tarot and psychology

Finding the Positive Message for July 22 – 24

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Tongues of the Mother Tarot, Catomancy Tarot, Zeke's Arcana Tarot, and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal Cards

July 22

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was focused on the affirmation in today’s Thera-Pets card.  That would be… “Today is a brand new day, and you are a brand new you. Good luck!”  And, I’m just sayin’?  But that “Good luck” definitely did not sound like the sweet and encouraging thing it was probably meant as when I heard it in my head.  Yes, each day is a new day and with a new day comes an opportunity to do better and be better.  Just remember not to let that concept become something daunting. It’s supposed to be a good thing, not an “oh fuck, here we go”.

King of Swords – This card is all about truths and confessions. The cat sits on a pillow with his paw in the air and claws out, the pillow beneath him tattered and fluff strewn about.  It’s about owning what’s yours, and making it work for you… without apology.  It’s your life… it’s your pillow.  Do with it what -you- want. It’s not up to anyone else how you lead your life… as long as you know what you want and headed in the right direction for you.

DECK USED: CATOMANCY TAROT

July 23

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was focused on the affirmation in today’s Thera-Pets card. There didn’t really feel like there was any one specific “the thing” indicated when today’s affirmation came up as “You can do the thing!” and it feels like more of a general encouragement that moments where self confidence are lacking aren’t necessary.  Just go for it! Even in those less confident moments.

The Emperor (Hoodoo Man) – I would have normally considered Hoodoo Man to be the Magician instead of the Emperor, but there’s something to be said about the Emperor and his knowledge and self possession. The way that the Emperor is decisive and provides strength for his clan.  There-in lies the message in today’s card.  It’s not about just you… clan is important.  Make sure you are acting with confidence today, and that you are taking their needs into account as you make decisions.

DECK USED: TONGUES OF THE MOTHER TAROT

July 24

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was focused on the affirmation in today’s Thera-Pets card. The affirmation for today is “You are a whole person. You are complete.”  The interesting thing about it is that it was paired with the Seven of Pentacles today, which speaks of slow growth.

Seven of Pentacles – So yes, I am a whole person.  I -am- complete.  At the same time?  I feel that it is an important responsibility of humanity to work on self development and growth.  That doesn’t mean we’re not “good enough” in the now? What it means is that over the length of a lifetime, we continue to focus on growth and becoming better people than we are today. The Seven of Pentacles is all about slow growth.  Yes, growth spurts happen… but the real and true development of who we are is not done in leaps and bounds, but in small steps over years at a time.  Don’t get impatient and start pushing.

DECK USED: ZEKE’S ARCANA

Finding the Positive Message for July 19 – 21

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Dive To You Tarot, Ocean Dry Tarot, Awaken Tarot, and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal Cards

July 19

There was no meditation today, and the Thera-Pets affirmation was rolled into the reading of the tarot card pulled for today.

King of Pentacles – Do what’s right for you and your life and those you choose to share it with. Focus on stability and fuck the rest.

DECK USED: DIVE TO YOU TAROT

July 20

Today’s meditation was fifteen minutes long, and was a combination of additional stretching exercises while focusing on the affirmation in today’s Thera-Pets card. It was a reminder that resilience is about bending instead of standing rigid. Just as the trees bend to the wind instead of leaning into it and fighting against it. It’s in the bend where you find your greatest ability to adapt, survive, and thrive.

Seven of Coins – Right. So I struggled a bit with this card when I pulled it this morning. Mainly? Because I had a hard time with the red and the smears at the bottom. It’s… not a color I would usually associate with the Seven of Pentacles, which is usually about slow growth and sustainability. What I initially see in the imagery here is violence, and it took me most of the day to get past that first impression (which happens a -lot- with this deck, incidentally, and is one of the decks I don’t like reading with for clients because most of the time I struggle with how colors are used in the cards).

At nearly the end of the day, I was sitting here at the computer looking at this card, though… and I considered all of the things that have taken me time and effort to accomplish. Ms B and Mr R used to have a saying that nearly always came up in the middle of projects around their property.

“It’s not a good job until you bleed on it.”

Work on the mower and cut your finger? It’s going to be a job well done. Lay wood floors and snag your knee on a nail? Those floors are going to look spectacular when they’re done. Sometimes, to have a satisfactory result to an endeavor, sweat and tears are not enough. Blood is also required.

That is the message in today’s card. Don’t be scared to spill a little blood as you work towards your goals. It’ll make the end results just that much sweeter.

DECK USED: OCEAN DRY TAROT

July 21

There may be a meditation today, but it hasn’t happened yet. (I have plans to fit it in, but shit happens, so we’ll see.) If it does happen, it will be focused on the combined message between the Thera-Pets affirmation and the tarot card pulled for today, which can be found below.

Ace of Cups – Emotions don’t always need explanation or reason. Sometimes they just are, and that’s all there is to it. They feel overwhelming because they are new, and because you are allowing them to have space instead of pushing them away. You don’t have to do anything with them other than experience them.

DECK USED: AWAKEN TAROT

Finding the Positive Message for July 16 – 18

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Kitten Nugget Tarot, Mimit Tarot, Elevate Tarot, and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal Cards

July 16

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and focused on the affirmation in the Thera-Pets card for today, which is a reminder about treating yourself kindly.  Not just physically being kind to your body, but mentally making sure you’re not calling yourself names and that your inner voice isn’t being an ass and beating you up.  Sometimes, when we feel like crap (especially emotionally), it can be really hard not to let that inner voice hold sway.  Just remember… it’s a liar.  Don’t listen to it.

The Magician – For some reason? I saw this card and it said “MONDAY!” and I just went along with it and it was Monday all day today… even though it was actually Sunday.  The end result? I got a lot done that I normally would have had to do tomorrow… and I got to spend time with Gideon as well.  How about that?

DECK USED: KITTEN NUGGET TAROT

July 17

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and focused on the affirmation in the Thera-Pets card for today, which states “You are strong enough.”  This is a message that I think everyone needs to hear sometimes and I’m no exception.  Sometimes things feel so overwhelming, and it feels like there’s no way forward or no way to make it through.  The thing is, though?  We will make it through, and are far stronger and more resilient than we give ourselves credit for.  Myself included.

Eight of Cups – Remember that it’s okay to say “fuck it” and strike out on your own.  It’s about what’s right for you. If it’s not working for you? It’s just not going to work for you. Instead of self-sacrificing and making yourself miserable? Let it the fuck go and walk away.

DECK USED: MIMIT TAROT

July 18

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and focused on the affirmation in the Thera-Pets card for today, which says “you will survive this”.  Although not feeling particularly powerless at the moment, this card is a good reminder when you’re feeling vulnerable that you’re not going to crumble to dust just because you’re feeling out of sorts.  It’s okay, and you’ll get through it.  You’ll come out the other side just fine.

Queen of Swords – It’s always a good idea to keep in mind, though, when feeling out of sorts not to take those feelings out on others. There’s no need to lash out.  You can glide through it silently without hurting others feelings or dragging them down to feeling as crappy as you do in that moment.

DECK USED: ELEVATE TAROT (MODIFIED)

Finding the Positive Message for July 13 – 15

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Spacious Tarot, Seasonal Fox Day Tarot, Songs for the Journey Home Tarot, and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal Cards

July 13

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and focused on the affirmation in the Thera-Pets card for today, which is about what a liar anxiety is, and a reminder of how easy it can be to fall into anxiety’s thought patterns and traps, and end up stuck there.

The Lovers – The Lovers isn’t always about romantic love, unions, and the like… but today it is. Today’s card is a reminder to reach out to Gideon and make sure that your energies are intertwined and in sync instead of out of rhythm or tangled. Sometimes, when things are feeling stressful, you have a habit of closing yourself off from others.  Don’t do that today… reach out to him instead.

DECK USED: SPACIOUS TAROT

July 14

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and focused on the affirmation in the Thera-Pets card for today, which was about those times when one is feeling defeated, and like you have nothing left to give. Just recently, I was doing some time helping an elderly woman in her recovery from first gall bladder surgery, and then shoulder surgery soon after. There were times when I really thought I had reached the end of what I was capable of… and yet there was always more to do.  By the time I made it home, I felt broken… and yet?  I recovered.  This affirmation is a reminder of that resilience and that we can bounce back if we give ourselves what we need to recover from times of struggle.

Five of Wands – Are you going to butt heads all day with everyone you come across? Or are you going to foster community and allow everyone to have their say, then encourage them all to work together to get something productive done? Differing opinions and methods don’t always have to end in negative outcomes.  Sometimes?  It becomes like a brainstorming session, and something even better comes out of it in the end.

DECK USED: SEASONAL FOX TAROT DAY DECK

July 15

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was about tenacity. It’s about being confident about things moving on past bad experiences. Shit happens. Change happens. Things sometimes go wrong, and sometimes when things go wrong? It creates an opportunity for something better. But you have to get through the bad part first, yeah? That’s what today’s meditation is about. Getting through the hard parts, and having faith that when you get through the hard parts? There’s something more, better, or just different on the other side.

Two of Wave Songs (as in… Cups) – Today’s card is about the “honeymoon phase” of relationships with others. That’s what the geyser of water lifting up to support the cherubs makes me think of as the two little cherubs play in the water, uplifted by heightened emotion and blind to the pitfalls. That “honeymoon phase” is a natural part of relationships with others, whether they be platonic, romantic or even with a place or thing rather than a person. Today’s card is a reminder that the honeymoon phase is just that. A phase. Enjoy it and the bliss it offers, but remember that there are depths to explore beyond it as well, and that not -everything- about anything or anyone is all good and right and perfect. It’s okay to enjoy what is, though.

DECK USED: SONGS FOR THE JOURNEY HOME TAROT

Finding the Positive Message for July 10 – 12

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Keeper of the Sacred Bee Tarot, Tinseltown Tarot, Tarot of Tales, and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsJuly 10

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and focused on the affirmation in the Thera-Pets card for today, which was a reminder that anxieties don’t equal reality, and just because you are stressed and worrying about something doesn’t mean that something is going to turn out as badly as you think it might.  It’s a reminder to allow yourself to be hopeful instead of wallowing in pessimism, which only makes your anxiety that much worse.

Eight of Swords – What are you ignoring that you need to look more closely at?  Closing your eyes and sticking your head in the sand does nothing but expose your ass to the world. It’s time to take a little time to sit down with your worries and confront them, instead of allowing yourself to push them away and ignore them.  Doing that solves nothing.

DECK USED: KEEPER OF THE SACRED BEE TAROT

July 11

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and focused on the affirmation in the Thera-Pets card for today, which were words of encouragement and a reminder that you are a fighter. A survivor. You are strong and stubborn and know what is right for you. Don’t allow yourself to be beaten down and buckle under the pressure of the world around you when it tries to push what you know isn’t right down your throat.

Temperance – Moderation is important. As much as you hate it. As much as you struggle with it.  It’s important. You can only do so much.  You can only afford to expend so much energy, or spend so much money, or fit so many things in an hour or a day.  Like in spoon theory, you have to pick and choose, and be happy with what you manage to accomplish instead of always pushing yourself for more.

DECK USED: TINSELTOWN TAROT

July 12

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and focused on the affirmation in the Thera-Pets card for today, which speaks of struggle not being an indication of failure.  It’s hard sometimes when struggling with something not to see yourself as failing at it. So many things come easy, especially when one knows what they like and what they’re good at, that when something comes along that really challenges us, it feels like we’re not doing good at it and might fail. That isn’t the case, but it feels that way. This affirmation is a reminder that what we’re feeling in those moments isn’t failure, but growing pains.

The Hierophant – This card is about tradition, and the learning of “old ways” of doing things. So often in today’s society we balk at tradition, always seeking the new and different, discarding the old, well worn, and often tried-and-true ways for new ones. It’s important to remember, though, that there’s value in the old ways of doing things. Wisdom in the generations of knowledge seeking to be passed down. Today’s card is a reminder that as great as new and shiny cool things, thoughts, methods, perspectives, and mentalities might be… there’s value in the past that we need to seek to preserve rather than discount and reject outright. And even when those perspectives might not fit today’s climate or society, they still hold knowledge and value in allowing us to see where we’ve come from and the perspectives we have grown from as people and a society.

DECK USED: TAROT OF TALES

Finding the Positive Message for July 7 – 9

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HappyToast Word Cloud Tarot, Kawaii Tarot, 78Tarot Carnival, and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal Cards

July 7

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and focused on the affirmation in the Thera-Pets card for today, which speaks about anxiety not being indicative of reality.  It was something I admit that I really needed to hear.  A reminder that just because anxiety is whispering in your ear doesn’t mean it’s going to become a self-fulfilling prophesy, and instead of focusing on those whispers, sometimes we have to do our best to just let them go.

Seven of Pentacles – The Seven of Pentacles is often about slow, steady progress towards sustainable goals, and considering that today was Ms B’s post-op, it was really fitting that this card would show up today.  She passed her post-op with flying colors, and it really relieved me to hear that.  She can’t start physio for another four weeks, and she and I had a very long talk about the benefits of taking things slow so that the shoulder can heal well and without setbacks.

I actually used this card in that talk, to help in encouraging a slow and steady mindset.  Muscles, bones, and tendons take time to heal. It’s not something that’s going to happen over night.   I also need to hear this message, as I strained my own shoulder while caring for her over the past week, and it’s going to need some TLC as well.

DECK USED: HAPPYTOAST WORD CLOUD TAROT

July 8

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was focused on the “blueberry fairy princess” affirmation in the Thera-Pets card for today. I rarely call myself garbage, but I -am- extremely hard on  myself and the whimsical “you are a blueberry fairy princess” made me laugh and, it feels like, gave me the permission to be a bit silly and lighthearted today.

Four of Wands – Homecoming and the goodness of home is what this card is about, and with all the little sloths holding different things and busy with different tasks? The imagery of this card is a reminder that there’s lots of fun to be had at home and lots to do that you can enjoy.  It doesn’t all have to be work and seriousness all the time.  Do something today that makes you really appreciate the comforts of home.

DECK USED: KAWAII TAROT

July 9

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long (yes, if you haven’t figured it out yet, I use a timer).  It was based on the “weird is wonderful” Thera-Pets affirmation card, and… this is something I’m very aware of already.  I’ve never been someone that was very good at “fitting in” and have always done far more walking to my own drummer.  I’m happy with my oddities and weirdness, and I have absolutely no issues with being different.  It’s what makes life interesting.

Justice – When you play with fire, you’re eventually going to get burned.  The Justice card is all about cause and effect, and often involves the consequences of our actions, just as the carnival performer in this card dances on a blade with bloody feet while an angel whispers in one ear and the devil in the other.  The imagery in this card speaks to me to say that no one can be good or perfect all the time. What’s important is when you do something bad that you take the time to consider the repercussions and accept them beforehand… because there’s always that chance that what you do is going cause you to have to eat the bitter pill those consequences for breakfast the next morning.

DECK USED: 78TAROT CARNIVAL