tarot and psychology

Defining Perfection

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped… sort of.  I did a bit of a meditation out in the woods when I was on my hike, but it wasn’t an actual -meditation- but more of a quiet pause.

Korean Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the White Porcelain Moon Jar 6. This deck is titled as a tarot, but is actually an oracle deck. For this reason, there is no traditional meaning to note here today.

In this imagery, we see the hard work and focus on building expertise that is often associated with the Eight of Pentacles, combined with a hint of the need to please others that are watching on that is typically associated with the Six of Wands.

Combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, what I see as the message in these cards is that nothing is perfect and no one is perfect. When we strive for perfection, it’s important to remember that the definition of perfect is fluid and subjective. It is defined by each of us, and thus to achieve perfection, it’s not working harder and pushing harder that earns us our goal… but adjusting our perspective and acceptance about what “perfection” actually means in the first place.

DECK USED:  KOREAN TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

BekahMurphysMagic’s #IntuitiveHealingTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for September 21st thru 23rd

Mystical Creatures Oracle and Aquarian TarotWhat challenges do I face in connecting with my intuition?

Ghoul and Eight of Pentacles – You have spent so much time in your past focusing elsewhere and allowing your intuition to run (and lead) in the background, that it can be difficult to draw it forward into the light and into sharp focus now. Although it is highly honed, it’s an element you don’t have a lot of control over other than to listen and follow.

How can I unblock my Third Eye Chakra in order to receive my intuitive gifts?

Valkyrie and Knight of Rods – This is an impulsive idea, and far more trouble than it’s worth. There is no advice here on how to do it, just a warning not to.

This is actually something I very much agree with. There is far too much focus placed on “opening the third eye” in new age circles these days. There are far less potentially harmful and misguided ways to develop one’s intuition than trying to rip off a filter that protects you from being overwhelmed.

What should I reflect on to better open myself to my intuitive gifts?

Naga and Judgement – Where are you closing yourself off? How is this effecting your path forward and your development into the person that you ultimately want to become?

DECK USED: MYTHICAL CREATURES ORACLE AND AQUARIAN TAROT

Healer Josephine’s #MindfulImperfectionTarot Prompt
Questions for September 15th thru 19th

Korean TarotWhat part of me longs to “color outside the lines”?

The White Porcelain Moon Jar 10 – The part of me that seeks approval from others.

How can I support this part of me?

Palace Nurse Making Medicine – Turn the care, kindness, and empathy that you show to others around and show it to yourself as well.

How can I release resistance to being imperfect?

Yutnori – Focus instead upon taking more pleasure in the small things and the people that you surround yourself with.

DECK USED: KOREAN TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I went for a hike! I couldn’t play a lot of the more fast paced games of the Fae or do any hard and heavy trails due to my ankle, but I did get out in nature and spend some time in those deep, dark liminal spaces that draw me so strongly.

Finding the Fire Within – Part III

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Stretch Lenormand - Finding the Fire Within Reading

How can I incorporate self-discipline to stay true to myself moving forward?

Dog and Birds – Be kind and loyal to yourself. Don’t allow your inner narrative to turn ugly and hurtful, but instead use your self discipline to bolster yourself with positive feedback and kindness.

What should I avoid?

Scythe and Ship – Being cruel to yourself isn’t going to get you anywhere. Self- flagellation only holds you back.

What lessons have I learned from this process?

House and Child – To see my personal “sphere” in a different light that is more open and positive than before.  Opening my eyes required re-framing how I see things, and these readings have assisted me in that, allowing me to take a fresh look at what I’ve built in my life and the shelter it provides.

What inspires me to be true to myself?

Broom and Mountain – This answer might seem a bit odd, but it’s the things that I have struggled to overcome that give me the strength and inspiration to be my  true self.  Some organisms grow best in ash instead of soil.

How does my authentic self align with my purpose?

Letter and Fish – By chronicling your journey as you work to learn to better go with the flow of life’s currents, you don’t just allow yourself to reflect back on your personal journey, but allow others to be inspired in the sharing of it.

A card for self-care.

Cross and Stork – Don’t forget that you require a certain amount of recovery and recuperation after shifts of fate and unexpected changes.  It’s okay to give yourself that time, to allow yourself to sink into it instead of pushing forward.

DECK USED:  STRETCH LENORMAND

No Need To Rush Forward

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was supposed to be about twelve minutes long, but it got cut short a few minutes when the housekeeper showed up early.  Still, the portion of it that I did was nice, and did seem to help my anxiety a bit as well.

Terato Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Two of Fire (Wands), which is traditionally a representation of making future plans and plotting a direction forward, including all the decisions and work involved in plotting for progress.

I spend a lot of time focused on self care and self improvement. On becoming a better person, and healing old wounds.  These endeavors often feel like they need some type of planning and plotting of a course of action, regardless of the fact that my cards often remind me that they will happen at their own pace in their own time.

And that, right there, is the message in today’s cards.

Not everything needs to be planned out to the letter, nor is holding expectations on how long things should take or how far you should be able to go in a set amount of time help in these types of journeys.

It’s okay to savor where you are now and let the future take care of itself.  It’s okay to release expectations and let things develop at their own pace. As much as we want to heal and improve? We don’t have to push this endeavor. These things will work themselves out with only a bit of focus on your part… no detailed plans required.

DECK USED:  TERATO TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for September 20th and 21st

Lauren Marx Art Card and Black Lilly TarotWhat do you need to focus on for self-care for this full moon?

Connecting with the central image, there is decay in the Wheel of Fortune, renewal in the Seven of Cups, and deception in the Five of Swords.

Make sure you are taking care of to pay close attention to those around you and what their motivations might be. Not everything is as innocent as it might it first appear.

Transitions are happening at a quicker rate now that you are closer to the end of the month. Make the choices that begin to move you forward into the new “world order” of the busy season ahead. Doing this in a healthy way will help balance out the sense of unpredictability that is eating at your confidence, and allow you to retain the growth you’ve accomplished this year as you move forward.

What lessons can Libra season (beginning on the 22nd) teach you this year?

Connecting with the central image, there is a raw unraveling within the Four of Cups Rx. The Ten of Cups and Strength cards are threaded through with potential, while the Six of Wands connects with rampant growth.

Libra season wants to teach you to not be so hard on yourself when it comes to the things you’re unable to accomplish. Instead, you need to keep your focus placed upon where you want to go and what’s going to make you happiest in the long run. Celebrate your accomplishments instead of punishing yourself for your failures.

DECK USED: LAUREN MARX ART CARDS AND BLACK LILLY TAROT

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt for the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for September 19th and 22nd

Terato TarotHow do I choose hope over fear?

Justice – Keep in mind that life is about balance. That means that “leveling out” is the key factor that drives most of life’s experiences. Everything balances out in the end, but you can help it to do so by staying positive instead of letting your pessimistic qualities take hold and become self fulfilling prophecy.

Can I put myself first?

Three of Earth – Not without help from others. This is something you are still learning to do, and others in your sphere are helping with the process.  You’re not at the point yet where you’re able to naturally move in that direction on your own.

Can I accept myself – even my faults?

Page of Air – Your brain works in a very logical manner. Accepting yourself (faults and all) is going to be a mental exercise, not an emotional one. It’s through logic and reason that you will be able to find the acceptance of those faults.  By picking them apart (instead of punishing yourself for them) you can understand that they are a natural part of who you are… and a natural part of being human.

Do I feel I deserve…

Love – Seven of Water – Sometimes. This is constantly in flux depending on what is going on with you at the time.

Compassion – The Empress – Yes. Everyone deserves compassion, even you. This is something that you naturally offer to others, and expect without question in return from others.

Empathy – Nine of Swords – No. in fact you expect to be judged harshly.

DECK USED: TERATO TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Today was an orders day, but I managed to lie down for an hour or so after the housekeeper left and take a little nap. It was very much needed.

Right, Wrong, Ethics, and Wiggle Room

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was the second installment of the Foundations III series on the Balance app.

Today’s meditation focused on one of my favorite types of meditation; the body scan or yoga nidra method.

The Wandering Star Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Justice card, which is traditionally a representation of the cause-and-effect aspects of balance, and can also represent the law and judicial system.

I don’t know about anyone else, but sometimes I have a somewhat cavalier few of social norms and… even laws. It isn’t that I don’t know what the expectations are, it’s that I disagree with them.  This has never resulted in legal jeopardy, but it can cause social tensions from time to time.

The thing is?  Even though I don’t always agree with how things are expected to be by society, I have my own ethics, my own sense of right and wrong, and a very highly tuned moral compass.

At these times, I often worry that my views will cause adverse reactions and repercussions. And, admittedly, sometimes they do.  Today’s cards are a reminder to look at your own moral compass, your own ethics, and your own sense of right and wrong. How are they working for you?  Are there tweaks that need to be made or are you happy with how things are going?

DECK USED:  THE WANDERING STAR TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheSeptemberTarot Rise and Fall Prompt
Questions for September 19th thru 21st

Copper Rabbit Oracle and Soulful TarotWhere or in what way shouldn’t I be too hard on myself?
Woodsman and Ten of Wands

You can’t help everyone, as you can only take on so much. Don’t be hard on yourself because you have to pick and choose what you decide to tackle and what you decide to leave behind. We all have to do it, and you already give more of yourself than you realize.

Something that could benefit from a little more focus.
Test and Nine of Cups

Keep yourself focused on “the good stuff”. This includes working on keeping a positive outlook, as well as taking time to really appreciate all that you have.

A personal strength that can help/support me right now.
Dark Forest and Knight of Cups

The deep forest and liminal spaces there are waiting for you. Get your ass outside and draw upon the energy, balance, and grounding you need from those sources that you connect to so well.

DECK USED: COPPER RABBIT ORACLE AND SOULFUL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread 1
Question: How can I best navigate the transition from my current mindset and energies into those of the holiday rush to come?

The Wandering Star TarotReading Summary: Daylight connects the Strength and Eight of Pentacles together, speaking of what is already revealed through previous experiences.

Your experience in having done this transition many times in the past (Eight of Pentacles) has provided you with the knowledge, strength, and innate know-how to make it through it again this year (Strength).

Dark borders surrounding the imagery connect the Strength card to The Fool, speaking of the secret ingredient yet to be added.

To transition in a healthier manner (Strength), you need to instill a mindset of adventure into the process (The Fool).

Take Away: I’ve received this answer before for similar questions based around enjoying the holiday rush more.  The key is to work at making the holiday rush feel like an adventure instead of a trial and a chore.  It’s only if I am able to instill a bit of fun and adventure into the process that I’ll be able to find joy in the chaos of the busy season to come.

DECK USED: THE WANDERING STAR TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Well, impromptu nap aside, I also managed to have both my smoothie and my tea, as well as all my vitamins today. First time in a while.

It’s Your Path, Not Theirs

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was… yes, you guessed it.  Skipped again.  No reason or excuses.  I slept in late and I just didn’t do it when I finally got my ass up.

The New Immortal Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Lovers card, which is traditionally a representation of love, unions, and making the choices that are right, good, and healthy for you.

Here in this card we see some funky people being their groovy selves, and this fits well with the Thera-Pets card for today, which is all about individuality and uniqueness.

These cards call us to reflect upon our decision making choices. When we are making decisions about our lives, are we making the choices that are right for us? Or are we making harmful decisions simply because of the influences of others.

Whether these influences are peer pressure, familial expectations, or some other push for you to choose a course that’s not right for you personally, today’s cards are an encouragement to identify these influences and ask yourself if there isn’t a better, healthier way.

DECK USED:  THE NEW IMMORTAL TAROT AND YHERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

BekahMurphysMagic’s #IntuitiveHealingTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for September 17th thru 20th

Tarot de Marseille of the New IncarnationHow can I connect with my Higher Self to enhance my intuition?

10 de Baton atop 8 de Baton – Don’t. Doing so at this point will be overwhelming for you. You need to allow your intuition to grow and develop at its own pace instead of pushing it forward.

How can I connect with my Shadow Self to enhance my intuition?

Ace de Baton – This card is saying “hey dumbass! You saw that previous warning, right?” While also indicating that if you really want to ignore the previous card’s advice, in order to connect more strongly with your intuition through shadow work, it’s going to take a great deal of commitment to the cause.

This is fire and determination that you will have to take from somewhere else, as it would be a new separate endeavor from your current goals.

What inner child wound do I need to heal to enhance my intuition?

2 de Baton atop 7 d’Epee – Don’t fool yourself into thinking this is a good plan right now. The soil is not fertile.

The cards are very much against this avenue of self-development at this time, no matter which direction you might try to come at it from.

What challenges do I face in healing?

La Papessa atop Roi d’Epee – It is through your intuition that you are guided in your healing journey. Don’t allow yourself to think that strategy and logic are leading the way.

DECK USED: TAROT DE MARSEILLE OF THE NEW INCARNATION

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for September 18th

Tulku Oracle and The New Immortal TarotYou – Chakra Mandala and Nine of Pentacles – At this time you are working at giving yourself a healthy balance between all of the different aspects of life. Leaning heavily into a gratitude mindset, you are working to appreciate the present more instead of constantly pushing towards the future.

Your Annoyance – Anahatha Mandala and Nine of Cups – Being emotionally open and vulnerable is exhausting.

What To Do About It – Deer and Three of Cups – Keep going. Lean on those in your trusted circle, but keep going. It won’t be exhausting forever, and in time you will recover both your energy and your sense of exhilaration.

DECK USED: TÜLKU ORACLE AND THE NEW IMMORTAL TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’ve finally accepted that I’m probably fighting off a cold or something.  I’ve been really tired lately, more so than normal, and I think that it’s caused by this immune response.  I’ve decided to accept that I need the rest instead of keeping on being hard on myself about it.

Comfort + Support Tarot Reading

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Intuitive Tarot in the Comfort + Support Spread

Roots – What Grounds You

Ace of Swords – The knowledge that you are capable of bringing new ideas to life when you wish to do so. You are not at the whims of fate, but rather can take your ideas and use them to create your own future.

Support From Your Guides

Nine of Swords Rx – Remember that your fears and anxieties are a cage that hold you back. In overcoming them, you are set free.

Support From the Divine Masculine

Six of Swords – You are strong enough to make the changes needed for a better future. Don’t look back. Old habits are left behind for a reason, and picking them up will pull you backwards.

Support From the Divine Feminine

Ten of Cups – Stay focused on what is important to you. Protect the newly born in your life that brings you joy and pleasure.

Support From Your Higher Self

Queen of Cups – Continue to allow yourself to be vulnerable. Being open and vulnerable even through the hard times is the only way to teach yourself to not shut down with these more difficult times, which in turn will help you grow to a point you will no longer feel the need to close yourself off in the future.

Action to Take Now

Two of Cups – Connect with those closest to you that you hold near and dear. Allow them to support you and move along with you at your side in this journey.

Action to Take to Help Move You Through

Three of Discs – Work together. You don’t have to do everything yourself, in fact you shouldn’t. Working together doesn’t just spread out the work load, but brings in other skills and abilities that you don’t personally possess. It is also a bonding experience.

Continued Self – Care

King of Discs – Make sure you are getting the grounding energy you need. It’s important to have a strong and stable foundation to lead from. When you aren’t stable, you have a habit of retreating into yourself and that will not assist you in what’s coming over the next few months.

DECK USED: INTUITIVE TAROT