falling asleep during or after my meditation, so it was a better idea to incorporate it into my yoga practice instead of doing it on my own stretched out and folded up into a couple of stretches on the bed.   The floor is far less comfortable, after all, even with a yoga mat laid out.

Forager's Daughter Tarot - The EmperorToday’s draw is the Emperor card, which is traditionally interpreted as a strong “father” energy or “boss” energy. This has to do with themes that involve being in a position of authority, or possessing a sense of stability, structure, and established control.

What really stands out to me in the imagery of this card today is the banded agate rocks that the buck stands upon.  Banded agate has a lot of meanings and uses but it is most commonly known as a healing stone that reaches into the levels of the mind, body, and spirit to unify as it heals.  It is also a powerful against psychic attacks directed through harmful negative energy.

The traditional meaning of this card blended with the qualities of the banded agate provide me with a message about not allowing others to drag me down.  Keep my energy both positive and authoritative as I move through my day today and things will continue to go smoothly.  Step off this path… and you may fall into a tangled mess below.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I bring more alignment with self into my life?

Tarot Fauna

Reading Summary: Bring more restraint (Temperance) into both the juggling of my responsibilities (Two of Rocks) and allow for more acceptance (again, Temperance) of fickle nature of change (Wheel of Fortune).

Take Away:  The advice here is to add a little extra space to my plate… not to be filled up with things to do, but to leave a little bit of “wiggle room” in my schedule and in my pile of responsibilities so that when I need a little extra time and space, I have it on hand.  This is really good advice, and oddly similar to advice I gave in a reading to someone else earlier today with an entirely different question.

The truth is, though, that I do have a habit of piling so much on my plate that then, when I need a little space, I’m so overwhelmed with commitments and responsibilities that I can’t find it.   This starts a cycle of negative reactions and struggles that results in burnout (where I end up having to drop the ball on damned near everything) and then a recovery period after burnout.

DECK USED:  TAROT FAUNA

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Write something free-form inspired by the cards.

Stella's TarotThere was once a young fox who thought he had everything figured out.  He lived in a small forest filled with the security of family and friends, a plentiful amount of food (Ten of Disks).

So much so that the fox was able to be picky with his meals and often ignored the advice of his mother (Queen of Cups atop Four of Cups) to eat a diverse diet, instead choosing to eat his favorites again and again.

Over time, because the young fox had a sweet tooth that caused him to eat far too many berries and not enough meat, he became very sickly and unwell (Seven of Disks).

Then one day he saw his sister chasing after a rabbit. He was so fascinated by the joy she displayed as she ran and played (Knight of Wands), bounding after the bit of fluff this way and that, that he realized the error of his ways and was inspired to follow suit and learn from her how to take care of himself properly (Princess of Cups).

DECK USED:  STELLA’S TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What are my relationship deal breakers?

TaRat Rat Tarot

Reading Summary: Irresponsible with money (Page of Coins Rx). A bossy know it all (The Hierophant). Uncertainty and lack of direction (The Moon).

Take Away:  I’m actually surprised that stupidity isn’t up there. *Chuckles.*  Though, all of those things listed in these cards are definitely deal breakers for me.

1) I really can’t stand someone that is ultimately so irresponsible with their money that they can’t cover their responsibilities.  I see this behavior all the time and, while I don’t mind it in others as a whole? It’s not something I could ever saddle myself to, as I am far too focused on stability and security to tolerate that behavior when it might influence my own situation.

2) There is a big difference between someone who is dominant and wise…. and someone that’s just bossy and an ass.   I’ve found that although I thrive in relation to the first, and I would not be able to tolerate the latter. I’m too independent to allow someone with arbitrary demands have control over my life.

3) By the same turn, I am also too independent to tolerate being close with someone that has no clue what the fuck they think or feel or want.  This type of behavior drives me nuts, and it is something that I have often encouraged others to grow out of over time.

DECK USED:  TARAT RAT TAROT

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Stella's Tarot, Field Guide to Garden Dragons, and The Dream Deck

Earth – Judgement and Apple Dragon (Health) – You need to take some time this week to take a good look at how you’re taking care of your physical well-being.  Working on the insides is all well and good, but not at the cost of neglecting the body. Slow down on the processed sweets and find ways to put a little more exercise into your days.  Those weekly Epsom salt and cider vinegar soaks of yours are also very important… stop skipping them.

Air – Nine of Cups and Pea Pod Dragon (Organize) – It’s time to look at all that I have and do a bit of rearranging for better time management. The changes that took place back in March and April have now had a bit of time to sink in, and now it’s time to adjust your  time table to fit the new norm.  By getting your time back in order, you will be able to better fit in the combination of self care and responsibilities, making life feel less cluttered and out of control.

Water – Three of Wands and Tea Dragon (Relax) – Once you’ve managed to get yourself organized (See above in Air), you’ll feel more like you have a bit of direction rather than like you are running in circles.  This will allow you to relax a bit, take a breath, and let the emotional part of you stretch. Having a plan in place provides that freedom.

Fire – Prince of Swords, Orange Dragon (Rewards), Eggplant Dragon (Fun) – With things slowing down with the business soon, don’t forget to allow some time for exploration of new ideas.  Have some fun with them and reap the rewards that will come from that time of exploration and it’s results.   Make sure to keep things fun and interesting so that you don’t fall into the “this is the drudgery of work” mindset.

Waning – The Bridge –  You’ve made your choices in how you want to move forward, and now is the time to stick with them and allow yourself to sink into the certainty and acceptance of the choices already made.   Stop second guessing yourself.

Waxing – The Rainbow – Look for ways to lighten your load and make life easier and more enjoyable.   You don’t have to be stuck in “everything is serious” mode all the time.

Take Away – It’s time to do some reevaluation and reorganization of how I’m going about my days/weeks and getting things done.  There’s a better way that will allow for less stress and more enjoyment, and when looking at this reorganization, I need to keep not just keep that in mind but actually seek it out.  Make sure to focus a bit more on the physical aspects of self care, as they are being neglected… make sure to make room in this new reorganization to allow for those physical needs.

DECKS USED: STELLA’S TAROT, FIELD GUIDE TO GARDEN DRAGONS, THE DREAM DECK

What’s Been Missed?

/ Twist the Leaf / 2 Comments

IMG_4089Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and focused on holding space for others.   That is, spending time with others when they are struggling or in need, and just… being there.  Not trying to fix anything or even really trying to uplifting them, but sharing space with them so that they do not feel alone.

I admit, this is not one of my strong suits.  This isn’t to say I can’t do it, only that… I feel the need to fix things.  Deep inside, I feel the need to help by fixing or making better.  And this makes just sitting there and not actively trying to help extremely difficult for me, no matter how much I understand that that time and company, in and of itself, really is helping.

Maruco Animal Tarot - Ten of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Ten of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of completion and abundance as well as the “sharing of the wealth”of that abundance.

What really stands out to me in this card today is the puppy, which in the imagery here speaks to me about not forgetting the usually forgotten.   The invisible and the lost, yes?

Sometimes when we find ourselves in abundant circumstances and we begin “spreading the wealth” we forget those that might need it most but have a habit of slipping between the tracks.

Today’s card is a reminder to examine how my “wealth” is being dispersed and make sure I’m not allowing anything to “slip between the cracks”.

DECK USED:  MARUCO ANIMAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: What recent accomplishment do I need to take pride in?

Stella's Tarot

Reading Summary: My ability to better control the more dangerous aspects of my passions and drive  (the leopard jumping through the ring controlled by the queen of wands), and allowing a willingness to delve into (Eight of Wands) my emotions,  contentment, and balance (Ten of Cups) with helping others as my motivation (Six of Disks).

Take Away:  There are aspects of my passionate drive and entrepreneurial spark that are a danger to me. If left with free reign, they eat away at my self-care until I am so focused and obsessed on that driving passion that it becomes a detriment to my health and well being.  The accomplishment mentioned here in the cards that I need to take pride in is the fact that I have reigned in that drive to a level that allows me time for self care and the exploration of my emotions and other “good for me” areas of my life.  The last card is a mention of how I find the motivation for this.  I am no good to others, unless I’m taking care of myself.

DECK USED:  STELLA’S TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What quality do I possess that others value most about me?

I Tarocchi Visconti Sforza PiccoloReading Summary:  I give the impression of being a mature, reasonable, and dependable person (King of Cups) with an optimistic and hopeful outlook towards the future (Temperance atop Ace of Discs) that’s a bit of a workaholic… or a lot of a workaholic (Ten of Wands).

Take Away:  Okay so yes, I caught my little slip there.  That whole “I give the impression of being” is not from the cards but from my own self doubt.

I am mature, reasonable, and dependable… I do try and be optimistic and hopeful about the future… and I am absolutely a workaholic.   The cards indicate that these qualities are some of the things that others value most about me. 

DECK USED:  I TAROCCHI VISCONTI SFORZA PICCOLO

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: What knowledge should I learn from this Global situation?

Tarot Mucha

Reading Summary: Sometimes you have to stick (Six of Swords Rx) around and do the best with what you have (Five of Cups). Practice gratitude and keep hope alive (The Star).

Take Away:  Sometimes when the shit hits the fan?  There’s no bailing out for greener pastures or a new start.   Sometimes there is no escape.   The “Global situation” (aka the Pandemic) has taught me that there are times when you just have to hunker down and wait it out, doing the best you can with what you have, and keeping hope alive for a brighter future while staying focused on counting your blessings.

DECK USED:  TAROT MUCHA

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What are my best qualities that I bring to a relationship?

Embroidered Forest Tarot

Genuineness (King of Swords) – I am… me.  I have no need to be anyone else, no desire to be anything else.  When I hide pieces of me from my partner, this feels wrong and uncomfortable. I am always honest and forthright in my communication as well, which keeps misunderstandings to a minimum even if it means I’m sometimes a bit too blunt. It’s better and easier to just be open and allow them to see the real me.  This way they know who I am and what’s coming where I am concerned and where they stand with me and I with them.

Nudges Towards Progress and Betterment (The Chariot) – This is not something I became aware of until Gideon, but I feel it is important to encourage the one I am with to be a better person.  This isn’t about controlling them, but about providing perspectives and opening up their view to different ideas and other, better paths that might improve their situation, outlook, or trajectory.

Emotional Support (Queen of Cups) – Although I am not adept at dealing with my own emotions, I am there for those I care about when it comes to theirs and trying to help them through times when they need a little extra emotional support.   I’m often very distant, but in these moments, I step forward without hesitation to offer what I can to give emotional support.

DECK USED:  EMBROIDERED FOREST TAROT