The Painted Tarot

Spirit Guides Tarot Reading

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Spirit Guides Tarot Reading with The Painted Tarot

Card to represent the Spirit Guide with me through this reading.

Seven of Pentacles – This spirit guide has been with you for a very long time, and has been working to guide you into a state of slow and healthy growth with diligence and care. They seek to help you not just survive, but thrive, and work hard to guide you in that direction.

Something this Guide is currently helping me with.

Justice atop Ten of Wands – Learning how to avoid burnout and it’s consequences by helping to guide you into making better choices on how you expend your energy.

What my Guide wants me to know at this time.

Ten of Cups – You can be happy without having everything that you want by sharing what you have with others, and enjoying their company and support in your life. Lean into those that you support, as they are eager to support you as well.

How can I help get myself to this place/goal?

The World – Stay true to your beliefs and the person you want to become, as you stay open to the changes and new journeys that lie ahead. You’ve turned over a new leaf in your life by trying to treat yourself better, and you need to stay the course.

What is holding me back from reaching my goals?

Queen of Wands – Sometimes you can become a little bit too focused on supporting other’s dreams, and in the process you forget to foster your own. Although it is important to you to support those that you care about, make sure that you’re not overdoing it and neglecting yourself as a result.

How can I motivate myself to be more productive with my lesson?

The Devil – Seek out the pleasure in the goal, as well as in the journey to reach it. Your addictive tendencies will take care of the rest.

A way that this lesson will show up in my life in the near future.

Queen of Coins – You will once again be confronted with a need to support others and be that stability in their lives, and will need to make a choice about how you go about doing this so that it will not cause you overwhelm and lead to burnout.

DECK USED: THE PAINTED TAROT

Turn It Inward

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Today’s meditation was skipped in the interest of the fact that I overslept and my day started far to late, especially for an order prep day. I definitely felt the difference of not doing the meditation today tho, and plan to pick it back up tomorrow.

Botan Tarot - The EmpressToday’s draw is the Empress. This is the third card in the Major Arcana, which means that (as with all Major Arcana cards) it deals with an overall message or life path situation rather than a single aspect of the human experience. Traditionally, the Empress card is a representation of nurturing energy that is grounded and giving, but strong and stable.  Her appearance is an indication of generous abundance, sacred femininity, and is associated with mother nature.

Like so many cards in this deck, it is not one aspect of the card that stands out to me above all others today, but rather the “atmosphere” of the card created by different elements.  It’s the grace in the tilt of the woman’s head and the vulnerability of her bare shoulders and neck, it is the quiet sensuality in the slightly parted lips, the wealth in the earrings she wears, and abundance of nature’s harvest in her hair.

There is softness here, and strength.  Abundance.  She looks like she is just about to lift those lowered eyelids and give a warm and gentle smile of understanding.  I would bet that her eyes are warm, no matter what color they end up being.

Kindness comes from within.  This is the message in today’s card. You can be kind and caring, loving and nurturing, and not be a pushover or a doormat.  It is the strength added into these qualities that allows someone to nurture not just others, but to know when they themselves need nurturing as well.   Be generous not just to others… but to yourself as well.

DECK USED:  BOTAN TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Goal / Pros / Cons/ Obstacles / Solutions

The Painted TarotGoal – Four of Swords – To allow myself more rest and recovery.

Pros – Alchemist (Magician) – The pros of this goal are that the rest and recovery allows me the time to recover, so that I can think clearly and move with precision, using my tools to the best of my ability.

Cons – Moon – The cons of getting more rest and recovery is that I don’t get as much done, and I don’t have a much time to get the things done that I need to get done… which creates a feeling of uncertainty.

Obstacles – Lovers – The obstacles in this are that no matter which choice I make, it’s a choice for my benefit… less rest and more work furthers my goals and business.  More rest and less work furthers my health and well-being.   Both are extremely important to me, and so it makes it feel like there is no good choice.

Solutions – Nine of Swords – Stop worrying so damn much. The worry is yet another waste time, and it also causes extra exhaustion which then creates a need for more rest and recovery and therefore less work gets done as a result.

DECK USED:  THE PAINTED TAROT

Don’t Forget Your Pants

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IMG_6611Today’s meditation was just under eleven minutes long and was one of the guided meditations with interval timer that focuses on fostering love and light, first toward yourself, then towards your loved ones, and eventually expanding that energy outward to the world at large and all that are within it.

It’s funny, because I always do pretty well when it comes to the first two, but at the last one I stumble a bit.  It’s not that I don’t understand the concept of spreading love and light around the world… it’s that I dislike the feeling of expelling free-flowing energy without a boundary or tether to myself.  So, I feel that this preference ends up limiting my “reach” when it comes to trying to do this sort of exercise.

This isn’t so much a “can’t” as a preference.  I feel that I touch other’s lives in  a wide variety of different positive ways.  Through my interactions both in person and online, through my work and the jewelry I make that I then send out into the world, and through all of the different small things I do each day for others.  I just don’t feel that that fully open and free flowing energy is one of those ways that suits me best.

Hush Tarot - Knight of SwordsToday’s draw is is the Knight of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of an active beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s intellect, thoughts, communication, and instincts.  This often translates into impulsivity, ambition, and all-or-nothing thinking.

What stands out in the imagery of this card today is the figure in the foreground with his staff and helmet. Impulsivity is one of the key themes of the Knight of Swords, and look at that… this guy in the imagery is so raring to go that he forgot to put his pants on.

I’m pretty sure that pants are of key importance when going into battle.  In fact, I’d venture to guess that there are very few battles out there that you’d be keen to be without them.

The message in today’s card is to make sure you’re prepared.  Take the time and the forethought to prepare properly and have yourself in full gear before you step out the door into the fray.  In other words?  Don’t forget your pants.

DECK USED:  HUSH TAROT

#Zentember #LovelyHealing Challenge Prompt
Question: How to improve my communication?

Science Tarot

Reading Summary: Forced departure from a simpler perception (Three of Swords). Unpredictable and uncontrollable outcomes overlapping the application of thoughtful experimentation. Trust your gut to make the right choices (Seven of Cups).

Take Away:   You need to accept that sometimes?  There’s just no way to avoid pissing people off or tripping over someone’s triggers.  It happens and it’s not always your fault… sometimes it’s no one’s fault at all.  It’s just how the chips fall.  As long as you’re making the best decisions you can with the info you have available, and trusting your gut when it demands to override logic?  Then you’re doing just fine.

DECK USED:  SCIENCE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What lessons can Libra season (which begins on the 23rd) teach me this year?

Tarot of ReincarnationReading Summary: Sometimes when things feel out of control or off kilter (Wheel of Fortune) you spend too much time spinning your wheels (Knight of Spades) which, if allowed to go on for too long (Seven of Diamonds), can result in stressful situations rising up to smack you in the face (Dog in the Seven of Diamonds).

Take Away:  So my lesson for Libra season is that it’s okay to procrastinate, but only so long as you don’t procrastinate for so long that it creates problems.  I’ve been really struggling with the whole procrastination thing over the past couple of weeks, and the cards keep reassuring me that it’s okay.  Here, I’m given a reminder that it’s only okay for a while… not forever.  I need to learn where that line is.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF REINCARNATION

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I better accept myself, including my faults?

The Painted Tarot

Reading Summary: Judge yourself as you would others (Judgement), take your time because it takes time to get there (Knight of Coins), and don’t be so defensive (Nine of Wands).

Take Away:  The cards here outline three separate keys that work together in helping me accept myself and my faults better.  

Key 1) Judge yourself as you would others.  I am so much nicer to others in my judgements than I am on myself.  I know this, and I have been trying to be more forgiving, but I understand I still have a long way to go.

Key 2) Take your time because it takes time to get there.   Everything work having is worth working for, and a lot of those things also require patience in order to earn them. I’m often far too impatient with myself, and this is why I push myself so hard.  The Knight of Wands is all about forward motion and patience.

Key 3) Don’t be so defensive. This isn’t something that I necessarily show all that often externally.  But there are times when my faults show through and are called out on… that I feel very defensive and hurt on the inside about it.  I need to remember that everyone has faults and that’s not just allowed but okay.

DECK USED:  THE PAINTED TAROT

Piece by Piece

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mountainToday’s meditation was just under eleven minutes long.  The topic of today’s meditation was a grounding exercise, although they didn’t call it as much.

It started out with imagining a mountain, then adding in details like the snow top and jagged rocks, trees near the base, etc.   And then guided the listener to take that mountain within the self and feel the solid strength of it there inside.

That’s grounding.   What really stuck with me strongest, though, was the quote that was included with the meditation, which I have put into a graphic and can be seen to the right.  It’s about the constancy of a mountain’s presence, and is the epitome of what grounding meditations are about, finding that calmness and solid footing that allows the whirlwinds of the world to swirl around you while you remain calm and still at the center of it all.

Hush Tarot - Seven of CupsToday’s draw is the Seven of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of being confronted with a plethora of choices.  Sometimes this variety of many options can feel like boundless opportunities, and other times it feels chaotic and overwhelming.  The Seven of Cups encompasses both aspects of this experience.

What strikes me about the imagery of this card today is the chaos.  There’s so much going on in this card, and so little to focus on.  Or rather, there’s so much to focus on that is equally weighted that nothing specific stands out as a focal point.

What I see as the message in today’s card is not to allow the myriad of options open to you to overwhelm you and make a mess out of things.  Sometimes to make a decision? You have to  untangle the mess and examine each element separately, because when they are all together there’s no making heads or tails of any of it which means you sit there spinning your wheels in indecision.

DECK USED:  HUSH TAROT

#Zentember #LovelyHealing Challenge Prompt
Question: How to increase harmony around me?

Samiramay Tarot

Reading Summary: Be generous (Six of Coins) with your wisdom (The Hierophant), and both judicious and articulate in the sharing of it (Queen of Swords).

Take Away:  Too often I feel like a pain in the ass when when I share my knowledge with others, or like a know it all.  I try very hard not to come across in such a way, but it is a worry and a vulnerability that I can’t seem to shake.  The advice in these cards is that is not at all the case and as long as I continue to share my knowledge in a way that is open and helpful and judiciously chosen, it will continue to not be the case. 

DECK USED:  SAMIRAMAY TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What personal growth should I be directing my energy toward at this time?

The Painted TarotReading Summary:  Personal changes (Death Rx) and how I view and think about security and stability (Four of Pentacles). You don’t have to split yourself apart to make it happen (Page of Swords).

Take Away: This is about the crap Gideon and I have been talking about over the past few days. It’s about the changes that have been coming up with autumn now upon me and the holiday rush quickly approaching. The cards here are telling me that I need to focus on finding that balance between the security and centered self that I’ve found through my growth over the year, and the change that’s coming.

The solid blue of the Four of Pentacles splinters into the Page of Swords indicating that by focusing on that stable center, I can save myself from having to pick up the pieces and re-learn everything again later.

DECK USED:  THE PAINTED TAROT

Lionharts #AstroTarotChallenge
Question: What in my life has the potential to be most supportive of my best self when choosing a direction in my soul’s journey?

English Magic Tarot

Reading Summary: You’re fortunate enough to be given all of the tools you need (The Magician) in order to make the good choices (Justice) that will carry you forward instead of holding you back (The Chariot).

Take Away:  This is about self empowerment.  The cards are saying that I am a strong, capable, knowledgeable, and talented individual with all of the tools I need to get where I need to go as long as I use those qualities wisely and well. It’s about depending on yourself, listening to your inner compass and strengths.   Depending on others and having those that support you is all well and good, but self empowerment and trusting your own strengths is even more so.

So often my cards remind me that there are others in my life to help me and support me when needed.  Here is the reminder that above all else, self reliance is of key importance.

DECK USED:  ENGLISH MAGIC TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How do I choose hope over fear?

Telluric Tarot

Reading Summary: Lean on Gideon (King of Cups)… And take what you have been so passionately exploring over the past few months (Ace of Wands) and choose to carry those lessons forward and incorporate them into your life moving forward (The Lovers atop The Hierophant).

Usually when I read with this deck, I take time to break down all of the nuances in each of the stones and herbs used in the cards. They always completely reinforce the reading, but I’m just not feeling inspired to do that this time. Because of that, I almost skipped including this reading today… but since I did actually translate the cards, even if not fully breaking them down, I figured I’d include it anyway.

Take Away:  This is also about what we’ve been talking about lately.  It’s about carrying those lessons I’ve learned this year forward with me instead of putting them on a shelf and waiting until the holiday rush is over to take them back down.  I admit to feeling a little trepidation about this, but I’m willing to give it a try and see how it goes.

DECK USED:  TELLURIC TAROT

It’s Okay To Have Limits

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IMG_6366Today’s meditation was just under fifteen minutes long, and was another of the guided meditations with interval timer for my piriformis stretching.

The topic of today’s meditation was based on allowing ourselves to see the world with a sense of wonder.  This goes beyond the “pause and smell the roses” mentality and is about creating a fascination with our experiences, seeing them as a chance to explore our curiosities.

Mindfulness is believed to connect us to the world with a “beginner’s mind” and find a childlike sense of wonder that we otherwise do not allow ourselves to experience.

Botan Tarot - King of WandsToday’s draw is the King of Wands, which is traditionally interpreted as a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s drive and ambitions, goals and passionate interests, as well as determination and willpower.

What stands out to me in the imagery of this card today is the king’s features as well as the wolf that curls upon his shoulders.  It reminds me of my inner critic and how the dialog it whispers in my ear is always pushing me to do more, be better, work harder.

The problem?  I’m already doing a hell of a lot. I’m already doing my best.  I’m already working hard.  So this inner critic’s voice?  Is pushing me to go beyond my limits, and beyond what’s healthy, just as I see the wolf whispering in the king’s ear doing the same thing in this card.

The message in this card is to make sure you do not allow that whisper to get a foothold in your head and turn you into its slave.   Take care to make sure I’m not pushing myself too hard.

DECK USED:  BOTAN TAROT

#Zentember #LovelyHealing Challenge Prompt
Question: What needs healing on my solar plexus?

Joe Sparrow Tarot

Reading Summary: Give yourself more credit (Queen of Cups atop Six of Pentacles) for how much you’ve done and how far you’ve come along along (Page of Pentacles) concerning the balance between your responsibilities and self care (Two of Pentacles).

Take Away:  It takes a lot of hard work and determination (solar plexus centered work) to make these kind of changes in your life. Don’t sell yourself (or your efforts and progress) short.  There still may be a long way to go… but you’ve come a long way and you’ve done a really good job so far.

DECK USED:  JOE SPARROW TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: You / Your Annoyance / What To Do About It

Tyldwick TarotMe – Queen of Coins – I’m both a provider and a nurturer in my relationships with others, especially concerning my relationship with those I’m living with.  Z and my sister depend on me, and for once this isn’t something that freaks me out.  I actually feel quite comfortable in this role for the most part.

My Annoyance – Ace of Swords – Okay, so yes.  I’m comfortable with being a provider. I’m comfortable with being a nurturer.  But jesus f’ing christ they fucking talk ALL the time.  All day every day from the time they get up to the time they go to sleep.  Talk talk talk talk talk talk talk.  How the hell do two people find so much to talk about that they can feel days upon days, months on months with talking?  I have no idea but it drives me nuts.

What To Do About It – Seven of Staves – Note that these are toy soldiers and there is no actual conflict in this card.  This is about perseverance.   It’s about standing strong and accepting that when you’re living with two women, this sort of thing is going to be a part of that.  I love them both, and all the chattering doesn’t change that… nor should it.

DECK USED:  TYLDWICK TAROT

Lionharts #AstroTarotChallenge
Question: How can I best approach my creative space and endeavors to make the most out of my creativity?

The Painted Tarot

Reading Summary: Take control (King of Wands), pick a direction (Two of Wands), and approach with a sense of wonder and curiosity (Ace of Cups).

Take Away:  This actually echoes back to my guided meditation from this morning. To make the most out of my creativity, I need both direction and focus… but I also need to blend in a sense of wonderment and fun.  This curiosity and exploration curiosity is what makes the creative process so very interesting.  It’s just as important as the other two qualities… perhaps even more so.

DECK USED:  THE PAINTED TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I build the courage to say no when I’m uncomfortable doing so?

Samiramay Tarot

Reading Summary:  Don’t let being kind (Three of Swords Rx) become a crutch or a handicap (The Devil). Saying no can sometimes create new opportunities (Ace of Pentacles) for others to master skills they might have otherwise ignored (Eight of Pentacles).

Take Away:  You know, I hadn’t really thought of this perspective before.  But, the thing is?  When I am told “no” to something? My brain immediately moves to how I can either get my way or circumvent the “no” and turn it around into my advantage in some way.  I’m not sure why I hadn’t realized this may be the same for others.  Not everyone, I’m sure.  But sometimes?  Saying no really does open new doors of opportunity, so I shouldn’t allow my temptation to sometimes abstain or say yes get in the way of that.

DECK USED:  SAMIRAMAY TAROT

Willpower and Resourcefulness

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IMG_6221Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was a yoga nidra meditation with interval timer. It was a guided meditation, and based on moving one’s consciousness and awareness through the body slowly starting at the head and moving to the toes.  At each part of the body you stop and pause, acknowledge the sensations present and breathe into that area, then exhale and move on to the next. 

I’ve mentioned before that nidra meditations are my absolute favorite.  I love the amount of relaxation I can get from following the process from one part of the body to another in this manner.

The actual focus of the nidra in this particular guided meditation had to do with acknowledgement of sensation.  Sometimes, when we are looking for sensation, we forget about all the sensations we’re experiencing.  It’s easy, when say… focused on your arm.  To focus there and say “no, I don’t feel anything” because the muscle isn’t sore and there’s no pain or discomfort.  But that doesn’t mean that sensation it’s present.  There’s the sensation of cloth touching flesh, of air currents on skin, etc.  These are also just as much sensation as a tickle, pinch, or pain.  

The key being that when we let go of the expectation of what we should be looking for or are supposed to feel, it frees us up to experiencing what’s actually there in the moment.

Botan Tarot - The MagicianToday’s draw is the Magician, which is traditionally a representation of having all the “tools”, skills, abilities, and knowledge to do what needs doing.  The Magician is knowledgeable, resourceful, and capable, and it is these energies and qualities that are brought into play when this card makes an appearance.

What really stands out to me this card is that keen gaze.  You would think that it would be the tattoos that draw my eyes, and yet that is not where my gaze is drawn when I see this card today.  It’s all about the eyes. They feel clever and cunning and knowledgeable, grounded.  Prepared.  He is the Eagle Scout of the tattoo’d hotties, looking out at me as if to say “you know the answer”.

And that’s the message in today’s card.  I know the answer.  **I** am capable, knowledgeable, grounded, resourceful, and clever.  **I** am more than able to take on the world and bend it to my will, or adapt as needed when bending things my way is not an option.  Today’s card is a reminder that I am a strong and fully capable man more than able to handle what may come.

DECK USED:  BOTAN TAROT

#Zentember #LovelyHealing Challenge Prompt
Question: How do I accept life more fully?

Lonely Dreamer Tarot

Reading Summary: Worries and anxieties (Nine of Swords) are blocking your path and holding you back (Nine of Wands). Make the choice (Two of Swords) to overcome (Yellow in Two of Swords) pessimism instead of giving into it (Five of Cups).

Take Away: The cards here make it clear that the worries and anxieties that are blocking my path and stirring up my pessimistic side are something I have a choice about.  This is not an uncontrollable situation and I need to (as readings prior to this have also indicated over the past week) make sure I am making the conscious decision to lean into optimism and positive thought rather than sinking into the habitual pessimism that is my regular tendency.

DECK USED:  LONELY DREAMER TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #1
 How can I create a greater feeling of contentment in my life?

Tarot LeavesReading Summary: Make sure you’re paying attention (Two of Swords) to your inner dialogue (Ace of Swords) and choose a nurturing approach (Empress) rather than a sharp one (Sword imagery in the Ace).

Although leaf shape between the Ace and Two of Swords is very similar and connects these two cards, it is the blues that blend through the three cards, purifying and darkening as they go from the Ace of Swords through the Empress that really catches my eye.

The purity of the blue in the Empress card indicates to me that it is the key player in this spread, ranked in importance above the muffled colors in the Two of Swords and the impure greenish tinge of the blue in the Ace of Swords. Just as that color dynamic speaks to me of a leaning toward the Empress, putting weight upon her importance in these cards, the impression is further reinforced by the purity of the green in the Empress which (like the blues) holds weight in the spread over the more muddled greens in the Ace of Swords.

The red ribbon in the Two of Swords is a splash of color that catches the eye and holds its own weight as it corresponds to the woman’s blindfold, indicating that this card is not about choice in this instance, but about being blinded and not paying attention.

Take Away: I am notoriously hard on myself and that is what the cards are calling me out on in this reading.  In order to create a greater feeling of contentment in my life, I need to be paying close attention to my inner dialog and course correcting any negativity and unpleasant pessimism into a more nurturing vein of encouragement.

DECK USED:  TAROT LEAVES

Lionharts #AstroTarotChallenge
Question: How/What am I currently contributing to my culture, social space, or direct environment?

The Painted Tarot

Reading Summary: I’m generous with my time (Seven of Pentacles), my ear, and my support (Queen of Cups) when others are feeling uncertain or lost (Moon).

Take Away: I contribute to my social space and direct environment by giving of myself.  This includes not just my time but also my support.  I make space for others who are feeling confused or uncertain, providing them with an ear to listen to what they need to get out and try to cast a healing light to help keep that darkness they are experiencing in check.

DECK USED:  THE PAINTED TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What makes me bulletproof?

Brady Tarot 2nd Edition

Ace of Arrows (Truth) – I demand truth, and I “speak” it in turn. It’s not worth it to waste my time on lies and half truths, and  I do not expect to be coddled or pandered to by others. Instead, I would rather know the whole truth up front so that if it is unpleasant I can deal with the fall out and quickly move on from that to other important matters.

High Priestess – My intuition and moral compass.  I am lead by them and I follow them without question, depending upon what they say as absolute truth. I trustingly move to the beat of their drum because I understand that they are whispering secrets in my ear and telling me things I need to know, providing guidance to my benefit, and providing information that would otherwise be beyond my ken.

Mother of Feathers – I like to help others when I can and I give good advice, and have absolutely no trouble admitting I’m wrong when it happens, especially if it is going to give me the opportunity to learn from my mistake. Sometimes I can have a “sharp tongue”, but there is a reason for this when it happens, as it creates a succinct punctuation to my words that catch one’s attention in the way a gentler approach can’t always do.

DECK USED:  BRADY TAROT 2ND EDITION