tarot for self care

The Unexpected Boon

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Tarot Eros: Garden of Love TarotToday’s draw is the Hanged Man, which is traditionally a representation of taking a pause, considering different viewpoints, the need for a change of perspective, and letting go of control to surrender to the moment.

Now this is a figure that doesn’t appear to mind the position they find them in at all.  The imagery here speaks to me not just of pausing to consider a different perspective, but to truly find the unexpected boon in that other perspective. Really relax into it, let go, and see where it might end up taking you.

DECK USED:  TAROT EROS GARDEN OF LOVE

Mr Lionharts’ #TheFebruaryTarot Kindred Spirits Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 1st thru 3rd

Romantic TarotWhat does my highest, most exalted self look like?

Ace of Cups and Ten of Wands – These cards are a representation of “honeymoon phase” on overdrive. It’s an indication of new emotions and good behavior, and not showing your flaws.

The fact is?  There is no such thing as a “highest, most exalted self.  We’re human.  We’re all human.  We all make mistakes and no one is perfect. Pretending otherwise helps no one.  Believing otherwise holds you back from your true potential.

What advice does this version of myself have for me?

The Magician – Everything you need is already a part of who you are.

Where or in what way would my life change if I became {more} open to stepping into the highest version of myself?

Two of Pentacles – More balance. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about becoming a better person.  Instead of focusing on the goal of becoming perfect, focus on the goal of being a better person, and better balance will come naturally into the equation.

How am I asked to step into this highest version of myself this month?

Eight of Cups and Queen of Cups – Leave behind what isn’t working, and own this better version of yourself… flaws and all.  Be kind to yourself. It takes more strength to be kind than to be cruel.

In what way or in what area am I asked to raise my vibration?

Eight of Wands Rx and The Devil Rx – Slow down and savor instead of indulging in your tendency to always be striving for more. Get to know yourself, learn to be kind to yourself, instead of constantly reaching for the temptation to punish yourself for being… you.

DECK USED: ROMANTIC TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for February 2: What is the difference between living and being alive?

Tarot Eros: Garden of Love TarotReading Summary: In one lives security, comfort, and connection (Two of Cups and Three of Pentacles). In the other lives chasing after fleeting passions with everything you have (Ace of Wands and The Devil).

Take Away: It’s the story of style vs substance.  This reading didn’t ask which is better, it asked what the difference between the two is. Ultimately?  Neither is wrong or right, but there is a distinct difference.  One builds roots, the other is quick and always moving.  One builds connections, the other is constantly changing.

DECK USED: TAROT EROS GARDEN OF LOVE

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap because I was tired and I think it was a good move, even if I kind of feel like I woke up a bit lower emotionally than where I was at when I laid down.

Quality Takes Time

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Today’s meditation was done in the car as a passenger.  I was having a bit of car sickness and used the meditation and breathing exercises to help in keeping everything settled and calm.

Tarot de CarlotydesToday’s draw is the Seven of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of slow moving progress towards one’s goals, sustainability, success through hard work and patience, and reaping the rewards of your labors.

Here in today’s card, the imagery is very much about the reaping of one’s hard eared rewards.  A tree takes a long time to grow and begin to bear fruit.  Here, we see a figure harvesting the fruit of their labors and patience, a basket waiting to be filled. The tree, once fruit bearing, will bear fruit again and again, and with the water near by, has all that it needs to continue to offer bounty far into the future.

Today’s card is a reminder that just because patience is a part of the process doesn’t discount the hard work involved.  Instead, it adds power and energy to the cause, as patience is sometimes a form of labor all in itself. Don’t be  impatient to reap your rewards. Let them flourish into fruition and grow healthy and strong at their own pace and you will find that your patience pays off with a more bountiful reward and sweeter fruit.

DECK USED:  TAROT DE CARLOTYDES

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do the Imbolc Spread

Tarot de CarlotydesWhat seeds need planted in my life right now?

Judgement – You  need to be less hard on yourself and look at things in a more positive light. Don’t allow negative outlooks to drag you down when there is so much to enjoy and celebrate in life.

What preparations do I need to begin making to prepare for their growth?

Three of Wands – Look at where you want to go and what you want to accomplish and remember that the only way to overcome obstacles (the thistle and the dragon) is to instill positivity into the situations that would otherwise drag you down.

What in my life is beginning a phase of reawakening and renewal?

Ten of Wands Rx – Letting go of the need to overburden yourself all of the time in order to feel useful or accomplished. There was an article in Lifehacker this week about Productivity Dysmorphia, and this is something that you struggle a lot with. Your awareness of this is a reawakening and the renewal comes with the awareness and ability to change this behavior for something healthier.

How can I best foster that awakening?

Nine of Swords – Remember that your internal narrative is not reality. Don’t chain yourself to those thoughts and allow them to take over.

DECK USED: TAROT DE CARLOTYDES

Daily Self Kindness

I relaxed in the passenger seat on the drive today.

Imbolc 2022

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This evening through ’til tomorrow evening is Imbolc (also known as Candlemas, Imbolg, and Brigid’s Day), which marks the half way point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, and signifies the transition from winter into the first stirrings of spring. This holiday is about life renewing, but in the hidden darkness of cold months and dark earth.  Deep in the darkness seeds stir and roots begin to feel the warming of the earth as the days grow longer and nights shorter. Life awakens, invisible in its infancy.

imbolc

Like with new moons and full moons, I usually do a spread to check in with myself and give myself some direction for the next couple of months for each solstice, equinox, and other Sabbats. This spread is an adaptation of my Self Care Saturday spread, so there are sure to be  some similarities in how it is read. The focus of this spread, though, is not about Self Care, but rather about progress and my path. The time period is also longer, reaching through the next handful of weeks until the celebration of the upcoming Spring Equinox at the end of March.

Sabbat Themed Art Card, Pagan Underworlds Tarot, Compendium Of Witches Oracle, Healing Herbal Cards Vol 1 & 2

Theme of the Season – Imbolc, New Moon, Echinacea pallida

Imbolc – Beneath ice and snow, the earth stirs. The sun’s rays spend more time kissing her skin, and she warms deep within.  Seeds, once frozen solid and dormant in the cold, begin to awaken within the depths of the soil.  We cannot yet see what grows as seeds and roots begin to awaken from their sleep, but soon these stirrings will break free from the surface to share their renewal with us all.

New Moon – In the ebb and flow of the moon’s cycle, the New Moon is a time of rest. This lowest point in the moon’s energy and influence gives us a moment to pause.  To breathe.  To reflect upon the now, and on what is to come.

Echinacea pallida – In spellwork (at least in my path), Echinacea flowers are most commonly used as both an energy and intention amplifier, as well as sometimes as a blood substitute. It can also be used to bolster stamina, and increase one’s protections and/or prosperty.

When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here is that now is a time to gather strenght.  Instead of expending it at every turn, let it spool in and grow.  Give yourself time to shore up your reserves and build upon your energy base.  Just as the roots begin to feel the warmth of the sun, absorb it in and begin to gather energies needed to burst forth with new life in the spring… so too do you need to do the same.

Earth – Two of Pentacles Rx – You can do better to get a balance in your life in the areas of your self-care and your stability endeavors (finances, responsibilities, etc). The feeling of imbalance in your life right now is about the fact that you are not focusing enough on making sure you’re keeping things distributed in a healthy manner.

Air – Two of Wands Rx – Don’t stall out. There has been a good deal of advice from the cards lately on how to keep from feeling as if you’re falling into a mire of stagnacy.  Make sure you are taking small steps forward instead of induging in inactivity and resistance.

Water – Page of Wands – Stay motivated to explore your emotions, and invested in learning new ways to manage your emotional health and well-being.  You need to stay on top of this and aware of what’s going on with these elementsof your life instead of discounting them and ignoring them.

Fire – Five of Cups – Everything echoes back to your emotional well-being and stability right now. Make sure you are focusing on optimism and not allowing yourself to sink or stall out. Doing so will set you back everywhere.

Waning – Weaver atop Veil Walker – You have spent too much time focusing on the practical and need to turn instead to something more frivolous.  Life doesn’t always need to be about survival and what you need. Lighter times and having a bit of fun are just as important.

Waxing – Comforter atop Distaff – Set down your authority and responsibility long enough to truly enjoy and savor the little things and small comforts.  Sometimes if you spend too much time tending the soil, you end up missing the blooms.

Take Away – This entire reading is a warning on an incoming depression and encouragement on how to mitigate its effects. Although this reading is usually about my spiritual journey, what we see here is that something else (the depression) is going to overtake that journey if I don’t find a way to keep it in hand.

DECKS USED: SABBAT THEMED ART CARD, PAGAN UNDERWORLDS TAROT, COMPENDIUM OF WITCHES ORACLE, HEALING HERBAL CARDS VOL 1 & 2

Auto Pilot Wake-Up Call

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Today’s meditation was skipped

Vicente Molina's Poker-TarotToday’s draw is the Nine of Clubs.  This deck is a hybrid between playing cards and tarot, and has some very unique aspects.  Normally, the Nine of Wands is a representation of boundaries and protecting what is important to you through boundaries and stalwart determination.

The Latin phrase “Knowledge and Hard Work” (Scientia Ac Labore) here shifts the meaning for me a little bit, as does the cup.  What I see here is more about putting in effort to gather what one strives for rather than protection.

Therefore, the message I see in today’s card is about work… about value.  It’s about what you choose to spend your time learning about and earning in life, and how much… is enough?  Are you working to be comfortable?  Or are you working to have your cup overflowing?  Is there a smarter way to go about the goals you’ve set for yourself?  It might be time to evaluate what you’ve been pouring so much time and effort into and decide if it’s really what you want to fill your cup with, or if you’re just acting out of obligation and the shadow of expectation.

DECK USED:  VICENTE MOLINA’S POKER-TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Grab a spread of your choice that you’ve been curious about… and give it a go!

Vicente Molina's Poker-Tarot

What part of me needs replenishment?

Eight of Clubs – Your energy and motivation.  It’s been flagging just a bit and needs a boost.

What is standing in my way?

Ace of Clubs Rx – Your new passion is being discouraged. The furniture you need to buy is out of stock, and every time it has come in stock it goes out again before you have a chance to buy it. There’s plenty of other things that need done, but you are feeling discouraged.

Ways I can fill my cup.

Five of Diamonds Rx – Don’t look at these setbacks as “end of the road” problems. They aren’t.

Three of Clubs – Work on moving forward in other areas. There’s plenty of other things that need to be done in the interim.  No need to let it all pile up.  Chip away at those other things a little at a time.

Queen of Hearts Rx – Remember to be kind to yourself. This is a two-season project, not a short distance sprint. Beating yourself up is counterproductive.

DECK USED: VICENTE MOLINA’S POKER-TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Well, I’m saying that the involuntary nap counts, even if it wasn’t actually a choice.

📆 Transitioning from January to February

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Darkness of Light Tarot and Yoru no Sumi-E Dark Edition

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

Two of Coins and Shadow – You have been making small efforts to do shadow work, but at a careful pace that balances with the rest of your life and responsibilities. It’s not meant to be intense at this time. Don’t forget that baby steps are needed right now.

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

Three of Cups and Growth Rx – Careless abandon has been stunting your growth. This is especially relevant to “going too fast”. You spend so much of your time over the last couple of months of the year fighting to go fast, and faster.  Fast as you can.  It’s time to leave that mentality behind now.

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

Ace of Cups and Change – You don’t want to go through the same old thing again this year with the return of another depressive episode. Instead you want to change this cycle and replace it with something healthier and new. This change, like most things that are new and different, will take a bit of effort.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Knight of Cups – There has been a distinct lack of empathy for yourself as you push yourself too hard to advance in your emotional growth. Last year this was especially true and you need to ensure that you don’t repeat this negative behavior again this year.

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

Seven of Coins and Loss – Just because you are taking things slow doesn’t mean that you’re going to lose out on anything. Remember that some things take time to grow, and make sure that you are looking at this process in a more positive light.

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

Two of Cups and Strength – You need to talk with Gideon and ensure that he is feeling stable and strong in your relationship. Your recent discussion of past issues may have stirred up some insecurities.

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

Page of Wands and Tranquility – Not all learning needs to be a fight or struggle. Take time to remember how good it feels to slip into “the flow” when experimenting with something creative and new.

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

Queen of Cups and Bind – Watch out for feelings of stagnancy. This is something you struggled with a lot last year through the spring and summer… and even a bit in the fall. You have the opportunity to avoid going through it again this year. (This is something to explore further, perhaps with a more in depth reading in this area later on.)

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Death and Now – Although change takes time, this doesn’t mean you sit on your ass and wait for it. Be proactive in going after the changes you want to happen. The sooner you start, the more room you have to figure out hurdles and roadblocks that might pop up along the way.

Message from the Spirit World – There are changes to be made that reach far beyond the physical realm. (Amalthea is waiting, but she is also patient.) Don’t get discouraged and feel as if you are stuck when things need to move at a slower pace than you anticipate. Just do what you can in the now and the rest will come in its own time.

Message from the Mind’s World – Revelry has its place, but too much stunts your growth.  Focus on finding balance in your life and in your inner narrative. You don’t have to be rainbows and butterflies all the time, but you do need to give as much optimism and positivity to build up your mental health as your inner narrative is giving to try and pick it apart.

Message from the Physical World – You’re avoiding getting out in nature and finding that connection you need because of stalker issues.  Contact J and convince him to start going out with you into the trees again.  It might take some convincing, but you know that he’ll come along if for no other reason that he might get the chance to kick someone’s ass… which incidentally is his happy place in much the same way that the forest is yours.

DECKS USED: DARKNESS OF LIGHT TAROT AND YORU NO SUMI-E

The Ebb and Flow

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Black Violet TarotToday’s draw is the Wheel of Fortune, which is traditionally a representation of the ups and downs in life, the good and bad luck that comes and goes, and the lack of predictability that life has for us.

Like the ebb and flow of the cycles of the moon, and the tides that these cycles control, luck comes and goes.  We have a little luck some days, like a gentle high tide, and a lot of luck others like the king tide.  Some days we have a little bad luck, like a low tide… and other days we have a lot of bad luck like a spring tide.

Today’s card is a reminder that everything comes in cycles.  There is an ebb and flow to life, a give and take… and that includes our luck.

DECK USED:  BLACK VIOLET TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #4

Black Violet TarotHow do you most commonly misinterpret reading the cards for yourself?

Nine of Pentacles – Too often you jump to what more you can do, or what needs fixed or changed, instead of reading from a place of contentment in the moment.

How do you most commonly misinterpret reading the cards for others?

Three of Cups Rx – Seeing the querent as an individual instead of as a community that includes not just them, but also friends and family.

How can you improve at reading the cards so that it doesn’t keep happening?

Wheel of Fortune atop Queen of Swords Rx– Step yet further outside of yourself during readings in order to connect with others energies on a deeper level and more deeply understand a wider array of interpersonal connections and dynamics.

DECK USED: BLACK VIOLET TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I asked for what I needed… what I craved.  And Gideon gave me… just that.