tarot and psychology

Savoring the Moment

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Today’s meditation was skipped.  I know that I should have meditated considering that I was all kinds of worked up this morning and through most of the day, but I just couldn’t manage to stay still and let it happen.

Tarot de St Croix Borderless Edition and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the King of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, home, manifestations, and the physical world.  This often translates into themes to do with wealth and expertise, as well as authority in the areas mentioned previously. Acumen, a sense of discipline, abundance, and establishing security are all a part of this theme.

One of the things I often see depicted in these cards is a figure at rest.  Alert and surrounded in abundance, but also at rest. It is like the old magnate that has finally reached the goals he’s set out for and now watches over these goals and guides others, but is no longer in a place where they need to plow forward in relentless pursuit of their dreams.

The thing is?  We don’t have to have reached the end of our journey and obtained our goals to enjoy these moments now and then.  Moments of pause and enjoyment for what we have, as we ascertain our good fortune and feel in the moment that “I am the king of my own castle* feeling of accomplishment.  In fact, we should be pausing to enjoy these things regularly.  Daily.

Don’t put them off ’til the end of your journey.  Enjoy those moments now.

DECK USED:  TAROT DE ST CROIX BORDERLESS EDITION AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Questions for August 13th thru 15th

Tarot de St Croix Borderless Edition and Wildcraft! Herbal Adventure Game CardsWhat am I guided to spend time on, or reflect on, today?

It sucked. It hurt. You don’t know what you tripped over (Scraped Knee), but you can’t sit there and whine about it all day. Where do you want to go from here? (Two of Wands)

Right, so… I have been banned from PayPal for life. And I have no idea why. None. Late last night I went to make a purchase and received an error message, so I went to see what was wrong and in the account was a notice that my PayPal account had been permanently limited and I could no longer use the account or make any changes upon it. Fifteen years using them on a daily basis for both personal and business means… then BAM… this happened.

I did not sleep. All night. I tried, but I was too worked up and freaked out. I waited until 6am (when their customer service opened up) and reached out to them. I spoke to both a service agent and a supervisor. Neither could tell me any information at all about why this happened or what I might have done to trigger it. Just that it’s irreversible. Permanent. And if I want those answers? The only way to get them is to sue PayPal.

These cards are a reminder that this is not the end of the world, just a small setback.  And that instead of focusing on the feelings of helplessness and victimization that this experience created, I need to focus ahead and on moving forward.

If not now, than when? Something I shouldn’t delay.

Take some time to heal (Yarrow), and then focus on rebuilding better and stronger (Three of Pentacles).

The thing is?  There’s nothing that I can do about this situation. I don’t have the kind of funds it would take to blow on a law suit against PayPal. It would be stupid, especially since I don’t really depend on the platform anymore like I did a handful of years ago.

The healing qualities of Yarrow indicate that it’s better just to let it go, and work on recovering from the blow, rather than stewing in it.  The Three of Pentacles is then an indication that there’s work to be done and to get to it.  Change over automatic payments to another source, shut down funding that comes through that venue, and reach out to my clients to let them know that PayPal is no longer a way in which they can pay for my services. Get my ducks in a row.

How can I make the most or best use of {my time} today?

Let go of that toxic shit (Nine of Swords) and build yourself back up (Echinacea).

Another healing herb to again remind me that I need to focus today on what will soothe those aches and restore my equilibrium. These cards are a reminder that what’s done is done and to not let the feelings that last night/this morning’s events stirred up linger and fester.  Let them go and step into getting back in balance.

DECK USED:  WILDCRAFT! HERBAL ADVENTURE GAME CARDS AND TAROT DE ST CROIX BORDERLESS EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

After my all-nighter of stress, and dealing with PayPal… then having a good hard cry based in those feelings of helplessness, confusion, and victimization.  I then quickly got to work and made sure all my recurring payments and responsibilities were otherwise covered.  This gave me the peace of mind I needed to get some sleep. I also spoke to Gideon briefly, which also helped.

Who Are You Really?

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Today’s meditation was.. skipped.  I think?  I’m pretty sure it was skipped.  I did take some time to do extra stretching and relax, though.  But I didn’t meditate I don’t think.

Illusori Tarot 27 and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’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, inspiration, willpower, interests, and inner spark.  This often translates into themes that have to do with (as the card says) intensity, being inspired to take action, and impulsivity.

There are a lot of things in life that it’s important to move slowly on, to take your time with, and to pause and reflect on before moving forward.  But connecting with yourself and your truth?  That is not one of those things.

I believe one of the greatest things anyone can do for themselves in life is seeing yourself for who you are, accepting yourself and all your faults, and allowing the truth of who you are to be something you delve into and explore in depth.  This type of exploration is a journey, but the rewards are immense.  Living your truth, speaking your truth, allowing yourself to live by who you truly are and who you want to be?  These things shouldn’t be something hesitated on or put off until later.  They are a lifelong journey that builds confidence and creates stability and roots within yourself, your life, and your journey as a whole.

DECK USED:  ILLUSORI TAROT 27 AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

CoffeexTarot’s Who’s Your Spirit Guides? Prompt
Questions for August 12th and 13th

Brian's Deck and The Neurotic Owl TarotWhat are you currently helping me on?
Grab It While You Can, Three of Wands atop Five of Wands

Go forth and seize this moment and do what feels right. It’s okay to be greedy sometimes, and to go after what you really want instead of settling for what you or others think you deserve.

What I need to do to reach this goal / path?
Appreciate What You’ve Got and The Lovers

Step it up on participating in a healthy gratitude practice. Paying attention to all that you have helps to center you in life and reinforce your values, but a regular practice helps build upon those good things and bring more focus to them. It will help you staying inspired to keep moving.

DECK USED: BRIAN’S DECK AND THE NEUROTIC OWL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for August 12th and 13th

Prism Oracle and Illusori Tarot 27Weed Out – Confidence atop Love, Two of Cups – Sometimes the most comforting of habits you’ve developed and, or the most amazing ideas you have that you are sure that you can carry through with, just can’t be followed through on. No matter how much you love them and want them to succeed.

Replace With – Frustration and Eight of Cups – When you run across these ideas and it becomes clear that it’s not going to happen, don’t flex your grip and hold on tighter. Trying harder isn’t the issue. Instead, you need to let them go.

Where could I benefit from a new perspective at this time?
Abundance and Seven of Wands

Your values and principles don’t need defending as long as they are working for you. No one can take them away from you. The theme in this reading involves sloughing off what isn’t working and what isn’t needed.  Your abundance will grow if you let go of these things.  (Little did I know how very true this would be in just a few hours later after these cards were pulled.)

DECK USED: PRISM ORACLE AND ILLUSORI TAROT 27

Daily Self Kindness

I un-backed 12 of the Kickstarter projects that I had previously backed, letting go of those twelve decks I had backed after having sorted through the projects I’m supporting and deciding which ones I wanted to keep and which needed to go.

Morning Bonus Read – Standing in Your Power

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Women of High Fantasy Tarot

1. What is often the reason I don’t stand in my power? (I had to rephrase this one.)

Queen of Coins – Because I want to support others, and sometimes that means toning myself down for a more gentle approach.  The aggressive tactics that I use on myself are not suitable to helping others. (Okay, so they’re not really suitable to be used on myself either, but that’s for another time.)

2. What I’m scared of about channeling my power.

Four of Coins Rx – Getting stuck in a rut of my own making. I’ve pushed so hard on certain methods and agendas for so long, that I worry I won’t be able to break free of the unhealthy ones. What -is- my power exactly if not that hard shove that gets things done? I know this is my inner uncertainties speaking, but it feels like a valid question.

3. A way that I can stand in my power.

The Lovers – Focus on making healthy choices and leaning into Gideon for help on staying on track.  I’m not in this alone and I don’t have to feel like I am.  Isolation may be a go-to habit, but it’s not a healthy one.

4. What I could accomplish if I did stand in my power.

Ace of Wands – The potential is endless, as I would be able to direct that powerful inner drive of mine in any direction I wished.

5. Something I should be more confident about.

The Magician – My capability and ingenuity. I am adaptive and able to make things work in my favor through the skills and abilities that I possess. Although I project confidence in this area, there’s often a feeling of self doubt when trouble comes knocking and I have to put these qualities into action.

6. How I can be more confident that the universe has my back.

Imagery in the Eight of Coins – Remember that everything is connected and it is through this connections that the universe helps and guides.  Support comes in all shapes and forms.

DECK USED:  WOMEN OF HIGH FANTASY TAROT

Follow Your Spark

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Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long, and was the second installment of the Foundations II series on the Balance app.   Today, the series introduced the method of labeling, which is something I’m familiar with from other meditation exercises that I have done in the past.  I had a very hard time staying focused today and may end up repeating this installment in the series again as a result.

Tarot of the Imagination and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Chariot card, which is a representation of moving forward, will power, and the strength to choose one’s own direction and path, and plow forward upon it with determination.

“Follow the Spark” is an excellent message for The Chariot, as it encourages going after those things that really mean something to you, inspire you, and hold value for you.

It’s all well and good to push ourselves forward in the direction we want to go, demand the prize at the end of our hard work, etc.  But how many of us really take a deep down look at where we’re going and what we’re striving for?

Are you striving for someone else’s dreams? Or your own? Whose judgements, values, and desires do you allow to push you forward? Are they yours?  Are you sure? Take a look. Delve in. Find what truly lights -your- fire. And if your direction needs some realigning to go in that direction?  Use your willpower and determination to adjust your trajectory in the direction of what you truly want in life.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE IMAGINATION AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Can we understand good without evil?

Tarot of the ImaginationReading Summary: No matter your journey (Three of Wands), life is about balance, they are connected and always seeking that balance (Ten of Wands and Ten of Cups. Seeking only the good and positive (Five of Cups) doesn’t mean the evil and negative are not still there (Five of Pentacles).

Side Note: I had forgotten how much I like this deck.  It’s been a while since I’ve picked this one up.

Take Away: The answer here is no, but more than that, it indicates that when you try to eliminate the negative and evil from life, you set yourself up to be surprised by them when they rear their ugly heads in order to restore balance.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE IMAGINATION

Daily Self Kindness

The problem with playing catch up is that if I didn’t take a note about something done on the day? Sometimes I just can’t remember a couple days later when I’m trying to write it out. Today was one of those days. I didn’t write it down and I have NO idea what self kindnesses I might have done this day other than trying to relax and take it easy.

A Path of Little Miracles

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Today’s meditation was just over fourteen minutes long, and was the first installment of the second foundations series in the Balance app. The meditation focused on a review of what was learned in the initial foundations series that I’ve just recently finished, which is to say it was about the different breath work tools and body scanning that have been taught previously.

Tarot of the Nile and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Seven of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of slow growth over the long term, sustainability, and investing time or energy in something over a long period of time.

Regardless of the Egyptian theme of the cards, the imagery itself is very traditional in this card, with the farmer looking on at the gains that come from taking things slow and fostering growth.

Combined with the affirmation card for today, the message I get from these cards is about the journey to one’s accomplishments, not just the accomplishments themselves.

Just because something takes a long time to accomplish, doesn’t mean that there aren’t little miracles and treasures to enjoy along the way. The Seven of Pentacles and this affirmation card are a reminder that we need to enjoy the journey instead of focusing too hard on the destination at the end of the road.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE NILE AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Questions for August 10th thru 12th

Sacred Hags Oracle and Journey Into Egypt TarotWhat is a predominant or recurring theme in my life?
The Wild Child’s Prophecy and Prince of Cups

The restart. Taking on life with a fresh look at the halfway point in one’s life. Realizing we were too closed off and too beaten down by the past. You’ve chosen to start over rather than carry on that legacy further into your life.

This is the route at the very core of my emotional growth and the journey I have set myself upon. I understand the experiences from my past have poison the well, and instead of trying to siphon the poison out… I’m digging a new one.

What is a major lesson for me, my journey, or my life?
Juniper Smoke and Six of Coins

It is often hard to remember to pause and reflect, to take time to connect to the world around us, and really be present and hear what the earth and the air and the elements are trying to say. They whisper secrets, but it is only when you are still and quiet that you can truly hear what they have to tell you.

Slowing down as one of my largest struggles in life and a part of the journey mentioned in the previous question’s answer. Taking time for meditation and allowing myself the time I need out in nature is so much harder than it seems like it should be. I know this is because of the influences from my past push upon me a need to punish myself.

The lesson is about being generous with myself and allowing myself that time and space to tune in to the earth and the whispering voices of the elements. The space and calm needed to connect on a deeper level.

What can I personally do in support of my best life?
The Cailleach’s Crag and The Lovers

Balance and a healthy perspective require focus on all aspects of one’s cycle of growth. It’s not always about progressing. Sometimes it’s about resting, and sometimes it’s about things dying off to make room for new growth later on.

Being in the moment and making healthy choices for yourself requires that we focus on what is happening in the moment, not what is coming. So when you’re in a moment when it is time to slough off old things, be in that moment and do what needs done, rather than looking ahead and counting your chickens before they’re hatched. Same with when it’s time to rest.

DECK USED: SACRED HAGS ORACLE AND THE JOURNEY INTO EGYPT TAROT

The #MysticStarChallenge at the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for August 10

Tarot of the NileWhat message does The Lovers have for me?

Page of Wands – Make sure that you are making good choices when you pick the things that you want to delve into and explore further. You don’t have as much room on your plate as you think you do.

What obstacles does The Lovers want to warn me about?

Ten of Cups – You may find yourself feeling delayed and struggling to see a good perspective in your situation at that time. Don’t worry about it… just wait and work on looking for the good.

What guidance does The Lovers have for me to overcome this obstacle?

The Hanged Man – Remember that everything happens for a reason and whatever it is that is holding you back, it has a purpose, and you will be carried forward again eventually towards where you want to be in the end.

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE NILE

Daily Self Kindness

I stood up to say something was wrong tonight when Gideon and I were in play instead of keeping it to myself and trying to muscle my way through my responses.

Morning Bonus Read – August

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Belle Époque Lenormand - August Lenormand Reading

What clarity will August bring?

Star – August is a time to get in touch with the optimism that you’ve let slide over the summer months and bring it back into focus.  It’s good for you, and it helps you in your journey and growth.  Focus on finding the positivity and optimism, and instilling more of that into your life.  You need it to help lift you out and away from the rim of depression’s pit.

Is there an adventure that is calling me that I shouldn’t ignore?

Scythe – Yes. But it isn’t that you shouldn’t ignore it because you want to go down that path, but rather because you need to be aware that this possibility is there so that you can avoid it.  You’ve lost time this last week, and you run the risk of it turning into a slide down into depression’s pit if you don’t get a handle on things and pay attention to how close you get to the pit’s lip.

What can I do to open my heart to all the potential for self expression that this month’s Leo New Moon can offer?

Fox and Fish – Go with the flow, but be clever about it. A raft that floats down the river will get further by taking the easy, free flowing path than the one littered with rocks to navigate around and possibly hung up on.  In both instances you are going with the flow, but one executes strategy in the journey.  Don’t resist the flow of life around you, just make sure you’re paying attention and navigating instead of floating along and being beaten by the rocks along the way.

How can I magnify the imaginative energy that this month’s Full Moon in Pisces may bring?

Man – Lean into time with Gideon and the creative play that we can enjoy together.  This time together doesn’t just magnify your imaginative energy, but is also a soothing balm to your soul.

How can I make the most of the long days of summer?

Stork – Again, go with the flow.  The summer months are beginning to wind up.  Don’t allow yourself to resist the shifts taking place as autumn approaches, but instead let them flow around you.  Tensing up and digging in your heels won’t change anything, nor solve anything.  Instead, embrace the shift into the harvest season to come.

Overall theme for the month of August.

Cross – You’re tired.  You are worn and you have been struggling. August is a time to deal with these feelings and recover from them.  Whether they are physical, spiritual, emotional, or otherwise… you can’t carry them forward any longer and August is giving you the time and space to release these things and step free of the weight you have been  struggling under..

DECK USED:  BELLE ÉPOQUE LENORMAND