tarot and psychology

Rise Again… Stronger

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Elder Stories Tarot - Nine of WandsToday’s draw is the Nine of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of boundaries, perseverance and resilience, the testing of one’s values and principles, and tapping into one’s protective instincts.

Here in this card’s imagery, we see the theme of perseverance and resilience in the phoenix on the dress the woman wears.  Her long locks indicate time… a path and a journey that has taken a long time, and yet she rises to the challenge strong even still with her chin held high and a grin on her lips.

It takes a certain strength to make it through so much life, live through so many experiences, struggles, and journeys, and yet still come out the other side of it in a seat of power that leaves you ready to rise up and go again for more.

Today’s message is that we are stronger than we think we are, and we can survive much more than we think we can, coming out the other side stronger, wiser, and ready to face the next battle.  Hold on to your values and principles, and face these challenges knowing that they will not defeat you. Like the phoenix, you will rise again.

CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.

Values
you hold dear
are strengths
that carry
you through

DECK USED:  ELDER STORIES TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 7th: What {3 things} should I focus on during the first months of 2023?

Herbalist's Flash CardsLotus – Moderation. Make sure that you are not falling into excess in any of the areas of your life where this can often be a problem.  You need to work on making moderation a theme for the first few months of 2023.  Enjoy what you have and leave moments of excess for later in the year.

Calendula – Use positivity and optimism as a balm against the sting of darker tendencies towards pessimism. You have seen what leaning into the positive can do if you are willing. Make sure that you are doing so over the next few months to ensure you keep things light and healthy.

Heather – Reconnect with your spiritual path,  and step back into your meditation and breath work. They are intrinsically connected, and working on one furthers the other and vice versa.

DECK USED: HERBALIST’S FLASH CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 7th: Old Rock Day – What burdens from the past do you carry that need to be set down?

Elder Stories Tarot - Eight of Cups, High Priestess, Death, Queen of PentaclesI learned the depth of responsibility involved in reading tarot for others the hard way. In the early years of my foray into the tarot, I did a reading for a woman dealing with depression and troubles in her relationship. Back then, my reading style was far different than it is now, and there was no focus on empowerment but only a very blunt reading of what the cards had to say directly in answer to a direct question. She did not get the answer she was wanting, and that night she killed herself. (The High Priestess)

No, I do not believe that my reading was the -only- factor involved in her death, but I do take responsibility for the fact that I sure as hell didn’t help things in any way, shape, or form. Having dealt with suicidal ideation myself, I know just how much damage can be done when you are at the end of your rope and you go to someone for help… and do not get what you need. (Eight of Cups atop Death)

I learned from this experience that when people come to you for a reading, most often they are coming to you for help… and you can’t always know their mental state when someone sits down for a reading. Being a good, conscientious, and responsible reader requires accepting this responsibility and taking it seriously. I shifted my practice to become more compassionate to my querents, and to deliver advice rather than just simple answers. For me, reading for others (and myself) has become about empowerment. It’s about giving people what they need.  That’s not to say they always get what they want, but rather that bad news comes with advice and encouragement to find the boon in the situation. Encouragement to grow and prepare, learn and see new perspectives instead of just a pat answer that leaves them walking away heartsick and at a loss. (Queen of Pentacles)

What these cards are telling me I need to set down is my feelings of guilt that I still carry.

DECK USED: ELDER STORIES TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I worked on orders in between posts with Gideon in play.  I’ve really missed play with him and it feels so good to get to spend time with him again.

New Years Cartomancy Reading

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

New Years Cartomancy Reading with the Festum Playing Cards

Card to represent my energies this year.

Queen of Diamonds – Growing and fostering stability in  your own life and others. You provide a sense of stability for those around you, and help to encourage them in creating that feeling of stability for themselves.

What do I need to invest in this year?

Four of Hearts – You need to start meditating again. You dropped the ball on that last year, and it’s time to pick it back up and get it working for you once again.

How can I trust change this year?

Seven of Clubs – No matter the changes and challenges you face, your values and principles are unshakeable and will guide you through to the other side. Don’t worry so much that changes might draw you off course, as your stubborn persistence in what is true and right for you is part and parcel to who you are and cannot be taken away.

What am I ready to leave behind as the year changes?

Eight of Diamonds – You have overworked yourself to the point of exhaustion, and thrived through the most difficult part of your work year.  Now it is time to put away all that determined diligence, and have some rest and a bit of fun instead.

How can I welcome more harmony into my life this year?

Five of Spades – Don’t bother with butting heads with others this year.  You’re already on top and there’s no need to go out of your way to prove it.

New year guidance from my guides.

Two of Clubs – Set your course and make your plans. Make lists of what you want to accomplish and map things out so that you don’t feel overwhelmed by the journey before you.

DECK USED: FESTUM PLAYING CARDS

Staying Open to New Opportunities

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Wandering Moon Tarot - Four of Moons - Four of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Four of Moons (Pentacles), which is traditionally a representation of stability, stubbornness, stagnancy,

The hand in this card’s illustrations isn’t just holding on to one of the four moons on the card… it’s fisted around it and gripping it tight. Too tightly… as it leaves those other moons floating out beyond reach.

The message in today’s card is that if you stick to one path with too much single minded purpose, you will miss seeing the other opportunities out there waiting for you. The thing is?  If you are holding on too tightly to the one thing that makes life feel secure?  Your hand is no longer open and able to take on and experience the new things that come along.

Some may think “well that’s fine, because I’m happy with what I’ve got”… but for how long are you going to be happy there?  How long before what feels like security becomes a cage of stagnancy that you can’t escape from?

Today’s card encourages us to not let our grip on the security and stability of a sure thing cage us in and keep us from experiencing new things, exploring new and better opportunities, and growing as a person.

CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.

Move beyond
the cage
of lost opportunities
you cling to

DECK USED:  THE WANDERING MOON TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 6th: Go through your deck, card by card, until you find a card that depicts how you envision yourself by the end of 2023. Place it on the table then do a reading asking “What should I embrace or let go of to reach this?”

Spirit Allies OracleWhat You Envision – Tigers Eye – Success and grounded healing. Like all year endings, I will be stepping away from the holiday rush. Having neglected and abused myself with my single-minded pursuit of success in my holiday rush goals, I will be in need of healing and recuperation, and this will be a time to ground myself once more to begin rebuilding my strength.

What should I embrace to reach this?

To further this outcome and the recovery of your strength, the end of 2023 needs to include reconnecting with and embracing your emotions (Cancer) as well as your creative spark (Benzaiten). Set them free and allow them to flourish during this time, so that they can get some air after being caged for the seven weeks prior to Christmas.

What should I let go of to reach this?

You will also need to release your stubborn workaholic drive for more stability (Taurus) and the habit of closing yourself off to the beauty of the world around you (Xōchiquetzal) that your drive during the holiday rush causes you to turn away from. Stop pushing the outside world away and lean into gratitude rather than the constant strive for more.

DECK USED: SPIRIT ALLIES ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 6th: What do you need to focus on for self care this full moon?

The Wandering Moon Tarot - Six of Moons, Six of Pentacles, Page of Moons, Page of Pentacles, The TowerReading Summary: Be generous with yourself (Six of Moons) while learning how to deal with chaotic disruptions that shake your sense of stability (The Tower atop Page of Moons).

Take Away: There is a high probability that there will be a few disruptions coming up in the week ahead that may leave you feeling unbalanced and uncertain.

If you are unable to sidestep these disruptions entirely, make sure that you are generous and kind with yourself as you deal with them. Don’t beat yourself up too much, as spending time berating yourself rather than dealing with the situation with acceptance and understanding will just cause more problems.

DECK USED: THE WANDERING MOON TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took an early nap today so that I could make some more room in my time for Gid and I to play a bit.

Don’t Forget the Stick

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Ethereal Forest Tarot - Knight of WandsToday’s draw is the Knight of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of an active projective beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s drive, determination, passions, motivations, values and principles, and/or inner spark.

The only thing a dog holds more sacred than his stick is his bone (which has clearly been left at home for safe keeping), and so it is off to charge out into the woods this dog goes with stick in mouth, holding on to what is most valued even as he plunges headlong into his next big adventure.

There is a lot of impulsiveness in the Knight of Wands, as it is his nature to charge forward with eagerness and boundless energy. Today’s card reminds us, though, that even as enthusiastic as we might be to dive into a new project or adventure, make sure that we don’t leave our values and priorities behind in the process. Who we are and the kind of person we wish to become should be unwavering… even in the chaotic enthusiasm of something new and exciting.

CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.

Hold tight
to values
and principles
while diving
into adventure

DECK USED:  ETHEREAL FOREST TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 5th: Go through your deck, card by card, until you find a card that depicts what you would like to establish this month. Place it on the table then do a reading asking “What can I do to achieve this?”

Moon Magic OracleWhat You Want to Achieve – Lunar Light – I don’t want to just be guided forward into the future by the faint glimmering lights of hope. I wish to collect those lights up and bring the close to me, fostering positivity and optimism in order to save myself from becoming lost in the encroaching darkness that usually begins to creep up on me at this time of year.

What can I do to achieve this?

When you feel your energy, efforts, and mood beginning wane (Waning Crescent), connect more strongly with your spirituality and spiritual practices (Taking the Moonlight), and reach out to connect with those you love to get their help in bolstering you in your efforts (Lover’s Moon).

DECK USED: MOON MAGIC ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 5th: National Bird Day – How can engaging socially with others lift your spirits?

Ethereal Forest Tarot - The Fool, The Magician, Death, Three of WandsReading Summary: Allow socializing with others to lighten your mood and bring a bit of frivolity into your life (The Fool). Not everything has to be so serious and in your control all the time (The Magician), and a little fun won’t hinder your ability to grow and adapt (Death), nor will it send you off course from your chosen path (Three of Wands).

Take Away: You have a habit of being too serious and always a bit too single minded.  It robs you of the joy and fun that is needed in your life. Engaging socially with others helps lift your spirits by pulling you away from that always-serious mentality and shoving you into situations where you can let go and have a little fun, and forget for a time about the fear that you’re going to “drop the ball” somewhere else in your life by cutting loose now and then with friends and loved ones.

DECK USED: ETHEREAL FOREST TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap today, and I also got a little bit of play with Gid, even if it was interrupted.

Bring the Goods

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Illustrated Fox Tarot - Six of SwordsToday’s draw is the Six of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of moving on, letting go, intentional transitions, and releasing baggage from your past in order to move on to something better.

The Capricorn in this illustration isn’t just moving on from a crap situation into a (hopefully) better one, but they’re taking their valuables with them with absolutely no intention of looking back.

Today’s card is a reminder not to leave behind what’s important. Sometimes, we get so wrapped up in the transition, and moving out of a bad situation into a better one, that we can forget what’s important. And sometimes? Those important things end up left behind, either because we think we should, or because we simply forget them.

The message today is to make sure you don’t forget these important things. Make a list, check it twice. Tuck away the good stuff and take it with you… make sure you don’t leave it behind.

CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.

What matters most
comes along
on the journey
into hope

DECK USED:  THE ILLUSTRATED FOX TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 4th: Go through your deck, card by card, until you find a card that represents how you feel today. Place it on the table then do a reading asking “What am I asked to do with or about my current feelings?”

AATR TarrotHow You Feel – The Used – I have to talk with a friend about reciprocity today, and it’s gonna suck. This was the closest card I could find in the deck that fit what I’m feeling, not just concerning them, but in general for the day so far.

What am I asked to do with or about my current feelings?

Right now they are feeling like they didn’t do anything wrong and are oblivious to there being a problem or willfully ignoring it (The Lost Ones), thus this needs to be brought to their attention (The Executioner). If you don’t talk to them about the problem, they won’t know what it is and can’t start over and turn over a new leaf (The New).

DECK USED: AATR TARROT (ORACLE)

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for January 4th: Historically, what has been humanity’s biggest challenge?

The Illustrated Fox TarotReading Summary: Passionate determination (King of Wands) to reach for the stars (The Star) sometimes creates more problems and hurdles in the way of success than it solves (Ten of Coins Rx).

Take Away: Humanity has always had a tendency to get in its own way when it comes to true success and enjoyment of their successes. Whether it’s with their single minded determination toward a goal, or an increasing obsession with a single passion, or zealousness of one flavor or another.

All of these are distractions that have a habit of drawing humanity away from true success and happiness in that success, for there is always a desire for more and better and never time to rest and smell the roses and truly enjoy.

DECK USED: THE ILLUSTRATED FOX TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had that talk with J that needed to be had, no matter how uncomfortable it was.

Plotting the Path Can Soothe the Soul

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Cosmic Beings Tarot - King of SwordsToday’s draw is the King of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy,personality, or person in the area of one’s intellect, thoughts, education, logic, as well as strategies an ambitions.

The figure in this card appears very happy with the double moon that brackets the butterfly above (yes, I know he’s supposed to be staring at the sword, but that’s not what it looks like), and you know why? Symmetry. Symmetry is soothing to those that like to plan and strategize, as it means things are in perfect order. It is reassuring when all your ducks are in a row and everything feels like it’s fitting into place.

What I see in the message of today’s card is a reminder to not let the unpredictability of the world to keep you from making plans.

CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.

Maps
lists
and orderly plans
pave the way
to success

DECK USED:  COSMOBEINGS TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 3rd: What can help me make the most out of this month?

Forest of Precious Twigs OracleAwareness – Connect with the world around you rather than retreating into yourself and holding yourself apart.  It’s tempting to sink into yourself and let the world slide away a while, but that won’t keep you out of depression’s pit, and you know it.  Use this knowledge to do something else that might help you more than hinder.

Immersion – Be true to yourself. Only through your own experience and truth can you continue to grow. Wearing masks prevents growth, as those masks become shells that either contain your growth or that you have to break free of to continue growing. Avoid putting on those masks in the first place and immerse yourself in truth instead.

Movement – Do not allow hurt feelings and past struggles to hold you back and tie you down. Stagnation is not your friend. Those past pains taught you lessons and made you stronger… they facilitated growth and are not there to cripple your ability to keep moving.

DECK USED: FOREST OF PRECIOUS TWIGS ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 3rd: Fruitcake Toss Day – What nasty carry-over from the holidays can you benefit from tossing out of your life?

Cosmic Beings Tarot - Ten of Cups, Four of Wands, Queen of SwordsReading Summary: Cutting off your emotions and forsaking joy (Ten of Cups Rx) when at home (Four of Wands) in favor of fostering your ambitions with single-mindedness (Queen of Swords).

Take Away: Running a business at home means that you are always at work. Stop allowing yourself to view your home through this lens of always being a place of work, and you will find the contentment you lost in your home through the holiday rush.

When trying to balance your enjoyment and sense of play, you have to put the mentality of being in the workplace aside.  You can’t be working -all- the time, no matter how accessible it is to do so.

DECK USED: COSMOBEINGS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I used my cane off and on today as needed.  My ankle has been acting up, so a combination of ibuprofen and care was needed.