tarot in daily life

Unconditional Love

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Today’s meditation was a six minute #DailyTrip session from the @Calm.

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Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Grimalkin Tarot - Ten of Cups and a card from The Nourished Heart Oracle

Today’s draw is the Ten of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of feelings of completion, connection with others and harmony in those connections, and is often considered as the “happy family” card.

The Ten of Cups has then been combined with the Shame card from The Nourished Heart Oracle, which says, “Shame tells me I’m unworthy of love and belonging.”

When you build a life filled with love, there is no room for shame. When you have unconditional love in your life, there is nowhere for shame to grow.

Because shame is a feeling of being unworthy of love and belonging, once you have a life filled with unconditional love, that acceptance steals the air out of shame’s lungs, leaving it with nowhere to take root.

This is why it’s important to have values and mores that aren’t based on the judgements of others, but upon your own moral compass. When you know in your gut what is right and wrong for you, there is no need for shame. Not to control your own actions, nor to provide guidance in right and wrong.

The message in today’s Ten of Cups and affirmation card is a reminder that fear of losing those you love due to one’s mistakes is a sign that your are not being loved unconditionally. These cards encourage us to seek out those who do love us unconditionally, and build our lives with those people at its center. In doing so, we create a much happier life not just for ourselves it for them as well.

DECKS USED:  THE GRIMALKIN TAROT AND THE NOURISHED HEART ORACLE

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 20th : meet me at the wrack line

Creative Writing with the Cute Black Cat Playing Cards

we met at the beach
and sat upon the sand
(Four of Spades)
discussing our worries and fears
(Nine of Spades)
as the sunrise douses the land
(Two of Hearts)
and as early morning rays of hope
spark a new day clear
(Ace of Clubs)
we build a sandcastle on the beach
(Eight of Diamonds)
and filled it with out tears
(Three of Spades)
until the tide comes in
(Ace of Hearts)
and washes them all away
then we rinse our hands of sand
(Eight of Hearts)
ready to begin the day
(Jack of Clubs)

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Pressed Pansy Flower for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE CUTE BLACK CAT PLAYING CARDS

@jourie.co‘s An Imaginative Life Journal Prompts
Prompts for September 20th and 21st

Tarot Reading from The Grimalkin Tarot

If you kept only three priorities, what would they be?

Four of Swords – Rest and Recovery

Allowing yourself to rest when you need it, without guilt, and using that time for reflection on how things went, where they’re going, and recovery needed.

Two of Pentacles – Balance

Understanding and aligning with balance as movement instead of as stagnancy. Prioritizing movement and rest, work and play, solitude and socialization in ways that allow for both to have the room and space they need when it is needed.

Knight of Pentacles – Slow and Sustainable Progress

Less stress on speed and perfection, more weight given to the steady and sustainable progress that moves you toward your goals. Less impatience and more depth.

What would you choose if no one were watching?

Nine of Wands and Eight of Wands – Violence

Let’s be clear… there are very good reasons why I have considered at times if I might have sociopathic tendencies. I cannot honestly say I haven’t been genuinely tempted to commit homicide and other violent crimes. Even plotted a few of them. I write it up to the creativity of my writing and roleplay, but there are times that I wonder if that’s truly accurate.

Fortunately, I have the good sense not to act on these thoughts. I can’t say for sure, though, that if it was guaranteed no one were watching and I could get away with them without consequences that this would still hold true.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Norway Maple Key for Fostering Strength and Resilience
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE GRIMALKIN TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.

Opportunity Within Unpredictability

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🌾    •    ◈    •    •    •

Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Tarocchi di Giulietta e Romeo Shakespeare Tarot's Six of Swords and a card from the Mindfulness Cards

Today’s draw is the Six of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of leaving the past in the past, moving on, letting go in order to welcome in something better, and transitions towards something better.

The Six of Swords has then been combined with the What Will Happen Next? card from the Mindfulness Cards, which says, “Asking ‘What will happen next?’ can be very powerful. Just by inviting the question, we prime our minds to be on the lookout, like a cat, waiting at a hole for the mouse to come out.”

Just because life is unpredictable doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take chances or hold back from moving onto new challenges. It is in the unpredictability of life we find both our greatest trials and most valued experiences.

This Six of Swords tells the story of Hamlet’s exile, and how he was saved from the death that awaited him on other shores by the Danes that attacked the vessel he was on. He had expected to be taken to his death, but instead was unexpectedly saved and thus given the opportunity to seek retribution upon his enemies.

The message in today’s Six of Swords and affirmation card is a reminder that the unpredictability of life is a good thing, and encourages us to charge forth with eagerness rather than diminishing ourselves and our opportunities by shrinking back in fear.

DECKS USED:  TAROCCHI DI GIULIETTA E ROMEO SHAKESPEARE TAROT AND MINDFULNESS CARDS

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 17th : tuning in to moss and magic

Creative Writing and Cartomancy with the Sacred Spring Playing Cards

lie down within the forest
on a bed of softest moss
(Four of Spades)
close your eyes to the world
and breathe deep
(Nine of Hearts)
let your tension slowly ease
as you listen to the trees
(Three of Hearts)
allow your energy to seep
into soil to tangle
with roots and mycelium
then, rested and rooted
(Four of Diamonds)
open your eyes
to take in the magic of nature
(Ace of Clubs)
immersed within the soft green cradle
of her touch
(Queen of Hearts)

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Rainforest Rhyolite for Facilitating Calm Transitions
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SACRED SPRING PLAYING CARDS

@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Prompt for September 18th through 20th

Oracle Reading with The Shakespeare Oracle

Mercury opposite Saturn – Where am I being asked to take responsibility for my actions?

Insect / Martius

When you are being reactive and mercurial.

It happens to us all. It’s okay to call yourself up short when you catch yourself falling into this pattern, then owning the behavior and apologizing for it.

It shows greater character than if you refuse to acknowledge or apologize and make it “someone else’s problem) rather than taking ownership of the situation and behavior.

Boundary – What is a line I’m not willing to cross?

Ghost Characters / Lady Macbeth

You are unwilling to allow others to set you aside and forget about you. Although you are often willing to go to great lengths for those you love, you are unwilling to let them completely disregard you and your own needs. You are not a doormat, but require them to respect your boundaries and your own needs.

Honesty – What truth do I need to tell myself gently but firmly?

Contest / Bassanio and Portia

There is sneaky shit going on and it’s important to make sure that you are paying attention; not to what is being said, but to the actions of both yourself and those around you. Words are just words. Look for the inconsistency between words and actions to ensure you head trouble off at the pass.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Green Aventurine for Harmony and Balance of the Heart
Moss Agate for Attracting Opportunities for Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE SHAKESPEARE ORACLE

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 18th : thunder rusted my spine

Creative Writing and Cartomancy with the Art of Nature Beetles Playing Cards

at the moment of impact
there is no sound
only shock as breath
leaves body
(Five of Diamonds atop Five of Spades)

and the sensation
of walking on bubble wrap
within the bones
(Nine of Spades)

movement, fast and chaotic
seems to go on forever
(Eight of Clubs)

and then death-like stillness
takes hold
(Four of Diamonds)

It’s only in the memories
that silence broken
as the rumble of thunder
breaks spine and bones
(Ten of Spades atop Six of Hearts)

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Norway Maple Key for Fostering Strength and Resilience
Calcite w/ Conichalcite for Amplifying Intuitive Messages
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ART OF NATURE BEETLES PLAYING CARDS

@jourie.co‘s An Imaginative Life Journal Prompts
Prompt for September 17th : What deserves a clear no?

Tarot Reading with the Tarocchi di Giulietta e Romeo Shakespeare Tarot

Reading Summary: Watch out for the one who comes to you with a new idea (Ace of Swords) on how to grow your wealth and stability (Page of Coins). They are eager, but have no idea what they are talking about, no matter how knowledgeable they may seem (Knight of Swords).

Take Away: I wasn’t expecting this to be a predictive reading, but I’ll definitely be taking the warning to heart all the same.

The warning here is to make sure I say “NO” clearly and without room for argument when the next “get rich quick” or “easy money” scheme comes my way… no matter who it comes from, how knowledgeable they seem, or how good of an idea it sounds like.

Don’t get caught up in the excitement. Say no.

Other elements included in this reading:
Bronze Compass Rose for Seeking Directional Guidance
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Flower Agate Moon for Opening the Mind to New Possibilities
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: TAROCCHI DI GIULIETTA E ROMEO SHAKESPEARE TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I cancelled today’s dentist appointment and had them put me on the call list for some time in the near future instead.

The Purpose You Serve

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🌾    •    ◈    •    •    •

Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

The Golden Tarot's Nine of Pentacles and a card from the Crone Power Oracle and Affirmation Deck

Today’s draw is the Nine of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of solitary satisfaction, a job well done, self-sufficiency, abundance, financial independence, and luxury earned through hard work

The Nine of Pentacles has then been combined with a card from the Crone Power Oracle and Affirmation Cards, which says, “I am serving. My being supports myself and others.”

In the grip of my depression, it can be hard to see that my presence in others lives serves a purpose. At these times I feel like a burden weighing others down, or even that I’m harming them.

It’s these thoughts more than any others that used to (prior to finally getting on a medication that works) pave the way to suicidal ideation. The idea that I am worthless, that I serve no purpose, that I’m hurting the ones I care about; these thoughts and feelings made it feel impossible that I should go on living and breathing.

Here’s the thing, though. If any of that was actually true? These people wouldn’t be a part of my life to begin with. They would have moved on instead of sticking around.

Now, when these thoughts crop up (which they still do during deep depression, even without the suicidal thoughts attached) I remind myself that the people that love and care about me are a curated collection of those that feel I matter. They don’t want or need free of my sphere of influence, but instead desire more time with me. Not less.

The message in today’s Nine of Pentacles and affirmation card is a reminder that those who love you do not see you as you see yourself… especially during times of depression. They don’t see someone who is a burden or that they don’t want to be around. These perceptions are the lies depression whispers in your ear; not fact.

DECKS USED:  LIZ DEAN’S THE GOLDEN TAROT (heavily trimmed) AND CRONE POWER ORACLE AND AFFIRMATION CARDS

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 16th : smudged watercolours

Cartomancy and Creative Writing with the Fungi, Mushrooms & Lichens Playing Cards

you reach for me
(King of Hearts atop Three of Diamonds)
in a moment of passion
(Two of Hearts)
and intensity
sparks a fire within us both
(Ace of Clubs)

and as laughter fills the room
you crowd in close
(Three of Hearts)
while brushes scatter
and rinse water spills,
work falling to the wayside
smudged and forgotten
(Five of Diamonds)
as pleasure steals the day away
(Ten of Hearts)

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FUNGI, MUSHROOM & LICHENS PLAYING CARDS

@jourie.co‘s An Imaginative Life Journal Prompts
Prompt for September 16th and 17th

Tarot Reading with The Golden Tarot by Liz Dean

Reassessment – What is an assumption I’ve made that I need to reassess?

Queen of Cups Rx and Ace of Swords

Not everyone you get into conflict with necessarily wants to work things out. Sometimes it’s better to just let it be. By seeking closure and opening up communication, you just open yourself up to more abuse, as there’s no true opportunity here for reconciliation or closure.

Strength – How have I demonstrated my inner strength recently?

Queen of Pentacles and King of Cups Rx

You haven’t allowed emotional instability to create instability in other parts of your life of late. Often, when you emotions feel like they are in upheaval, you try to self medicate with destructive tendencies. Lately though, you’ve been able to keep that part of the cycle at bay.

Other elements included in this reading:
Bird Figurine for Encouraging Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
River Rock for Resilience within Life’s Flow
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: LIZ DEAN’S THE GOLDEN TAROT (heavily trimmed)
Daily Self Kindness

I’m so tired, and I’m going to bed early tonight.

🎨 Weekly Creativity Prompt – Different Scenarios

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Prompt : “The purpose of this activity is to practice interpreting small spreads by combining card meanings, symbols and intuition. We will all interpret the same cards based on a few different (imaginary) situations. A 3 card spread will be posted together with 2 more specific scenarios. It’s your choice which scenario you’d prefer to use, or if you’d rather do a general reading of these cards as for an imaginary querent.”

The Spacious Tarot - Ten of Cups, Three of Swords, Guardian of Swords, Queen of Swords

Scenario 1 – Tyler is looking to deepen his spiritual practice and asks how he could go about it.

When you are being confronted with disappointments, or trying to work through hard truths, make sure that you are counterbalancing these influences through doing the things you love with others who love you. Finding balance in one’s life between negative influences and positive ones is an important step in finding balance in other areas of your life (including your spirituality).  Consider where things are moving slow or are not fitting their best, then use your connection with others to put these obstacles into perspective so you don’t blow them up into something they’re not.

Scenario 2 – Juno just got broken up with by their partner of 3 years. Their emotions are all over the place and they’re coming for advice on how to find their footing again.

Talk to someone who cares about how you’re feeling. Share your pain.  They may give you some good advice, or they may just help you lift your mood for a time. Either way, keeping all of this inside and to yourself is harmful.  Let it out. Spill out your thoughts and your emotions.  Those that love you are ready to help you mop up the mess.

DECK USED: SPACIOUS TAROT

Perfectionism and Martyrdom

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Today’s meditation was an eight minute #DailyTrip session from the @Calm app.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🌾    •    ◈    •    •    •

Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Garbage Pail Kids Tarot's Three of Pentacles and a card from the Create Brave Cards

Today’s draw is the Three of Coins (Julius Sneezer), which is traditionally a representation of teamwork, collaboration, working together, and themes to do with bringing in help and/or outside expertise in order to get something done.

From the Guide: Friends, rascals, ruffians – lend me your tissues! Asking for help from others is the best way to get what you want now. No one can do everything by themselves 100% at the time. Sometimes, collaboration is necessary. Embrace the advice and expertise of others.

The Three of Coins has then been combined with the Unravel card from the Create Brave Cards, which says, “I choose to take things apart to create something better.”

Work on picking apart the mentality that if you want something to be done right you have to do it yourself. Ease up on perfectionism and martyrdom, and embrace the assistance of others. Even if they do things differently than you, or it takes them twice as long, it’s still work that you aren’t doing! That right there is a win all on its own.

The message in today’s Three of Coins and affirmation is encouragement to ease up on the reigns and delegate more freely. In the end, it will connect you more closely with others and give you more freedom to do the things you really want to be doing.

DECKS USED:  GARBAGE PAIL KIDS TAROT AND CREATE BRAVE CARDS

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 15th : let the grass grow wild

Creative Writing with the Mad Bunny Playing Cards

let the grass grow wild
with wood sorrel and chickweed
clover and plantain
dandelion, violets, and purslane
(Ace of Diamonds atop Seven of Hearts)

Let them all flourish,
wild and free
and not only will your yard
grow healthy and green
(Queen of Clubs)
but you shall never
go hungry again
(Queen of Diamonds)

Other elements included in this reading:
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Labradorite for a Focus on Mental and Emotional Healing
Gray Agate for Instilling Gentleness, Calm, and Stability
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: MAD BUNNY PLAYING CARDS

@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Venus square Pluto, Neptune sextile Pluto
Prompt for September 15th : What relationship pattern needs to be challenged?

Tarot Reading with the Garbage Pail Kids Tarot

Reading Summary: You have others that want to step in and help you (Three of Coins). Don’t shut them out in order to pursue things on your own (The Hermit atop Page of Swords).

Take Away: Just because you -can- do it on your own doesn’t mean you should.

This is an echo of the message in the Card of the Day for today. Stop leaning into solitary work and believing that your way is the only way. Who cares if it’s not absolutely perfectly the way -you- would do it. The fact that it’s delegated to someone else means that you get a little free time as a result. It’s a fair trade!

As a bonus, the more you allow others to help you? The more skilled they will be come. Soon enough, they may not meet the exacting and unreasonable standards you put upon yourself, but they’ll absolutely improve and become better with time and practice.

Other elements included in this reading:
Bird Figurine for Encouraging Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: GARBAGE PAIL KIDS TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I used voltaren on my shin-splints. I really hadn’t thought of it and had been dealing with them all day, then Ms B mentioned it on the phone. So I dug out the tube I have of the stuff and put some on.

Ownership and Taking Control

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Today’s meditation was a ten minute #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🌾    •    ◈    •    •    •

Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Global Fusion Intuitive Tarot's Knight of Cups and a card from the Tao Book and Cards Pack

Today’s draw is the Knight of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of an active beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, intuition, and creativity. This often portrays itself in a theme of going after what brings someone joy or following your imagination and creativity into new adventures.

The Knight of Cups has then been combined with a Chuang Tzu quote from the Tao Book and Cards Pack, which says, “Seek the cause of your misfortunes in your own imperfections.”

Whether we are looking for those things in life that make us happy, or seeking how we got into whatever tribulation we are dealing with in the moment, more often than not the answer lies at our own feet.

Blaming others for our misfortunes is the equivalent of depending upon others for our happiness and validation. In both cases, it is giving power over your life and happiness to others.

The message in today’s Knight of Cups and quote card is a reminder that when we take ownership of our own choices, actions, and circumstances, we empower ourselves to build the life and experiences we want rather than accepting what others provide.

DECKS USED:  GLOBAL FUSION INTUITIVE TAROT AND TAO BOOK AND CARDS PACK

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 14th : what I knew before I knew it

Creative Writing Exercise with the Zine Deck II Playing Cards

I sought love and acceptance
(Jack of Hearts)

in all the wrong places
and deceived by those
that had their own selfish agendas
I was blinded to the support offered
by others with hearts filled to bursting
(Queen of Spades atop Queen of Hearts)

Until the day I found my true home
(Four of Clubs)

and I left the liars behind
for something better
(Six of Spades atop King of Hearts)

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Calcite for Gently Calming the Mind and Stimulating Insights
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ZINE PLAYING CARDS

@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Sun sextile Mars Prompt for September 14th : How can I channel my energy today into something meaningful?

Tarot Reading with the Global Fusion Intuitive Tarot

Reading Summary: Don’t let disconnection steal away (Seven of Swords) your pleasure in each others company (Two of Cups). Do something that encourages bonding and long term rewards today (Seven of Pentacles) to foster that connection between you both (Two of Cups).

Take Away: I took Jer with me on a 90 minute hike in the woods. He needed an ear and a shoulder, and I needed some time outside. Going for an easy hike gave us both what we needed, and the privacy for him to speak freely without worrying about being overheard by others.

Normally when I go hiking, I prefer trails that include a good deal of elevation change. I like the hills and especially the upward climb. An easy, nearly flat hike, though, gave us the ability to move at a leisurely pace that had nothing to do with how far we went, nor the exertion that would normally have made discussion more difficult. It was nice.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Carved Rhyolite Leaf for Facilitating Calm Transitions
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: GLOBAL FUSION INTUITIVE TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I went on a walk in the woods today. Just an easy, relaxing one with very little elevation gain.