tarot reading

Burning Candles

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Vampire's Tarot of the Eternal NightToday’s draw is the Ten of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of overwhelm, burnout, struggling under too much responsibility, and can indicate a need to do some prioritizing and delegation.

In the imagery of this card, a gargoyle ferries a carriage through the fog, the look on the gargoyle’s face determined as he splashes through the water and pulls the carriage forward.

But how long can they go on like that?  Sooner or later, they’re going to burn out.  They’re pushing too hard, and it’s going to catch up with them eventually, just as it does everyone that burns the candle at both ends.

DECK USED:  THE VAMPIRES TAROT OF THE ETERNAL NIGHT

Mr Lionhart’s Seasons of the Witch Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 28th thru 31st – The Veil

Daughters of Darkness Oracle Cards Set 1Spirits surrounding, will you head my call, can you give me guidance or not at all?

Top Left – Watch out for those that might try to pull you into pointless dispute or debate. They are just wasting your time and energy.

Cards on the table, ancestors respond, shareth your wisdom from somewhere beyond…

To Right – Make sure you are staying focus on the transition ahead into the holiday season. There are many distractions that will try to tempt you away from what needs to be done. Only through focus and determining for yourself what is truly important will you be able to stay on track.

Of blood and bone, of skin and seed, what part of you lives on in me?

Bottom Left – You carry forward both good and bad traits from your ancestors including the ability to find peoples’ triggers and use them to nudge others to your purpose, as well as a determination and drive that pushes you to try too hard and do too much and always be seeking more.

I honor, the witch within, my lineage, roots, my craft and kin, and as I walk between darkness and light, what shall bless my Sabbath night?

Bottom Right – In practicing rituals that you have done since you were a child you will find peace, and a connection that will give you answers if you are open in seeking them.

DECK USED: DAUGHTERS OF THE DARK ORACLE SET 1

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 29th: Bewitched – What lies beneath the mask that you show the world?

The Vampire's Tarot of the Eternal NightReading Summary: You hide from the world both just how much you depend on Gideon (King of Cups). Specifically, how much you need him to help you in setting aside those things that hurt or frustrate you (Eight of Cups) in order to focus more on what makes you happy (Nine of Cups).

Take Away: Vulnerability hides there behind the mask of self-sufficiency and independence.  You pretend to be far stronger and self reliant than you are because you do not want others to see how much you depend on them.  How much you need them.

This vulnerability frightens you, and so you hide it away.

DECK USED: THE VAMPIRES TAROT OF THE ETERNAL NIGHT

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch-up post, and I can’t recall what my self-kindness might have been.

Last Harvest 2022 – Samhain

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Coming up on October 31st is the third and Last Harvest of the 2022 autumn season.  Although this holiday (which is also known by most as Halloween and by many as Samhain) is celebrated around the world by those that embrace the rich history of many traditions that originated in Paganism, most don’t realize that is what they are doing… or that this holiday carries special significance as the eve of the Day of the Dead when the veil is at its thinnest between our world and those that have passed.

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Like with new moons and full moons, I usually do a spread to check in with myself and give myself some direction for the next couple of months for each solstice, equinox, and other Sabbats. This spread is an adaptation of my Self Care Saturday spread, so there are sure to be  some similarities in how it is read. The focus of this spread, though, is not about Self Care, but rather about progress and my path. The time period is also longer, reaching through the next handful of weeks until the celebration of the upcoming Winter Solstice (aka. Yule) in December.

Samhain Tarot Reading with the Pagan Otherworlds Tarot, Compendium of Witches Oracle, Samhain Art Card, and Healing Herbal Cards Vol 1 & 2

Theme of the Season – Samhain, First Quarter Moon, Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

Samhain is a time of connection. It is a time when those that have passed have the chance to reach through the veil that separates the living from the dead and connect with us… if we are open to that connection. It is a time to honor our ancestors, both of the blood… and of the spirit.

The First Quarter Moon is a time of preparation, when the world is building in energy and the moon is growing towards full. There is a moment… a pause here where the world takes a breath before the final plunge towards the peak of the moon’s energy.

The Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is a representation of stability, responsibility, and strength. It is a spice used in protection as well in many rituals and spells. On mundane matters, it is an antioxidant, and also an antibacterial that has been used for centuries to fight bad breath and gum disease.

When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here is one of preparation and protection. Reinforce your wards and make sure that you aren’t allowing yourself to to be pulled into interactions with those on the other side that could be harmful to you. Only through cleansing and protections can you ensure the season goes smoothly and you will be able to continue to build energy toward the full moon to come.

Earth – Seven of Cups – It’s time to par down on your responsibilities. This includes those things that you do on your spiritual path that you can cut back on during the season ahead. Practical matters need to take precedence.

Air – Death atop King of Swords – You have no time right now to be stuck up in your head. Make sure you are communicating clearly and helping to guide others through the transition into the holiday season as smoothly as possible.

Water – Three of Cups Rx – There is no room in your life first parties and revelry at this time. With the holiday rush upon you in a mere week, you have to buckle down and temporarily set aside your desire for fun and frolic.

Fire – Ace of Swords Rx – There is also no room for new ambitions and new ideas right now. Write them down and save them for later what’s the holiday season is over. You can then explore to your hearts content once more.

Waning – The Dusk Child and Ruins – Shadow work and the digging up of the past needs to take a back seat for a while.Time will come when you can pick up this part of your practice again, but for now it’s time to set such things to the side.

Waxing – The Shaman and Autumn – Pay attention to those things that feel like they are falling apart. It makes you feel vulnerable, but the process is actually one that builds strength if you are a part of the process instead of a “victim” of it.

DECKS USED: SABBAT THEMED ART CARD, PAGAN UNDERWORLDS TAROT, COMPENDIUM OF WITCHES ORACLE, HEALING HERBAL CARDS VOL 1 & 2

Being Who You Want To Be

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Necronomicon TarotToday’s draw is the Seven of Wands is traditionally a representation of fighting for one’s beliefs, standing up for one’s principles, and confrontations that challenges one’s values.

The imagery here feels like the center man might be reacting to the others being different than himself than them being a true threat.  Their spears are not raised or glowing with danger, after all, only the center figure’s is.  And it almost looks like the creature on the left is trying to communicate, but that the central figure is too caught up in their reaction to listen.

Today’s message is to make sure that your reactions are aligned with your principles and values before acting on them. Sometimes gut reactions are not aligned with who we want to be… and it’s important to catch ourselves during these moments and redirect our actions.

DECK USED:  NECRONOMICON TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 27th and 28th

Shadows of the Macabre OracleSpellwork: What needs manifested in your life right now?

Destination and Disillusionment – Clarity concerning where you are headed and how you are going to get there. Strategy and a good game plan for the last quarter of the year is essential to making sure that this time goes smoothly.

Harvest: What gifts of the season are ready for harvest in your life?

Magical Thinking and Hoarding – Pay attention to what you hold onto that needs released, and purge those things from your life that are holding you back. Continuing to hold on to them while pretending it will all work out will only cause problems through the season ahead. The gift here is the ability to look at these things with an unbiased perspective and the ability to do something about them.

DECK USED: SHADOW OF THE MACABRE ORACLE

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Question for October 28th: How can I better integrate all aspects of myself?

Necronomicon TarotReading Summary: Accept that the journey is just beginning and you have a long way yet to go in knowing yourself fully (Knave of Swords). Be generous with yourself and others (Six of Disks), and look for opportunities to improve yourself in solid and grounded ways (Ace of Disks).

Take Away: Insecurity and imbalance is a problem that holds you back.  As are the less than generous inner narratives that create a strangle hold on your creativity and strength.

In order to integrate more of yourself into your day to day life, you need to feel safe.  Safe and stable.  Only when these criteria are met can you delve into those deepest parts of yourself you’ve yet to explore and get to know.

DECK USED: NECRONOMICON TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I went through all of my KS pledges and did some weeding. I ended up cancelling a total of eleven pledges from my list.

Greener Grass Ahead… Maybe

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Today’s meditation was skipped (again).

Trick or Treat TarotToday’s draw is the Eight of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of leaving behind what is not working in order to head towards something that will work better. This card includes themes that involve frustration, abandonment, disappointment, and withdrawal.

You know that saying about the grass always being greener on the other side of the fence? Here it is with a Halloween twist.  The superhero looks back at all the little pumpkins and the one on the hill seems bigger than life and so much better!  Yet I bet once he climbs that hill he’s going to find it’s the same size as the others… it just looked bigger beforehand.

Today’s card asks us to examine where are we over-glorifying something either unattainable, or that will cost us much to obtain?  Is it really as good as we’re playing it up to be?  Is it worth the sacrifices we’ll have to make in order to seize it for ourselves? Or are we building it up into something it’s not, chasing a mirage instead of reality?

DECK USED:  TRICK OR TREAT TAROT

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 26th and 27th

Spooky Season OracleWhere am I not taking responsibility for my actions?

Betrayal and Contemplation – When you feel betrayed by others, you have a tendency to get stuck in that feeling instead of seeking out where and how you might have contributed to what happened. This isn’t the same as blaming yourself, but rather, it is a need to seek where you could do better moving forward.

How can I begin to hold myself accountable?

Patience and The Call – Take time to really think things over and discuss them with others in order to obtain a wider perspective of the situation.

DECK USED: SPOOKY SEASON ORACLE

Mr Lionhart’s Seasons of the Witch Challenge Prompt
Question for October 27th: The Wicked – They took their brooms to seek the night, what wisdom can witches of the old provide?

Trick or Treat TarotReading Summary: You only get one chance to live life to the fullest (Ten of Pentacles), don’t waste it by allowing stagnancy to take root (Four of Pentacles), being over critical with yourself and others (King of Swords), or by pushing so hard in your ambition that you are left all alone (imagery in the King of Swords).

Take Away: This is a reminder of some of the habits you have picked up that hold you back from truly enjoying life.  It speaks of a need for balance between your ambition and the stability and peaceful stillness that you crave, as well as staying mindful of that inner critic that loves so much to tear you down and cause disruptions in your life.

DECK USED: TRICK OR TREAT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

This is another catch-up post, and I don’t recall what I might have done for self-kindness on this day.

Solar Eclipse Tarot Reading

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Solar Eclipse Spread with the Oracle of Light & Shadow

What is blocked and in the dark.

Snow Angel – You are missing the obvious. Make sure that you are tuning in to your intuition and what your spirit guides have to say instead of trying to tune out. Yes, this time of year can be overwhelming, but it’s important to continue to listen.

Death and the Maiden – You will be given the opportunity to see where you are being deceived and used by others. Pay attention to those around you and you’ll be able to see them coming instead of allowing them to sneak up on you and take you by surprise.

What I must do to achieve that future.

Faceless Ghosts and the Haunted Girl – Again.. listen to your guides. Don’t block them out or ignore them. Yes, this time of year can be overwhelming, but it’s important to continue to listen.

The biggest influence the Eclipse will have on the spirit.

Angel of Time – The eclipse will offer you a shift into a time of energy. Make sure you are not using this energy to overwhelm yourself with too many tasks and responsibilities. Instead, spread it out and use it wisely.

The best way to prepare the spirit for change.

Ghosts of the Pumpkin Patch – Practice gratitude for all you’ve done, accomplished, and have in your life. This effort to appreciate these things can help you through darker moments.

DECK USED: ORACLE OF SHADOWS & LIGHT

Valuable Lessons

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Untamed TarotToday’s draw is the Page of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, or intuition. This often translates into themes that have to do with emotional growth, second chances relationships, or exploring one’s creative pursuits.

The figure in this card holds a flower and looks back in the direction of the past.  She offers this flower to the past and appears just about to turn in that direction, and yet both of her legs still face towards he future.

This card begs the question… what lessons from your  past need revisiting?  Take time to reflect today on what has been left behind as insignificant, but you now realize was a lesson of great value.

DECK USED:  UNCAGED TAROT

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Question for October 25th: What behaviors do I judge myself for the most?

Scary Stories Tarot and The Oracle HalloweenBehavior – Self Worth – Self doubt and a sense of unworthiness are a predominant part of how you view and treat yourself. You use these doubts and lack of self worth not just to keep pride in check, but take it too far and use it to hold yourself down and punish yourself as well.

How to ease up on myself in this area?

Nine of Pentacles – Look at all you have accomplished and how far you have come. You’ve done so much, and accomplished a great deal.  Don’t forsake these things, but instead celebrate them.

Behavior – Perseverance – You push yourself too hard. You are a slave driver when it comes to your work, always pushing for more, and setting your expectations for yourself too high. You use this form of self abuse to motivate yourself, but it is as equally harmful as it is effective.

How to ease up on myself in this area?

The Empress – Consider… would you treat others this way? You are nurturing and kind, if sometimes stern, with others around you, but you never abuse them.  Why would you treat yourself worse than you would a stranger?  Work on being more supportive and nurturing towards yourself instead of always demanding more than you can give.

Behavior – Retreat – Berating yourself for the need to rest and recuperate. The guilt you put on yourself for “wasting time” takes away from how rested and refreshed you could be when emerging from your moments of rest.

How to ease up on myself in this area?

The Devil – This is an unhealthy habit that you have let go unchecked for so long it’s developed a mind of its own. To ease up in this area requires catching yourself in the act and redirecting to a healthier alternative.

DECK USED: THE ORACLE HALLOWEEN AND SCARY STORIES TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Do ghosts exist?

Untamed TarotReading Summary:  This is entirely up to the individual and what they wish to do after death (King of Wands).  Some move on, satisfied with all that they have accomplished and built (Nine of Pentacles), while other stay due to their connections with those they once knew (Three of Pentacles).

Take Away: It appears that the answer is a resounding “yes”, but that not everyone becomes a ghost. These cards indicate that whether one becomes a ghost or not depends heavily on whether or not they feel they have unfinished business yet to tend to.

DECK USED: UNCAGED TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch-up post, and I do not remember what my self-kindness might have been for the day.