tarot and psychology

Depression Lies

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.  Although I had intended to do it, things just got away from me and it didn’t end up getting done.

Wild Spirit Tarot and Thera-Pets Animal Support Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the King of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.  This often translates into authority figures that have an understanding and supportive nature that inspire you to stand strong, that give advice on emotional topics such as relationships when needed, and have a grounded, supportive air about them as well as a compassionate nature.

In my case personally, the King of Cups can often represent my partner Gideon. He has always been a very “King of Cups” type of person, very personable with others, a dominant personality that is both supportive and filled with strength.

Yesterday, I switched over from the How to Be a Wildflower Deck to the Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal Cards due to an awareness that I am struggling with the onset of depression. The Thera-Pets cards are geared specifically towards depression and anxiety, and will hopefully help keep me from sliding down that slippery slope into a full blown depressive episode.

As the Thera-Pets card says, depression lies. The advice between the two cards today is to make sure that you are checking in with those that you deeply trust for reality checks during times of low mood and dips into depression. Reach out to those that are supportive and offer strength for you emotionally.  You need this support right now to help in keeping you from believing depression’s lies, and sinking deeper as a result.

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

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Questions for August 21st

Colour Goddess Casting Cards and Mystic Faerie TarotWhat am I asked to nurture in support of what I love?
Ivory and Ten of Wands

A huge part of the trick of not overwhelming yourself is making sure that you look at things prior to doing them, and prepare yourself so that you can act with a measured gait and poise rather than saying “I can do it”, and knowing from the start that you will have to scramble just to get it done.

What am I asked to work on in support of what I love?
Magenta and Queen of Wands

Diversify when it comes to your business. You’re still getting the warning not to put everything in one basket when it comes to your passionate pursuits. Clearly PayPal was not what this message has been warning you about since it’s still coming through even after shit hit the fan with them.

DECK USED: COLOUR GODDESS CASTING CARDS AND MYSTIC FAERIE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to focus on for self care this Full Moon?

Wild Spirit TarotReading Summary: Use reflection on your past (Six of Cups and Judgement), and your newfound understanding of the separation between past and present (Queen of Cups and Six of Cups), to help you heal from past wounds (Six of Cups). Lean on others to allow you this time to process and heal, and for their support along the way (Three of Cups).

Take Away: For a very long time, the past dictated my actions and how I treated myself. As I have begun to understand this relationship with my past, I’ve begun being able to confront those unhealthy habits and destructive treatment of myself and deal with them in a more objective way.  These cards are an encouragement to keep up this new perspective and not let it slip away.

DECK USED:  WILD SPIRIT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Again, I took a nap today.  I also spend some time outside on the balcony working on transitioning to end-of-summer.

Morning Bonus Read – Starting Something

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“This week, let’s do a reading about starting something.”

Meow Star Playing Cards1. What is something you will need to start soon?

Queen of Clubs – Supporting my dreams and the dreams of others through my past experience and my personal inner drive.

2. What needs to be done before you can begin?

Queen of Spades – Pull yourself up “by your boot straps” and lean into your learned logic. Strategize how to deal with what’s to come and prepare the others.

3. What is the first step you need to take when it is time to start work on this?

Nine of Hearts atop Seven of Hearts – Connect with what you truly want so that you will not become overwhelmed.

4. What should you remember when working on this?

Ace of Clubs and Nine of Spades – It’s only temporary, but you have to go through the gauntlet to get the prize.

Take Away – The holiday rush is not here yet, but it will come whether I’m ready for it or not.  Although the time to act is not yet upon me, the time to begin mentally preparing and getting my plans in place is beginning. The better prepared I am, the less horrible the experience will be for myself and others when it’s upon us.

DECK USED:  MEOW STAR PLAYING CARDS

Deal With Today, Then Let It Go

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped because it was a drive across the country day and I woke up late.

Broke B Tarot and Thera-Pets Animal Support Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Queen of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, logic, communication, or instinct.  This often translates into themes that have to do with strong and supportive individuals that give spectacularly good advice based upon their own experiences and creative thought processes. They are willing to support your dreams, especially if those dreams involve broadening your horizons and education.

Z went home today after living with us for well over a year and a half.  I drove her up north and took her over the border.  Helped her get settled in at her place, then came back across for mail, et al.   The border crossing was a bit harrowing, but she doesn’t have to quarantine, and thus can now care for herself now that she’s home.

It was a rough day.  Lots of traffic and shitty drivers, lots of people with attitudes in stores and stops along the way (although, other than a crapload of paperwork, the border people were very nice today).  The message in these cards is to own the day and be creative and clever in getting through it… and then at the end of the day?  Let it go and look forward to something better out of tomorrow.

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

CoffeexTarot’s Who’s Your Spirit Guides? Prompt
Questions for August 20th and 21st

Spiral Oracle and Broke B TarotWhat are your limitations?
A New Sprout and Two of Swords

“My limitations come into the picture during the times when you’re in your power, have direction, and know what you’re heading towards with purpose. I’m not here for you when things are new and easy, that’s for someone else to deal with.”

How do I open myself to your guidance?
Stories of My Mother and King of Coins

Slow down and pay attention. (Said an a crotchety old grandpa voice. Southern accent.)

DECK USED: SPIRAL ORACLE AND BROKE B TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap when I got home from my drive today, even though I didn’t really feel like I had the time for it.

Take Your Time

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped (I think).  I’m not entirely sure if I did it today or not, but I’m going to take it for granted that I probably skipped it since that’s the pattern.

Etruscan Tarot and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Judgement card, which is traditionally a representation of looking back on one’s life to reflect on what one has done with it.  This time of reflection is about the span of one’s life instead of any one particular incident.

Here in the imagery of this particular card, we see a man who is not reflecting on his past willingly, but is being forced to confront his past, the history he has created for himself, and what this has perpetuated over time.

The combination of this card with the “Smile, Breathe, and Go Slowly” quote on the affirmation card for today is a reminder that life is not a race, and when you rush you miss out on opportunities you would otherwise see coming. Opportunities to have a positive impact on the world, to enjoy life more, and to look back at the end of your life with  more satisfaction instead of regrets.

DECK USED:  ETRUSCAN TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Questions for August 19th and 20th

BuzzFeed Oracle and Richie Rich TarotHow is my current space serving me in terms of where I want to be?

My current space is providing a more aggressive energy (Shark) for me to work with, to the point of setting aside grace for results (Giraffe).

(The Eight of Wands is an accelerant in this reading, feeding into that aggressive energy.)

This is about the upcoming holiday rush that is just around the corner and how what I do now influences how I will approach that season.

Essentially, I’m not getting prep work done and it’s going to cause a need for speed and aggression in order to keep up.

What can I do, shift, or alter to be in the best space for my goals?

Begin shifting your focus (Eclipse) off of the stuff that makes you feel good (The Devil), and onto what will be needed to make the holiday season go more smoothly (Lake).

This isn’t meant to be a fast switch, but it’s time to start the process of looking at what needs to be prepared. Sort of a prep for the upcoming prep period.

DECK USED: BUZZFEED ORACLE CARDS AND RICHIE RICH TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for August 19th and 20th

Journey to the Heart Oracle and Etruscan TarotUse Care – Pure Delight and Knight of Pentacles – Take care not to count your chickens before their hatched. There are too many ruts in the road to know how things will turn out yet.

Be Carefree – Pure Voice and The Fool – Be open and carefree in expressing yourself and going after these things you wish to enjoy. Instead of looking forward, focus on enjoying the present whenever the opportunity to do so is offered.

What joy in my life needs more recognition?
Bravery and Knave of Chalices

You need to recognize how very open and courageous you are being in exploring and learning about your emotions. Walking a new path with them can be scary, but you need to look beyond the fear and acknowledge the boons this journey and growth are offering.

DECK USED: JOURNEY TO THE HEART ORACLE AND ETRUSCAN TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I have no idea what my self kindness was for today since I’m playing catch-up and I forgot to write it down.

Morning Bonus Read – Finding Inner Strength

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Neurotic Owl Tarot

Your inner strength. The area you can seek support.

Eight of Swords Rx – Your ability to see and understand far more than what meets the eye.

The foundation. Digging for the roots without disturbing them. This is where they cradle the core of your being.

Eight of Pentacles Rx – Find comfort in having the many skills that you have honed and made strong. You may only focus on one at a time, but they are all a part of your foundation, and it gives you comfort to know that you have more to offer, and more to fall back on if needed.

Barrier. What is between you and your own power?

The Hermit – Your tendency to spend too much time alone. Although a long time can be good for you, too much alone time is not.

Burden. What is holding you down and keeping you from finishing your journey? This card is always read as if reversed.

Two of Swords Rx – A lack of inclination to actually make a choice. This is not surprising, since I am not really interested in getting to the “end” of my journey yet. A part of my lesson in this lifetime is to enjoy the journey itself rather than focusing too much on the destination. This is something I didn’t understand a few years ago, but has come to light as I’ve begun delving into self-care and looking deeper within myself.

DECK USED:  NEUROTIC OWL TAROT

Be Ready To Seize the Day

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was probably skipped, but I can’t remember.  I’m playing catch-up.

Dear Heart Tarot and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’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, education, communication, and instinct.  Part of this also includes imagination, although that can also touch upon the Cups suit as well.

The message that you see in the combination of the authority seen in the King of Swords and the affirmation card today is that if you can dream it, think it, strategize it… you can do it.

Sometimes you have to “own” what you want in attitude and how you present yourself, in your mind and your dreams.  Then when the opportunity to truly seize those things, you are prepared to reach out and grab them with both hands.

DECK USED:  DEAR HEART TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

The #MysticStarChallenge at the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for August 18th

Tarot de el Dios de los TresWhat message does Temperance have for me?

Six of Cups – Be kind to yourself and allow your intuition to guide you into leaning into positive memories instead of the negative ones.

What obstacles does Temperance want to warn me about?

Five of Cups – You are struggling with keeping your emotions uplifted and seeing the positive. Don’t ignore this. It’s important.

What guidance does Temperance have for me to overcome this obstacle?

Three of Pentacles atop Two of Pentacles – Allow your friends to help you in making good decisions instead of doing it on your own. Your perception is flawed at the moment, and they are happy to help.

DECK USED: TAROT DE EL DIOS DE LOS TRES

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Does luck (good or bad) actually exist?

Dear Heart TarotLuck is our earthly perception of the swing between cause and effect. The universe seeks balance between these two things. We do not always perceive all the positive and negative that constantly seeking balance things out creates, and thus what we notice, we arbitrarily label as “luck” when it’s not anything so random.

If we slow down (Knight of Pentacles) and really take the time to see things from a fresh perspective (Ace of Swords), we can witness this effort of the universe creating this swing back and forth in that constant effort to find balance in the ever shifting sands of life (The World).

DECK USED: DEAR HEART TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Like the meditation at the beginning of this post, I’m playing catch up and I just don’t remember what I did today for a self kindness.