#themarchtarot

Look Up… Keep Going

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_0229Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long and was another of the shorter guided meditations on the Calm app, which I paired with an interval timer for my piriformis stretches.

The focus of today’s meditation was about how sometimes we hurt ourselves more by struggling against pain and unpleasantness than we would by just going with the flow.  It is how, for example, if you were to step on an animal trap and it went off and caught your leg. The initial pain is bad enough, but then you begin to thrash and struggle in its grip and in the process cause yourself more pain and more damage.

In this way, sometimes when we resist change or fight against experiences that we don’t like or that hurt us in some way, we end up causing more pain to ourselves than if we had just taken a moment to pause and breathe through it.

Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Ace of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of seedling spark of new ideas, new aspirations, new educational pursuits, and new interests.

What really stands out to me in the imagery of this card is the spade on the sleeve of the arm holding the sword.  It’s such a small thing, and yet this tiny detail adds another element to this card that resonates with me.  The reason for this is in cartomancy, the Ace of Spade often represents death and the process of something in your life having to “slough off” to make way for something new.  Normally this is something I would associate with the Ten of Swords, but here we see the cycle that begins after that death is complete.  The new opportunity to do things different… to do them better this time around.

When combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, what I see here is a reminder that each day is a new day.  An opportunity.   Each day you can be better than you were the day before.  Each day you can find a different way, a new way, to approach the day and the struggles that lie before you.  Instead of looking down at the ground, remember to look up (based off the rays in the sky in the Ace). Keep your chin up and keep going.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE SEVENFOLD MYSTERY AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

LionHart’s Whispering Woods Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: In what way am I asked to nurture or replenish myself?

Whimsical Tarot

 Reading Summary:  Slow down (Empress over the Devil).  Your enthusiasm for your addictions (Queen of Rods and The Devil) are being spurred to greater heights by the reawakening of your emotions (Knight of Cups).

Take Away:  It’s time to do a bit of financial replenishment.  Although this doesn’t mean cutting out on decks entirely, it does mean that it’s time to slow down a bit.  Don’t allow emotions to drive your pleasures and addictions over the line into being unhealthy.   This isn’t just about decks, but covers the crap ass food you’ve been eating as well.  This is not good for you either in excess.

Although broken down through these four cards, this could have been communicated just as easily by handing over the Temperance card. The cards broke it down to make sure that the message couldn’t be misconstrued.

DECK USED:  WHIMSICAL TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsMar2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What are my strengths when dealing with others?

Tarot of the Sevenfold MysteryReading Summary: I am clever (Seven of Swords), passionate (Queen of Wands) and easy to learn from (Lady of Pentacles).

Take Away: I am extremely biased and blind when looking at myself and how I am perceived by others.  What they see is not at all what I see, and in this manner, I can’t tell if these cards are accurate or not. 

That said, what I see here in these cards is that I have a grounded energy that make me approachable to others and easy to learn off of even by those that are not in my life to learn from me.  A part of this is because I appear cunning and clever, which stirs up people’s interest, and because I am well seated in my passions and experienced in them.  The latter gives me the ability to speak on these things with authority and passion, sparking the interest and inspiration in others as a result.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE SEVENFOLD MYSTERY

Daily Self Kindness

I have been wanting to experiment with a new idea for reading cards, and in order to do that I needed to have some people to test out my idea on.   I’ve been putting it off because of my recovery, but I’ve been eager to give it a go.  Today I gave out a number of free readings (nine, to be exact) in order to test the readability of my idea.  Out of the nine test readings performed, I only had one that was hit-or-miss, and I think that was less about the cards and more about difficulty connecting with that person’s energy. I would consider this test a success, and I enjoyed it.

Slow Awakenings… and Impatience

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_0205Today’s meditation was was just over ten minutes long and I returned to the Calm app today for one of the guided meditations, with my interval timer added in for my pirifromis stretching.

The focus of today’s meditation was about living in the moment, even when the moment sucks. I agree that sometimes you just have to allow yourself to experience what’s happening, but I don’t think it should keep us from improving our situation when its possible to do so.   It’s a delicate balance.

Tarot de Marseille-Waite and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the High Priestess, which is traditionally a representation of the subconscious, intuition, inner awareness, spiritual knowledge, and the possession of secret knowledge. 

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card is the curtain behind the priestess.  A curtain that hides what lies beyond.  The Priestess knows what is there, but like the beaded curtain in a fortune teller’s shop, only she knows what lies on the other side.

Combined with the Thera-Pets card for the day, what I see here is a reminder that I’m still in recovery.  During an MDE, my intuition is often stilted and muffled.  This can become really frustrating, especially now in the process of recovery, where I feel like I -could- be or -should- be fully recovered… but I’m not yet.

The reminder here is that it takes the time it takes.  My intuition isn’t going anywhere, nor does it become “rusty” with disuse during these times when I’m stuck in the MDE. Patience is needed, and it’s okay for things to move slowly.

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

LionHart’s Whispering Woods Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: Where am I welcomed to take a break and gather myself?

Walter & Fitzpatrick inspired Harmonious Tarot

 Reading Summary:  You don’t have to charge forward (Knight of Wands) with your eye on the prize (Two of Wands) and coming out on top (King of Swords) as you are standing up for what you believe is right. (Seven of Wands).

Take Away:  Sometimes just living your life the way that is right for you and following your own moral compass is enough. It doesn’t always have to be about saving the world or going somewhere.  It doesn’t have to be about winning or losing or conflict.   It’s okay to just live by example sometimes, and that can be enough.

DECK USED:  WALTER & FITZPATRICK INSPIRED HARMONIOUS TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsMar2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better handle conflict?

Tarot de Marseille-WaiteReading Summary:  Take a pause (Trois de Bâton Rx). 

You need to approach from a place of stability and comfort (Quatre de Bâton) where you can then linger (Trois de Bâtons Rx) and view your choices more clearly (L’Amoureux).

Take Away: Sometimes, when conflict is upon us, we react in the moment…. even when there are times when we know that we shouldn’t.  Emotions running high and BAM, out of the blue your mouth opens and something unintended comes out, or we clam up and flinch away, or we act without thought and do something we regret as a result. 

The cards here are indicating that in order to better handle conflict, it is wise to take  a step back and find your balance and calm.  Put yourself in a place of comfort and calm where you can look at things from many perspectives, and with a level head, choose the response that will be best for you. 

DECK USED:  TAROT DE MARSEILLE WAITE

Daily Self Kindness

I made sure to structure my time so that I didn’t have to pull another all-nighter like I did Monday night.  That shit was ridiculous and I want to actually sleep tonight.

Fostering Forward Movement

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped because I was tired and ended up sleeping instead. I very much need to get back into doing this daily, but… yeah.  Today wasn’t it.

Harmony Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Four of Autumn.  This is not a tarot card, and the meanings on these cards are not cohesive with a tarot system.  I wasn’t aware of this when I purchased the deck (because, hello, the word “tarot” is in the title yeah?) but this deck is an oracle deck.

(Mini-rant about marketing ploys now over.)

Right, so.  The Four of Autumn is about a time of healing from a mental health ailment, distressing situation, or conflict.  It carries elements of the Four of Cups within it’s meaning in that there is a need to step back from others in order to heal, and a bit of the Seven of Pentacles in that  this healing can take a bit of time to develop and patience to bring into fruition.  It is about acceptance of where you are and taking time to yourself to find your focus and where you want to go.

When combined with the Thera-Puts card for today, the message is that sometimes when you’re working on healing from difficult times or circumstances, it can feel like it’s taking forever and the progress can sometimes feel so slow that you wonder if you’re ever going to actually heal fully at all.  Patience can be a hard thing, especially when stuck somewhere that is unpleasant.  The message here is to take a breath and practice that patience, accept it’s going to take some time yet, and do what you need to do to foster that forward movement towards a healthier you.

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

LionHart’s Whispering Woods Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I nurture my dreams into full growth over the next few months?

Gregory Scott Tarot

 Reading Summary:  In times of struggle (Three of Swords) and strife (5 of Swords) make sure that you are focusing on finding balance and connection with the earth and your spiritual self (Temperance).

Take Away:  This message is a re reiteration of my COTD for today.  It’s a reminder that sometimes you need to take a step back and pause… breathe… focus on finding your balance and the connections that help you find solid ground within yourself.  This is especially important when dealing with times of struggle and strife.  In order to nurture my dreams over the next few months, this is a lesson that I will need to keep in mind.  Don’t allow the crappy shit to keep you from doing what you need to do to feel balanced, complete, and connected.

DECK USED:  GREGORY SCOTT TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsMar2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Why do we dream?

Harmony Tarot (Oracle)Reading Summary: To rise above and improve upon ourselves (Nine of Winter), find happiness and acknowledge those things we take pleasure in in our lives (Le Soleil), and to seek out truth in those people and things around us (Two of Summer).

Take Away:  The answer here is that dreams are to give us something to strive for, something to grow towards, and a way to connect with the world around us in healthy ways that will make us happier and healthier. 

If you don’t have dreams to strive for, then the stagnancy of where you are without the drive and desire to move forward, will cement you in place and allow decay to begin to take root with you.  Our dreams are the drive that keep this unhealthy stagnancy from happening.

DECK USED:  HARMONY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap when I really didn’t want to.  I’m a little frustrated at being more tired lately than usual, but I’m trying to be accepting and understanding of this, and allowing myself a bit more rest to help in perhaps healing whatever it is that’s keeping me from the full energy I usually have at my disposal.

Slow Is Still a Go

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

There was no meditation today because yet again the guys across the street were making a hell of a racket.  It wasn’t just the machinery, which I could probably have found a way to ignore, but rather… it was the yelling.  I swear to fuck they all talk at full volume.  Maybe they all have earplugs in their ears and have to shout just to be heard by each other.  I wonder if they realize that the entire condo complex across the alley from them can hear every word they say as well.

Cat-Rot Tarot 2020 Edition and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Three of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of taking the first steps in the direction you want to go after the planning of the Two of Wands has been accomplished. This particular “travel card” in the tarot has to do with going after what sparks your interest, and stirs up your innovation and inspiration.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card is the fact that the cat looks kind of like a slug in this card.  If it weren’t for the ears… it would kind of look like a snail carrying its shell on its back, yeah?   Okay, so at least that’s what it looks like to me.

The significance of seeing a snail in this imagery has to do with speed and the fact that sometimes?  Forward movement is enough. This is reinforced in the Thera-Pets card for today, and the two cards together are a reminder that as long as you are heading in the direction you want to go?  It’s okay to not be moving at full speed ahead.  Taking your time is okay.

DECK USED:  CAT-ROT TAROT 2020 EDITION AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

LionHart’s Whispering Woods Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: In what area of my life can I use a positive (energy) boost right now?

Lazy Crow Tarot

 Reading Summary:  I need to work on worrying less (Nine of Swords) and being more open (Page of Cups) to the love and camaraderie (Three of Cups) found in my home these days (Four of Wands).

Take Away: Okay so… it’s true that I have a really odd sense of humor. There’s a lot of jokes and humor that I just don’t understand at all, and there’s a lot of things I find amusing that others find not to be amusing at all. This factor doesn’t help in this situation, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be more open to allowing lighthearted warmth in that L and Z have to offer, instead of ignoring it for the stresses and worries going on in my head.

DECK USED:  LAZY CROW TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsMar2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What would be a better way to deal with my anxieties that will allow my feet to stay on the ground?

Cat-Rot Tarot 2020 EditionReading Summary:  All the tricks and tools in the world (The Magician), clever ideas, and experience under your belt (Queen of Swords) is not going to get you outside and in nature like you need (The Empress).  Just do it (Two of Pentacles) and you will feel better for it (Five of Pentacles Rx)

Side Note: This deck has a somewhat oddly unique way of speaking that takes a bit of getting used to. I noticed this as well with the other edition of the Cat-Rot Tarot.

Take Away: In order to deal with my anxieties in a better and more grounded manner I need to make sure I’m literally getting out in nature and grounding. In doing this, I am able to feel more balanced and less as if I’m fighting a loosing battle all the time.  All of my “clever” excuses and sneaky ways of putting this grounding and connection to nature off are doing me absolutely no good at all.

DECK USED:  CAT-ROT TAROT 2020 EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

Although I was tired, I took some time after play with Gideon just to sit with him quietly and soak in some one on one time. The drop is toying with me and I needed it.

Support Structures Are There For A Reason

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was non-existent yet again.  Just too much to do, too many places to go, and when I finally got a moment to stop and take a breath, the nap was way more needed so I went that route instead.

Whimsical Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Ace of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of the seeds of a beginning in the areas of one’s intellect, education, aspirations, and communication with others. This often translates into themes to do with new areas of research, new methods of communication or new people to communicate with, new jobs or projects where you are learning something new, etc.

What stood out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card is the moon phases that are etched into the blade, which for me represents a specific period of time (29.5 days, to be exact).  As my readings are so often predictive and this one feels the same, what I see here is in reference to the car accident I had on Wednesday and the great deal of communication going on between myself, the insurance company, my medical support team, and my attorney.

Combined with the (oh so very cute as fuck) Thera-Pets card for today, what I see here is a personal message indicating that there is going to be about a month of pretty intense communication before anything gets resolved.  Which… is fine.  I’m not particularly fond of spending time dealing with all these people, but I have a good support structure in place and I know that with some patience everything will get dealt with and cared for.

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

The Marching Into Darkness Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: If my shadow could talk, what would it say to me?

Otto Schmidt Tarot

Reading Summary: My shadow would say “I want to be happy and secure (Ten of Pentacles) and a part of the process and path (Ace of Wands). Give your inner critic (Judgement Rx) a break (Four of Swords) and make me a priority (King of Wands).”

Take Away:  My shadow does not want to be put back in the box and buried in the dark.  It is reaching for the light just as I am in my efforts to rise out of my depression, except in my shadow’s case it was imprisoned for much, much longer. It wants to work on finding balance and happiness and a path forward that is less about nagging at the self and self-abuse, and more about prioritizing self-care… including caring for the shadow within.

DECK USED:  OTTO SCHMIDT TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsMar2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What area of my life is requiring too much sacrifice?

Whimsical TarotReading Summary: Too much “leaning into” my sense of “my way or the highway” (Five of Rods).  Don’t be impulsive or over confident (Knight of Rods), but instead take things slow and make sure you aren’t being fooled into a false sense of security (Four of Pentacles).

Take Away: I’ve been over-compensating in trying to pretend I’m not worried or stressed concerning the business and the changes that I’m adjusting to in that area.  Although It’s good to be alert and aware, and keep track of things, I need to step back and be less invested here… and less stressed and worried as a result.

By allowing myself to sink too deeply into these issues, I’m becoming too rigid and may find it difficult to adapt when I need to or discern between what is real and what is all in my head.

DECK USED:  WHIMSICAL TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

As I mentioned above, I took a nap.  It’s an orders day, so that’s not something I would normally allow myself, but I was so tired when I got home from the body shop and doctor that I let myself nap for about two hours.

Anxiety Is Not Premonition, It’s Just the Scales Teetering As They Settle

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Again, no meditation today.  My day pretty much got shot to shit between the car accident this morning and dealing with the insurance company all day, getting appointments set up… and unending repetitive trips to the bathroom.  So yeah.  No meditation today.

Paulina Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Queen of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s spirituality, interests, and passionate pursuits. Contrary to the greatly misunderstood use of the word “passionate”, this suit is probably not about sex unless you are a sex addict.  Rather, it is about those things that light a fire of inspiration within your soul and the Queen of the suit is the energy that fosters that spark in others and encourages it to grow.

What stands out to me the strongest today in the imagery of this card is the color scheme, which loudly speaks of autumn to me and autumn speaks to me of experience.  We follow through the spring and summer, gaining experience, weathering sudden storms and blistering heat, the earth gives of itself throughout this period and when fall comes it comes with experience riding its coattails.   The Queen is also experienced, and she uses that experience to help inspire and guide others. 

Combined with today’s Thera-Pets card, these cards are a reminder that not all anxiety is useful. Sometimes anxiety is just anxiety and there’s definitely nothing premonition-associated about it.  For me, right now, this is definitely the case.  As I am emerging from the darkness of depression’s pit and into the light, I’m finding that I’ve been experiencing some intermittent anxiety issues over the past week or two. I’ve come to realize that these bouts of anxiety are not situational but rather, they are a part of my recovery and finding balance once again.

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

The Marching Into Darkness Tarot Challenge Prompt
Question: What card best represents my shadow self at this time?

Waterfall Tarot - Page of PentaclesPage of Pentacles – Finding the way forward sometimes takes a little trial and error and a lot of slow steps and occasional stops along the way.  The importance is in staying focused on where you want to go, and what you need to learn in order to get there.

My shadow self has a lot to learn, but in being acknowledged, it is slowly beginning to “come around” to being a student in life instead of hiding away from it or allowing trauma to keep it suppressed.

There is no wallowing, only a need for encouragement and a guiding light to continue to follow in order to allow that shadow self to rise to the surface and better integrate with reality.  Being acknowledged has done wonders in this area for my shadow self once the realization finally sank in that it wasn’t going to be a temporary project, but something I planned on putting a lot of time and effort into.

DECK USED:  WATERFALL TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsMar2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Does art hurt society in any way?

Paulina TarotReading Summary: Art inspires people, sparking passions for new ideas and directions (Two of Wands), but it can also can make people very defensive (Nine of Wands). At times it can create inspiration for great ideas and new ways of communicating with others (Ace of Swords).

Take Away: The thing about art is that it’s subjective.  To one person a piece may seem inspired and brilliant, relative and breathtaking.  To another person that same piece may seem disturbing, disruptive, insulting, or disgusting. 

It isn’t so much the art that hurts society, but rather individual reactions to how that art is perceived and how people react to it as a result.  So  in a way, it can indeed be hurtful to society if a large enough cross section of society reacts negatively to it…. the real question is whether that’s the art’s fault, or the fault of the individuals reacting to it.

DECK USED:  PAULINA TAROT

Random Prompt from Pagan Sanctum on Discord
Question: What is your greatest strength and greatest weakness?

Barbara Walker Tarot

Greatest Strength – Queen of Wands atop The Moon – My ability to use my determination and passionate nature to push through obstacles, fears, and doubts that may arise. This doesn’t mean not entertaining the topic of these fears and doubts, but rather turning them around into something useful.

Greatest Weakness – Two of Pentacles atop Four of Swords Rx – I am a slave driver when it comes to my own personal responsibilities and endeavors. I don’t often allow myself the rest I need, and in fact struggle with figuring out how to rest when the opportunity is presented, which means I often bypass the opportunity rather than using it to recover.

DECK USED:  BARBARA WALKER TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

My self kindness today is in getting some of tomorrow’s work done today.  I have a lot of things to get done tomorrow like going to get an estimate on the damage of my car, insurance calls, and a visit to the doctor. By getting a little of the work done today that needs to be done tomorrow, it will ease my stress a bit tomorrow as a result.