tarot as a motivational tool

Finding the Positive for September 20th and 21st

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September 20 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Orenda Tarot and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate AllanToday’s card is the Five of Wands combined with the affirmation “You will survive this.”

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that conflict happens. It’s a part of life, and isn’t the end of the world, no matter how stressful it might feel at the time.

Don’t let fear of conflict hold you back from the things that are important to you. It’s through conflict that we show the world (and ourselves) just what is important and where our values lie.

The conflict itself? Is short lived.  Either those that you are in conflict with will accept you as you are… or they won’t and will move on. If it’s the latter? That doesn’t fall in your lap as your “fault”, but rather is a sign that they aren’t a good fit for you in the first place.

DECK USED: ORENDA TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

September 21 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Thirty-Six Stratagems Inspiration Cards and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate AllanToday’s cards are The Plum Tree’s Sacrifice combined with the affirmation “Your future is worth seeing.”

Don’t take the easy way out. Losses and struggles are inevitable, but even in the face of painful moments we need to remember to hold on and keep going.

Some of the affirmations that deal with suicide, I admit to having a difficult time with. Prior to finding a medication that helped control those thoughts and urges, suicide was a very prevalent theme in my inner dialog and a very real effort to -not- act on.

The message in today’s cards is that there’s more than just you in the world.  Sometimes? We have to sacrifice what we want for the betterment of others. Whether or not you -see- that they need you?  They do.  So set your thoughts and urges of not seeing tomorrow aside and sacrifice them for the need of others.  If you can’t live for yourself? Live for them.

DECK USED: THIRTY-SIX STRATAGEMS INSPIRATION CARDS AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

Who’s Holding the Reigns

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Universal Folk Tarot's The Chariot Card and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate AllanToday’s draw is The Chariot card combined with the affirmation “That voice inside that tells you you’re unlovable must not know you at all; we’re lucky to have you.”

The Chariot is all about direction and empowerment. You hold onto the reigns and you control where the Chariot goes. That, combined with the affirmation for today, is a reminder that you can’t counterbalance your negative impulses and that negative inner voice in your brain if you aren’t going to actively use the tools you’ve developed to make that counterbalance happen.

Make sure that you are leaning into positivity and optimism wherever you can. That counterbalance is needed. Without it, it’s not you holding the reigns, but your pain and depression.

DECK USED:  UNIVERSAL FOLK TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

@mercurytarot #SensualSeptemberTarot Challenge
Prompts for September  18th thru 20th, 27th, 28th

Universal Folk Tarot - Four of Cups, The Hermit, Ten of Wands, Eight of Wands, King of CupsWhat brings me shame?

King of Cups Rx – That you don’t measure up to Gideon and are undeserving of his love, support, and adoration. Although you know that this is not true, it is something that sticks with you and never entirely leaves, no matter how illogical it may be.

Where does it stem from?

Ten of Wands (Turned Left) – This feeling of inadequacy stems from putting too much on yourself and expecting too much from yourself, which is a product of your past.  Doing this blocks you from being able to see that you are enough as you are. Just because you look up to him for different qualities than you personally possess doesn’t make you less then.  On the contrary, it makes you two puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly.

How can I release this?

Eight of Wands (Turned Right) – Work on moving on from these feelings and let go of these expectations you hold over yourself. Focus, instead, on the things that make you happy and begin to gravitate in that direction moving forward.

What is my relationship with jealousy?

The Hermit – Jealousy often feels like a vulnerability, and thus is kept close to the vest. You don’t like to share these feelings with others, whether that’s with your partner or with the world at large, as it makes you feel as if you are exposing open wounds for others to possibly poke at or otherwise hurt you with.

How can I break negative cycles?

Four of Cups Rx – Even though it’s your natural inclination to do so, don’t keep these issues to yourself, even when it feels like you need to in order to protect yourself. Share them with others instead, and allow others to step in and help you find themes of positivity and optimism when you’re unable to do so on your own.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Western Red Cedar Tips for Casting Out Negativity
Foraged Lichen for Perserverance
Labradorite for Mental and Emotional Healing
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: UNIVERSAL FOLK TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I let myself have the drown I was craving, and acknowledged the need to lean on Gideon in the subsequent drop to come.

Pride Over Punishment

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Today’s meditation was skipped (again).

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Serpent and the Peacock Tarot's The Sun card and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate AllanToday’s draw is The Sun card combined with the affirmation “As much as you can, please try to act from LOVE rather than from FEAR.”

Alchemically speaking, the green lion is eating the verdigris and impurities off of the sun in this image. (I had to look at the guide book with this card, and it speaks of how the green lion eating the sun is a metaphor for acids eating away impure substances to leave behind pure gold.)

To me, this says that happiness and success aren’t luck. They aren’t happenstance.  They are the results of hard work and effort.  Thus, the message in today’s cards is that we shouldn’t fear or discount our successes.  Even the smallest ones are hard won, and should be appreciated for their worth, rather than degraded out of fear that if we take pride in ourselves and our work that we will be punished for it in some way.

DECK USED:  SERPENT AND THE PEACOCK TAROT ART VERSION AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2024 Challenge

Question for September 17th : What do you need to focus on for self-care this full moon?

Magical Spirit OracleReading Summary: It’s okay to have fallow points in your practice (Blessings and Curses; The Witch resting inside a teacup spa). It’s okay to take time away (Dark Night of the Soul) and come back to it later.

Take Away: This full moon is finding you a bit worn out and in need of a break. Make sure that you are taking the breaks that you need, even in your spiritual practices.

It’ll all still be there when you’re ready to return, and burning yourself out isn’t going to do anyone any good… most especially yourself.

DECK USED: MAGICAL SPIRIT ORACLE

Philosophical Question for September 18th : What is humanity’s greatest mistake?

Serpent and the Peacock Tarot - Page of Pentacles, Eight of Cups, Four of CupsReading Summary: Becoming emotional and turning away (Eight of Cups and Four of Cups) in the face of challenges (Page of Pentacles).

Take Away: These cards indicate that humanity’s greatest mistake is allowing our emotions to turn us away from what are otherwise important pursuits.

Frustration and despondency, specifically, cause many to step away from what projects and explorations  that could possibly lead to somewhere great and worth while in the end.

DECK USED: SERPENT AND THE PEACOCK TAROT ART VERSION

Daily Self Kindness

I made the choice to not work on orders today for Friday, letting myself have a breather because I’m feeling overwhelmed.

Not Always Fast and Easy

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The Labyrinth Tarot and Soul Creatures OracleToday’s draw is the Page of Swords combined with the affirmation “I attune to the ebb and flow of life with grace.”

… even when that ebb and flow is moving at a snails pace while exploring new ideas.

Not everything can be fast paced, even you.  Maybe? Especially you.  Sometimes you have to take your time when exploring new things instead of just picking them up on a whim and instantly being good at them.  That’s a part of being human.

Making things look easy and those things actually -being- easy are two different things; and that’s okay.

DECK USED:  THE LABYRINTH TAROT AND SOUL CREATURES ORACLE

@mercurytarot #SensualSeptemberTarot Challenge
Prompt for September 14th, 15th, and 17th

The Labyrinth Tarot and Unknown Vintage OracleAm I sexually fulfilled?

The Astrologist atop Nine of Wands; Idleness – You have a lot of issues with how much it takes for you to be sexually fulfilled these days. You feel that you should want and need more than you do, as you did ten or fifteen years ago, and that leads you to feeling defensive about how little you actually need sexually in order to feel fulfilled these days.

How generous am I in the bedroom?

Ace of Coins and Economy – Not very. You like experiences to come to you. You require a generous lover, as you far more enjoy experiencing rather than providing experiences.  You like to be worshiped in bed, just make sure that you don’t fall so far into that mindset that your partner starts to feel they aren’t getting what they need.

How can I spice things up?

Knight of Wands and Justice – Step out of your comfort zone.  Accept that balance comes in all forms and isn’t rigid.  You give in your own way, show your passions in your own way, and your partner does the same. Together you strike a balance that is right for you both that has nothing to do with scales being equal in the eyes of others or social conventions.

Other elements included in this reading:
Western Red Cedar Tips for Casting Out Negativity
Aragonite for Truth and Understanding
Rainforest Rhyolite for Facilitating Calm Transitions
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE LABYRINTH TAROT AND AN UNKNOWN VINTAGE ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

This post is a catch-up post, and I’m not entirely sure what my self kindness was for the day.

Stalking Prey

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Coffee Cup Oracle and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate AllanToday’s draw is the Lion card combined with the affirmation “It’s okay to progress slowly. Every effort counts.”

When I think of a lion, I think of bold action and strong motivations. Power through strength of body and will.   Success through ferocity and determination.

The thing is?  These qualities don’t really mesh well in my mind with the idea of “slow progress”.  The lion, to me, is often thought of more as an immediate gratification type of animal.  I’m not exactly sure why that is.

Because even the lion has to take things slow sometimes.  Stalking prey, for example, takes slow, stealthy movement and patience.  Today’s cards are a reminder of this fact.  They say that you can be both bold and successful, and move with slowness and purpose.  Not everything you do  has to be an end result. Sometimes, to get where you want to be and succeed at something, you have to creep through the weeds, take your time, and work it out a little at a time instead of all at once.

DECK USED:  COFFEE CUP ORACLE AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

@tarot_juf Een Uitnodiging voor de herfst #SeptemberTarotChallenge
Prompt for September 14th thru 17th

Vintage Stamp Tarot and Mushroom Spirit OracleThis is an important aspect for me for everything I am still working on in the coming period.

Seven of Wands and Red Cage – Make sure you are not hemming yourself in with your stubbornness. Sometimes you have to choose between freedom or values that are no longer working for you. Don’t get stuck in the rut created by those values.

The leaves are letting go and falling; what can I put down?

The Tower atop The World; Fairy Inkcap atop Cordyceps – Be open. Be blunt. Be LOUD about what you need in order to begin again. Put down you recalcitrance and reserve, and roar your needs out to be heard by all.

This is how I can save energy.

Six of Wands Rx atop The Hierophant; Shiitake – Stop trying to do what others expect of you, and instead focus on your own needs and what you need in order to find balance and energize yourself.

Which aspect of myself can I let grow for the coming dark period?

The Fool and Ghost Mushroom – Stir up your enthusiasm and allow your fun loving side to break free and shine. Not everything has to be serious. Especially during this preparation time before the holiday rush steals away all of your time and breath, it’s important to indulge in the activities that will bring your inner child to the forefront and make them smile. Have some fun.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Mookaite Stones for Help with Weighing One’s Options
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE VINTAGE STAMP TAROT AND MUSHROOM SPIRIT ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I spent some time with Gideon this evening, to help soothe us both.

It’s Not Yet “Go Time”

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Suburban Knight Oracle and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate AllanToday’s draw is the Wealth card combined with the affirmation “Not every season is for growing. Maybe right now is your time to be dormant. Step back and rest for a while.”

This is, in fact, my last hurrah for getting a chance to step back and rest a while. With the holiday rush right around the corner, orders are beginning to pick up, and there is a lot that needs to be done in order to prepare in order to carry on through the holiday season.

The cards for today are a reminder that it’s important to rest when you get the opportunity to do so… because there’s times coming in the future where that opportunity may not be available to you because you’ll be too busy rolling “out of the red” to manage it.

DECK USED:  SUBURBAN KNIGHT ORACLE AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

@tarot_juf Een Uitnodiging voor de herfst #SeptemberTarotChallenge
Prompt for September 14th and 17th

Primordial Dreams Tarot and Suburban Knight OracleThe weather is the weather and always changeable; how can I let the weather influence my mood less?

Knight of Air Rx atop Page of Earth; Birthday Cake – If you want the weather to influence your moods less, you need to be less impulsive and take your time more.

The thing is, though, that you do not need the weather to influence your mood less any more than you need that cake. You actually need the weather to influence your mood more, so that the it can become a motivation and inspiration for you again.

This is how I can deal with melancholy.

Ten of Fire; Yard Sale atop Unmovable Foe – Purge. Sometimes one of the things that draws you into melancholy is a feeling of being overburdened. You can help deal with this particular melancholy onset by going through and donating things that you are no longer interested in or using, rather than holding onto them. That sense of “lightening your load” can sometimes help to budge what feels like the immovable force of an oncoming depression.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Feather for Letting Go of What’s No Longer Needed
Dried Silver Birch Leaf for Realizations and New Beginnings
Green Calcite for Finding Balance Within the Self
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: PRIMORDIAL DREAMS TAROT AND SUBURBAN KNIGHT ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I didn’t push myself as hard as I was planning on pushing myself when I first got up this morning.