@The.Journey.Well

Standing Strong

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Relative Tarot - King of Pentacles - Sitting BullToday’s draw is the King of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s financial security, resources, health, home, labors, manifestations, and other elements of the physical realm. This often translates into leadership that creates a grounded sense of stability for others.

The imagery for this card is an adaptation of a picture of Sitting Bull taken in 1881. The original image has always been one that I’ve somehow connected with and I feel that it fits so very well as the King of Pentacles. He was such a strong leader, seeking stability for his people and providing those people with the sense of strength they needed in a time of trials and strife.  He taught his people independence and fought for the land that was rightfully theirs, lending his strength to not just his own people, but those of other nations that chose to join him.

The message I see in today’s card is about standing one’s ground, and the strength that doing so can create, especially when others decide to stand with you.  Don’t forsake the power that comes from standing strong for your family, your home, and those you value.  Don’t forsake the strength that comes from being rooted, balanced, and grounded in your purpose and goals.  When you are, you don’t just build upon your own strength, but that of all those around you that stand with you as well.

Side Note: I really wish that the guidebook for the deck included information about the figures in the cards themselves, as I’ve noticed a number of famous individuals depicted in the cards, and yet there’s no mention of them in the guide. For example the individual on this card is Sitting Bull.

DECK USED:  THE RELATIVE TAROT

@The.Journey.Well ‘s Friendship & Community Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 17th and 18th

Stay Wild Timing OracleWhat quality in friends can empower you?

Stay Wild – Friends that encourage your individuality instead of expecting you to conform to the standards of others.

Happily Ever After – Those that are in for the long haul, and don’t allow petty squabbles or minor differences to get in the way of long term friendship.

Take Away: You need loyalty, acceptance, and stability to feel empowered within your friendships with others. This sense of security then gives you the ability to ease your defenses, allowing you to become more trusting.

What knowledge could you mentor others in?

Don’t Wait – In following their intuition instead of second guessing that inner knowledge that could flourish into a great strength with a bit of tending.

I Do Yoga – Physiotherapy and body care through yoga, and how to incorporate a spiritual element into that practice.

DECK USED: STAY WILD TIMING ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for November 18th: Advice I need to hear at this time concerning my family relations.

The Relative TarotReading Summary: You’re going to have to be generous and let go of the past (Six of Pentacles) if you want to create a comfortable and happy atmosphere (Four of Wands ) that’s healthy for you in the present and future (The Lovers).

Take Away: This is about the upcoming Christmas dinner, and the fact that there are going to be a lot of people there that you’ve had negative experiences with in the past. It doesn’t mean you have to become buddy buddy with them or forget the things that have happened in the past, but rather the cards are saying to be nice and not to allow those negative experiences from the past to make you into an asshat in the present or future when gatherings happen. Just be grateful that things are different now.

DECK USED: THE RELATIVE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I spent time playing with Gideon tonight, and it helped a lot in easing some of the tension I had going on in my chest.

All Aboard!

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Tarot Jacques Vieville (Héron Boechat Reproduction)Today’s draw is the Judgement card, which is traditionally a representation of looking back on one’s history and reflecting upon if they are happy with all that they have done and become in life, as well as getting in touch with one’s true calling, and themes to do with forgiveness and absolution.

Gabriel is blowing his horn so hard he looks like he’s going to pass out any minute.Just how long is he going to be blowing that horn before he says “get on the damned bus or be left behind”?

The message in today’s card is a reminder that you have a schedule to keep. Stop allowing others to make you late, as it just ends up with you blaming yourself and is one more bit of negativity dragging you down.

DECK USED:  TAROT JACQUES VIEVILLE (HÉRON BOECHAT REPRODUCTION)

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 17th

Kaevane Tarot de Marseille and Convearth Angel CardsMy Desire – Raphael and Valet de Denier – Your physical health and wellness is something that you struggle with a great deal, and that you wish you could get a better handle on. It feels like you are constantly “falling off one wagon or another” when it comes to taking care of yourself, and wish that you could find a better way to be more consistent in your self care.

An Obstacle In My Path – Cherubim and La Mort – You try too hard to stay on a stagnant and rigid path when the path is actually always changing and shifting. You cannot walk straight on a winding path, but must instead work to follow the road ahead of you.

The Solution – Zadkiel and La Roue de Fortune – Be kind to yourself when things go awry. Adapt and keep going, reorient and continue on… but don’t berate yourself or hold these moments against yourself, as they aren’t setbacks or obstacles, but natural curves and turns on the path. Only in resisting these moments do you fall into unhealthy negative criticism of yourself.

DECK USED: CONVEARTH ANGEL CARDS AND KAEVANE TAROT DE MARSEILLE

Mr Lionhart’s The Suits: Revisited #TheNovemberTarot Prompt
Questions for November 17th and 18th

Tarot Jacques Vieville (Héron Boechat Reproduction)Major Arcana – What should I decide on or consider this week?

The World and Two of Coins – No matter how far you go along life’s path, balance is always going to be an endeavor you strive for. Finding a healthy balance isn’t something you obtain and then possess, but rather a constantly shifting goal that you are meant to reach for again and again.

Suit of Swords – Where, or in what way, is my current focus supporting my growth?

Four of Swords and The Hanged – You are beginning to see rest as a natural part of life, necessary and important… instead of as something to be guilty about or ashamed of needing.  This new perspective allows you to more easily get the rest you need when you need it rather than pushing yourself beyond your limits and paying the consequences (that include recovery time you could have avoided if you’d been kinder to yourself and your body’s needs).

DECK USED: TAROT JACQUES VIEVILLE (HÉRON BOECHAT REPRODUCTION)

Daily Self Kindness

I had myself a little bit of a lazy day today. Things are picking up, ramping up a bit at a time in the holiday rush, and soon enough this won’t be an option for me anymore… so I figured I’d take advantage of the opportunity while it was open to me.

Support Through the Holding of Space

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Illusory Dream TarotToday’s draw is the Queen of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s resources, financial stability, health, home, labors, manifestations, or other aspects of the physical realm. This often translates into a supportive or nurturing energy or entity in the areas of one’s health, home, and financial responsibilities.

Sometimes… support comes in simply sharing space with someone. Advice isn’t always what is needed. Nor is a helping hand, or a shoulder, or an ear. Sometimes? Just having someone sit beside you and be there is enough.

This is a unique gift that only certain people are able to provide.  For a lot of people, silence is unnerving and uncomfortable, and so just “sharing space” with someone can become the same.  Today’s card reminds us that those that share space with us are treasured allies. Friends that provide a very special kind of support without expectation, and that those quiet moments we share with them are often all we need… and a treasure to cherish.

DECK USED:  ILLUSORY DREAM TAROT

@The.Journey.Well ‘s Friendship & Community Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 15th and 16th

L'Oracle de la Voix des ÂmesWhat makes you feel free?

Libération and Reproches – Freedom from reproach. Independence both from under the thumb of others as well as your own harsh judgements. In these times when you are able to free yourself from these things, you feel weightless and without limits.

What do you sacrifice for those you love?

Message de Pardon and Le Poids des Larmes – You forgive them their trespasses even when they hurt you. There are a lot of things that someone you love can do that you would forgive, that those you don’t love would never get away with.  That patience and forgiveness of past hurts comes part and parcel with your love.

DECK USED: L’ORACLE DE LA VOIX DES ÂMES

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for November 16th: Can a person without hope live a full and happy life?

Illusory Dream TarotReading Summary: A person with without hope has no expectations for the future and nothing to protect (Nine of Wands Rx). They work and move forward (Eight of Pentacles) and balance life as best they can (Two of Pentacles) without the expectation of a happily ever after (The Lovers Rx).

Take Away: It does not appear to be that a person can live a full and happy life without hope… at least from what these cards are saying. The best they can obtain is a balance, which does not equate to happiness, nor particularly to fulfillment either.

On a personal note, I agree with what the cards say here.  What is there to work towards or fight for, to cherish or find value in… if there is no hope?   I think hope looks different for different people, but I’m not sure it’s possible to be fulfilled or happy without it in one form or another.

DECK USED: ILLUSORY DREAM TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Today is orders day, and I somehow managed to get done a bit early, which means I get to go to bed a bit early.  And I’m going to do just that.

Leave It Behind

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Everyday Witch TarotToday’s draw is the Six of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of transitions, changes, moving on to better things, and leaving behind problems and baggage.

In the imagery of this card, a group of witches steal away in the dead of night with all that they can carry, following the light of the moon while autumn winds flow around them. One witch looks back, as if one last look is needed.

There’s something to be said for not looking back, and times when that’s essential. Escaping abusive relationships, leaving behind painful or unhealthy patterns, etc.  These things will always have pieces and parts that want to draw us back in.  Good times that are difficult to let go of, because to do so and truly move on means giving up on old hopes.

The thing is, though, that we can’t truly make a new start and begin anew if we don’t leave what’s in the past alone. Listening to that abusive ex’s excuses, or the whispers of temptation on unhealthy patters trying to call us back, will only stick us back where we were… in a broken hope or reaching for an unattainable dream.

Today’s card is a reminder that in order to begin something new, you have to let go of the old.  Let go of those old hopes and dreams that were a part of that untenable situation or behavior…. and instead of recycling them, build new hopes and dreams to replace them.

DECK USED:  EVERYDAY WITCH TAROT

Mr Lionhart’s The Suits: Revisited #TheNovemberTarot Prompt
Questions for November 15th and 16th

Everyday Witch TarotSuit of Cups – Something I am asked to reflect/meditate on right now.

Six of Cups and Strength – Remember how far you have come, and the strength that your past has provided you. Remember that the difficulties and struggles you’ve gone through are what has made you who you are today, given you the strength you carry with you from day to day.

Major Arcana – A lesson I have learned from the Cups suit during this challenge.

The High Priestess and Judgement – Intuition and emotions are connected, and when you judge yourself harshly and your emotions are affected by this… so too is your intuition.  If you, on the other hand, stay open and kind to yourself, allowing positivity to flow, your intuition flows freely as well.

DECK USED: EVERYDAY WITCH TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I un-pledged myself from 16 of the projects I’d previously backed on Kickstarter.

Defining Generosity

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Tarot of the AbyssToday’s draw is the Six of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of generosity, charity, good will, and asking for/accepting help.

Just before pulling this card today, I was having a bit of a rant and venting my irritation about someone. And then, within about five minutes of finishing, here is the Six of Pentacles.

Today’s message is in direct relation to that rant, and is a reminder that to be generous with others is not always about money.

Sometimes generosity about not judging so harshly and staying one’s tongue; about kindness, and even forgiveness. The Six of Pentacles is here today to encourage us to be generous with others, and with ourselves as well.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE ABYSS

@The.Journey.Well ‘s Friendship & Community Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 13th and 14th

Tattered Wings Oracle Intuitive EditionWhere are you finding ease in your life?

Flight, Snow, and The Moon – The anxiety of survival is not bearing down upon you quite so hard these days. The winters are not so cold and the pantry not quite so bare, as you have worked hard to rise above these issues and put them behind you.

What can/does one deep friendship bring you?

Phoenix Fae, The Drip, and Shadow – They give you the strength to rise up and try again when things fall apart and everything feels like it’s too much.  There are times when everything in life feels hopeless and that there will be no recovery from what has been wrought. This friendship helps to lift you out of the dregs of those moments so that you don’t drown in them.

DECK USED: TATTERED WINGS ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for November 14th: Advice I need to hear at this time concerning my work life.

Tarot of the AbyssReading Summary: When things feel like they are going awry (Five of Cups) and your anxiety rises (Nine of Swords), you need to look at things from a different perspective (The Hanged One) instead of allowing your worries to take over.

Take Away: There are times when sudden change crashes down into your business and work life, and instead of adapting gracefully, you catastrophize the situation in your head.  It makes it impossible for you to sleep or perform at your best, and holds you back from adapting and a quick recovery from these moments of setback.

Instead of falling into anxiety and despair during these times, if you pivot and choose to seek out a new perspective and see these events as an opportunity instead of an ending, you will recover far more quickly and with greater success in your business as a result.

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE ABYSS

Daily Self Kindness

It’s an orders day… and I made sure to find the time to take a bit of a nap.  Not a long one, but it helped.

Finding Home

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Jazz Age TarotToday’s draw is the Four of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of one’s passionate love for the security and welcoming energies of home. This often translates into themes that have to do with homecoming, celebrating home and stability, as well as relaxation in comfortable spaces.

The imagery of this card is of family, and clearly a wedding picture.  It speaks to me of the fact that “home” isn’t something that is just “there” or given to us. It’s something we build and create for ourselves, and then teach others to create as they grow from childhood into adulthood. Home is what we make of it.

Therefore, today’s card asks us… where in our lives could we make whatever spots and places, people and things, that we call “home” even better?  How can we make these things more comfortable and more of a perfect fit for us and what we value? How can we continue to adapt and manifest what we want in our home so that it feels even more right for us, and even more of a refuge from the world when we need time for comfort and rest?

DECK USED:  JAZZ AGE TAROT

Mr Lionhart’s The Suits: Revisited #TheNovemberTarot Prompt
Questions for November 13th and 14th

The Simplified TarotSuit of Cups – What should I face, or embrace more, in support of my best self?

Four of Cups and King of Wands – You need to make sure that even when you are at your most driven, you’re still taking time to step away, breathe, and take a moment to ground and center yourself.

Suit of Cups – How or where can I benefit from letting go or going with the flow?

Knight of Cups and Ace of Swords – Keep in mind when going after your desires that there is always more than one way to get to your destination. Be open to new ideas, as they could get you there via a different route that serves you better.

DECK USED: THE SIMPLIFIED TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Prompt for November 13th: Do Spread 2
Topic: Advice on the financial “juggling” that comes with the holiday season.

Jazz Age Tarot and Postcard OracleReading Summary: The plume on the Queen of Pentacles‘ head is carried over into the fan of the ferns in the anchor card. This speaks of looking to the past (she looks to the left) for how to foster the future’s endeavors and stability.

The Three of Wands and the King of Wands both face forward as does the skull in the anchor card. That speaks of needing to align your present (center) with what you desire for the future (right).

The crossbones beneath the skull in the anchor card then connects with the crossed arms of the woman in the Three of Wands. This indicates that there are going to be times when there are hurdles that stand in the way, and yet the open arms of the King of Wands says that if you are open to change and adaptation rather than closed off to it, you can remain “on top” and everything will work out as you desire.

Take Away: Don’t depend on everything to go the same as it has before, but make sure that you are taking the lessons of the past with you as you move forward to tackle the financial juggling involved in this season.  Adaptation is your friend, and the more you focus on stability during this time, the better.

DECK USED: JAZZ AGE TAROT AND THE GRATITUDE POSTCARD SET

Daily Self Kindness

I got some time to play with Gideon tonight.  It wasn’t a huge chunk of time, but it was enough to give me some comfort and cut through life’s tension to let me breathe a little easier.