Today’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.
Today’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.
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).
King 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?
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?
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.
Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and focused upon stepping outside one’s comfort zone. The guided meditation spoke on how sometimes we need to step outside our comfort zone, and how as we do this again and again, our comfort zone begins to expand, and our ability to handle discomfort increases.
Twisting the Leaf 