#tarotsuitschallenge

Compartmentalization Can Help

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Today’s meditation was skipped today because I overslept.  Which, isn’t really surprising since I was up playing with Gideon until after 5am.

Tarot of the Trees 10th Anniversary Edition and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Three of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of collaboration and team work, coming together to achieve a mutual goal or result, and learning new skills from others.

This affirmation card is a hard one for me.  Okay, hell… this tarot card, for that matter, is a hard one for me.  I struggle with sharing the load.  I struggle with delegating.  And I struggle with taking time away from work and letting go.

The message here is about when it’s time to work, it’s time to work, and to do better work you need to let others in and let others help.   With their help things get done not just faster but without the issues that rushing can cause.     And when it’s time to play?  It’s time to put that work away and focus upon yourself and those around you.

Don’t spend this time when you’re supposed to be taking a break stressing about work.  Don’t spend the time when you need to focus on work daydreaming about taking a break, dragging your feet, or squandering the help others want to offer.  You have responsibilities to yourself.  And to your work.  Compartmentalize.  The less they bleed into each other, the easier you will find both of them to be when focusing on them.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF TREES 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheJulyTarot #TarotSuitsChallenge Prompt
Questions for July 13th & 14th

Unruly Game Cards and Tarot of the Trees 10th Anniversary EditionWhat is my intuition trying to tell me, or help me with, right now?
Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) and Seven of Pentacles

You are holding on too tightly. You will strangle out your growth before it has enough time to flourish if you don’t ease up. Stop trying to control every little thing and just let things flow at their own pace.

What should I face, or embrace more, in support of my best self?
Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) and Knight of Pentacles

Slow progress is still progress. You’re pushing and impatience will turn your view of your progress rancid if you don’t clean it out and purge these negative perspectives. Don’t let impatience turn what should be a positive into a negative.

DECK USED: UNRULY GAME CARDS AND TAROT OF TREES 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What can I do to help my inner adolescent feel less neglected?

Tarot of the Trees 10th Anniversary EditionReading Summary: Teach your inner adolescent (The Hierophant) to see things from a new perspective (Inverted Tree) that removes the fear of all that he has being stolen away from him at any moment (Seven of Swords Rx).

Take Away:  This answer makes me wonder just how much of my little um… “collecting” tendency actually might land directly in my inner adolescent’s lap.

How much of that too tight grip lives in this inner adolescent’s fear of losing everything and sliding back into the poverty and misery I’ve managed to claw myself out of? 

This might be something worth exploring more in depth at some point.

DECK USED: TAROT OF TREES 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I got my second vaccination shot today, at the hospital, under supervision.  And stayed for the entire 90 minutes requested afterwards to make sure I tolerated it okay. Everything went fine.  I was about crampy in the stomach, but that had nothing to do with the shot since it’d been going on all day.  No anaphylaxis.  No issues.

Do What You Love

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IMG_3256Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app combined with an interval timer for my piriformis stretching.

The focus of today’s meditation was… hm… I don’t remember.  I’m not sure if I was actually paying attention beyond the rhythmic breathing exercise that was going on.  I would surmise, though, that it was about intuition and autonomy in one’s life.  About “steering our own boat” in life by listening to our intuition and what feels right for us.

Northern Animal Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of hard work and honing one’s skills and abilities.  This often leads to themes that have to do with manifestation, perfectionism, and expertise in one’s crafts or vocational field.

The imagery here is quite traditional (other than it being a rabbit instead of a human) and, when combined with the affirmation card for today, the message is clear.

Too much work and not enough play.  Too much time spent doing the crap I don’t enjoy, and not enough time spent doing the things that I do.

When you’re taking a break?  Take. A. Break.   Don’t work on the side, and don’t worry about work.  Let it GO and take that break that you need to be healthy and happy, and do the things that make you happy and healthy.

DECK USED:  NORTHERN ANIMAL TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Questions for July 12th and 15th

Sea Witch TarotWhat barriers will I need to overcome to embrace this growth? (From July 10th)
The Star, Strength atop Six of Coins Rx

Don’t push yourself to give to others right now. You are struggling with finding that positive outlook at the moment, and spreading yourself too thin isn’t going to help.  You’re often told that you give too much of yourself, and right now?  You need to listen to that advice and focus on yourself for the time being.

What tools would support me in overcoming these barriers?
Nine of Wands and Four of Coins

Good boundaries are essential right now. Make sure they are firmly anchored and grounded, and built for the long haul. Don’t be wishy-washy. Be decisive and keep those boundaries strong. Sink those fence posts deep in the soil so that the fence can withstand what storms may come.

How will this growth support my journey?
Eight of Cups and The Fool

Moving forward on to a healthier path will allow you to feel less weighed down. Lighter and more care free. Invigorated. This sort of energy can not just lift you up and keep you positive, but make each step along your journey that much easier and more enjoyable.

What abundance will this growth bring me?
Five of Wands atop Two of Swords

Less time spent fighting with yourself (and the world at large),  which means more time enjoying life and my journey.

DECK USED: SEAWITCH TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: How does my inner adolescent feel right now?

Northern Animal TarotReading Summary:  No chaos (The Tower Rx). No scarcity (Five of Pentacles Rx). Just potential (The World).

Take Away: Okay, so essentially, what these cards are saying is that during my adolescence I lived in a constant state of chaos and scarcity. I have spent the majority of my adult life rectifying that, and my inner adolescent now feels secure and able to look beyond those fears to the potential that the future holds.

The enjoyment I find in spending money on decks, crystals, and brand name foods and other “consumer treats” is my inner adolescent celebrating his release from those fears.

So… spoiled rotten and full of potential.

DECK USED: NORTHERN ANIMAL TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Lots of time with Gideon.  I also managed to do my meditation today, even though I wasn’t feeling particularly enthused about it.

Don’t Push So Hard

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Today’s meditation was just under twelve minutes long, and was a guided meditation with the Calm app, combined with a interval timer for my piriformis stretching.

The focus of today’s meditation was (again) about focusing on the present instead of getting distracted by thoughts of the past and the future.  My favorite part of today’s meditation, though, was in the shift from focusing on the breath to focusing on the hands and dissecting the experience of each fingertip, finger, palm, backs of the hands, etc. I find this type of meditation very soothing.

Joie de Verve Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the King of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of a projective Alpha energy, personality, or person  in the area of one’s finances, resources, home, health, manifestations, and the physical realm.  This often translates in to themes that have to do with responsibility, stability, and financial acumen, as well as solid, grounded authority figures.

Looking at the affirmation card, it brings up the whole “pushing and striving” thing, and this is something that I do a lot.   Like… a lot.  When it comes to my own work and goals, I am a relentless son of a bitch.  A slave driver.  I know this, and I’ve been working to ease up on myself lately.

The combination of these two cards today is a reminder that it’s possible to both be responsible and successful, even while not pushing yourself until you’re grinding yourself down to a nub.  It’s okay to not push so hard.  You’ll still get where you’re going, it might just take a little longer to get there.  But that extra time?  It won’t be wasted, because you’ll enjoy the journey a great deal more.

DECK USED:  JOIE DE VIRVE TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheJulyTarot #TarotSuitsChallenge Prompt
Questions for July 11th and 12th

Anecdotes TarotSomething that can help me make the most out of how I feel this week.
Page of Swords and Seven of Batons

Take into consideration what others want from you. This doesn’t mean you have to do it (whatever “it” may be)… but it means that you at least have an idea of what expectations are out there. Then you can choose your own path while being better informed.

In what way am I asked to honor my current feelings?
The sun and Knight of Coins

Fostering feelings of freedom and fun are important. Take some time to have some fun, and don’t worry so much about if your responsibilities and obligations are moving slowly. They’re still moving.

DECK USED: ANECDOTES TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #2
Question: On the topic of my feelings concerning the progressive glasses that I just got.

Joie de Virve TarotReading Summary: Instead of going in to rectify any issues with the glasses (Eight of Cups), you will be tempted (The Devil) to just sit on the issue (Four of Cups).

The Four of Cups connects to the Eight of Cups through the blue hues, reinforcing the desire to just walk away from the issue and be apathetic about it rather than confronting things.

The Knight of Coins then connects to the Devil through the yellow,  indicating that I need to make sure that I’m being responsible and not letting my temptation get the better of me.

Take Away: Don’t play into that “oh fuck it” mentality when you’ve put so much money on the line for these glasses. Do the hour a day test run with them, and then report in if the issue with the short distance vision is still there at the end of things.  They have an obligation to get them right, and if that means they have to be sent in to adjust the lenses?  Then that’s what needs to happen.

DECK USED: JOIE DE VIRVE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I have now meditated over a week now, and I’d like to take a moment to actually show what the meditation does for me.  A measurable, visible thing it actually does for me and proof that it is helping, and does work, even when I feel like it’s sometimes a waste of time.

Heartrate

Self Worth Is From Within

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Today’s meditation was just over eleven minutes long, and was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app combined with an interval timer for my piriformis stretching.

The focus of today’s meditation was about participating in the present instead of being always focused on the past or the future.  It went into the fact that our brains are naturally wired to look behind us and ahead, it’s a survival instinct that evolved and gave us the benefit over the predators that hunted us in ancient times.

It’s not as useful now, though, when we’re trying to enjoy the present, and meditation is one of the ways we work to overcome this echo from long ago.

Earthside Divine Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation TarotToday’s draw is the Strength card, which is traditionally a representation of inner strength and courage, as well as persuasion and manipulation based in one’s compassion.  The lion is truly tamed not through use of the whip, but through the soothing influence in one’s voice. Or… well, sometimes a little bit of both.

The thing is?  We learn this kind of strength through how we relate to the world and how we learn to navigate others.

The message, when combined with the affirmation card for today, is that self worth comes from within.  It’s not something given to us by others, but is a strength we nurture and foster within ourselves.

DECK USED:  EARTHSIDE DIVINE TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Questions for July 9th thru 11th

The Pri8m TarotWhat should I focus on right now to promote some amazing growth in my life?
Ten of Wands and Two of Wands

To promote amazing growth in your life, you need to focus on unburdening yourself of your overwhelm by sorting through your plans and working to figure out which ones to pursue… and which ones to leave behind.

What will this growth look like for me?
Ace of Pentacles and Four of Cups

This growth will look like new opportunities to find inner peace and healing through meditation and reflection. When sorting through those plans, make sure that you’re leaving room for your meditation practice.  To pursue new opportunities, you will need to be centered.

What would help me most right now to amplify this growth?
Seven of Pentacles and The Void

Patience. Remember that anything that you let go of now, it’s possible it will come around again later if it’s meant to be. You’re not losing out on anything important by going slow and letting go of some of those quicker opportunities.

DECK USED: THE PRI8M TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better connect with my inner adolescent?

Earthside Divine TarotReading Summary: Growth is a learning process that sometimes needs guidance (The Hierophant), whether that’s growth in the physical world (Page of Pentacles), or growth in the emotional realm (Page of Cups). Need for this guidance doesn’t mean you can’t be enthusiastic about your growth (Knight of Wands).

Take Away:  To connect better with your inner adolescent, you’ll need to show that enthusiasm towards your growth, and find the guidance you need to make it go smoothly, as you marry your physical world with the new emotional perspectives you are exploring.

DECK USED: EARTHSIDE DIVINE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I got both a nap and play time with Gideon.  I also finished my client readings so that I’m all caught up for my time off.

Be True To You

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Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was a guided meditation from the Calm app combined with an interval timer for my piriformis stretching.

The focus of today’s meditation was about the differences between sympathy and empathy, and how empathy can draw us closer to others, while sympathy holds others at a distance.

The Fox Tarot Pips Edition and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Judgment card, which is traditionally a representation of… well, judgement.

I’ve mentioned this before, but this used to be the card within the tarot that I struggled with the most. Then, a couple of years ago, I attended a card study where the Justice and Judgement cards were set in a comparative focus. In this study, these cards were presented as Justice being the immediate, present-day balance of cause and effect (which was how I viewed it anyway), and that in contrast, the Judgement card was about what you’ve done with your life as a whole. How is your life path going? Is it going in a way that you like? Are you happy with the person you’ve become and how you live your life and see the world?

This contrast actually turned my confusion around completely. By having set the Judgement card beside the Justice card, it made the differences clear to me, and helped me to clearly define my understanding of the Judgement card in a way I’d failed to be able to in the past.

Combined with the affirmation card for today, the message here is about staying true to yourself and the person you want to be, even when times are hard and you’re feeling discouraged.  Sometimes, it can be tempting to act out of character when you’re down on your luck and see an “easy way out” of the situation. It’s important (maybe especially during these times), to stay true to your values and principles and stay focused on the type of person you want to be.

DECK USED:  THE FOX TAROT PIPS EDITION AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

Cosmic_Crow_Tarot’s #FreedomTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for July 9th and 10th

Napo TarotWhat do I need to focus on protecting at this time?
Six of Cups and Three of Swords

My inner child. And those feelings of hopelessness and defeat once experienced in the past, that when experience now can bring that inner child back to the surface along with his pain.

What needs released in order to strengthen my independence?
The Lovers and Queen of Cups

The expectation that nurturing and love come from outside of yourself, rather than from within. The most valuable nurturing and love in your life should be that which you give yourself. Don’t expect others to supplement it. Including your mother.

DECK USED: NAPO TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question:  What do I need to focus on for self care this new moon?

The Fox Tarot Pips EditionReading Summary: Linger in the moment (Ten of Swords Rx) and set yourself to finding inspiration (Knight of Wands) in what you have now at your fingertips (Ten of Pentacles). Enjoy this time instead of allowing it to pass you by. If you make the choice to throw it away, you’ll only be stealing from yourself (Seven of Swords atop The Lovers).

Take Away: Starting today is my week off, and what is being said here is that I need to take this time to enjoy the present and not worry so much about the future or what needs to be done. Just enjoy each day as it comes, because if I don’t I’ll end up regretting it when my time off is over.

DECK USED: THE FOX TAROT PIPS EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I made myself take a nap even though I didn’t really want to.  I was just so tired, and I felt much better afterwards.

The Empty Cup

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the guided meditations from the Calm app combined with an interval timer for my piriformis stretching.

The focus of today’s meditation was about clarity of sight. That is to say it was about seeing the world around us with new eyes through a perspective of curiosity and openness.

A lot of times we become jaded with our surroundings to the point that we don’t even really notice them anymore. This jaded view makes the world drab and boring. In today’s meditation, we are guided to see the world in this new light, thus sparking interest and curiosity in the world once more.

Auset Gypsy Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Hierophant, which is traditionally a representation of guidance and tradition.  In some cases it can often also represent any sort of spiritual guidance or spiritual leadership.

I often identify with the Hierophant through my spiritual mentorship and teaching of the tarot.  And today’s cards area a good reminder that feels geared especially in that regard.

The thing is, I always want to be there for those that I’ve mentored to help them learn and grow.  It’s important to me.  But there are times when I just can’t be… when my own needs have to come first.

This is something I struggle with a lot, and in fact I think that many struggle with. We want to give of ourselves… even when our cup is empty and there’s no energy left to spare.  Today’s cards are a reminder that we all need to rest now and then, and it’s okay to take a step back and tend to yourself and your needs, even when others are depending on you.

DECK USED:  AUSET GYPSY TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Questions for July 7th and 8th

Dirt Gems Oracle and Auset Gypsy Tarot How can I celebrate my life more fully?
Peppermint, The Hermit atop Two of Swords

There is an echo of color and form in the peppermint card and the Two of Swords. He speaks of a need to dispel mental chatter and deliberation, whereas the Hermit on top shows the way to do this it’s through healthy alone time.

In order to celebrate my life more fully, there is a need to find peace within my inner dialogue and my constant need to make decisions that push me ever forward.

How can I allow others to celebrate me more fully and without resistance?
Ashwagandha atop Clary Sage, Two of Wands

Self development and growth takes time. You need to clear out your dark inner thoughts and feelings so that you can more easily see the motivations of others more clearly, with a perspective that is unpolluted by your past and your fears.

DECK USED: DIRT GEMS ORACLE AND AUSET GYPSY TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What can I do to help my inner child feel more protected?

Auset Gypsy Tarot Reading Summary: Nurture yourself (Queen of Cups) no matter if it’s a good day or bad day (Wheel of Fortune), and allow others to do the same (Three of Cups).

Take Away: Whether it’s a good day or a bad day, a positive experience or negative one, a success or failure… it’s okay to be kind to yourself and to sooth yourself. It’s okay to let others be kind to you as well, and to accept that kindness instead of letting it roll off of you like rain on a slicker.

By allowing this kindness and nurturing energy in, and taking the time to nurture yourself, you are also allowing your inner child to be nurtured, which helps them in feeling safe and protected.

DECK USED: AUSET GYPSY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I meditated on an orders day.  I… hm…. I dunno what else, but I managed that at least.