Taking the Path of Grace

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

The Hanged Man card from The Fox Tarot and a card from the Tao Book and Card Pack

Today’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.

The Hanged Man has then been combined with a Chuang Tzu quote card from the Tao Book and Cards Pack, which says, “Wu Wei.”

In my understanding of the concept, Wu Wei is all about interconnectivity and flow. It is the belief that we are simply leaves carried upon the energy of Tao, and that it is through letting go of control and allowing ourselves to be carried that we find true peace and enlightenment.

My first thought when I saw this Hanged Man card was that that has to hurt. Hanging by one’s tail, with one back leg unnaturally askew… it looks like a painful position. This feels like it’s reinforced by the fact that the fox’s eyes are closed and ears are flat rather than upright.

The message I see here in these cards is a reminder that when you are a chronic pain patient, pain does not always mean that something is wrong. Sometimes you just have to breathe through it and let it be until it eventually eases.

The message in today’s Hanged Man card and affirmation card is a reminder that tensing up and struggling under the weight of chronic pain merely puts you in even more discomfort and distress. These cards encourage allowance rather than fighting back against something that you have no control over. Do the kindnesses that you can to be understanding in these moments, but don’t turn it into a battle.

DECKS USED:  THE FOX TAROT AND TAO BOOK AND CARDS PACK

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 28th
: a prayer undressed

Creative Writing with the Art of Nature Moths Playing Cards

energy drinks or baby formula
food on the table or sex
mortgage payment or power tools
go home to your wife or text
(Seven of Hearts)

wants and needs tangle
and reason loses its way
when selfish wants become
what is given sway
(Jack of Clubs)

only when we pray for others
with altruistic care
are prayers bestowed with answers
in riches beyond compare
(King of Diamonds)

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Gray Agate Druzy Slab for Stabilizing Energies and Expectations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ART OF NATURE MOTHS PLAYING CARDS

@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Sun trine Uranus Prompt for September 28th
: What changes am I ready to make in my life?

Tarot Reading with The Fox Tarot

Four of Pentacles – You are ready to foster a greater sense of security that more seamlessly marries your “security in stillness” viewpoint with the “developing your sea legs” perspective that reality tells you true security requires to weather changes well.

Ten of Wands – You are seeking to develop a better awareness and understanding of when you are approaching your limits… before you run headlong into them. Your understanding of your limitations is growing and slowly developing into a boundary, but your awareness of when you are approaching that line still needs work.

Five of Cups Rx – You plan to continue to encourage less pessimism in your life, including sussing out when it tries to sneak in hidden behind the guise of practicality.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE FOX TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I started back up using the Water Llama app to track my fluid intake after realizing I’ve been dehydrating the last couple of days.

Ownership and Taking Control

Today’s meditation was a ten minute #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.

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Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Global Fusion Intuitive Tarot's Knight of Cups and a card from the Tao Book and Cards Pack

Today’s draw is the Knight of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of an active beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, intuition, and creativity. This often portrays itself in a theme of going after what brings someone joy or following your imagination and creativity into new adventures.

The Knight of Cups has then been combined with a Chuang Tzu quote from the Tao Book and Cards Pack, which says, “Seek the cause of your misfortunes in your own imperfections.”

Whether we are looking for those things in life that make us happy, or seeking how we got into whatever tribulation we are dealing with in the moment, more often than not the answer lies at our own feet.

Blaming others for our misfortunes is the equivalent of depending upon others for our happiness and validation. In both cases, it is giving power over your life and happiness to others.

The message in today’s Knight of Cups and quote card is a reminder that when we take ownership of our own choices, actions, and circumstances, we empower ourselves to build the life and experiences we want rather than accepting what others provide.

DECKS USED:  GLOBAL FUSION INTUITIVE TAROT AND TAO BOOK AND CARDS PACK

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 14th
: what I knew before I knew it

Creative Writing Exercise with the Zine Deck II Playing Cards

I sought love and acceptance
(Jack of Hearts)

in all the wrong places
and deceived by those
that had their own selfish agendas
I was blinded to the support offered
by others with hearts filled to bursting
(Queen of Spades atop Queen of Hearts)

Until the day I found my true home
(Four of Clubs)

and I left the liars behind
for something better
(Six of Spades atop King of Hearts)

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Calcite for Gently Calming the Mind and Stimulating Insights
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ZINE PLAYING CARDS

@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Sun sextile Mars Prompt for September 14th
: How can I channel my energy today into something meaningful?

Tarot Reading with the Global Fusion Intuitive Tarot

Reading Summary: Don’t let disconnection steal away (Seven of Swords) your pleasure in each others company (Two of Cups). Do something that encourages bonding and long term rewards today (Seven of Pentacles) to foster that connection between you both (Two of Cups).

Take Away: I took Jer with me on a 90 minute hike in the woods. He needed an ear and a shoulder, and I needed some time outside. Going for an easy hike gave us both what we needed, and the privacy for him to speak freely without worrying about being overheard by others.

Normally when I go hiking, I prefer trails that include a good deal of elevation change. I like the hills and especially the upward climb. An easy, nearly flat hike, though, gave us the ability to move at a leisurely pace that had nothing to do with how far we went, nor the exertion that would normally have made discussion more difficult. It was nice.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Carved Rhyolite Leaf for Facilitating Calm Transitions
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: GLOBAL FUSION INTUITIVE TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I went on a walk in the woods today. Just an easy, relaxing one with very little elevation gain.