tarot for self care

A Reflective Pause

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IMG_E9467Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was another of the #dailycalm sessions from the Calm app.

The topic of today’s meditation was about how we treat those closest to us, and how it’s natural for them to see out worst, but that through gratitude and appreciation we can help mediate showing our worst to them too often.

Bad A** Unicorns Tarot - The Hanged ManToday’s draw is the Hanged Man, which is traditionally a representation of taking a pause, considering alternate perspectives, relaxing into difficult situations, surrender or letting go.

I find that, with this particular deck, the little commentary on each card actually shifts the perspective of the card’s meaning a bit.  With this one, what I see is a bit of peace… but only after a frustrated moment of stagnancy.

A forced pause instead of one that is chosen. Yes, the peace still comes, as it’s there in the hint of a mandala in the background of the imagery… but you have to get out that little curse of frustration first in order to find it.

Today’s card is an encouragement to look beyond your initial reaction to what feels like an untenable situation, and see the boon. Find the peaceful moment in what could be a moment of frustration and chaos.

DECK USED:  BAD A** BABY UNICORNS TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Questions for The Magician – Day 4

Bad A** Unicorns Tarot and Gentle Wisdom from the Fairie Realms OracleWhat am I invited to create for myself right now?

Kindness and Reward – You know that old adage that says certain behaviors are their own reward? That’s what we see here. “Kindness is its own reward.”

Being kind to others is easy for you, but in these cards you are invited (and encouraged) to turn that kindness inward and be kinder to yourself.

The Magician is a reminder that you have all the tools, abilities, and skills needed to make this happen, you’ve only need to be open to actually moving in that direction.

What can help me grow within this creative endeavor?

Self Esteem and Future – Stay in touch with who you are and who you want to become as you move forward. As cruel as you sometimes are to yourself, on the whole you like who you are. This surety of self allows you to move forward with confidence.

DECK USED: GENTLE WISDOM OF THE FAIRIE REALMS ORACLE AND BAD A** BABY UNICORNS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for April 3rd: Do Spread #1
Focus on a relationship that’s important to you, whether that relationship be a friendship, a family member, or a loved one.

Bad A** Unicorns TarotWhat does this loved one need less of from you?

King of Wands – Bluster and bravado. Pride. Plowing forward toward one’s goals while ignoring issues and problems that need your attention. You do a lot of that disassociation with issues along the way when you’re in depression, but in this case you might have just trampled on J’s toes in the process.

What does this loved one need more of from you?

Ace of Cups – An open and honest expression of feelings, both good and bad. It’s important to make sure he knows how you feel, and that you’re willing to let him get out his own feelings as well with a sense of safety in doing so.  Help him feel comfortable expressing what’s going on so that you both are on the same page.

What in this relationship is being entirely neglected?

Judgement atop Five of Wands – There was a conflict in principles that needs to be addressed and dealt with. Friends don’t always agree on everything, and butt heads occasionally regardless of how well they might agree usually.  In this case, both are making judgements and assumptions instead of opening up and sorting out the issue.

Take Away: It looks like J and I need to sit down and hash out some differences in an honest and heartfelt discussion.

DECK USED: BAD A** BABY UNICORNS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Gideon time.  God yeah… ’nuff said.

❤️ 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?

The Houseplant Tarot, Energy Archaeology Oracle, Cat Lenormand

Earth – Four of Pentacles and Inspiration – Seek inspiration from what you already have instead of from outside influences. It doesn’t always have to be about more, ever more.  Sometimes it’s about what we already have and what those things mean to us.  Sometimes, exploring your gratitude can provide just as much inspiration (or even more) than what you don’t.

Air – The Magician and Attachment – You have everything you need to defeat your inner demons, but you need to be willing to let go of them in order to defeat them. Stop clinging to what is holding you back. Whether that’s lingering in the comfortable embrace of stagnancy, or being permissive with yourself about thoughts and ideals that aren’t serving your purpose and the trajectory you want to move in.

Water – Queen of Cups and Protection – Nurture and protect your emotions right now. They are tender like the smallest of spring shoots, and they need some TLC this week as they begin to emerge from hiding.

Fire – The Hierophant and Transform – As you emerge from depression’s pit, make sure you are moving back into your true self and not in some new and different direction. This time of transition is one of those times when massive shifts in trajectory can happen if there isn’t enough support for the growth you want to take place.

Waning – Scythe and Snake – As mentioned in the Air position in this reading, it’s time to let go of those bad habits and decisions you’ve been making that are holding you back and harming your progress as you climb out of the pit.  Don’t allow self-sabotage to take hold and make a mess out of things.

Waxing – Heart and Fox – Strategize your way forward.  Your emotions are tender and raw, and you need to make sure as you move forward into this week that you are protecting them while also giving yourself the momentum you need to keep climbing and keep moving.

Take Away – More guidance on the climb and again, I am being called out on the things I’m doing that are holding me back from making the amount of progress I could be making if I weren’t doing these things.  There’s an encouragement here to slow down on spending and hold back on purchases this week, as well as to train my attention on what I can do and enjoy that is already a part of my life.

DECKS USED: THE HOUSEPLANT TAROT, THE ENERGY ARCHAEOLOGY ORACLE, CATS LENORMAND

Instilling Fun

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#dailycalm on the Calm appToday’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was another of the guided #dailycalm meditations from the Calm app. The topic of today’s meditation was patience. Specifically, patience with oneself when meditating.

It can be hard to stay focused during meditation. The brain likes to wander. In today’s meditation, we are encouraged to understand that meditation is a practice… as in you are practicing. As in “practice makes perfect”, which means perfect isn’t in the now but something we reach for. In meditation, perfection is not expected or required.

The Little Buddha Tarot - The SunToday’s draw is the Sun card, which is traditionally a representation of success, optimism, positivity, fun and frivolity. In my path, the Sun is also a symbol of male vitality, virility, and warmth.

This card’s imagery is all about fun, and the message today is a simple one. Have fun. It’s your day off.

I’m planning on doing just that. In fact, I have plans to go flower and herb shopping later today to pick up the first round of annuals to add to my balcony garden.

I used to grow my annuals and herbs from seed, but now that I’m running the home business and there’s so much to do, it’s just easier to go to the nursery and pick up what I want.  I’m suspecting I should be able to pick up a good bit of what I need this round, and then the rest of it perhaps by the end of the month depending on the weather.

DECK USED:  THE LITTLE BUDDHA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for April 1st and 2nd

Winged Spirit Tarot, Oracle of the Hidden World, Conscious Spirit OracleWhat is the most valuable thing you can do for yourself this month?

The Emperor and Earth Elemental – Use grounding and gratitude to help you take back control of your life. The depression has held you in its grip long enough. Seize upon the opportunity to use your connection with the earth and nature to help pull you back out and onto solid footing.

What is the most valuable thing you can do for others this month?

Hierophant and Insight – Lend your knowledge, experience, and expertise to their goals and endeavors. You have a lot to offer and people appreciate and enjoy when you share far more than you realize.

What is the most valuable thing you can be open to others doing for you this month?

Eight of Wands and The Gift – Motivation. Others have the ability to draw you in and lift you up. It might niggle at you independent streak to let them do so, but it is a valuable gift you shouldn’t take for granted.

DECK USED: WINGED SPIRIT TAROT, ORACLE OF THE HIDDEN WORLD, CONSCIOUS SPIRIT ORACLE

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for April 1st and 2nd

The Little Buddha TarotWhen feeling foolish, how can I find my confidence?

Ten of Pentacles and King of Swords – Foolishness is the first step to accomplishment. Look at all you have accomplished with a cool and logical mind, and take time to appreciate all that you have already done as well as how you got there. The strategy of success (especially in areas of innovation) requires that if you want to succeed, you must first look foolish.

What do I know about myself for sure?

Nine of Wands and Ace of Pentacles – You like to keep new ideas close to the vest until you’ve had time to implement them. Too many times you’ve been screwed over by people stealing your ideas. It comes off as secretive to some, but in truth you are just protecting what is has the potential to be important to you.

DECK USED: THE LITTLE BUDDHA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I expressed what I need to Gideon.  That’s often not the easiest thing for me when we’re in the middle of intimacy and I’m feeling small.

Cooperation and Kissing Ass

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Joyseeker Tarot - Six of WandsToday’s draw is the Six of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of public accolades, publicly admired successes and achievements, and in some cases, the urge to people-please.

Today is a “long ass drive” day filled with hours and hours behind the wheel, two visits into a customs office, and just all around a very long day.

There are sure to be hurdles and obstructionists in my way today, and today’s card is a reminder that you attract more bees with honey than with vinegar. Be cooperative. Be helpful. Be pleasant… even when they aren’t.

In doing so, you can turn an unpleasant situation around into a pleasant one, just by catering to the needs of those that require your cooperation.

DECK USED:  THE JOYSEEKER TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Questions for My Fool’s Journey – Day 1 to 3

Crystal Visions Tarot, Primrose and Prose OracleWhat Journey am I asked to undertake this month?

Queen of Swords and Pisces – Work on finding balance between your practical self and your emotions. Don’t allow logic and your harsher inner narratives to dominate the conversation.

Where do I find myself at the beginning of this Journey?

The Fool and Taurus – At the beginning of this Journey, you are in need of a more lighthearted view while working to shore up your foundation. Grounding is important right now, but so is taking the time to enjoy life and worry less. Again, we see a need for balance. Bring greater awareness to your sense of gratitude for all that you have, and foster its presence in your life and thoughts.

What transformation can I undergo by embarking on this Journey?

King of Cups and Libra – Finding a routine that works for you can help you to restore equilibrium, and will provide you with less upheaval and more balance in your emotions, as well as in your relationship with Gideon.

Take Away – There is a prevailing theme of balance in these cards that speaks of this month’s Journey being about finding balance and equilibrium on a variety of different levels, but especially between your emotions and the more practical side of life.

DECK USED: THE PRIMROSE AND PROSE ORACLE

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Question for April 1st

Joyseeker TarotThis Month you will find magic in…

…finding your stride. The darkness is lifting, and this month will give you the ambition (King of Swords) and direction (Three of Wands) you need to climb free and keep moving.

Because…

…the time has come time to get organized and make choices (Seven of Cups) that will move you away from (Death) hibernation and stagnancy (Four of Wands Rx).

Take Away – The depression is lifting and this month is all about setting your feet back on the path you want to tread as you move forward, and setting your trajectory in the direction you want to go in. If you aren’t willing to climb out of the pit and put in the energy and effort  to get the ball rolling, you won’t move.  The magic of this month is in that energy and movement.

DECK USED: THE JOYSEEKER TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made sure to stop and take a break when I needed today, even though there was a lot to do and a great deal of distance to cover.

New Perspectives In Self Kindness

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Animism Tarot - The Hanged ManToday’s draw is the Hanged Man, which is traditionally a representation of taking a pause, considering alternate perspectives, relaxing into difficult situations, surrender or letting go.

The Hanged Man is one of my favorite cards in the tarot… perhaps my absolute favorite card in the tarot.  And honestly?  This is probably the cutest of all Hanged Man cards I’ve seen.

As with so many Hanged Man cards, what I see here is a question.  What do you see?  What if the world was inverted… what if -you- were inverted?  How would the world look differently?  If you paused and looked at the world with this new perspective, how would your own perspective on the world change?

The card showing up today is a reminder that I need to take breaks while I work.  By taking these breaks, life is brighter, my tasks are less difficult, and my obligations lighter.

DECK USED:  ANIMISM TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for March 31st: Grab a spread of your choice that you’ve been curious about… and give it a go!

Animism Tarot - What's Holding My Booty Back? Tarot Spread

What do I most need to release that’s holding me back?

The Devil Rx – It’s time to ease up on the addictions that are starting to get out of hand again. Things like brand-name foods, deck purchases, games on your phone, and dawdling instead of getting things done are all things that are getting just a bit out of hand at the moment. Moderation is not particularly easy for you, but in these areas it’s time to start applying more moderation than you are currently.

Why did this issue develop in the first place?

Two of Swords – When the darkness crept in (aka your depression), you shirked away from it and made the choice to reach for comfort. Those things you refer to as your “addictions” create within you a sense of safety, security, and comfort. You chose to reach for them, and that’s understandable under the circumstances.

How can I best honor it’s memory/grieve it’s loss?

Ten of Cups – Get in touch with your gratitude for the things you already have, and all that you have that makes you happy, instead of focusing on what you don’t have and wallowing in short-lived comforts.

Where should I direct energy that will serve my needs better?

The Emperor – Redirect this energy into reestablishing control over yourself and your life, and ensuring your obligations and responsibilities are being tended to.

DECK USED: ANIMISM TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a number of mini-breaks today to help me to not feel weighed down or resentful of the work that I needed to get done.

📆 Transitioning from March to April

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Greater Secrets Tarot and Visions From the Liminal Oracle

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

Ten of Pentacles atop Queen of Swords, Strangely Perfect Timing – As your negative inner narrative begins to let up, you are beginning to see that you are far better off than you thought you were previously. The light of spring is helping you find your way out of the darkness even though your depression is not of the seasonal variety. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

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

Temperance and Quiet Desperation – Let go of stagnancy and holding yourself back. Get moving! Be proactive. When you hold yourself back and allow stagnancy to creep in, the discomfort of it all drags you down. Better to keep moving.

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

Seven of Wands and Storm + Fury – You will continue to be unwilling to compromise on your moral compass and principles regardless of the forces against you. You are strong, brave, and fighting the good fight.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

The Hermit Rx, An Answer But Not The Solution, Believe Nothing That You Hear And Only Half Of What You See – Stop lingering after yoga and/or meditation time. This unhealthy alone time feels nice at the time in the moment, but it’s not healthy and is holding you back.  It’s time being wasted instead of used productively to further your self care or well-being in any way.

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

King of Wands and Hell Train – Get in touch with the enthusiastic tyrant that is your creative spark, and let the motivation flow from this place within you.  When you get things done, it feels good and you like that sensation of accomplishment you earn from it.  Seek out that positive sensation and let it help motivate you.

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

The Star Rx and Parasitism – Your depression eats away at your hope and spiritual connection to the world around you as well as your connection to what lies unseen beyond the physical world. It’s time to work at climbing free of that pervasive darkness.

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

The Magician and Until The Day Breaks And The Shadows Flee Away – You have defeated the depression again and again, you have everything you need to do it this time as well. Do not doubt your ability to weather the darkness when you know that the light is so near.

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

Seven of Cups and The Passing Of Time – Stop dithering while time passes you by. Make lists, do small tasks. Just sitting there spinning your wheels resolves nothing and makes you feel like shit.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

The Devil and Season Of The Witch – This spring and summer will allow you the time to get your decks in order, and to create better energy flow within your space as a result. Don’t waste this time but leap into it.

Message from the Spirit World – Apply your time, passion, and motivation towards getting your decks in order. You will feel better and your home will feel far more energized once this is done.

Message from the Mind’s World – Let go of the need to sink into stillness and use the energies of the spring season to push you forward into energized activity.

Message from the Physical World – The time of sickness and disconnection has come to an end. Don’t ignore your body, but instead focus on helping it to thrive once more.

Take Away – The majority of this reading is focused on my recent MDE and climbing out of depressions pit. It speaks about motivation and how to stir up the energy you need to keep fighting and keep climbing. It also is calling you out on these activities you do that are not helping.

DECKS USED: THE GREATER SECRETS TAROT AND VISIONS IN THE LIMINAL SPACE ORACLE