tarot for self care

Morning Bonus Read – Extreme Points Closure

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“Blessed Solstice!!!! It’s here! That thing we’ve been talking about? Time to wrap up our meditation on it.“

Christmas Playing Cards by Natalia SilvaWhat do I need to do now in order to facilitate this change?
Eight of Hearts

In the first week of this trio of readings, the Eight of Hearts came up to represent the change that needs to take place, and here we find the card come up again in representation of what I need to do now in order to facilitate that change.

The change taking place is moving away from the chaos of the holiday rush and allowing myself to find balance again.  The Eight of Hearts here indicates that in order to facilitate a smooth transition to this healthier way of doing things, I need to be open to the change instead of closing off. 

This is a message that has been repeated a couple of times over the past few days, with multiple warnings not to close down or close off, and make sure that I’m open to the changes coming and not fighting them or resisting.   It’s a good reminder, as it’s something I struggle with often… even when I know that the change is a healthy one.

What resistance to this change do I need to watch out for in myself?
King of Clubs

The seat of the resistance to change in this matter resides in my drive to move forward, to do more, and to expand my “empire” to it’s greatest potential. The problem being that I sink so deeply into that drive, and allow the voice of my father in my head to push me on past what is healthy and into a place of sacrificing myself to the cause.

What is the biggest effect that this change will enact in my life?
Three of Hearts

Emotional harmony both within myself and with others that I connect with in an emotional way.  When I spend too much time focusing on work and the business, it leaves far too little time to connect with others and spend time with them in quality ways.  Not to mention too much work and not enough play makes me a cranky boy.  By allowing that time with others and time for my own needs, it lightens my heart and opens me up to those bonds and connections I’d normally keep at a distance or shut down.

DECK USED:  CHRISTMAS PLAYING CARDS BY NATALIA SILVA

The Control Is Yours

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IMG_8306Today’s meditation was  just over ten minutes long, and was another guided meditation with interval timer for my stretching.   I almost skipped today, to be honest, but forced myself to lie down and do it anyway.  Might be time to change things up on the style of meditation to keep things interesting.

The topic of today’s meditation was about how each and every one of us view life subjectively through our own perspective. It’s natural to forget this, and to forget that everyone else is in the same boat, viewing life through that same window of perspective.  Their window.

The meditation encouraged looking beyond that and exploring the concept of sonder.  Sonder is the realization that everybody around you, even strangers, are living a life just as rich and complex as yours. That their experiences are unique, and that they have different things going on in their lives that create different experiences and perspectives completely apart from your own perceptions.

Bonestone & EarthFlesh Tarot - Ace of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Ace of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new opportunities in one’s work, finances, resources, home, health, or manifestations.

What stands out to me the strongest of the imagery in this card today (and I really want to work with this deck more so I think I’m going to carry it over into January), is the roots of the plant that grows through the skull.

Those roots look so much like Mandragora officinarum (mandrake) roots that it’s uncanny, although it is not a mandrake plant from the trailing stems of the plant’s growth above ground.  Still, the sight of the roots brought to mind the use of mandrake root as poppets and that in turn brought to mind the use of poppets in directing one’s will and intent.

The message that I see here in today’s card is about molding one’s new opportunities to your will.  You drive the bus on these new opportunities.  Not fate.  Not luck.  Not any other person.  It’s on you to steer the bus in the direction you want it to go, and the best place to start with that… is at the beginning.

DECK USED:  BONESTONE & EARTHFLESH TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better foster my relationship with friends and loved ones?

Yule OracleReading Summary:  Grace is repeated within the first two cards, and reinforced by the red and white color scheme that they also share.   In order to bond more closely (Holiday Cookies) with my friends and loved ones, it is important to take a measured and balanced approach (Ice Skates) while encouraging them to seek out their best life and best selves along the way (Evergreen).

Take Away: The cards here are about being supportive, but in a “hands off” sort of way that allows people to make their own choices and choose their own path.  Advice and perspective is warranted and welcome, but don’t push.  Allow them to weigh things for themselves and make the choices they feel are best for them as they take new steps along their personal life paths.

DECK USED:  YULE ORACLE

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What do I need to hold onto through the transition from this year into the next?

A Charlie Brown Christmas Playing Cards

Reading Summary:   My ability to find balance and harmony within my passions (Six of Clubs) needs to be weighed against the drive to push too far too fast (Nine of Clubs).  Remember to look at what I’ve done and the accomplishments I’ve made in a positive light (Nine of Diamonds).

Take Away:  If I take the time and ingenuity to keep myself in a positive mindset and see my deeds in an optimistic and positive perspective, it will allow me to foster my passions instead of becoming disappointed in them.  Remember to take that step back and slow down, and I won’t get so choked up in unhealthy deadlines and responsibilities to the point that I lose sight of everything else and fall back into that turtle shelled “go go go” zone where nothing else but more progress and getting more done matters.

DECK USED:  A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS PLAYING CARDS

A Little at a Time

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IMG_8295Today’s meditation was just under twelve minutes long and was a guided meditation from the Calm app with an interval timer added in for my piriformis and forearm flexor stretching.

The topic of today’s meditation was… *takes a minute to wrack his brain*
Huh. I have no idea.  Not even with the graphic to the right as a memory prompt.   I know I listened to it, but I really can’t remember what it was about.  Usually this means that it was a message that I didn’t really relate to.  That said, I did do my meditation at least, yeah?

Simplicity Tarot - Three of WandsToday’s draw is the Three of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of moving forward with direction and a plan in place to guide you.  The Two of Wands just before this card is all about making that plan, and here in the Three of Wands we now see the plan moving into action.

What stood out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today is the little ships out on the water.  (And the green and red of the guy’s clothing, which was a bit of a Christmas-y surprise for a non-holiday deck, and inspired a little heart lightening Christmas music listening earlier in the day.)

The holiday theme inspiration aside, the little boats feel like a message to make sure that as I am taking things in small, bite sized amounts. We all know that I suck at just taking it easy and not doing anything, but even if I decide to do a little bit here and there… the key is to do a little bit, and not get wrapped up in things that will only cause me stress during a time when I’m trying to rest and recover.

DECK USED:  SIMPLICITY TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to be more grateful for?

Vintage Japanese Art TarotReading Summary:  You need to be more grateful that I have all the time I need (Seven of Pentacles) in order to learn to think of (Page of Wands) my work differently (Ace of Swords), as well as shifting how I go about doing it (Eight of Pentacles) in a way that incorporates more of my spirituality in my inner self into the process (High Priestess).

Take Away: That’s a lot of cards to say that the only deadlines in my work and my business are those that I set for myself.  Although, it’s true that this is something I need to acknowledge and be more grateful for, and to do this I need to give myself more space.  Allow for that time  needed to find something better and connect to my work in new ways.

The cards here, ultimately are indicating that there is far more to my work than just work, and I need to be aware and open to the fact that if I ease off on the pressure I am so often pushing onto myself, I will be allowed to find these hidden facets.

DECK USED:  VINTAGE JAPANESE ART TAROT

Mystic Star December Challenge Prompt
Question: What gift does the Universe have for me in the year ahead?

Winter Waite Tarot 2019 Edition

Reading Summary: Less worry (Nine of Swords Rx) and less uncertainty (The Moon Rx) when going through changes (Death).

Side Note:  The Nine of Swords and Moon actually landed on the table perfectly in place and reversed, but I like the pretty imagery on the cards too much to photograph them that way.  *LOL*

Take Away: I’ve mentioned recently in a previous post that I often struggle with change, even when that change is good and/or healthy for me.  The cards here are indicating that the gift that the Universe has for me in the year ahead is not so much that there will be less change, but that I will learn to deal with change better with less worry and uncertainty to hold me back and make the process unnecessarily stressful.

DECK USED:  WINTER WAITE TAROT 2019 EDITION

Morning Bonus Read – Year Ahead Visions

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My Year Ahead Vision Tarot Spread - Naked Heart Tarot

What lessons can I take forward from the past year into the year ahead?
Spirit of Pentacle

The world will not end if I take control and allow myself the growth that I need without allowing my inner narrative of negativity to get in the way.  When I stand my ground instead of caving to the temptation of bad habits and unhealthy rhetoric of my past, I become stronger against those things that would have previously held me back.

What challenges, barriers, or obstacles may I face in the next year?
Three of Pentacles atop Three of Swords

Well, it looks like Z might finally get to go home at some point.  The cards here indicate a breakdown in collaboration between myself and others I’m working with.  This will be disappointing and cause what is normally an uphill battle to become an even bigger struggle.  I don’t see being able to hire a new helper this year as yet, not with everything going on with the pandemic.  Stabilization will take time, and I doubt that’ll be something I can look at until 2022.  So… yeah.  There could be some serious struggles and disappointment coming up where it comes to keeping up with my work… especially if I lose a portion of my collaborative team along the way.

What do I need to focus on in the year ahead to overcome those challenges, barriers, and obstacles?
Ace of Cups

The Ace of Cups here indicates that maybe it’s okay for these challenges to be coming up this year, and that it could leave a bit of extra room (or I may need to make a bit of extra room) for emotional growth.  It’s important to remember to do what I can, then let the rest go.  I’ll hurt to accept that I may not be able to handle it all, but it’s better than the damage I can do to myself by trying to take on more than I can handle on my own.

What opportunities will be available to me in the year ahead?
The Tower

Tear that shit down and rebuild.  I have been slowly finding a new path to walk upon when it comes to my personal care and my business, my spiritual and emotional growth, and how I deal with my stress and responsibilities.  But, in order to really take the dive into this new path, I have to actually let go of the old one and let it crumble in my wake.  This year will provide me with the opportunity to do that, but remember that like all opportunities, this is something I have to actually reach for and won’t come to fruition without investment and effort.

What will be the overall theme of the year ahead?
Ace of Wands atop The Lovers

Healthier pursuit of the things and endeavors that are important to me.  This may include reevaluating those things that are important to me and adjusting my priorities to make sure that my self care and making decisions that are healthy for me take a higher priority.

DECK USED: THE NAKED HEART TAROT

Planning for Security

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IMG_8285Today’s meditation was just under fourteen minutes long and was a guided meditation from the Calm app with an interval timer for my piriformis and forearm flexor stretching.

My forearms are really bothering me, which… isn’t that surprising after running the gamut of 6 weeks with pliers in both of my hands for at least twelve ours out of each day.  I don’t understand why it’s acting up now that I’m resting, but I know how to get it back under control.

The topic of today’s guided meditation is about how we allow our minds to wander without ever  really paying attention to what is going on up there.  We often repeat the same thoughts over and over like a broken record without ever realizing we’re doing so.  The the guide in the meditation spoke on how when we take a moment to acknowledge the thoughts running on the wheel in our mind, we can go deeper into those thoughts, and often relieve ourselves of them by bringing them into the present moment and working on them.

Touchstone Tarot - Four of CoinsToday’s draw is the Four of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of stability, conservation, and control in the area of one’s finances, home, health, resources, and manifestations.

What really stands out to me in the imagery in this card today is the coin that hovers above the woman’s head.  She works with those before her as if counting or savoring their presence, but the one above her head speaks to me of making plans.

The message in today’s card is to make sure that you are keeping in mind the plans needed to foster stability in your life long term.  You’ve gathered up all the coins you can, and now it’s time to plot just exactly how to invest and use those coins to your best advantage.

This is the cycle that happens each year at the end of the holiday rush, and although I’m supposed to be taking time off I did do a few things to assure that future stability including having a short chat with my financial advisor (internet messaging), plotting out the sales I will be doing for the business over the next year, and getting the templates ready for next year’s newsletters.  All of it was relaxing and not at all stressful, but still good things to have prepped and ready to go and.. in having done so?  Taking a bit more stress and worry off my shoulders.

DECK USED:  TOUCHSTONE TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Is a “wrong” act okay if nobody ever knows about it?

Living TarotReading Summary: The Son of Wands here speaks of one’s enthusiasm and how that enthusiasm to go after what has caught your interest can convince you to believe you can do what you want, go after what you want, with whatever methods are available to you without consequence.

The Five of Cups is an indication that all actions have consequences, and although you may not reap the full brunt of those repercussions when there is no witness to call you to task, there will still be consequences that effect you, your life, and how you feel about those things you pursue and the “wrongs” that you do in your endeavors.

The Father of Wands speaks of learning from your mistakes, growing from those lessons, and finding a better path in the future.  In learning that even when no one is present to see your “wrongs”, that they effect you and you deal with repercussions regardless teaches the individual to go after their endeavors with a more honest and straightforward approach in the future.

Take Away: The problem with doing something wrong is that even if no one else knows what you did?   You know what you did.  And the psyche and emotions will ensure that you pay a price for it even if you aren’t caught or called out by others.  This cycle of learning is a lesson that is taught to us through life, and that some must end up having to experience over and over again as they are unable to grow in ways to seek out that higher ground and more honest approach.

DECK USED:  LIVING TAROT

Set Aside Expectation

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IMG_8272Today’s meditation was just over eleven minutes long and was a guided meditation with interval timer for my piriformis and forearm flexor stretches.

The topic of the meditation today was about how we react to others. Specifically, how we react to negativity and whether or not we take a pause to process and form a reaction… or just instantly react (often negatively) without thinking first.

The thing is?  When you get in the habit of that pause?  That pause then becomes shorter and shorter over time as you become more accustomed to utilizing it.  It becomes more ingrained and easier over time.   The same can be said by leaping before you look, which is why it’s so important to stay conscious of your initial, internal responses and pause to consider your response before actually  acting outwardly.

Lost Hollow Tarot - Four of CupsToday’s draw is the Four of Cups, which is traditionally (this deck is a Thoth deck) a representation of being apathetic towards true value as one pursues happiness on a material level, a lack of motivation when new goals are needed, and other feelings of disinterest, discontent, lack of satisfaction, or depression.

Although nothing in this card’s imagery especially stood out to me today beyond the turn of the figure’s head, which is somewhat standard across tarot imagery for the Four of Cups, as the card  hit the table this morning I did get a very clear message from it all the same.

That message portrayed to me is that in the my first day of freedom from the holiday rush, be sure to remember that I don’t have to do anything that I don’t wanna do.  I don’t have to work.  I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to.  Today can be all mine.  All about me.  I have no expectations to fulfill, and need to be sure I don’t put any expectations upon myself.

DECK USED:  LOST HOLLOW TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What needs to be purged and/or completed before the end of the year?

Madam Clara Sees All Fortune Tarot 4th EditionReading Summary: Reign in (Temperance) your resistance to change (The Tower Rx) and find a way to stop fighting against what you know will be better for you (The Lovers Rx) in the end.

Take Away: Like most people, I have an issue with change.  I know that and I know that natural inclination is present in my make up even in times when the change that’s happening is for the good and will lead to better things. 

The cards here are making it clear that this need to resist is something I need to purge as the end of the year approaches.  I do not need to work myself to the bone.  I am more than capable of jugging my work and responsibilities with my emotional and spiritual growth and self care needs. I’ve been learning over the past year how to do this in a more healthy way and it’s okay to let go now and allow that balance to slip back into place.  I just need to make sure not to “get my back up” about the shifting of the sands and allow the stressful, unhealthy habits of the holiday rush to wash away unimpeded.

DECK USED:  MADAM CLARA SEES ALL TAROT 3RD EDITION

Mystic Star December Challenge Prompt
Question: What gift should I give to myself in what remains of this year?

Tarot of the Holy Spectrum

Reading Summary: Allow yourself time to daydream (Ace of Swords) and imagine the possibilities of what’s ahead (Ace of Wands), while staying safe at home (Four of Wands) and appreciating all you’ve accomplished in the last year (Nine of Pentacles).

Take Away:  This is about lack of action.  It’s about giving myself the break that I need to rest and recover… not while ignoring the future and what’s ahead, but rather while musing about what might come and what might be possible.

Usually, my mind is so grounded in the practical and logic that I don’t take a lot of time for daydreams.  Instead I project and look at trajectories, seek out hurdles and potholes on the path and prepare for them, etc.  What the cards are describing here is not that, but rather about looking forward into the future with hope, optimism, and an eager hint of imagination.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HOLY SPECTRUM