Inspiration and Warmth

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and I was a little distracted because I think I’ve devised a plan to make more room for my decks.  I know, I know.  Not what I should be thinking of during meditation, but it kept popping into my head.  SO…  I suppose you could look at it as that I got a lot of mental push ups done during those ten minutes as I kept bringing myself back to center.

Herbal TarotToday’s draw is the King of Wands, which is traditionally interpreted as a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passions, ambitions, interests, and drive.    This often translates into themes that deal with inspirational leadership, authority mixed with an entrepreneurial spark, and vision one is on a path of leading others towards.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of today’s card is the cinnamon plant combined with the very strong look of determination on the face of the figure on the card and the fact that he is facing (to my way of reading right and left) the past.

Magically speaking, cinnamon is used to create a spark of inspiration and warmth, and what I see in the direction that the King faces here is that sometimes you have to look to the past in order to find the strength you need to move forward… and lead others forward with you… into the future.

The message here is about learning from the past instead of discounting it or trying to forget it.  The wise leader does not ignore lessons learned or potential lessons in their past, instead they take these experiences and move forward with them, letting them help and guide his steps and… in turn… the steps of those that follow them.

Although I do not really consider myself a leader, I do consider myself a guide and I enjoy helping others find their own personal path and discover what works for them and fits for them.  This means I don’t seek to create conformity, but rather to inspire… and I use my past experiences in many different ways to help in this goal.   Today’s card is an encouragement, and a reminder, to continue along this path with warmth and inspiration.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question
: What toxic beliefs would I benefit from releasing?

Happy Tarot

Reading Summary: You need to take some time and reflect (Hanged Man) on the fact that you don’t have to be perfect all the time (Six of Wands).  Better to own your mistakes and transform them into strength (Queen of Cups).

Take Away:  The belief I need to release is that deeply ingrained need to do better and be better all the time.   The problem is that in that drive is the inner critic that makes sure that any time I fall short from these impossible standards, I pay the price for it.   The cards suggest to take a more understanding and caring approach, and ease up on that demand for perfection from myself.

DECK USED:  HAPPY TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question
: What do I need to focus on for self-care for this new moon?

Tarot SireneReading Summary: It’s time to start moving in a direction (Three of Wands) that fosters your passions (Queen of Wands). This means that you might have to make some difficult choices (Two of Swords, and deal with a bit of sacrifice concerning your need for stability (Five of Coins).

Take Away:  A lot of the readings over the past few days have touched on this need to let go and allow myself some room to breathe and time to have some fun.  Here there is encouragement that now is the time.  The energy of the new moon gives a chance to start again, and I need to utilize that energy to move away from the slave driver mentality concerning my business and into an energy of more fun and enjoyment while things with the business are slow.

DECK USED:  TAROT SIRENE

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question
: Instead of starting something new, what is something current I could focus on this new moon cycle?

Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot

Reading Summary (left to right):  It’s time to put an end (first card) to the slave driver mentality you saddle yourself with (second card), because overwhelm (third card) puts you on shaky ground (fourth card) and is not your friend (last card).

Take Away: These cards are pretty much a reiteration of what has been coming up over and again throughout the past few days. The cards have given me this answer in different imagery and different phrasing again and again.  I’m doing my best to listen, and to direct my energy away from obsessing over my business and onto other things… it’s just a struggle to achieve and feels like two steps forward for every one step back.

DECK USED:  NICOLETTA CECCOLI TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What am I grateful for?

Tarot of the Animal Lords

Reading Summary: That the cycle of life (imagery in The Wheel) may take me through many changes and a lot of chaos (The Tower), but it also provides me with a new perspective for each experience I have (The Hanged Man).

Take Away:  Sometimes I forget just how grateful I am for this quality in myself to take the negative aspects of what has happened in my life and turn them into a perspective that allows for positive growth.  Occasionally, though, I run into someone that seems determined to wallow in the feelings of negativity and victimization that horrible events can create, and I realize anew just how glad I am that I am not able to linger in that place. I think that my life is far better for it.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE ANIMAL LORDS

 

Slow and Steady Steps

Today’s meditation was not timed, because I kind of lost track of the timer.  That said, I would estimate that it was at least ten minutes.  I took the little bit of focus I had from yesterday, and repeated it… without the harp strings this time.  In other words, as I did my piriformis stretches, I meditated on the growth of a plant from seed to adulthood.  Like last time, this was very enjoyable for me and thus how I ended up losing track of time.  The only reason I know it was at least ten minutes is because my hip flexors were very limber and well stretched at the end.

Herbal Tarot - Ace of Pentacles - Whole GrainsToday’s draw is the Ace of Pentacles, which is traditionally interpreted as the seed of a new beginning or opportunity in relation to finances, resources, health, or the physical world.

What stood out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today is the stone wall with arched entrance that stretches through the background.   What I see in that wall is not just a new beginning, but a “recasting” of sorts.  A seed comes from a flower that has bloomed and faded, and thus this seed comes from a path that has passed and is now behind you. It is not immaculate conception, but rather reincarnation as you pass through the archway and into a new phase… a new cycle.   A new path created from the tail of the old one.

In the pentacles suit, this speaks to me of my endeavors to find that new balance with how I manage my work, responsibilities, and time.  It is a reminder (of which I am in need of many of them quite often) that this is a new start.  A new method.  A new way of doing things…. and it’s okay to take slow steps to assure your footing is strong and as sure as possible.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question
: How can I better hear and heed my inner wisdom?

Tarot for Dandelions

Reading Summary:  Don’t allow uncertainty (Moon) to distract you (Two of Swords).  Instead, soldier on (Knight of Swords) and use the tools and skills at your disposal (Magician) to follow your inner wisdom’s call.

Just sayin’?  But the more I use this deck… the more I like this deck.

Take Away:  The cards here are referring to how sometimes my intuition’s voice can sometimes get a little muddled when dealing with upheaval that causes fear and uncertainty. This is very apropos considering the upheaval I had last night with the very out of control customer that lost his shit in my email.

DECK USED:  TAROT FOR DANDELIONS

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question
: Do Spread #2
Should I go ahead and post the piece about a controversial topic on the blog with the blogpost I started last night?

Dame Darcy's Mermaid TarotReading Summary: It’s a selfish point of view as stated (Queen of Swords Rx) and needs to be reworked from a different perspective (Hanged Man over the Nine of Swords) in order to be less insensitive and ‘blind’ (Eight of Swords).

Take Away:  Okay yeah… I get that. The post that I wrote last night on this topic was very self centered and not at all “woke” or enlightened.  More just me popping off and being a bit of an ass. The cards here warn that posting it as-is risks hurting myself and others.  I’m not sure if I’ll rewrite it, or just scrap it entirely.  Either way, I’ll take the card’s advice on this and hold off on posting it as-is.

DECK USED:  DAME DARCY’S MERMAID TAROT

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question
: Something I am suggested to do for myself today.

Linestrider Tarot

Reading Summary:  Slow down (Temperance) and make a conscious choice on what you’re doing today (Two of Wands) , and make sure that choice involves spending time with Gideon (King of Cups).

Take Away:  Just exactly what I’ve done with the majority of my day today.  Yes, I skipped nap time to do some work, but the majority of my day has been spent with you… and I’ve loved every minute of it. I love you man. Thank you for making today such a good day.

DECK USED:  LINESTRIDER TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What do I need to change?

Tarot Sirene

Reading Summary: Passion’s direction (Two of Wands). Because being forceful (Strength) will only cause unpleasant consequences (Justice). Ie: Change your tone.

Take Away:  This goes back to the reading I did for the Tarotholics challenge, and that blog post that I want to post but at the same time was hesitant about.  The advice here is if I want to post about this topic… I need to change the tone of the post.  Because as it stands… it’s just not there.

DECK USED:  TAROT SIRENE

 

 

 

Patience Can Be Progress

Today’s meditation was fifteen minutes long and was tagged on to the end of my yoga session.  I needed a little extra time stretching today, so instead of taking time aside from my yoga, I extended my yoga practice and incorporated the meditation into it with the addition of some breathing and focusing exercises.

Japaridze TarotToday’s draw is the King of Gardens (King of Pentacles) which is traditionally interpreted as a representation of measured authority, abundance earned through self discipline, business acumen, and financial/resource security.

What stood out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card this morning is the blue/black hue of the figure’s face and that the folds on the back of the head looked like a different face to me… and I am left confused. Honestly, the imagery in this card is much like the imagery in the Hermit card in this deck.  Confusing and a bit too random and abstract.  Even in the aspect that I picked out of this card, I really am at a loss.

So, going by the traditional meaning of the card rather than off of the imagery, what I see as the  message in today’s card is a reassurance of sorts.   It is a reassurance that I am doing all I can at this time to provide stability and security in my home to those that depend on me, as well as for myself.

No, my mortgage is definitely not getting paid off at the rate I would prefer it to be, but at the same time?  I am still managing to keep up on it.  I’m still managing to keep everyone safe, and put food on the table, and keep us all in the resources we need to be healthy and happy.  Today’s card is a reminder to acknowledge for myself that I’m doing a good job.

DECK USED:  JAPARIDZE TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question
: How can I better cope with ambiguity?

Tarot of the Animal Lords

Reading Summary: By not getting frustrated (the cage in the Three of Swords), but instead treating it with understanding (Queen of Chalices) and patience (Knight of Pentacles).

Take Away:  Usually, ambiguity frustrates me, and that creates a divide between me and the source of that ambiguity.  Instead, if I confront this behavior with understanding, it will create a deeper connection with the source of that ambiguity which will facilitate the potential for progress, while patience will help in getting where I want to go regardless of the wishy-washy bullshit. 

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE ANIMAL LORDS

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question
: How can I better connect with my inner adolescent?

Bleu Cat TarotReading Summary: I am not really all that connected at all with my inner adolescent, which is where the Death card comes into this spread, as it is an indication that I will have to enact change in order to find that connection.

The Queen of Fishes with the Magician indicates that I need to take the emotional growth and lessons I’ve learned lately and use them as tools to apply to the cause (Eight of Balls).

Stalker note… the Queen of Cups seems to be getting very friendly with me this week.

Take Away:  I never really had much of an adolescence.  I was too busy being an adult.  Because of the suppression of this part of my development, I’ve never had much of a connection to this highly underdeveloped side of myself.  The cards here indicate that if I want to have a connection there, it will require long term commitment to the changes needed and using my emotional skills to build that bridge.  

Honestly?  I don’t think that I am yet at the stability phase of my current emotional growth to where I’m prepared to try and make that connection.  Not yet anyway.

DECK USED:  BLEU CAT TAROT

#TheJuneTarot Challenge by Lionhart
Question
: Draw a card for someone who taught you a lesson.

Tarot SireneReading Summary:  I didn’t specify the person, but rather used the cards to tell me who the person is.   The person in these cards is my meth-head ex. His very selfish Knight of Cups pursuit of me landed him in the Justice system (thank the fuck).

Take Away:  So anyway, yeah.  This is him.  And the lesson here?  Listen to your inner compass when it tells you to step back.  I stuck around far too long and paid for it deeply. If I had listened to my instincts and inner compass?  I’d have dumped his ass a lot sooner and probably been able to circumvent the whole obsessive bullshit that followed.  Moral of the story?  Listen to your gut… don’t hesitate or procrastinate.  Just do it.

DECK USED:  SIRENE TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What have I let go of?

Tarot Mood

Reading Summary: Using going to bars (Three of Cups) and alcohol (vodka reference in Temperance) to avoid crash-and-burn emotions (The Tower)

Take Away:  It used to be that when I was super upset, instead of grounding and spend time with my plants… I would drink. At those times vodka was my friend, and yet never really solved anything and the feel better was only temporary. After making the promise to you not to do anymore drinking (because I clearly only drink for the wrong reasons), I began using my balcony and the plants there as a refuge and for grounding during times of high distress.

DECK USED:  TAROT MOOD