#TarotForGrowthMay

An Iconic Love

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation hasn’t happened yet, as I decided to hurry my ass up and get outside and get some fresh air in the woods rather than spending the time in meditation.   So… I will do the meditation before bed tonight.   Thank you so much for deciding to come with me on my walk in the woods today, man.    I love you.

Forager's Daughter Tarot - Two of CupsToday’s draw is the Two of Cups, which is traditionally traditionally interpreted as indication of connections, partnerships, and attractions focused in the areas of emotions and relationships. The key factor in these attractions, partnerships, and connections is the mutual aspect within them.

What stood out to me the strongest today in this card when I saw it this morning was the pouring of water from the two cups above the ducks.   I didn’t understand why I was so drawn to the flow of water from these cups at the time, but I do now.  It is, essentially, the “rain on my parade”.   The water flowing from those cups splashing down upon the ducks below was an indication that things were not going to go as I had planned.

I missed the message in the moment, and only see it now in retrospect.

That aside…  The positive message in this card is not the splashing of water from the cups but rather the mallards themselves.  They are a representation of you and I… and our relationship.   Long standing… and universally understood. No matter where we are, no matter where mallards are, the connection between male and female are seen and understood as a connection between one soul and another.  A connection of love.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I move forward with more loving kindness toward myself?

Mystical Manga Tarot

Reading Summary: Set down my coins (Two of Pentacles) and take some time to celebrate (Four of Wands) the good stuff (The Lovers).

Take Away: This is a reminder from the cards that I need to keep myself from diving so deeply into work and responsibility that I forget about the good stuff.  I have fallen into bad habits over the past two weeks that are exactly along this line, and I need to return to focusing upon stretching out my obligations and responsibilities and creating space… rather than allowing old habits and ways of doing things to slip in and steal away my “good stuff”.

DECK USED:  MYSTICAL MANGA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #4

Cosmos Tarot and OracleWhat has allowed stress to take root in my life?:  The Dorado card indicates that by focusing too much upon my responsibilities and obligations I have allowed stress to take root. I am putting too much focus and value on work and responsibility.

What is the core stressor in my life I can change?:  Instead of just “intending” to create balance between my responsibilities and my need for more space in my life, I need to actually step forward and do it.  They Cygnus card indicates that intentions are only as good as the strategy you develop to bring those intentions to life… and sometimes you have to battle yourself to get there.

What can I do to ease my current stress and anxiety?:  The Comet card indicates that my stress and anxiety is the “harbinger of change”.  If I want to ease my current stress and anxiety, I need to do more than plan and strategize. It’s time to actually make changes instead of just thinking about them.

DECK USED:  COSMOS TAROT AND ORACLE

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How do I choose relationships that bring out the best in me?

Mystic Faerie Tarot

Reading Summary: Choose those that understand my goals (Ten of Pentacles), that have Gideon’s mark of approval (King of Cups), and accept that I will always bounce back eventually (Knave of Swords).

Take Away:  It’s easier to find healthy and positive relationships when you look for those that, even if they don’t hold the same goals as you, understand where your core values and goals lie and accept them as a part of you.

The second card is Gideon…. and it speaks of your love for me and your need to protect me from those that do not have my best interests at heart.  You gives me the freedom to choose my friends as I wish (as I wouldn’t have it any other way), but as the King of Cups, you often have observations and insights into people that I don’t see or understand at first.   Your input is often crucial in me finding those friends that are healthy and long lasting.  

The third card is about my ability to “bounce back” from hardships and struggles. It’s about finding those that support me in that rather than those that encourage me to wallow or remain in a negative headspace after struggle or misfortune has brought me to my knees.

DECK USED:  MYSTIC FAERIE TAROT

Working For It Makes It Worth More

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was another ten minute session like I had described yesterday.  This session was also relaxing, and I found myself “seeing” the notes of the harp in a sort of spacial energy type of way as drops of water landing on the surface of a lake to create ripples.  The actual physical sensation of the harp’s notes are more of a numb tingling on the backs of my forearms, which in a slow pace like is played for this meditation, is not aggravating or distracting, nor so overwhelming it starts to feel as if it’s creeping up onto my biceps.

Forager's Daughter Tarot - Nine of WandsToday’s draw is the Nine of Wands, which traditionally is often interpreted as

I’m not really sure how I feel about the imagery in this card for the Nine of Wands, to be honest.  Because I often associate the Nine of Wands as a card as a blend of exhaustion and vigilance, this imagery doesn’t really “fit” with my “comfort zone” for the card.

What I see here?  Is more along the lines of the 9 of Clubs when reading off playing cards.  That is to say that the imagery here is about striving for something that holds your focus and your passion.  So close… so very close… almost there.  And that thing is all you can focus on to near obsession as you reach for it… strive for it.

That message is congruent with what really stands out to me in the imagery of the card today as well, which is the little gray mouse and the glowing blackberries at the very top that the mouse strives for.  The mouse is so close and he just needs one last bit of oomph to make it.

The message in today’s card is about determination and strength. It’s about that old adage that says that “the things worth having are worth working for”.  That includes having a safe home and a place to go back to work… thus why I put myself in danger today to make sure both were safe and secure.

I’m sorry I worried you, man.  I love you.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I honor or uphold my heart’s message?

Light Visions Tarot

My Heart’s Message: Take time to enjoy imperfections (Four of Chalices), and remember that not everything needs to be “just so” (Alkamest).

To Honor This Message: Remember that sometimes shit just doesn’t balance out right away (Wheel of Fortune), and you have to be patient and let it develop over time (Death). Trust that the laws of cause and effect will balance things out (Justice).

Take Away:  The thing is that sometimes? I just get too wrapped up in making everything perfect.   In truth?  There is no actual “perfect” to be had, but I somehow forget that in my efforts to always do better and better.   And because I spend so much of my focus and time on being and doing better?  There are times I forget it’s okay not to be like that.  It’s okay to be happy with the here and now and to let the future take care of itself.

DECK USED:  LIGHT VISIONS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What is the biggest lesson that I have learned this month?

Fairy Tarot by Doreen VirtueReading Summary: How to be more grounded and centered (Queen of Autumn) in times of uncertainty (The Moon), and how to continue to move forward in making choices (Two of Winter) regardless of the uncertainty surrounding me at the time.

Take Away:  This is (obviously, from my past) a quality that I already possess, and yet with each repeat of that lesson it shows me a different way, a different aspect, and a new perspective as if each time another puzzle piece gets tucked into the big picture, and I can see just a bit more as my skills advance.  This is why lessons are sometimes repeated.  Not because you didn’t learn the first time… but because there’s even more to see and learn. 

DECK USED:  FAIRY TAROT BY VIRTUE AND VALENTINE

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I better protect my personal space?

Tarot of the 78 Doors

Reading Summary: Don’t allow yourself to get distracted or confused (Eight of Wands). Instead, move towards being centered for a better sense of stability (The Wheel), and focus on your passions with a balanced blend of authority and enthusiasm (King of Wands).

Take Away: When I’m centered and grounded, my attention is better focused on what’s important, on what is needed, and where the cracks and chinks in my armor lie as well as how to either fix or protect them better.   The cards here are speaking of that need to stay grounded and centered in my efforts to better protect my personal space, and to do so by filling that space up with my personal energy in order to make it very clearly mine for any that may come near.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE 78 DOORS

Pause and Consider

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and I am trying a new method for a few days to try and mix things up again.   With this new method, I have found a couple of tracks where someone is just randomly plucking strings on a harp.  I have set it up as background noise and set a quiet tone to chime every two minutes for the stretch of my ten minute meditation.

I’m using the plucking of those strings as a focus, and the two minute intervals for the hold on my piriformis stretching.   Today was the first experiment with this, and it was really nice.   Very relaxing and oddly? Not as difficult as usual to stay centered.

Maruco Animal Tarot - Seven of CupsToday’s draw is the Seven of Cups, which traditionally is often interpreted as representing a time when one is confronted with an abundance of options to choose from, or overwhelmed by them. In my readings, this card also often includes a message about making sure you look over your options thoroughly and choose wisely.

What most strongly stands out to me in the imagery of this card today is the dragon, and secondarily, the plant wreath growing out of the cup beside it.   I think that it’s important to note (and the contrast between the dragon and the plant are a prime example of this) that each of these cups is full.  In some cups there is good stuff, in other cups there is bad stuff.  In some of the cups, what looks good could actually end up being bad.

This really all boils down to making good choices, though. And the message that I get from today’s card is that I need to take time to really weigh my options rather than making rash decisions.  Make sure to look beyond the surface level and really dig deep to make sure I’m getting what I want… and not just what I think I want.

With so many decisions being made in my life right now and so many choices before me to work through and sort out, I think that this is actual advice.  And in a very literal way? This card is reminding me that I have tax crap to get done, and I need to get on that before the procrastination is too far out of hand to recover from.

DECK USED:  MARUCO ANIMAL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What is a better way to confront and/or deal with my fear of loss?

Spiritsong TarotReading Summary: Keep calm and foster the kindness within you (Temperance) while allowing your intuition and imagination free reign (Page of Shells) to carry you through (The Chariot).

Side Note:  I love a rhino as the Chariot.  I think it’s a spectacular choice for that card.

Take Away:  The cards indicate not to let fear have free reign, as that is a sure way to instigating the thing I fear the most into happening.  Instead, make sure that I am giving my imagination and my intuition all the room it needs to grow and thrive.  In doing so, the times when I risk losing both are lessened because they will have grown strong and more easily be able to stay in control.

DECK USED:  SPIRITSONG TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: How can I connect with my supporters on a deeper level?

Cosmos Tarot and Oracle

Reading Summary: Communication and interaction (Jupiter). Pay attention to ascertain how they are doing and what they need (Lynx). And by using the tools available to me to better their situation and allay their fears/help in their struggles (Aries).

Take Away:  There is some sort of really huge appeal to me in the combination of imagery between these two cards. The color correspondences between the three are breathtaking to me and really make their differences pop as well.

The cards indicate that the best way to connect with my supporters on a deeper level is to support them in turn, and make sure I am staying in contact and paying attention so that I know when I am needed and can be there for them at that time.

DECK USED:  COSMOS TAROT AND ORACLE

Two For The Price of One

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation has not taken place yet.  I’ve been feeling a  bit out of sorts today, and while I know that meditation might be able to help this, at the same time I’ve been feeling very contrary and resistant… so, it hasn’t happened.  I will make sure to meditate before bed though, and try to put a little more effort into making sure it gets done in the mornings, as I know I benefit a great deal more from morning meditation than I seem to by doing them in the evening.

Forager's Daughter Tarot - The FoolToday’s draw is the Fool card of the Major Arcana, which is traditionally read as a card representing innocence, new beginnings, naivete, and boundless enthusiasm. There is a novice and untried air to the Fool, as he has yet to have tripped over a single pebble or stubbed his toe on a single root yet on his journey.   There is also a hint of anticipation, as adventures await the Fool, and he’s eager to begin.

I have to admit that as the Fool, I struggle with this card a bit.  Not me as the Fool, but this imagery as a representation of the Fool.  Because the taproot in this imagery looks like it is going through the egg (as opposed to behind it) this card feels far more to me like the World card than it does the Fool card.   Granted, the World and the Fool are connected by the Major Arcana’s cycle… so it is still fitting.  It just… fits more to me as the World.

That aside.    What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery on this card today is the Monarch butterfly working at wiggling its way free of the cocoon.  That imagery does indeed speak to me of the Fool and the World.  It speaks to me of the Fool because the butterfly is breaking free into a brand new form never experienced before.  It is eager for freedom and fights to get free of the cocoon in order to spread its wings.  At the same time, the other cocoons not yet open speak to me of the World.  For there is an ending and a beginning within those dangling pods, a transformation in the making.

There is a transformation happening in my life at the moment as well.   As I plan at returning to more regular work, and begin sorting through responsibilities and obligations, I am transforming how I used to do things into a new plan and a new norm.  The Fool has been a secondary stalker card for me over the past few weeks, trailing along behind the Ace of Cups, it appears again and again, just not quite as frequently.

The Fool’s message is twofold.  New beginnings and fresh starts take a change of mindset… and, that the change of mindset needed is one of wide eyed curiosity and eager optimism.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I honor or uphold my body’s message?

Animal Wisdom Tarot

Reading Summary: Find a way (Fox), even if it feels like stealing time from something else (Magpie). You need the perspective provided (Bat) to help join emotion and intuition (Dolphins) for that growth that involves both (Nautilus).

There is, through color and mood of the skies in both cards, a connection between the Bat and the Fox that speaks of using my ability at being able to see multiple new perspectives to help me in finding a path to what my body needs.

There is also a connection between the Dolphin card and the Nautilus that involves a great deal of color combination as well as the spiral beneath the water in the Dolphin cards and its corresponding spiral of the Nautilus shell.   These correspondences reinforce a message in yesterday’s read about the interconnection between the emotions and intuition on this journey of growth that I’m on.

Take Away:  I can honor my body’s message (which is that I need to take better care of my body so that I will feel better overall) by shuffling my crap around to find the time to get in a bit of exercise, keeping in mind that if I do not there’s a good possibility I’ll end up stunting the growth I’ve been trying to foster in myself lately.

DECK USED:  ANIMAL WISDOM TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What loss do I fear the most?

Stella's TarotReading Summary: The death of hope (The Star) and happiness (The Sun) closing me off to the world and sinking me into my own inner hell (Nine of Swords) as it obliterates my ability to see multiple perspectives (The Hanged Man Rx).

Take Away:  So the true fear of loss here has to do with losing my ability to view things in an unbiased manner and see multiple perspectives. The death of hope and happiness is the path to that outcome.

The thing is, that it really terrifies me to actually think I could lose that.  That perspective.  That ability to step back and really see things from “both sides” or multiple views.  It worries me that without that ability, I would become closed minded and hard… which is something I would never want.

DECK USED:  STELLA’S TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: Given the current restrictions, how can I give and receive support to those important people in my life?

TaRat Rat Tarot

Reading Summary: You have to take action (Three of Wands) to celebrate what you have (Four of Wands) even in the worst of times (Ten of Swords). homecoming = reaching out

Take Away:  The Four of Wands is not just a “celebration” card, but also holds roots in the concept of “homecoming”.  Which is to say that in this case that ‘celebration’ seen in the cards has more to do with enjoying what I have…. enjoying my loved ones and taking action to enjoy them in the ways I am able… even when things are more difficult or feel impossible.  This is where phone calls and other forms of communication come in, as they allow that celebration of our connection, even from afar.

DECK USED:  TARAT RAT TAROT

Spiritual Nourishment

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was interrupted. The workers came to get the wall patched in my kitchen where they’d had to open it up behind the stove to dry out the inside of the wall from back when I had that water leak in the attic.  They got the drywall up and plastered or… whatever it’s called.   I guess they’re coming back tomorrow to paint and someone else is taking care of the bit of flooring that had to be torn up.   Anyway, they interrupted, so I will need to try again tonight before bed.

Maruco Animal Tarot - Ace of CupsToday’s draw is my current STALKER CARD.   Yes, I have been being chased by the Ace of Cups for a good couple of weeks now, and it seems to be getting more and more prevalent over the last few days.   Traditionally, the Ace of Cups is a representation of new beginnings, the seed of a start, the first tiny spark of life.   It is about love and new relationships, and the whispering beginnings of creativity coming to life.

What speaks strongest to me in this card today is all the water.  All the water… and the communion wafer (host).  In Christianity, the host is seen as symbolism of spiritual nourishment that provides healing, sent by the Holy Ghost (in the form of a dove) .  This speaks to me of spirituality and healing.  Although I am not Christian (and never have been), that wafer and the dove that carries it still contains that symbolism of spirituality and healing for me more often than not.  Interestingly enough, my focus in the card today is not on the dove, though… but instead specifically on the host.

In this instance, the water in this card also speaks to me of spirituality.  It speaks to me of one’s intuition and inner sense of well-being. It is… that sense of one’s intuition and moral compass when everything is just exactly right and how it should be.

The message in today’s card is one of encouragement.  It is a reminder of the growth that I am going through emotionally at this time, and how that emotional growth will connect in with my intuition… creating growth and adjustments in that area as well.   This new level of emotional depth I’m learning to experience and understand will not hinder or lessen my intuitive voice.  Instead, the card indicates that it will do the opposite, allowing the waters of my intuition to flow more freely as the emotional growth brings about healing and more unity between emotion and intuition.

DECK USED:  MARUCO ANIMAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMay Challenge Prompt
Question: What does my body want me to know at this time?

Sun and Moon Tarot

Reading Summary: I’m not taking very good care of my physical body right now (Three of Swords) and I need to get back on the horse (Prince of Swords) so that it can feel renewed physically, which will also help me in feeling renewed internally as well.

Take Away:  What is there more to say that isn’t said above?  When you feel good physically, you feel good emotionally and mentally too.   When you treat your body like crap, it starts to drag on your mental and emotional health.  My body is telling me that it feels neglected… and I need to get back on the ball.

DECK USED:  SUN AND MOON TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Philosophical Question – Do I think that everyone’s life is of equal value?

Mythical Creatures TarotReading Summary: Yes (Ace of Cups), but there are always going to be consequences (Five of Wands) to ones actions (Four of Coins Rx).   Honestly, the consequences could easily be the Four of Coins and the actions the Five of Wands.  Either order, it’s pretty much saying the same thing in this instance.

Take Away:  The Ace of Cups indicates that the answer is ultimately yes.  Everyone’s life is of equal value, because it’s not about what you do or don’t do or what you contribute to the world or don’t.  It’s about love.  Everyone deserves love… with love comes equality among men.   So yes.    The two cards with it, though, speak of actions and consequences.  A life is a life, but if you squander what you have and lose that life as a consequence, it means that you didn’t value it.  Not that it isn’t of value… but that you’ve chosen to squander that value instead of cherishing it and preserving it.

DECK USED:  THE MYSTICAL CREATURES TAROT

#MysticStarChallenge
Question: How can I overcome the fear that my new ‘normal’ will bring?

Tarot Fauna

Reading Summary: Reevaluation (Four of Feathers) of responsibilities (Queen of Rocks). Torch the old plan (The Tower) and start anew in the ashes (The Fool).

Take Away:  The Fool has a strength all his own in the innocence and enthusiasm he represents. It is not seasoned and hard and jaded, but is bright and fresh, bursting with curiosity and eager enthusiasm. Use that.

This is another encouragement to make sure I’m not falling back into old habits as things start to return to some semblance of “normal” again.  It speaks of the need to reevaluate my habits and how I handle my responsibilities, and find a new way of structuring these things that will allow for more room, more enthusiasm, and more enjoyment.

DECK USED:  TAROT FAUNA

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I manage my fear of being alone?

The Fountain Tarot

Reading Summary: Remember that even when things are changing (Death), you still possess that core inner strength (Strength) that makes you who you are (The Hierophant)… which includes being an anchor for others that enjoy your company and look up to you (Hierophant under the Three of Cups).

Take Away:  The reminder in this cards about being who I am and that strength that I possess is a reminder that I will never be alone.  Although I do not draw people like bees to honey as some do, I have a charm all my own that pulls in those that can appreciate those things that make me unique in my own way.

DECK USED:  THE FOUNTAIN TAROT