tarot and psychology

Don’t Squeeze Too Tightly

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.  I did actually try to meditate, laid down and put myself into position for the stretches, got the meditation timer going, the whole deal.  But I couldn’t sit still.  So I struggled with it for about five or six minutes then gave up and went to go get myself some food.

Conference of the Birds Tarot and Flower Fortune CardsToday’s draw is the Four of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of stability, conservation, scarcity issues, control, jealousy (not to be confused with envy), and miserly behavior.

The bird stands on the coin demanding it remain where it is, it’s theirs and they don’t want it taken away.  Sometimes when we get too focused on holding on to what we have, we forget to stay open and receptive to what others have to say. We essentially “close ranks” and become overly controlling.

The problem with this behavior is that it closes us off from others.  Communication becomes limited.  When communicating with others, yes, as the Flower Fortune card says today, “the most important thing with communication is to listen to what isn’t being said”.  But there’s no way to hear what isn’t being said if there’s no communication at all.

The message in today’s cards today is that no matter how important something is or how possessive you feel about it, you need to make sure you don’t become so territorial and guard it so jealously that you shut others out and close yourself off.

DECK USED:  CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS TAROT AND FLOWER FORTUNE CARDS

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Question: Start of Gemini – How can I more effectively communicate and express myself this season?

White Numen TarotReading Summary: The opinion of others (Six of Wands) is fickle (Wheel of Fortune), so don’t look in that direction. Instead focus on your own perceptions of yourself and not being too hard on yourself (Judgement).

Take Away: The advice here is about making sure that you aren’t allowing your worry about what others might think to silence you or cause you to adjust how you say what lands on your tongue.  Just be yourself and be true to who you are and what you want from yourself and your path, everything else will fall into place on its own.  Public opinion is too unpredictable to base…. well, pretty much anything on, and that includes the value of your own words and communication.

DECK USED:  WHITE NUMEN TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsMay2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: Where in life do you need to “step up” and do better?

Conference of the Birds TarotReading Summary: Taking action to further your desires and dreams (Knight of Cups). Dive deeper (The Hanged Man) and enlist others in the cause (Three of Cups).

Note: These cards all depict water fowl, and this is not a water fowl deck… it’s a bird deck. This means that the Cups theme carries over into all of the cards in the reading and intertwines them together as one.

Take Away:  Sometimes, a journey taken alone ends up no journey at all.  Where I need to step up and do better is in making sure that I’m allowing others in and enlisting their help in furthering my dreams and desires.

The issue here is in  how I view enlisting their help, and I need to look for a better perspective on this so that it’s something that cam become more natural and less forced.  With their help, I can then go further and do more, and realize the dreams that right now are hovering just out of reach.

DECK USED:  CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I switched Gideon and I from play to IMs when I started feeling lost and vulnerable instead of trying to “tough it out” and keep playing.

Morning Bonus Read – Reconnect With Your Soul

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Ink Stained Tarot - Reconnecting With Your Soul Tarot Reading

Card to describe my soul.

Nine of Cups – Satiated and comfortable.  Happy.  Content in a solitary state.  Not especially social and more than content to enjoy things on your own without a lot of friends or interaction with others.  Maybe a bit greedy about that happiness in that you don’t particularly want to share it with others at this time but instead enjoy it at your own pace on your own terms.

How I can quiet my thoughts.

Two of Swords – If you would be more decisive when things are bothering you instead of letting them niggle around in your head,  you would have far fewer thoughts running around in your head to pester you all the time.  There is a difference between pausing to get more information, and hesitating because you don’t want to make a decision.

How I can better trust my intuition.

Nine of Wands – Sometimes you stand in your own damned way and it’s not helpful in the least. This ties into the advice above.  You teach that intuition is the instant whisper that comes first, and thought comes after to mess it all up and create uncertainty.  Stop allowing time for thought to hop in and have a say.  Make the decision when the whisper comes and use thought to strategize instead of allowing it to cast doubt.

Why I should speak my truth.

Eight of Swords – It is only through truth both to ourselves and to others that our eyes can be opened to the world around us and we can move through life sure-footed.  There are too many illusions and obstacles to trip over when you are not honest with yourself and others. Life is hard enough without adding more struggles to the journey.

Something about myself I need to accept.

Strength – You are stronger than you think you are. It isn’t just your body that is strong and resilient, but your inner core as well. This strength shows in how others relate to you. You are not as inept at social graces as you feel that you are.

Something about myself I need to embrace.

Page of Cups – Your creative spark is always going to be there. Yes, the mundane business crap still has to be done, but don’t sink yourself so deep into that stuff that you lose the joy that comes with exploring your creativity and taking it in new directions.

How I can be the best version of myself.

The Hierophant – Share. Share yourself. Share your experiences. Help others see what it’s like to choose your own path and forge your own way. Encourage them to do the same. It is when you are helping others find their unique path that you feel the most centered and happy.

A message from the soul.

The World – Keep going.  Keep moving forward.  Keep striving to be better and do better. Life is a journey and it isn’t the end you need to put all your focus on. Instead, focus more on the steps along the path that gets you there.

DECK USED:  INK STAINED TAROT

Earning Wishes

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_1571Today’s meditation was just over eleven minutes long, and was one of the Calm app guided meditations with an interval timer added in for my piriformis stretches.  I’m actually a bit surprised I managed to do the meditation today since I slept when I got home from the farm today. The girls gave me a bit of space, though and it was nice.

The focus of today’s meditation was about taking a pause when in the middle of reacting to something so that you can react in a better, calmer, more focused manner rather than just lashing out or popping off.  The method in teaching to focus on the pause was to pay attention to that moment of pause between one’s inhales and exhales.  That moment when one turns to the other.   It reminded me of how I calm when I am crying and it has gotten out of control.

Although this type of emotional outburst is extremely rare (I think the last time was when Meanie died), it has happened.  When it happens and I’m worked up and breathing hard and bawling, I calm my self by hitching in a breath and holding it.  Letting the stillness of the silent lack of air to create a pause.  Done repeatedly, it can help immensely in bringing things back under control. This is apparently something I have done since I was a toddler.

Heroine Tarot and Flower Fortune CardsToday’s draw is the Page of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, communication, and instincts.

Creative thinking and the expansion of one’s consciousness and intellect is the theme of the Page of Swords.  Here in this imagery we see the classic figure holding a sword, but without the experience and confidence (and attire, in this case) to wield it efficiently.  She has much to learn yet, and the opportunity before her to learn it.

Combined with the Flower Fortune card for today, which states “Your wish will come true”, what we see here is a message that when you put your focus on learning what you need to learn and expanding in the direction you want to go in, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.   Sometimes that means you need more education, or more experience, or need to explore things more in depth to find the path to those wishes and goals… but where there’s a will there’s a way.  As long as you’re willing to put in the work to learn, to expand, and even fail and try again… you will eventually succeed.

DECK USED:  THE HEROINE TAROT AND FLOWER FORTUNE CARDS

Raven Willow Tarot’s Emotional Exploration Prompt
Questions for May 19th & 20th

Love and Mystery TarotWhat role does admiration play in my life?
The Moon, The World, Eight of Pentacles

In this life, admiration often feels like a form of reassurance that things are headed in the right direction and your skills are continuing to improve.  Anything you put your effort into, it is through the admiration of others that we discover sometimes just how big a feat what we’ve learned and accomplished actually is.  It’s easy to discount our progress when left without that external input to help us realize how far we’ve come, and in turn sometimes encourage us to keep going.

How can I better enhance admiration in my life?
Three of Cups, Six of Swords, Ace of Wands

In order to enhance admiration in your life, it’s important to continue to share your work with others.  Sometimes it is only through their eyes that you can see your own progress.  Keep trying out new things and pursuing new interests and passions, for it is only through this pursuit of new methods and ideas, and the exploration of new techniques and concepts, that we can continue to grow and advance in our skills and abilities.

DECK USED:  LOVE AND MYSTERY TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsMay2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Can achieving nothing make a person happy?

Heroine TarotReading Summary: Content and comfortable (Four of Wands), but there are no happy memories to look back on (Six of Cups Rx) and there is no hope looking forward (The Star Rx).

Take Away: The answer laid out within these cards is a “No”.

Although people can be content and comfortable without achievement, without a past filled with memories to look back upon and enjoy, or a future filled with hopes and dreams to look forward to, there can be no joy and thus no true happiness.

DECK USED:  THE HEROINE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had a good sleep after getting home from the farm today.  I also dismantled my (very rusted) barbecue on the balcony and got rid of it.  After the power washing of the exterior of the building (including my balcony) next month, I’ll go shopping for a new one to replace it.  I want to get something a bit smaller next time.

Openness and Grace

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped because I got distracted by fresh baked chocolate chip cookies hot from the oven. I’m not entirely sure why they were being made in the morning, but… well… cookies are cookies and who doesn’t love still-warm cookies?

Shapeshifter Tarot and Flower Fortune CardsToday’s draw is the Queen 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.

Here in this card we see the Goddess of Water, her posture open and the swan there in the shift of shape, an echo behind her so close to the surface as lilies and cherry blossoms surround her and float float in the water.

The imagery depicts grace and openness. Combined with the Flower Fortune card for today, which states that “If you have something good in your life, don’t let it go!” what I see here isn’t about things at all, but about people.

Sometimes things happen in life that cause us to forget to be grateful for the people in our lives we should appreciate. We become irritated with them, or bored with them, or just so over exposed to them that you need some space.  The key is to make sure that even in these moments we remember just how good they are for us… and just how valuable they are to us.  Closing ourselves off and pushing them away isn’t a solution.  Next thing you know, they could be gone for good.

A better option is staying open and accepting that sometimes? Even those we love the most are going to irritate us.  Let them know how much you care for them, be open with them and let them know how grateful you are for them… and let them know you need a little breathing room.  By opening up, you keep these people in your life instead of pushing them away (possibly permanently) with your need for a bit of space.

DECK USED:  SHAPESHIFTER TAROT AND FLOWER FORTUNE CARDS

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Questions for May 16th through 19th

Spirit Speak TarotWhat change is coming?
Eight of Swords atop Eight of Cups

A change in perspective and opening of eyes pertaining to something that has been frustrating you. Although unpleasant and at times uncomfortable, it will allow you to move on from a feeling of being stuck.

How will this change affect me?
The Lovers atop Four of Swords Rx

There will be a sense of restlessness and discomfort related to your self care needs that will need to be overcome through making sure you make healthy choices for myself. Gideon’s watchful eye is there to help in keeping those self care practices going, even when you struggle.

As you move through this change you need to make sure room in your life stays open for self care. Don’t fill up that space with other tasks and responsibilities.

What new challenges will I face?
Six of Cups Rx

This upcoming change will bring up some unpleasant memories and might require working through. You may find that doing some light shadow work pertaining to your childhood and upbringing will help.

What will I possibly become as a result of all of this?
King of Wands and Three of Pentacles

Stronger in your business and purpose, and better able to delegate tasks and responsibilities so that the work load is more evenly distributed. That work towards a healthy balance is a long and multi-legged journey, but this holds the potential of being a step in the right direction toward that goal.

DECK USED:  SPIRIT SPEAK TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsMay2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can you improve upon your self-care at this time?

Shapeshifter TarotReading Summary: Expressive openness while welcoming others to share with you in turn (Goddess of Water).  Supportive strength (God of Earth) as you find direction for yourself and help others do the same for themselves as well (Two of Wands).

Take Away: To improve upon your self care, you need to remember that in order to connect with others, give support, and provide for them the guidance to help them find their own unique path, you also need to be open to them emotionally and creatively.

Being approachable is important.  Not just for that connection with others, but for yourself.  You may not be the most suave when it comes to social matters, but you still need a certain amount of social interaction, as well as the opportunity to help others with their personal journey and self actualization, to be healthy and happy.

DECK USED:  SHAPESHIFTER TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

We had a hard rain here earlier today and I spent some time out on my balcony enjoying the cold drops on my skin and soaking my hair and through my clothes, just enjoying the sounds and scents and feeling of it for a bit.

Morning Bonus Read – Connecting With Your Guides

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Malpertuis Lenormand - Connecting With Your Guides Tarot Spread

What I’m not aware of.

Book – Well geez. No fucking shit. The book is an indication of secrets and hidden information.  This card in relation to this specific question is essentially telling me that there’s a whole hell of a lot that I’m unaware of and to mind my own damned business.

Things you’re here to teach me.

Bear, Man, Tower – To stand strong and protect my territorial interests to to the best of my ability.  There’s a whole lot of masculine energy in these cards, combined with a watchfulness that stretches from beyond responsibility to a mentality of territorial responsibility.  The lessons here surround learning how to better look after and protect those things I hold dear from others, standing strong against those things or people that might threaten what I consider as mine.

How I can align with my true purpose.

Fish – Go with the flow.  This is not a salmon and you don’t have to fight so hard.  Trust that abundance is yours and that the actions you take will allow that abundance to continue to flow through your life, even in times where you might float along instead of swimming at full speed.

Signs I should look out for to indicate their presence.

Lily, Ring, Sun – They are always there and feel a responsibility to be there, obligated to help guide me towards success and positive outcomes. Although late to the party, they aren’t going anywhere.

A message from the Divine.

Coffin, Moon – Get a handle on your negative inner dialogue and it’s negative eroding influence on your emotions before they get the upper hand and end up having a handle on you.

DECK USED: MALPERTUIS LENORMAND

Put Your Oxygen Mask On First

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_1551Today’s meditation was just under thirteen minutes long and was a guided meditation with the Calm app combined with an interval timer for my piriformis stretching. I’ve done a lot of skipping in meditation lately, and my stretches are definitely telling me that this is a bad idea. I’ve been having a bit more trouble with my lower back as well over the past week. It’s time to get back into things, either that or I’m going to have to increase my chiropractor visits.  I’d rather not sink the money into that option.

The focus of today’s meditation was about  how sometimes the first step in any journey can be the hardest. The thing is, though, the first step doesn’t have to be a big one. None of the steps on that journey need to be big ones. As long as you’re at least shuffling along a few inches at a time? You’re still making progress.  It might not feel like it, but it’s still progress.

Isidore Tarot Sea and Sand Spring Edition and Flower Fortune CardsToday’s draw is the Ten of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of stability and security obtained through hard work and shared with others.  These themes often center around financial success, good health, stability and security at home, and other material themes being shared with those closest to you such as family and friends.

In this manner, the well dressed bird in the imagery of today’s card shares his wealth and good fortune with the other birds  in his care, building them a luxurious house and making sure that they are comfortable and well cared for.

Combined with the Flower Fortunes card for today, which states that “Before trying to please others, firstly think of what makes you happy”, there is a message here today not just about tending to one’s own happiness, but also your own needs and self care.

No matter how much you want to care for others, it is absolutely imperative that you care for yourself first. You cannot expect your body, your finances, or your stamina to old out if you are not giving it what it needs.  That includes down time, good food, happiness, and all the other things that you need to care for yourself.   Just as you need to make money before you can share the wealth, you have to make sure you have found your  happiness before you can make others happy.  Doing it the other way around doesn’t make sense and is extremely unhealthy.

DECK USED:  ISIDORE TAROT SEA AND SAND SPRING EDITION AND FLOWER FORTUNE CARDS

Raven Willow Tarot’s Emotional Exploration Prompt
Questions for May 17th & 18th

The Alchemist's GardenWhat role does pride play in my life?

Eight of Swords (Monkshood) – If it is not held in check by a heavy dose of self-awareness and objectivity, pride can blind you to the truth.

Five of Cups (Taique) – It can drag us down when we take pride in things that aren’t meant for us. We then miss those things that are.

Seven of Wands (Living Rock) – Pride lights fire beneath our convictions, principles, and values, giving us the strength to stand fast against opposition that tries to rise up against what we feel is right.

How can I better enhance the positive aspects of pride?

The Emperor (San Pedro) – When you feel that pride is cutting you off from seeing the whole picture, take ownership of that feeling and the fact that the blockage is coming from within you instead of from an external source. Explore and seek to understand what’s going on rather than letting it pass by unnoticed.

Nine of Pentacles (Sassafras) – When feeling a sense of entitlement and discontent, pause to take a look around at what you really have, how far you’ve come, how much you’ve truly accomplished, and how good you really have it. 

Four of Pentacles (Lions Mane) – In times when you stand up for what you believe in, make sure that you have steady footing and that you are not cutting down others in the process of lifting yourself up.

DECK USED:  THE ALCHEMIST’S GARDEN TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsMay2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: In what area are you not practicing enough self-care?

Isidore Tarot Sea and Sand Spring EditionReading Summary: You’re not giving yourself enough benefit of the doubt (Strength) where finding balance in your life is concerned (Two of Coins). Moderation is not a punishment, but a path to better things (Temperance), so lift yourself up with optimism and hope, and start looking at this effort in a more positive light (The Star).

Take Away: The message here is about moderation and optimism.  Here is where the lack resides and where I need to work on fostering something more hopeful, positive, and lighthearted.

My naturally pessimistic tendencies have started to come out a bit more strongly of late, and they need to be brought back in hand (along with that negative inner narrative in my head).  It’s important to remember to celebrate your accomplishments along the way, even the tiny ones.  Each step forward is progress, no matter how small that step might be.

DECK USED:  ISIDORE TAROT SEA AND SAND SPRING EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I had myself a nice epsom salt and apple cider soak in the tub today, and even managed to not fall asleep in the process!