Changes and Transformations

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Mystical Universe Tarot - DeathToday’s draw is the Death card, which is traditionally a representation of gradual organic change, endings, moments of closure, and transformations.

What stands out to me the strongest today in this card’s imagery is the wings in the background, spread wide and delicate. In contrast with the claws on the blade and the snake in the foreground, what I see here is that sometimes change hurts.  A lot.

Sometimes it can be treacherous and painful. But in the end? It allows room for transformation to step in and begin to shift our lives into something better and more beautiful.

DECK USED:  MYSTICAL UNIVERSE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2022 Challenge Prompt
Topics for June 23rd thru 25th

Mysterium Game Cards for DivinationAbout differences…

To Row – There are threads that connect us all, and allow us to see beyond our differences if we’re willing to look. If you focus on the differences instead of looking beyond them, the world can feel desolate and cold.

About similarities…

Center Row – Don’t be fooled into thinking that similarities are all that is involved in making a relationship work. There is so much more to a relationship to what we have in common with the other person. If you focus too hard on what you have in common, you can in turn miss the problems right in front of you.

About dreams…

Bottom Row – Don’t let broken dreams stagnant you, and turn you into something that you don’t want to become. Instead, move on from them to better things.

DECK USED: MYSTERIUM GAME CARDS

The #STCTarotChallenge Statements of Power Prompt
Questions for June 24th

Mystical Universe TarotI give myself permission to…

The Sun Rx atop Justice – …fail at things now and then. Failure is a learning process that allows us to experiment, and learn through trial and error. When you fail, you essentially learn what not to do through the consequences of that failure.

Because…

Four of Wands and Queen of Swords – … there is no reason that failure has to shake up your foundation. Instead it provides experience that you can use later in life. For each exploration in life, whether a failure or a success, there’s something to be learned.

DECK USED: MYSTICAL UNIVERSE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made a bad choice to go on my drive alone today, but when I had car trouble I ended up calling Jer to come meet me and spend the rest of the day with me.

Vroom Vroom

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Decuma Tarot - Knight of SwordsToday’s draw is the Knight of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a projective and active beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with pursuing one’s goals related to their education, actively seeking one’s goals, action and decisiveness,and at times can indicate impulsivity.

Today is an order stay, and body play the night of sorts, which in today’s card speaks of the pursuit of my goals and moving forward quickly and decisively to get what needs done, done.

Vroom vroom, man. Get your shit done.

DECK USED:  DECUMA TAROT (trimmed)

The #STCTarotChallenge Statements of Power Prompt
Questions for June 23rd

Nurture Nature DeckI will sever…

Elephant, Journey, Good Luck – …mindless movement forward along life’s path without a focus on gratitude and optimism.

to make room for…

Desert and Water – …more resilience against encroaching depression.

The turmoil of emotions and mess it makes during a depression can be mitigated to a point, if I lean into positivity, optimism, and gratitude.

DECK USED: NURTURE NATURE DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for June 22nd
: How is “art” distinguished from something that “isn’t art”?

Decuma TarotReading Summary: It is all about what someone is willing to part with their money for (Four of Pentacles), abandon healthy practices in order to obtain (The Devil atop The Lovers). But in the end, this thing it makes them feel like they’ve gained something of value (Six of Pentacles).

Take Away: Art is about value that, although not always monetary in nature, is always personal and subjective.

DECK USED: DECUMA TAROT (trimmed)

Daily Self Kindness

I had L help me in packaging tonight so that I’d get done at a decent time. I mean… if 3am can be considered a decent time anyway.

The Potential For Beauty

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Okami Tarot - The TowerToday’s draw is the Tower card, which is traditionally a representation of sudden, chaotic change. The appearance of the Tower card indicates the need to tear down established structures so that something new can take its place.

In the imagery of the Tower in this deck, I very much see that “rebuilding” potential, for as the volcano explodes in the background, destroying the island in the process, it sends seeds and spoors into the air to be carried by the wind, giving the life that once lived on the island a chance to rebuild in fertile soil elsewhere.

Like most people, I struggle with this type of change. It’s not so much the change itself as it is the fact that it is sudden and chaotic.  There’s no chance to prepare.  You just have to hold on for the ride and let it play itself out, then pick up the pieces after.

The beauty in this card reminds me that that chaos is not the end. There are better things to come if I’m willing to let them grow from the ashes and do the work to rebuild in the aftermath.

What comes after could be beautiful.

DECK USED:  OKAMI TAROT

The #STCTarotChallenge Statements of Power Prompt
Questions for June 22nd

Wisdom of Hafiz OracleI can now…

Bottom Left Cards – …begin to trust myself more and accept myself as a whole instead of in pieces. The prompts lately have allowed me to look at this theme in a different way, giving me a greater perspective to work with than the one I began with at the beginning of the month.

And this helps…

Top Right Cards – … life in feeling lighter and brighter, giving me a greater perspective of appreciation and gratitude.

DECK USED: WISDOM OF HAFIZ ORACLE

Mr Lionhart’s #TheJuneTarot Spark of Magic Prompt
Questions for June 22nd thru 24th

Okami TarotHow can I best embody the manifestation of my Solstice intentions?

Five of Glaives (Swords) – Fight for them. Anything worth having is worth working for.

How am I asked to nurture, or tend to, my flame in support my Solstice plans?

Seven of Rosaries (Coins) – Be understanding with the fact that things take time. Immediate gratification may be satisfying, but those things that you work towards overtime and accomplish are worth a great deal more.

What should I keep in mind, or what can I do, if my flame grows weaker, or when my path meets resistance?

The Emperor – Seize control and stay focused. Claim your goals as yours and direct your resources towards them regardless. Be stubborn.

Where, or in what area, am I guided (by Lilith) to be (more) assertive or to be (more) independent?

Nine of Brushes (Wands) – Boundaries are extremely important. They give your life structure and create structure and a sense of stability for others in your life. Make sure that you are clear in the boundaries you set not just for others, but for yourself as well.

DECK USED: OKAMI TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’ve been working on getting some of the vacation orders done to make sure that I’m not overwhelmed tomorrow (which is orders day).

The Avoidance Motivation

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Mystical Penguin Tarot - Two of SwordsToday’s draw is the Two of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of crossroads, difficult decisions, needing more information, seeking inward for answers, weighing one’s options, and sometimes avoidance.

The fact that the figure’s head is turned to the side in this image speaks to me of the last of the interpretations mentioned above.   Avoidance.

I see this card as an encouragement to consider what it is in life that is being avoided at this time.  Where are you procrastinating?  What is being ignored because you don’t want to face it head on?

It’s time to look at these things and consider why this avoidance is happening, rather than letting it continue on to the point where it could become detrimental.

DECK USED:  MYSTICAL PENGUIN TAROT

The #STCTarotChallenge Statements of Power Prompt
Questions for June 21st

L'Oracle de LanaI will make more time for…

Tunnel and Change – …doing those things needed to get me the rest of the way out of the pit that the depression sank me in at the beginning of the year. I need contribute more time to doing the things that will pull me off the lip and back into the clear.

Because…

Emotions and Plume – …where I am right now in my emotional health, the slightest breeze (something that seems inconsequential but comes at me at just the right time and just the right angle) could lift me off that edge of depression’s pit and send me drifting back down into the darkness again.

DECK USED: L’ORACLE DE LANA

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for June 21st
: Do the Summer Solstice Spread

Mystical Penguin TarotHorse – What can I do to build up my inner courage to live life with more honesty and integrity?

Three of Pentacles atop Queen of Wands – Continue to invite others into your passionate endeavors, as it’s not just supportive for you but nurturing for them as well.

Daisy – How can I (safely) insert more innocence and purity into how I view the world?

Four of Swords Rx – Be proactive about the things you want in your life. Lying back and waiting is not going to let these things in or encourage them to flourish. You have to actually act to receive these blessings.

Lapis Lazuli – How can I be more honest with myself about my good and bad traits?

The Star – More positivity and hope, less negativity and pessimism. You’ve spent too much time focusing on your bad traits and blowing them out of proportion. Remember that these traits (both good and bad) are what make up the whole of who you are. You may not be happy with some of the traits… but you are pretty happy with who you are and who you are becoming.

Citrine – In what ways can I work at expressing myself more creatively?

Wheel of Fortune – Remember that you don’t have to be “steady as a rock” all of the time. It’s okay to be unpredictable now and then.

Snake – How can I use creativity to instill in life fresh energies and a sense of rebirth?

Ace of Wands Rx – Remember that not all new ideas are good ideas, and instead delve into the things already in your life the spark your creative passion.

Heather – How can I invite more good luck into my day to day life?

Ten of Wands – By not “tempting fate”. Like, for example, when you bring groceries in from the car. Take multiple smaller trips rather than overloading yourself to take one big trip. Sometimes bad luck steps in simply because you’re tempting fate to make a bad shit happen.

DECK USED: MYSTICAL PENGUIN TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I got all of the earrings and bracelets done for the orders to ship out on Friday.  This will make things easier in the next few days, which can give me more time with Gid as well.

Project Procrastinations

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Little Odd Tarot - Knight of SwordsToday’s draw is the Knight of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a projective beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thought, intellect, reasoning, education, aspirations, and communication.

Determination is displayed on the features of the knight in today’s card, their forward charge faced toward the past as if to draw our attention to the things we have done… things we’ve not finished that need to be charged into and completed.

The message in today’s card is about those projects that remain unfinished, and encouragement to get going on getting them done. Make a plan and get going. If you want something done you’re gonna have to get off your ass and do it. No project finishes itself.

DECK USED:  LITTLE ODD TAROT

The #STCTarotChallenge Statements of Power Prompt
Questions for June 20th

Little Odd Tarot and the Irreverent OracleI will discontinue…

King of Cups and Hermit Crab – … hiding from Gideon when I’m feeling out of sorts. I always try to curl into myself and avoid coming online, even when I know it’s his company that I need. Instinct… or more accurately? Habit has me instead wanting to curl up by myself and hide.

So I may…

Eight of Pentacles atop Ten of Wands, Bull – … work on better methods of dealing with overwhelm with his help there to lead the way. By yielding (instead of locking horns with him in my stubbornness), I allow him to shine at what he does best in helping me.

DECK USED: IRREVERENT ORACLE AND LITTLE ODD TAROT

Mr Lionhart’s #TheJuneTarot Spark of Magic Prompt
Questions for June 19th thru 21st

Take time to carve a candle today in preparation of the Solstice. Carve it with everything you wish to manifest during this Solstice.

Mr Lionhart's Summer Solstice Spell with the Little Odd Tarot

This Solstice will bless me with the flame of…

The Hermit atop Knight of Wands – Independent enthusiasm. Motivation to get things done and work toward completing projects that need my sole attention.  Not everything has to be done with others, just do what you can on your own and do the rest later on.

My Solstice candle will help me with…

Ace of Cups – Connecting to my emotions in more healthy ways. Sometimes accomplishments need celebrating just to lift your mood, and in order to have those celebrations, make sure you are appreciating what you do manage to get done.  Don’t discount it.

Today I spark the flame of Independent Enthusiasm within myself and light my candle of Emotions Exploration and Understanding. And as my candle burns, may it burn bright with the blessing of this Solstice. As above, so below, so be it.

DECK USED: LITTLE ODD TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’ve started making a dated list of different things that I do during my day. Whether it’s different work for the business, learning a new skill, etc.  There is also a list of to-do stuff that I can check off and date as I get them done.   I really wanted an app for this, but I can’t seem to find an app that actually dates completed tasks when you mark them as finished, and keeps a running “completed tasks list” you can look back on.

Summer Solstice 2022 – Midsummer

Today is the Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year and one of the eight holidays that I celebrate throughout the year. This day marks the ‘official’ transition into summer and a shift from days that become longer and longer through the spring into days from here on out will grow shorter and shorter for the next six months.

summersunrise

This holiday is often called Midsummer or Litha, although I usually just refer to it as the Summer Solstice. On my path, it celebrates the turning point of summer, where the build-up of creative energy from the spring crests into a time of abundance as we travel into the depths of summer in much the same way that the growing energies of the full moon crest before beginning to wane each month.

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 on 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 First Harvest (aka, Lughnasadh, Lammas, Lughnasa, Lugh) on August 1st.

Summer Solstice Tarot Reading with the Pagan Underworlds Tarot, Herbal Healing Deck, and Compendium of Witches Oracle

Theme of the SeasonSummer Solstice, Last Quarter Moon, Grass Lily (Ornithogalum umbellatum)

This year’s Solstice card shows an explosion of verdant growth under the nurturing rays of a radiant sun. It speaks of the abundance of the season and all of the growth that goes on during this time of year while the sun is shining bright and the earth is warmed into fertile ground.

The Last Quarter Moon is a phase that is dedicated to the energies of release and letting go. It is a time for gratitude, generosity, and for cutting ties with those things (and people) that are no longer benefiting you and your life.  As the moon has waned, we have examined what these things (and people) might be and it is in this phase of the moon that we now take action to cut those ties loose.

The Grass Lily (Ornithogalum umbellatum) is associated with themes that have to do with innocence, purity, honesty, hope, and forgiveness.  The flowers and bulbs contain cardiac glycosides, which make them toxic to humans and livestock. Although toxic, in certain regional areas they are (in moderation) eaten and/or used in homeopathic remedies.

When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here strongly echoes the phase of today’s moon and making sure that when you let go of those things that are no longer suited to you that you truly -let go- and don’t secretly cling on some internal level.  Make it a clean break so that you can foster the growth of new and better things.  These new and better things need room in which to flourish that can’t be cluttered with regrets or clinging to what’s being cut loose.

EarthThe Empress – With all that’s going on in your life and all you have plans to accomplish, make sure that you are not losing sight of what is really important. Take care of yourself. Take care of others. These things should come first.

AirJustice – What goes up must come down and what goes down will bounce back up. Don’t let the ups and downs of life in the process of seeking balance frustrate you. Ride them like ocean waves instead.

WaterThree of Pentacles – “That penis didn’t erect itself, it had help.” (Quoting the voice in my ear.) A relationship is a group effort, not a solo mission. Take time to appreciate all that you and Gideon have accomplished together.

FireAce of Wands Rx atop Page of Cups – No entertaining new ideas or inspirations right now. Explore what is already before you more thoroughly instead.

WaningThe Scholar and Goat – Your time of intellectual contemplation and stewing on plans in the background has come to an end. It’s time to start acting instead of thinking about it.  Movement is your friend.

WaxingThe Preserver and Pomegranate – Begin reaching for those things you value and moving into making sure that they are being cared for properly.

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