tarot and psychology

Guileless or Conniving?

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Today’s meditation was skipped (again).

Stray Cat TarotToday’s draw is the Ace of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.

What stands out to me in the imagery for this card is how into the whole thing the cat is when it comes to the bird delivering the host to the waiting cup. It’s a debate whether this is about the act being performed, or about the fact that it’s a bird and cats like birds.

The reminder here is about not allowing myself to become paranoid.  The bird can easily deliver and escape without having to worry about the cat’s motives, so why should the cat’s motives matter?

Often, when paranoia tries to dig its claws in, I become reclusive and it can create a sense of stagnancy and suspicion that drags down my emotions and mood. This is a seed we don’t want to plant, and today’s card is  a reminder that the potential for this issue is present and needs to be dealt with.

DECK USED:  STRAY CAT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #2
Question: How is March gearing up to treat me this year?

Stray Cat TarotReading Summary: Holy shit, that’s a lot of self-care and rest.

The progression of these cards are shown in the flow of color from left to right, as well as the progression of light and brightness from the left card in through the center and fading in the right. The transition of lightness and brightness indicate personal choice, making choices, and the consequences of not doing so, while the color flows from the yellows into the blues is an indication of the direction in which the cards are moving.

Take Away: The cards here are a progression that speaks of either choosing to have a nurturing approach to yourself and getting the rest and meditation that you need… or ending up forced to do so by the end of the month in order to restore and recover.

DECK USED: STRAY CAT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Today was Gideon’s birthday and I spent the day with him and it was wonderful.

Responsibility Day

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Meta-Barons TarotToday’s draw is the Emperor, which is traditionally a representation of father figure type energy, responsibilities, strength, authority, and a “for the greater good” mentality.

For the greater good and “bucking up” to get a few things done is what today’s card is about.  Yesterday I put things off, but today, I need to get a few things done so that tomorrow (which is Gideon’s birthday) can be free to spend time with him.

That means bucking up and doing the stuff that I need to get done like pulling decks for March and starting some of the orders to be shipped out next Friday.

DECK USED:  META-BARONS TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheFebruaryTarot Kindred Spirits Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 25th thru 28th

Meta-Barons TarotIn what way have I grown throughout this February journey?

The Devil – You have advanced and being able to identify when you’re reaching an unhealthy point in your addictions and fascinations, before you actually reach a critical breaking point.

How can I further honor the ancestral divine powers within me?

The Emperor and Knight of Coins – Claim your place within this power and begin taking control for a better future. Just remember to take things slow as you move forward.

What part of me should I leave behind now in support of my power?

Judgement – Don’t be so harsh to judge yourself. Focus more on the now and let your moral compass guide you, instead of casting your gaze forward all the time into the future.

What am I asked to take to heart before giving closure to February?

Eight of Wands and The Tower – Rushing will only rush you headlong into a Tower moment. Don’t push. Take things at your own pace so that you have more time to prepare for those moments instead of having to rush into them headlong.

DECK USED: META-BARONS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Today I pulled (most of) the decks that I will be using for March. There’s a few that I will need to pull another day, but I chose to stop when my back demanded I stop instead of continuing to push on. This means that tomorrow is free for Gideon’s birthday instead of me having to work on this tomorrow. I can pull the rest of them on Monday after I’ve given my back a bit of rest.

Fishing For Nothing

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Maat TarotToday’s draw is the Seven of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of themes having to do with having a plethora of options to choose from, all of opportunity’s doors being open upon one’s path, and at times being overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices available in the moment.

I’m actually doing a lot of twisting in the wind today.  I have a number of things I need to get done and I just don’t feel like doing any of them, much like the figure in this card looks down at all the cups below, but doesn’t actually reach into into the depths to grab any of them.   She just sort of… toys on the surface of the water with one hand, not really taking the effort to reach, right?

The thing is?  Maybe I need this time off more than I realized.  Maybe I shouldn’t feel so guilty about all those things placed on the back burner.  Maybe… it’s okay to just relax for today… and -not- reach for any of those cups.

DECK USED:  MAAT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 24th thru 26th

Maat TarotWho in my life needs extra attention at this time?

Political focused to the point they’ve lost sight (Eight of Swords) of themselves and who they were (Prince of Cups), and have begun moving away from their support system in life (Three of Cups) in their too tight focus on that political side of things.

I know who this is in my life, but I just can’t openly say it. It’s someone I care about deeply who has been pulled into the whole QAnon mentality to the point where they started seeing conspiracy theories everywhere and have been unable to untangle themselves from that mindset ever since.

How can you provide this attention in a way that is still healthy for you?

Remind them of the long history we share (Six of Cups) and support them emotionally (Queen of Cups) without allowing the negativity to break you down (Ten of Swords).

Some of the things they say are very easy to take personally, but keep in mind that it’s not about you, and they are essentially an echo of what they have been listening to. No thought there, just an echo.

Where in your life are healthier boundaries needed?

The Emperor – Don’t allow responsibilities to take over your life.  You’ve done really well at finding a healthier balance.  It’s okay to set down the mantle and do things a bit slower, and a bit less precise.  There’s only so much room on your plate.

How can you begin?

Eight of Coins and King of Swords – Be mindful of what you have built and where your talents lie. Own what you’ve done, own where you have chosen to build your life, and let what isn’t in alignment with these things slough off as immaterial.

DECK USED: MAAT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I decided not to work today. I didn’t pull March’s decks.  I didn’t work on jewelry.  I didn’t work on writing.  I did pretty much not much of anything.

Personal Divination Practices

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Recently, one of the Discord servers that I’m a member of posted this question… “What is divination to you? What does it feel like when you do it?”

Casting Lots Divination

Divination is a great many things to me as it’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As I’ve mentioned before on this blog, my mother started both my twin and myself out with Lenormand cards as bedtime story prompts when we were children. The three of us would take turns pulling a card, and using it to add to the story.

So, for me, divination is bedtime stories with my mother and twin sister when she and I were little.

It’s campfire stories in creaky lawn chairs around a fire with playing cards for prompts.

It’s lazy weekends in the woods communing with the trees, and communication with deity during devotionals and ritual.

It’s seeking answers, reassurances, and sometimes? A little bit of forewarning of what’s to come.

It’s speaking to my subconscious and letting it have a louder voice when it tries to whisper back, connecting to ancestors and guides allowing for easier communication, and a way of coaxing out my wounded inner self to have a heart to heart.

It’s a way for me to help myself, and help others as well.

Sometimes? It’s just something to pass the time or sate my curiosity.

Tarot Decks

All of these feel different on a physical, emotional, intuitive, and psychological level. That is because they are all very different, and yet they are also all the same in some ways. The resounding way in which they all feel the same, though, is in that they all feel… right. A puzzle piece that slips into place and fits just right. That’s how it feels.

I think there are certain types of divination that fit better with different forms of inquiry. And, that not all kinds are suited to all people. I personally haven’t really been able to connect with things like automatic writing, mirror scrying, or flame reading, for example. Whereas cards, and especially cards with rich imagery on them, are very easy for me to use.

Throughout the past 20+ years, I’ve used a variety of different divination techniques from multiple different types of card decks (tarot, lenormand, playing cards, oracles, game cards, etc) to pendulums, casting lots (runes, charms, oghams, dice, etc), coin spinning, stick and stone casting, tasseomancy, reading dust motes, stichomancy, smoke reading, and many more (I like to explore and experiment).

Divination Coins

I’m sure that I’ll be exploring more in the future, as well. Some will come easy and become a part of my practice in some way, while others won’t be suited to me and I’ll pass on them and move on to something else.

A Bit of Salt Makes It Sweeter

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Fool's TarotToday’s draw is the Nine of Water (Cups), which is traditionally a representation of emotional satisfaction, contentment, inner happiness, and satiation on an emotional level. It can also be an indication of gluttony, in the right circumstances.

Although I don’t really feel that the imagery in this card really demonstrates the meaning of the card, what I see as the reference for this card is a reminder to enjoy my time off and not allow things like having to go to my aunt’s house to sour my enjoyment or my mood.

You have to put a pinch of salt in the cookie dough to make the sweet taste that much sweeter.

DECK USED:  THE FOOL’S TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for February 23rd: What is love?

Elementary LenormandHouse – Child – Bouquet

Finding happiness and freedom within the embrace of family and a sense of “home”.  When you allow yourself to connect with those around you and find security and a sense of carefree abandon, there is a connection that develops in this nurturing environment.  Love.

These cards indicate that one of the ways in which we find love is through the connection and security of feeling safe and at home with others, nurtured by them as we nurture them in turn.

DECK USED: ELEMENTARY LENORMAND

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for February 1st, 12th, and 22nd

The Fool's TarotWhat does love mean to me?

Eight of Water and Initiate of Fire – Someone that sticks with me even when I am falling apart and departing from the world.  As a suicide risk for a good portion of my life, I’ve found that there are two types of people in the world.  Those that think suicide is a joke and they push you away when you have those urges, and those that love you enough to stick around and try to figure out how to make sure you truly understand that you are loved and that they want you to stay… even need you to stay.

How can I welcome more love into my life?

Seven of Water and Temperance – Don’t put too much on your plate.  You don’t need more, you just need to appreciate what you already have.  Allow it to flourish and enjoy it.

How can I be open to love, but emotionally safe?

Ace of Water and Nine of Water – Love takes time.  It starts as a seed hidden in the soil and needs time to grow and flourish.  Don’t expect it to happen quickly, as it’s a long term investment… not a sprint.

DECK USED: THE FOOL’S TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

You won’t believe this, but I actually managed to take a nap at my Aunt’s again today, and nobody interrupted me even though they knew where I went.  I’m shocked.

The Two Meme Tarot Reading

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Shades of Magic Tarot

Your current actions.

Knight of Swords – Leaning in, or rather, the seeking if things to lean in to. There is a desire to avoid stagnancy and getting caught up in standing still.

The option you’re currently taking.

The Hermit – Alone time of the healthy sort. And allowing yourself to take this time alone to recharge, and ground yourself. This means more time in nature now that the weather is turning and you can spend more time connecting with the earth on a deeper level. (It’s much easier on the body to spend time laying down upon sun warmed moss, then on frozen ground.)

The option you’re neglecting.

Five of Crystals (Wands) – Conflict and clashes in values with others that could create chips and cracks in your armor. Staying inside and not getting that healthy alone time makes it more likely (and more common) that you might clash with others.

Take Away: These cards are indicating that as long as I am on a path where I am actively pursuing healthy alone time in order to recharge and ground myself, I will be better able to handle conflict and clashes with others in a way that will be healthier for both myself and them.

You.

Page of Cups – You’ve committed yourself to delving into your emotions, learning how to live with them, and even enjoy them, instead of allowing them to drag you down or burying them so that they become neglected. This is a journey of emotional intelligence that you’ve chosen to embark on.

The problem you’re overthinking.

The World – You don’t have to focus so damn hard on where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. Relax and enjoy the ride, listen to your intuition and your moral compass, and don’t worry so much about The end of the journey.

DECK USED: SHADES OF MAGIC TAROT