tarot of the hidden realm

Spreading the Wealth

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Today’s meditation was just over eleven minutes long, and was a full body scan that I did to music just after my yoga/physiotherapy. It was a really nice practice, but I think that I’ll stick to the music-free sessions.

It’s too distracting when even the gentle reactions from my synesthesia start to play into the music, and I don’t really have any relaxing music that I don’t react to  physically in some small way.

Six of Pentacles - Tarot of the Hidden RealmToday’s draw is the Six of Pentacles, which is about sharing and harmony as wealth and/or resources are balanced out rather than kept at an uneven scale.  Oddly, I always confuse the imagery on this card with the Seven of Pentacles, and when I read this card using this deck.

What I get out of this card for today’s message is that when you have a good harvest, be sure to spread the wealth around.  That can be financially or through resources, or even through the things you manifest along the way.   It’s about reaping the benefits of your hard work, and sharing those benefits with others.

It makes me think of J and L, and about those things I give without thought, and the people I give them to.   I know that sometimes you think I am too generous, sometimes with those that you feel are undeserving.  But to ME, that generosity is one of the ways that I show that I appreciate others, and sometimes also a way for me to to express that I care.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM

#TarotForGrowthFebruary Challenge Prompt
Question: What is my relationship with my community?

Tarot of the Lucid Dream

Reading Summary:  Although I often feel like I’m slacking (Four of Swords), what I actually provide is a sense of stability (Four of Coins) and direction (Two of Wands).

Take Away:  I drew these cards with my condo building in mind. I’m on the security board (which is so much nicer than just having a “security person” on the condo board) and we just had a meeting last night.  I don’t have a lot of specific responsibilities on this board, or rather… any.  Instead I step in when I can and when is needed.  It’s nice to know that my presence and contributions are providing something of value, because as usual… I don’t see my own worth or contributions all that clearly at all.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE LUCID SLUMBER

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I obtain more of what I love most in life?

Regretsy Tarot

Reading Summary:  Ten wands – six wands – ace cups

Stop overburdening myself (Ten of WTF) and being so damned defensive (Six of WTF), and open yourself up emotionally to deal with things from a different angle (Ace of Genitalia).

Take Away:  This is about you and I, and about dealing with those moments when you tweak.   It’s about not allowing that sense of overwhelm and feelings of defensiveness get in the way of trying to understand where you’re coming from and seeking the emotional support and understanding needed to work through these things… because what I love most in life is you, and that means all of you.  Even those possessive, protective, and sometimes zealously jealous parts.

DECK USED:  REGRETSY TAROT

Owl and Bones February Two Card Challenge
Question: Message for the day: Oracle / Tarot

Shakiti Wisdom Oracle and Guided Hand TarotOracle Message for Today: Listen to your intuition.  Sometimes this can be difficult when the drop is in the process of crawling up my ass, but it’s needed.  Especially in those times where my judgement can be compromised by the vulnerability and unsteady footing of the drop.

Tarot Message for Today:  Just hold on and ride it out.  It won’t last forever.

DECK USED:  SHAKITI WISDOM ORACLE AND THE GUIDED HAND TAROT

Organize First… Then Act

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Today’s meditation is currently as yet to be done.  I tried to lie down and do it earlier this morning, but I couldn’t manage to get myself to settle.  Rather than trying to force it and make myself miserable, I decided to give it a try later on, which has turned into giving it a try at bed time.

Knight of Pentacles - Tarot of the Hidden RealmToday’s draw is the Knight of Pentacles, which is the most solid and down to earth of all the knights. The Knight of Pentacles is about responsibility and getting things done, which is honestly a bit in contrast to how I’m feeling these days.

I am making a concerted effort to slow down and take things a step at a time instead of plowing into everything headlong and submerging in it until I either sink or swim… and I always fucking swim.  But what I’ve found is that in taking my time and not giving myself that stress to go go go?  I feel like I’m slacking.

The appearance of the Knight of Pentacles is a reminder that it’s not slacking.  It’s self care.  It’s okay to take your time because you are progressing, just at a slower rate than you’re used to.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM

#TarotForGrowthFebruary Challenge Prompt
Question: What is my relationship with money?

Guardian Tarot

Reading Summary:  Look at that flow of flowers (no, they are not standard through the whole deck).  What really stands out to me in this read is the flowers.  They go from a few flowers sprouting from the earth in the first card, to abundance in the second card, and then abundance obtained in the third card.

Take Away:  As an intuitive hit from the perspective mentioned above, my relationship with money is one of fostering growth and harvesting the rewards of that endeavor.

DECK USED:  GUARDIAN TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to focus on for self-care this full moon?

The Oriens Tarot

Reading Summary:  My inner conflict is getting the better of me (Five of Wands) and I need to work on centering and grounding myself (Queen of Pentacles) so that I’m not bouncing all over the place (Knight of Wands).  Ignoring my emotions (Page of Cups) is a foolish endeavor (The Fool).

Take Away:  We are actually talking about this right now in IMs. That is, we’re talking about that sense of shame and conflict I’m feeling concerning the feelings of stagnation and lack of accomplishment involved in taking things slow.  The cards (which were drawn this morning) are telling me that I need to not hold this in.  Instead I need to confront these feelings and deal with them, something that you help me with.

From our talk: “I think that your fear kinda held you back for so long that you’re unsure of those first steps and feeling like you’re never gonna reach them. You can do this, babe. It’s a lot about organization and you are GOOD at that… this is a first step at that… being organized will make you feel better. More confident and secure.”

You’re right.   Maybe the first steps don’t have anything to do with doing things at all, but rather with getting organized.

DECK USED:  THE ORIENS TAROT

Owl and Bones February Two Card Challenge
Question: Connect with this / Find inspiration here

Alice Tarot by Baba StudiosConnect With This:  Finding direction. Wow. Okay.  So the majority of the reads this morning all deal with the same thing, as this read also ties into both the COTD for today as well as the Tarotholics Prompt above.   It speaks of needing to find direction and getting organized prior to trying to advance and ending up spinning my wheels.

Find Inspiration Here:  This is about realizing that this new, slower way of doing things should be seen as an adventure and not a chore.  I should take this new adventure with an open heart, rather than being down on myself when I occasionally stumble during the transition period.

DECK USED: ALICE TAROT BY BABA STUDIOS

The “How” of It All

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Today’s meditation was about seven minutes long and was interrupted by THREE f’ing phone calls.  I would have started over, but then J showed up and it was time to go.  In the end I gave up and decided that I would try again tonight before bed.

Tarot of the Hidden RealmToday’s draw is a double without a jumper, meaning both cards came out together as one.  The cards in today’s draw are The Moon and the Three of Cups.

When I received The Moon card the other day, it was about my longing to be out in nature and how sometimes I just can’t get out there enough to sate that longing inside of me.

Today’s draw is an expansion on that, which speaks of inviting those I love to assist me in finding the time and opportunity to spend time in those places I love so much.  My loved ones are there for me, to support me and help me in finding those things in life that bring me joy.  It’s important that I don’t just acknowledge that, but allow that to happen and reach for that support when I need it.

Reaching for that support is a repeating theme in the cards lately, and I hear the message loud and clear, even if it seems I’m having a hard time with the “how” of it all.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM

#TarotForGrowthFebruary Challenge Prompt
Question: What is my current relationship with my ancestors and guides?

Britt's Third Eye Tarot

Reading Summary:  Keep working at it (Temperance), keep researching (Three of Pentacles) and seeking a good balance between responsibilities and seeking that connection (Queen of Pentacles). Things are coming along, but it’s going to take some time cuz there’s going to be some ups and downs involved (Wheel of Fortune) in convincing them of my sincerity.

Take Away:  Essentially?  I’m on the right track both in my private efforts to connect with my ancestors and guides, in reaching out to others for information and research, and in finding a good balance between the responsibilities of life and my spiritual path.  But it’s going to take some time.  I’ve spent my life ignoring them and putting the effort to communicate entirely in their court, and if I want to connect?  I’m going to have to stay the course until I’ve proven to them that it’s what I really want.

DECK USED:  BRITT’S THIRD EYE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What one thing can I do today to make a loved one’s life better?

Dame Darcy's Queen Alice Tarot

Intuitive Interpretation: The thing I can do that would most help a loved one is help them with their burdens.  I was thinking of L when drawing these cards, and it looks like what she needs is something very similar to myself at the moment.  That is to say, someone to help remind her of the long-term view and set her free of the self-restraining thoughts that are making her feel overwhelmed with her burdens and responsibilities.

Although I haven’t had the chance to see her today, I think I might sit down with her and have a heart to heart tomorrow.  Just some quiet time and a talk about how we’re both feeling and how we can help each other in what is very obviously a mutual struggle at this time.

DECK USED:  DAME DARCY’S QUEEN ALICE TAROT

Owl and Bones February Two Card Challenge
Question: Card for me / Card for humanity

Weird Cat TarotCard for Me – Four of Wands, Wheel of Fortune – Make sure that you’re taking time to cherish the good times, because life is going to be full of lots of ups and downs this year.

Card for Humanity – Ace of Swords – It’s time to start looking at things in a new way, and to acknowledge the dependence we have upon the earth and her goodwill and generosity.

DECK USED:  WEIRD CAT TAROT

 

Connections and Longing

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IMG_2375Today’s meditation was just over eleven minutes long and focused on finding happiness not through all of the consumerism and excess in the world, but by moderation.  And how moderation assists in setting the soul free because there is less to weigh you down.

Honestly?  Moderation is not usually my strong suit.  It’s something that I struggle with a lot, in fact.   And the message in today’s guided meditation was well needed, even if this particular topic is one that I feel  I fall short on pretty regularly.

The Moon - Tarot of the Hidden RealmToday’s draw is the Moon card of the Major Arcana, which is a representation of uncertainty.  The thing is, though, that I see more in this card than just illusion and confusion.

To me, the imagery of this card speaks to me of an inherent need to connect with the earth, and that sometimes that’s not always possible.   Heading back home means that I have to work a little harder to get into the forests I love so dearly, and it creates a longing within me.

The appearance of today’s card is a reminder that it’s okay.  Even at times when you can’t be as close to those things you love as you want to be… it’s okay.  That connection is still there, and will be there whenever I need it.  I just have to make the effort of seeking it out.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM

#TarotForGrowthFebruary Challenge Prompt
Question: What is my relationship with my spirit?

The Guided Hand Tarot

Reading Summary: I’m putting a good deal of effort towards learning (Eight of Pentacles atop Page of Pentacles), but I need to set aside the dance and relax a bit (Judgement crossed over the Two of Pentacles).

Take Away:  My relationship with my spirit of this time is one of seeking and learning.  The problem lies in the fact that I’m trying to do too much juggling of different responsibilities and endeavors, which causes tension instead of just relaxing and allowing things to flow.

DECK USED:  THE GUIDED HAND TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Over what element of my life do I need to release some control?

Regretsy Tarot

Intuitive Interpretation from Imagery:  I can’t control everything all the time. I’m going to have to ease up on controlling every little thing and let things flow instead of trying to fit more and more shit on my plate.

Take Away:  The element of my life I need to release some control over is the fact that I’m trying to fit so much on my plate and control every little piece of everything.  I don’t need to monitor everything.  I don’t need to control every little thing.  It’s time to discern which things I can ease up on and that can take care of themselves without my constant monitoring and meddling.

DECK USED:  REGRETSY TAROT

Owl and Bones February Two Card Challenge
Question: Open / Close

Tarot of the Hidden RealmOpen: It’s time to reconnect with my passions (Ace of Wands) concerning my artistry and expertise (Three of Pentacles).  During the month of January, I had to put my passion for creativity on the back burner because I was struggling under that cloud of self doubt and fear caused by the letter I’d gotten in the fall.   Now that we are dealing with that fear and self doubt, it’s time to reconnect with my confidence in my work and the passion I have for what I do.

Close:  It’s time to release my negative thoughts concerning that letter and the emotions involved with it.  The Queen of Swords makes it clear that I’ve allowed the effects of that letter to go on for too long and cut too deep.  I need to let it go.  I know that’s going to take time and is not an immediate thing, but I also feel I’m well on the way to that outcome.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM

Top 5 Decks I Cant Live Without (non)VR To Kelly Bear

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I feel like I’ve answered this recently, but I can’t find it.  It’s a bit different than Simon’s “five favorites” as you can pick from any decks you have.  Still, I looked through and couldn’t find it so maybe it’s something I did in my head instead of actually writing down.

2019Top5

This post’s theme was originally created by Kelly Bear on YouTube a few years ago, and she recently did an update (because, well, favorites change over time).  From what I understand she usually does an update to this list yearly for her, we’ll see if I can remember to update it next year.

The way that I’m looking at this question is along the premise of if my house was on fire and I could only choose FIVE decks out of my collection to save, and none of my collection could be replaced for some reason, what five would I grab?

So here are my top five decks that I would  not want to live with out… at this moment.

Tarot of the Hidden Realm – This goes without saying. I’ve mentioned this many times on here that when I opened the box I had a very deep and immediate reaction to these cards the moment I touched them.  They speak to me on a level I’ve never had another deck speak to me before and I can’t see these cards falling off of this list any time soon.

Although… the artist is in the process of working on a second deck, and has already signed a contract with Llewellyn to produce it, so you never know, right?  I’ve seen some of the finished artwork for the deck and it is spectacular.

Blue Owl Lenormand or the 1889 Lenormand – I’m really kind of torn on this one.  The Blue Owl holds a lot of sentimental value for me, but the 1889 Lenormand’s aesthetic really speaks to me.   It would be a hard choice but if my ass was on fire and I had to choose just one, I would probably choose the 1889 primarily because I am currently using it more.

Dixit Decks – You can bet your ass if it came down to it I’d shuffle all ten of the decks I own into one monster deck and call it good.  I love these decks.  They’re actually a card game where you make up stories about the cards and other people have to guess what card you’re making up the story about.  It’s a fun game, but it’s not how I use these cards.    I personally use Dixit cards as an intuitive oracle, and they work really well for me in this way.

The Hanson Roberts Tarot – I find this deck easy on the eyes and exceedingly easy to read.  I also like the card size.  My own copy was purchased pre-owned and is one of the earlier printings of the deck.  This was good for me because it meant the cards were already broken in just a bit, as I find smaller decks are sometimes difficult for me to shuffle straight out of the box until they get broken in a bit.

The Universal Waite in a Tin – No surprise here that my favorite coloring of the deck is by Mary Hanson Roberts.  Although, if they would come out with a Radiant Wise Spirit in a tin?  I might have to change my mind. I chose this deck because of the traditional symbolism in the cards, the coloring, and because it’s IN A TIN.  Got to love a protective shell.  They’re also smaller than a regular tarot deck, which makes them easier to tote around.  Not that I tote around my tarot decks, but if I was reduced to five decks?  I might have to make myself a go-bag and this one would be in it.

I was actually a bit surprised that none of my out of print decks made it onto this list, although I did consider the Tyldwick Tarot. As much as I absolutely love that deck, though, it would fall in at sixth in line, though.  It would kill me to leave it behind because I really love it so much, but it isn’t on this list.   I also considered some of my plant or animal decks or a playing card deck, but they didn’t make it on the list for this time either.

 

#MyTop5Faves a (non) VR to The Hermit’s Cave

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This is a reply to Simon’s newest hashtag over at The Hermit’s Cave on YouTube.   His question was what are your ultimate favorite Tarot, Oracle, Lenormand, and Playing Card decks… plus a wild card number five.   For his wild card, Simon introduced his favorite crystal, and I will be using that as my wild card as well.

Please keep in mind that some of these will change over time.  Others have been the same answer for years and years.

So, here we go….

Tarot of the Hidden Realm Favorite Tarot Deck — The Tarot of the Hidden Realm by Julia Jeffrey and Barbara Moore. This became my favorite from the moment it came out of the box.  It was much different than any tarot I’d owned to date, and when I ordered it, I wasn’t entirely sure how I would click with it.   As soon as the deck arrived and I opened the box and got the cards in my hands, though, all those worries disappeared.

I connect in a deep and profound way with the artwork in these cards.  The deck feels perfect, from the way they shuffle and fit in my hands to the artwork on the cards, and even the accompanying guidebook, which I see as more of a book of short stories than a guidebook.  I just love them.  In fact, I just recently bought a back-up set in case anything ever accidentally happens to the set I currently use.

Favorite Oracle Deck — For oracle decks, I’ve really found that it changes regularly. I have a “primary deck” for both tarot and oracle that I change out each month.   I might use others during the month as well, but these decks are my “deep dive” type of decks where I spend the majority of my time with them specifically.   I’ve found that whatever oracle deck I’m using during this time?   That ends up my favorite… at least until the next month comes along.

Flora Healing CardsCurrently, I’m combining the Flora Healing Cards and the Fauna Inspiration Cards (both by Phoebe Hunt and Rebecca Lefebvre) into one deck and using that as my oracle for the month of July.  These are beautiful cards filled with flora and fauna in watercolor imagery and include the elemental affinities on the top of each card as well.  On the back of the cards is a paragraph that explains the significance and guidance for the fauna or flora represented on the front.   I really like these.   They are not the normal gloss card stock, but something softer, which means you have to be a bit more careful with them than most decks, but surprisingly I don’t mind it with these decks, in fact…. it sort of “fits” really well.

1889 LenormandFavorite Lenormand Deck — This was difficult, but I think my favorite of all time is the 1889 Lenormand by Jennifer Sager.   I like the earthy colors and the artwork that is both soft and yet very clear at the same time.  It has that “old time” feel of the Lenormand decks I grew up with, but with a hint of modern style.

I have a feeling this will change if I can ever get my hands on a copy of Kelly Fitzgerald’s Story in Color Lenormand.  I’ve yet to get this deck into my collection, and it is not traditional imagery for the Lenormand by any means, but there is something about the images that I’ve seen that makes me think it will end up being a favorite for me.

Favorite Playing Card Deck — The Daydreams expansion pack of the Dixit Cards. They are not a regular playing card decks, but they are game card decks, which I personally use as intuitive oracle decks.  So maybe these should have gone up in the Oracle section?

Faunae Playing Cards Playing cards as in poker decks?  This one is slated to change very, very soon… but at the moment it is the Aqua and Creme playing cards put out by Bicycle (and are notoriously difficult to photograph), which I think might be out of print now, but can still be found on eBay from time to time.  I like them because I find the colors (as well as the distressed look of them) very soothing.   I say that they are is slated to change very soon, though, because I have backed a Kickstarter deck called the Faunae Playing Cards, and I have a feeling once I have them in my hands I am going to be enamored.

Labradorite Palm Stone The Wild Card — Favorite Crystal — Labradorite has been my favorite crystal for as long as I can remember.   I connect really well with the energy of this stone (at least, as long as I avoid putting it on my forehead during meditation).  I find labradorite to be very soothing for me, and often meditate with a piece resting at my solar plexus, which can ease anxiety when I’m having issues in that department.  I’m a big fan of the large palm stones in particular, as I like that sense of “weight” with this stone, more so than any other.