Morning Bonus Read – Birth Charts Reading

The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
Let’s mix divination and astrology! Draw one card (or tile) for each of the planets in your birth chart, and see what the cards notice about each planet’s placement and meaning. If you’re familiar with your birth chart and its meaning, compare what the cards say with what you know or can learn from other sources.

I want to give a special thank you to the Astrology Owl site, which is where the astrology information in this post came from.  They’re site is very well organized and quite extensive, and I highly recommend the site for anyone seeking a quick look at any variety of Astrological aspects in their chart. My chart was looked up using the Astro-Charts website.

Felix the Cat Playing Cards

Sun (overall you)

Two of Diamonds – Always juggling responsibilities and trying to find the continually shifting sweet spot of balance. Unfortunately that juggling sometimes feels like a hell of a lot of work. Grounding helps immensely.

12th House 11° 17' Taurus - "You want to enjoy life’s moments and the pleasures that are available to you. A hopeless romantic you take your time in love and when building a relationship. There is a desire to succeed in life in a traditional way but on that same note you are deeply in tune with your own values making your pursuit of success authentic to you. You zodiac sign is associated with the earth element giving you a deep spiritual connection to the cycles of Earth, growth, and stability. You recognize that life is better enjoyed when you feel secure and stable in your relationships and environment." [Source]

Moon (your emotions)

Three of Clubs – Your emotional journey is uniquely yours. You have a plan and you’re trying to follow it… but you have a habit of lagging off now and then and losing track of what you’re doing. Still moving forward though, even then.

6th House 4° 53' Scorpio - "Highly perceptive and aware of the motivation of others. You desire to keep your emotions deeply private, often finding you need a few close confidants to open up to. As a Scorpio Moon you need an outlet for pent up energy. There is a sensuality and seductive quality to your interactions with others. The Scorpio Moon is associated with the water element. This gives an emotional and passionate overtone to your personality. In order to feel secure with someone you need loyalty. You take your relationships very seriously as you deeply invest yourself emotionally in everything. " [Source]

Rising (how you seem at first glance)

Six of Hearts – Generous, easy-going, welcoming. Appearing as if you know more about what’s going on than the average Joe, and may be willing to share that information with others… maybe. Good at self expression. Able to blend into the background or not, depending on what’s needed.  Old soul.

1° 14' Gemini - "As a Gemini Rising you will be playful and outgoing even if the rest of your chart implies a shier disposition. You will certainly have a way with words! A Gemini Ascendent will give you a natural curiosity about the world and a youthful and casual appearance. You have the ability to fit in anywhere making your style very chameleon like. A Gemini Ascendent will be adept with... getting their point across accurately. People are instinctively interested in getting to know you more." [Source]

Mercury (your mind and communication)

Ten of Hearts – Always open to communicating my positive thoughts and feelings, but not so much the negative ones. Finds communication with people that you’re comfortable with far easier than acquaintances and strangers.

12th House 23° 30' Taurus - "This Mercury placement in the natal chart provides the individual with a methodical mindset. You think things through developing ideas down to their absolute core. There is an ability with this placement to sum things up succinctly and accurately... As Taurus is an earth sign there is a very practical approach to communication when Mercury is placed here. When you engage in most conversations there is typically a reason behind what you are saying and you tend to have a very logical mental pathway... Change can be difficult for you as there is an appreciation for routine and predictability." [Source]

Venus (your love and attraction)

Queen of Clubs – All in, once you’ve made the decision. The fact is though it might take you a while to get there as you think things through first. You want others to see your way of thinking and how you do things. Supportive of others dreams.

1st House 23° 5' Gemini - "The Venus in Gemini individual will love having interesting and varied conversations with people. You will quickly leave a conversation that does not immediately grab your attention. You often enjoy word puzzles, keeping busy, and having fun. You will have a natural ability to...often knowing when people are lying to you and picking up on the hidden meaning behind what someone is saying. As a Venus in Gemini you absolutely dislike boredom. You ensure your environment and the people around you are keeping you mentally stimulated. " [Source]

Mars (your drive)

Eight of Hearts – Temporal. Everything is great until you let go of the balloon. Trying to juggle too much and ending up frustrated and having to let go of things instead of finishing them.  A need for fairness in life, which when isn’t present creates a fight against injustice.

10th House 16° 24' Aquarius - "You do not shy away from conflict with this placement but rather embrace the raw passion of fighting for the underdog. Nothing motivates you more than creating social change or having a run in with authority. There is an anarchist nature about you that is driving everything you do. You choose not to live by other people’s rules but instead your own convictions. As a Mars in Aquarius individual you have made your peace with the idea that you will not fit in. You were not made to follow the crowd. You are a visionary." [Source]

Jupiter (your luck and growth)

Jack of Spades – You will come out on top no matter what. It’s not about determination so much as it’s about adaptability and enjoying the climb on the food chain ladder. The challenge that can often feel like a game, and can be enjoyable as long as there’s sure footing and solid ground under your feet.

12th House 12° 19' Taurus - "Jupiter in Taurus in the natal chart will give your personality a creative and earthy flair. You will have an earth goddess vibe to you as you give off an energy of effortlessness and natural beauty. This placement is nurturing and indulgent. You are flirtatious and enjoy the attention of many love interests. There may be a tendency to keep your feelings to yourself. Jupiter in Taurus will give you the know-how on building wealth. You naturally enjoy security with this placement and will therefore do what you can to create a stabilizing career or streams of income. You typically enjoy life’s luxuries and do what it takes to have the funds to do so. " [Source]

Saturn (your sense of discipline)

Ace of Diamonds – Easily distracted by new and shiny projects and manifestative ideas. Wants to try everything.

8th House 2° 13' Capricorn - "Individuals with this placement are very deep thinkers and typically ambitious, although rarely apt to admit it. You tend to like work that is steady, reliable, and predictable. Saturn in Capricorn individuals are often very successful in the work they choose although will often having many failed attempts before they find success. People with this placement have great stamina tending to loosen up later in life once they find the success they were searching for. Saturn in Capricorn indicates a childhood with strict rules and restrictions often giving you a complex of not believing you are “good enough” for the people in authority. This tendency may have caused you to place unnecessary pressure and deadlines on yourself. When you do not reach the goals you have set you tend to be pessimistic or feel depressed about yourself. The energy of Saturn in Capricorn gives you a sense of duty and responsibility even for light-hearted and fun situations." [Source]

Uranus (your tendency to change)

Six of Spades – You are more likely to walk away than you are to change yourself to fit the situation. Your harmony is in finding those people and things that suit you, not changing yourself to suit them.  That said, you have a remarkable ability to adapt to changes around you when needed, making it look far easier than it often is.

8th House 0° 45' Capricorn - "The Uranus in Capricorn in the natal chart generation brings a rebellion to established systems of government and authority... desire radical changes in power structures. You tend to have a very linear mind... typically have the gift of foresight and can often sense events or disasters before they happen. This generation has a very inventive mind and enjoys practical applications of their ideas. Seeing ideas take shape in the physical realm is very satisfying to individuals with this placement. You are often in tune with alchemy, metaphysics, and the occult. " [Source]

Neptune (your dreams and intuition)

Six of Diamonds – Your intuition is often used to help others. Oh, you also use it for your own self benefit, but it is something that you enjoy offering out to others when you are able.  Your dreams are often shifting depending on what you’re focused on at the moment, but you’re fine with that as long as you have something to focus on and keep you busy.

8th House 10° 5' Capricorn - "Capricorn is associated with being very grounded and practical while Neptune is associated with dreams, fantasy, and delusions. Neptune in Capricorn is pulling dreams into the physical realm... There is an impulse to be spiritual but a need for evidence. You may go through periods of time in your life where you have a total rejection of your belief systems only to upcycle them at later dates. Neptune in Capricorn gives you a sense of spiritual connection and makes the often reality focused Capricorn more open to metaphysical and psychic experiences. Neptune in Capricorn individuals are working through the restructuring of how society expects one to make money. You may dream up and implement ways to create your own income outside of the traditional methods. Neptune in Capricorn individuals are bringing awareness to society’s often unhealthy relationships to work." [Source]

Pluto (your power and transformation)

Five of Diamonds – You are the Hanged Man. Transforming struggles and hardship into learning experiences and lessons. Pausing to think and take value from even the hardest of experiences. This allows you to be open minded, even during times of struggle.

6th House 11° 12' Scorpio - "The Pluto in Scorpio in the natal chart generation is here to transform society’s relationship to elements of life often thought of as private. Individuals born during this time are helping society accept things once thought of as taboo. Important life themes for the Pluto in Scorpio generations include sex, the occult, and death. You are bringing a restructuring to society’s view of these things. You are hoping for greater tolerance of sexual expression, spiritual connection, and uncovering aspects of life that have been repressed. You are asking people to address the shadows that exist in life and not create a facade that pushes reality farther and farther away. " [Source]

Summary

I would say that in most cases, the astrology text I found and the card interpretations are both spot on, but that they went in different directions.  This could be because I’m not well versed enough in astrology to have understood the planetary representations properly, though.

DECK USED:  FELIX THE CAT PLAYING CARDS

Savoring the Moment

Today’s meditation was skipped.  I know that I should have meditated considering that I was all kinds of worked up this morning and through most of the day, but I just couldn’t manage to stay still and let it happen.

Tarot de St Croix Borderless Edition and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the King of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, home, manifestations, and the physical world.  This often translates into themes to do with wealth and expertise, as well as authority in the areas mentioned previously. Acumen, a sense of discipline, abundance, and establishing security are all a part of this theme.

One of the things I often see depicted in these cards is a figure at rest.  Alert and surrounded in abundance, but also at rest. It is like the old magnate that has finally reached the goals he’s set out for and now watches over these goals and guides others, but is no longer in a place where they need to plow forward in relentless pursuit of their dreams.

The thing is?  We don’t have to have reached the end of our journey and obtained our goals to enjoy these moments now and then.  Moments of pause and enjoyment for what we have, as we ascertain our good fortune and feel in the moment that “I am the king of my own castle* feeling of accomplishment.  In fact, we should be pausing to enjoy these things regularly.  Daily.

Don’t put them off ’til the end of your journey.  Enjoy those moments now.

DECK USED:  TAROT DE ST CROIX BORDERLESS EDITION AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Questions for August 13th thru 15th

Tarot de St Croix Borderless Edition and Wildcraft! Herbal Adventure Game CardsWhat am I guided to spend time on, or reflect on, today?

It sucked. It hurt. You don’t know what you tripped over (Scraped Knee), but you can’t sit there and whine about it all day. Where do you want to go from here? (Two of Wands)

Right, so… I have been banned from PayPal for life. And I have no idea why. None. Late last night I went to make a purchase and received an error message, so I went to see what was wrong and in the account was a notice that my PayPal account had been permanently limited and I could no longer use the account or make any changes upon it. Fifteen years using them on a daily basis for both personal and business means… then BAM… this happened.

I did not sleep. All night. I tried, but I was too worked up and freaked out. I waited until 6am (when their customer service opened up) and reached out to them. I spoke to both a service agent and a supervisor. Neither could tell me any information at all about why this happened or what I might have done to trigger it. Just that it’s irreversible. Permanent. And if I want those answers? The only way to get them is to sue PayPal.

These cards are a reminder that this is not the end of the world, just a small setback.  And that instead of focusing on the feelings of helplessness and victimization that this experience created, I need to focus ahead and on moving forward.

If not now, than when? Something I shouldn’t delay.

Take some time to heal (Yarrow), and then focus on rebuilding better and stronger (Three of Pentacles).

The thing is?  There’s nothing that I can do about this situation. I don’t have the kind of funds it would take to blow on a law suit against PayPal. It would be stupid, especially since I don’t really depend on the platform anymore like I did a handful of years ago.

The healing qualities of Yarrow indicate that it’s better just to let it go, and work on recovering from the blow, rather than stewing in it.  The Three of Pentacles is then an indication that there’s work to be done and to get to it.  Change over automatic payments to another source, shut down funding that comes through that venue, and reach out to my clients to let them know that PayPal is no longer a way in which they can pay for my services. Get my ducks in a row.

How can I make the most or best use of {my time} today?

Let go of that toxic shit (Nine of Swords) and build yourself back up (Echinacea).

Another healing herb to again remind me that I need to focus today on what will soothe those aches and restore my equilibrium. These cards are a reminder that what’s done is done and to not let the feelings that last night/this morning’s events stirred up linger and fester.  Let them go and step into getting back in balance.

DECK USED:  WILDCRAFT! HERBAL ADVENTURE GAME CARDS AND TAROT DE ST CROIX BORDERLESS EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

After my all-nighter of stress, and dealing with PayPal… then having a good hard cry based in those feelings of helplessness, confusion, and victimization.  I then quickly got to work and made sure all my recurring payments and responsibilities were otherwise covered.  This gave me the peace of mind I needed to get some sleep. I also spoke to Gideon briefly, which also helped.

Who Are You Really?

Today’s meditation was.. skipped.  I think?  I’m pretty sure it was skipped.  I did take some time to do extra stretching and relax, though.  But I didn’t meditate I don’t think.

Illusori Tarot 27 and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Knight of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of an active/projective beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s drive, inspiration, willpower, interests, and inner spark.  This often translates into themes that have to do with (as the card says) intensity, being inspired to take action, and impulsivity.

There are a lot of things in life that it’s important to move slowly on, to take your time with, and to pause and reflect on before moving forward.  But connecting with yourself and your truth?  That is not one of those things.

I believe one of the greatest things anyone can do for themselves in life is seeing yourself for who you are, accepting yourself and all your faults, and allowing the truth of who you are to be something you delve into and explore in depth.  This type of exploration is a journey, but the rewards are immense.  Living your truth, speaking your truth, allowing yourself to live by who you truly are and who you want to be?  These things shouldn’t be something hesitated on or put off until later.  They are a lifelong journey that builds confidence and creates stability and roots within yourself, your life, and your journey as a whole.

DECK USED:  ILLUSORI TAROT 27 AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

CoffeexTarot’s Who’s Your Spirit Guides? Prompt
Questions for August 12th and 13th

Brian's Deck and The Neurotic Owl TarotWhat are you currently helping me on?
Grab It While You Can, Three of Wands atop Five of Wands

Go forth and seize this moment and do what feels right. It’s okay to be greedy sometimes, and to go after what you really want instead of settling for what you or others think you deserve.

What I need to do to reach this goal / path?
Appreciate What You’ve Got and The Lovers

Step it up on participating in a healthy gratitude practice. Paying attention to all that you have helps to center you in life and reinforce your values, but a regular practice helps build upon those good things and bring more focus to them. It will help you staying inspired to keep moving.

DECK USED: BRIAN’S DECK AND THE NEUROTIC OWL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for August 12th and 13th

Prism Oracle and Illusori Tarot 27Weed OutConfidence atop Love, Two of Cups – Sometimes the most comforting of habits you’ve developed and, or the most amazing ideas you have that you are sure that you can carry through with, just can’t be followed through on. No matter how much you love them and want them to succeed.

Replace WithFrustration and Eight of Cups – When you run across these ideas and it becomes clear that it’s not going to happen, don’t flex your grip and hold on tighter. Trying harder isn’t the issue. Instead, you need to let them go.

Where could I benefit from a new perspective at this time?
Abundance and Seven of Wands

Your values and principles don’t need defending as long as they are working for you. No one can take them away from you. The theme in this reading involves sloughing off what isn’t working and what isn’t needed.  Your abundance will grow if you let go of these things.  (Little did I know how very true this would be in just a few hours later after these cards were pulled.)

DECK USED: PRISM ORACLE AND ILLUSORI TAROT 27

Daily Self Kindness

I un-backed 12 of the Kickstarter projects that I had previously backed, letting go of those twelve decks I had backed after having sorted through the projects I’m supporting and deciding which ones I wanted to keep and which needed to go.

Morning Bonus Read – Standing in Your Power

Women of High Fantasy Tarot

1. What is often the reason I don’t stand in my power? (I had to rephrase this one.)

Queen of Coins – Because I want to support others, and sometimes that means toning myself down for a more gentle approach.  The aggressive tactics that I use on myself are not suitable to helping others. (Okay, so they’re not really suitable to be used on myself either, but that’s for another time.)

2. What I’m scared of about channeling my power.

Four of Coins Rx – Getting stuck in a rut of my own making. I’ve pushed so hard on certain methods and agendas for so long, that I worry I won’t be able to break free of the unhealthy ones. What -is- my power exactly if not that hard shove that gets things done? I know this is my inner uncertainties speaking, but it feels like a valid question.

3. A way that I can stand in my power.

The Lovers – Focus on making healthy choices and leaning into Gideon for help on staying on track.  I’m not in this alone and I don’t have to feel like I am.  Isolation may be a go-to habit, but it’s not a healthy one.

4. What I could accomplish if I did stand in my power.

Ace of Wands – The potential is endless, as I would be able to direct that powerful inner drive of mine in any direction I wished.

5. Something I should be more confident about.

The Magician – My capability and ingenuity. I am adaptive and able to make things work in my favor through the skills and abilities that I possess. Although I project confidence in this area, there’s often a feeling of self doubt when trouble comes knocking and I have to put these qualities into action.

6. How I can be more confident that the universe has my back.

Imagery in the Eight of Coins – Remember that everything is connected and it is through this connections that the universe helps and guides.  Support comes in all shapes and forms.

DECK USED:  WOMEN OF HIGH FANTASY TAROT

Follow Your Spark

Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long, and was the second installment of the Foundations II series on the Balance app.   Today, the series introduced the method of labeling, which is something I’m familiar with from other meditation exercises that I have done in the past.  I had a very hard time staying focused today and may end up repeating this installment in the series again as a result.

Tarot of the Imagination and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Chariot card, which is a representation of moving forward, will power, and the strength to choose one’s own direction and path, and plow forward upon it with determination.

“Follow the Spark” is an excellent message for The Chariot, as it encourages going after those things that really mean something to you, inspire you, and hold value for you.

It’s all well and good to push ourselves forward in the direction we want to go, demand the prize at the end of our hard work, etc.  But how many of us really take a deep down look at where we’re going and what we’re striving for?

Are you striving for someone else’s dreams? Or your own? Whose judgements, values, and desires do you allow to push you forward? Are they yours?  Are you sure? Take a look. Delve in. Find what truly lights -your- fire. And if your direction needs some realigning to go in that direction?  Use your willpower and determination to adjust your trajectory in the direction of what you truly want in life.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE IMAGINATION AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question
: Can we understand good without evil?

Tarot of the ImaginationReading Summary: No matter your journey (Three of Wands), life is about balance, they are connected and always seeking that balance (Ten of Wands and Ten of Cups. Seeking only the good and positive (Five of Cups) doesn’t mean the evil and negative are not still there (Five of Pentacles).

Side Note: I had forgotten how much I like this deck.  It’s been a while since I’ve picked this one up.

Take Away: The answer here is no, but more than that, it indicates that when you try to eliminate the negative and evil from life, you set yourself up to be surprised by them when they rear their ugly heads in order to restore balance.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE IMAGINATION

Daily Self Kindness

The problem with playing catch up is that if I didn’t take a note about something done on the day? Sometimes I just can’t remember a couple days later when I’m trying to write it out. Today was one of those days. I didn’t write it down and I have NO idea what self kindnesses I might have done this day other than trying to relax and take it easy.

A Path of Little Miracles

Today’s meditation was just over fourteen minutes long, and was the first installment of the second foundations series in the Balance app. The meditation focused on a review of what was learned in the initial foundations series that I’ve just recently finished, which is to say it was about the different breath work tools and body scanning that have been taught previously.

Tarot of the Nile and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Seven of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of slow growth over the long term, sustainability, and investing time or energy in something over a long period of time.

Regardless of the Egyptian theme of the cards, the imagery itself is very traditional in this card, with the farmer looking on at the gains that come from taking things slow and fostering growth.

Combined with the affirmation card for today, the message I get from these cards is about the journey to one’s accomplishments, not just the accomplishments themselves.

Just because something takes a long time to accomplish, doesn’t mean that there aren’t little miracles and treasures to enjoy along the way. The Seven of Pentacles and this affirmation card are a reminder that we need to enjoy the journey instead of focusing too hard on the destination at the end of the road.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE NILE AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Questions for August 10th thru 12th

Sacred Hags Oracle and Journey Into Egypt TarotWhat is a predominant or recurring theme in my life?
The Wild Child’s Prophecy and Prince of Cups

The restart. Taking on life with a fresh look at the halfway point in one’s life. Realizing we were too closed off and too beaten down by the past. You’ve chosen to start over rather than carry on that legacy further into your life.

This is the route at the very core of my emotional growth and the journey I have set myself upon. I understand the experiences from my past have poison the well, and instead of trying to siphon the poison out… I’m digging a new one.

What is a major lesson for me, my journey, or my life?
Juniper Smoke and Six of Coins

It is often hard to remember to pause and reflect, to take time to connect to the world around us, and really be present and hear what the earth and the air and the elements are trying to say. They whisper secrets, but it is only when you are still and quiet that you can truly hear what they have to tell you.

Slowing down as one of my largest struggles in life and a part of the journey mentioned in the previous question’s answer. Taking time for meditation and allowing myself the time I need out in nature is so much harder than it seems like it should be. I know this is because of the influences from my past push upon me a need to punish myself.

The lesson is about being generous with myself and allowing myself that time and space to tune in to the earth and the whispering voices of the elements. The space and calm needed to connect on a deeper level.

What can I personally do in support of my best life?
The Cailleach’s Crag and The Lovers

Balance and a healthy perspective require focus on all aspects of one’s cycle of growth. It’s not always about progressing. Sometimes it’s about resting, and sometimes it’s about things dying off to make room for new growth later on.

Being in the moment and making healthy choices for yourself requires that we focus on what is happening in the moment, not what is coming. So when you’re in a moment when it is time to slough off old things, be in that moment and do what needs done, rather than looking ahead and counting your chickens before they’re hatched. Same with when it’s time to rest.

DECK USED: SACRED HAGS ORACLE AND THE JOURNEY INTO EGYPT TAROT

The #MysticStarChallenge at the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for August 10

Tarot of the NileWhat message does The Lovers have for me?

Page of Wands – Make sure that you are making good choices when you pick the things that you want to delve into and explore further. You don’t have as much room on your plate as you think you do.

What obstacles does The Lovers want to warn me about?

Ten of Cups – You may find yourself feeling delayed and struggling to see a good perspective in your situation at that time. Don’t worry about it… just wait and work on looking for the good.

What guidance does The Lovers have for me to overcome this obstacle?

The Hanged Man – Remember that everything happens for a reason and whatever it is that is holding you back, it has a purpose, and you will be carried forward again eventually towards where you want to be in the end.

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE NILE

Daily Self Kindness

I stood up to say something was wrong tonight when Gideon and I were in play instead of keeping it to myself and trying to muscle my way through my responses.