tarot and psychology

Rest Before Battle

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and focused on monitoring your emotions to check in with yourself and how you are  doing throughout the day.  It spoke on how when you don’t keep in touch with your emotions, this is when the emotional upsets and outbursts start to get out of hand.

I’ve never had a problem with checking in with my emotions, primarily because I spent so much time walling them off throughout much of my life.

In order to cage your emotions like that, it requires a constant vigilance. Funny enough, the meditation’s title was “Gatekeeping”, and that’s a very apt name for the kind of constant policing I’ve done with my emotions throughout my life.

I can see how lack of awareness of your emotions and what stirs them up could be a problem, though.

Today’s draw is the Four of Zephyrs (Four of Swords) which traditionally is a representation of stability, rest, recuperation, and ease in the area of the mind, thoughts, communication, and instinct.

This is the exact impression I got of this card when I drew it this morning.  I saw the eggs, untouched and safe in their nest, and the spirits watching over the eggs to ensure they are cared for.

The egg is a time of gestation, which is something that happens naturally when you take some time to yourself to rest and recuperate.  As you turn inward, you grow, just like the embryo inside the shell grows.  And when it is time to break free, our soul stretches in the say way the baby chick stretches out from the shell for the first time.

I didn’t have a lot of opportunity to rest today, but I understand the message that is conveyed in having drawn this card.   With the trip so close upon me, now is not a time for freaking out and expending energy on stress and worry.  It’s a time to rest, restore, and in doing so prepare for what is coming.

Deck Used: Stolen Child Tarot

One Plus One Equals One

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and focused on the subjectivity of time.  That is to say, how in some situations time feels like it moves at a crawl or even stands still, while at other times it flies by in a blink.

It specifically dealt with times when these slows or accelerations in time are stressful or uncomfortable, and how we can help take ourselves out of that space by stepping back for a moment and focusing on the now.  This includes a moment of mindfulness, taking a few deep breaths, and centering yourself in the moment.

I have a habit of doing this thing throughout the day, but it was a good reminder, because there are times when I am feeling flustered or overwhelmed that I forget the practice is available to me.

Today’s draw is the Nine of Brine, with a jumper card of the Knight of Oak.  (That would be the Nine of Cups, and the Knight of Pentacles, in tarot-speak.)

The Nine of Brine is traditionally a culmination card in the area of emotions, creativity, and relationships.   But, what I see here in this card is not so much culmination as support through times of difficulty.   I see the young elephant and the young human giving each other comfort and support as they are surrounded by the remnants of the dead.   The water they wade in is a reinforcement of the emotional connection blended into the support between the two.   They are washed clean together, they emerge together, supportive of each other.

The Knight of Oak (pentacles), is a card of action within the tarot, which deals with themes to do with hard work and productivity.  Again, in this card I see something that lightly touches on that theme, but that again speaks of a coming together and supportive relationship.  The moose and the boy work together to gather what they need.  Yes, the key word here is that they are working, but what I see in this card is far more than that and speaks to me of a joining of spirit and interconnected relationship.  Support between two spirits that are very different, and yet the same.

Bringing the impressions I am pulling from both cards together, what I see is an encouragement to take stock of and appreciate those connections I have that serve to support myself and the other individual in the relationship.  These are my close relationships, like you, my sister, and J.  In each instance, there is support given and received on both sides, and together in these relationships everyone is different, but together create something far stronger and more useful than as individuals.

These cards also speak to me of the work involved in preserving and fostering these relationships being worth it.  Sometimes, these relationships are work, and that’s okay.  That you’re willing to put in the work is a part of knowing how much you value what you have.

Deck Used: Stolen Child Tarot

Fostering New Ideas

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Today’s meditation was not particularly successful, primarily because I had the helper coming and so I was trying to fit it in before she arrived.   I did… but the effort caused me to be distracted.   I’m going to try again before bed, I think.   Nothing wrong with two sessions in a day if needed.

Today’s draw is the Three of Zephyrs (Three of Swords), which has a variety of meanings depending on which system you use.  In reading with numerology, the the meaning of the Three of Air has to do with small gains and growth, groups and cooperation, communication, and the potential for “third wheel syndrome” in the area of the mind, logic, instinct, and intellect.

In the RWS system, this card is a representation of heartache and difficult times, sorrow and grief.  I’ve never really understood -why- the Three of Swords would be an emotion card in RWS, though.  It just always seemed odd to me.   It can also represent negative self talk and forgiveness, though, which I do see as of the mind.   Still…. heartache?  Grief?   As I see the Sword cards as Air, it seems like those themes would be better suited to the cups.  Just my opinion.

SO…. my take on today’s card isn’t about either traditional definition, but is about the imagery of the card itself.  What I see when I look at this card is a community working together to protect what they hold dear.  They protect the children.  They protect that new start, that new spark of life, the idea of something new and different that needs fostering and care.   The birds protect the vulnerable while still allowing for that sense of community.

This message correlates with some of what my Self Care Saturday spread I’d posted earlier today is about this weekend.  It’s about the budding of new ideas, and the protection of them.   As you mentioned in your comments, the impression I got was that in sharing these new ideas before they are fully implemented, I can run the risk of them being stolen, dashed, or killed off. (And, there‘s the heartbreak.)

That is to say, sometimes you need to give new ideas time to reside within and be sheltered, and allow them time to grow, before you share them with the world.

Deck Used: Stolen Child Tarot

Self Care Saturday (on Sunday)

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SCS

As I’ve mentioned before, these readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and are not meant as a predictive reading.

The question is… What do I need to focus on in the week ahead?

Earth – Ace of Pentacles – New opportunities in manifestation and abundance for 2nd week in a row. The little girl happily swinging, shining bright in her glass bubble is an indication of inspiration and enjoyment in exploring these new opportunities from a secure place.

Air – King of Cups – Seek out Gideon when my mind becomes too chaotic and anxieties threaten to take over. Remember he is a safe place to take refuge and a breather.

Water – Ten of Swords – If I don’t work on finding balance instead of bulking up my defenses, things are going to run the risk of going catastrophically wrong emotionally.

Fire – Queen of Swords – I often view the Queen of Swords as cold and restrained.  The clarification card expands on this theme for a message concerning caution and restraint in sharing inspiration with others in order to protect your interests.

Moving Away From – The Staff & Beauty Way – These cards in the “moving away from” position indicate that finding balance, positivity, and optimism will be a bit of a challenge over the next week.

Heading Toward (and Moral of the Story) – Middle World – Now is a good time for new endeavors, as the world and its energies support you. But, take caution to not be reckless or careless with your resources or confidences.

Decks Used: Crow Tarot, Dixit Pack #6 Memories, Mystical Shaman Oracle

 

#TarotForGrowthSeptember prompt 14 … Patience

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For the hell of it, I did the #TarotForGrowthSeptember prompt today from Instagram.

14

Question: How can I develop better patience with myself?

Reading Summary: Let out that magical childlike wonder and magical inspiration that sparks fire within the depths of my soul. It’s okay to have fun and play, even while you work hard at that which supports you.

Take Away: I’ve been pushing so hard on focusing on the business and separating myself from the more emotional and fun-loving side of things. For some reason this has been a really strong focus for me recently, and I’ve been highly judgemental with myself for the struggle involved. I’ve lost sight of the FUN that is a part of my business and my craft. It’s time to get back in touch with that aspect.

What this reading is saying is once I am able to get back in touch with the -fun- of my business and craft again, my harsh inner critic over my lack of enthusiasm will ease up.

Decks Used: Dixit Quest Expansion Pack #2

 

In the Shark Tank

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and done in the bathtub without guided meditation involved.   I do what I often do when I need some soothing, which is lying in the bottom of the tub with the shower running and watching the water drops run down along the side of the side of the tub.

It was very soothing, but I think the coming to you after and talking with you helped more.

Today’s draw is the Knight of Brine, which is traditionally a representation of an active beta energy in the area of emotions, creativity, relationships, and intuition.

What I see when I look at this card is a fierce warrior in a moment of gentleness and communion.  The shark boy is clearly a creature of strength, and even the expression on his face speaks of a warrior’s spirit, and yet he holds one of the most delicate creatures of the sea in his hand, communing and communicating with it  (as shown by the seaweed that is surrounding them each.

This message is a reinforcement of what we’ve been speaking about today in working through what’s coming up with my trip.  It’s about finding that fierce “Katumi” spirit under smooth calm and quiet.  It’s about allowing room for vulnerability beneath the shell, present but protected.    It’s about not closing yourself off so harshly that you literally create a box that’s sealed and allows no air to breathe.

Deck Used: Stolen Child Tarot