tarot reading

Morning Bonus Read – Dark Year Spread

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The Vampire TarotWhat is dying away, sloughing off, departing?
Five of Wands

My enthusiasm for the fight.  I haven’t had that spark of fire this season that usually rides me so hard.  That lack of enthusiasm makes it hard to push forward and has caused a slackening of motivation.

How can I lovingly support this transition?
Six of Cups atop Seven of Wands

These cards are not about supporting the transition.  They’re about supporting myself through a time of discomfort and reminding myself that I need to stay in the present and not allow the past and my past experiences to force me into unpleasant situations.   A lot of my motivation comes from those past experiences, and so this is also about acceptance.

What will this death make way for? What’s looking to be born or reborn?
Six of Pentacles

I really dislike this feeling of lack of motivation, but what this death is trying to make room for is a the ability to be more generous with myself and others.  This is about having the awareness of where I am, what I need from others, and what I can offer in turn.  Thus, putting me more in touch with what’s going on around me instead of within my own life from only my own perspective.

DECK USED: THE VAMPIRE TAROT

Take Care of Yourself

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Today’s meditation was skipped, unfortunately, because I got a bit of a late start after the farm.  Or rather, I ended up staying a bit longer at the farm this morning than planned, and it screwed the rest of my morning schedule.  I did manage to still get my flu shot tho, and made it to my Aunt’s only about an hour late, so it wasn’t an entire wash.

Madam Lydia Wilhelmina's Tarot - Ten of WandsToday’s draw is the Ten of Wands, which is traditionally interpreted as running into overwhelm or burnout in the pursuit of your passion projects and other endeavors. It is about taking on too much responsibility, about having too much on your plate, and about feeling over-burdened.

This is a very apt card for today, as today’s major project for today was about going over to my aunt’s new apartment in the city and helping to move all of her belongings out of the moving container (you know, like one of those big metal shipping containers) and into her apartment.  This also ended up including the assembly of a couple pieces of furniture that she needed help putting together, and helping her get a few of the essential boxes unpacked.

The sharp tips on the ends of the wands in this imagery are especially apropos, as I feel that the message in this card today is about making sure that I don’t over do it to the point that I end up hurting myself (sharp pointed spears) in the process. 

Today’s card was a perfectly timed reminder to make sure I would take care of myself today.

DECK USED:  MADAM LYDIA WILHELMINA’S TAROT

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: How can I best work with the thinning veil this year?

Gothic Horror Tarot

Reading Summary: Take a position of strength (Queen of Staves) and gratitude (Nine of Cups), of grounded fulfillment  (Ten of Pentacles) about having made good choices that got you to where you’re at (The Lovers)…. only then can you work with others on the other side of the veil safely (Three of Coins).

Take Away: This is about making sure that I am “well seated” both emotionally and in the physical word and confident in where I’m at prior to reaching out to work with the other side.  It’s about more than just being grounded, but about being in a place of strength, confidence, and power. 

DECK USED:  GOTHIC HORROR TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Energy I’m emitting / What that energy is attracting / What to do about it

Grim TarockEnergy I’m Emitting – The Hanged Man – Open and observant.  Quiet and willing to take my time when needed to understand things from different angles.  Non-biased and able to take in different viewpoints without losing perspective.

What That Energy Is Attracting – Ten of Fish – People are drawn to this as it feels safe and soothing. It makes me approachable even when perhaps I’m not as skilled as I’d like to be in communication and other interpersonal aspects.

What To Do About It – King of Chaos – Do nothing. The repercussions would suck for yourself and for others.  Chaos is just not comfortable or something you really want too much of in your life.

DECK USED:  GRIM TAROCK

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question: What message do my other Guides need to tell me?

Trick or Tarot

Reading Summary: My spirit guides say that they see that I’m moving forward in my business (Page of Wands) and that I’m not just capable (The Magician) but also highly skilled (Eight of Pentacles).

Take Away: They are all on my side and being my cheer-leading team, letting me know that I’ve got this.  It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, but they are reminding me that I’m strong and capable and in my element and if I just go with it, everything will be fine.

DECK USED:  TRICK OR TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What does shadow/darkness mean to me?

Tarot de Marseille par Pole Ka

Reading Summary: The influence that creates bad choices (Lovers Rx), the self recriminations and inner dialogue that drags me under into depression and retreat (The Hermit Rx), and the emotional mess that spills out to damage my ability to relate to others (Queen of Cups Rx).

Take Away:  Shadows and darkness are, in my perspective, the influences and decisions that create a situation of isolation and depression.

DECK USED:  TAROT DE MARSEILLE PAR POLE KA

Morning Bonus Read – Refocus Tarot Spread

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Because I am trying to show a bit more of my decks this month, as I have a whole LOT of October/Halloween/Samhain decks, I’m doing a few extra bonus reads over the month.  This is one of those extra readings.

Refocus Tarot Spread - Catton Candy Nightmare Tarot

Why do I feel unfocused right now?
Ten of Pentacles Rx

Because my stability feels a bit shaky and uprooted.  The thing is, this time of year is a transition period for me between the summer’s endeavors (that this year were primarily self-focused and personal) and the holiday rush (which is entirely business focused and entrepreneurial).  It’s not surprising that the shift from one to the other would make me feel unsteady, and thus a bit unfocused.

What is distracting me from my soul’s true path?
Judgement

Me.. being a dick… to myself.  I’m working on combating this as best that I can, but that dark snarl that likes to whisper nasty shit in my ear is definitely working overtime at the moment.

What requires my focus right now that I am neglecting?
Eight of Cups

I’ve had a lot of reminders lately about making sure I’m leaving the shit that isn’t working from me behind.  Here, again, we see that reminder that I need to keep my eye on where I want to go and not on how I  used to do things.   There’s a lot of temptation right now to fall into bad habits from my past, so these constant reminders are understandable and appreciated.

How can I release distractions and refocus on what matters most?
The Hanged Man Rx

Stop allowing hesitation to rule my actions and thoughts.  I’m being told to jump in and “adjust on the fly” as I move forward instead of hanging back with worries while trying to test the waters before jumping in.  Procrastination is not my friend right now.

Who or what can help me stay focused?
Ace of Wands

I need to get back in touch with that creative inner spark and the joy that it gives me to manifest ideas into physical items that bring pleasure to others.  This is my own pleasure and my purpose, and is something that I’ve lost touch with a bit off and on this year.

How can I benefit from realigning and refocusing?
Five of Cups Rx

It will allow me to move on and move forward instead of hanging back dealing with emotions that have no use or purpose for me at this time.

DECK USED:  CATTON CANDY NIGHTMARE TAROT

Claiming Control

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IMG_7119Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and another guided meditation with interval timer.  The guided meditation today also included a chime which was intended to help keep the mind returning to the present and the breath.  This is because the topic of the guided meditation was just that.

That is to say, the topic was about sinking into the present and not allowing fixation with the past or the future to diminish your pleasure in the moment.  The thing is?  Most of humanity has a tendency to do just that.  To either get lost in thoughts of the past and memories, or distracted by plans for the future and daydreams.   These distractions take our mind away from the present, and make it difficult to fully enjoy all that the present has to offer.

Part of mindfulness meditation is the effort to train your mind to spend more time in the present, so that we can then carry that mindfulness of the present forward outside of meditation and into your day to day lives.

Tarot of Haunted House - Queen of WandsToday’s draw is the Queen of Wands, which is a receptive alpha energy, personality or person in the area of one’s drive, passionate interests, enthusiasms, and willpower.  This often translates into themes that have to do with determination, confident independence, and strong figures that encourage the drive and ambitions of others.

One of the lesser known interpretations of the Queen of Wands lies in the concept of dominant sensuality, as in the blend of dominance and sensuality.   And that is what I see in the imagery of this card today.  I see a confident woman filled with strength and aware of her power and allure.   I see control in her hold on the trident of flames, and sensuality in the piano behind her (that might be just me because of my synesthesia).

The message here is about owning your power.  It’s about knowing your strengths and playing to them instead of disregarding them as useless or yourself as unworthy.  The message in this card is about making sure I know to step into tomorrow with confidence and determination, and place myself through my behavior and my inner strength in a place of power and control… thus owning that control rather than allowing my aunt to have it.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF HAUNTED HOUSE

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: Ask your cards for something you are destined to explore or face. Draw as many cards as you see fit. Set an affirmation and conclude your reading with “… and so it is.”

Murder of Crows TarotSomething I am Destined to Explore/Face

When I look in the mirror, what do I see?  Do I see the man that I am now? Or the child I used to be?  (Six of Cups)
When I step into my entrepreneurial spark and allow it to fill my focus and time, do I carry with me the strength of the man I am?  Or do I hear my father’s cruel bark? (Ace of Wands)
Instead of listening to that voice of old, it’s time to learn a different way. I need to find the optimism I’ve lost and a way to inject joy into my work… something I had always been discourage from doing in my youth. (The Sun)

Affirmation

By collaborating with others, they bring support into the equation, and allow room to foster joy.  Let them help.  Let them provide that spark of pleasure, and allow them to give me the space I need to breathe and lighten my heart that had once been caged.   So it will be…. and thus so it is.

DECK USED:  MURDER OF CROWS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #1
Question: How can I give myself more space for my emotions, even during the busy time?

Curio TarotReading Summary: This is a learning process (The Hierophant).

The two left cards look into the past, but the wand in the center leans into the future. This speaks to me about how my lack of motivation (Four of Cups) and the desire to bump that motivation into high gear (Queen of Wands) both live in the past, but the practical advice on actually moving forward into my goals and allowing my emotions to have their own space does not lie back there, it lives in the future (tip of the wand in the Queen of Wands pointing to the right).

There is a hint of blue in the first two cards, one over the cup being ignored, and one upon the forehead of the Queen.  This blue feels like the scars my past treatment of myself have created both on my emotions (the cup) as well as my inner dialogue (Queen’s head).

The Hierophant looks into the future and leans in that direction… but his hand is palm up in the direction of the past, as if to indicate that the past needs to be held back or to be given a pause.

Take Away:  To give myself room to feel my emotions (even during the busy time) I need to leave my past in the past. This applies to my past habits, but also the treatment and events that taught me those habits in the first place.  It’s only by allowing the past to be in the past.  This isn’t about burying the past, but rather about accepting where it should live.

DECK USED:  CURIO TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question: How will the lesson of staying focused on balance, instead of allowing old habits of overworking to have free reign, impact my life?

Hephoe Tapo

Reading Summary: It will allow me to have more focus on my work (Eight of Pentacles) without it damaging my intuitive abilities (High Priestess Rx)… which in turn will allow me to find a more stable center (Queen of Pentacles) and move forward towards my ambitions with clarity (Knight of Swords).

Take Away:  When I overwork myself, it has a habit of fizzling out a good portion of my intuitive side.   Things begin to feel unstable and I begin to feel lost and off center like I’m fumbling around drunk in the dark.

By staying focused on balance instead of allowing old work habits to rise up and take control, it gives me the opportunity to avoid being overwhelmed even while I continue with my work, allowing me to have that intuitive connection, stability, and direction that is lacking when I am flirting with burnout.

DECK USED:  HEPHOE TAPO

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How important is my spiritual altar to me?

Trionfi della Luna

Reading Summary: It’s more of a reminder of tradition (The Hierophant), than something that I use all the time (Three of Swords). But, it has its place in my journey and in keeping me grounded, as well as in making me feel that I have what I need (Nine of Coins).

Take Away:  I don’t use my altar all that often.  I mean… daily for my daily devotional, but I don’t really need an altar to do that devotional.  Aside from my devotional?  I don’t use it at all actually. My spellcraft is not done at my altar, my research and studies are not done there either, nor do my rituals take place there other than the already mentioned daily devotional.

Ultimately, it is a beautiful spot that is a soothing display of my faith and my values.  I enjoy it and the centered and grounded feeling that standing before it provides, and its beauty as well… but I wouldn’t call it necessary.

DECK USED:  TRIONFI DELLA LUNA

Frowns Can Be Infectious Too

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IMG_7104Today’s meditation was ten minutes in length and was another of the guided meditations with interval timer for my piriformis stretching.  I can’t honestly say that I paid all that much attention to the guided part of the meditation today, and it might be time to switch back to non-guided meditations for a bit since I seem to have toned out the voice entirely through a good part of the meditation.

The part that I did hear was about not allowing reactivity and/or anxiety to spur you into making impulsive decisions and snap judgements. Instead, in those moments, it is a time to pause and take a moment to process.

Madam Lydia Wilhelmmina's Tarot - The SunToday’s draw is is the Sun card, which is traditionally a representation of optimism, joy, playfulness, and positive opportunities. It’s about all those upbeat things associated with fun, positivity, and success as well as youthful exuberance.

I don’t see much of anybody having all that much fun int his photo.  One kid’s looking back at the eldest with black eyes like there’s a serious problem, and the other is in the process of trying to squirm off their seat. It’s a family photoshoot gone wrong, and I feel like the contrast between the card’s imagery and its traditional meaning is where the message lies in today’s card.

The message here is to not let other’s attitudes or a crap-ass time drag you down into a place of pessimism and displeasure. Everyone has seen the truly optimistic as they move through the sludge of a bad day.  They remain optimistic even in the face of road blocks and naysayers.  Take a page from their book and keep your head up and a smile in your heart.

DECK USED:  MADAM LYDIA WILHELMINA’S TAROT

LionHart’s #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonOfTheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question: A thought, dream, or hope I am asked to work on.

Tarot of Vampyres - The World and TemperanceReading Summary: The foundation of transformation and growth (The World) is patience and moderation (Temperance).

Take Away:  Transformation is the thought, the dream, and the hope in this reading.  I truly desire to change how I’ve been handling my work and responsibilities (vs.) my self care over the majority of my life. I’ve made a lot of big leaps this year in that direction. 

The thing is, though?  It is important to remember is that transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It’s something you work at a little at a time, adjusting again and again along the way.  And then one day you look back and realize you’ve made it to an entirely different place than the one you were in when you started.  

Even as I track my progress, I need to keep in mind that it’s okay to take my time.  It’s okay to backslide now and then, just as long as I catch myself and continue forward.  This effort is not a sprint but a journey and it’s going to take time and patience as I move along that path.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF VAMPYRES

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What needs… revealed / concealed / discarded

XIII TarotRevealed – Knave of Cups – Sometimes when I express my emotions, I feel as if I’m speaking into a bucket. My own voice reverberates back at me, but that’s the only feedback I get.  I struggle with my emotions, even the good ones… even now.  I struggle with being in touch with them, with expressing them clearly, and with understanding them.  Sometimes I have no idea what the emotions I feel actually are or what the words are to express them. I know that this is a part of the learning process, but this is my confession.  My vulnerability on this path of emotional growth revealed.   I hate feeling lost and confused…. and sometimes on this journey, those feelings are the most overwhelming of them all.

Concealed – Seven of Wands atop Ace of Swords – I need to make sure that I’m fighting back against my negative inner dialogue as it tries to dig in and get a handhold.  Every time those fingers curl on the edge of that rocky shelf, I need to make sure I’m smashing them back.  This battle isn’t really something that needs sharing with others, as speaking what that negative inner voice is saying aloud will only give the words more power.  Instead, remember that it is important to pay attention and stay on the defensive with that pessimistic voice.  Be diligent and keep it in line.

Discarded – Six of Pentacles – You spend a massive amount of time throughout the year focused on others, giving your time to helping others and making time for others to come to you.  At this time when you’re moving into the holiday rush?  It’s just not the time for this sort of thing.  You need to be focused on yourself and your business and not worry so much about others.  You can go back to being your generous and giving self again after the holiday rush has come to an end.

DECK USED:  XIII TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge October Challenge Prompt
Question: What is the significance on my journey of the lesson revealed yesterday?

Twisted Tarot Tales - The Moon, Page of Swords

Reading Summary: Holy crap to the double moon cards. Your uncertainties and fears (double Moons indicating an overwhelming power in these concepts) can lead to misguided thoughts and bad ideas to get interjected in your learning process (Page of Swords… partially based off imagery).

Take Away:  Yesterday’s message was about staying focused upon and connected to my hope, to my spirituality, and to my progress through the transformation I’m working on, and not give up.

Fear, uncertainty, illusion, and confusion are all a part of changes and transformations. The thing is though?  If you give these concepts/feelings power they will take over and you will become lost in them.  The are them able to derail not just your trajectory on the path forward, but all of the progress you’ve made along the way.

By focusing on the optimistic side of things and staying connected to your hope, spirituality, and the progress you want to make, it helps in keeping those more negative emotions and fears reigned in so that they don’t cause you to fall off track.

DECK USED:  TWISTED TAROT TALES

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I use Tarot and crystals together more effectively?

Luis Royo's Labyrinth Tarot

Reading Summary:  When you are in conflict over which stones to use in your readings (Five of Wands), lean into learning to communicate more effectively (Jack of Spades) as opposed to allowing aesthetic to weigh in (Six of Wands).

Take Away:  I regularly use crystals and stones in my readings.  Sometimes my personal readings, but always my client readings.  Sometimes?  It’s true that I have a little bit of a debate going on as I pick the stones.  “This one is more apt… but this one will look better with the cards and could also work.”   The thing is?  I could improve my use of crystals (and plant matter as well) in my readings if I let go of the aesthetic aspect and simply went with what will work best for the purpose needed.

DECK USED:  LUIS ROYO’S LABYRINTH TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – Seasonal Endings

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“Continuing our theme for this month, discuss with your divination tools what you are experiencing dying or coming to life outside of your control.”

Halloween Playing Cards by Natalia SilvaWhat specific things are in the process of dying right now outside of my control?
Ace of Diamonds, Four of Diamonds, Five of Spades

In the cards, what we see in the top three cards is that the center card is what is dying… and the cards on either side are working together to kill that center card.

All of the stability and security that I’ve been feeling over the spring and summer while I’ve allowed myself to explore is now falling into a time of conflict and ambition. Old money giving way to new money, earned through fighting for what is mine to claim.

How is this affecting me emotionally?
Seven of Clubs

Feeling defensive during this time of transition is natural, but I need to make sure that I don’t allow these feelings to overwhelm me and take control.  That sense of overwhelm is a quick landslide down into exhaustion and burnout… which is something I just don’t have time for right now.

How is this affecting me mentally?
Five of Diamonds

Scarcity issues are on the rise. The thing is? These issues are all in my head.  I know that. I make enough to support myself, even if there needs to be a bit of strategizing from time to time. I don’t have -actual- scarcity in my life right now, even though I’ve experienced it in the extreme in my past. Instead, this is my mind whispering about past experiences in my ear and using them as a prod for motivation.  It’s not good for me, but it is effective.

How is this affecting me physically?
Seven of Diamonds

The physical effects of this will not affect me immediately, but over time? Absolutely will. I will reap what I sow, and as I move into a time of ambition and “new money”, the tole it takes upon me is going to catch up eventually.  Just hopefully not until January.

What is my role in this death?
Two of Diamonds

My role in this death is all about balance.  I have new methods and new techniques in place to help me better balance my self care and my work load.  I need to make sure I’m staying focused on that balance and on keeping things as healthy and balanced as possible during this time.

DECK USED: HALLOWEEN PLAYING CARDS BY NATALIA SILVA