The Druidcraft Tarot

The Secrets We Keep

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_7811Today’s meditation was just under ten minutes long and was a guided meditation with interval timer for my piriformis stretches.  The topic of the guided part of the meditation was gratitude, and how it is possible to find peace and contentment in the moment if you stop comparing what you have against what you don’t.

I think that this is a really valid concept, in a general sense.   Maybe in a more than general sense, although I think that there are some situations (extreme situations) where even without comparison to something better or expectation of something better, you just cannot find contentment or bliss in the moment.

In general, though?  I agree with this concept.  Most people experience discontent specifically because they are comparing what they have to what others have or to what they want, or think they should have.

Traditional Manga Tarot - The High PriestessToday’s draw is the High Priestess card, which is traditionally an interpretation of strong inner knowledge, intuition, esoteric spirituality, and the subconscious.

The only thing that really stands out to me in the imagery of this card today is the coloring, and I’m not sure that there’s a message there so much as that the shift from purple to yellow feels… incongruous.

I take that back.  The longer that I look at this imagery today (and I have returned back to looking at it many, many times today) is that her eyes appear to be red, and yet her posture is very straight and still and proper.  It is another “clash” to me, but one that speaks of an inner fire not visible from the exterior.

Sometimes, we have to stay silent on our beliefs.  Sometimes, for our own safety, it’s important to be innocuous and keep your thoughts, belief, and knowledge to yourself.  I too have been exposed to these times… and the card here is a warning to watch out for them.  Don’t be careless and have it result in becoming a victim.

DECK USED:  TRADITIONAL MANGA TAROT

LionHart’s As Above So Below Challenge Prompt
Uranus Question: Something that truly makes me unique, or something that can support my individuality.

Druidcraft Tarot

Something That Truly Makes Me Unique

Prince of Pentacles atop Six of Swords – My ability to know what is right for me and go after it while leaving behind what isn’t working. I see so many people that are unable to figure out what is right for them and stew in confusion and indecision whenever such opportunities to do so are presented to them.  It’s something… I am unable to grasp.

My question is…. it that really so common that my knowing what’s right for me and discarding what isn’t becomes something unique?

Something That Can Support My Individuality

Queen of Swords atop Six of Pentacles –  Sharing with others my thoughts and perspectives in an effort to guide them on their own path.  This doesn’t just support my own individuality, but helps others in theirs as well.  I don’t expect anyone to follow in  my footsteps or believe what I believe.  Instead, I encourage others to hear what I have to say and choose what sounds and feels right for them. 

DECK USED:  DRUIDCRAFT TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Draw or write something free form inspired by the card(s).

Multi-Stabber TarotKing of Swords – There was once a crotchety old man living in a care home that was extremely good at making people believe what he wanted them to believe and go after what he wanted them to go after.  He ruled over the home like a king would rule over his kingdom, and everyone, including the nurses, both admired his strength and knowledge, but feared his wrath.

Queen of Pentacles – One day a new nurse came to the care home, and she moved around the place like a breath of fresh air, caring for everyone with a kindness that was also steady and strong and took no shit.  Every time he would try to get her to go against the rules and bring him ice cream even though he’s diabetic, or let him smoke out the window instead of going outside, she would put him back in his place with firm strength and love.

Eight of Cups – He watched her as she worked, trying to figure her out, and the more he watched her the more he realized how much she gave of herself every day.  He realized that she gave so much more than she ever received from anyone, and especially him.  With each day this realization sank in, he became less of a crotchety old man with her and more of a friendly father figure and in time they came to not just like each other, but love each other like family.

DECK USED:  MULTI-STABBER TAROT

Heal & Transform November Challenge Prompt
Question: What is 2020’s greatest opportunity for my personal growth?

Mary El Tarot First Edition

Reading Summary: Finding ways to incorporate more positivity and joy (The Sun) into the exploration of new projects (Ace of Wands) and new opportunities (Ace of Disks).

Take Away:  This is one of the issues I’ve been working at throughout the year.  It’s about positivity.  It’s about optimism.  And that is something that I struggle with.  But as I’ve worked this spring and summer on my emotional growth, a part of that has included finding more joy and more positivity in how I view the world around me.  I don’t think that this is a journey that I have completed by any means (thus the Aces), but rather it is the first step.  The inkling of possibility that will allow for growth with some tending and attention.

DECK USED:  MARY EL TAROT 1ST EDITION

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What have I learned so far from my life challenges?

Sweeney Tarot

The Hermit – Self reflection is good, but retreat is not always healthy. There is a fine balance between the light and the darkness, and it’s important to keep that balance intact so that when you need alone time it can be healthy alone time that is good for you and assists in the centering and grounding you need.  When the light and the dark are not in balance, that alone time becomes self destructive.

Six of Cups atop The Hierophant – Sharing my experience and knowledge with others creates positive memories for me and a positive experience to look back on later. These memories help to put distance between myself and the unpleasant memories from earlier in my life, providing me with positive ones to focus on instead that can build me up (as opposed to the negative ones that try to tear me down).

The Fool – It’s okay to indulge in playing the fool sometimes. Just don’t overdo it. Being silly and optimistic isn’t something I find particularly easy the majority of the time. I’ve learned, though, that there’s nothing wrong with it in those times I’m able to find it and sink into it.

DECK USED:  SWEENEY TAROT

Confidence and Caution

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_7630Today’s meditation was just over eighteen minutes long because I needed a little extra time in my piriformis stretching this morning.  The hike in the rain yesterday was just what I needed I wish I could have stayed out there for hours and hours on end.  But my muscles did not like the hard exertion in the cold rain, nor the sudden heat up of a shower that came after.  So… I’m a bit sore today.

The topic of the guided part of my meditation was about techniques in hearing criticism and dealing with being confronted with anger.  It was about finding a way (in this meditation it was about identifying instead of personalizing) to not soak in what is being said.  Not allowing it to be taken personally.

Tarot of the Little Prince - Page of WandsToday’s draw is the Page of Wands, which is traditionally a receptive omega energy in the area of one’s passion projects, drive, and inner spark.  Like all the wands, this isn’t about emotions or intelligence, nor eve where a person’s ambitions lie.  Instead, it is about the fiery spark of passion that creates your ambition.  That burning feeling of a spark within that drives us forward.   In the light of a receptive omega energy, this is often about learning something new that strikes your interest and passion, or exploring old passions that have come back into our lives for a breath of new life.

What stands out the strongest to me in the imagery of this card today is the walking stick and the approaching train. The figure in this image looks either highly distracted, or possibly blind considering that the walking stick looks an awful lot like one a blind man might use.  The train has steam billowing out of its chimney indicating it is moving full speed ahead.  The tilt of the man’s head indicates confidence in their progress, and yet the train is clearly coming.

The message in today’s card is about moving forward with confidence… and caution.  You need both in order to succeed.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE

LionHart’s As Above So Below Challenge Prompt
Moon Question: Where am I asked to listen to, or follow, my gut feeling?

Ride or Wait Tarot

I split this reading into two questions, because, at least for me? Listening to and actually following are two different things.  You can absolutely listen and decide to do things your own way while taking something else under advisement.  That is difference than actually following through on  information provided.

Where am I asked to listen to my gut feeling?

Queen of Wands and Four of Cups – Don’t allow your uncertainty over what’s going on with this holiday rush to dictate your actions and cause you to retreat into yourself. Instead lean into what you know and have experience with, and apply that to where you want to go.

Where am I asked to follow my gut feeling?

Two of Cups and Page of Swords – Learning new ways to connect with and communicate with others in a helpful way that creates unity and agreement. Expressing your emotions is not your greatest of skills, but there are other ways to build bonds and let people know that you care.

DECK USED:  RIDE OR WAIT TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Cleanse This / Ground This / Release This

Druidcraft TarotCleanse – Seven of Pentacles – It’s time to declutter so that you can make sure that there is room for more sustainable long term growth. Mentally, this means keeping your expectations in check. Physically, this means pruning out a few things that are creating distraction.

Ground – Princess of Swords – Again, we look at your expectations. You need to make sure that you’re open to changes and open to new ideas, because things just can’t stay the same all of the time, no matter how much you’d like them to. Clever adaptation will serve you well.  Also, note that her feet are bare upon the ground, which is a reminder to make sure that you’re getting out to bond with nature.

Release – Four of Cups – Your lackadaisical attitude and lack of motivation to get on top of things needs to be let go. Don’t be so disenchanted by what’s not happening, but rather look for solutions and act upon them.

DECK USED:  DRUIDCRAFT TAROT

Heal & Transform November Challenge Prompt
Question: What blessings have I or am I blinding myself to?

Tarot of the Unknown

Reading Summary: The fact that I am bombarded with new ideas all the time (Ace of Wands) is not a bad habit or a disgrace and should not be viewed as a inconvenience (The Beast), but rather it is something I need to embrace (imagery in the Six of Cups).

Take Away: Writing down ideas so I didn’t feel like I’m losing them all one after another when I can’t act on them immediately was a brilliant idea that I can credit to Gid.  But the thing is?  I can write down ideas all damned day and STILL have more to go.  And more.  And more.  I want to do them all and it sometimes messes with me that I can’t.  It used to mess with me even more as I felt super bad when I couldn’t. 

The thing is?  I need to stop looking at this constant trickle of ideas as an inconvenience just because I can’t do them all right now, or might never get to all of them.  They’re still good and just think how drab and boring it would be without them.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE UNKNOWN 1ST EDITION

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What do I think makes a successful life?

Catharsis Tarot

Reading Summary: Trusted bonds with friends (Two of Cups) that help you through the uncertain times (The Moon), and the independence and autonomy (Chariot) to choose your own path forward (The World).

Take Away:  As much as a loner that I am most of the time?  Being alone… truly alone with no one to love or care about? Can be fucking miserable.  I don’t have this problem, and having those few people in my life that I cherish, and that cherish me in turn?  It makes life immeasurably better.

Independence and autonomy are something I feel extremely strongly about.  The ability to choose your own path and make your own decisions is important.  I really can’t imagine that a life could feel successful without this factor.

DECK USED:  CATHARSIS TAROT

Failures Are Lessons Too

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped because I ended up out at the farm way longer than normal and then decided to nap instead of do it later in the day.  I’ll do it before bed, though.

Tarot of the Little Prince - Page of SwordsToday’s draw is the Page of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s intellect, education, thoughts and logic, communication, and ambition. This often translates itself into themes that have to do with the eager and diligent student, learning better communication skills or how to adapt your communication methods to others, or delving into one’s thirst for knowledge and curiosity.

What stands out to me in this card is that the guy has apparently cracked himself on the head… perhaps with the hand rake that is lying on the ground at his feet.

Sometimes when we’re learning new things, shit like this happens.  You smack your thumb with a hammer a few times when learning to pound nails.  You trip over roots a few times the first time you go out hiking. Learning new things inherently has a few mishaps involved in the process.

Just remember that that’s okay. It’s okay to try and fail, just keep trying again.  Each failure is a learning experience that can make you better at it the next time.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE

LionHart’s As Above So Below Challenge Prompt
Sun Question: Something that could support my creative flow or focus right now.

Global Fusion Intuitive Tarot

Reading Summary: Stop listening to the whispers that say you’re going to lose everything (Four of Pentacles) and instead try to see whatever comes as an adventure (The Fool).  This isn’t an easy choice for you (Two of Swords).

Take Away: Leaning into the perspective that everything is an adventure is not an easy thing for you.  It takes a conscious effort and diligence to remember to continue to lean that way hour after hour and day after day.  But by loosening up the reigns and easing your grip, it will foster your creative flow and focus in a way that this desperate grasp you try to keep on everything staying stable and the same just can’t provide you.

DECK USED:  GLOBAL FUSION INTUITIVE TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsNov2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What is… blocking my way / distracting my attention / tying my hands

Traditional Manga TarotWhat is blocking my way?

Two of Swords – “Either/or” thinking has been an issue for me a lot this fall and is something I’m still struggling with. It feels as if it has been blocking my way in moving forward through the holiday rush prep as smoothly as I’d have liked, as it keeps popping up again and again. I am aware of it and working at keeping it from taking over, but it just doesn’t seem to want to ease off.

What is distracting my attention?

King of Swords – Rigid thinking, unlike the “either/or” thinking is something that is more of a bad habit rather than a new development. It’s that whole “this must be done this way” mentality.  It is feeding into that “either/or” mentality tho, and causing a lot of conflict as a result.

What is tying my hands?

Ace of Pentacles atop Six of Cups – Old family values often hold me back, especially concerning work and money. I am aware of the fact that these values are a heavy influence in my life, and yet discarding them… even the ones that don’t really work for me or are unhealthy for me, is something I struggle with a great deal.  I’ve been able to loosen the grip of those ideals and judgements over time, but they still linger.

DECK USED:  TRADITIONAL MANGA TAROT

Heal & Transform November Challenge Prompt
Question: What previously unknown light aspect has presented itself this year?

The Ellis Deck 5th Edition

Reading Summary: Learning to think of things (Page of Swords) as more of a journey (The World) instead of a constantly repeating battle (Nine of Rods) has helped me in finding a more stable foundation (King of Pentacles).

Take Away: Over the spring and summer as I’d been exploring my emotional and spiritual sides more openly and fully, I was given a new perspective of the world besides the hard edged black and white version I’d once seen the world as the majority of the time.  I feel like this new, softer perspective has rounded out my perception of the world a bit, and thus provided me with a more grounded and stable foundation for my life as a whole as well as my path moving forward.

DECK USED:  THE ELLIS DECK 5TH EDITION