Unexpected Tools

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Sambucus RWS Tarot - Ace of Cups@FatMumSlim August #FMSPAD Challenge
Prompt for August 19th : On the Wall | #FMS_ONTHEWALL25

Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Ace of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.

As a child, my father said some horrible things to me in the effort to mould me into his expectations. Nothing hurt and triggered me worse, though, than  being called lazy or stupid.

When he used these words to break me, it cut deep and I would feel as if there were actual bleeding wounds inside of me. I learned early to hide this from him, but in order to purge myself of the intensity of pain I was feeling, I would take a dry erase marker to the mirror in the privacy of the bathroom. There, I would write on the mirror “I’m not stupid “or “I’m not lazy” again and again until the intensity of the pain eased. (I would then, of course, erase the evidence before leaving the bathroom.)

Somewhere along the line as I grew a bit older, I lost the ability to connect with my emotions, and this practice stopped.

In the present, I am learning to reconnect with my emotions, and it’s often confusing and intense. Today’s FatMumSlim prompt and card combo inspired me to wonder if writing is the answer to making sense of them, in the same way that it was the answer to comforting myself as a child.

I might have to try it out and see, even if all I’m writing at the time is “I am not _____” or “I am _____”.

Today’s message is a reminder that emotions, especially new ones, are often intense and confusing. That doesn’t mean we should tuck them away and ignore them, but rather that we need to let them flow and explore them with the tools at our disposal that will help us deal with them in healthy ways.

DECK USED:  SAMBUCUS RWS TAROT

@Lionharts #TheAugustTarot Leo Season Challenge
Knight of Wands – Drive Bonus Prompts for August

Shaman's Way Oracle ReadingWhere is my passion leading me right now?

Transmutation – You’ve recently discovered how acts of grounding can positively impact your anxiety and emotions. Simply by writing down a possible plan of action instead of allowing it to create a cacophony in your head as you try to remember it all created an entirely new outlook and attitude. This can work for other things as well. It’s just a matter of finding the tools available to you and figuring out which ones work for the situation at hand.

What bold action is mine to take today?

Walk Your Path – If something doesn’t work for you? Say so. Buck the system in preference for your own path. Remember that just because expectations are there doesn’t mean it’s your job to fulfill them.

How can I fully commit to the thrill of the pursuit?

Separation – Let go of your ego, self-judgments, and fears. There’s no place for insecurities here, so step into new pursuits with confidence.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Red Oak Leaf for Fostering Unconditional Love
Foraged Scallop Shell for Opening Up to Emotional Wisdom
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On One’s Aspirations
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE SHAMAN’S WAY ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I got myself some cuddles in with Miss Luna today.

Rest Is a Need, Not a Want

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #Novelember24 Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 9th
: Remember

Aurora Tarot Blue Edition's The Devil Card and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by KateToday’s draw is the Devil card combined with the affirmation “You deserve full, entire rest days.”

As one of yesterday’s readings mentioned, it’s very easy to lose sight of how important it is to fulfill your needs when things become busy and chaotic.   Your natural inclination is to close out your own needs in order to pour more energy and time into what needs to get done.

This doesn’t work, though, as it forces you to eventually block off time to deal with those needs… and there’s no choice on when that block of time will come.   Better to take care of yourself from the start and make it to the end of the trials ahead rather than pushing too hard and having to step out of the race entirely when you hurt yourself in the process.

In other words?  DO give yourself times of rest. Even when it feels like you don’t have the time for it.  A few hours now is better than sacrificing a handful of days later on.

DECKS USED:  AURORA TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

@Lionharts #TheNovemberTarot Queen of Swords Challenge
Question for November 9th
: What aspect of myself am I ready to reclaim, igniting my rise with renewed strength?

The Shaman's Way OracleReading Summary: Beauty comes through imperfections, rather than through perfection (Wabi Sabi). In accepting this truth you draw to the surface those parts of yourself (Soul Retrieval) damaged by the harshness of perfectionism and give them a chance to be pieced back together and healed (Health).

Take Away: You have spent a massive amount of your life pushing yourself towards perfection again and again in everything that you do.  Instead of making you happy, it has made you miserable, self-conscious, and anxiety filled.

It is time to take the Japanese wabi sabi mentality to heart.  Nothing ever lasts forever. Nothing is ever completely finished. Nothing is ever perfect. Accepting transience and imperfection is the path to your strength and reclaiming confidence lost through a life striving for perfection.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Lichen for Perseverance
Foraged Cedar Tips for Protection Against Negative Influences
Gneiss Wishing Stone for Patience in Unpleasant Situations
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE SHAMAN’S WAY ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2024 Challenge
Question for November 9th
: Advice you need to hear at this time concerning your ambitions.

Aurora Tarot Blue Edition - The Hanged Man, The Devil, Queen of SwordsReading Summary: When you foster a focus on your own perspectives (The Devil and Queen of Swords), you miss out on obtaining a true understanding the perspectives of others (The  Hanged Man Rx)

Take Away: If you want to understand the perspectives of others, and in turn have a better understanding of the world around you as well, you need to step back on being so willful concerning your own opinions.

Yes, you have good advice to give and the ability to help others see things in your perspective, but if your mouth is talking?  Chances are that your ears are not paying as close attention as they should be.

Be quiet, and listen.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: AURORA TAROT

@empressofthenightslight #SweetnessWithTheEmpress #SweetnessofLife Challenge
Question for November 9th : What piece of my magic can I more deeply embrace now?

The Sylvankind OracleReading Summary: Let go of your insecurities of what the future may bring (Insecurity), and instead allow those around you (Guidance) to help keep you focused on your goal (Focus).

Take Away: It’s time to more deeply embrace the magic of what others can do for you. Not just how they help you with your work, but also how they help to keep you focused and inspired along the way so that you don’t lose track of your goals.

Allow others to guide you into a more positive headspace and keep you focused on what’s important.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Pin Oak Leaf for Strength and Endurance
Clear Quartz for Energy Amplification
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE SYLVANKIND ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

This post is a catch-up post, and I’m not entirely sure what my self kindness was for the day.