tarot for self care

Slowing Down

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Today’s meditation was skipped due to orders day and a worry that I wasn’t going to get everything done in time to ship it out.

Tarot of the Nile and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Seven of Swords, which is a representation of cunning and strategic thought, often portrayed as being of the thieving and betrayal variety.  It also represents leaving behind what one cannot easily carry, and getting away with something.

You know how sometimes when you rush to get out the door, you grab the things you need and run, then realize later on in the day (or on your trip) that you forgot something essential?

Today’s card is asking… why are you rushing?  Why are we either waiting until things have gotten to the point that we’re rushing, or putting this “last minute” expectation on ourselves in the first place?  So many things that we pushy ourselves to rush at don’t need to be rushed.  Yes, there are occasions when it’s necessary, but there’s not as many necessary occasions for that rush as there are those that we force upon ourselves.

DECK USED:  TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Topics for August 23rd and 24th

Cosmic Journey Oracle and Tarot of the ImaginationThink of something that recently made you smile or happy, focus on that thought and draw a card.
There Are No Wrong Turns and The Fool

Hiring a new housekeeper takes a bit of trust and faith in humanity. You’re letting this person into your home for the purpose of touching all yours stuff and trusting them not to take or break anything as they explore your home. It can be harrowing and nerve wracking, but every journey must start with a first step, and that includes finding someone to clean for you.

Pick a line from a song and use it to draw a card.

You said we are learning but
The whole world is burning
– Remy Zero’s Bitter

Each Evolutionary Turn Requires You To Give Up Who You Think You Are and Six of Wands

Everyone is always so focused on their solitary goals and appearances. Is it any wonder that the world is now at a point of striking back against our selfish and self serving ways. The earth is a living thing, and it’s tryin to teach us a lesson. The question is… will we listen?

Pick a line from a book and use it to draw a card.
Every Cycle Is a New Opportunity and Two of Cups

“Everything he touches becomes more of whatever it is—more alive, more vigorous, more powerful, more awesome, or more awful.” – The Faeries’ Oracle by Brian Froud

Remember that your perspective is not the only one, and that the more they you branch out to take in others perspectives, the more your perspective of the world will grow and change. This is the same not just for you, but fir everyone.

Pick a line from a movie and use it to draw a card.
A Light Grows Brighter Only By Lighting Another and King of Wands

“…there’s no such thing as a lie. There’s only expedient exaggeration.” North By Northwest

This quote, and the cards that came after it’s selection, reminds me of Mr R.  He once told me that a lie is never a lie until you get caught, it’s a “story”.  This is not something I particularly agree with (or at all, actually), but it is what these cards and the movie quote bring to mind.

DECK USED: THE COSMIC JOURNEY ORACLE AND TAROT OF THE IMAGINATION

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for August 23rd and 24th

Animal Love Oracle Cards and Tarot of the NileI Blame Myself For…

Hippopotamus and Nine of Swords – The failings of my mental health. Although I know logically that this isn’t true, I often see my mental health struggles as one of my failings. I am aware that although this feels like taking ownership, it is not empowering.

I Blame Others For…

Unicorn, Ace of Swords atop Ten of Cups – Successful communication with others. I never take credit for my ability to communicate with others without it falling apart. I feel like I am constantly bumbling when it comes to communication, and that I have to be extremely careful not to fumble things. I always feel like the potential for being misunderstood is huge, and the consequences explosive, like walking through a minefield. When things go well?  It’s always someone else’s fault.  When things go badly, it’s always mine.

How can I begin to release blame from my heart?

Manatee, Two of Swords – I need to allow myself the time I need to make decisions instead of pushing for always faster and more.  It’s hard for me to remember that pausing and mulling things over is really okay, and that the only deadlines I have to deal with the majority of the time are my own.

DECK USED:  ANIMAL LOVE ORACLE CARDS AND TAROT OF THE NILE

Daily Self Kindness

It was a super busy day and I just can’t remember if I did anything particularly kind other than making sure that I got enough to eat.

Second Full Moon in Aquarius – August 2021

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Yesterday was the second Full Moon in Aquarius, 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 brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot By the Moon series.

Frau Grand Duchess Tarot - Blue Moon in Aquarius Tarot Reading

1. What area of my life is craving expansion?

The Magician – You crave developing new skills and testing them. You crave using your abilities to their fullest to achieve your dreams and goals. To prove you can do it. The key is to find a way to do this in a healthy way instead of in the self destructive ways you have done it in the past.

2. What part of myself is awakened?

The Tower atop Seven of Wands – The awareness that life isn’t fair no matter how much you want it to be. Sometimes things fall apart no matter how hard you rail against the unfairness and injustice of it all.

3. Where do I need to be discerning?

Force – Choose your battles wisely. There’s no point railing against the things that you can’t change, better to use your inner strength to stand tall even when these things happen.

4. What action do I need to take?

Seven of Coins – Don’t allow your rise in anxiety to send you into a spiral, and thus cause you to begin to rush and push yourself harder. You need to continue to take things slow, and consciously focus on that slow path of growth for a while longer.

5. Message from the Ancestors.

Queen of Swords – It’s okay to be salty about what happened. That recent ordeal weighs heavy on your mind, but don’t let it drag you down.

DECK USED: FRAU GRAND DUCHESS TAROT

Bend… Don’t Break

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Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long, and was the seventh installment of the Foundations II series on the Balance app.  This session went more in depth with the labeling techniques that had been introduced earlier in the series, and gave more autonomy throughout the process to allow for a more in-depth practice of the method.

Alchemia Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Eight of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of setbacks caused by either willful ignorance or an inability to see “the whole picture”.

Combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, the theme here is about how when we feel like life is against us and we struggle to find our way, these trials are not meant to break you, but to temper your strength and improve your flexibility and adaptability.

These times offer us an opportunity to look closer, open our eyes and seek a deeper understanding, and confront  these issues from a new perspective.

DECK USED:  ALCHEMIA TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Topic: Write down your blessings and draw a card for each.

Animism TarotThe Support of Those Closest To Me

Ten of Wands – There is no need for me to overburden myself because I have those closest to me that are willing to support me. Not just emotionally, but in my work and in my endeavors as well. They are there to help, even when I forget to reach out for them sometimes, or feel guilty for asking for the help I need.

My Relationship With Gideon

Knight of Wands – The relationship we have is something that we have built together and are both deeply invested in. We know what we want from (and for) each other, we know what we want from (and for) ourselves, and we’re willing to make sure we both get what we want and need, and have our desires fulfilled. There is no hesitation here, just boundless passion.

The Stability and Security I’ve Built

Nine of Wands – That stability is not just something I value, but it’s a hill that I will stand on and die on if necessary in order to protect. This stability and security is something I feel that I need, and I’m willing to defend it vigorously in order to keep it.

I Am Still Able-Bodied

The Magician – Keep up the yoga and the physical therapy, the stretching and the exercise, CT scans and check-ups. All of these are tools in your arsenal that are needed in order to keep your body functioning properly, and to keep yourself out of the hospital dealing with replacement parts and reconstructive surgeries.

Freedom of religion and expression

King of Wands – Not only do you express yourself well and show the world your beliefs, values, and practices. But, you also inspire others to follow in your footsteps and do the same. You lead by example, without even realizing it most of the time, because you’re too wrapped up in your own passions and interests to notice that you’re doing it.

My Bond With L

Page of Swords – Somehow there is always new things to discover in this relationship. A lifetime together from womb to the present with very little time apart, and yet she can still take you by surprise and teach you something new damn near every single day.

DECK USED: ANIMISM TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #2
Question: How can I head off this approaching depression and mitigate its effects?

Alchemia TarotReading Summary: Gratitude and leaning on others may not be enough (Ten of Coins), this is going to take experimenting with some new (Ace of Wands) and unorthodox methods (The Hierophant).

Take Away: Ugh. I know what the cards are suggesting. And I know that if I don’t try it? I’ll regret it later. I’ll up my meds. I’m super nervous about it, and I’m going to need multiple people keeping a watchful eye on me, but… I need to try it at least once at the onset of a depression to see if it helps.

DECK USED: ALCHEMIA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I struggled with insomnia last night and did a variety of self care things in order to try and overcome the issue, including soaking in the tub. I finally managed to get some sleep around mid-day.

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?

Animism Tarot, The Essential Oils Healing Cards, Faery Blessing Oracle

Earth – Five of Wands and Cardamom – Obviously, I am still quite worked up over the whole PayPal thing that happened last week. The cards here indicate that I need to work on seeing beyond the feelings of being picked on and the injustice that I feel happened here, and move on to finding a clear path forward. Clarity is needed, and you cannot have clarity when you are still wallowing in shit or trying to stand your ground against impossible odds.

Air – Page of Pentacles and Yarrow – Again, we are on the topic of what happened with PayPal and how my emotions were affected by this event. The thing is though, the Page of Pentacles here indicates that working forward towards a better solution will serve me far better and the Yarrow promises that in doing this I will heal those wounds along the way. Focus forward… not back.

Water – The Magician and Basil – Through your emotional growth in journey, you have learned the tools you need to move past this issue and restore yourself back to balance once more. You need to lean on these tools that you have learned, instead of allowing yourself to fall into old, unhealthy habits. With depression knocking on my door, this vote of encouragement is about more than just my upset with PayPal, but also the onset of depression trying to creep up and drag me in.

Fire – Page of Cups and Lime – Be sure to introduce a mindset of creative play into your work and business, and it will help refresh your perspective and help you see your work in a new light so that it doesn’t once again begin to feel like a chore.

Waning – A Blessing of Airmid atop A Blessing of Dreams – Earthly concerns outweighing your dreams. Now isn’t a time to get weighed down. Daydreams and lollygagging are absolutely not just allowed, but essential.

Waxing – A Blessing of the Wild Within – Although your ankle is not yet fully healed, make some time to take an easy path through wooded areas that will let your true inner nature flourish. Spend some time lying in the moss and gazing up at a canopy of leaves overhead. Visit with those of the green and forest that come to greet you, drawn by that inner root that connects you with them.

Take Away – A large part of the message in this reading is that I need to let go of what happened with PayPal and work on easing the anxieties, worries, and depression that was triggered by the emotional upheaval I experienced. To do this I need to make sure that I am looking forward instead of wallowing, and making sure that I get out in nature so that I can have some time of grounding and healing among the earth and the green and those that rustle among the leaves.

DECKS USED: ANIMISM TAROT, THE ESSENTIAL OILS HEALING DECK, FAERY BLESSINGS CARDS

Depression Lies

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Today’s meditation was skipped.  Although I had intended to do it, things just got away from me and it didn’t end up getting done.

Wild Spirit Tarot and Thera-Pets Animal Support Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the King of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.  This often translates into authority figures that have an understanding and supportive nature that inspire you to stand strong, that give advice on emotional topics such as relationships when needed, and have a grounded, supportive air about them as well as a compassionate nature.

In my case personally, the King of Cups can often represent my partner Gideon. He has always been a very “King of Cups” type of person, very personable with others, a dominant personality that is both supportive and filled with strength.

Yesterday, I switched over from the How to Be a Wildflower Deck to the Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal Cards due to an awareness that I am struggling with the onset of depression. The Thera-Pets cards are geared specifically towards depression and anxiety, and will hopefully help keep me from sliding down that slippery slope into a full blown depressive episode.

As the Thera-Pets card says, depression lies. The advice between the two cards today is to make sure that you are checking in with those that you deeply trust for reality checks during times of low mood and dips into depression. Reach out to those that are supportive and offer strength for you emotionally.  You need this support right now to help in keeping you from believing depression’s lies, and sinking deeper as a result.

DECK USED:  WILD SPIRIT TAROT TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAugustTarot #SOLTarot Prompt
Questions for August 21st

Colour Goddess Casting Cards and Mystic Faerie TarotWhat am I asked to nurture in support of what I love?
Ivory and Ten of Wands

A huge part of the trick of not overwhelming yourself is making sure that you look at things prior to doing them, and prepare yourself so that you can act with a measured gait and poise rather than saying “I can do it”, and knowing from the start that you will have to scramble just to get it done.

What am I asked to work on in support of what I love?
Magenta and Queen of Wands

Diversify when it comes to your business. You’re still getting the warning not to put everything in one basket when it comes to your passionate pursuits. Clearly PayPal was not what this message has been warning you about since it’s still coming through even after shit hit the fan with them.

DECK USED: COLOUR GODDESS CASTING CARDS AND MYSTIC FAERIE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to focus on for self care this Full Moon?

Wild Spirit TarotReading Summary: Use reflection on your past (Six of Cups and Judgement), and your newfound understanding of the separation between past and present (Queen of Cups and Six of Cups), to help you heal from past wounds (Six of Cups). Lean on others to allow you this time to process and heal, and for their support along the way (Three of Cups).

Take Away: For a very long time, the past dictated my actions and how I treated myself. As I have begun to understand this relationship with my past, I’ve begun being able to confront those unhealthy habits and destructive treatment of myself and deal with them in a more objective way.  These cards are an encouragement to keep up this new perspective and not let it slip away.

DECK USED:  WILD SPIRIT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Again, I took a nap today.  I also spend some time outside on the balcony working on transitioning to end-of-summer.

Morning Bonus Read – Starting Something

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“This week, let’s do a reading about starting something.”

Meow Star Playing Cards1. What is something you will need to start soon?

Queen of Clubs – Supporting my dreams and the dreams of others through my past experience and my personal inner drive.

2. What needs to be done before you can begin?

Queen of Spades – Pull yourself up “by your boot straps” and lean into your learned logic. Strategize how to deal with what’s to come and prepare the others.

3. What is the first step you need to take when it is time to start work on this?

Nine of Hearts atop Seven of Hearts – Connect with what you truly want so that you will not become overwhelmed.

4. What should you remember when working on this?

Ace of Clubs and Nine of Spades – It’s only temporary, but you have to go through the gauntlet to get the prize.

Take Away – The holiday rush is not here yet, but it will come whether I’m ready for it or not.  Although the time to act is not yet upon me, the time to begin mentally preparing and getting my plans in place is beginning. The better prepared I am, the less horrible the experience will be for myself and others when it’s upon us.

DECK USED:  MEOW STAR PLAYING CARDS