tarot self care

The Little Things Make a Difference

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes and thirteen seconds, and focused on exhaustion and how to deal with it so that you do not suffer burnout.

The guided meditation started with a body scan from head to toe, which I always enjoy, before moving on to discussing how we need to be sure to put time in our schedules for self-care, and be sure that we are not overcommitting ourselves so that the self-care times end up neglected.

Today’s draw is the Six of Swords, which numerologically speaks of harmony, vitality, and cooperation, as well as humanity’s issues and limitations in the areas of the mind, thoughts, logic, and communication.

What I see in today’s card, though, is more of an intuition reading then a numerological one, although I suppose it ties into the latter part of the above explanation as well, now that I think about it. That is because today, the Six of Swords is a representation of “moving on” and finding a new path away from thoughts and mindsets that are not serving me well.

I’ve recently started to fall into a couple of old habits since coming back from mom’s house. Little things that, after some contemplation in the shower today, I realize have been holding me back and tugging me down.

As an example… Prior to heading to visit mom, if I woke up organically in the morning I would get up out of bed and start my day. Recently I’ve been waking up and looking at the clock and then rolling over to get a few more Zs. But what I have found is that I feel better throughout the day if I don’t do this. If I get up when I first organically wake up on my own I seem to have a little bit more energy, and a slightly brighter outlook on the day. It’s a small thing… and yet it isn’t, because it messes with my energy levels and enthusiasm.

The Six of Swords is telling me that these indulgent mindsets I’ve fallen into are really not serving me, and it’s time to find a new path moving away from this type of behavior.

Balance and Prioritization

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes and fifty four seconds, and focused on how to defuse anger.

The guided meditation discussed how when we feel that first spark of anger, it is through our thoughts that we fuel the fire of the anger. This then feeds it, allowing it to grow to greater and greater heights.

Yet, if we instead take a moment when we feel that initial spark of anger, and just step back for a moment and breathe… sometimes this is all we need to help defuse the anger, or at the very least keep it from building upon itself until it develops into an unruly inferno.

Today’s draw is the Two of Pentacles, which is a representation of dualities, balance, partnerships, unions, and division in the area of the human experience concerning the physical world, resources, and finance.

As I mentioned in previous appearances of this card, the Two of Pentacles is one of the cards that I identify the most strongly with in the Rider Waite Smith system. Like the person depicted in the card’s imagery, to me this card is all about juggling and balance most of the time when it comes up in a reading, and today is no different.

I have a busy day of processing orders and prepping for my trip to the post office tomorrow. I need to balance this with my own personal self-care… as well as my needs that you awoke last night that need to be satisfied damnit!! The balance between responsibilities, personal care, and my own wants and desires is always a difficult one to juggle. There just never seems to be enough time in the day.

Today’s draw is a reminder that each of these aspects of my life is important and, like one of the pentacles is higher than the other in the eternal juggle of the two on the card, it is important to prioritize… but not to the point that you drop everything else.

Embracing Change

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was eleven minutes and eight seconds, and focused on how we rise out of struggles, suffering, and difficult times into something better.   It discussed how when one tries to escape their suffering, that all we end up doing is prolonging the process.

On the other hand, when we face these difficulties and work through them, it is an opportunity for growth and the situation can return to balance much sooner.

The complete Victoria Erickson quote from the provided graphic is “Transformation isn’t sweet and bright. It’s a dark and murky, painful pushing. An unraveling of the truths you’ve carried in your body. A practice in facing your own created demons. A complete uprooting before becoming.”

Today’s draw is another duo, the Nine of Pentacles and the Ace of Wands. Like yesterday, neither of these are jumpers… or maybe I should say that both of these are jumpers because they jumped out of the deck together as one.

Yesterday’s draw included the Death card, which I see as the harbinger of change… and yesterday he sure did his job, as I discovered at the end of my day.  As I said last night when we talked, I knew that something to that effect was coming down the line, but I really think that they have dealt with transitioning people in the wrong way.

Today’s Today’s cards are an expansion upon yesterday’s theme, and a commentary on the frustration of being forced into something I was not interested in doing, as I discovered last night is going to be the case.

When someone tries to force me into any situation my natural inclination is to pull my back up I’m put on the brakes. I understand that about myself, and I understand that was a part of my reaction to last nights news concerning the news I received concerning my business. It’s true that I do not like this change, but my nearly violent reaction to it in this case is almost entirely about the fact that I am being forced into it.

The Nine of Pentacles is a representation of culmination, fulfillment, fruition, and consequences in the area of finance, resources, and the physical world.

The Ace of Wands is a representation of the sprouting seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s passion, drive, willpower, and ambitions.

Together, the Nine of Pentacles and the Ace of Wands are telling me that If I just go with the flow and put my passion behind this new beginning, everything will be OK.  In other words, stop kicking and screaming and get going on making this new situation work for me and my business.

 

Bear True

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and focused on the interconnectedness of all things.

This is a concept that is part of the basis of my faith. The concept that beneath our external bodies, personalities, and individualized souls, there is an inner energy that connects us to everyone and everything.

The meditation suggested using one’s awareness of this interconnectedness to combat feelings of isolation and loneliness.

These are not emotions that I connect strongly with. I do use my awareness of the energy that connects us all as a way to foster empathy and understanding within myself.

It is a part of the inner spark of my curiosity, which spurs me to learn the hoes and why’s of people’s thoughts, opinions, and behavior. It is also this awareness that connects me so strongly to nature.

Today’s draw is the 13th card of the Major Arcana, the Death card… and the Nine of Pentacles. Neither are jumpers.

The Death card is a representation of organic change that usually develops over time (as opposed to being sudden). It is a Major Arcana card, which means it deals with one’s journey within life as a whole, rather than any one aspect of the human experience.

The Nine of Pentacles card is a representation of fruition, culmination, endings, and consequences in the area of the physical world, finance, and resources.

Upright, the Nine of Pentacles is a very positive card usually indicating the solitary accomplishments and the fruits of one’s labors. With the Death card at its back, it is indicating that although sometimes change can be a difficult thing and even painful, in the end if you stay true to yourself and your values, you will come out the other side of it on a positive note.

This is a good reminder for me because, like most people, I have difficulty with change. Having a light at the end of the tunnel though, who is the reward preparing through the difficult times but change can bring this is a good reminder for me because, like most people, I have difficulty with change. That light at the end of the tunnel, though, is the reward for bearing through the difficult times change can bring.

Look How Far You’ve Come

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was eleven minutes and forty four seconds, and was focused on a breathing exercise that they have named the Three Acts of Breathing.

In this exercise, you breathe normally for a full minute while counting your breaths, then you switch to breathing deeply for a full minute while filling your lungs to the fullest and exhaling completely. You then return to breathing naturally again and counting your breaths for a full minute.

The exercise is a demonstration on how taking a moment to take in a few deep breaths when you need to calm or relax can help your body amp down as a whole. These deep conscious breaths are something that I do quite regularly, and teach to others often in order to help them with their stress and anxiety levels.

Today’s draw is the Six of Wands, which is a representation of vitality, pride, self-confidence, courage, and external support in the area of one’s passions, drive, willpower, and ambitions.

The Six of Wands has made an appearance today to remind me to appreciate my accomplishments, as well as my support structure.

Even though the road to my goals is a long one, sometimes it’s important to take a moment to appreciate just how far you’ve already come, as well as those who have cheered you on along the way.

I am always so focused on the goal ahead that sometimes I forget to look at the progress I’ve made, let alone appreciate how far I’ve come and the work that I’ve done to get to this moment.

Those that cheer me on are always there to remind me to appreciate the moment instead of pushing quite so hard. I hear them, and I try very hard to follow their advice whenever I can.

You, my love, are my loudest cheerleader. I hope that you never think that your words of encouragement and supportive counsel aren’t appreciated. They (and you) are a driving force in my life. I love you.

Back to Basics

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes and ten seconds, and focused on the uselessness of blame and its origins in anger. It outlined a variety of options and ideas for how to work past that anger that resides at the seat of blame, and redirect ownership of situations to a place of problem resolution rather than stewing and pointing fingers.

Today’s draw is the 5th card in the Major Arcana, the Hierophant. As with all of the Major Arcana, this card deals with personal development and spiritual evolution, rather than any one aspect of the human experience.

The Hierophant is a representation of tradition, institutions, spiritual paths, and teacher/student relationships. The appearance of this card in today’s draw is an indication that it is a good time to consider the traditions, rituals, and practices of my spiritual path, and perhaps do a little research and reach out to a mentor.

I have been very closed off throughout the spring, and I spent a good portion of June focused inward, getting myself back “on track” after my depression came to an end. The Hierophant speaks of turning one’s focus outward in order to either teach or learn, therefore, the card is also a reminder to keep myself open to learning from and/or mentoring others.