the Hermit card

Healthy Alone Time

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IMG_8001Today’s meditation was just under twelve minutes long, and was a guided meditation with interval timer for my stretches.

The topic of today’s guided meditation was about being kind to yourself and others, even when you are struggling yourself, and how sometimes in the middle of our own struggles, we forget that there are others struggling must as much or even more so than we ourselves are.

The guided meditation was an encouragement to look upon others with compassion and understanding, and upon ourselves with the same.

Naked Heart Tarot - The HermitToday’s draw is the Hermit card, which is traditionally a representation of withdrawing from society and having some alone time.  In its upright position it is not about unhealthy alone time, though, but rather about healthy growth through self exploration and diving deep into your personal well-being, thoughts, and beliefs.

What stands out to me the strongest in this card today is (of course) the box turtle at the bottom of the card, but also the key that they owl is carrying.

The feeling I get from this key in relation to the turtle is that sometimes you have to spend time alone in order to really know yourself.  There’s just some parts of your psyche and self that cannot be unlocked when surrounded by others.

From my observation, a lot of the time when people struggle with being alone and having alone time, they are avoiding themselves and the things about themselves that they don’t want to explore, confront, or delve into. The message here today is to remember that alone time is meant to be healthy and for the purpose of unwinding tensions, self exploration, and growth.  If the alone time isn’t healthy… don’t do it.

DECK USED:  NAKED HEART TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Is it worse to fail at something or never attempt it in the first place?

Lumos x Nox Tarot

Reading Summary: By failing (Ten of Swords), you are allowed to then move on (Eight of Cups), grow and evolve (The World).

Take Away: It is worse to have never tried, than to try and fail.  When you never try, you remain stagnant and there is no progress and no growth.   By failing, it means you have tried, and it means you have learned something from the experience.  This new knowledge you have gained can then be taken forward with you into the future.  That then facilitates growth and whether you try again, or move on to something else, that growth and the lessons learned from failure remain with you to help guide you forward on to better things.

DECK USED:  LUMOS X NOX TAROT

Healthy Retreat vs. Bad Timing

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and was an energy cleansing exercise using selenite and black tourmaline at the end for helping in closing things back up after.   It was very relaxing and went far more quickly than I thought it would.  I hadn’t actually set a timer, just the interval chimes for changing my piriformis positions.   It went well and was very relaxing.

Next World Tarot - The HermitToday’s draw is The Hermit card, which is traditionally a representation of retreating for self reflection and contemplation.  This isn’t about retreating to hide, but rather because sometimes when you are digging deep into yourself you need to do it away from others so that you can lower your defenses and get a clear look at what’s going on and the path to take forward.

What stands out to me the strongest today in the artwork of this card is the colors. The absolutely speak to me of being alone, but they don’t speak to me of the healing that is needed. It means that the imagery on this card today speaks to me not about alone time, but about retreat and closing off.

I feel like closing off today.  I feel like a bit of a failure today, and a disappointment. The thing is?  A little alone time or self reflection may be a good thing, but too much is unhealthy… as is bad timing. Now?  Is bad timing.  It’s not healthy to let these feelings fester and grow, and if I follow that urge to close off right now?  That’s exactly what will happen.

DECK USED:  NEXT WORLD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthAugust Challenge Prompt
Topic: I’m struggling to move past trauma.
Question: What can I do to prepare myself for obstacles along my healing journey?

Hero Analysis for the Future #79 MHA Tarot

Reading Summary: Make sure that I don’t allow my fears (Nine of Swords) to close me off from (The Hermit Rx) the emotional support and healing warmth that others have to offer (Queen of Cups).

Take Away:  When I am feeling vulnerable, I find it extremely difficult to reach out to others, especially for comfort and emotional support.  This is not a healthy way to deal with things, and the cards here indicate that I need to not just keep in mind that there are people that want to support me, but that my healthiest and most healing option is to reach out to them and allow that support and comfort to wash over me.

DECK USED:  HERO ANALYSIS FOR THE FUTURE #79 MHA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Which is more real… mind or matter?

Vivid Journey TarotReading Summary: Matter carries on (Ten of Pentacles) long after the mind has passed on (The Fool), no matter the legacy we wish to leave behind (Queen of Wands).

Take Away:  Reincarnation is very much a part of my faith, and thus the Fool in this spread is a representation of rebirth.  And yet, in our rebirth, we do not automatically maintain the memories of our past lives and experiences. We must start anew.  This is why love and wisdom are shared while you are alive, and material possessions are passed on after death.   The continued existence of material items even after the death of the mind and moving on of the soul, therefore, makes material more real (in our human reality).

DECK USED:  VIVID JOURNEY TAROT

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot #ElementalChallenge
Question: Air, how should I begin to apply your teachings?

Monstarot

Reading Summary: Work at looking at your work in a different way (Eight of Pentacles atop The Hanged Monster) and resting when you need it (Four of Swords). The emotional and inspirational connection will come back if you stick with it (Ace of Cups with Knight of Wands).

Take Away:  The teachings referred to here have to do with yesterday’s reading about bringing emotions, pleasure, and joy back into my work.  The answer here is that it’s something that will come over time with a bit of determination, as long as I make sure to be mindful about instilling this more joyful perspective into my work and make sure I’m not allowing myself to become overburdened or burnt out by taking healing rest when needed.

When I am overburdened, I shut out the pleasure and joy and emotions… and bear down on the responsibility aspects.  To instill these tenants back into my work, it is important to avoid putting myself in situations where the urge to block out these things rises up.  Be aware, pay attention, and act with intention rather than reacting.

DECK USED:  MONSTAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I get better at expressing my feelings without hurting others?

Spark and Pen Tarot

Reading Summary: Take a pause (Four of Pentacles). What would Gid do? (Knight of Cups) Approach as a friend (Three of Cups) and climb that hill slowly and carefully (Knight of Pentacles).

Take Away:  This is about moving slowly rather than just blurting out in a reactionary manner.  By taking a pause and actively looking to others who express their emotions in more socially accepted ways, I can then learn how to express my own better as well.

There is also a reminder here that I need to approach those that I’m trying to speak to about my feelings as a friend.  This is another skill that is something I’m learning, as my normal mode is not usually so… warm.   These are skills that take time to learn, but I am on that path.  I just need to remember not to get impatient and careless.  It’s not a sprint, but a long journey of growth.

DECK USED:  SPARK AND PEN TAROT

Even Baby Steps Are Progress

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was tacked on to the tail end of my yoga/physiotherapy practice.  As usual, it wasn’t as effective as when I take the time to relax fully and take a separate few minutes to meditate.  Unfortunately, the housekeeper was on her way over and I was limited in just how much time I had to get my morning needs completed before she arrived.

I may do a second meditation tonight when I head to bed, though, as I feel I could use one.

The Hermit - Circle of Life TarotToday’s draw is The Hermit card of the Major Arcana, which is a representation of taking time to yourself, often for introspection or time alone to sort things out in some way.

What stands out to me in this imagery today is the motion in the man, and the rocks on the ground.   What I mean by the “motion of the man” is that I see clear movement.  He isn’t standing still, he’s moving forward.  He’s making progress.  But at his feet lie stones that could be tripped over if caution is not taken.

The message that I see in the appearance of The Hermit is that I am getting somewhere in my healing, growth, and development.  I may not always feel like it.  In fact, sometimes it might not feel like it at all. At other times I might come across a rock or two and stumble along the way… but progress is progress, even if it’s one small, agonizingly slow step at a time.

DECK USED:  CIRCLE OF LIFE TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMarch Challenge Prompt
Question: Where would I most benefit from taking action at this time?

78 Tarot Elemental Tarot of the Natural

Reading Summary:  Move forward from suspension (Ace of Earth).  It’s okay to take a leap (The Fool), but in doing so you might have to move fast in order to stay on target and bypass obstacles (Eight of Fire).  There is a discordant feeling to the combination of these three cards.

Take Away:  Honestly, although I might most benefit from taking a leap and racing ahead at this time concerning my business?  I don’t feel like it’s the right time.  I think this is a test of my patience.  The cards are giving me information that is actionable and even beneficial, but contrary to my current goals…. as if they are asking, “What do you really want?”

DECK USED:  78TAROT ELEMENTAL TAROT OF THE NATURAL

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I improve upon where I am mentally over the week ahead?

Arcana Iris Sacra Tarot

Reading Summary:  Accept that this is the beginning of something good (The Fool) and move forward with an open mind and balanced judgement (Queen of Swords) while keeping a focus on the relationships in my life that work in harmony with my own energies.

Take Away:  So although this is probably not going to be a week where I’m going to end up finding a helper, it IS a week for new beginnings and making sure that I get things in order for that eventuality.  At the same time, I need to make sure I’m taking time for myself and those closest to me who make up an important part of balancing my emotional well-being.

DECK USED:  ARCANA IRIS SACRA TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: When am I intuitively insecure?

Celtic Dragon Tarot

Reading Summary:   At times when I am in a mindset of feeling defensive (Seven of Wands) and insecure (The Moon), my judgement is compromised (Judgement) and it makes it too difficult and distracting to be able to focus (Seven of Cups) in on my intuition clearly.

Take Away:  And thus why I’ve been having a little difficulty over December and January with my intuition feeling muffled.  Because of the fear issue I’ve been dealing with, the fog of that “freeze” reaction that I’ve been working through, and the residual effects of that experience, I am aware that I am feeling a bit handicapped with my intuition at the moment (although that has been resolving itself over the past few weeks a little at a time).

During this time, I’ve noticed that I have been leaning more fully in the area of tarot, and placed image only decks on the back burner for the time being.  I believe this is a natural reaction, as I subconsciously balance my logic mind with my intuitive ability so that I can continue to read cards regardless of where I am on those scales at any given moment.

DECK USED:  CELTIC DRAGON TAROT

 

Connected and Open

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Today’s meditation was fourteen minutes long, and a continuation on the managing stress series that I have been listening to for the past few days.  Today’s take on the topic dealt with sitting with discomfort rather than running away from it.

This is a technique I learned in pain management, but it works for emotions and other situations as well.  Most stresses will pass if given time to do so, and those that don’t, you will adapt to.  It’s difficult to sit with discomfort, though, rather than trying to fix it or run from it.  It takes practice and effort… and sometimes even then, it’s just not something that’s easy to accomplish.

Dark Mansion Tarot Today’s draw is a double with a jumper, and it was very sneaky about it too (because usually if I get more than two? I put them back for a lesser amount).  The two jumped out together, but were so very aligned that they looked like one, then the third jumper came out off to the side.   When I then went to pick up the original card, I discovered there was another one hiding behind it.

SO…. the cards in today’s draw are the Ace of Cups and the World card, with the Hermit as the jumper.

And oh boy… this is all about our time together.  It’s about that new and budding depth of emotion  and how it feels all-encompassing, which is referenced in the Ace of Cups and the World card.  There is a connectedness and an other-worldliness that comes with the drown, and especially as deeply as I have drowned with you this time.  It creates a sort of sensation like a caterpillar wrapping itself into a cocoon, the inside saturated with the water of emotions bright and fresh and open and everywhere.

At some point that cocoon will open, though, and I will need to come out for air.   The Hermit is a reminder that I’m not alone, even if that is where my temptation to run and hide.   You create this space where my emotions are open and I feel connected to everything… I need you for what comes after as well, no matter how much my natural instinct is to retreat into myself.

Deck Used: Dark Mansion Tarot

Bonus Reading

Another #TarotForGrowthOctober prompt.

Question: How can I deal more effectively with change?

Twisted Tarot TalesReading Summary: Although my temptation is to self soothe through excess (The Empress) while lashing out at others (Justice), or hide from responsibility (The Fool) by running away (Six of Swords), often the best course of action I can take is to submit (Eight of Swords) and let that shit just roll over me, chew me up, and spit me out.

Take Away: Change is inevitable, and the temptations that I feel to self-destruct during those times are natural but not helpful.  It’s important to avoid falling into those traps, and instead focus on rolling with the change and letting it happen, rather than fighting it or thrashing against it mentally or emotionally.

Deck Used: Twisted Tarot Tales

Creating Small Spaces

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes and ten seconds long, and focused on how we perceive time, and enjoying our time more.

The guided meditation discussed how it is the times in our life when we forget about time entirely that are our unforgettable moments, and how we need to seek out more of these moments to incorporate into our lives.

It was very early when I did my meditation this morning, and I did a repeat of it later in the day just before my nap. In both cases I found it to be a really nice, peaceful process today, even when E (the eight year old girl I told you about) decided to join me for the second one.

Today’s draw is the Hermit card, which is the ninth card in the Major Arcana, and deals with overall themes rather than specific aspects of the human experience.

The Hermit card is a representation of taking time to oneself and self reflection. For me, it is in many ways a self-care card, as the kind of “stepping away” and into self that this card represents is almost always a time of restorative healing for me.

This card was very apt for today, and I’ve already ran into a few situations where it’s advice has come in useful. These included staying quiet and restful in the car this morning on the way to the festival, taking E aside at the festival when she had a mini-emotion-explosion, stepping out to go for a walk in the rain when we made it back to the house, and taking a nap because 5am came god-fucking-awful early this morning.

In each of these instances there was a bit of healing involved, mostly for myself but in one instance also for E, who would have gotten in serious trouble if she’d been allowed to go full-on nuclear meltdown as they seemed to be egging her toward with everyone’s insistence on ignoring what was happening.

None of these retreats were particularly long or large, but each was a bite-sized piece of time and healing that has helped preserve a bit of balance.

Deck Used: Morgan Greer Tarot