#thefebruarytarot

A Bit of Salt Makes It Sweeter

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Fool's TarotToday’s draw is the Nine of Water (Cups), which is traditionally a representation of emotional satisfaction, contentment, inner happiness, and satiation on an emotional level. It can also be an indication of gluttony, in the right circumstances.

Although I don’t really feel that the imagery in this card really demonstrates the meaning of the card, what I see as the reference for this card is a reminder to enjoy my time off and not allow things like having to go to my aunt’s house to sour my enjoyment or my mood.

You have to put a pinch of salt in the cookie dough to make the sweet taste that much sweeter.

DECK USED:  THE FOOL’S TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for February 23rd: What is love?

Elementary LenormandHouse – Child – Bouquet

Finding happiness and freedom within the embrace of family and a sense of “home”.  When you allow yourself to connect with those around you and find security and a sense of carefree abandon, there is a connection that develops in this nurturing environment.  Love.

These cards indicate that one of the ways in which we find love is through the connection and security of feeling safe and at home with others, nurtured by them as we nurture them in turn.

DECK USED: ELEMENTARY LENORMAND

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for February 1st, 12th, and 22nd

The Fool's TarotWhat does love mean to me?

Eight of Water and Initiate of Fire – Someone that sticks with me even when I am falling apart and departing from the world.  As a suicide risk for a good portion of my life, I’ve found that there are two types of people in the world.  Those that think suicide is a joke and they push you away when you have those urges, and those that love you enough to stick around and try to figure out how to make sure you truly understand that you are loved and that they want you to stay… even need you to stay.

How can I welcome more love into my life?

Seven of Water and Temperance – Don’t put too much on your plate.  You don’t need more, you just need to appreciate what you already have.  Allow it to flourish and enjoy it.

How can I be open to love, but emotionally safe?

Ace of Water and Nine of Water – Love takes time.  It starts as a seed hidden in the soil and needs time to grow and flourish.  Don’t expect it to happen quickly, as it’s a long term investment… not a sprint.

DECK USED: THE FOOL’S TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

You won’t believe this, but I actually managed to take a nap at my Aunt’s again today, and nobody interrupted me even though they knew where I went.  I’m shocked.

The Bear Suit

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped again.

White Lotus Elemental TarotToday’s draw is the Ace of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition. This often translates into new emotions, new relationships, new creativity based ideas, and the spark of new intuitive skills and abilities.

I have no fucking idea.  I’ve struggled with this all day long and I’m still looking at the card and struggling to find a connection between the imagery and the Ace of Cups and my life.

There is so much meaning in this card that I am missing because I’m not familiar enough with the culture that the card represents to really…. Oh geez.

*Cracking up.*   Okay so thank you Gideon.  I showed him the imagery and he says “The first thing I thought of was you wearing your bear suit.”

BearSuitI did, in fact, wear my bear suit today.  I was freezing earlier, and I discovered just how cozy and warm and perfect the hoodie is for when I’m freezing and need a little snug of comfort.  Usually, I just pull it on if I’m chilly and about to take a nap, but today it felt different. Like an embrace.  Warm and close and perfect.

That is what this card is about today.  It’s not about unknown cultures I don’t know anything about and the guidebook doesn’t provide information on… it’s about finding that comfort in a new and positive way.

DECK USED:  WHITE LOTUS ELEMENTAL TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheFebruaryTarot Kindred Spirits Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 22nd thru 24th

White Lotus Elemental TarotHow can use my power or voice to support and elevate my kin?

Four of Coins – Pay attention to the foundation and roots of where you come from, and follow the path of those roots while learning how to instill them into your life in healthy ways.

What positive impact can this have in the long run?

Two of Coins atop Death – It will allow for more calm and better balance during changes that might otherwise “upset the boat” or cause imbalance. After the events of this past month, you can use a bit more of that stability.

Something I should initiate this week that will help me.

Strength – Shore up your strength. You know the things that will help you to get yourself back to rights and internally balanced and fortified.  Do them.

How can I channel the strength of my kin in support of this?

King of Coins atop The Fool Rx – Don’t be naïve about the world and how it works, or the motivations that drive people to do bad things. You need to approach things with a shrewd eye and a practical perspective.

What can I do to celebrate, appreciate or honor my roots today?

Queen of Swords – Call your mother.

DECK USED: WHITE LOTUS ELEMENTAL TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I did laundry today.  I was not really wanting to and I think I’ve just about made it the entire month without washing anything but work clothes and underwear.  It was time.

It Could Always Be Worse

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped (again).

IMG_E8474Today’s draw is the Ten of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of the end of a painful journey and other painful endings, the pain of betrayal, and moments of loss or defeat.

Here in today’s card and it’s imagery, there is a message encouraging you to acknowledge the issue you were faced with went far better than planned, and that you have come out on the other side of it wiser than when it began. The fact that there is one sword that is not piercing the moon, but instead lies resting above it all, is a reminder that things could’ve been much worse.

My most recent Etsy adventure with their customer support went far better than previous experiences.  They seemed to actually read my issue and understand it, and instead of brushing my concerns under the rug as usually feels to be the case, they appear to have taken them forward to the tech department, and resolved the financial implication that was involved as well.

I wish all customer service contact with Etsy could be more like this one, for… for once I actually feel heard.  It might have felt like a huge stab in the back at the time, but it was resolved far easier and better than expected and things could have gone far worse.

DECK USED:  GOLDEN NIGHT TAROT SILVER EDITION

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 21st and 22nd

Golden Night Tarot Silver EditionWhat skill in your tarot practice needs improvement?

Page of Swords and Knight of Cups – It’s time to learn a new skill… and stop hesitating.

This is about my explorations into mediumship. I am curious and I have a lot to learn in this area. I’ve been hesitating and putting it off instead of diving in to explore. This is a venue that I really didn’t have much interest in and tried hard to avoid in my practice for a very long time, but over the last few years my affinity for it has grown and my curiosity has been piqued. It’s time to dive in and explore the possibilities more fully.

How can you best work at improving this skill?

Ten of Pentacles and Two of Wands – Set a goal, and then make plans to work towards it. A lesson plan of some type, even loosely made, will help you in getting on track in studying and exploring this aspect of tarot more thoroughly.

A little structure can go a long way, and a goal combined with that structure will provide direction. I’m not always a big fan of structure, yet I’m aware that I thrive under its influence.

DECK USED: GOLDEN NIGHT TAROT SILVER EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I had a wonderful nap today.  Usually my naps are kind of so-so.  A recharge, but not really good.  This one was real good.

Think First, Then Speak

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped (again).

Omni TarotToday’s draw is the King of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, logic, intellect, education, ambitions, or communication.

What catches my eye in this card is the fact that the king is actually kneeling, and the sword is pointing down instead of up. This brings him closer to the ground, and puts a less aggressive spin on the energy of the king in this card.

The message here is an encouragement to make sure that you speak from a grounded place of knowledge. Don’t run off at the mouth on things that you are not educated on. Don’t speak as an authority on something that you don’t know enough about. Acknowledge that you don’t know everything, not just to yourself but others. Ensure that you have your facts straight before you open your mouth.

Sometimes what we think we know is not enough, and this card is a reminder that it’s better to err on the side of caution and do your research before you speak, than speak out when you know nothing and look like an ass doing so.

DECK USED:  OMNI TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheFebruaryTarot Kindred Spirits Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 20th and 21st

Omni TarotWhat do I need to forgive?

Knight of Wands atop Two of Wands Rx – Okay, so again I had some troubles with Etsy. This time because they didn’t give me a chance to perform any customer service with a customer prior to taking the reigns and dealing with the situation themselves.

I think this is something that I need to forgive, as I think that they are trying to improve their way of dealing with things to make customer service better for shoppers. But, in their enthusiasm for this idea, I think that they just went a little overboard in their efforts. From the email I got this morning, it looks like they’re in the process of working it out and will be reimbursing me for my loss in this area.

In what way can this help me?

Seven of Swords – I’ve gained knowledge into the inner workings of changes on something that most of the sellers on the site have no clue about yet. I’m not sure entirely how useful this knowledge is, but it is a change that has taken place quietly behind the scenes that most are not aware of.

What part of me is currently being oppressed?

Five of Pentacles – I’ve been working on putting a little more self-control into my spending of late. I don’t think this oppression is a particularly negative thing, even if it makes me feel a bit of a scarcity issue as a result. Better to feel a bit of scarcity emotionally about something, rather than actually have to experience it manifest in your life.

How am I to rise above this?

Queen of Swords – It’s important to sit with these choices and think through all the ways that this oppression I’ve been working at instilling in my life is a good thing for me. In doing this, I’m able to council myself on the fact that even if I’m feeling a bit negative about it all, it really is a good thing.

DECK USED: OMNI TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Nap time was something I really didn’t want to do today, as I wanted to spend the time with Gideon.  I did take a nap though.  Since we’re up until 3 or 4 in the morning playing, it’s necessary to make up that sleep somewhere.  The nap time helps with this.

The Mess Is Part of the Process

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Starry Cauldron TarotToday’s draw is the Ace of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of the seed, start, or new beginnings in the area of one’s passion projects, inspiration, drive, willpower, and determination.  This often translates into themes that have to do with budding new interests and new passion projects.

So messy!  That’s what this imagery is about for me.  It’s about the mess!  Just like when getting organized, when starting a new project?  There’s a certain amount of mess and disorganization involved.  You can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs, and you can’t make a masterpiece without making a mess.

Today’s card is a reminder of the messiness that comes with exploring new things, and provides reassurance that that messiness is okay.  It’s okay!  It’ll clean up just fine when you’ve figured it all out and gotten things sorted. Now is the messy time… but it won’t be forever.

DECK USED:  THE STARRY CAULDRON TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for February 20th: Do Spread #3
Basis: Today’s spread is a bit different than our normal in that we are not drawing random cards, but rather, we are picking out the cards we think fit best. For each position, pick the card you feel fits the question best for you, then explain why.

Starry Cauldron TarotWhich one card do you feel sums you up best?

Queen of Swords – I often see this card as my mother, but it is also true that I am my mother’s son. The difference is that I do not use my words to harm or lift myself up, but rather I try to use them to heal and lift up others. I use my knowledge to help others to think and grow and learn, I use my words to help them find their unique path and grow into who they want to become. I untie the knots of restrictions and restraints that others expectations and their own past experiences put upon them.

Which one card do you feel represents your strengths?

The Hanged Man – I feel that my greatest strength is my ability (as well as willingness, and even desire) to pause and reflect on things in order to see them from different perspectives. This allows me to see other’s viewpoints, and my curious mind then seeks to understand where others are coming from.  Even when I do not always agree with these views and perspectives, I want to see them… to understand them.  I want to spend the time to truly seek out these other viewpoints and grasp how they came to them. I can then add this knowledge to my own perspectives to grasp a fuller understanding of the situation in question as a whole, as well as how to navigate it.

Which one card do you feel represents your limitations?

Nine of Swords – Depression and anxiety are, in my opinion, my greatest limitations.  They steal time from me, not just in the “lost time” of moments, hours, or days that are wiped from my memory during the more severe sessions in their grasp, but in the sheer amount of time lost to these issues and their influences.  The time lost in stagnancy and in wading through the mire of the fog they create, as well as the time healing from their visits and influences over my thoughts and actions.

What kind of issues do you feel that you need to work on?

Temperance – Moderation is not something I do well or easily.  If it’s pleasurable? I can become addicted to it in an instant, if it’s something I enjoy?  It can easily become an obsession.  It is only with care that I am able to keep these things from happening, but every once in a while… things slip under the wire even when I’m trying to keep them under control.  Every once in a while my efforts towards moderation slip and I’m left falling into unhealthy territory.  For this reason, I could have easily used the Devil card instead of the Temperance card, but it’s Temperance that I struggle to include in my life… addiction?  That comes easy.

What message do you want to convey to everyone?

The Empress – Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others.  Be kind to the earth and respect that the earth nurtures you, feeds you, and protects you.

DECK USED: THE STARRY CAULDRON TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had another lazy day.  I did do a little work today, but just in making sure I checked my customer emails and took care of anything that came up concerning them.

Addictions and Fixations

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped (again).

Witch Folk TarotToday’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of moderation, patience, temperance (literally), and finding balance.

Temperance is, hands down, the card that I struggle with the most.  Like the bird (fox?) with its nose buried deep in the flower, I have a hard time taking things slow.  I’m sure this illustration is trying to say “take time to smell the roses”, but what I see here is enjoyment to the point of distraction.

To me, the imagery in this card asks for reflection on just how wrapped up I have become in the different things I enjoy.  Have I fallen too far down the rabbit hole on any of them?  Where do I need to pull back to find a healthy balance?

DECK USED:  WITCH FOLK TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheFebruaryTarot Kindred Spirits Challenge Prompt
Question for February 19th

L'Oracle d'ErosWhat can use a shift in perspective or attitude?

L’enfant and Le Rockeur – With Gideon, you don’t need to be any more than you are. He is not bored, but is instead continually fascinated by your softer aspects. There is no pressure here for anything other than your attention and affection… in any form in which you want to give it. When you cast your eyes upon him, he feels like a rock star, no matter whether it’s to seek him out for quiet moments, or for something more intense and carnal.

What can I do differently to facilitate this shift?

L’acrobate and La Reine – Be more proactive in getting what you need, instead of allowing yourself to ride the whims of others. This isn’t just about your relationship, but is about life as a whole and all of the relationships you have with others in your life. When you embolden one aspect, you embolden them all.

DECK USED:L’ORACLE D’EROS

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 18th and 19th

Witch Folk TarotOver what part of your life do you need to release some control?

The Star and Death – You are clamping down too tightly on your expectations for yourself. Optimism is not your natural modus operandi. Forgive yourself for the slip-ups and slowness of the changes you are trying to make towards a more positive perspective. The process is allowed to take time.

How can you better handle and/or respond to criticism?

The Tower and Knave of Swords – Don’t immediately fall into “end of the world” thinking, but instead use the criticism by filtering out the useful parts to learn from. Criticism is a learning experience if you allow it to be. Tell people that give criticism that they have given you something to consider, allowing them to feel heard and giving yourself room to learn and grow from the experience.

DECK USED: WITCH FOLK TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

The first day of vacation is always the hardest.  It’s difficult to let go and -not- work, but that’s exactly what I did today.