tarot for self care

🌕 Full Moon in Libra – April 2022

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Today is the full moon, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us. Today’s spread is about the medicine within, and brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot by the Moon series.

Full Moon in Libra Tarot Reading with the Tranquil Tarot

What does my mind need for healing and balance?

King of Pentacles – Stability and security, facilitated by trusted advisors that help you in making sure you foster this in your life both through your physical health as well as through your finances. This provides you with peace of mind and, therefore, then fosters a sense of mental well-being and balance.

What does my body need for healing and balance?

The Devil – Awareness. It is through knowing where one’s weaknesses and temptations lie that could become unhealthy that you are able to keep these unhealthy and self-destructive tendencies in check.

What does my soul need for healing and balance?

Six of Cups – Nostalgia. Remember that there is plenty good in your past to celebrate. The bad stuff may be easier to remember, but it’s important to work at remembering the good stuff as well.

What self-care act am I being called to take?

Ace of Wands – Seek out the inner spark of enthusiasm that the depression has caused to dwindle, and as you climb for the lip of the pit, foster that spark of flame so that it will grow. Be gentle with yourself, for that spark is currently tender and delicate.

What is my major lesson right now?

Three of Pentacles – You are not alone. There are many in your life willing and eager to lend a hand and join forces with you in both your person and professional endeavors. You have only need to be open to them.

Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Temperance – Just because you have a lot to do doesn’t mean that you have to dive in head first and lose your balance in the push to do more. Take a breath. Take your time. Focus on grace over speed.

DECK USED: THE TRANQUIL TAROT

Variety Is the Spice of Life

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Elemental North Tarot - Three of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Three of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of teamwork, collaboration, working together, and themes to do with bringing in help and/or outside expertise in order to get something done.

Although the focus in this card is intended to be on the three bees, today I am drawn to the three different flowers represented here in the imagery. These flowers speak to me of spring, and how much more beautiful spring is when there is a variety of flowers in bloom instead of just one.

The message in today’s card is that you don’t plant a garden with just one flower and expect it to be beautiful, nor should you plant your life with just yourself within it and expect it to be beautiful. Welcome in others, and let them allow you to flourish, grow, and in turn allow your life shine more vibrantly as a result.

DECK USED:  ELEMENTAL NORTH TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Question for Death – Day 15

Spirit of the Animals Oracle and Elemental North TarotWhat missed chance has opened up my Journey for better things to come?

Elk – Once upon a time, I wanted to be a forest ranger. In fact, there was a time in my life before I lost my voice when I did guided hiking tours and plant identification/foraging tours in the rainforests here in the area.

Bee atop Squirrel – Necessity comes before desire, though. What I ended up doing instead was dropping out of uni due to trauma inducing extenuating circumstances, holding down multiple part time jobs at one time, and starting my own business designing and selling jewelry on the side. The side business then, over time, became my main source of income, and I’ve kept up with a couple of the part time jobs that allow me to continue making use of my education.

What am I guided to accept so I can move on?

Black Bear – “You are not alone.” I have been getting this message a lot lately, and acknowledge that I need to hear it and be reminded that there are others that want to help and support me, both in the people in my life as well as in the unseen spirit guides working behind the scenes. It’s very easy for me to forget that I’m not alone and left to do everything on my own.

DECK USED: SPIRIT OF THE ANIMALS ORACLE AND ELEMENTAL NORTH TAROT

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 15th and 16th

Elemental North TarotI will begin to…

Temperance – Pay more attention to where excess has snuck up into your life while you were distracted with the depression, and work at applying more moderation in those areas.

So I can?

Three of Swords – Avoid the negative effects those points of excess can create in your life, including a festering disappointment in yourself for allowing excess to sneak up on you in the first place.

This year, I will face my fear of…

Chariot – … lack of control over my life and direction. I struggle with taking things slow.  I struggle with not having the same amount of energy, motivation, and drive as I had ten years ago, as well as the inability to use these things in the say way I did at that time in my life. Add into this a decreased amount of physical mobility and flexibility, and it all makes me feel like I am losing control over my life and my direction, and that in doing so I am also losing a piece of my independence.

By?

Judgement – Being more accepting of my flaws and allowing some leeway in my self-judgements. It’s important to give myself a little slack and be more understanding of my limitations, both physically and otherwise.  Acceptance is better than degradation.

DECK USED: ELEMENTAL NORTH TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Alone time with Gideon has helped a lot today with me feeling a bit tender and out of sorts.  Not just time spent together in play, but just that we got to spend some time together at all.

The Haves, and The Have Nots

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#DailyCalm with the Calm appToday’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was another of the #DailyCalm sessions from the Calm app.

This particular session was based on a breathing exercise where it is observed what a bit of deep breathing can do for our nervous system and our body as a whole.  It involved breathing naturally for one minute, while counting one’s breaths (ten for me), and then spending a minute doing slow deep breathing, allowing the lungs to fill fully, then exhale slowly (four breaths in a minute for me).  Then, you repeat the first minute again, counting one’s natural breaths (this time I counted eight breaths instead of ten).

The activity demonstrates that by having done deep breathing, the body further relaxes and thus we breathe more easily when doing the natural breaths the second time.

The Forest Enby Tarot - Six of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Six of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of charity, generosity, sharing the wealth, and balancing the scales between the “haves” and the “have nots” in life.

Here in the imagery of this card, note that the receiving bowl is upright and open, seeking to be filled, while on the other end of the card coins encircle the purse filled to the brim with wealth.  This imagery depicts the “haves” and the “have nots” mentioned above, and speaks of the potential of generosity, if not the outright act.

Today’s card is a reminder to be open to generosity, and open to opportunities to be generous.  Know your limits, of course, and respect your own boundaries as long as those boundaries are healthy, but don’t close yourself off out of pride, pettiness, or excessive selfishness when there is so much good out there to give (and receive) in life if you’re open to it.

DECK USED:  THE FOREST ENBY TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Question for The Hanged Man- Day 14

Formosa Tea Oracle and The Forest Enby TarotWhat can use a little break or some time to rethink before I move on?

At Present (Orchid Pouchog Oolong) atop Unique (Mint Ruby Black Tea) – More time spent in the moment is necessary. You have a unique ability to see those things others pass by and ignore, which is shown in your photography and in how you perceive the world. Take some time to sink into these minute details for a bit. The world will wait while you allow yourself this time.

Something I should be aware of or consider while I take my break?

Humor (Oolong Black Tea), Gentle (Milky Oolong Black Tea) atop Persistence (Iron Goddess Roasted Oolong) – Seek out the lightness in the world and within yourself. You are still climbing out of the pit and need to make a conscious effort to steer yourself toward the light and the positive. Seek out those things that make you smile, even (or rather, especially) when you’re not feeling in the mood for it.

DECK USED: FORMOSA TEA ORACLES AND THE FOREST ENBY TAROT

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 13th and 14th

The Forest Enby TarotThis month I will commit to…

The World – …getting back on track with my path and my future growth and goals, while opening myself up to the world around me.

Much of my time in the depression involved closing ranks and withdrawing from the world. It’s time to unfurl and let the fresh air and joy back in.

Because?

Four of Pentacles – I need to reestablish a stable footing. During the depression when closed off from the world and all the joy the world has to offer, foundations start to wear and crumble, creating increased instability that can only be resolved by opening back up to let the good in.

I will work at no longer give my energy to…

Six of Pentacles Rx – …pouring my energy, time, and expense into things that provide no reward. During the depression there are habits that I have fallen into (like dawdling after stretching and yoga, spending too much time playing games on my phone, etc) that are not productive or particularly healthy in excess. Pouring my energy and time into these things takes away from places where I could better afford to direct my time and attention.

By?

Two of Pentacles – Focusing on balancing my time and energy better. There’s only so much time in a day, so when I while away some of it doing things that don’t benefit me in any way, that is time lost that cannot be put toward better pursuits.

DECK USED: THE FOREST ENBY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I napped.  I really didn’t want to because Gid needed me to be here with him, but I was slow blinking and head bobbing and had to.  I feel better, but I also feel bad that I wasn’t there when Bandit passed.

Moving Forward Tarot Reading

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Tarot Arte de Luna Rivas

Card to represent current state.

Ocho de Bastos – You are feeling like your momentum has been disrupted and that you have dropped the ball on things you wanted to get done. You worry about “falling behind” because of this, which you perceive as being even worse than stalling out for a time.

What I am moving towards.

Siete de Oros – Slow progress is coming. The realization that you have gotten more done than you realized will be upon you if you are open to seeing it. You aren’t stalling out or backsliding and losing ground… you’re just moving forward more slowly than you realize or are used to.

Lesson to be learned.

Cuatro de Copas – Pick and choose your battles. It’s okay for certain projects and things that need done to get set on the back burner so that you can train your attention on what is right before you. That doesn’t mean you’re abandoning those other projects, only that other concerns and priorities need to come first.

How the lesson will help me grow.

La Muerte – Slowly, as seen in the Siete de Oros above. This lesson is a study in slow and gradual change, and how it is okay to take things slow instead of rushing in and pushing yourself too hard.

How the lesson could hinder me.

As de Bastos – It will force you to “slow your roll” on new projects and inspirations. There’s only so much time in a day, only so many things you can take on at a time. Sometimes you have to accept that you just can’t do all the stuff you want to right away… or, in some cases, at all.

Final outcome.

El Carro – Determination will carry you through, no matter the speed you are moving at. Just keep moving.

DECK USED: TAROT ARTE DE LUNA RIVAS

Let Yourself Feel the Feels

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Chubby Bun Tarot - Page of CupsToday’s draw is the Page of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.

Connecting to your emotions isn’t always easy.  Sometimes, it’s far easier to shut them away and not deal with them, especially the negative ones.

The thing is?  When you do this, you close yourself off to connecting with others.  Sometimes it’s better to acknowledge what’s in the cup and get it out there.

Let others see what you’re feeling, and then sort out the chips as they fall.  This is today’s lesson in learning about my emotions and feelings… and it aligns with the card pulled today, for this card is all about that journey of learning about one’s emotions… and about how other’s emotions work as well.

DECK USED:  CHUBBY BUN TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Question for Justice – Day 13

Bix TarotIf my karma would be a card, what would be my karma card right now?

King of Wands – You are owning your journey, owning your path, and owning all that motivates and inspires you.  There is no shirking away from these things. You’re willing to own them, and let others see that you’re doing so.

How can I positively work with my current karma?

Use it as a motivation to move past (Knight of Swords) the painful shit that’s happened (Ten of Swords) instead of lingering to wallow in it (Four of Swords Rx). The King of Wands is about passion and progress.  There is no room for past regrets.  Accept them and own your mistakes, then continue moving forward.

DECK USED: BIX TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for April 13th: Is personal growth required to live a good life?

Carrot Cards and Chubby Bun TarotReading Summary: The path of one’s life (The Path) will take you through many conflicts of principles and values (Five of Wands). It’s what you do with these conflicts that matters, you can use them to draw people together (The Many Rabbits), or split them apart.

Take Away: The answer here is yes. Personal growth is needed to live a good life, although conscious choice towards personal growth may not be, as these cards indicate that it’s more about our connection with others than about our inner selves and mindful movement towards being better people.

Question for April 14th: What kind of person do you truly want to become?

Reading Summary: You want to become the kind of person that helps guide others (The Hierophant) to a sense of safety and security (The Safe Burrow) by pulling the wool from their eyes and help them see the truth of their difficult situations as well as the path forward from it (Eight of Swords).

Take Away: These cards speak of those moments in my life where I seem to say something that unintentionally resonates with others, opening their eyes and allowing them to see themselves and their situation with new clarity.  I like when this happens and I’m able to help people in this way.  It feels good to know that I’m able to do this for people, even when it’s unintentional or at times when I don’t even realize it.  I want to continue to be the kind of person that can do this for others.

DECK USED: CHUBBY BUN TAROT AND CARROT CARDS

Daily Self Kindness

I did a lot of purging of my own feelings, and then helping talk others down from theirs today.  In both cases, I feel that it was good for me, even if it cut into time that Gid and I would normally do other things.

Taming the Beast

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Sakura Spring Tarot - StrengthToday’s draw is the Strength card, which is traditionally a representation of one’s inner strength, skills at persuasion, and using compassion to help influence others.

In the maiden and the tiger that are depicted in today’s card, we see this inner strength and persuasion in the happiness the tiger shows as it is petted by the woman. There is no tension, as she has tamed the beast and soothed its soul.

Sometimes, we all need help in finding that soothing.  When we have someone in our lives that can provide us with that, it can help us through troubled times and gives a nurturing comfort element to what can be struggling and chaotic times.

Today’s card is an encouragement to recognize those that help ground you and give you that sense of peace, taming the inner storm and helping calm to replace it.

DECK USED:  SAKURA SPRING TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Question for The Hermit- Day 12

The Phantom Fauna Oracle and Sakura Spring TarotWhat can help me {better} understand what I’m currently dealing with?

The Mouse/Anthurium and The Puffin/Tulip – Gideon.

The symbolism in the animals (mouse and puffin) and plants (anthurium and tulip) speak of a combination of innocence, adaptability, long term relationships, and deep love.

When I am in subdrop (as I am now), I feel very small and vulnerable, and it is through my relationship with Gideon that I find shelter and strength during these moments. The mouse card is a representation of that subdrop and my feelings during, while the puffin is a representation of our love and relationship.

In what way can {more} time to myself be a good thing?

The Bat/Daffodil and The Duck/Magnolia – It can provide me time to explore new ideas and perspectives with grace and dignity. Essentially giving me time to process things fully, instead of feeling rushed and perhaps missing important details as a consequence.

DECK USED: THE PHANTOM FAUNA ORACLE AND SAKURA SPRING TAROT

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Question for April 12th and 13th

Sakura Spring TarotHow confident am I in making decisions?

Ten of Pentacles and Five of Wands – You are very confident in making decisions, but you are willing to take time and listen to everyone’s input before making up your own mind in what’s best.

Am I confident in naming my boundaries?

Seven of Wands and Two of Wands – Yes, you have no problem making it clear where you draw the line and standing strong in your boundaries. Your “sense of direction” upon your path is unerring because of this. You know where you want to go and your boundaries are in place to help you plot the course and stick to it.

DECK USED: SAKURA SPRING TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I spent time with Gideon today, even if that time was interrupted by tummy troubles.  It helped my day feel more cohesive and settled by having spent that time with him.