TarotforGrowthNovember

Self Care… Even in Chaos

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Today’s meditation was just over fourteen minutes long, and focused on the body and how when you place your focus solely upon a place of discomfort or pain, sometimes it your perception of that pain will ease and cause the pain to feel as if it dissipates.

By the same turn, by focusing on something beyond the pain, you can also allow it to ease into the background, which will allow it to feel as if it is dissipating as well.

These are mental tricks that I was already familiar with.  Due to the car accident in my late teens and the resulting surgeries that allowed me mobility and functionality after so much damage, I have done a great deal of exploration in pain management techniques over the years.  In fact, it’s one of the major benefits I’ve found of keeping up a regular meditation practice.

Queen of Pentacles - Tarot of the Unknown Today’s draw is the Queen of Pentacles, which is a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the areas of finance, resources, manifestation, and the physical world.

I accidentally missed my meditation the other day, and then nearly again last night (I ended up taking them a few hours late, but I didn’t miss the dose entirely).

With the holiday rush picking up and me going through the adjustment period into this time of the year, it can be hard to keep track of everything that needs done, and the first thing to fall to the side is my self care.  The appearance of the Queen of Pentacles in today’s draw is a reminder to make sure I’m taking care of myself and not letting self-care fall to the wayside.

Deck Used:  Tarot of the Unknown

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: How can I better recognize whether a new idea is worth chasing?

Badger’s Forest Tarot Reading Summary:  This reading is a 100% intuitive hit off of card imagery (rather than read by traditional interpretation of the suits)… If I’m feeling overwhelmed (Ten of Badgers) and like it’s me against the world (Seven of Badgers), then I am doing myself a disservice by taking on more at that time (Seven of Rabbits).

Take Away:  I am bombarded by ideas ALL the time, and I have a lot of projects on the go at once no matter the time of year or what’s going on in my life.  This doesn’t just include jewelry design ideas, but also other types of crafts and art and miscellaneous other endeavors.   The problem comes when I have too many projects on the go, and the new ideas continue to keep coming.  The drive and passion to explore EVERY idea can make me start to feel not just overwhelmed but as if everything is crashing in on me.  The cards are a reminder that it’s okay to let some of them go, or to write them down for later on down the road rather than taking them all on in the moment.

(This answer actually came as a bit of a surprise, as I was anticipating an answer about the quality of said ideas, which is not at all the direction this reading took.)

Deck Used:  Badger’s Forest Tarot

 

Exploring Perspectives

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I haven’t managed to get in my meditation yet today, as the helper has been here since early morning and probably won’t be leaving until late tonight.   I will do it when I go to bed, though, if I do not get a chance to do so sooner.

Hanged Man - Slow Tarot Today’s draw is the Hanged Man, which is my favorite card in the tarot, irregardless of the deck.   This is because I have a personal connection with this card, but it also has to do with the meaning of the Hanged Man, which often represents taking a step back in order to see things from a new perspective, taking time to settle into new perspectives until they become familiar and comfortable, and with that, the surrendering and/or letting go necessary to foster growth.

The Hanged Man is an especially fitting card for today, as I need the reminder about taking a different perspective due to the long hours the helper is working today.  As I find her presence somewhat abrasive, it’s good to also remain mindful that her help is not just needed but greatly appreciated.   So I need to remember to sit in a perspective of gratitude rather than inconvenience.

Deck Used: Slow Tarot

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: How can I better communicate with others?

Tarot de aux ArcsReading Summary:  It’s important to make the choices that are right for you (The Lovers) and stand by your personal values (Nine of Wands and The Star).  In the end, though, you also have to know that when that quiet, balanced approach isn’t working (Temperance), it’s okay to allow yourself to walk away and find a better place (Six of Swords).

Take Away:  I really struggle at times with communication, and I don’t just mean by the fact that I’m mute.   Even before that, I struggled a lot.  Some of this has to do with being so god-awful at reading body language and facial expressions.

The message in these cards is that even when you feel on uneven footing communication-wise, navigating these communications with ease simply takes a knowledge of self and sticking to that rather than trying to conform and people-please. And, sometimes when communicating with others, especially if there’s a miscommunication involved, it can be difficult to accept that you’re just not going to be able to break through that communication barrier and getting anywhere.  In those instances, it’s time to move on.

Deck Used: Tarot de aux Arcs

Keep Your Head Down

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Today’s meditation was about fifteen minutes long, but to be honest I wasn’t really timing it.  It was a full body scan that went from head to toe and back again, and was incorporated into my morning yoga.   It was peaceful, but quiet and easy, and gave me a bit of variety in my yoga from the day to day that I do to keep myself limber and my joints cooperative.

Seven of Swords - Tarot of the Unknown Today’s draw is the Seven of Axes (Swords), which is a representation of leaps ahead and progress no matter the cost, strategic action, secret keeping, and getting away with shit.  Betrayal and deception are common themes under this card’s influence, and although this card can also indicate leaps of progress, those leaps are usually include the previously mentioned representations in some way.

When I see this card today, it created a spark of hope.  Hope that perhaps things really may work out okay with the whole Etsy debacle.  Because clearly, my shop getting the letter that I received is not the only shop to be running into this lately.  Maybe, just maybe, this means that it’s not as serious as it feels like?   Because the letter absolutely felt like a threat.  And I sort of felt singled out.   But perhaps that isn’t the case after all?

Anyway, the card gave me hope that regardless of what small infraction seemed to trigger the letter, maybe it won’t result in the catastrophic events that I’m so worried about coming to pass.  This doesn’t mean that I would be getting away with something deceptive or bad… but getting off scott free is still a lovely idea to entertain in this case.

The appearance of this card today is advice to keep my head down and hope for the best.

Deck Used:  Tarot of the Unknown

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: What would I benefit from releasing in my life?

WTNV Holloway TarotReading Summary:  Now is not a time for focusing on finance strategy (Page of Pentacles) or emotional juggling (Knight of Cups with the Two of Pentacles), nor  time for playing at learning new skills for fun new projects (Page of Swords)

Take Away:  I have so many ideas and things I want to try both in my business and my creative passions, and so much exploring I want to do with the new level of emotion I started to discover in the fall, as well as the shadow work that is to come in the new year.   But, as swamped as I am with work due to the holiday rush (that is now in full swing), I need to be mindful that a lot of other worries and projects I want to delve into both in my personal and business life need to be set aside for now so that I can pour the lion’s share of my focus on the current chaos sitting in my lap.

Deck Used:  WTNV Holloway Tarot

The Balancing Act

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Today’s meditation was… well, okay.  Non-existent.  I didn’t meditate today.  With so very little sleep, I was worried if I did that I’d end up crashing.  I will be giving it a go once I head to bed tonight, but I don’t expect I’ll be awake for much of it.

Page of Wands - Slow TarotToday’s draw is the Page of Wands, which is a representation of a receptive omega energy in the area of one’s ambitions, passions, and drive.  This often comes through as themes concerning exploring one’s potential and sparks of inspiration.

I can’t remember what the message was for this card a few days ago when it surfaced, but what I’m feeling from this card today is an encouragement to remember the joy that comes with my business and craft instead of allowing myself to become overwhelmed.

At this time of year when things become chaotic and busy, it’s very easy for me to be swallowed up and lose track of the enjoyment aspect that is a part of this journey.   Today’s card is an important message to assist me in essentially surviving the holiday rush.

Deck Used: Slow Tarot

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: What cycle or journey is closing for me at this time?

Sasuraibito Tarot Reading Summary: Struggling with feeling overburdened (Ten of Swords) while telling myself I can handle it on my own (Knight of Wands).  Sometimes accepting support from others is okay (Three of Cups) while allowing collaboration (Three of Pentacles) to find a better way forward (Page of Swords).

Take Away: This is a message concerning my insistence that I can do everything myself and refusal to look outside myself for support and assistance in achieving my goals.  The holiday rush is going to force me out of this cycle by requiring me to look outside of myself for assistance in the chaos of the weeks ahead.

Deck Used: Sasuraibito Tarot

It’s Gonna Be Okay

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Today’s meditation was just over fifteen minutes long, and was an exploration on where your mind goes when it strays during meditation, and how to bring it back.

It was a little different than most of my meditations, because you actually focus on those thoughts a moment in order to label them and pull yourself outside of them before returning to your centering and focus again.   It was not particularly relaxing, but it was definitely educational.

Eight of Cups - Tarot of the Unknown Today’s draw is the Eight of Cups, which is a representation of letting go in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.  This card often presents itself with themes that involve disappointment, as well as situations that involve abandonment or withdrawal.

When I look at this card today it is a reminder to me that sometimes you just have to let go.  It’s impossible to control every aspect of life, and impossible to please every person you come in contact with.   As much as we want to be perfect, no one and nothing ever is… and that is what “perfect” actually is, is the acceptance of flaws and imperfections.

As someone who focuses too intently on everything I do being “perfect”, this is a message that I really need to hear now and then.  Just as a reminder that it’s okay to let go of that ideal and just have some fun and breathe now and then.

Deck Used:  Tarot of the Unknown

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: How can I recognize when negativity is in my head rather than in reality?

Rust Belt Arcana Tarot Reading Summary:  When everything is feeling topsy turvy (Wheel of Fortune) or like it’s the end of the world (The Tower) and feeling defensive or as if I’m “not enough” to defend what’s mine (Seven of Wands).

Take Away: You know that saying about when it looks too good to be true then it probably is too good to be true? These cards relaying that message, but in the sense that if it looks too bad to be true, then it probably is too bad to be true.  The sassafras in the end card also relays that in order to overcome these moments, counting my blessing is a good way to calm down those internal negative thoughts.

Deck Used:  Rust Belt Arcana Tarot

Perspective On Change

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was again done in the shower.  Mostly, I’ve just felt really drawn to needing a touch of quiet and the shower meditation allows me to find that space of quiet so much easier.

I know that you worry when I do my shower meditation that I’m sinking into that dark pit again, but sometimes…. it just feels good.   A balm of calm to ease the nerves for a bit.  That’s what it feels like.   And sometimes… I just need it.

Six of Swords - Slow TarotToday’s draw is the Six of Swords, which (among other things) is a representation of transitions and letting go in the areas of intellect and communication.  This often expresses itself in themes to do with moving on to greener pastures and leaving difficulties behind in the past.

The appearance of the Six of Swords today is a reminder that it is important to not always look at change with doom and gloom and dread, because sometimes change is a good thing and can lead to a better place.

Like most people, I have an aversion to change, as I expect it to always be a change for the worse, but the fact is that there is just as much positive transition going on in our lives as there is negative.  We simply do not acknowledge the positive change as change, because in the case of positive transitions there is a sense of seeking and welcome involved.  Imagine just how amazingly freeing would it feel if we could look at all change in that way.

Deck Used: Slow Tarot

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: How can I better release my anxieties?

Distant Past TarotReading Summary: When my anxieties are getting the best of me, sometimes it is best to step away (Eight of Cups) and seek out the high road (Queen of Coins).  This is especially true when I’m in the middle of making important decisions (Seven of Cups), in which case a step away (Eight of Cups) and some time to find that place of stability and strength (Queen of Coins) can assist me in getting a better view on all of the choices available and making the right decisions for me (Seven of Cups) as well as give me the space I need to plan the next steps forward (Three of Wands).

Take Away: I kind of talked myself in a loop up there, but yeah.  Essentially this is indicating that when I’m feeling anxiety, it can often mean I am just too close to the problem and it’s inhibiting my ability to make choices and create a stable plan. If I want to release that anxiety, I need to give it some space and approach from a place of inner stability and strength.

Deck Used: Distant Past Tarot