tarot and psychology

Sink Into It

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes and nine seconds, and focused on the mindset of scarcity.   Struggling with a lack mentality is many times what causes people to overextend, overspend, over-commit, etc.    When in this mindset, always wanting more makes it difficult to be  happy and at peace.

This is a mentality that I personally struggle with quite a lot.  This and the fear of loss are the reasons that I work so much and push myself beyond my limits.  I fear losing my home.  I fear losing my security and comfort.   Having been in the situation where I was without so much, including a place to live for a while, it is what pushes me more than anything else.  And perhaps in some ways, these motivations are a good thing.

But, I DO understand that when that mindset of scarcity takes over, it can become problematic both to one’s physical health as well as mental health.

In the guided meditation, it speaks of a method to remove yourself from this mindset by focusing on gratitude rather than needs.   I think this is a really good message, and I have over the past few months really stepped up in my mindfulness concerning gratitude, although I’m not sure that it is helpful in my issues with scarcity, as gratitude can sometimes makes me feel like I want to hold on tighter to what I have.

This is an ongoing struggle for me and there is no resolution today, just a meandering wander through my thoughts on the matter.

Today’s draw is the 12th card in the Major Arcana, the Hanged Man.   This is a card that is near and dear to my heart, and one of my “deal breaker” cards for a deck.  (Meaning that if I don’t like the Hanged Man card in a deck, chances are very good I don’t and/or won’t want it.)   Like all cards in the Major Arcana, this card deals with one’s experiences as a whole and their journey on the path of life rather than just one aspect of that journey.

The Hanged Man is a representation of change in perspective, and taking a pause to look at something from all angles, as well as surrender and letting go.  In the Major Arcana, I view this card as the one that I most often relate to above all others, as it is the goal of looking at things from multiple perspectives that is one of the tenants of my life.  Life is not one dimensional, and although I may not agree with all view points, I very much want to be able to -see- them, understand them, and then decide for myself whether or not they “fit” for me or if I can take some greater understanding away from them.

The Hanged Man teaches, though, that sometimes in order to adjust your perspective, you must relax and sink into a receptive state of surrender.  If your walls are up, your mind and heart closed, then nothing is gained and nothing will change.  And that is very much a part of what the Hanged Man is all about… personal change.

That openness is the message in today’s card.  Early in the year, I was having a real problem with this.  With everything blocked and clogged up by the depression that slipped away with most of my spring, I remember feeling as if I was far more closed minded than I liked, and I very much disliked that in myself.   It’s not a mindset that I’m very familiar with, as although I am quite stubborn, I have a deep seated need to grasp other’s perspectives and it is one of the main ways in which I better relate to other people, as well as learn and grow.

I have found that lack of flexibility opening up in the months since the depression’s retreat, and the appearance of this card brings a conscious awareness to this aspect of the process of “getting back to myself”.

Deck Used: Student Tarot v5

The Bunny Rabbit

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes and six seconds, and focused on reflecting upon those that have contributed to your life and assisted you in both the small ways and large ones in getting you to where you are now.

It began with a moment’s reflection on yourself and a mindful moment of gratitude for who you are and what you have, then upon those that have influenced your life and your path.

I am one of those people who feel that there is absolutely nothing in my past that I would change.  I feel that even the bad things that have happened have assisted in my growth and development, creating the man I am today, the moral compass that resides in my head, heart, and gut, as well as the circumstances I find myself in, which could always have turned out much worse.

One different choice, one slight step to the left or the right, and things would have changed… and perhaps not for the better.   I am grateful for what I have and for every day I’ve experienced, and every step along my path.  Without them, I would not be me, and…. not to sound egocentric, but I like who I am.

This mindset made today’s meditation focus very easy for me, and it was both a comforting and relaxing session.

Today’s draw is the Queen of Pentacles, which is a representation of…. loses his train of thought.

Bunny!

*Clearing his throat.*  Right, then.   The Queen of Pentacles is a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the areas of the physical world, resources, finances, and earthly delights.

Geez.. I’m really stuck on the bunny today.  OK… the bunny.  Lets do this by intuition today, then.

When this card came up today, she looked like she was sleeping on her throne instead of looking down at the pentacle she holds.  And then the bunny popped out of the picture for me and I haven’t been able to get my mind off of it since.

A common theme in the symbolism of rabbits is fertility.  Obviously, we aren’t going to take this literal, as… hello.  Only one nut and absolutely no ovaries to be seen over here, even if I was playing hide the sausage, which I am so not even going there.  Other definitions of fertility, though, include creativity and abundance.  And here is where today’s Queen of Pentacles is leading.

x9ii0fy4

I made a diagram for you, man, cuz I knew you were going to ask.

From the rabbit combined with the napping queen on her throne, the message I get from today’s card is to realize that I have enough and let up a little bit.   I have plenty, and everything is moving along just fine.  There is no need to kill myself with work or worry.  Relax.  Rest.  Restore.  And, once refreshed, head back at it with a new sense of energy and creativity.

I hear you, little bunny.  Loud and clear.

Deck Used: Student Tarot v5

 

Old Habits Die Hard

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes and fifty six seconds, and focused on dealing with failure.  Everyone deals with failure from time to time, and the key to moving past it is to look at failures as a lesson to be learned, rather than internalizing failure into a reflection of you and your worth.

My mindset on doing something… anything, really, is that I will push myself as hard as I can.  Try my best to do the very best that I can.   That way, IF I end up failing, I can’t look back and say “Well, that was a waste of time.  I could have done better.”     Instead, when I fail, I can look back and see where I can improve and either make changes to my approach the next time or accept that perhaps what I was striving for just wasn’t meant for me.    Because I gave it my all, there is no doubt that I “could have done better” somehow.  I know that I did my best.

I think if more people looked at things in this way, there would be far less people out there “half assing” shit.  And far less people putting themselves down when they eventually fail at something.

This isn’t to say that I don’t get bummed sometimes when I stumble across failure.  I do.  But it’s extremely rare that I internalize it as a reflection on me on a personal level.

In the guided meditation, failure was presented as an opportunity for growth, but also as something you separate yourself from (much like rejection was approached in a recent Supportive Tarot topic).   In this approach, you work to view failure not as a reflection on YOU personally (ie: your personality or worth), but rather a failure of the method.

Today’s draw is the Knight of Cups, which is a representation of a projective beta energy, personality, or person in the area of emotions, relationships, intuition, and creativity.

A lot of times in readings I see this card as the charmer in the bar, full of flattery and lacking substance.  Or rather, his aim in the moment lacks substance, right?  He’s not after the long term, he just wants to feel good and in the process, his emotional manipulations and machinations will make -you- feel good too… for the time being, anyway.

This card, of course, represents far more than that, and I don’t think that is the message in the card today.

Today, the Knight of Cups is telling me to get in touch with my emotions.  Emerging from the subdrop, sometimes I find myself backsliding into  my old stand-by habits of closing myself off emotionally.    Today’s card is a reminder to actively keep an eye on this and stay open… to you, to others, and to the world at large.

 

 

An Appreciative Mindset

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes and thirty eight seconds long, and focused on getting the most out of your meditation practice by carrying it beyond just those few minutes in which you are with in meditation.

This involves the practice of taking a moment just to stop and “smell the roses” and be mindful of where you’re at during the day, or perhaps using breathing techniques during times of stress in order to retain some semblance of calm.

The fact is, if you are meditating on a regular basis and not feeling as if you are making any progress… chances are you have not carried your practice beyond just that time spent meditating. In order to get the most out of one’s meditation practice, it is necessary to take what is learned within your daily practice out into the world with you on the day to day.

Today’s draw is the Three of Cups, which is a representation of harmony, collaboration, communication, cooperation, and “good times” in the area of emotions, intuition, creativity, imagination, and relationships.

The Three of Cups is a”live in the moment” card. It is all about finding that “groove” with others and reveling in it.  In fact, it has a bit of a hint of revelry to it all on its own.

The appearance of the Three of Cups in today’s draw is a reminder to be grateful for what I have and relish the present.   It speaks of appreciating not just the situation of the now, but also the people I am surrounded with and share my life with, collaborate with, and spend time with.

 

#HowITarot a (non) VR to the Three Fat Readers

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RWSfan
Another tarot quiz, this time from the Three Fat Readers YouTube channel.

The Questions:

1. What sparked your interest in tarot? (Tarot beginnings, tarot origin)

As I’ve explained in a previous post or two, I was gifted the Gypsy Fortune Cards when I was around the age of nine or ten. I was then, in the next few years, given a number of Lenormand decks. This is the foundation of my practice with oracle themed cards.

In my mid/late teens, I then was exposed to the Rider Waite Smith system, and I really liked the vast amount of symbolism and imagery in the cards. I then picked up my first deck at a metaphysical shop in Seattle. My second deck outside the Lenormand system was a playing card deck of casino cards from The Mirage in Las Vegas. It was with this deck that I learned the numerology behind the RWS system. From there, I then received the 1971 Rider Tarot.

2. Do you only use tarot in your readings or do add in other forms of divination? (What are they)

Lenormand. Playing Cards. Tarot with Oracle cards as clarification, as long as the Oracle is a balanced deck (not just light and positive). I also use oracles for certain spots in a spread now and then, but I see the single dimensional Oracles (positive and light oracles) as more for affirmations and meditation, though, and not for readings.

Lets see… what else. Pendulums. Casting charms. And I would like to learn runes. Linette does tea leaf readings.

3. Are you a “psychic” or a card reader?

Intuition from the imagery, with a foundation of basic card meanings.  I lean heavily on intuition over basic card definitions, but I look at both when doing a reading and follow my gut on what feels like the right message, or if both need to be taken into account.

I wouldn’t call this method psychic, but I wouldn’t classify it as a basic “card reader” either.

4. Do you use tarot for anything other than readings? (Spells, altar cards, display as art, gifts)

Absolutely. I do a daily positivity pull each day to assist me in battling my depression and keeping it at bay.  I sometimes scan cards and print them smaller to put in my tarot journal. I often use extra cards in decks as bookmarks. I’ve rarely used them for spell castings, but I have from time to time if I feel it’s called for. In some cases, this has permanently damaged the cards, though.

5. Have you ever taken a break from Tarot? If yes, why?

I have. In fact I’ve taken a break from my spirituality practice as a whole on more than one occasion. Usually, it’s during a time when life is overwhelming, although I’ve recently come to realize that I cope better during those times if I do not abandon my practice, so I will be striving to make this change in the future.

6. If you could live in any tarot card from the RWS which would it be?

I don’t think I can choose just one, so I have three.

The Nine of Pentacles, because there is an abundance and peace within the depiction of the card and a communion with nature.

Seven of Pentacles, because I like hard work, and I like even better that feeling of accomplishment that comes when you start to see the fruits of your labors coming into fruition. I mean, come on, the guy’s working in a garden.

The Two of Wands. There’s a hint of station to the card, which to me represents a certain financial security. Add to that the world in his hands and the grounding of the wands to the earth. It seems like a very good place to be to me.

7. Do you use the tarot in a predictive way? Do you predict the future?

I’m not sure I would call it “predicting the future” so much as reading the possibilities and interpreting trajectories. As in, the cards indicate that this is the path you are on and where the energies are leading you.

Awareness and choice can then change that trajectory. If you make changes and still end up there, I don’t think it was so much that I predicted the future as that the result is about a lessons you needed to learn.

For me, divination is an exploration of possibilities and trajectories, with the opportunity for changing the outcome. It is not the same as prophesy or fate, both of which come from a place of receiving messages and/or direction from beyond.

8. Intuitive, wrote, classic, modern, mix?

I guess that I’d say it’s mix with heavy on the intuition.

I think this question is very similar to the #3 question.  I was taught to read Lenormand intuitively. When I then started learning the RWS, I pushed myself to learn and memorize the card meanings. But, in the end, I came to realize that although the base knowledge is a good foundation, it’s intuition that really speaks to me first in most readings.

The exception to this is when I’m reading playing cards and/or the Tarot de Marseilles decks.  Then I end up depending more heavily on the numerological interpretations and definitions.

9. What are your most consistent Tarot habits?

My daily draw for positivity that I use for mental health reasons. I do this consistently during my morning devotional.  I request a positive message to carry with me throughout my day and foster perspective, and I then blog my interpretation of this card’s positive message here on my blog to share with you.

Weekly check-ins on Saturday as part of my self care.

I also regularly do readings and spreads on holidays, full moons, new moons, and at the beginning of each year.

10. Do you see Tarot as a magickal tool, a spiritual tool, a psychological/self-help tool, something else? All of the above?

All of the above. As a magickal tool, it is excellent for use in setting intention.  As a spiritual tool it assists in communicating with the energies of the nature, the universe, the all, etc.  In the areas of psychology and self-help, the cards are excellent for communicating with your intuition and your inner voice, as well as in shadow work and in combating issues such as anxiety and depression with the daily draw practice.

In truth, the tarot decks are a tool and their uses are as vast as the array of different people that use them.

11. Do you ‘collect’ Tarot decks? Why or why not?

Good f’king god, yes. I collect tarot decks. I do not just collect them willy nilly, though. (Like that word? LOL)  The imagery has to speak to me in some way for me to be interested in owning it.

I DO have a small collection of decks that do NOT speak to me, that I’m on the fence for what I’m going to do with them as yet.

12. Do you have an aesthetic when it comes to the types of decks you enjoy? If so, what is it?

Absolutely, although I’m not sure I can define it.   The fact that you and I are in agreement on the artwork presented on certain decks (whether we both love it or hate it) makes it clear that I absolutely -do- have a certain aesthetic.

I guess I would say that it’s a combination of earthy, traditional with a hint of historical vintage, colorful without being garish or abrasive, a good balance of warm and cold colors, and not too “messy”.  I am sometimes attracted to a bit of fantasy, as long as it’s not too fluffy and froufrou, and I sometimes like a cartoony aesthetic now and then as long as it isn’t too childish or too explicit.

I am not attracted to angels and goddess themes.

13. Do you personify your deck?

Definitely. I don’t give them names and think of them as people, mind you.   But I DO associate personalities to the decks based on how they feel to me, as each one speaks to me differently and they have differences in what I feel they work best for depending on how I relate to each one.

 

I’m the Boss

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Today’s meditation was eighteen minutes and five seconds of a beginners Yoga Nidra, which I found very relaxing, but had to cut short because I was falling asleep.   I may try this one again at a later time when I’m not so tired, but I’m not sure about the guide’s voice, so maybe not.  We’ll see.

Today’s draw is the King of Wands, which is a representation of projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the areas of drive, passion, willpower, and the inner spark.  The card speaks of innate leadership abilities, entrepreneurship, honor, and inspirational vision.

This was a good card for today, as it was a reminder to me that I am the boss.  Sometimes, that can be a hard pill to swallow for me, but I -do- employ someone now, and I’m in fucking charge.

My helper likes to try and push the envelope sometimes when it comes to how many hours I’m willing to give her each week.   During the holiday season, that’s fine because there’s SO much work coming in, and I’m usually flush enough to afford it.   At this time of year, though… hell, I can barely pull off the hours I’m currently paying her, so she definitely isn’t getting any extra.

Its my business, and my finances, and I need to do what’s best for both.   Which means standing strong and staying true to my goals, my endeavors, my passions, and my truth…. and not allowing myself to cave under pressure.