tarot as a motivational tool

Instilling Fun

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#dailycalm on the Calm appToday’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was another of the guided #dailycalm meditations from the Calm app. The topic of today’s meditation was patience. Specifically, patience with oneself when meditating.

It can be hard to stay focused during meditation. The brain likes to wander. In today’s meditation, we are encouraged to understand that meditation is a practice… as in you are practicing. As in “practice makes perfect”, which means perfect isn’t in the now but something we reach for. In meditation, perfection is not expected or required.

The Little Buddha Tarot - The SunToday’s draw is the Sun card, which is traditionally a representation of success, optimism, positivity, fun and frivolity. In my path, the Sun is also a symbol of male vitality, virility, and warmth.

This card’s imagery is all about fun, and the message today is a simple one. Have fun. It’s your day off.

I’m planning on doing just that. In fact, I have plans to go flower and herb shopping later today to pick up the first round of annuals to add to my balcony garden.

I used to grow my annuals and herbs from seed, but now that I’m running the home business and there’s so much to do, it’s just easier to go to the nursery and pick up what I want.  I’m suspecting I should be able to pick up a good bit of what I need this round, and then the rest of it perhaps by the end of the month depending on the weather.

DECK USED:  THE LITTLE BUDDHA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for April 1st and 2nd

Winged Spirit Tarot, Oracle of the Hidden World, Conscious Spirit OracleWhat is the most valuable thing you can do for yourself this month?

The Emperor and Earth Elemental – Use grounding and gratitude to help you take back control of your life. The depression has held you in its grip long enough. Seize upon the opportunity to use your connection with the earth and nature to help pull you back out and onto solid footing.

What is the most valuable thing you can do for others this month?

Hierophant and Insight – Lend your knowledge, experience, and expertise to their goals and endeavors. You have a lot to offer and people appreciate and enjoy when you share far more than you realize.

What is the most valuable thing you can be open to others doing for you this month?

Eight of Wands and The Gift – Motivation. Others have the ability to draw you in and lift you up. It might niggle at you independent streak to let them do so, but it is a valuable gift you shouldn’t take for granted.

DECK USED: WINGED SPIRIT TAROT, ORACLE OF THE HIDDEN WORLD, CONSCIOUS SPIRIT ORACLE

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for April 1st and 2nd

The Little Buddha TarotWhen feeling foolish, how can I find my confidence?

Ten of Pentacles and King of Swords – Foolishness is the first step to accomplishment. Look at all you have accomplished with a cool and logical mind, and take time to appreciate all that you have already done as well as how you got there. The strategy of success (especially in areas of innovation) requires that if you want to succeed, you must first look foolish.

What do I know about myself for sure?

Nine of Wands and Ace of Pentacles – You like to keep new ideas close to the vest until you’ve had time to implement them. Too many times you’ve been screwed over by people stealing your ideas. It comes off as secretive to some, but in truth you are just protecting what is has the potential to be important to you.

DECK USED: THE LITTLE BUDDHA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I expressed what I need to Gideon.  That’s often not the easiest thing for me when we’re in the middle of intimacy and I’m feeling small.

Cooperation and Kissing Ass

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Joyseeker Tarot - Six of WandsToday’s draw is the Six of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of public accolades, publicly admired successes and achievements, and in some cases, the urge to people-please.

Today is a “long ass drive” day filled with hours and hours behind the wheel, two visits into a customs office, and just all around a very long day.

There are sure to be hurdles and obstructionists in my way today, and today’s card is a reminder that you attract more bees with honey than with vinegar. Be cooperative. Be helpful. Be pleasant… even when they aren’t.

In doing so, you can turn an unpleasant situation around into a pleasant one, just by catering to the needs of those that require your cooperation.

DECK USED:  THE JOYSEEKER TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Questions for My Fool’s Journey – Day 1 to 3

Crystal Visions Tarot, Primrose and Prose OracleWhat Journey am I asked to undertake this month?

Queen of Swords and Pisces – Work on finding balance between your practical self and your emotions. Don’t allow logic and your harsher inner narratives to dominate the conversation.

Where do I find myself at the beginning of this Journey?

The Fool and Taurus – At the beginning of this Journey, you are in need of a more lighthearted view while working to shore up your foundation. Grounding is important right now, but so is taking the time to enjoy life and worry less. Again, we see a need for balance. Bring greater awareness to your sense of gratitude for all that you have, and foster its presence in your life and thoughts.

What transformation can I undergo by embarking on this Journey?

King of Cups and Libra – Finding a routine that works for you can help you to restore equilibrium, and will provide you with less upheaval and more balance in your emotions, as well as in your relationship with Gideon.

Take Away – There is a prevailing theme of balance in these cards that speaks of this month’s Journey being about finding balance and equilibrium on a variety of different levels, but especially between your emotions and the more practical side of life.

DECK USED: THE PRIMROSE AND PROSE ORACLE

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Question for April 1st

Joyseeker TarotThis Month you will find magic in…

…finding your stride. The darkness is lifting, and this month will give you the ambition (King of Swords) and direction (Three of Wands) you need to climb free and keep moving.

Because…

…the time has come time to get organized and make choices (Seven of Cups) that will move you away from (Death) hibernation and stagnancy (Four of Wands Rx).

Take Away – The depression is lifting and this month is all about setting your feet back on the path you want to tread as you move forward, and setting your trajectory in the direction you want to go in. If you aren’t willing to climb out of the pit and put in the energy and effort  to get the ball rolling, you won’t move.  The magic of this month is in that energy and movement.

DECK USED: THE JOYSEEKER TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made sure to stop and take a break when I needed today, even though there was a lot to do and a great deal of distance to cover.

New Perspectives In Self Kindness

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Animism Tarot - The Hanged ManToday’s draw is the Hanged Man, which is traditionally a representation of taking a pause, considering alternate perspectives, relaxing into difficult situations, surrender or letting go.

The Hanged Man is one of my favorite cards in the tarot… perhaps my absolute favorite card in the tarot.  And honestly?  This is probably the cutest of all Hanged Man cards I’ve seen.

As with so many Hanged Man cards, what I see here is a question.  What do you see?  What if the world was inverted… what if -you- were inverted?  How would the world look differently?  If you paused and looked at the world with this new perspective, how would your own perspective on the world change?

The card showing up today is a reminder that I need to take breaks while I work.  By taking these breaks, life is brighter, my tasks are less difficult, and my obligations lighter.

DECK USED:  ANIMISM TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for March 31st: Grab a spread of your choice that you’ve been curious about… and give it a go!

Animism Tarot - What's Holding My Booty Back? Tarot Spread

What do I most need to release that’s holding me back?

The Devil Rx – It’s time to ease up on the addictions that are starting to get out of hand again. Things like brand-name foods, deck purchases, games on your phone, and dawdling instead of getting things done are all things that are getting just a bit out of hand at the moment. Moderation is not particularly easy for you, but in these areas it’s time to start applying more moderation than you are currently.

Why did this issue develop in the first place?

Two of Swords – When the darkness crept in (aka your depression), you shirked away from it and made the choice to reach for comfort. Those things you refer to as your “addictions” create within you a sense of safety, security, and comfort. You chose to reach for them, and that’s understandable under the circumstances.

How can I best honor it’s memory/grieve it’s loss?

Ten of Cups – Get in touch with your gratitude for the things you already have, and all that you have that makes you happy, instead of focusing on what you don’t have and wallowing in short-lived comforts.

Where should I direct energy that will serve my needs better?

The Emperor – Redirect this energy into reestablishing control over yourself and your life, and ensuring your obligations and responsibilities are being tended to.

DECK USED: ANIMISM TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a number of mini-breaks today to help me to not feel weighed down or resentful of the work that I needed to get done.

Sourpuss Days Happen

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Oz Tarot - King of WandsToday’s draw is the King of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s motivation, drive, passions, willpower, and determination.

This straw man in the imagery of this card just does not look particularly thrilled with his lot in life right now.  It reminds me of the times when I’m not particularly thrilled in mine, even though it was my drive and passions that got me here… and keep me here.

Even when you do what you love, there are times when work becomes too much.   Today’s card is a reminder to not let these moments of lack of enthusiasm to spoil life in general and your outlook as a whole.  They’ll pass, and you’ll be back to loving what you do again in no time.

DECK USED:  OZ TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for March 30th: Is courage an inherent virtue or is it learned behavior?

Real Talk Tarot (trimmed borders)Reading Summary: Courage is learned behavior that is developed through a need to please others (Six of Wands). A need that becomes all encompassing over time (The Devil) until it is only through others admiration that one can find emotional fulfillment (Nine of Cups).

Take Away: I disagree. What the cards are saying here is that courage develops motivated by a need public admiration, and that the more public admiration one is given, the more courageous they will become.

Sure, I think it does work this way for some people, but I also believe that in some people, courage is an inherent trait motivated by nothing more than having a caring heart, a stringent moral compass, or something they value as a motivator. I want (perhaps even need) to believe that this is more often the case than the scenario that the cards have given.

DECK USED: REAL TALK TAROT (TRIMMED)

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for March 29th thru 31st

Oz TarotHow can I continue to improve upon receiving and interpreting my intuitive messages?

Page of Swords Rx and The Emperor Rx – Less thinking, less control. Allow your inner knowledge to rise and have a louder voice instead of smothering it with logic.

How have I grown through this intuitive challenge?

Two of Pentacles and Ace of Pentacles – You are discovering and beginning to cement in place a better balance in your life.  You recognize the things that aren’t working and know you have to balance them better with the things that are.  More doing is needed, though.

What have I learned about myself through this challenge?

The Empress and The Chariot – You need to be more proactive in nurturing yourself and providing for your needs. There is no control over your speed and direction without self care.

DECK USED: OZ TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

It was a rough day, but I sank into some time with Gideon and play even though it was late, and it helped untie some of my inner knots.

Larceny in the Soul

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Inkromancy 2 Apocalypse Tarot - TemperanceToday’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of moderation, patience, and finding balance between the spiritual, emotional, and earthly planes.

I love her horns. I think more Temperance cards should have angels with horns in them.  I feel like it shows a whole different aspect of balance and moderation that a lot of people don’t get when confronted with the connected cups that are traditionally present.

The horns in the imagery of this card speaks to me of one’s integrity, and the old adage about having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other.

Today’s card is a reminder that everyone “has a little larceny in their soul”, so to speak.  That is to say, we all have temptations and faults, we all lie in one way or the other, we all do bad things… or things we shouldn’t.  If we didn’t, we wouldn’t learn.  It is in learning from these things that we become better people, so make sure you are accepting the “bad” in yourself along side the good.

DECK USED:  INKROMANCY 2 APOCALYPSE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for March 29th: What do I need to focus on for self-care for the upcoming new moon?

50 Extraordinary Dragons OracleReading Summary: You are still having problems connecting with your motivations and drive right now (Draconic Shadow). Remember to keep trying to find that focus and inspiration (Ruby Coatl), and it will develop into being (Firewing Egg) as the darkness gradually begins to fade into the distance.

Take Away: Motivation is a difficult thing when the depression is riding you. As the depression eases, it’s much like a rebirth in many ways, and your motivation and inspiration is one of those things.  Don’t be impatient with the darkness, as it will lift at its own pace just as an embryo develops within an egg at its own pace and will hatch when it’s ready.

DECK USED:  50 EXTRAORDINARY DRAGONS ORACLE

Mr Lionharts’ #TheMarchTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Questions for March 29th thru 31st

Inkromancy 2 Apocalypse TarotIn what area have I grown throughout the last few weeks?

Knight of Cups and Emperor – You are starting to get back in touch with your emotions and are regaining control. This month has been steeped in the darkness of the depression’s pit, but over the past couple weeks you have begun to claw your way back toward the light. As you move closer and closer to the light, you will gain more control over yourself and your environment, and be able to experience more joy in the journey.

What am I guided to leave behind of part with moving forward?

Two of Wands and Ten of Pentacles – Continue plotting the course forward away from the mentality of “All is lost”, and into one of abundance. There is a need to leave behind that perspective of loss, and a little planning can help you in getting there.  It requires making the choice of looking at things in a more positive perspective.

Where am I to take my journey moving forward?

Knight of Pentacles, Two of Swords atop Five of Swords – Stand up and start moving. Again, we see that this rests upon choices, and not always easy ones. You have to make the choice to defeat the darkness, or buckle under its weight and let it drag you down again.  The progress might be slow, but you are getting there.  Keep fighting.

DECK USED: INKROMANCY 2 APOCALYPSE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

L and I went to Olive Garden on a gift card yesterday and I ate so much I was still full and sporting a food baby two hours later.

Onus and Ownership

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Soul Cats TarotToday’s draw is the Judgement card, which is traditionally a representation of looking back on one’s history and reflecting upon if they are happy with all that they have done and become in life, as well as getting in touch with one’s true calling, and themes to do with forgiveness and absolution.

When I saw the imagery for this card today, what I heard was “Don’t be the one that hides in the hole.”

This is about ownership. It can be hard to accept when you’ve done something wrong, fucked up in some way, or are just wrong about something. No matter how natural it is that we all make mistakes, the problem comes in that when we are  unable to accept our role in things, we are unable to learn from those mistakes.  Not only that, but we look less than stellar to others (as well as to ourselves) when shirking responsibility when things go wrong.

Today’s card is a reminder to stand up and be counted. Own your mistakes and learn from them in order to become a better person. Don’t hide your mistakes, fuck ups, and other screwed up shit you’ve done from yourself and the world, but instead let it be seen, and show how you’ve learned from it… and how you are now a better person for the experience you’ve gained.

DECK USED:  SOUL CATS TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheMarchTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Questions for March 28th

Dream Interpretation OracleWhat did I learn throughout this month?

Loneliness and Dogs – You have learned throughout this month that you are not alone, even when you feel at your most lonely. There are those trustworthy and loyal to you that will always be there for you to depend on. You just need to speak up sometimes to make sure they know that you’re in need of more of their attentions.

What was my major lesson?

Shouting and Food – Your major lesson is that if you are more open with your feelings and your needs, it can help in sustaining you through the roughest of moments. Bottling things up does nothing but make you sick inside, better to let out how you feel and let people see what you need. Then there is a far better chance of being emotionally (and physically) satiated.

What was my minor lesson?

Moon and Exceptionality – Your major lesson for this month is a reminder to stay true to yourself and seek balance in all things, and that in doing so, you will shine brightly in the world. It can be hard to stay attuned with oneself when struggling with depression and outside chaos doesn’t help.  Reconnecting with yourself can help in guiding you through these moments, though and bring you out the other side with a greater understanding and greater skills than when you started.

DECK USED: DREAM INTERPRETATION ORACLE

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
(Adjusted) Question for March 28th: How can I trust myself to know when to look at the ‘little white book’?

Soul Cats TarotReading Summary: You have been reading for a long time and have the traditional meanings down pat (The Hierophant), and are able to then apply those meanings wisely to most situations (Strength). But, sometimes your connection with that ethereal “other” (The Star) is taking a rest (Four of Swords).

Take Away: I rarely bother with the “little white book” in the first place. Granted, I’ve been reading cards a really long time. So, I had to rephrase this question a bit to apply to me and my practice.

These cards indicate that sometimes traditional meanings just don’t cut it. Usually, this is where intuition and spiritual connections comes into play, but there are times when I lack the energy and resources in that area. At those times, looking at the LWB can give some needed extra perspective and a little boost to a far too quiet intuitive voice.

DECK USED: SOUL CATS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a few breaks throughout my work day today to make sure that I wasn’t pushing myself too hard.