Sun and Moon Tarot

Surface Disruptions

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyTrip sessions from the @Calm app.

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Sun and Moon Tarot's Queen of CupsThe @GlitterbyInk #JuneSun25 Challenge
Summer Sunlight Prompt for June 20 : Reflection

Today’s draw is the Queen of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition. Among other things, this often translates into themes to do with emotional support and advice from a trusted party that is easy to talk to.

Part of nurturing yourself and others includes patience. You can’ splash around in the water all the time and expect to see your reflection clearly. The more you fuss, the more distorted what you see becomes. That, in turn, distorts what you feel as well.

I just recently got new glasses. I wear progressives, which means the visual range changes each time I get new lenses. Minute changes in where distance transitions to mid-range, and where mid-range transitions to reading range are common when the lenses are made with a new prescription, and almost guaranteed with a new set of frames in a slightly different size or shape.

This creates a need for an adjustment period, not just for the new prescription, but also for where and how your eyes and head move to put different things in focus. It’s easy, during this time to react negatively and think that they messed up the lenses. The discontent and irritation of this makes it hard not to hate the new glasses and want to take them back right now to be fixed. (Thrash around in the water, so to speak.)

Today’s card in combination with the “reflection” prompt encourages us in times like this when we are feeling ot of sorts to not “splash around”. Stay still, reflect, and allow things to come into better focus. Nurture yourself and others by not reacting. Give it some time , consideration, and observation instead. Then, when you can see calmly and clearly, and have a better understanding of all involved, you can act with precision to deal with the problem instead of just whacking at it with emotions.

DECK USED:  SUN AND MOON TAROT

@LightningWildflower‘s June Tarot Challenge
Perspective Prompts for June 16th and 18st

Tarot Reading with The Stone Marseilles Tarot and Tearwater OracleWhat in my life would benefit from a shift in perspective?

Le Pendu and Find Beauty Here – Stop looking for problems and issues at every turn, and instead pause to enjoy the positive. Every situation has a shred of beauty and positivity to share, but you have to be willing to actually look for it. These cards indicate that a part of looking at every aspect and perspective of situation requires you to also look at the positive, not just the negative.

What is a challenge that I might need to consider in a new way?

Seven of Coins atop Seven of Cups; Take Care of Your Energy – Procrastination only moves you further and further away from those things and activities that are healthy for you. The less you do, the less you want to do, and therefore you do less and want to do even less still; and so the cycle continues. Pretty soon, it’s easier and easier to walk away from the things that are good for you instead of actually doing them.

What might an altered perspective allow me to see?

L’amour and What Is Home – Choosing those things that are good for you and also right for you makes life feel more welcoming, and gives you a sense of comfort in the world as a whole as well as in yourself. Seeking the comfort in stagnancy isn’t healthy, even if it feels like sometimes you might actually find it there.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Shiva Shell Heart for Wisdom and Discernment
Orange Aventurine Leaves for Pause and Reflection
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: THE STONE MARSEILLES TAROT AND TEARWATER ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I came online and spent some time with Gideon and let him soothe the subdrop a bit,  instead of crawling into a corner somewhere to hide.

Spiritual Nourishment

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Today’s meditation was interrupted. The workers came to get the wall patched in my kitchen where they’d had to open it up behind the stove to dry out the inside of the wall from back when I had that water leak in the attic.  They got the drywall up and plastered or… whatever it’s called.   I guess they’re coming back tomorrow to paint and someone else is taking care of the bit of flooring that had to be torn up.   Anyway, they interrupted, so I will need to try again tonight before bed.

Maruco Animal Tarot - Ace of CupsToday’s draw is my current STALKER CARD.   Yes, I have been being chased by the Ace of Cups for a good couple of weeks now, and it seems to be getting more and more prevalent over the last few days.   Traditionally, the Ace of Cups is a representation of new beginnings, the seed of a start, the first tiny spark of life.   It is about love and new relationships, and the whispering beginnings of creativity coming to life.

What speaks strongest to me in this card today is all the water.  All the water… and the communion wafer (host).  In Christianity, the host is seen as symbolism of spiritual nourishment that provides healing, sent by the Holy Ghost (in the form of a dove) .  This speaks to me of spirituality and healing.  Although I am not Christian (and never have been), that wafer and the dove that carries it still contains that symbolism of spirituality and healing for me more often than not.  Interestingly enough, my focus in the card today is not on the dove, though… but instead specifically on the host.

In this instance, the water in this card also speaks to me of spirituality.  It speaks to me of one’s intuition and inner sense of well-being. It is… that sense of one’s intuition and moral compass when everything is just exactly right and how it should be.

The message in today’s card is one of encouragement.  It is a reminder of the growth that I am going through emotionally at this time, and how that emotional growth will connect in with my intuition… creating growth and adjustments in that area as well.   This new level of emotional depth I’m learning to experience and understand will not hinder or lessen my intuitive voice.  Instead, the card indicates that it will do the opposite, allowing the waters of my intuition to flow more freely as the emotional growth brings about healing and more unity between emotion and intuition.

DECK USED:  MARUCO ANIMAL TAROT

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

Sun and Moon Tarot

Reading Summary: I’m not taking very good care of my physical body right now (Three of Swords) and I need to get back on the horse (Prince of Swords) so that it can feel renewed physically, which will also help me in feeling renewed internally as well.

Take Away:  What is there more to say that isn’t said above?  When you feel good physically, you feel good emotionally and mentally too.   When you treat your body like crap, it starts to drag on your mental and emotional health.  My body is telling me that it feels neglected… and I need to get back on the ball.

DECK USED:  SUN AND MOON TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Philosophical Question – Do I think that everyone’s life is of equal value?

Mythical Creatures TarotReading Summary: Yes (Ace of Cups), but there are always going to be consequences (Five of Wands) to ones actions (Four of Coins Rx).   Honestly, the consequences could easily be the Four of Coins and the actions the Five of Wands.  Either order, it’s pretty much saying the same thing in this instance.

Take Away:  The Ace of Cups indicates that the answer is ultimately yes.  Everyone’s life is of equal value, because it’s not about what you do or don’t do or what you contribute to the world or don’t.  It’s about love.  Everyone deserves love… with love comes equality among men.   So yes.    The two cards with it, though, speak of actions and consequences.  A life is a life, but if you squander what you have and lose that life as a consequence, it means that you didn’t value it.  Not that it isn’t of value… but that you’ve chosen to squander that value instead of cherishing it and preserving it.

DECK USED:  THE MYSTICAL CREATURES TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: How can I overcome the fear that my new ‘normal’ will bring?

Tarot Fauna

Reading Summary: Reevaluation (Four of Feathers) of responsibilities (Queen of Rocks). Torch the old plan (The Tower) and start anew in the ashes (The Fool).

Take Away:  The Fool has a strength all his own in the innocence and enthusiasm he represents. It is not seasoned and hard and jaded, but is bright and fresh, bursting with curiosity and eager enthusiasm. Use that.

This is another encouragement to make sure I’m not falling back into old habits as things start to return to some semblance of “normal” again.  It speaks of the need to reevaluate my habits and how I handle my responsibilities, and find a new way of structuring these things that will allow for more room, more enthusiasm, and more enjoyment.

DECK USED:  TAROT FAUNA

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I manage my fear of being alone?

The Fountain Tarot

Reading Summary: Remember that even when things are changing (Death), you still possess that core inner strength (Strength) that makes you who you are (The Hierophant)… which includes being an anchor for others that enjoy your company and look up to you (Hierophant under the Three of Cups).

Take Away:  The reminder in this cards about being who I am and that strength that I possess is a reminder that I will never be alone.  Although I do not draw people like bees to honey as some do, I have a charm all my own that pulls in those that can appreciate those things that make me unique in my own way.

DECK USED:  THE FOUNTAIN TAROT

 

The Power of Optimism

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Today’s meditation was attached to the end of my yoga / physio practice, as I was a little short on time today due to obligations to help an employer getting ready to re-open his business.

It was nice and relaxing, and honestly?  The yoga practice went a little more smoothly than I anticipated as well.  Usually I have a little bit more resistance in my hips and ribs when it comes to easing tension in the muscles.   Today, however, it seemed to ease smoothly in each position after just a deep breath or two.

Forager's Daughter Tarot - Ace of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Ace of Pentacles, which is traditionally interpreted as an indication of new beginnings or new opportunities in the area of one’s finances, resources, manifestations, and the physical world.

This card is essentially the “seed” of the pentacles suit, and is all about potential, just as when you plant a seed within soil that practice is all about the potential that seed has within it.

So much stood out to me today in the imagery of this card, that I got a little overwhelmed with it all and it took me a bit to actually walk back and figure out what stood out to me first.  What first stood out to me in this card when I pulled it this morning was the fruit. Although the apples on this tree are not quite ripe yet, they are plentiful, and the symbolism of apples as a whole is one of abundance.

I see the message of this card to be one of optimism.   When you plant a seed, you never know what is going to happen.  You have to wait.   When you plant a tree from seed?  That wait can be a very, very long one and there are many stages of worry and concern involved from waiting for the sprout, and then caring for that sprout to make sure it survives.

Growing an apple tree from seed takes years and a good deal of care, and yet when it is finally established and matured enough to bear fruit, the prize is sweet.

So the message of optimism has to do with planting the seed… and keeping a positive outlook as you foster that seed into growth.  Whether that seed is better health, starting a savings account in the hopes of creating a substantial sense of security one day, or literally planting seeds to grow your own food. Stay positive, and that positivity will help that seed to become a seedling… and foster that seedling into growth.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better prioritize my needs without falling into guilt?

Mermaid Tarot

Reading Summary: Remember that everyone has needs, and that’s ok (Judgement). You’re human just like everyone else (Five of Pentacles) and you go through crappy situations, just like everyone else (The Tower).

Take Away:  The message here is that I’m not invincible, nor am I perfect.   I make mistakes like everyone else, and I struggle from time to time, just like everyone else.   It’s okay to need to take care of myself… because if I don’t take care of myself, then I’m of no use to myself, or anyone else either.   Our flaws and our vulnerabilities are a part of what make each and every one of us who and what we are… and along with everything else that makes us human comes the need for self care.

DECK USED:  MERMAID TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Philosophical Question – Is absolute freedom / free will possible?

Cosmos Tarot and OracleIntuitive Interpretation: Freedom is subjective (Sculptor) and is all about how you choose to perceive the world (Libra). A mentality of victimhood will never find freedom (Cepheus).

Take Away:  Wow.  Talk about just “dropping the bomb and walking away”.  *Chuckles*  This makes sense to me, though.  Everyone has a different definition of what “freedom” and/or “free will” actually is.

Those that focus upon the positive and choose a path of optimism are more likely to find their definition of freedom and be happy with it.  Meanwhile, those that choose to linger on the side of negativity and pessimism, on the other hand, will very rarely ever find freedom, because they will always be looking for something more or something different than what is right before them.

I write this as a pessimistic person myself, incidentally.   I work very, very hard for each and every one of my little nuggets of optimism.

DECK USED:  COSMOS TAROT AND ORACLE

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: What should I learn from this time away from my ‘normal life’?

Sun and Moon Tarot

Reading Summary:  How to reign myself in (Prince of Swords) while discarding what isn’t working for me (Eight of Cups) so that I can take better care of myself (Empress).

Take Away:  I’ve said this again and again… and the cards have said it to me again and again… but I push myself too hard.  I know it.  The cards know it.  Pretty much everyone knows it.

The lesson I should learn during this time when “normal life” is  a distant memory and not likely on the horizon for a bit of time to come is that I need to better organize and prioritize my responsibilities, and weed out those that aren’t working for me or no longer resonate with me. By doing this, I free up space in my schedule and my life to better care for myself physically, mentally, and spiritually.

DECK USED:  SUN AND MOON TAROT

 

Sink or Swim

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Today’s meditation was skipped in favor of getting my ass going on orders.  Yes, I know that is a horrible excuse and yet… I’m not going to cover it up.  I made the decision to skip today in order to dive into work and get things done.

Maruco Animal Tarot - The TowerToday’s draw is The Tower card of the Major Arcana (again), which is a representation of sudden and chaotic change.

What really stands out to me in the imagery of this card today is the two bunnies.  Unlike in most Tower cards where the figures look like they are being thrown from the tower by the force of the blast, these bunnies look to me like they are fleeing.   This speaks to me of the reality that sometimes?  When your boat is sinking it’s time to jump in the water and pray for the best.

It’s not really in my nature to bail on a struggle, but I do understand that sometimes?  Just have to do so.   Especially when you don’t like what’s happening and have no control over the chaos or the outcome.

I feel like this has to do with my expectations. Specifically those to do with humanity’s intelligence as a whole.  Not that I can bail on humanity, but it might be time to bail on the expectation that intelligence is an inherent part of humanity.  At least… that’s what it feels like lately whenever I watch the news.

Or maybe the real message here is to bail on paying so much attention to the news, because every damn time I do?  I become more disappointed in the intelligence level of society and humanity as a whole.   I understand there are small pockets of real thinkers… but jesus… it just seems like there are so many more idiots out there than people using their brains.

DECK USED:  MARUCO ANIMAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: What makes me feel more connected or aligned with Self?

Sun and Moon Tarot

Reading Summary: When my plate is full (Ten of Wands) and I am feeling clear headed and in charge (King of Swords) with a sense of inspiration and adventure blowing wind into my sails (Princess of Swords).

Take Away:  It’s only when I am feeling the fog of confusion, fear, or struggling with emotions that carrying a full plate of responsibilities becomes a struggle for me.   When I feel most “myself”, it is when my mind is clear and I’m invigorated with lots to do and a sense of productivity at  play.

DECK USED:  SUN AND MOON TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I improve upon my self-care at this time?

The Muse TarotReading Summary: Lean your expertise (Eight of Materials) into ideas that inspire you (Ace of Inspiration). Your progress and stability (Imagery in the Muse of Materials) will continue for a while without you in the saddle (Knight of Materials).

Take Away:  The cards here are encouraging me to delve into my new ideas and inspiration instead of focusing so tightly on my financial stability and progress.  It’s okay to take some time away from these stresses that I spend so much of my time and energy focusing on.  It’s okay to delve into other passions and ideas for a bit.  Nothing is going to topple off kilter if you do this for a short time (and perhaps begin to incorporate it into my life in some way to carry it forward in the future as well).

DECK USED:  THE MUSE TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: How can I overcome my fear of change?

Mystic Faerie Tarot

Reading Summary: Hope for something better to come (The Star) while taking action to defend (Eight of Wands) what I hold most dear (Three of Pentacles) with all the tools in my arsenal (The Magician).

Take Away:  When change comes around, whether it’s gradual and builds up over time or comes out of the blue with chaos and a cacophony of stress, I have a habit of going immediately to a pessimistic view and start catastrophizing.  I think this is pretty normal for a lot of people, but it isn’t productive and only indulges my fears.

The cards here indicate that if I want to overcome these fears, a better option is to consciously reach for a more optimistic view of what the changes might result in while making sure those things that are important to me stay whole and cared for along the way.

DECK USED:  MYSTIC FAERIE TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How am I different in my romantic relationship than I am with others?

Tarot Mucha

Reading Summary: Vulnerable (Five of Pentacles) and uncertain (Nine of Cups Rx) and more open to allowing my emotions to overflow (Ace of Cups).

Take Away:  In my romantic relationship, I allow far more vulnerability to rise to the surface and be shared with you than I would ever allow others outside of that intimate relationship to see.  I share with you my uncertainties and fears, my worries and self doubts.   I share with you all of these things, and I share with you my emotions, which is something I very rarely share with others in any true depth.  With you, though, I allow those emotions to spill over within the safety and security of the knowledge that you want them… need them… and will love me no matter how intense or disorganized or messy that emotional part of me may be.

DECK USED:  TAROT MUCHA

It’s For Your Own Good

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IMG_3725Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and focused upon acceptance of one’s limitations and not viewing them as failures. The guided meditation spoke on the dangers of allowing yourself to come down too harshly on limitations that might play into one’s life.  Limitations from injuries, or even just normal day to day limitations that everyone has.

Sometimes we all fall a little short in one way or another.  We don’t get that promotion or manage to reach a goal that we’ve set our eyes on.   Today’s meditation was a reminder that you need to look at these limitations and disappointments as an opportunity for growth… not a reflection of failure upon you as a person.  Because when you choose to go down a dark road in your mind?  It can lead to even darker roads than the ones you ever meant to tread.

Maruco Animal Tarot - StrengthToday’s draw is the Strength card of the Major Arcana.  Like all of the Major Arcana, this card deals with all of the aspects of the human experience rather than just one single aspect at a time.  It is traditionally a representation of inner strength and courage as well as themes that deal with the ability to influence and/or persuade others to your will.

In the imagery of this card, what really stands out to me today is the lion is happy.  This speaks to me of being able to set aside one’s cranky ass nature to allow another to present you with an option that you may not have considered or normally have been open to, but that ultimately ends up making you happy.

You do this for me all the time.  You see the world a bit differently, your gaze is more focused upon people and emotions than I am, and your attention is more focused upon my self-care than I am.  You push me to do things to take care of myself that I would often neglect if it wasn’t for your influence… and I’m the better for allowing you that room to push and (in some instances) dictate on these matters.

DECK USED:  MARUCO ANIMAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: What am I being invited to forgive myself for at this time?

Sun and Moon Tarot

Reading Summary: Making the choice (Two of Swords) to take some time for myself (Four of Swords) instead of spending all my time focusing on the betterment of my business (Princess of Wands).

The symmetry of colors between the first and last cards is how this deck is made, but it also spoke to me about the order in which the cards needed to be read.

In the center card, what really stands out to me there is the stripes on the tiger and how they continue up along the girl’s legs creating a synchronistic blending between man and beast… the beast being the burning fire of ambition.

Take Away:  The key to these cards is in the swords.  It’s in the fact that I am making an actual, conscious choice to allow myself some rest and recuperation. I’m not being forced.   I need to respect my choices as well as my need for this rest, and forgive myself for making the choice to prioritize rest over work.  Stop beating myself up over all of the things I could have been doing during that time and how much further ahead I could be. 

DECK USED:  SUN AND MOON TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Am I happy with the person I have become?

Dixit Cards v.2 QuestReading Summary: The strength and confidence to being true to myself is long standing (first card).  But, there is too much preying upon my small and soft spots (middle card), and too much inner cruelty and inner strife (third card).

Take Away:  So, yes… I am happy (pink) with the person I am and have always been (cobwebs).  I am comfortable in my own skin and know what I like (ballet slippers nearly glowing in the dark).  This?  I’m happy about and good with this.  I love to encourage and inspire others (en pointe position of shoes), and I believe that deep down I am a good person.

But… No.  I’m not happy about the person I have become when it deals with how that vicious part deep within me (cats eye glowing in the dark) treats the small and vulnerable parts of me (mouse on a plate), and how my negative thoughts sneak out (tentacles from the die) and provoke me into (demon made of tentacles) treating myself so harshly (orange red background).

DECK USED:  DIXIT CARDS V.2 QUEST

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What does good communication look like to me?

The Fountain Tarot

Reading Summary: No padding the truth with kindness and comfort (Empress Rx). No wishy-washy verbiage or illusive connotations (The High Priestess). Just clarity (The Fountain) and pure, open sharing/discourse (Page of Coins).

There is also a connection between the two left cards and the two right cards, as both speak to me through color, use of light, and horizons.   In the left pair, which is the receiving side, there is an indication that although I prefer grounded and clear spoken honesty in communication, I also need a touch of warmth and humanity to the presentation in order to stay receptive to it.

In contrast, on the projective side (the right side) the two cards have a much colder and sharper feel to the imagery.  This speaks to me of my own delivery and how I feel feel the need for sharp focus and precision when I communicate and often rate that as being more important than softness or warmth.

Take Away:  All of this looks pretty accurate to me.  I take a good deal of care in my communication with others to phrase things in a precise way that won’t allow for a lot of misunderstanding or taking things “out of context” or in another light than intended.  I think a lot of people feel this comes off as cold and distant, and I have to make a conscious effort in my communication with others to not come off that way.

By the same turn, although I prioritize honesty and clarity above all else, I do find that I like a little warmth in how others communicate with me.  Even though I struggle with returning it in turn.

DECK USED:  THE FOUNTAIN TAROT