Timing Isn’t Always Necessary

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and focused on planning for the future.   A lot of times it seems we wait for the perfect time to start things.   The “perfect time” to find a new job, the “perfect time” to take a vacation, or the “perfect time” to fall in love.

The thing is?   There’s never a perfect time.   There’s always going to be stress going on and distractions that can get in the way.   Today’s meditation focused on this fact, and that if there’s something you want to do that might enrich your life, or something you want to experience that you are holding back on while waiting for the “perfect time”, maybe it’s time to consider that the perfect time is now.

We can always think up roadblocks and other issues to hold us back, but sometimes? It’s worth it to just take a leap and do whatever it is.  Life will continue and adjust to fit in whatever it is, and you can adapt to accommodate it as well.

Six of Swords - Tarot of the Little Prince Today’s draw is the Six of Swords, which traditionally is a representation of harmony, cooperation and vitality, as well as humanity issues and limitations in the area of the mind, intellect, and communication.  Because it comes after the conflict of the Five in this suit, it also holds representation for transitions and letting go of the bad to move on to something better.

As the young man in the card’s imagery and his trusty fox have trudged through the maze of sharp swords to get to a better place (the well), I have trudged through a lot of difficulty over the past year, and struggled a lot with being overwhelmed and over-burdened.   This is a self-caused issue, as I am the one that filled my plate to overflowing, but that didn’t make it any less overwhelming.

As I move past the holiday rush and towards the new year, the appearance of the Six of Swords is an expression of the transition that I am making.  Not just from the busiest time of year to one that is slower and more manageable, but concerning the restructuring of how I deal with the business over the next year in an effort to try something new and more manageable than I’ve been doing thus far.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthDecember

Question: What parting message does 2019 have for me?

Darkness of Light Tarot

Reading Summary:  Learn from the lessons this year has taught me (The Hierophant) and move forward into the new year (The Universe) with a sense of optimism and hope (The Star) as well as a focus on finding a stable path forward (Four of Coins).

Take Away:  The center card is the focus in this reading, speaking of stability in the area of finances, and a need to be a bit more miserly in the upcoming year than I have been in 2019.  The cards surrounding the central theme speak of learning from the lessons I’ve picked up along the path, and remembering to stay open and optimistic in my path forward into the new year and new start it brings with it.

DECK USED:  DARKNESS OF LIGHT TAROT

 

Learning from New Experiences

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and focused on making the best out of difficult situations.  It was a good theme for Christmas day, as it mentioned gatherings where you can’t always get along with everyone, and times when people are being difficult, and how it’s better to step beyond these experiences and focus on the positive, rather than allowing these negative influences to drag you down and make you miserable.

I don’t have to worry about that as much this year, as I am going to  a friend’s family home for Christmas dinner rather than spending time with my own family, who can be quite abusive even at the best of times.   But, it was still a very good reminder to focus on the good rather than letting the bad niggle in and have a destructive influence on your mood, attitude, or day.

The Hierophant - Tarot of the Little Prince Today’s draw is the Hierophant, which is traditionally a representation of wisdom, institutions, the status quo, and tradition.  It is also a card that represents the dynamics between teacher and student…. and is my birth card.

The appearance of the Hierophant in today’s draw is an indication of the experiences I shared with J’s family.  This is the second year (not in a row) that I’ve attended Christmas dinner at his house, and for me it really is a learning experience.   Their traditions are beautiful, and they are so warm and loving to each other… and to me.

It’s interesting and different and… wonderful.  It is an amazing experience to be a part of something so full of love, warmth, and acceptance.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthDecember

Question:  Where should I focus my energy over the next year?

Forest of Enchantment Tarot

Reading Summary:  Gratitude and comfort (Ten of Visions), a new approach to business matters (Ace of Boons), and balancing instead of overburdening myself (Ten of Spells).

Take Away:  I need to continue to increase my self care and gratitude practice, allowing myself time to explore the emotional aspects of life rather than ignoring them.  I also need to commit to the new approach to working with the business that I’ve been considering, and focus on balancing the different aspects of my life rather than allowing myself to “overfill my plate” to the point where I’m overwhelmed.

DECK USED:  FOREST OF ENCHANTMENT TAROT

 

Looking at the Big Picture

Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and focused upon taking time to formulate a reaction rather than simply jumping in with both feet and no thought.  The discussion in the guided meditation was primarily about family, and about dealing with family over the holidays.

Gratefully, I don’t have to deal with my own family over the holidays this year, as I’ve taken the opportunity to stay home for once…. other than Christmas dinner anyway, which I will be spending with J’s parents this year.

One thing that losing my voice has helped me with, though, is that reaction time.  Without the ability to respond verbally to others, I find that there is a forced pause in which to assess and re-think.  And, a lot of times?  I come to the conclusion that it’s just not worth it.  Whatever it is is not worth getting worked up over, or in some cases, the sheer effort it would take to actually express myself and my opinion or thoughts on the matter.

Tarot of the Little Prince Today’s draw is a double without a jumper, meaning that both cards came out of the deck together as one.  The cards in today’s draw are the Two of Swords and the Two of Wands.

The cards in today’s draw speak of making choices, and how it’s neither looking inward for an answer, nor looking outward at your ambitions and drive for an answer, that is going to give you the best advice.   Instead, to find balance in life, you need to look at both.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in one perspective, that when planning our next steps along the path of our life, we forget to consider what lies beyond that one aspect.  Today’s draw is a reminder to look beyond what’s right in the forefront of your focus.   It’s a good reminder this close to the end of the year, and at the tail end of the holiday rush, when I’m beginning to plot my course forward into the year ahead.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthDecember

Question:  What should I leave behind as this year comes to a close?

This Might Hurt Tarot

Reading Summary:  Pride (The Emperor), and the constant drive to push myself beyond what is reasonable (Nine of Wands) to achieve my goals (King of Pentacles).

Take Away:  I can definitely admit that I hold a sense of pride in how hard I am able to push myself beyond what should be my limits in the pursuit of my goals concerning stability and security.  The thing is, though.  It’s not healthy, and I know that.   The cards are reminding me that I should leave that habit behind me as the year comes to a close. I know this, and even will try it for a while.   But I also know myself well enough to know I will return again and again to that workaholic drive.

DECK USED:  THIS MIGHT HURT TAROT

Strength and Choice

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and focused on the Winter Solstice (aka Yule), which is today, and the theme of refreshing energies and rebirth that this part of the year is all about.

With the shortest day of the year coming to an end and the longest night soon to follow, now is a time to focus on bringing in positive energy to breathe fresh air through the stagnant and get things moving again that have been left to rest (or rot) through the fall.

After today, the days will start to become longer again, and more light will begin to illuminate each step forward toward spring.  It’s a holiday of hope, like a candle’s shimmering light shining in the darkness, and it was this hope that the meditation focused on.

Nine of Wands - Tarot of the Little Prince Today’s draw is the Nine of Wands, and this is the second time I have seen this card today, as it was also a part of my solstice reading that I did this morning.

The message this card conveys is one of choice.  Do I want to spend my time in a position of defense?  Is cringing away in fear ever really much of an option?  Today’s appearance of the Nine of Wands is a reminder that sometimes you have to take a stand, and sometimes you have to walk away… but there are always choices in every unpleasant situation, and you don’t have to lay down and take it like a beaten whelp.

As a one card draw looking for positivity, this draw doesn’t tell me what that situation is, but is instead a message of strength and independence, and encouragement to stand strong.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthDecember

Question:  What wound did I heal this year?

Tarot of the Hidden Folk

Reading Summary: Neglecting my inner needs (Eight of Swords) in order to chase after my constant ambition and spark of new ideas (Ace of Wands) and putting my own self care on the back burner (The Empress).

Take Away:  For most of my life, first with my education and then with my home business, I have pushed myself beyond what is reasonably okay, essentially sacrificing my needs on the altar of my ambition and drive.  This year I’ve worked to begin changing that and healing the inner neglect that has been systemic in my life for so long.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HIDDEN FOLK

 

Balance In All Aspects

Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was focused upon the benefits of using grounding to help in times of stress and chaos.

Honestly?  Grounding is one of my favorite activities, and helps me immensely not just in stress relief but in balancing out my energies as well.  I center and ground throughout the day without thought, and it only takes the amount of time it takes to take a breath.  But, my favorite type of grounding takes a bit more time and concentration.

This more extensive grounding feels best on raw earth with bare feet (just like the picture) and involves closing your eyes and sinking into the stability of the ground beneath you while imagining that roots grow from the parts of your body that touch the ground and dig deep into the earth.   Your body is imagined as the trunk of the tree that you have become, those roots digging deep beneath the soil and your energy/aura stretching tall and broad around you like the branches and leaves stretching wide and reaching for the sky, the sun, or the moon.

This type of grounding is extremely satisfying and calming.  It feels good to me, and regenerative, and is something I practice often.

The High Priestess - Tarot of the Little Prince Today’s draw is the High Priestess, which is a representation of the subconscious, intuition, and spirituality.  As a Major Arcana card, the High Priestess card often deals with the big picture” rather than any one specific aspect of humanity, and has been stalking me lately along with the Ace of Pentacles.

I don’t feel that I have fully delved into the message that the High Priestess is stalking me about, which… of course not.  Because if I’d managed to delve into it deeply enough to satisfy her, she wouldn’t still be stalking me.

That said, what I see in today’s card is a reminder to not let one’s intuition run away with you to the point that you forget about common sense.  If you sink too deeply into the subconscious, sometimes you can forget about the practical things like personal safety (and a lamb’s muzzle preventing it from eating your prized rose).  There has to be balance, even in this.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthDecember

Question: What positive impact did I have on others this year?

Spooky Cat Tarot

Reading Summary:  I helped others see that there is opportunity (Ace of Pentacles) in change (Wheel of Fortune), and that it’s okay to be yourself (The Fool) while going after what’s right for you (Six of Swords), even if sometimes you have to move fast to get what you want (Eight of Wands)

Take Away:  The cards indicate that I have been a voice of encouragement and empowerment for others this year, giving them the “oomph” needed to do what appeals to them and go after the opportunities life throws at them.

DECK USED:  SPOOKY CAT TAROT

 

Finding Balance During Change

Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and although I can’t remember what the focus of the meditation was, I do know that it was really helpful in relaxing me a bit.  I did the meditation after the soak in the bath, and it helped a lot in keeping my anxiety from causing too much discomfort. Enough that I was able to take some ibuprofen and a short nap afterward.   And, although I sort of feel like I wasted the couple of hours involved there, it also managed to get rid of my headache.

Tarot of the Little Prince Today’s draw is a double without a jumper, which means both cards dropped out of the deck together as one.  The cards in today’s draw are the Four of Wands and Six of Pentacles.

When I look at the cards in today’s draw, what I see is an encouragement to find the fun.  This is not off of traditional meanings of the cards, but rather it is from the imagery itself.

I think, especially when I have been drowning in work for so long that that sense of overwhelm starts to feel normal, it is important to remember that that is not all that life is about.  It’s just a temporary whirlwind, and not permanent.  Soon, though. In the next few days there will be a shift from that chaos and bustle to a slow down and time to breathe.  It’s at that time I will need to remember to interject some fun into life to help offset the discomfort of adjusting back to the ‘normal’ of the rest of the year.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthDecember

Question: How can I release that regret as I move into the new year? (Build off of yesterday’s reading.)

The Marigold Tarot

Reading Summary: I need to remember to stay centered emotionally while receptive to what I’d experienced in the fall and allowing it to grow (Queen of Cups), and at the same time stop pretending that everything is okay because I’m going to end up hanging myself yet again next year if I don’t (Ten of Cups).  The fruits of my labors will come whether I’m overloaded or not, but it will be better if I take on what I can handle (Seven of Rings) instead of putting so much on my plate that I feel overwhelmed throughout the year.

Take Away:  It’s time to look at managing my time better.  This is pretty much a reiteration of yesterday’s reading concerning finding a better balance between my administrative tasks and my creative spark.  The cards are telling me to keep my feet on the ground and be realistic.

DECK USED:  THE MARIGOLD TAROT