#thedecembertarot

Self Esteem Comes From Within

/ Twist the Leaf / 3 Comments

Today’s meditation was skipped today. I opted for a bit of extra sleep  instead… not by choice, but because I overslept.

Winter Waite Tarot 2018 EditionToday’s draw is the Six of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of accolades and self confidence, progress and success, especially success that can reap public recognition.

Today’s card is a reminder that self confidence comes from within, not from others.  It isn’t the praise and admiration that creates true self confidence and a sense of self, but rather it is knowing yourself and achieving your goals, and taking time to appreciate your progress and successes rather than waiting for others to give you that recognition.

This connects with my activities for today, including those that I will spend the day with.  The message in today’s card is not to depend on them to make me feel good about myself,  but instead feel good about myself through what I’ve done and who I am.

DECK USED:  WINTER WAITE TAROT 2018 EDITION

OwlandBonesTarot’s #DecemberBones2021 Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: Three things that allow your little Grinch heart to grow.

The Merry Christmas Oracle and Christmas Playing CardsBlizzard and Ten of Spades – Life gives you warning. Life is not made of “tower moments” and when things feel like they are at their breaking point there is plenty of warning before you get there. If you’re paying attention, you can prepare for the bad parts and the breaking points.  You just have to watch for when bad weather approaches.

Poinsettia and Five of Diamonds – Remember that even when things are at their worst? It may feel like it at the time, but things could always be worse. During these times, it’s important to look at what you have in life that you are gratefulu for and all the ways in which you can (and do) shine even in the darkest and most desperate of times.

Wreath and King of Hearts – You have love in your life that is there for you through thick and thin, through rain and shine, and throughout every hour of every day. He knows his heart and it is firmly and inexorably set upon you and you alone.

DECK USED: THE MERRY CHRISTMAS ORACLE AND CHRISTMAS PLAYING CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsDec2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What can I do to rekindle my inspiration when I’m feeling uninspired?

Winter Waite Tarot 2018 EditionReading Summary: Let others in to share your addictions (The Devil) and passions (King of Wands). Others make it more fun and less work (Three of Cups).

Take Away: When I’m feeling uninspired, it’s important to invite others in to share in the experience and the creative process. Having others along instills a sense of sharing and joy into the process and will allow you to reconnect with your creative spark again.

DECK USED: WINTER WAITE TAROT 2018 EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I left when things started to get ugly instead of trying to stick around and let it get to me.

Cherishing What Is Before You

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was just about ten minutes long, and was just me and my breathing exercises along with some piriformis stretching.

Vintage Christmas TarotToday’s draw is the Four of Pentacles, which is traditionally about stability and gratitude (sometimes to excess, which can turn miserly) for what you have. This is a stagnant sort of appreciation that speaks of not reaching for more, but instead being focused on what you have in the now.

After running around all day yesterday getting things done, today is a day of rest. There is no plan to go anywhere or do much other than some chores around the house.

The imagery in this card is about family and the reminder here in the Four of Pentacles today is to appreciate this time with those dear to your heart. The message here is not to worry so much about what’s coming in the future, and instead be present in this day and this time with loved ones.

DECK USED:  VINTAGE CHRISTMAS TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheDecemberTarot The Path Ahead Tarot Challenge Prompt

 Yule Oracle

See Only With Love – Ribbon (Elegance, Formality, Exclusivity) – Take tie this season to try to see your mother in another light. Changing her isn’t in the cards and she sees nothing wrong with her behavior, but you have the opportunity to shift your perspective and find a view that allows you to find peace with her and put to rest expectations you can’t possibly have fulfilled by her.

Speak With Love – Candy Cane (Sweetness, Strong Foundations, Drawing In Love) – Make sure that you are expressing to those around you how you feel about them.  Only the good, though. Focus on the good and let the irritations and other issues go for now.  Use this tie for bonding and pulling those who matter close instead.

Listen With Love – Ornament (Wishes, Ancestors, Beauty) – Now that the holiday rush is over it’s time to open yourself back up to messages from your ancestors and the guidance that they can provide you. Open your heart and your intuition, and allow them to help guidie you toward those things you really want in life.

Mind Boundaries – Bells (Purification, Warding Off Evil, Clarity) – Make sure that you are paying attention to the energy that others are directing your way, and deflecting the negative. Don’t ignore it and think that it will go away on its own, instead deflect and cleanse that negativity out immediately.

Be Kind – Pomegranate (Beauty, Fertility, Promises) – When you take the time to be kind over this season, it will be reciprocated in turn.  Like a smile creates another smie and thus spreads smiles onward through the world, kindness can also travel and spread in the same way, and in turn make the world a better place a little at a time.

Know Your Power – Hot Chocolate (Sympathy, Nourishment, Comfort) – You have the ability to provide comfort and nurturing to those around you with your grounded presence and energy. By spending time with those that are mourning their loss this year, you are giving them more than sympathy, but also support and a greater sense of stability that is currently lacking in their lives.

Be Balanced – Caramel Popcorn (Hiding the Truth, Irresponsibility, Material World) – Don’t allow the addictions that were getting out of hand prior to the holiday rush to step back in and progress as they had been.  The rush has given you a chance to renegotiate the tightness of those chains and find a better fit. Keep with that.

Honor Your Word – Elf (Assistance, Workmanship, Secrecy) – There are a few things from earlier this month that you need to get done now that the holiday rush is at an end.  Readings that need done, specifically.  Make sure over the next week you reach out to these people to get these promises taken care of.

Blessed Be – Christmas Tree (Abundance, Life, Immortality) – Don’t worry about the future right now.  It is bright and beautiful, and filled with promise. Focusing on the what-if scenarios and worrying won’t solve anything and will only hold you back. Focus on the good instead.

DECK USED: YULE ORACLE

OwlandBonesTarot’s #DecemberBones2021 Tarot Challenge Prompt

Vintage Christmas Tarot and Seasons of the Witch Yule OracleNaughty – King of Cups – Gideon is my personal King of Cups, and as such this card is encouraging spending some… naughty time with Gideon soon. We have been planning some pirates period-piece type roleplay for after the holidays and I have absolutely no doubt that naughty is sure to fill many of those hours.

Nice – The Sun – This is a reminder to look towards the light.  Have fun. Work on keeping an optimistic view as we move through the few weeks ahead.  The end of the holiday rush has a habit of dumping you into a bit of a drop, and the reminder here is that to couneract that effect, you need to work at staying positive.  It’s not going to happen on its own.

Clarifier – Merriment – Have fun! Both during your time with Gideon and on your own as well. Look for the joy and enjoyment in every little thing.  Stay focused on the fun so that the drag of the slump that the end of the holiday rush creates doesn’t pull you under.

DECK USED: VINTAGE CHRISTMAS ORACLE AND SEASONS OF THE WITCH YULE ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

Although I brought work along with me on this trip, I haven’t touched it. Not even today when we stayed home all day and relaxed.

Don’t Dig In Your Heels

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_8447Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app with added interval timer for my piriformis and forearm stretches.

Today’s guided meditation was focused upon gratitude, not just for the good stuff in life, but through the struggles we go through as well.  It’s the struggles that build our character and make us into the people we are. They show the true us, and show us what we’re made of.  It’s important to acknowledge the struggles and problems we go through instead of trying to forget them because of that, and to be grateful for the growth that these times foster within us as well as within our relationships and those around us as well.

The Keymaster Tarot - Death, Queen of SpadesToday’s draw is Death atop the Queen of Spades.  Death is traditionally a representation of natural change that develops organically over time.
The Queen of Spades is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the areas of intellect and thought, reason and logic, as well as communication in all its forms.

What stands out to me the strongest in these cards today is the bull-like horns that the queen wears on her head.  These horns speak to me of stubbornness, and the death card atop this card that contains these horns indicates a need to slow down and think long and hard before digging in your heels on something.

I’m a notoriously stubborn person.  Not that I fight with others or use conflict to get my way.  I simply do what I want and continue on through obstacles that get in my way with dogged persistence. The thing is, though, sometimes this stubbornness can cause me to miss things… such as better ways to go about doing things, or different ways to get where I want to go…. or that there’s something better to aim for entirely.  This is where the death card comes in to remind me to pay attention and allow change to happen along the way.  Don’t stay so doggedly on a single point or path that I shut change out or try to push it away.

DECK USED:  KEYMASTER TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Grab a spread of your choice that you’ve been curious about.. and give it a go!
Spread:  Pull four cards and lay them out in two teams. The two in the first team are the enemies, they represent two obstacles you’re currently battling. The second team is the two heroes, they represent two ways you can overcome these obstacles. Time to fight!

Faerie's Oracle by Brian FroudTwo Obstacles You’re Currently Battling

The Singer of Connection – Isolation and a feeling of being bereft and alone. I have been struggling with this lately without realizing it, closing myself off to get through the orders that needed to be done on the 28th, the errands done on the 29th, the sorting and chores done on the 30th, the work and exhaustion of the 30th. All of these have conspired to leave me feeling disconnected and alone.

The Singer of Healing – When I am cut off from those that support me and allow that sense of well-being to flourish, my healing of the self begins to slow to a halt. In the wake of that halt, negative feelings of betrayal, distrust, and abandonment rise up to the surface and begin to pick apart not just my mind and spirit, but also my body as a slippery slope of negative thoughts and emotions take hold.

Two Ways You Can Overcome These Obstacles

The Bodacious Bodach – Get yourself organized and stop allowing chaos to reign. When you allow the days to just take on a life of their own and do their own thing, you find that your time gets stolen away and given to a crapload of shit you don’t really need to do and won’t help you in feeling better.  You need structure, even during your time off.

Geeeeeooo the Slooow – While Bodach might help you in getting organized and creating some loose structure during your time off, make sure that you don’t allow that organization to make you feel cocky enough that you put more on your plate than is healthy at a time when you should be resting.  Take your time and relax. Nothing is pressing at this time.  Chill.

The Potential Results of This Battle

Ffeff the Ffooter – A slowing down.  A grounding.  A time of self care and re-centering. Respect yourself and your needs, respect the earth and your connection with the earth.  Take this time to find your balance and get your feet well rooted and your energy stable. Taking a pause to do these things is the best result possible you can get out of this conflict between these opposing forces.

DECK USED:  THE FAERIES’ ORACLE BY BRIAN FROUD

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How has the Tarot/Oracle increased my insight over the past year?

Steampunk Tarot

Reading Summary: Over the past year tarot/oracle has taught me how to be more generous with myself (Six of Pentacles) so that I spend less time hiding from myself and those things that could hurt me (Eight of Swords) and stealing away my power (Seven of Swords).

Take Away: There’s a lot of shit that I wandered around ignoring for a long time.  Internal wounds and issues that I didn’t want to deal with and shoved aside, pretending they didn’t exist or didn’t influence my life.  The truth is, though, that the only person I hurt with this attitude was myself.  Instead of dealing with these things, they crept around under the surface out of sight, stealing away my strength and my power while I was busy trying to pretend that they didn’t exist. 

Over the past year, I’ve begin pulling those things out of their dark corners and shining a light on them, and in doing so I’ve discovered that a lot of the negative ways in which I treat myself stem from these things. And, that by being kind to myself, I’m able to help reverse some of the damage, and take some of my power back as a result.

DECK USED:  THE STEAMPUNK TAROT

What Goes Up Must Come Down

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IMG_8380Today’s meditation was just over eleven minutes long and was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app with added interval timer for my piriformis and forearm stretches.

Today’s topic for the guided part of the meditation was on the theme of “every day is the first day of the rest of your life” and how, when we keep this in mind, whether that’s every day, or every hour, or even every minute, it allows us to sink more firmly into the present and into those things that we want out of life, as opposed to being dragged down and distracted by the troubles and struggles of what came before.

Living Tarot - JusticeToday’s draw is the Justice card, which is traditionally a representation of cause and effect, repercussions and consequences, and can often be related to the law and justice system.

What stands out to me the strongest on this card is the jagged edges on the lightning strikes and how it contrasts so strongly with the soft swirls of the clouds above.

This speaks to me of the unexpected.  Sometimes when we do something we don’t expect the repercussions to be as harsh or heavy as they are and it takes us by surprise.  That doesn’t necessarily mean that we were treated badly or the consequence was to harsh in relation to the act that got us there… but it means that sometimes we need to think more deeply on what was done and how it affected others.

In other words, what goes up must come down, so choose your battles wisely.  Consider how you are effecting others and factor that into your actions. I think we all forget that part sometimes, myself included.

DECK USED:  LIVING TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Which is more important… love or trust?

Tarot of the Holy SpectrumReading Summary: Over-indulging (Three of Cups Rx) in generosity (Six of Pentacles) will create a sense of emotional satiation (Nine of Cups), but also a situation where hard work is needed (Eight of Pentacles).

Take Away: Love is one of those things that provides emotional satiation, and trust is something that requires hard work to foster and strengthen.

This is a story about moderation, and it indicates that neither love or trust is more important than the other. Instead, they both have pitfalls and positive influences.  They are equally important.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HOLY SPECTRUM

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How will I continue with the changes that are happening?

Naked Heart Tarot

Reading Summary:  Be aware that when you are feeling discouraged and down on your luck (Five of Pentacles), your immature emotional reaction (Spirit of Cups) is to fall into your addictions head first (The Devil).

Take Away:  They key here is in the awareness of the emotions and understanding that this reaction is immature and that there’s a better way.   The Spirit of Cups here indicates not just that immaturity, but also the ability to understand and learn from it, and find a better way to deal with things in the future.   One that is more mature and healthier.

DECK USED:  NAKED HEART TAROT

Love Languages

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_8357Today’s meditation was just under ten minutes long and was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app with added interval timer for my piriformis and forearm stretches.

The topic of today’s guided meditation is about the nature of life’s impermanence. This meditation is really apropos due to it being so close to the end of the year, and part of the discussion included the mention of new years resolutions, and how hard it can be to keep them because life is constantly changing, and sometimes those resolutions we make just don’t carry forward well from what we wanted of the year before into what is going to be ours in the year ahead.

Giotto Tarot - Queen of PentaclesToday’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 finances, resources, home life, health, and manifestations. This often translates into a nurturing figure or energy that wants to foster the health of, or help with the stability of, others.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today is the heart on top of the queen’s crown.  Pentacles are not really a suit that is all that focused on the emotions, but in the Queen we see that the things done for others here are an expression of the love and caring they may not be comfortable expressing in other ways.

The message here is to pay attention to how others express their feelings for you and for those they care about.  It’s not always as clear cut as what they say, but is sometimes in what they do instead.

DECK USED:  GIOTTO TAROT

LionHart’s 20/21 Tarot Challenge Prompt
Topic: What of 2020 do I take with me on my 2021 journey?

Vintage Japanese Art Tarot

Reading Summary: Responsibilities (King of Swords) raking me over the coals of anxiety (Nine of Swords) are giving way to allow an opportunity for a new and different tact (Ace of Swords) that welcomes in more enthusiasm and enjoyment along the way (The Fool)

Take Away:  Along my journey through 2020, I’ve learned a bit on how to worry a little less, and enjoy life a little more. This is something I’m encouraged to take forward into the new year and utilize to find a better, healthier, and more enjoyable way of doing things that doesn’t take so much out of me along the way.

DECK USED:  VINTAGE JAPANESE ART TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to focus on for self-care this full moon?

Silver Witchcraft TarotReading Summary:  Your connection with Gideon (Two of Cups) gives you strength (Strength) and allows you to find a grounding center you need right now (Four of Pentacles).

Take Away: Time in nature isn’t the only way in which you find your center and ground. You also need the strength and reassurance and connection that you have with Gideon as well.

Right now it feels like I’m playing a losing game of “catching up”, and the reminder here is that there’s more that I need to tend to for myself than just tasks that need to be done and a little extra sleep.

DECK USED:  SILVER WITCHCRAFT TAROT

Work Hard Today, Rest Tomorrow

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_8343Today’s meditation was just under eleven minutes long and was a guided meditation with interval timer for my piriformis and forearm stretching.

The topic of today’s meditation was about how unhealthy it is to let the myriad of stressors build up over time until the world can feel chaotic even when it really isn’t.

When there’s a lot to do and many responsibilities on your shoulders, that negative inner voice can easily slip in and make it feel like you’re not getting anywhere and suck the joy and pleasure out of your days.  The key discussed in the meditation is to make sure that you are aware of those things that are eating at you so that you can “put them in their place” instead of letting them run rampant in your head.

Madam Clara Sees All Fortune Tarot - Eight of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of hard work and the expertise you can gain in having spent time developing a skill or ability.  In this card, this concept is very clearly expressed in the quote on the card itself, which says “Focus and determination leads you to master a new skill.”

There’s something about the colors in this deck that really appeals to me, and I’m not sure why as I’d normally consider them to clash and be a bit garish.

Today is a prep day before I ship out orders after having taken a few days off in the wake of the holiday rush, and the card’s message is to apply your skills to the task at hand and knock it out.

It’s a good message, as I have more orders to get through today than I’d anticipated, and it’s going to take a lot of time and hard work to get there.  I will get there, though.  And the reward on the other side is a longer bit of a break and breather.

DECK USED:  MADAM CLARA SEES ALL FORTUNE TAROT

LionHart’s 20/21 Tarot Challenge Prompt
Topic: A 2021 reminder for times when I struggle with myself or my dreams.

Witches' Tarot

Reading Summary: Sometimes when you’re feeling enthusiastic and in control (The Chariot) with new projects (Ace of Pentacles), make sure you take a pause to ground (Four of Pentacles) and get in touch with your inner voice (The High Priestess).

Take Away:  The thing with enthusiasm over something new is that even when you think you’re in total control?  You’re not.  You’re flying by the seat of your pants and winging it while feeling empowered… which is not the same as being fully in control. This can often cause you to steer off course if you’re not careful.

During those moments, which happen to me often when I become enthusiastic about a new project, I need to remember to take a moment to make sure my feet are on the ground and I’m being realistic, and get in touch with that inner self that always knows the next step that is good for me and my path forward.

DECK USED:  THE WITCHES TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Where in my life do I need to work on better boundaries in the year ahead?

Giotto TarotReading Summary:  It’s going to be important to make sure you are sticking to strong boundaries concerning your work/life balance (Two of Pentacles) and getting the grounding you need to stay healthy (Four of Pentacles).  Don’t allow self doubts and other insecurities and uncertainties (The Moon), nor impulsive distractions (Knave of Swords), to encroach from the shadows and lead you astray.

Take Away: When I am dealing with uncertainty, I have a habit of falling back on old bad habits.  It’s impulse due to habit and fear, and it upsets the balance I’m working so hard to foster and grow in my life, upsetting the apple cart, so to speak.

DECK USED:  GIOTTO TAROT