tarot for self care

Do Something Inspired

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Universal Goddess Tarot - Ace of Wands (Bastet)Today’s draw is the Ace of Wands (Bastet), which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s enthusiasm, drive, willpower, principles, determination, and inner spark.

From the LWB: “I am energy, vitality, inventiveness, birth, fire. I am the active principle. I am Bastet, Egyptian goddess, fertile ray of sun that illuminates and warms the earth.”

Bastet is a lioness goddess, a role shared by other deities such as Sekhmet. Eventually Bastet and Sekhmet were characterized as two aspects of the same goddess, with Sekhmet representing the powerful warrior and protector aspect and Bastet, who increasingly was depicted as a cat, representing a gentler aspect. Before this deity’s nature was ameliorated around 1500 bc, she was known as a ferocious goddess of protection, and whose more gentle aspects make her the goddess of home, domesticity, women’s secrets, cats, fertility, and childbirth.

I feel that the LWB combined with being set upon the Ace of Wands leans more into Bastet’s fierce lioness traits. This card says… Do something today. Do something that sparks your enthusiasm and your interest, kindling that inner spark that the depression keeps banked.  Do something that brings you joy and stirs you up inside.

That’s the message in today’s card.

DECK USED:  UNIVERSAL GODDESS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for May 8th: Do Spread #1

Winterseer Oracle and Antique Anatomy TarotWhat positive quality do I have that others admire?

The Moon and Seal – Even when you are feeling uncertain, your creative spark continues to grow and shine. Instead of fear or uncertainty turning you away from creativity, you find solace and shelter within your creative endeavors.

What positive quality do I wish I had that I admire in others?

Three of Elixirs and Raccoon – The ability to survive and thrive in intensely social situations. As much as you want to enjoy socializing and groups, that is really just not where you shine, but is something that you admire in others.

What step(s) can I take now to work toward developing that quality in myself?

Eight of Elixirs atop Two of Elixirs, Dove – You need to accept that some people show their love and affection differently than others, and those that love you understand that you are not a particularly social person. It’s okay to walk away when you need to, and your way of showing love to others is no better or worse than anyone else’s. Accept yourself as you are instead of trying to be something you’re not.

What step(s) can I take to make the positive qualities I already have shine brightly?

Six of Coins and Rat – Work on accepting help from others without worrying (or anticipating) that it’s going to end up biting you on the ass.

DECK USED: WINTERSEER ORACLE AND ANTIQUE ANATOMY TAROT

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for May 8th and 9th

Universal Goddess TarotWhat positive traits do I bring to my relationships?

The Tower (Morrigan) and The Lovers (Venus) – You show people that it is possible to stay on a healthy path and make healthy choices, even when it feels like your world is falling apart. And in doing so, you encourage others to do the same.

What unrealistic expectations have placed on myself?

Judgement (Ceridwen), Five of Coins (Hel) atop Temperance (Anahita) – There is a lack of temperance to how you treat yourself concerning your inner narrative and it’s influences. You judge yourself too harshly and allow the feelings of scarcity and aloneness that result from this to lead you away from positivity and moderation.

DECK USED: UNIVERSAL GODDESS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I spent some time digging in the dirt out on the balcony today, and I quit when my body said it was time to quit instead of keeping going.  I didn’t get done everything I wanted to as a result, but it’s a win for self-care and self-kindness.

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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These Saturday 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 is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot, Quiet Mystic Oracle, Butterfly Circus Lenormand

Earth – Knight of Wands and Swan Sensibilities – There’s lots of work going on under the surface this week. Make sure the manifestation process remains within. Sometimes, only you need to know that those things that you manifest into your life don’t just “pop” into your hands and life like magic.

Air – Four of Swords and Slow Disco – What mindsets and mentalities aren’t working for you anymore? Take time to reflect on what is no longer useful in your life, and those things that you are clinging to that aren’t really a part of your life anymore. Letting go of the past can take time and letting go of attachments can be a struggle, but this week is a good time to start looking at both.

Water – Queen of Wands and Heartbreak Falls – Sometimes you have to let go of things that you’re really passionate about, even if you don’t want to. Remember that there is a boon in there somewhere to letting go. It’s not all bad.

Fire – Temperance and Trust the Universe – Don’t jump the gun or jump to conclusions, instead go slow and trust that everything is going to turn out right in the end, just as it always does. You don’t have to get excited. Instead stay calm, take a breath, and practice a bit of trust.

Waning – Key and Child – You’re going to have to set new beginnings to the side this week in order to focus on stuff that has to do with the past.

Waxing – Letter and House – Make sure whatever hiccups or anxiety inducing hurdles come your way this week, that your mortgage and home related finances take top priority.

Take Away – There is a warning here that something is coming that’s going to be very upsetting for you and it’s going to feel like the end of the world. It lives in the financial and home area of your life, and the cards this week are all about making sure that you stay calm and collected, and trust that things will work out in the end as long as you do the work behind the scenes to make it so.

DECKS USED: NICOLETTA CECCOLI TAROT, QUIET MYSTIC ORACLE, BUTTERFLY CIRCUS LENORMAND

Self-Care Is Also Caring For Others

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot - The EmperorToday’s draw is the Emperor card, which is traditionally a representation of leadership, authority, strength, responsibility, and a “for the greater good” mentality.

If there are things that need to get done today, make sure you get them done or delegate the responsibility in a way that make sure that they get done.

I don’t really have all that much that needs to be done today, but I do plan on making sure I get a few things done after my bath.  Mostly, today is an “self-care” day, so what needs to be done has more to do with taking care of my self than my responsibilities to others.

Then again, perhaps that’s where the message lies.  How can we take care of others if we don’t take care of ourselves?  Sometimes? It’s important to put ourselves first… even if just for a little bit.

DECK USED:  NICOLETTA CECCOLI TAROT

ReadingWickedly’s #MayDailyDraw Prompt
Questions for May 7th and 8th

Divine Tea Time Inspiration Cards and the Nicoletta Ceccoli TarotHow can I nurture my personal growth?

Queen of Wands and Cardamom atop Hanged Man Rx and Red Clover – Cleanse your mind and heart of the toxic negative narrative that keeps you from seeing your passions clearly and enjoying them to the fullest. Finding a way to circumvent and redirect the energy this inner narrative causes will help immensely in your personal growth.

What rules unconsciously govern my life?

Three of Pentacles and Olive Leaf – Giving people the benefit of the doubt is important, as is giving second chances to others when it’s warranted. You can forgive and work together, without forgetting the past.

DECK USED: DIVINE TEA TIME INSPIRATION CARDS AND NICOLETTA CECCOLI TAROT

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Question for May 7th: How can I show my true self in a relationship?

Nicoletta Ceccoli TarotSix of Cups – Share your past. Your past is the building blocks of who you are today, and thus by sharing your past with others they get to see a deeper view of who you are beneath the surface that you show to the world.

Eight of Wands – Be enthusiastic. It’s hard to stick around people that don’t show any enthusiasm for your presence. Make sure that your friends and loved ones know that you appreciate and enjoy their company and want them around.  Be proactive in this.

Knight of Swords – Show that you are invested, and that you will stand by their side through thick and thin. Showing you will step in and back them when things get tough creates a sense of security in the relationship, as well as trust.

DECK USED: NICOLETTA CECCOLI TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nice long soak in the tub today with Epsom salts and apple cider vinegar, and then I got out and took a little nap.

Malnutrition and Depletion

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Today’s meditation was skipped.  I got a great deal of sleep today (thanks to half a pain pill and an ibuprofen), but no meditation.

The Good Tarot - Five of Earth, Five of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Five of Earth (Pentacles), which is traditionally a representation of scarcity (real or imagined), malnutrition and other associated illnesses, isolation, and the worry that can come with financial loss.  It also can indicate a refusal to seek out help when help is needed.

In the imagery for this specific deck, I see a lesser known meaning of the Five of Pentacles.  That is… malnutrition.  The figure is not getting the sun and nutrients it needs, and thus it struggles in the shade to fill its branches with leaves, instead shedding and filled with bare spots and barren branches.

This card is an encouragement to eat healthy and treat yourself well today.  Too much junk is not good for you. It depletes your energy and makes you feel less than 100%. So, make sure you are making healthy choices for your body, and you will be rewarded in turn.

DECK USED:  THE GOOD TAROT

ReadingWickedly’s #MayDailyDraw Prompt
Questions for May 5th and 6th

Into the Lonely Woods Oracle and The Good TarotWhat am I passionate about?

Plight of the Wanderer – Exploration of the world around you and how it connects to your spiritual path.

Six of Fire (Wands) – Sharing your passions and successes with others. Yes, this garners admiration, but for it to be rewarding to you it also needs to lift them up, showing them that they too can follow their passions and succeed.

The Lonely Gardener – Alone time in nature, bonding with the earth and the trees while the rest of the world is set aside.

What stops me from expressing my passions?

The Consolations of Isolation – Some things are better just kept to oneself. Private moments often mean more to the one experiencing them than they possibly could to anyone else.

A Time to Rest Awhile – Not enough energy combined with the need for a certain amount of alone time away from society.

Three of Air (Swords) – The thing about both of these factors mentioned above is that they can be healthy… or if they are driven by fear of being disappointed by others, they can be unhealthy. There is an encouragement here in these three cards combined that speaks of a need to examine my motivations behind retreat and isolation, and make sure that they are healthy and not driven by avoidance.

DECK USED:  INTO THE LONELY WOODS ORACLE AND THE GOOD TAROT

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Question for May 6th: What does good communication look like to me?

The Good TarotReading Summary: The sharing of one’s passion and experience (King of Fire/Wands), and that even when there is conflict and difference of opinion (Five of Fire/Wands) there is also compassion and an effort to be kind and supportive, instead of abusive to the other person (Queen of Water/Cups).

Take Away: Too often when people discuss things that they are passionate about and don’t agree on, the discussion falls into argument and becomes not just heated but abusive. By instilling compassion and support into a conversation, especially a heated one, the conversation can continue to be productive instead of turning into something ugly.

While growing up I witnessed this a lot in the arguments between Z and T. They often (what I would term as) went “into battle” with each other.  And, when they fought, the two of them were often extremely passionate and heated (shouting, talking with their hands, getting in each other’s faces, etc), and yet they always stayed on topic. There were no insults, no name-calling, no harmful language. They could debate for hours without falling into the traps of an unhealthy and abusive argument. I wish this type of disagreement was taught to children in school.

DECK USED: THE GOOD TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had Lins give me a pain pill earlier. I slept like crap last night due to pain issues.  Usually I can sleep to escape the pain, but it was just past that level where any decent sleep was possible.  This meant that not only did the pain pill demand a nap today, but it was a long nap. I also took the card of the day’s advice and made healthy vegetable and chicken stir-fry for supper instead of just eating junk.

Success Thru Harmonious Teamwork

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

BlueDogRose Tarot - Seven of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Seven of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of slow growth, sustainability, domestic harmony, hard work, and practicing patience while the fruits of your labors develop and take form.

I see teamwork in the imagery the Seven of Pentacles in this deck.  Hard work doesn’t have to be carried alone, and others can help it go by more quickly and easily.

The imagery here is about teamwork… and the harmony that can be accomplished when we work together toward a mutual goal.  It’s about more than collaboration, but finding a true rhythm and the acceptance that the work could take a good deal of time… but the reward will be worth it in the end.

DECK USED:  BLUEDOGROSE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for May 5th thru 7th

Animal Totem Tarot and The Heartwood OracleWhat secret are you holding onto that needs to be shared?

Eight of Creatures atop Ace of Groves, Death – The secret that I hold close and hide from others is my fear of change, and the worry that new opportunity and rebirth will not sprout from the ashes of the bridges burned in the process of that change. That instead of opportunity, there will only be a life laid to waste, barren, broken, and empty.

What are the pros of sharing your secret?

Seven of Trees, Knight of Swords atop Ace of Wands – These cards indicate that by having this secret out in the open (as it now is, because I chose to expose it), I have a better chance of cutting my fear off at the knees and defeating it instead of allowing it to rule my life or defeat me in turn. Only when one confronts their fears are they able to then overcome them, and exposing these fears to the light of day is a step towards confronting them and overcoming them.

What are the cons of sharing your secret?

Four of Groves and Page of Swords – The cons of sharing this secret, as with so many secrets we hide away from the world, is that someone may find a way to use this information to run away with my joy and stunt my growth. People can often become obstructionists in other’s lives for many reasons, and when one’s vulnerabilities are exposed there is always the risk someone will use that information to hurt, hinder, or otherwise harm you in some way.

DECK USED: THE HEARTWOOD ORACLE AND ANIMAL TOTEM TAROT

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Question for May 5th: What am I holding onto from the past?

BlueDogRose TarotReading Summary: New inspiration (Ace of Wands) takes skill, control (King of Pentacles), stability, and single minded focus (Four of Pentacles) to bring forth into reality (the pattern of manifestation shown in the flow of the cards from left to right).

Take Away: This is a positive lesson that I’ve learned in my past, and I carry this knowledge forward with me on my path forward.  I know what it takes to manifest ideas and inspiration into reality.  I have done it again and again throughout my life.

Right now is a good time for this question… and the card’s answers. As when I struggle with motivation, this is often a lesson that I need to return to in order to pick myself up and keep moving on my goals and desires.

DECK USED: BLUEDOGROSE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made L help me with packaging orders tonight so that I could cut the packaging time in half.  She was sleeping but I pestered her to get up and help me anyway.

Distraction Techniques

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Today’s meditation was skipped (again).

Gipsy Tarot Tsigane Zigeuner Tarot - Nine of SwordsToday’s draw is the Nine of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of themes surrounding worry, anxiety, nightmares, and insomnia.

Don’t let your worries get the best of you, or distract you from the real threat.  Look at all the little swords, and then see the one in the center that’s long and far larger.  The smaller swords conceal it, making its size and danger less noticeable, just how small worries can actually sometimes conceal larger problems.

Today’s message is a reminder not to let the little worries blind you to the bigger problems at hand.

DECK USED:  ZIGEUNER TAROT (1990 REPRINT)

The #MysticStarChallenge for May Prompt
Questions for May 3rd thru 8th

Tarot of the Secret Forest (trimmed naked)What challenges should I be aware of for the month of May?

Calla Lily, Lily Magnolia, Faery Dance – Make sure that you are standing back and listening closely to get the full picture before jumping into the fray, and it will help in making interactions with others smoother, easier, and far more enjoyable.

What aspects are going to start to emerge for me this month?

Thorny Bramble and Porcupine’s Treasure – Protecting the things and people that are important to you and that you value can be very prickly business. Make sure your thorns are not so sharpened that you draw blood too soon.

How will these emerging aspects bring forward for me?

Surprise Visitor and Prideful Prince – Abruptly and abrasively. This is why you need to hold back and take time to get the full picture. Don’t forget that first impressions are not always all there is to see, and that you need to dig beneath the surface.

What should I release to support my emerging aspects to come forth more fully?

The Worm Between Us and Centipede’s Prize – Pride. Pride and hubris make communication more difficult. In order for better aspects of yourself to come forward and shine, pride and hubris must be set aside.

How can I nurture these aspects so that I can gain the most from them?

Scorpio’s Stinger and Bee Battles – Pay attention and be aware. Don’t get so wrapped up in the emotions and the hubris of the moment (yours and others) that you aren’t speaking from a place of calm and looking for the entire picture (including what’s being intentionally hidden).

How can I cultivate more emerging aspects to support my journey throughout the upcoming year?

Quiet Queen – As mentioned previously, make sure that you’re standing back and listening. Paying attention, and being supportive once you have the full picture instead of going on the attack.

Personal Garden – Remember that your own personal responsibilities are more important than anything going on outside of those responsibilities, and that each responsibility has to be prioritized from most to least important.

Meditative Solitude – Make sure that you are taking time for yourself and doing your meditation practice regularly. Get out in nature and connect there with the energies of the earth and trees. Doing these things makes you more grounded, and that allows you to see and deal with things more clearly from a more stable foundation.

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE SECRET FOREST (TRIMMED NAKED)

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for May 4th: Is mankind going in the right or wrong direction?

Gipsy Tarot Tsigane Zigeuner TarotReading Summary: When we charge ahead without restraint or forethought (Knight of Wands) we do not learn from the lessons of the past (The Hierophant Rx), and we must then pay the price in the end (Judgement).

Take Away: These cards indicate that humanity is on the wrong path. These cards are a warning about enthusiasm and ambition overtaking those things that truly matter, and sacrificing them on the altar of progress.

This is a theme that we see again and again these days in nearly every aspect of life from the environment to the economy and everything in between.

DECK USED: ZIGEUNER TAROT (1990 REPRINT)

Daily Self Kindness

After the talk on the server earlier, instead of jumping immediately into play, I took a little extra time with Gid outside of play to talk things out and sort out my thoughts, feelings, and observations.