#thedecembertarot

Look Before You Leap

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IMG_8331Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long, and was another of the guided meditations with interval timer for my piriformis and forearm stretches.

The topic of today’s meditation was about appreciating your connections with others.  Sometimes, we take those connections and interactions for granted, and it can be hard to remember that each moment we share with others is precious.

I think that this is an excellent message, and perhaps even more important now (to myself and others) than normal when so many of us are living lives far more isolated than we ever have before. In my own life, this message really hit home considering Mister R’s current situation and the risk he is in of passing.  As much as he’s always been a hard ass, he’s also been a substitute grandparent to me since my youth.  I look down at the time I spent with him and I worry there won’t be anymore, or that I didn’t appreciate all that time that I had with him enough.

Inkromancy Tarot - Knight of WandsToday’s draw is the Knight of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of taking action to go after those things that spark your drive and passions, feeling that spark of inspiration burning bright and driving you onward, and diving into adventurous pursuits.

This card can also represent impulsivity, and that’s what I see here as what stands out the strongest to me in the imagery of this card is the skull that is formed in the rippling sands that the snail is moving into.   Snails need moisture and a desert in Egypt (see the pyramids in the background) so no place for a snail to be diving into.  Yet the rider drives the snail on, either uncaring or ignorant of the certain death about to become of his steed.

The message here is about making good choices, and how important it is to pause and use your brain instead of diving forward mindless and focused on your goal without any planning or thought for strategy or consequences.

The message here reflects back to my own life in the feelings that both Z and myself have been feeling all day concerning Mister R.   We want to go.  To just hop in the car and GO and be a support to her mother and be closer to help and comfort and lend our strength.  But doing so would be a folly.  A dangerous folly for he is very weak and when he comes home from the hospital he is going to be at extremely high risk.  Her mom is also a high risk person.  Going just to go?  Is not safe for either of them and could very well be disastrous, no matter how badly we both want to be there.

DECK USED:  INKROMANCY TAROT

LionHart’s 20/21 Tarot Challenge Prompt
Topic: How can I keep nurturing my dreams and desires throughout 2021?

Tarot of the Holy Spectrum

Reading Summary:  Work at avoiding episodes of debilitating burnout (Ten of Wands Rx) by taking control of yourself and your environment (The Emperor) so that you can get the rest you need when it’s needed (Four of Swords).

Take Away:  In the summer of this year, I had started scheduling myself a handful of days off now and then.  This is something I’ve never done before, but in the early part of the year I’d found myself hitting a brick wall of burn out over and over again in fast rotation.  It turned out that having these days off helped with that, and I didn’t have any more burnouts the rest of the year (although I was very close with the holiday rush, but that’s another beast all together).

The answer to how I can facilitate my dreams and desires throughout the year ahead is to continue with that practice.  Make time to step away for a few days each month.  I need to turn away from the business for a bit and take a breath, and in doing so, give myself the fresh eyes and fresh energy I need to dive back in again without the sharp claws of burnout raking at my shoulders.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HOLY SPECTRUM

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #3

Shadow TarotThistle: How can I ward off the blues that are trying to encroach now that the holidays are ending?

Three of Cups – Sink into enjoying time with loved ones and let them to uplift your spirits.  Z and L are not just comforting, but they’re both pretty damned silly and fun as well.  Allow them to sweep you up in that fun now and then.

Garnet: How can I purify myself to help find a better balance for the new year ahead?

The Devil – It’s time to seek control over your addictions instead of allowing them to have free reign. You did a lot of spending over the past year, but it’s time to slow down a bit and let other things take priority.  This doesn’t mean cutting yourself off entirely, so don’t create a situation where you will feel the need to binge later… just slow down and pay more attention to where your focus lies and what you’re doing.

Yew: What practices need resurrected in my life to protect my personal well-being?

Four of Swords – More rest.  This was mentioned as well in my Lionhart’s Challenge reading for today.  Now that the holiday rush is over I need to turn back to giving myself a few days off each month, allowing for time and focus to shift away from the business and giving myself the reprieve and rest I need to stave off overwhelm and burnout.

Diamond: How can my imagination foster more fearlessness in my life?

The Hermit – The words that flickered through my mind when I saw this card land on the table are “shine a light on it”.  Imagination and creativity often go hand in hand, and in order to foster more fearlessness in my life, I need to shine a light on those imaginings and possibilities, and encourage their growth rather than tucking them away in the shadows and ignoring them.

Holly: How can I create longevity in the fertile soil of my new endeavors?

King of Wands – Use all that inspiration, drive, and experience to claim what is rightfully yours.  You are fierce in your entrepreneurial spark, let that spark glimmer and glow, and use it not just to drive your own endeavors forward, but to inspire others to your cause.

Emerald: How can a closer connection to hearth & home affect my sense of loyalty?

King of Pentacles – You are the king of your own castle, and in this position as leading at the helm, others naturally fall into line in your footsteps, respecting your opinion and authority while trusting you to care for those things that need dealt with, and delegate as needed.  This sense of stability and security fosters trust and loyalty, strengthening that connection to those nearest and dearest (and under your roof).

Peppermint: What methods can I use to best stimulate my mind when I need a boost?

Nine of Cups – Wallow in the good stuff. Sometimes you just need to focus on the present and take some time to ignore the crap and enjoy the good stuff that makes you happy.  They’re nothing wrong with a little “good stuff” focused “vacation” now and then.

DECK USED:  SHADOW TAROT

Time To Get Moving

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IMG_8321Today’s meditation was just about twelve minutes long and was another guided meditation with interval timer, because even though I talked yesterday about mixing things up, this morning was too chaotic and stressful to deal with the change up so I did the same meditation I’ve been doing for the past month instead.

Today’s meditation was about taking a break when you need one and not putting yourself down about it when you do.  And honestly?  As many times as I hear this message and as many ways as it comes across to me through thoughts, the cards, and other outside sources?  I still struggle with it… which is perhaps why it continues to come up so often.

Steampunk Tarot - Three of WandsToday’s draw is the Three of Wands, which has been coming up for me quite a lot recently.  The Three of Wands is traditionally a representation of direction and putting plan into action.

As tomorrow and Monday are going to be order processing days and packaging days, it makes sense that this came up today, as it was an encouragement to at least look at my work and get an idea of what I need to do so that I can start on that path forward.

Included in this is of course what has been on all our minds here in this house all day long, which is Mr R’s visit to the hospital this morning. He is like a grandfather for me, and I believe that this card holds a double meaning for today in its message.

The secondary side of the message for the Three of Wands today is that there are certain things that we need to mobilize into action.  Not that today is the day, but more of a warning that we need to be ready to act, and act fast, when the time comes… and that time very well could be very soon.

DECK USED:  STEAMPUNK TAROT

LionHart’s 20/21 Tarot Challenge Prompt
Topic: What can I do right now to set the stage for my dreams and desires?

The Keymaster Tarot

Reading Summary: Stop ignoring the stuff that is good for you (Five of Hearts) and take time to acknowledge those things you’ve done that were difficult (Six of Clubs). Accept that sometimes getting where you want to go takes time, and you’re going to have to just keep plugging at it and getting there one small step at a time over time (Seven of Diamonds).

Take Away:  To set the stage for my dreams and desires I need to make sure I’m taking care of myself and appreciating my accomplishments rather that discounting them as never enough.  Physically, mentally, and emotionally I need the boost that both of these things can provide. 

At the same time, I need to make sure I’m keeping my impatience and demanding need to “push” myself always harder at bay.  Working in a sustainable way that will allow myself to continue over long term is better than a short sprint that leads to burnout and exhaustion, the need for recovery, and then another short sprint.

DECK USED: KEYMASTER TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What last minute preparations for the new year need my focus?

Tarot of Light and ShadowReading Summary: At first glance this looks like I need to prepare for another lock down… But surely that can’t be right?  In this interpretation, the cards indicate a time of seclusion in my home (Four of Wands) that is not necessarily healthy (The Hermit Rx), and the need to find things to do to keep me engaged during that time (Ace of Wands).

Although this is my intuitive read on the cards, I’d prefer to believe this is NOT the correct interpretation (mostly… because I don’t wanna go into another lockdown and think the government is far to fractured and fragmented to make one actually happen).

Take Away: So…. lockdown or no lockdown… cards here are indicating that the opportunity for unhealthy alone time at home is possible in the near future, and in order to make sure I get through that time in a healthy way I need to ensure I have engaging new activities to keep me focused and in a positive and healthy place.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF LIGHT AND SHADOW

The Control Is Yours

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IMG_8306Today’s meditation was  just over ten minutes long, and was another guided meditation with interval timer for my stretching.   I almost skipped today, to be honest, but forced myself to lie down and do it anyway.  Might be time to change things up on the style of meditation to keep things interesting.

The topic of today’s meditation was about how each and every one of us view life subjectively through our own perspective. It’s natural to forget this, and to forget that everyone else is in the same boat, viewing life through that same window of perspective.  Their window.

The meditation encouraged looking beyond that and exploring the concept of sonder.  Sonder is the realization that everybody around you, even strangers, are living a life just as rich and complex as yours. That their experiences are unique, and that they have different things going on in their lives that create different experiences and perspectives completely apart from your own perceptions.

Bonestone & EarthFlesh Tarot - Ace of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Ace of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new opportunities in one’s work, finances, resources, home, health, or manifestations.

What stands out to me the strongest of the imagery in this card today (and I really want to work with this deck more so I think I’m going to carry it over into January), is the roots of the plant that grows through the skull.

Those roots look so much like Mandragora officinarum (mandrake) roots that it’s uncanny, although it is not a mandrake plant from the trailing stems of the plant’s growth above ground.  Still, the sight of the roots brought to mind the use of mandrake root as poppets and that in turn brought to mind the use of poppets in directing one’s will and intent.

The message that I see here in today’s card is about molding one’s new opportunities to your will.  You drive the bus on these new opportunities.  Not fate.  Not luck.  Not any other person.  It’s on you to steer the bus in the direction you want it to go, and the best place to start with that… is at the beginning.

DECK USED:  BONESTONE & EARTHFLESH TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better foster my relationship with friends and loved ones?

Yule OracleReading Summary:  Grace is repeated within the first two cards, and reinforced by the red and white color scheme that they also share.   In order to bond more closely (Holiday Cookies) with my friends and loved ones, it is important to take a measured and balanced approach (Ice Skates) while encouraging them to seek out their best life and best selves along the way (Evergreen).

Take Away: The cards here are about being supportive, but in a “hands off” sort of way that allows people to make their own choices and choose their own path.  Advice and perspective is warranted and welcome, but don’t push.  Allow them to weigh things for themselves and make the choices they feel are best for them as they take new steps along their personal life paths.

DECK USED:  YULE ORACLE

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What do I need to hold onto through the transition from this year into the next?

A Charlie Brown Christmas Playing Cards

Reading Summary:   My ability to find balance and harmony within my passions (Six of Clubs) needs to be weighed against the drive to push too far too fast (Nine of Clubs).  Remember to look at what I’ve done and the accomplishments I’ve made in a positive light (Nine of Diamonds).

Take Away:  If I take the time and ingenuity to keep myself in a positive mindset and see my deeds in an optimistic and positive perspective, it will allow me to foster my passions instead of becoming disappointed in them.  Remember to take that step back and slow down, and I won’t get so choked up in unhealthy deadlines and responsibilities to the point that I lose sight of everything else and fall back into that turtle shelled “go go go” zone where nothing else but more progress and getting more done matters.

DECK USED:  A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS PLAYING CARDS

A Little at a Time

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IMG_8295Today’s meditation was just under twelve minutes long and was a guided meditation from the Calm app with an interval timer added in for my piriformis and forearm flexor stretching.

The topic of today’s meditation was… *takes a minute to wrack his brain*
Huh. I have no idea.  Not even with the graphic to the right as a memory prompt.   I know I listened to it, but I really can’t remember what it was about.  Usually this means that it was a message that I didn’t really relate to.  That said, I did do my meditation at least, yeah?

Simplicity Tarot - Three of WandsToday’s draw is the Three of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of moving forward with direction and a plan in place to guide you.  The Two of Wands just before this card is all about making that plan, and here in the Three of Wands we now see the plan moving into action.

What stood out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today is the little ships out on the water.  (And the green and red of the guy’s clothing, which was a bit of a Christmas-y surprise for a non-holiday deck, and inspired a little heart lightening Christmas music listening earlier in the day.)

The holiday theme inspiration aside, the little boats feel like a message to make sure that as I am taking things in small, bite sized amounts. We all know that I suck at just taking it easy and not doing anything, but even if I decide to do a little bit here and there… the key is to do a little bit, and not get wrapped up in things that will only cause me stress during a time when I’m trying to rest and recover.

DECK USED:  SIMPLICITY TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to be more grateful for?

Vintage Japanese Art TarotReading Summary:  You need to be more grateful that I have all the time I need (Seven of Pentacles) in order to learn to think of (Page of Wands) my work differently (Ace of Swords), as well as shifting how I go about doing it (Eight of Pentacles) in a way that incorporates more of my spirituality in my inner self into the process (High Priestess).

Take Away: That’s a lot of cards to say that the only deadlines in my work and my business are those that I set for myself.  Although, it’s true that this is something I need to acknowledge and be more grateful for, and to do this I need to give myself more space.  Allow for that time  needed to find something better and connect to my work in new ways.

The cards here, ultimately are indicating that there is far more to my work than just work, and I need to be aware and open to the fact that if I ease off on the pressure I am so often pushing onto myself, I will be allowed to find these hidden facets.

DECK USED:  VINTAGE JAPANESE ART TAROT

Mystic Star December Challenge Prompt
Question: What gift does the Universe have for me in the year ahead?

Winter Waite Tarot 2019 Edition

Reading Summary: Less worry (Nine of Swords Rx) and less uncertainty (The Moon Rx) when going through changes (Death).

Side Note:  The Nine of Swords and Moon actually landed on the table perfectly in place and reversed, but I like the pretty imagery on the cards too much to photograph them that way.  *LOL*

Take Away: I’ve mentioned recently in a previous post that I often struggle with change, even when that change is good and/or healthy for me.  The cards here are indicating that the gift that the Universe has for me in the year ahead is not so much that there will be less change, but that I will learn to deal with change better with less worry and uncertainty to hold me back and make the process unnecessarily stressful.

DECK USED:  WINTER WAITE TAROT 2019 EDITION

Planning for Security

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IMG_8285Today’s meditation was just under fourteen minutes long and was a guided meditation from the Calm app with an interval timer for my piriformis and forearm flexor stretching.

My forearms are really bothering me, which… isn’t that surprising after running the gamut of 6 weeks with pliers in both of my hands for at least twelve ours out of each day.  I don’t understand why it’s acting up now that I’m resting, but I know how to get it back under control.

The topic of today’s guided meditation is about how we allow our minds to wander without ever  really paying attention to what is going on up there.  We often repeat the same thoughts over and over like a broken record without ever realizing we’re doing so.  The the guide in the meditation spoke on how when we take a moment to acknowledge the thoughts running on the wheel in our mind, we can go deeper into those thoughts, and often relieve ourselves of them by bringing them into the present moment and working on them.

Touchstone Tarot - Four of CoinsToday’s draw is the Four of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of stability, conservation, and control in the area of one’s finances, home, health, resources, and manifestations.

What really stands out to me in the imagery in this card today is the coin that hovers above the woman’s head.  She works with those before her as if counting or savoring their presence, but the one above her head speaks to me of making plans.

The message in today’s card is to make sure that you are keeping in mind the plans needed to foster stability in your life long term.  You’ve gathered up all the coins you can, and now it’s time to plot just exactly how to invest and use those coins to your best advantage.

This is the cycle that happens each year at the end of the holiday rush, and although I’m supposed to be taking time off I did do a few things to assure that future stability including having a short chat with my financial advisor (internet messaging), plotting out the sales I will be doing for the business over the next year, and getting the templates ready for next year’s newsletters.  All of it was relaxing and not at all stressful, but still good things to have prepped and ready to go and.. in having done so?  Taking a bit more stress and worry off my shoulders.

DECK USED:  TOUCHSTONE TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Is a “wrong” act okay if nobody ever knows about it?

Living TarotReading Summary: The Son of Wands here speaks of one’s enthusiasm and how that enthusiasm to go after what has caught your interest can convince you to believe you can do what you want, go after what you want, with whatever methods are available to you without consequence.

The Five of Cups is an indication that all actions have consequences, and although you may not reap the full brunt of those repercussions when there is no witness to call you to task, there will still be consequences that effect you, your life, and how you feel about those things you pursue and the “wrongs” that you do in your endeavors.

The Father of Wands speaks of learning from your mistakes, growing from those lessons, and finding a better path in the future.  In learning that even when no one is present to see your “wrongs”, that they effect you and you deal with repercussions regardless teaches the individual to go after their endeavors with a more honest and straightforward approach in the future.

Take Away: The problem with doing something wrong is that even if no one else knows what you did?   You know what you did.  And the psyche and emotions will ensure that you pay a price for it even if you aren’t caught or called out by others.  This cycle of learning is a lesson that is taught to us through life, and that some must end up having to experience over and over again as they are unable to grow in ways to seek out that higher ground and more honest approach.

DECK USED:  LIVING TAROT

Set Aside Expectation

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IMG_8272Today’s meditation was just over eleven minutes long and was a guided meditation with interval timer for my piriformis and forearm flexor stretches.

The topic of the meditation today was about how we react to others. Specifically, how we react to negativity and whether or not we take a pause to process and form a reaction… or just instantly react (often negatively) without thinking first.

The thing is?  When you get in the habit of that pause?  That pause then becomes shorter and shorter over time as you become more accustomed to utilizing it.  It becomes more ingrained and easier over time.   The same can be said by leaping before you look, which is why it’s so important to stay conscious of your initial, internal responses and pause to consider your response before actually  acting outwardly.

Lost Hollow Tarot - Four of CupsToday’s draw is the Four of Cups, which is traditionally (this deck is a Thoth deck) a representation of being apathetic towards true value as one pursues happiness on a material level, a lack of motivation when new goals are needed, and other feelings of disinterest, discontent, lack of satisfaction, or depression.

Although nothing in this card’s imagery especially stood out to me today beyond the turn of the figure’s head, which is somewhat standard across tarot imagery for the Four of Cups, as the card  hit the table this morning I did get a very clear message from it all the same.

That message portrayed to me is that in the my first day of freedom from the holiday rush, be sure to remember that I don’t have to do anything that I don’t wanna do.  I don’t have to work.  I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to.  Today can be all mine.  All about me.  I have no expectations to fulfill, and need to be sure I don’t put any expectations upon myself.

DECK USED:  LOST HOLLOW TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What needs to be purged and/or completed before the end of the year?

Madam Clara Sees All Fortune Tarot 4th EditionReading Summary: Reign in (Temperance) your resistance to change (The Tower Rx) and find a way to stop fighting against what you know will be better for you (The Lovers Rx) in the end.

Take Away: Like most people, I have an issue with change.  I know that and I know that natural inclination is present in my make up even in times when the change that’s happening is for the good and will lead to better things. 

The cards here are making it clear that this need to resist is something I need to purge as the end of the year approaches.  I do not need to work myself to the bone.  I am more than capable of jugging my work and responsibilities with my emotional and spiritual growth and self care needs. I’ve been learning over the past year how to do this in a more healthy way and it’s okay to let go now and allow that balance to slip back into place.  I just need to make sure not to “get my back up” about the shifting of the sands and allow the stressful, unhealthy habits of the holiday rush to wash away unimpeded.

DECK USED:  MADAM CLARA SEES ALL TAROT 3RD EDITION

Mystic Star December Challenge Prompt
Question: What gift should I give to myself in what remains of this year?

Tarot of the Holy Spectrum

Reading Summary: Allow yourself time to daydream (Ace of Swords) and imagine the possibilities of what’s ahead (Ace of Wands), while staying safe at home (Four of Wands) and appreciating all you’ve accomplished in the last year (Nine of Pentacles).

Take Away:  This is about lack of action.  It’s about giving myself the break that I need to rest and recover… not while ignoring the future and what’s ahead, but rather while musing about what might come and what might be possible.

Usually, my mind is so grounded in the practical and logic that I don’t take a lot of time for daydreams.  Instead I project and look at trajectories, seek out hurdles and potholes on the path and prepare for them, etc.  What the cards are describing here is not that, but rather about looking forward into the future with hope, optimism, and an eager hint of imagination.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HOLY SPECTRUM