tarot and psychology

Love and Kindness

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IMG_7967Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was combined with interval timer for my stretches.  The topic of this guided meditation was about the small choices we make… in other words, the butterfly effect.

It was about how with each small good choice we make for ourselves in our lives, we foster and encourage goodness and positivity and healthy habits to develop and take root.  And how it’s important to encourage this positive growth, as opposed to feeding the bad habits and making bad choices that hold us back.

Tarot of the Little Prince - Ten of SwordsToday’s draw is the Ten of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of painful endings, the dying off of hard times, and the end of cycles of difficulty and trials.  The swords suit is, after all, a story about tragedy and the Ten of Swords is the end of said tragedy before the hero of the story picks themselves back up and brushes themselves off to try again.

I find the imagery in this card to be extremely disorienting today.  I’m not sure if it has always made me feel this way, but today? When I look at this card it feels as if the entire world has been turned upside down.  And in this chaotic, confusing world the boy curls close the fox that is his companion to protect the fox from being hurt or lost.

The message here is about making sure that you are caring for your heart… your soft squishy insides.  When the world falls into chaos, make sure you’re taking care of what’s important to you… including yourself.  Kindness and love is needed.  It might not conquer all… but it makes everything just a little bit better.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE

#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #4

Tarots Egyptiens Anima AntiquaWhat have I been taking for granted?

Nine of Coins – I spend so much time focusing on where I’m going and what I need to do that I’ve forgotten to take time to enjoy the present and what I have in the now.  Gideon reminded me earlier today of this. I was sad about having lost my “easy”… that easy going nature I’d had when I was younger siphoned away over time as I started my own businesses and responsibilities piled on my shoulders.

He reminded me that yes, that “easy” was nice, but it was also a time in my life where I was struggling just to feed myself.  In the same way as looking back on what I miss, I often train my focus forward on where I want to go… but in truth?  I need to spend more of my focus on the now, and just how good I have it these days.

What’s been holding me back from seeing my blessings clearly?

Six of Swords Rx – My determination to move forward and claim more of what I want out of life, to achieve more and succeed.  To stake my claim on the future. This determination has made it difficult to ease up and enjoy the present to its fullest.

How can I better express my gratitude in the future?

Knight of Cups – Instead of focusing so hard on responsibilities and goals, seek out the things that bring me joy and satisfaction and go after them instead.  Seek the things that foster a bit of pleasure in the present instead of constantly striving for more out of the future.

What do I need to acknowledge gratitude for in my relationships?

Four of Swords – I am so grateful that those in my life understand my need for alone time and encourage that.  It’s something that I don’t express a lot of gratitude for, but having had some experience in the past few years with some truly extroverted people that need a good deal of social contact?  I have come to realize that the friends and loved ones I have are very unique in that they are supportive of my need for alone time.  I didn’t realize how rare this was until… well, just now when thinking about it.

What do I need to acknowledge gratitude for in my finances?

Five of Cups – This is an echo of the response in my first question of this spread.  It’s about realizing how good I have it now, and feeling gratitude for the present and all that I have in this present moment. I need to stop telling myself that I’m not doing enough… that it’s not enough… that I’m not enough.

What do I need to acknowledge gratitude for in my work life?

King of Cups – I am able to do what truly nourishes my soul.  Sometimes I might feel worn down and tired, and I might not enjoy it as much as I could… or should.  But, the fact remains, I’m doing what I love. I’m doing what I enjoy. And, through my work, I share my pleasure and enjoyment, my emotions and my hopes and the energy of my positive emotions with others with every single piece that I ship out.

DECK USED:  TAROTS EGYPTIENS ANIMA ANTIQUA

Foundations for Joy

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unnamedToday’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was a guided meditation with interval timer for my piriformis stretches.

The topic of the guided meditation today was consideration for self.  That is to say, it spoke on caring for yourself and making sure that you give yourself kindness and patience.

The guide spoke about how when you speak to your friends and loved ones, you use compassion and patience as a part of the dialogue, and reminded the listener that this is the same way we should be speaking to ourselves.  With that same compassion and patience.  One should not treat themselves as less than one treats others, after all.  There’s no reason for it.

Traditional Manga Tarot - Four of PentaclesToday’s draw is is the Four of Pentacles, which is traditionally interpreted as a solidly grounded message of stability and security.  This can often also lead to interpretations of too much stability or too much security as seen in one that is miserly or greedy.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today is the look on the man’s face.  He just doesn’t look all that happy.  In fact, he looks downright miserable. You would think that as hard as he’s holding onto that coin in his arms, that it would make him happy, and yet… it doesn’t.

The message  here is not to get so wrapped up in monetary pursuits and the need for stability that you lose sight of what brings you joy. Security and stability allow for there to be room in your life for joy and happiness, but they are not joy and happiness in and of themselves.

DECK USED:  TRADITIONAL MANGA TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Grab a spread of your choice that you’ve been curious about… and give it a go!

Scorpio Sea Tarot - Breath of Fresh Air SpreadWhat To Let Go Of – Four of Cups – Apathy and withdrawal.  These things are not your friends right now, no matter how safe they might feel in the moment.  You need those around you, and you need the connections. You need to allow your emotions space to flow even as you work… don’t shut yourself away and cut everyone else off. Remember that it’s not about “either/or” but rather about finding balance with both.

New Energy In Your Life – The Lovers -The new and better choices you have been making for yourself over the past year are trying to take root.  The soil is not as fertile during this time of the year, and it’s important to give this growth a chance by continuing to focus on making healthy choices for yourself.  Don’t ignore your needs just because things are busy and you’re caught up in the rush.

What Is To Come – Ten of Cups – Soon you will be able to delve back into the exploration of your emotions once more.  You’ll be given the opportunity for growth in this area once again, and those that love and care about you will be there to help you and support you as you return to expanding upon your emotional growth and emotional intelligence once more.

The Way Forward – King of Coins – Take ownership of your actions and responsibilities not just to the business but also to yourself and your well-being. As much energy as you put into the business, this doesn’t make it your most important responsibility no matter how much you focus on it.  Your most important responsibility is to your health and well-being.

DECK USED:  SCORPIO SEA TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – Weekly Contemplation

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“This week, let’s take a minute to breathe and talk with our divination tools about this holiday time.”

Favole Playing Cards by Victoria FrancesWhat am I grieving the loss of this week?
Four of Diamonds

That stability that I am so constantly craving more of.  With the holiday rush now fully upon me, there’s very little stability to be had as the world whirls around me in a chaotic cacophony of demands for my attention, all of which can’t be ignored.

What am I doing to protect my world and make it better this week?
Queen of Clubs atop Eight of Clubs

I am using my enthusiasm for that stability and security I crave to ride the energy of that chaos through the storm. This is something I have done year after year and am experienced at, and with every year that passes it’s more busy… and more fruitful.  I need to give myself over to the wild ride.

How can I partake in community and giving and accepting support from my loved ones this week?
Ten of Spades atop Queen of Hearts

(Just sayin’, but that Queen of Hearts looks like a young Z.  I mean.. wow.)
Okay, that aside.  Although the holiday rush requires physical support from my loved ones, it’s their emotional support that is really important right now even beyond the physical efforts they’re making to help me out with the business.  Gideon, Z, and L are my lifelines and I need to remember to share with them how I’m feeling rather than closing it up inside where it will fester and crush me into the dirt.

What do I have to be thankful for this week?
King of Diamonds

The holiday rush creates one big huge gigantic boon and the King of Diamonds clearly expresses exactly what that is.  The money is rolling in and that is… so fucking great.

DECK USED: BICYCLE FAVOLE PLAYING CARDS BY VICTORIA FRANCES

Listen More Closely

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IMG_7933Today’s meditation was right at about ten minutes long today, and was a guided meditation with interval timer for my piriformis stretches.

The topic of today’s guided meditation was growth, and the discomfort that we go through as we grow.  It was about how that discomfort is natural and, although uncomfortable, is a good thing.  It’s through these growing pains that we develop into someone better, and become more than we currently are.

If, instead of accepting these growing pains and discomfort as a part of life, we instead turn around and hide from those uncomfortable feelings then we also hide from the experiences that provide us with growth and betterment.

Tarot of the Little Prince - Five of WandsToday’s draw is the Five of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of tests, trials, and conflict in the area of one’s drive, inspiration, willpower, and determination.  This often translates into either struggles that cause you to be held back and you fight against that barrier, or impassioned conflict concerning what one believes in.

What stands out to me in this card’s image today is the fact that the snake is actually fighting using a wand.  I mean… that’s remarkable right?  Okay so when I saw this today, I thought…. “Hm, watch out for unexpected trouble.”

Although to be honest?  I really didn’t expect “unexpected trouble” to come in the guise of a crazy ass 220 pound white guy with a rage issue screaming at me to go back to my “homeland” and take the “China flu back there with you” as he handed me my ass in a parking lot.

Thank you for the warning…. I’m sorry I didn’t listen more closely this morning.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE

#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Think of a problem that needs solving and pull cards in relation to… Where To Begin / What Half Way Looks Like / How to End Things / Long Term Ramifications
Problem: Keeping up with the holiday rush

Bosch TarotWhere To Begin – Strength – Remember that you’ve got this. You are capable and strong, you have the inner stamina and strength to make it through, no matter how bad it gets.  You run this gauntlet every year, and you always make it through just fine, if feeling a little ragged by the end.

What Half Way Looks Like – The Lovers – Half way there is a good time to remember that you need to include self care.  It can be really hard to fit in those things that help you feeling refreshed when in the middle of keeping the chaos in line. But you need it.  So don’t skimp on it.

How to End Things – King of Pentacles – Flush from the holiday rush, you will have your finances in a better place than they’ve been in some time.  Make sure you invest that money wisely, save it wisely, and put it towards that stability and security you constantly crave.

Long Term Ramifications – Six of Swords – Somewhere better than where you’re at now.  Positive advancement towards improvement and being “in a better place” financially.  That is what you run this gamut for each year, after all.

DECK USED:  BOSCH TAROT

Patience, Not Pushing

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I’ve managed to fall behind yet again… and I can’t remember whether I meditated on the 26th or not.  I don’t think that I did, but I did manage to soak in the tub for a bit. So I’ll leave this empty this time around as I finish up these posts that got started… but never published on the blog.

Traditional Manga Tarot - JusticeToday’s draw is the Justice card, which is traditionally about checks and balances.  It’s the fact that there will always be a repercussion or consequence to any action taken. Sometimes the consequences involve the law, sometimes it’s about karmic backlash from previous incarnations.  Sometimes, it’s just the nature of of cause and effect.

What stands out to me in this card’s imagery today is how calm and self contained she is.  Her posture perfect, her elbows in against her sides, ankles crossed and knees pressed. She sits silent and still, but she is not blindfolded like lady justice but rather watches quietly from that place of stillness.

The message here is about patience and being watchful.  Sometimes the smartest option is to step back and wait, watch… and listen. Sometimes the only way to get what you want is through patience instead pushing.

DECK USED:  TRADITIONAL MANGA TAROT

LionHart’s As Above So Below Challenge Prompt
Saturn Question: What {personal} limitations am I asked to accept and be more understanding of?

The Sabbath Tarot

Reading Summary: Things can’t be rainbow and sunshine (The Sun) all the time.  There are going to be times when you feel like you’re floundering and feeling hopeless (Five of Coins).  Just remember that it is through embracing yourself and fostering hope that you are able to pull yourself out of the depths (The High Priest).

Take Away:  The cards here are reminding me that it’s okay to feel down sometimes when things are going awry.  It’s okay to have bad emotions.  Don’t forget in your effort to find a more positive inner narrative and optimistic outlook that you don’t have to force it all the time.

It’s healthy to feel discouraged now and then as long as you rise above the temptation to tear into yourself about it.

DECK USED:  THE SABBATH TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Advice I need to hear at this time concerning my family relations.

Witches Wisdom TarotReading Summary: In the dead of winter (Ten of Air) broils the brightest fire (Ace of Fire). Be ready to guide the way when the time comes (Guardian)

Take Away: It looks like L or Z (or possibly both) may be coming up with a brilliant idea sometime in the next month or two and is going to need some support to make it come to life.

The message here is to make sure that I am supporting the inspiration and passion of that idea rather than dousing it or leaving her to her own devices.  By supporting the idea and helping it in getting off the ground, I in turn am able to help protect it (and her/them) from failure.

DECK USED:  WITCHES WISDOM TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What does it mean to speak my truth?

Scorpio Sea Tarot

Reading Summary:  Growth forward into the future (Two of Wands) from passionate pursuits (Queen of Wands) into a seat of experience and knowledge (Queen of Swords).

Take Away:  In speaking my truth, it means that I am able to take my experiences and carry them forward to help others with their own.  By having had my own experiences and learned from them, I can then take that experience forward and share my knowledge with others. In doing this, in sharing this with others, I am then able to speak my truth and allow it to help others in finding theirs.

DECK USED:  SCORPIO SEA TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – Difficulties

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Difficulties Tarot Spread - The Lunatic Tarot

What is difficult right now?
Ace of Wands

Keeping my motivation up and running when there’s so much to do and so little time.  It becomes frustrating to feel continuously like you’re falling behind only to have a moment of “Oh, I’m caught up” show up now and then for a moment long enough to get one deep breath before the race continues.

What can I learn from this struggle?
Judgement

Sometimes it makes me feel like I want to just set it all aside and walk away, and then I remember why I’m doing all this and it helps me stay the course. It’s about independence, and being able to live my life on my terms how I want to live.

What will help me move through it?
Knight of Wands atop Seven of Swords

Strategy and cunning carried forward on my desires for what I want to accomplish.  This is about determination and willpower, and the clever cunning to find a way to do it no matter what.  My skill at making sure I come out on top, even while being carried through the most violent of rapids, is what will help me move through this time of lack of motivation and struggle with my inspirational spark.

What do I have to look forward to?
Four of Cups

Soon enough you’ll have time to rest and recover and meditate and enjoy all that off time again that you were struggling to get used to in the summer.  And… you’ll probably struggle with again when the opportunity returns.

DECK USED:  THE LUNATIC TAROT