tarot for self care

📆 Transitioning from February to March

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Shades of Magick Tarot and The Personal Space Oracle 2nd Edition

Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety.

Six of Wands and The Fossil – You are finding yourself falling into old patterns of approval seeking. This has not worked for you in the past and you need to be aware you are leaning in that direction so that you can course correct your trajectory.

The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward.

Knight of Wands and The Key – Set aside your expectations of what motivation looks like. You can’t unlock what it will truly feel like for you until you stop using other’s definitions and expectations to measure yourself against.

What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.

The Devil, The Boot atop The Pin – You are seeking a better way to keep your addictions in check that doesn’t require only identifying that things have become a problem when you’ve stepped on it (the pin, in this example) and feel the pain.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Eight of Swords and Umbrella – Trying to protect yourself through willful ignorance doesn’t work.  Don’t hide from what is bothering you.  Don’t hide from what you fear. The anxiety of trying to hide from these things builds beneath the surface and you end up not protecting yourself from anything.  Better to deal with things head on.

The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.

The Chariot, The Arrow atop The Antler – Move your ass or lose something essential and intrinsically you. Use it or lose it is the theme here. Look into those skills and abilities you have been neglecting, and seek out ways to reawaken them and explore them more fully.

The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.

The Hermit and The Candle – It’s time to return to using alone time in more healthy ways instead of indulging in alone time that is not serving you well. There is a beacon that lies within optimism and positivity that you have ignored in the past and that can light your way to a safer, better use of your alone time than what you’re doing with it now.

Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.

Three of Swords, The Bloom atop The Anchor – Take time to reflect upon all the times others have helped ground you and lift you up. This isn’t about them, but about that sense of grounded uplifting and how it makes you feel. You can wallow in that feeling from the past by bringing the memory into your present.

A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.

King of Swords and The Finch – Remember that just because someone presents themselves as an authority doesn’t mean that they are dependable or can be trusted.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Seven of Pentacles and The Hand – At this time, the speed of your progress is in your hands. This will not always be the case, so find what works for you now and carry it forward from here.

Message from the Spirit World – Your growth in this area is directly under your control. It’s time to plot a “flight plan” and step on the path, awaken those things neglected that are at risk of falling to the wayside and take control.  It’s in your hands what you decide to do with this, but keep in mind the journey is a long one… not a sprint.

Message from the Mind’s World – You need to battle your demons for you, not for anyone else.  Pick those things you want to deal with and move forward with care. Take your time and don’t get impatient. There is no one else’s expectations to cater to other than your own, and you need to set those to be kinder to yourself so that you won’t rush forward headlong but will take time to truly do things right.

Message from the Physical World – Stop pretending that you’re okay and get your ass out in nature. You need to recharge, ground, and allow the earth to give you the nurturing you need.  It will do your mental health good, and your body too.

DECKS USED: SHADES OF MAGICK TAROT, THE PERSONAL SPACE ORACLE 2ND EDITION

Guileless or Conniving?

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Today’s meditation was skipped (again).

Stray Cat TarotToday’s draw is the Ace of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.

What stands out to me in the imagery for this card is how into the whole thing the cat is when it comes to the bird delivering the host to the waiting cup. It’s a debate whether this is about the act being performed, or about the fact that it’s a bird and cats like birds.

The reminder here is about not allowing myself to become paranoid.  The bird can easily deliver and escape without having to worry about the cat’s motives, so why should the cat’s motives matter?

Often, when paranoia tries to dig its claws in, I become reclusive and it can create a sense of stagnancy and suspicion that drags down my emotions and mood. This is a seed we don’t want to plant, and today’s card is  a reminder that the potential for this issue is present and needs to be dealt with.

DECK USED:  STRAY CAT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #2
Question: How is March gearing up to treat me this year?

Stray Cat TarotReading Summary: Holy shit, that’s a lot of self-care and rest.

The progression of these cards are shown in the flow of color from left to right, as well as the progression of light and brightness from the left card in through the center and fading in the right. The transition of lightness and brightness indicate personal choice, making choices, and the consequences of not doing so, while the color flows from the yellows into the blues is an indication of the direction in which the cards are moving.

Take Away: The cards here are a progression that speaks of either choosing to have a nurturing approach to yourself and getting the rest and meditation that you need… or ending up forced to do so by the end of the month in order to restore and recover.

DECK USED: STRAY CAT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Today was Gideon’s birthday and I spent the day with him and it was wonderful.

❤️ 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?

Vintage Storybook Illustrations Tarot, POESIS Oracle, Storytale Lenormand

Central Theme – Page of Wands – This card is included because it demanded to jump out from the deck twice during the initial shuffling process when I was thinking about self-care for the week ahead, but had yet to begin shuffling for a specific element. It speaks of focusing on the things you want to be passionate about.  Letting your focus move to those things that you want to include in your path, those values that are important to you, and giving them the time and attention needed to help them grow in strength and purpose.

Earth – Three of Pentacles, Boundary atop Humility – Suck it up when it comes to your pride and ask for help. You don’t have to do everything yourself, and in fact, it’s not good for you to try.  Re-align your boundaries to allow yourself to ask for the help you need when you need it… and even sometimes when you don’t think you need it.

Air – The High Priestess and Nurture – Spend some time this week researching the mediumship you are interested in learning to expand your intuition. Feed your mind the information it needs in order to begin connecting the dots and allowing growth in that area to begin.

Water – Justice, Create atop Body – When the body feels good, the mind feels good. Let yourself find the healthy balance you need in your body… go hiking and commune with nature, create a space for the time you need to allow yourself to feel healthy and hale… and as a consequence, your emotions will follow and feel better as well.

Fire – The Empress and Transform – It’s time to look at your business in a healthier light.  Let go of the workaholic mindset that is fostered by the holiday rush.  Let go of the guilt and the unreasonable expectations. Be kind to yourself instead.

Waning – Man and Scythe – Stop being so damned ruthless and demanding with yourself. You’re allowed to be kind to yourself and you need it. That narrative in your head demanding more and more from you, then shaming you when you need to rest or fall short on those demands, isn’t healthy and you need to shut it down.

Waxing – Ship and Child – Work at looking at your journey with a more innocent and youthful gaze.  You’ve lost track of the efforts to take on a more positive and optimistic perspective.  It’s time to return to looking at each day as a new adventure instead of as just another day.

Take Away – The encouragement here is to remember that this week is still a part of my time off.  It’s a reminder to enjoy the week instead of ducking my head and diving into work.  The reading indicates that there’s more than enough time to do both and have a healthy happy week were I also manage to get things done, rather than just focusing on work.

DECKS USED: VINTAGE STORYBOOK ILLUSTRATIONS TAROT, POESIS ORACLE, STORYTALE LENORMAND

Responsibility Day

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Meta-Barons TarotToday’s draw is the Emperor, which is traditionally a representation of father figure type energy, responsibilities, strength, authority, and a “for the greater good” mentality.

For the greater good and “bucking up” to get a few things done is what today’s card is about.  Yesterday I put things off, but today, I need to get a few things done so that tomorrow (which is Gideon’s birthday) can be free to spend time with him.

That means bucking up and doing the stuff that I need to get done like pulling decks for March and starting some of the orders to be shipped out next Friday.

DECK USED:  META-BARONS TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheFebruaryTarot Kindred Spirits Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 25th thru 28th

Meta-Barons TarotIn what way have I grown throughout this February journey?

The Devil – You have advanced and being able to identify when you’re reaching an unhealthy point in your addictions and fascinations, before you actually reach a critical breaking point.

How can I further honor the ancestral divine powers within me?

The Emperor and Knight of Coins – Claim your place within this power and begin taking control for a better future. Just remember to take things slow as you move forward.

What part of me should I leave behind now in support of my power?

Judgement – Don’t be so harsh to judge yourself. Focus more on the now and let your moral compass guide you, instead of casting your gaze forward all the time into the future.

What am I asked to take to heart before giving closure to February?

Eight of Wands and The Tower – Rushing will only rush you headlong into a Tower moment. Don’t push. Take things at your own pace so that you have more time to prepare for those moments instead of having to rush into them headlong.

DECK USED: META-BARONS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Today I pulled (most of) the decks that I will be using for March. There’s a few that I will need to pull another day, but I chose to stop when my back demanded I stop instead of continuing to push on. This means that tomorrow is free for Gideon’s birthday instead of me having to work on this tomorrow. I can pull the rest of them on Monday after I’ve given my back a bit of rest.

Fishing For Nothing

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Maat TarotToday’s draw is the Seven of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of themes having to do with having a plethora of options to choose from, all of opportunity’s doors being open upon one’s path, and at times being overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices available in the moment.

I’m actually doing a lot of twisting in the wind today.  I have a number of things I need to get done and I just don’t feel like doing any of them, much like the figure in this card looks down at all the cups below, but doesn’t actually reach into into the depths to grab any of them.   She just sort of… toys on the surface of the water with one hand, not really taking the effort to reach, right?

The thing is?  Maybe I need this time off more than I realized.  Maybe I shouldn’t feel so guilty about all those things placed on the back burner.  Maybe… it’s okay to just relax for today… and -not- reach for any of those cups.

DECK USED:  MAAT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 24th thru 26th

Maat TarotWho in my life needs extra attention at this time?

Political focused to the point they’ve lost sight (Eight of Swords) of themselves and who they were (Prince of Cups), and have begun moving away from their support system in life (Three of Cups) in their too tight focus on that political side of things.

I know who this is in my life, but I just can’t openly say it. It’s someone I care about deeply who has been pulled into the whole QAnon mentality to the point where they started seeing conspiracy theories everywhere and have been unable to untangle themselves from that mindset ever since.

How can you provide this attention in a way that is still healthy for you?

Remind them of the long history we share (Six of Cups) and support them emotionally (Queen of Cups) without allowing the negativity to break you down (Ten of Swords).

Some of the things they say are very easy to take personally, but keep in mind that it’s not about you, and they are essentially an echo of what they have been listening to. No thought there, just an echo.

Where in your life are healthier boundaries needed?

The Emperor – Don’t allow responsibilities to take over your life.  You’ve done really well at finding a healthier balance.  It’s okay to set down the mantle and do things a bit slower, and a bit less precise.  There’s only so much room on your plate.

How can you begin?

Eight of Coins and King of Swords – Be mindful of what you have built and where your talents lie. Own what you’ve done, own where you have chosen to build your life, and let what isn’t in alignment with these things slough off as immaterial.

DECK USED: MAAT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I decided not to work today. I didn’t pull March’s decks.  I didn’t work on jewelry.  I didn’t work on writing.  I did pretty much not much of anything.

Personal Divination Practices

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Recently, one of the Discord servers that I’m a member of posted this question… “What is divination to you? What does it feel like when you do it?”

Casting Lots Divination

Divination is a great many things to me as it’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As I’ve mentioned before on this blog, my mother started both my twin and myself out with Lenormand cards as bedtime story prompts when we were children. The three of us would take turns pulling a card, and using it to add to the story.

So, for me, divination is bedtime stories with my mother and twin sister when she and I were little.

It’s campfire stories in creaky lawn chairs around a fire with playing cards for prompts.

It’s lazy weekends in the woods communing with the trees, and communication with deity during devotionals and ritual.

It’s seeking answers, reassurances, and sometimes? A little bit of forewarning of what’s to come.

It’s speaking to my subconscious and letting it have a louder voice when it tries to whisper back, connecting to ancestors and guides allowing for easier communication, and a way of coaxing out my wounded inner self to have a heart to heart.

It’s a way for me to help myself, and help others as well.

Sometimes? It’s just something to pass the time or sate my curiosity.

Tarot Decks

All of these feel different on a physical, emotional, intuitive, and psychological level. That is because they are all very different, and yet they are also all the same in some ways. The resounding way in which they all feel the same, though, is in that they all feel… right. A puzzle piece that slips into place and fits just right. That’s how it feels.

I think there are certain types of divination that fit better with different forms of inquiry. And, that not all kinds are suited to all people. I personally haven’t really been able to connect with things like automatic writing, mirror scrying, or flame reading, for example. Whereas cards, and especially cards with rich imagery on them, are very easy for me to use.

Throughout the past 20+ years, I’ve used a variety of different divination techniques from multiple different types of card decks (tarot, lenormand, playing cards, oracles, game cards, etc) to pendulums, casting lots (runes, charms, oghams, dice, etc), coin spinning, stick and stone casting, tasseomancy, reading dust motes, stichomancy, smoke reading, and many more (I like to explore and experiment).

Divination Coins

I’m sure that I’ll be exploring more in the future, as well. Some will come easy and become a part of my practice in some way, while others won’t be suited to me and I’ll pass on them and move on to something else.