tarot and psychology

Greener Grass Ahead… Maybe

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Today’s meditation was skipped (again).

Trick or Treat TarotToday’s draw is the Eight of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of leaving behind what is not working in order to head towards something that will work better. This card includes themes that involve frustration, abandonment, disappointment, and withdrawal.

You know that saying about the grass always being greener on the other side of the fence? Here it is with a Halloween twist.  The superhero looks back at all the little pumpkins and the one on the hill seems bigger than life and so much better!  Yet I bet once he climbs that hill he’s going to find it’s the same size as the others… it just looked bigger beforehand.

Today’s card asks us to examine where are we over-glorifying something either unattainable, or that will cost us much to obtain?  Is it really as good as we’re playing it up to be?  Is it worth the sacrifices we’ll have to make in order to seize it for ourselves? Or are we building it up into something it’s not, chasing a mirage instead of reality?

DECK USED:  TRICK OR TREAT TAROT

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 26th and 27th

Spooky Season OracleWhere am I not taking responsibility for my actions?

Betrayal and Contemplation – When you feel betrayed by others, you have a tendency to get stuck in that feeling instead of seeking out where and how you might have contributed to what happened. This isn’t the same as blaming yourself, but rather, it is a need to seek where you could do better moving forward.

How can I begin to hold myself accountable?

Patience and The Call – Take time to really think things over and discuss them with others in order to obtain a wider perspective of the situation.

DECK USED: SPOOKY SEASON ORACLE

Mr Lionhart’s Seasons of the Witch Challenge Prompt
Question for October 27th: The Wicked – They took their brooms to seek the night, what wisdom can witches of the old provide?

Trick or Treat TarotReading Summary: You only get one chance to live life to the fullest (Ten of Pentacles), don’t waste it by allowing stagnancy to take root (Four of Pentacles), being over critical with yourself and others (King of Swords), or by pushing so hard in your ambition that you are left all alone (imagery in the King of Swords).

Take Away: This is a reminder of some of the habits you have picked up that hold you back from truly enjoying life.  It speaks of a need for balance between your ambition and the stability and peaceful stillness that you crave, as well as staying mindful of that inner critic that loves so much to tear you down and cause disruptions in your life.

DECK USED: TRICK OR TREAT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

This is another catch-up post, and I don’t recall what I might have done for self-kindness on this day.

Solar Eclipse Tarot Reading

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Solar Eclipse Spread with the Oracle of Light & Shadow

What is blocked and in the dark.

Snow Angel – You are missing the obvious. Make sure that you are tuning in to your intuition and what your spirit guides have to say instead of trying to tune out. Yes, this time of year can be overwhelming, but it’s important to continue to listen.

Death and the Maiden – You will be given the opportunity to see where you are being deceived and used by others. Pay attention to those around you and you’ll be able to see them coming instead of allowing them to sneak up on you and take you by surprise.

What I must do to achieve that future.

Faceless Ghosts and the Haunted Girl – Again.. listen to your guides. Don’t block them out or ignore them. Yes, this time of year can be overwhelming, but it’s important to continue to listen.

The biggest influence the Eclipse will have on the spirit.

Angel of Time – The eclipse will offer you a shift into a time of energy. Make sure you are not using this energy to overwhelm yourself with too many tasks and responsibilities. Instead, spread it out and use it wisely.

The best way to prepare the spirit for change.

Ghosts of the Pumpkin Patch – Practice gratitude for all you’ve done, accomplished, and have in your life. This effort to appreciate these things can help you through darker moments.

DECK USED: ORACLE OF SHADOWS & LIGHT

Valuable Lessons

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Untamed TarotToday’s draw is the Page of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, or intuition. This often translates into themes that have to do with emotional growth, second chances relationships, or exploring one’s creative pursuits.

The figure in this card holds a flower and looks back in the direction of the past.  She offers this flower to the past and appears just about to turn in that direction, and yet both of her legs still face towards he future.

This card begs the question… what lessons from your  past need revisiting?  Take time to reflect today on what has been left behind as insignificant, but you now realize was a lesson of great value.

DECK USED:  UNCAGED TAROT

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Question for October 25th: What behaviors do I judge myself for the most?

Scary Stories Tarot and The Oracle HalloweenBehavior – Self Worth – Self doubt and a sense of unworthiness are a predominant part of how you view and treat yourself. You use these doubts and lack of self worth not just to keep pride in check, but take it too far and use it to hold yourself down and punish yourself as well.

How to ease up on myself in this area?

Nine of Pentacles – Look at all you have accomplished and how far you have come. You’ve done so much, and accomplished a great deal.  Don’t forsake these things, but instead celebrate them.

Behavior – Perseverance – You push yourself too hard. You are a slave driver when it comes to your work, always pushing for more, and setting your expectations for yourself too high. You use this form of self abuse to motivate yourself, but it is as equally harmful as it is effective.

How to ease up on myself in this area?

The Empress – Consider… would you treat others this way? You are nurturing and kind, if sometimes stern, with others around you, but you never abuse them.  Why would you treat yourself worse than you would a stranger?  Work on being more supportive and nurturing towards yourself instead of always demanding more than you can give.

Behavior – Retreat – Berating yourself for the need to rest and recuperate. The guilt you put on yourself for “wasting time” takes away from how rested and refreshed you could be when emerging from your moments of rest.

How to ease up on myself in this area?

The Devil – This is an unhealthy habit that you have let go unchecked for so long it’s developed a mind of its own. To ease up in this area requires catching yourself in the act and redirecting to a healthier alternative.

DECK USED: THE ORACLE HALLOWEEN AND SCARY STORIES TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Do ghosts exist?

Untamed TarotReading Summary:  This is entirely up to the individual and what they wish to do after death (King of Wands).  Some move on, satisfied with all that they have accomplished and built (Nine of Pentacles), while other stay due to their connections with those they once knew (Three of Pentacles).

Take Away: It appears that the answer is a resounding “yes”, but that not everyone becomes a ghost. These cards indicate that whether one becomes a ghost or not depends heavily on whether or not they feel they have unfinished business yet to tend to.

DECK USED: UNCAGED TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch-up post, and I do not remember what my self-kindness might have been for the day.

The Mermaid with the Violin

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TasseomancyToday’s meditation was skipped.

In my tea today I saw a mermaid playing a violin.

This is a reminder that sometimes whimsy and fun makes everything better.  Don’t let the seriousness of life drag you down and make you boring. Instead, add a little fun into each day so that you have a chance to enjoy life… even during the moments when you’re doing responsible things.

Something as simple as some fun music, or a little bit of play, added into mundane tasks can turn a task that’s mind-numbingly boring into fun and energizing.

Teeny Tiny TarotToday’s draw is the Seven of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of thinking strategically, getting away with something, taking only what you can carry, and sneaky shit and/or deception.

What stands out to me in today’s imagery is the two pins left behind.  The hand holds five, all full of string, and that appears to be nearly more than they can handle at once.  Thus, the two other pins get left behind.  Maybe they’ll come back for them later… maybe not.  But they can’t take them all on at once.

Where in your life are you trying to take on more than you can carry?  Today’s card encourages looking at these things and picking those that are of lowest priority and letting them go.

They only seem important until the moment you realize that they’re really not.

DECK USED:  TEENY TINY TAROT

Mr Lionhart’s Seasons of the Witch Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 24th thru 26th – The Haunting

Mini Divi Decks: Ghosts, Curiosities, and DreamsPumpkins, costumes, trickery, what does my inner kid need this Hallowe’en?

Tornado and The Corner Ghost – Your inner child needs you to take control and instill stability by reassessing whose company is benefiting you, and which are causing chaos and problems.

A black cat’s omen, a raven’s foresight, what cometh to me on Hallows night?

Soaked Ghost and Lonely Ghost – Don’t fall back on old habits when difficult emotions arise. Instead, communicate. Turn over a new leaf in how you deal with these things.

Now as the veil keeps growing thin, show me how to prepare for this Samhain?

Teeth Falling Out and Christine – As your ancestors and spirit guides grow stronger, make sure you are listening to what they have to say. Seek out their counsel instead of working to tune them out.

DECK USED: MINI DIVI DECKS – GHOSTS, CURIOSITIES, AND DREAMS

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 25th: Haunted – What is haunting you right now?

Teeny Tiny TarotReading Summary: The desire to learn how (Page of Swords) to instill more guilt-free pleasure (Nine of Cups) and enjoyment upon your life’s path (The World).

Take Away: You’ve discovered that the key to a better and happier life is to instill fun, play, and pleasure into the every day, but you’ve yet to figure out how to do this without feeling guilty about it.

Once the holiday rush is over, this might be an area that you need to focus on more closely, and work with. That guilt is unfounded, and the pleasure needed. Although this shadow needs to be set aside for now, don’t let it carry on unchecked.

DECK USED: TEENY TINY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

This is another catch-up post, and I cannot remember what self-kindness I did for myself on this day.

Single Minded Focus

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Cruel Thing TarotToday’s draw is the Chariot card, which is traditionally a representation of control, determination, direction, and autonomy.

What stands out to me the strongest today in the imagery of this card is the dust he leaves in his wake. The charioteer stands strong and in control, facing ever forward. He does not look back at what is in his wake, nor does he look left or right to the past or future, but always forward to what is right in front of him in order to take on the present challenges head on with strength and determination. The charioteer knows that to let these other things distract him would be to weaken his resolve, and thus it is with single minded focus he meets his challenges and moves forward.

This card begs the question… what distractions are tampering with your resolve? Where is it we need to buckle down with focus and determination? Where is it we feel there is a lack of control in our lives, and what is holding us back from taking these matters in hand more fully and firmly?

DECK USED:  CRUEL THING TAROT

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 22nd and 24th

Clash of the Yokai Game Cards and Veritas Magia TarotHow does my shadow block my joy?

Hōnengyo and Tearai-oni – Your shadow tells you that you need alone time when in truth, you are in need of people instead. Yes, you require a certain amount of alone time, especially in places wet and dark and filled with trees, but it has to be healthy alone time. Your shadow tries to pull you into withdrawing into alone time when it is unhealthy for you.

What can I do to ease this block?

Two of Wands and Seven of Swords – Don’t be impulsive about your alone time, but instead plan it in advance. This way, when you steal away into the wilds, you know it is with a healthy plan and healthy goals, instead of spurred on by the whispers of you shadow.

How do I demean myself?

Kappa and Baku – You beat yourself up and drown yourself in recriminations for not living a fuller life and completing goals you’ve chosen to move on from instead of continuing to strive to accomplish.

How can I turn this behavior around into something more healthy?

Eight of Cups and Ace of Swords – Recognize that yes, there is much you have abandoned, but that it was to start new and better things that you found suited you far better.

DECK USED: CLASH OF THE YOKAI GAME CARDS AND VERITAS MAGIA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 24th: What do you need to focus on for self-care for this new moon?

Cruel Thing TarotReading Summary: Stop being so hard on yourself and worrying that you are straying from your path (Judgement Rx) whenever you find something that you enjoy (Nine of Cups). Share it with others instead (Queen of Wands).

Take Away: Fun, play, and enjoyment are supposed to be a part of life… the absolute best part of life, and one that that you should share openly with others. Work on remembering that making time for these things and taking pleasure in them is not something to feel guilty about, so stop shaming yourself concerning them.

DECK USED: CRUEL THING TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had myself a late morning, even though I didn’t really have the time.   A little extra time in bed was nice.

The Comfort and Security of Home

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Sihr Tarot by Dark SynevyrToday’s draw is the Four of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of harmony, the celebration of homecoming, as well as the joy and comfort of home.

It is interesting to me that the Four of Wands in this deck depicts only one wand in its imagery. The Ace of Wands is about new interests and enthusiasm, and what I see here in using one single wand in this Four of Wands card I see as a message to turn your enthusiasm to your home and what you value about it.

Today’s card asks us what are we taking for granted at home?  Do we take for granted the comfort?  The safety?  Do we celebrate the pleasure of having a space all our own in which to settle and enjoy when we come home each day? If not?  Why not?  The appearance of this Four of Wands encourages us to treasure and enjoy, to cherish and savor.

DECK USED:  SIHR TAROT

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Question for October 23rd: Which mistakes do I hold against myself?

Mythical Creatures Deck and Black Water TarotMistake – Dire Wolf – Ruthlessness.

How to let it go.

The Devil – Holding these times of necessary ruthlessness against yourself is a form of your self-destructive tendencies. To let it go, you need to accept that it needs to be let go, for your health and well-being, and will require confronting those self-destructive tendencies head on and dealing with them.

Mistake – Harpy – Theft.

How to let it go.

The Fool – Accept that at the time of your life when this happened, you were young and dumb, and you did dumb things as a result. You’re a better (and different) person now than you were then. There is no point in carrying around this guilt from something that was a part of your past during desperate times.

Mistake – Eight-Forked Serpent – Deception

How to let it go.

King of Wands – In order to have what you desire in life, sometimes you have to do a little deception on the side. The question is, has this minor (or even major) deception helped in building what you want in life as a result? If so, then it had a higher purpose. It served its purpose and hurt no one.

DECK USED: MYTHICAL CREATURES DECK AND BLACK WATER TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for August 23rd: Do Spread 2
Question: Where can I safely “drop the ball” for right now in order to give myself a little wiggle room?

Sihr Tarot by Dark Synevyr and Halloween Postcard SetReading Summary: The background in all three of the tarot cards pulled have a color connection with the light that glows within the windows, the lantern in the anchor card, and in the the moon. This connects these cards to indicate a path towards light and warmth… a positive change.

In the Eight of Cups, the shape of the antlers connects with the brambles and the legs of the spider, both located on the left-hand side of the anchor card. This speaks of the old patterns of getting frustrated and walking away not being the answer (both of these corresponding symbols are outside the house instead of within), representing that there is no warmth in that path. Instead, the shape of the cup in the Eight of Cups corresponds to the lower right hand window of the house in the anchor card, and indicates a need to look inward instead of walking away, even if it feels a bit backwards to do so at this time ( as per the inverted curtains).

In the Heirophant, something in the shape of the face and the eyes in the figure connects to the symbol above the door on the house in the anchor card. The door is dark, though, as is the majority of the Hierophant card. These symbols are centered, speaking of the present. They encourage stepping away from teaching for the time being. This is where you can drop the ball at this time, as for the moment those activities are only a burden for you and not a joy.

The skull in the window in the anchor card and the skull in the Page of Pentacles are a reminder to take things slow as you move forward into the future (skull is located on the right side of anchor card and skeleton faces to the right in the Page of Pentacles). The holiday rush can allow for a certain amount of slowness and measured pace, and this will give you the time and space moving forward that you need to add a little bit more light into your days.

Take Away: You can eek out more wiggle room and a bit more time by letting go of your feelings of obligation to those you teach, and the processes you use to educate. All of that will still be there when the holiday rush is at an end.

DECKS USED: HALLOWEEN POSTCARD SET AND SIHR TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made sure to make time to spend time with Gideon tonight.  Something that we both were sorely in need of.