#theapriltarot

Flexibility Is Key

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Le Busque Tarot - Eight of SwordsToday’s draw is the Eight of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of willful ignorance, self-imposed restrictions, turning a blind eye (especially when it can be harmful to self), and entertaining a victim mentality.

The imagery in this card is essentially traditional, except that the bound figure is barely visible through the standing of the swords that surround them.  This speaks of not just what we aren’t seeing, but also the fact that what you can’t see might actually be quite detrimental to you.

The message here is a reminder that when you stand to rigidly in one place, there are things that will block your line of sight and make it impossible to see the full picture.  It is a reminder to stay open minded, and to seek understanding of what you aren’t even aware you are not fully grasping as yet. You will continue to be blind to these things you are missing until you’re willing to shift position and look closer.

DECK USED:  LE BUSQUE TAROT

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 3rd and 4th

Cat Wisdom CardsToday I will be selfish with…

Hiding – Your time. There’s only so many minutes in a day, and you have a lot to get done today. Bear down and go into hiding as you work, and it will help you to stay focused on what needs to be done.  Otherwise, distractions will start to seep in and pull your attention away.

Because?

Stay Focused – You have a lot to get done.  All of your energy needs to be focused on what needs to get done today. It’s an orders day and you haven’t done any prep in the previous few days to help you ease through today’s responsibilities. If you stay focused, you can get it all done.

Today I will be selfless with…

Take Action – Your altruistic urges. Be kind to others, even if you’re feeling pressed for time.  As has been said before. You never know what struggles and pain others are going through that they keep to themselves, and how very precious small kindnesses can be to those around you as a result.

How?

Proceed With Care – By ensuring that those who need a gentle approach from you get just that. You don’t have to be a bull in a china shop all the damned time.  Sometimes a gentle and cautious approach is better and can help more than coming at things horns first.

DECK USED: CAT WISDOM CARDS

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for April 3rd thru 6th

Le Busque TarotWhat makes me feel confident?

Six of Wands – Well no shit. Who doesn’t feel confident when getting praise and admiration from outside sources?

My “tone” in this particular response from the cards is because it bugs the crap out of me that it matters.  I absolutely hate that public opinion matters to me, no matter how natural it is for it to. No matter how ingrained it is into human nature. It niggles at my independent streak like a raw spot that won’t heal.

How would I describe my confidence?

Knight of Pentacles – Slow going, but improving and increasing over time. There’s a lot about myself that I like, but like most people, there’s also a lot that needs some healing and work. I’m on that journey, but this card indicates that progress is slow… but it’s still progress, so that’s good at least.

What takes my confidence away?

Judgement – Too much time spent communing with my negative inner voice, and not enough time focusing on where I want to go instead. You feed the wolf you want to thrive, right? I’ve spent too much time feeding the voice in my head that whittles away at my confidence, instead of doing those things and encouraging those thoughts that work to build myself up.

What builds my confidence?

Ten of Wands – Experience. Lots and lots of experience. The more experience under my belt, the more I learn and the more confident I become.  When things are new and different, there’s a lot of hesitation and caution, a lack of confidence.  But as things are experienced and more and more of life and the world becomes familiar, confidence thrives and grows.

DECK USED: LE BUSQUE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made stir fry today, even though I was pressed by time due to orders. I was craving veggies and so I made a chicken stir fry for dinner, which helped with the cravings immensely.

A Reflective Pause

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IMG_E9467Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was another of the #dailycalm sessions from the Calm app.

The topic of today’s meditation was about how we treat those closest to us, and how it’s natural for them to see out worst, but that through gratitude and appreciation we can help mediate showing our worst to them too often.

Bad A** Unicorns Tarot - The Hanged ManToday’s draw is the Hanged Man, which is traditionally a representation of taking a pause, considering alternate perspectives, relaxing into difficult situations, surrender or letting go.

I find that, with this particular deck, the little commentary on each card actually shifts the perspective of the card’s meaning a bit.  With this one, what I see is a bit of peace… but only after a frustrated moment of stagnancy.

A forced pause instead of one that is chosen. Yes, the peace still comes, as it’s there in the hint of a mandala in the background of the imagery… but you have to get out that little curse of frustration first in order to find it.

Today’s card is an encouragement to look beyond your initial reaction to what feels like an untenable situation, and see the boon. Find the peaceful moment in what could be a moment of frustration and chaos.

DECK USED:  BAD A** BABY UNICORNS TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Questions for The Magician – Day 4

Bad A** Unicorns Tarot and Gentle Wisdom from the Fairie Realms OracleWhat am I invited to create for myself right now?

Kindness and Reward – You know that old adage that says certain behaviors are their own reward? That’s what we see here. “Kindness is its own reward.”

Being kind to others is easy for you, but in these cards you are invited (and encouraged) to turn that kindness inward and be kinder to yourself.

The Magician is a reminder that you have all the tools, abilities, and skills needed to make this happen, you’ve only need to be open to actually moving in that direction.

What can help me grow within this creative endeavor?

Self Esteem and Future – Stay in touch with who you are and who you want to become as you move forward. As cruel as you sometimes are to yourself, on the whole you like who you are. This surety of self allows you to move forward with confidence.

DECK USED: GENTLE WISDOM OF THE FAIRIE REALMS ORACLE AND BAD A** BABY UNICORNS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for April 3rd: Do Spread #1
Focus on a relationship that’s important to you, whether that relationship be a friendship, a family member, or a loved one.

Bad A** Unicorns TarotWhat does this loved one need less of from you?

King of Wands – Bluster and bravado. Pride. Plowing forward toward one’s goals while ignoring issues and problems that need your attention. You do a lot of that disassociation with issues along the way when you’re in depression, but in this case you might have just trampled on J’s toes in the process.

What does this loved one need more of from you?

Ace of Cups – An open and honest expression of feelings, both good and bad. It’s important to make sure he knows how you feel, and that you’re willing to let him get out his own feelings as well with a sense of safety in doing so.  Help him feel comfortable expressing what’s going on so that you both are on the same page.

What in this relationship is being entirely neglected?

Judgement atop Five of Wands – There was a conflict in principles that needs to be addressed and dealt with. Friends don’t always agree on everything, and butt heads occasionally regardless of how well they might agree usually.  In this case, both are making judgements and assumptions instead of opening up and sorting out the issue.

Take Away: It looks like J and I need to sit down and hash out some differences in an honest and heartfelt discussion.

DECK USED: BAD A** BABY UNICORNS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Gideon time.  God yeah… ’nuff said.

Instilling Fun

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#dailycalm on the Calm appToday’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was another of the guided #dailycalm meditations from the Calm app. The topic of today’s meditation was patience. Specifically, patience with oneself when meditating.

It can be hard to stay focused during meditation. The brain likes to wander. In today’s meditation, we are encouraged to understand that meditation is a practice… as in you are practicing. As in “practice makes perfect”, which means perfect isn’t in the now but something we reach for. In meditation, perfection is not expected or required.

The Little Buddha Tarot - The SunToday’s draw is the Sun card, which is traditionally a representation of success, optimism, positivity, fun and frivolity. In my path, the Sun is also a symbol of male vitality, virility, and warmth.

This card’s imagery is all about fun, and the message today is a simple one. Have fun. It’s your day off.

I’m planning on doing just that. In fact, I have plans to go flower and herb shopping later today to pick up the first round of annuals to add to my balcony garden.

I used to grow my annuals and herbs from seed, but now that I’m running the home business and there’s so much to do, it’s just easier to go to the nursery and pick up what I want.  I’m suspecting I should be able to pick up a good bit of what I need this round, and then the rest of it perhaps by the end of the month depending on the weather.

DECK USED:  THE LITTLE BUDDHA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for April 1st and 2nd

Winged Spirit Tarot, Oracle of the Hidden World, Conscious Spirit OracleWhat is the most valuable thing you can do for yourself this month?

The Emperor and Earth Elemental – Use grounding and gratitude to help you take back control of your life. The depression has held you in its grip long enough. Seize upon the opportunity to use your connection with the earth and nature to help pull you back out and onto solid footing.

What is the most valuable thing you can do for others this month?

Hierophant and Insight – Lend your knowledge, experience, and expertise to their goals and endeavors. You have a lot to offer and people appreciate and enjoy when you share far more than you realize.

What is the most valuable thing you can be open to others doing for you this month?

Eight of Wands and The Gift – Motivation. Others have the ability to draw you in and lift you up. It might niggle at you independent streak to let them do so, but it is a valuable gift you shouldn’t take for granted.

DECK USED: WINGED SPIRIT TAROT, ORACLE OF THE HIDDEN WORLD, CONSCIOUS SPIRIT ORACLE

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for April 1st and 2nd

The Little Buddha TarotWhen feeling foolish, how can I find my confidence?

Ten of Pentacles and King of Swords – Foolishness is the first step to accomplishment. Look at all you have accomplished with a cool and logical mind, and take time to appreciate all that you have already done as well as how you got there. The strategy of success (especially in areas of innovation) requires that if you want to succeed, you must first look foolish.

What do I know about myself for sure?

Nine of Wands and Ace of Pentacles – You like to keep new ideas close to the vest until you’ve had time to implement them. Too many times you’ve been screwed over by people stealing your ideas. It comes off as secretive to some, but in truth you are just protecting what is has the potential to be important to you.

DECK USED: THE LITTLE BUDDHA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I expressed what I need to Gideon.  That’s often not the easiest thing for me when we’re in the middle of intimacy and I’m feeling small.

Cooperation and Kissing Ass

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Joyseeker Tarot - Six of WandsToday’s draw is the Six of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of public accolades, publicly admired successes and achievements, and in some cases, the urge to people-please.

Today is a “long ass drive” day filled with hours and hours behind the wheel, two visits into a customs office, and just all around a very long day.

There are sure to be hurdles and obstructionists in my way today, and today’s card is a reminder that you attract more bees with honey than with vinegar. Be cooperative. Be helpful. Be pleasant… even when they aren’t.

In doing so, you can turn an unpleasant situation around into a pleasant one, just by catering to the needs of those that require your cooperation.

DECK USED:  THE JOYSEEKER TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Questions for My Fool’s Journey – Day 1 to 3

Crystal Visions Tarot, Primrose and Prose OracleWhat Journey am I asked to undertake this month?

Queen of Swords and Pisces – Work on finding balance between your practical self and your emotions. Don’t allow logic and your harsher inner narratives to dominate the conversation.

Where do I find myself at the beginning of this Journey?

The Fool and Taurus – At the beginning of this Journey, you are in need of a more lighthearted view while working to shore up your foundation. Grounding is important right now, but so is taking the time to enjoy life and worry less. Again, we see a need for balance. Bring greater awareness to your sense of gratitude for all that you have, and foster its presence in your life and thoughts.

What transformation can I undergo by embarking on this Journey?

King of Cups and Libra – Finding a routine that works for you can help you to restore equilibrium, and will provide you with less upheaval and more balance in your emotions, as well as in your relationship with Gideon.

Take Away – There is a prevailing theme of balance in these cards that speaks of this month’s Journey being about finding balance and equilibrium on a variety of different levels, but especially between your emotions and the more practical side of life.

DECK USED: THE PRIMROSE AND PROSE ORACLE

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Question for April 1st

Joyseeker TarotThis Month you will find magic in…

…finding your stride. The darkness is lifting, and this month will give you the ambition (King of Swords) and direction (Three of Wands) you need to climb free and keep moving.

Because…

…the time has come time to get organized and make choices (Seven of Cups) that will move you away from (Death) hibernation and stagnancy (Four of Wands Rx).

Take Away – The depression is lifting and this month is all about setting your feet back on the path you want to tread as you move forward, and setting your trajectory in the direction you want to go in. If you aren’t willing to climb out of the pit and put in the energy and effort  to get the ball rolling, you won’t move.  The magic of this month is in that energy and movement.

DECK USED: THE JOYSEEKER TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made sure to stop and take a break when I needed today, even though there was a lot to do and a great deal of distance to cover.

Cut And Run? Maybe Not

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Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long and was one of the Calm app’s guided meditations.  As usual, I combined that with an interval timer for my piriformis stretches, and I included extra forearm flexor stretches as well as my arms have been feeling a bit tight lately.

The focus of today’s meditation was a bit weird today.  I didn’t really understand it.  It was about posing the question “what is this?” into your meditation, but not directed toward any one thing.  More to open up a sense of curiosity and linger in it?

I’m not sure if this is something I’m capable of doing without having a target for that curiosity, and I feel that I didn’t really manage to do the meditation properly, although I did manage to meditate regardless by focusing on my breath and the waterdrop tones that I had playing in the background.

Cent Proverbes Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Six of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of moving on to a better place not due to frustration or irritation (that would be the Eight of Cups), but rather in the seeking of something healthier and better than what you’ve left behind. This makes this card’s theme one of transition and change, and leaving one’s baggage behind to begin anew.

What I see in the imagery of this card today is fear and escape, which fits well with the theme of the Six of Swords.  In the imagery we see a home, perhaps a vineyard or farm, that has been taken over by militia men.  The owner sees what is happening and is fearful, he seeks to slip away and sneak off… escape the chaos before things go from bad to worse.

Combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, the message that I see in these cards is that it’s important to evaluate when it’s time to cut and run, and when to stand your ground and ride it out. Don’t underestimate your strength in these moments, and if something is truly important to you, don’t run from the responsibility or the conflict that might come from standing your ground in those moments.

DECK USED:  CENT PROVERBES TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

The #httSelfImprovementTarotChallenge Prompt
Question: Where do I need to be more nurturing to myself?

My Garden Tarot

Reading Summary:  Lots of earth, lots of grounding (Queen of Coins), lots of nurturing (The Empress)… take your time (Temperance)

Take Away:  I need to step away from trying so hard to balance everything and give myself some forest bathing time.  Temperance, earth, and grounding, when combined together?  100% equals forest bathing.  Not a hike where you push your body and work hard… temperance.  A slow meander, some quiet alone time.  Perhaps some time lying in a bed of moss watching cedar fronds sway and clouds shift above them.  Regardless.  Where I need to be more nurturing is in allowing myself more time to get out in nature, and truly take my time and savor my time there.

DECK USED:  MY GARDEN TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsApr2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: What is Divinity?

Cent Proverbes TarotReading Summary:  Individual (Nine of Pentacles). Guidance (Three of Wands). Wisdom (King of Swords).

Take Away: In these cards, Divinity is something that is unique and different for each person, and yet universally something that provides both guidance and wisdom when needed.

Although each and every person may experience Divinity differently, what we see here is that beneath all of those different opinions and experiences, there is a universal truth in that guidance and wisdom remains when all the differences are rinsed away.

DECK USED:  CENT PROVERBES TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Late night super hot play session with Gideon.  No more need be said.

Support Systems and Strength

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Today’s meditation was skipped.  I had planned to feed Luna then go on into the other room and meditate, but as soon as I was moving around the apartment apparently I was fair game for every little thing that everyone needed to talk to me about.  It just didn’t get done because by the time I got a few minutes to myself?  It was time to get online and spend some time with Gideon.  SO yeah.  No meditation today.

Cute Cat Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Ten of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of emotional satiety that goes beyond just self satisfaction and spreads to a harmony with others.

The key to this card and what moves it beyond the solitary satisfaction of the Nine of Cups, is that it is about how your satisfaction and positive emotions are shared with others.  Just as what we see here in the card is three cats… instead of one.

When combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, what I see here is a reminder that no man is an island unto themselves.

Being strong isn’t just about you.  It’s about who you choose to surround yourself in, and the choice to allow these people in your life to have an active part in helping achieve happiness, harmony, and enjoyment in the every day.  It’s about letting them in and allowing them to help when you need help.   It’s the support system that you build for yourself that helps create the happiness and resilience needed to stand tall in even the biggest of storms.

DECK USED:  CUTE CAT TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question:  What energy am I attracting in my life at this time?

Marziano Tarot

Reading Summary:  Consumerism over gratitude (Nine of Phoenixes), hedonism (Bacco), and sorting things out in your head (Five of Eagles).

Take Away:  Reevaluation of my more “freewheeling” tendencies (which are all consumerism based).   The energy that I’m attracting into my life at this time is all about looking at what I’m doing and weighing its value.  Where am I placing my energy, my attention, and my money?  What is diverting my attention away from a mindset of gratitude.  What am  I hiding from that I am using these things to distract myself?  It’s time to start digging and find the answers to these questions.

DECK USED:  MARZIANO TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsApr2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What kind of person do you truly want to become?

Cute Cat TarotReading Summary:  Capable (Magician). Serene and comfortably wise in the area of my personal emotions and those of others (King of Cups atop The World).  Well balanced (Two of Pentacles).

Take Away:  This is a glimpse of what I hope to accomplish through the emotional growth that I am exploring in myself at this time and have been working to foster in  myself over the past year or so.

With this growth I hope to become more confident in my ability to understand and accept my emotions, and understand and react to the emotions of others.  I also hope to find a better way to balance the softer sides of myself and the harder more cutthroat sides of my nature.

DECK USED:  CUTE CAT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Gid and I had a talk today about our balance between the Dominance and submission and other aspects of our intimate relationship.  It felt… really good. I’m not sure if he feels the same, but I feel like we aired some stuff that hadn’t been aired before and that I’m really glad to have heard and now know.