tarot

It Only Works When You Work It

/ Twist the Leaf / 2 Comments

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #OctoberCauldron24 Prompt
Cauldron of Warming Prompt for October 3rd : Cleanse

Tarocchi Gialli's Nine of Swords and Halloween Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Nine of Knives (Swords) combined with the affirmation “I cast a web of abundance, predicting prosperity.”

One of the biggest challenges of my depression and working to keep it at bay is my inner voice and the dialogue that it whispers incessantly in my mind.  It speaks of my worries and fears, tearing at my confidence and belittling my accomplishments. It is as cruel… perhaps even -more- cruel than even my worst critics (and I’ve had some real doozies). More damaging too, because it’s constant and insidious.

The message in today’s cards are to cleans away your fears and uncertainties created by that whispering inner voice with intentional optimism and positivity.

That inner voice? It says that’s stupid.  Lame.  Ridiculous and delusional.  And in one way? That voice is right.  Positivity and optimism doesn’t make the bad things in life go away.   What I’ve learned, though, is that what it -does- do is help alter how I process and deal with these negative things. It helps them feel lighter and more manageable.  The message in today’s cards is a reminder that these tools are here, but they only work when you work with them.

DECKS USED:  TAROCCHI GIALLI AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION DECK

@Lionharts #TheOctoberTarot Season of the Witch Prompt
Question for October 3rd : Through whispers, chants, and sacred songs, what journey has now begun?

Little Deck of Darkness Oracle and Void: The Frontier Game CardsReading Summary: You will learn through trial and error (Idol) who you should have followed, looked up to and have respect for (The Widow), and who you should not (The Trickster).

Take Away: You have begun a journey of discovery, wherein you will discover that not everyone you trust is trust worthy, and not everyone you want to trust can be trusted.

On this journey you will be given the opportunity to suss out what’s behind the masks that those around you wear, and see for yourself which of them is truly the trickster and who is not.

Other elements included in this reading:
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Tigers Eye for Fostering Insight within Internal Conflict
Carnelian Agate for Warmth and Courage
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: LITTLE DECK OF DARKNESS AND VOID: THE FRONTIER GAME CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 3rd : Poltergeist : What from within your life needs to be banished?

Tarocchi Gialli - Seven of Cups, Six of Swords, The MoonReading Summary: There are too many choices (Six of Cups) on how to move forward (Seven of Wands) into a future of uncertain territory (The Moon).

Take Away: There is currently a discussion / debate going on in one of the servers you’re on in how to moderate a topic that has previously been banned. Your insides feel like an echo of those rings in the La Luna card.

These cards are telling you to step back from the confusion and uncertainty by recusing yourself. There are too many different factors involved in the moderating of the topic, which leads you into a place of instability.

Choose stability in your life and your comfort levels instead of the discomfort of uncertainty by removing your participation from the table.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Pin Oak Leaf for Strength and Endurance
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Smoky Quartz for Grounding and Stability
Red Jasper for Awakening and Motivation toward Growth
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: TAROCCHI GIALLI

@HealingThruTarot’s #httOctoberTarotChallenge2024 Prompt
Prompt for October 3rd : What magic will this season bring?

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Tarot - The High Priestess, The Hierophant, King of PentaclesReading Summary: You will learn how part of creating a solid foundation for yourself and others (King of Pentacles) involves sticking to what you know… both what you know through external sources via your experiences (The Hierophant) and what you know internally through your intuition (The High Priestess).

Take Away: You are well rounded with a wide array of knowledge and experiences.  You have a keen intuition and are good at not just hearing it but trusting it.  These two qualities combined are valuable resources in creating the stability in your life that you and others depend.

Don’t doubt yourself.

Other elements included in this reading:
Western Hemlock Cones for Balance During Disruptions
Picture Jasper for Sense of Proportion and Grounding
Carnelian Agate for Warmth and Courage
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I followed the advice of the cards and recused myself from the situation mentioned in the DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 reading for today.

Consequences of Overwhelm

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions from the Calm app.

The session for today was about noticing and embracing the pause.  It is about, when in meditation, noting that momentary pause between the inhale and the exhale, between the exhale and the inhale. It’s also about knowing that sometimes when stress is high or chaos feels overwhelming, that you can step back and take three full, slow breaths.

Just three.  That’s all it takes to shift your nervous system from alarmed and overloaded to finding a bit more balance and calm.   Three slow, full breaths taken in, noting the pause, exhaled, and noting the pause.

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Lilith's Attic Tarot's Justice Card and Halloween Affirmation Cards@GlitterbyInk #OctoberCauldron24 Prompt
Cauldron of Warming Prompt for October 2nd : Organize

Today’s draw is the Justice card combined with the affirmation “Let’s just deal with today. You can deal with tomorrow tomorrow.”

The cards for today asks us to examine what needs done for today, and encourages putting a stop to worrying about the big picture. When you worry about the big picture, it has a tendency to distract you, overwhelm you, or slow you down. Very rarely, when you’re trying to get things done, does worrying about the big picture ever actually help the process.

Instead of worrying about what ALL needs to be done and having to deal with those road blocks mentioned above that doing so puts in your way, just worry about what you need to do today. Tomorrow is another day, and you can worry about when it eventually gets here.

DECKS USED:  LILITH’S ATTIC TAROT AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION DECK

@Lionharts #TheOctoberTarot Season of the Witch Prompt
Question for October 2nd : A New Moon rises and turns the wheel, what path does the Moon reveal?

Little Ghost OracleReading Summary: Escapism (Escape) with the one you love (Love) is a blessing worth savoring (Luck). Treat it as the good thing that it is and savor the together time for as long as you can.

Take Away: These cards are a fitting reminder for the new moon this month, as next month around this time the holiday rush will be swinging into gear and you won’t have time for much of anything else.

The encouragement here is to make the best out of every moment you can manage to get. Savor them and enjoy them.  Soon there won’t be time for any, and by January you’ll both be starving for each other’s attention and some time together.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rose Hips for Releasing Stress and Negativity
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: LITTLE GHOSTS ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 2nd : Buried Alive : What in the past needs to be dug up and dealt with?

Lilith's Attic Tarot - Two of Swords, The Star, Six of WandsReading Summary: How sometimes hope (The Star) instead of decisive action (Two of Swords Rx) turns out just perfect in the end (Six of Wands).

Take Away: It’s okay to roll the dice sometimes instead of seizing control and making decisions. Not everything is under your control, so you don’t have to micromanage your life so precisely all the time.

Instead of falling into old habits of micromanagement over every aspect of your life, allow yourself to cut loose a little bit and step back instead. Sometimes shit doesn’t have to be your decision, and just because you aren’t the deciding factor doesn’t mean things won’t turn out just fine.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Lichen for Perseverance
Foraged Red Alder Cones for Support in One’s Endeavors
Serpentine Dragon to Bolster Heart and Emotions
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Mookaite Stones for Help with Weighing One’s Options
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: LILITH’S ATTIC TAROT

@HealingThruTarot’s #httOctoberTarotChallenge2024 Prompt
Prompt for October 2nd : What to conjure this new moon?

Deadly Apothecary OracleOpium Poppy – Allow others to see your true self.  When you are passionate about something, you inspire others to be passionate as well. Don’t hide that spark behind a wall of protection.  It’s not a vulnerability, but a strength that empowers not just you, but others as well.

Mandrake – Share your passions. The things that you are passionate about are not only interesting to you. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Dive into those interests and the creativity that is so very much a part of what grounds you. Invite others to follow you down the rabbit hole.

Hemlock Water-Dropwort – Follow your gut. You know what’s right for you. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t try to make it. You know better.  Instead, listen to your gut and follow what it says. Let it lead. It’s always right, whether you want it to be or not.

Other elements included in this reading:
Bind Rune for Protecting One’s Foundations
Cedar Smoke Cleansing Bundle for Protection
Honey Calcite for Optimism and Motivational Boost
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: DEADLY APOTHECARY ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

As encouraged in the DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 challenge reading for today, I deferred to someone else during a moment of conflict instead of taking the responsibility upon my own shoulders to make the final decision.  I know that as admin, it’s my “job” to guide the moderators and make decisions for the site, but… I really don’t think I can be objective on this one. Not so much concerning the topic, but concerning weighing my own opinion against the opinions of others without bias even after hearing and fully understanding their arguments.

Prioritize Joy

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Luis Royo's The Labyrinth Tarot and Halloween Affirmation Cards@GlitterbyInk #OctoberCauldron24 Prompt
Cauldron of Warming Prompt for October 1st : Prioritize

Today’s draw is the Nine of Cups combined with the affirmation “Like a ghost, I transcend limitations.”

The cards in today’s reading are a reminder that while you are working to prioritize the things that you enjoy and that make you feel sated and happy, make sure you are not letting inconsequential shit get in your way.

I say “while” because this is something you need to make sure that you are prioritizing instead of procrastinating on. A part of self-care is in fulfilling one’s needs, including your needs for pleasure and enjoyment.

DECKS USED:  LUIS ROYO’S THE LABYRINTH TAROT AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION CARDS

@Lionharts #TheOctoberTarot Season of the Witch Prompt
Question for October 1st : The witch’s season calls my name, what sparks ignite my sacred flame?

The Arcanaless II - The Black Hole, Heresiarch, The ChururgeonThe Black Hole – Curiosity. That sacred spark within you is often about creativity, and that begins with an innately curious mind. When your curiosity is drawn to the surface, that spark of creativity soon follows, rather it’s in wanting to try your hand in something new or wandering off mentally into a thought exercise or rabbit hole of research.

The Chirurgeon – Intelligence and Skill. Often, when that spark of curiosity is drawn to the surface, it’s because your interested and your mind says “I can do that”. This is how you discover new skills and abilities, and how you develop new hobbies and techniques.  Whether the thought is “I can do that” or “there has to be a better way”, your curiosity and intelligence engage and skill development becomes a part of the process.

Heresiarch – Personalized Spirituality. Here, too, creativity plays a role. You have been on your Pagan path a long time, and you have been customizing and tailoring that path to what you feel is right and what you believe with each step along the way.  In your gut, you know when something is right for you and fits, and when you see a new idea or concept you’re interested in, you’re not shy about researching it to see if it’s for you.

Take Away: The answer to what (singular) spark ignites my sacred flame is creativity. It is the common denominator between all three of the cards pulled above and answers that they provided.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Hoya Leaf for Inward Exploration
Foraged Red Alder Catkins for Balancing Polar Energies
Carnelian Agate for Warmth and Courage
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE ARCANALESS II

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 1st : What do you need to focus on for self-care for this upcoming new moon?

Luis Royo's The Labyrinth Tarot - Three of Cups, Queen of Wands, Seven of SwordsReading Summary: Watch for a betrayal (Seven of Swords) of the encouragement and inspiration given to another (Queen of Wands) that will arrive within a moment of shared revelry (Three of Cups).

Take Away: There has been a great many warnings lately about staying vigilant concerning those who may betray your trust or try to manipulate you into acting outside your nature. Here again is the warning concerning betrayal by someone who has been inspired and encouraged by you.

The lure of togetherness and good times is a strong one. These cards indicate that it will also be the guise in which the betrayal will arrive, or possibly the bait used to lure you in.  Pay attention so that you don’t fall into the trap.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Bay Leaf for Protection From Negativity
Western Hemlock Cones for Balance During Disruptions
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: LUIS ROYO’S THE LABYRINTH TAROT

@HealingThruTarot’s #httOctoberTarotChallenge2024 Prompt
Prompt for October 1st : Abundance I’m reaping this harvest.

Ludy Luscot Tarot - Three of Pentacles, Wheel of Fortune, Six of PentaclesReading Summary: Lady Luck (Wheel of Fortune) is on your sideand being generous (Six of Pentacles) at the moment , so round up your worker bees and get some stuff done (Three of Pentacles) while the getting is good.

Take Away:  Your abundance comes not just in the favor of luck being on your side for the moment, but that you have a variety of helpers willing to work with you toward your goals.

This harvest, don’t forsake those helpers, but step into the embrace of the love they give you when they are offering to help you.  Accept their assistance and let them help carry you toward your goals.  As many of your readings lately have been reminding you… you don’t need to carry everything on your shoulders alone.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Leaf for Strength and Perseverance
Wooden Mandala for Understanding
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: LUDY LESCOT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took an ibuprofen before I started working on putting up decorations at Ms B’s house today, and another once I finished.  It helped keeping pain to a minimum, and the back and joint spasms weren’t as bad as they could have been as a result.

Keep Fighting

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions from the Calm app.

Honestly? I can’t remember what the meditation was about.  I listened to the whole thing, followed the breathing exercises, et al. Unfortunately, whatever the message was behind today’s session… it didn’t stick, since I can’t remember a single bit of it.

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Hush Tarot's Five of Swords and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate AllanToday’s draw is the Five of Swords combined with the affirmation “No matter how awful today is, you get to curl into bed at the end of it.”

Some days are just fucked and there’s nothing you can do about it except keep fighting. Keep going. Thrash your way through the weeds and obstacles and do what you can to stay on your feet and come out the other side victorious.

The cards for today are a reminder that there’s an end to that fight.  It might not feel like it in the moment, but don’t give up.  Once you’re victorious, that rest that comes afterward will feel that much more sweet for having made it through.

DECK USED:  HUSH TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2024 Challenge
Prompt for September 30th : Grab a spread of your choice that you’ve been curious about… and give it a go!
Spread: So You’re Uncomfortable ~ A spread for sitting in discomfort rather than running from it

Okay, so the first time I did this spread today, I was just off from having been talking to a friend about the death of her father and… welp.  Lets just say that I’ve done this spread twice today, because the first time I did it was too close to the phone call and the reading accidentally ended up being about her and her situation.

Here is the second attempt, which is mine… and far lighter than the first time around.

So You're Uncomfortable Tarot Reading with the Hush Tarot - The Hermit, Six of Pentacles, Knight of Cups

A tension point.

Six of Pentacles – A lack of generosity towards yourself. You are unable to treat yourself as kindly and fairly as you treat others, and spend far too much time beating yourself up mentally and emotionally while pushing yourself to fulfill unreasonable expectations of excellence and perfection.

A truth about your discomfort.

The Hermit – You do this to yourself, and by closing yourself off to others, it only perpetuates the pattern.

Something you can do to stay present.

Knight of Cups – Acknowledge and stay in touch with your needs and wants. Go after them instead of setting them aside. They are just as important as your responsibilities and ambition. Perhaps you need to consider that they aren’t just as important… but more important and should be prioritized as such.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Western White Fir Tip for Staying True to Self
Foraged Red-Stemmed Feather Moss for Attentive Understanding
Carnelian Agate for Warmth and Courage
Cedar Smoke Cleansing Bundle for Protection
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: HUSH TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I hopped back on the meditation train… two days in a row now!

Ignorance Is Not Bliss

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was nine minutes long, and was one of the #DailyTrip sessions in the Calm app.

The topic of today’s session was about plateauing in one’s practice. That is to say that just like when learning a skill, or losing/gaining weight, or any other experience where you are learning and changing over time, there is always going to be plateaus where you level out and feel like you aren’t making any more progress.

This guided meditation spoke about that experience, and encouraged the listener to consider plateaus as a time for your body and mind to process without conscious thought. This meditation session reminds us that just because you aren’t aware that you’re growing doesn’t mean that you’re not growing. The plateau is a time for the things that you have learned and growth you’ve made to cement themselves into place and become permanent.

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Bone Dead Tarot's Eight of Swords and Soul Creatures OracleToday’s draw is the Eight of Swords combined with the affirmation “I shape my own destiny with skill and precision.”

The Eight of Swords is about what you are not seeing, and perhaps even willfully being ignorant about.  The cards for today are a reminder that precision requires awareness. Not just self awareness, but also awareness of the world around you. That precision falls into the weeds and skill isn’t worth much if you aren’t paying attention.

Thus, if you want to shape your own destiny and meat your goals with precision and skill? You need to make sure that you are paying attention to what’s going on around you.  Don’t stick your head in the sand and expect everything will turn out okay.  That’s just setting yourself up as a buffet for the wolves.

DECK USED:  BONE DEAD TAROT AND SOUL CREATURES ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2024 Challenge
Prompt for September 28th : Ask a Stupid Question Day – Ask your cards a stupid question and see what they say.
Prompt for September 29th : Do Spread 2
Question : What would happen if I just skipped the holiday rush this year?

Halloween Postcard Oracle and Bone Dead Tarot - The Emperor, The Sun, The Beginning

Reading Summary:  You might feel empowered by skipping the holiday rush, but it would be the beginning of the end for your goals and dreams, even if you enjoyed taking it easy and basking in the glow of the holidays.

In the Emperor card, the surrounding gold glow reflects the border at the bottom of the anchor card. This indicates that the feeling of empowerment that you would feel by skipping the holiday rush is only a mask, as is indicated in the words “Halloween time” in the bottom border. In the moment, it might conflate your ego to do as you please and make you feel like you’re in charge, but that is an illusion.

The black miasma of the beginning card is reflected in the hissing black cat in the lower left-hand corner of the anchor card. You won’t like the result of your actions. It may be the beginning of something, but would be the beginning of the end of what’s important to you, and that fact would put you on the defensive in the long run.

The radiant sun in The Sun card reflects in the yellow of the broom… but only just. Combined with the carefree skeleton and his colors connecting to the moon in the background of the anchor card, what we see here is a moment of pleasure that will quickly be swept away. You may enjoy the warm glow of loved ones and the holiday season, but it won’t last and by closing your eyes to what is important, the feelings of success experienced in stepping away (as seen in the The Emperor’s horns also matching the skeleton in The Sun, and the moon in the background of the anchor card) will only be temporary (setting sun instead of high in the sky).

Take Away: Well, it’s a stupid question for a reason! It is obviously a bad idea, as you knew before you asked. That temporary sense of relief and control that comes with rejecting your responsibilities (and what is your greatest source of income over the next few months) may feel empowering in the moment, but will lead to destruction of all that you’ve worked for in the end. The pleasure and feelings of success for stepping away would be temporary, just as the sun sets instead of staying continuously in the sky.

DECK USED: BONE DEAD TAROT AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN POSTCARDS ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I let myself sleep in late because I struggled to fall asleep last night.

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Self-Care Saturday Tarot Reading with the Bianco Nero Tarot and Oracle Lumière d'Orient

Earth – King of Cups atop The Sun – Time with Gideon is going to be essential this week, and physical contact is important. Make sure to avoid further subdrops in order to keep things light and happy, and get the most out of this time with him.

Air – Two of Pentacles – Don’t stew on one thing to the deficit of other things in your life. Slipping into flow state feels really good, but when you sink so deeply into a singular focus you neglect everything else. Now’s not the time for that.

Water – Death – Don’t fight. Don’t fight against your current subdrop, and don’t fight against the shifting emotions you experience. Everything is temporary, and the key is to acknowledge and move with the shifts and changes, not to resist them and fight a losing battle to keep things stagnant.

Fire – Ace of Wands Rx – No new projects this week, and as noted in the Air position already in this reading, no sinking into flow state. Work on getting done some of the things that you aren’t entirely enthusiastic about and get them out of the way.

Waning – Coffin and Man – Put to bed the need to project common male stereotypical behavior. It’s a defense mechanism. It’s okay to be vulnerable. It’s okay for people to -see- that you are vulnerable.

Waxing – Scythe and Tower – This is the resurfacing of a warning on repeat from earlier in the year. Watch closely those around you, and quickly purge from your life those that are not healthy for you.

Take Away – Be vulnerable and allow the subdrop to run its course instead of trying to smother it or ignore it.

Lean into others you trust, and stay far away from those that don’t have your best interests at heart this week.

Work on prep for the holiday rush that you’ve been putting off and get it done.

DECKS USED: BIANCO NERO TAROT AND ORACLE LUMIÈRE D’ORIENT