#themarchtarot

The Threshold

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DailyCalm with the Calm AppToday’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the Daily Calm meditation sessions from the Calm app. The topic of today’s meditation was the humanity based philosophy of Ubuntu which, in my understanding, is in many key ways very similar to Confucianism (interesting article comparing the two was found here).

The session spoke of our happiness being reliant on the happiness of those around us, and  how connecting with others we can grow a more happy environment and life than by selfishly keeping all joy and happiness to ourselves and leaving others out of it.

Nigel Jackson Tarot - The World cardToday’s draw is the World card, which is traditionally a representation of completing a journey and the potential that comes from growth, which can allow us to then begin a new journey (note, that the World is not about the new journey, but rather the end of the old and the potential for what’s next).

When the figure steps through the laurel wreath on the card, it the symbolism of a new beginning. As they step through the wreath, they leave behind the old, and look forward as they cross the threshold into the future. The key in this card is in the fact that this figure is not behind the laurel wreath about to step through, nor in front of it, already having crossed the threshold.  Instead, the figure is in the process of crossing, one foot in the past and the other in the future.

In this liminal space between the past and the future, there is a huge amount of potential, and that is what today’s card is about.  The message in this card is all about potential go after what you want… to make the future what you want it to be. Make sure, as you cross out of the past into the future that you keep your eyes forward and know what you want for yourself, who you want to be, and what you want to become.

DECK USED:  THE NIGEL JACKSON TAROT

@lucet.in.aurora.tarot’s #lucetinauroraMaartTarotChallenge Prompt
Prompt for March 3rd: Your significator (the court card that “is” you)

Nigel Jackson Tarot - Queen of CoinsQueen of Coins – I mentioned this card in this exact same question just the other day, but I figured I’d expand a little bit on my answer this time around.

The Queen of Coins is often about balancing responsibilities with an effort towards nurturing multiple themes in one’s life at once. Home life and work need equal attention to grow and be healthy, and the Queen of Coins seeks to do just that. In fostering both themes, there is a need for balance and a strong and grounded foundation from which to work from.

This figure works best when rooted in stability, and in turn provides stability to others both at home and at work.

This is the stability and balance that I strive to create each day for both myself and for those around me.  Through that endeavor I seek always to put home and work in harmony and balance, rather than at odds.

DECK USED: THE NIGEL JACKSON TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap. A much longer nap than I intended to, but I feel much better now.

That Morning Spark

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Tarot by Kalan - Ace of WandsToday’s draw is the Ace of Wands, which is traditionally interpreted as a seed, new start, or beginnings concerning one’s drive, ambitions, or passions. This often comes across in themes concerning the spark of new inspiration or new opportunities relating to one’s interests and ambitions.

I was in contemplation earlier and came across the realization that I no longer seem to have something that pulls me out of bed with eager anticipation in the morning, and in the face of that… I’m finding it harder and harder to not dawdle in bed, stay longer and sleep more instead of embracing the arrival of each day with open arms.

Today’s card is a reminder that this is something I need, and if it’s not something I’m getting?  Then it turns my entire perception of the world upside down.  Therefore, the message here is that it’s  time to start looking for something that will spark that fire within once more each day when I wake up.  It’s time to start considering where to find my next spark of inspiration

DECK USED:  “THE TAROT” TAROT DECK

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Wander Lust Challenge Prompt
Question for March 2nd: What is ready to take shape or manifest for me?

Charm of Ink Inspiration CardsReading Summary: Taking time to slow down (Slowing Down the Pace) and meditate (Settling to the Meditation) will allow you to better handle times of uncertainty (In the Foggy Tower).

Take Away: Okay so, the cards have been nagging for months to pick back up a regular meditation practice.  Here is the clearest message yet.  You need to meditate.

Regular meditation doesn’t just provide you with physiological benefits of lowering your resting heart rate and blood pressure, but allows you to deal with a variety of stressors and uncertainties far more easily and gracefully than you do when you are not meditating regularly.

So get back to it and allow yourself that inner strength that it can provide for you in times of stress.

DECK USED: CHARM OF INK INSPIRATION CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for March 2nd: Old Stuff Day – What in your life is overdue for being tossed out?

The Tarot by Kalan - Two of Swords, Seven of Cups, Queen of Swords, Eight of PentaclesEight of Pentacles atop Queen of Swords Rx – The cruel and unhealthy narratives you direct toward yourself concerning your work and hard earned skills need to go. You’ve worked too hard and come too far to be still listening to that bullshit and allowing it to have an influence over your life and how you feel about yourself.

Seven of Cups atop Two of Swords Rx – The waffling and indecision need to stop. It’s time to step up and be more decisive in those areas where you have been hanging back in uncertainty. You will feel much better if you stop hesitating and just choose.  In fact,  you will feel much better even when you make the wrong choice, rather than making no choice at all.

DECK USED: “THE TAROT” TAROT DECK

@lucet.in.aurora.tarot’s #lucetinauroraMaartTarotChallenge Prompt
Prompt for March 2nd: The place where you read your cards.

Tarot Reading Table

I do readings a whole lot of different places from parks and cafes to friends homes, work places, laundromats, etc.  But, I can share the two places where I do the majority of my readings.

The first image (left) is my reading table at home.  What you see here is my reading table, spellcrafting workspace, and deck rack where I hold the decks that I’ve pulled to use for the month. The spellwork table is a solid table, but the reading table is actually a wooden tv tray with two square upside down serving trays stacked on top of it.  This allows me to have a large enough space for readings, even with large cards, and switch between the two grays for different wood grained surfaces in different sizes.

The second image (right) is the coffee table where I do readings usually at least once a week.  It’s located in a friend’s house that I consider to be my “home away from home”. In this picture, it’s in a different position than normal and usually sits with the couch over where the Christmas tree is in the pic.  When I read on this table, I use a reading cloth due to the reflective glass surface.

Daily Self Kindness

I just finished weeding out a total of fourteen campaigns from my pending list on KS.

It’s all up to you… no one else

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Fox & Owl Tarot Mini Deck - The ChariotToday’s draw is the Chariot card, which is traditionally a representation of control in action, moving forward with determination and willpower, motivation, and the success that is bred through these themes.

The imagery in this card says to me that you choose where you go and you choose the speed you get there. At a crossroads it’s entirely up to you which direction you choose, and with a bicycle, so too is it up to you if you walk the bike or ride it, and what speed you choose to ride at.

The message in today’s card is about autonomy and will, and is a reminder that sometimes we all have to seize control and steer our own boat (or bike).

On a personal note, this card comes at a time when I need to be reminded to get on track with catching up on orders, as my vacation is now over and there’s a backlog to plow through.  It is telling me to strap on and get moving, put my determination to the task, and get things done in order to stay on my chosen path and not be lead astray.

DECK USED:  FOX & OWL TAROT MINI DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2023 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for March 1st: Is generosity an inherent virtue, or is it learned behavior?

The Cantigee OracleReading Summary: Sometimes it’s a leap spurred by inner inspiration (A Charmed Leap), but usually it’s learned behavior (The Infinite Web) through experience (The Living Mountain).

Take Away: As seems to be the answer for a lot of different philosophical questions, the cards here indicate that there isn’t just one pat simple answer.

These cards indicate that sometimes, people feel inspired to be generous through their own hearts. This appears to be from people with truly beautiful souls and is a rarity.   Far more often, generosity is learned through the example of others and through our own life experiences.

DECK USED: THE CANTIGEE ORACLE

@Lionharts #TheMarchTarot Wander Lust Challenge Prompt
Questions for March 1st

Fox & Owl Tarot Mini Deck - Page of Swords, Death, Three of Wands, High PriestessWhat am I guided to open myself up to, or explore this month?

Page of Swords and Death – Work on accepting that curiosity and the urge to explore and learn new things has a natural ebb and flow, just like everything else in life. Sometimes it’s on, and you’re ready to go, and other times you just need a bit of a break and to let it go.

How can this help me?

Three of Wands and The High Priestess – This can teach you that you can put things away and pick them back up later, instead of having to plow through to the end all at once. It will also allow you to turn your energy and attention in the direction of your intuition during down times, strengthening that bond with your intuition and how it communicates with you.

DECK USED: FOX & OWL TAROT MINI DECK

Daily Self Kindness

I had some play with Gideon while working on orders today.  It was a nice balance.  Tomorrow will be busy, but I needed a little more us time.

New Perspectives In Self Kindness

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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

The Hanged Man is one of my favorite cards in the tarot… perhaps my absolute favorite card in the tarot.  And honestly?  This is probably the cutest of all Hanged Man cards I’ve seen.

As with so many Hanged Man cards, what I see here is a question.  What do you see?  What if the world was inverted… what if -you- were inverted?  How would the world look differently?  If you paused and looked at the world with this new perspective, how would your own perspective on the world change?

The card showing up today is a reminder that I need to take breaks while I work.  By taking these breaks, life is brighter, my tasks are less difficult, and my obligations lighter.

DECK USED:  ANIMISM TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for March 31st: Grab a spread of your choice that you’ve been curious about… and give it a go!

Animism Tarot - What's Holding My Booty Back? Tarot Spread

What do I most need to release that’s holding me back?

The Devil Rx – It’s time to ease up on the addictions that are starting to get out of hand again. Things like brand-name foods, deck purchases, games on your phone, and dawdling instead of getting things done are all things that are getting just a bit out of hand at the moment. Moderation is not particularly easy for you, but in these areas it’s time to start applying more moderation than you are currently.

Why did this issue develop in the first place?

Two of Swords – When the darkness crept in (aka your depression), you shirked away from it and made the choice to reach for comfort. Those things you refer to as your “addictions” create within you a sense of safety, security, and comfort. You chose to reach for them, and that’s understandable under the circumstances.

How can I best honor it’s memory/grieve it’s loss?

Ten of Cups – Get in touch with your gratitude for the things you already have, and all that you have that makes you happy, instead of focusing on what you don’t have and wallowing in short-lived comforts.

Where should I direct energy that will serve my needs better?

The Emperor – Redirect this energy into reestablishing control over yourself and your life, and ensuring your obligations and responsibilities are being tended to.

DECK USED: ANIMISM TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a number of mini-breaks today to help me to not feel weighed down or resentful of the work that I needed to get done.

Sourpuss Days Happen

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Oz Tarot - King of WandsToday’s draw is the King of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s motivation, drive, passions, willpower, and determination.

This straw man in the imagery of this card just does not look particularly thrilled with his lot in life right now.  It reminds me of the times when I’m not particularly thrilled in mine, even though it was my drive and passions that got me here… and keep me here.

Even when you do what you love, there are times when work becomes too much.   Today’s card is a reminder to not let these moments of lack of enthusiasm to spoil life in general and your outlook as a whole.  They’ll pass, and you’ll be back to loving what you do again in no time.

DECK USED:  OZ TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for March 30th: Is courage an inherent virtue or is it learned behavior?

Real Talk Tarot (trimmed borders)Reading Summary: Courage is learned behavior that is developed through a need to please others (Six of Wands). A need that becomes all encompassing over time (The Devil) until it is only through others admiration that one can find emotional fulfillment (Nine of Cups).

Take Away: I disagree. What the cards are saying here is that courage develops motivated by a need public admiration, and that the more public admiration one is given, the more courageous they will become.

Sure, I think it does work this way for some people, but I also believe that in some people, courage is an inherent trait motivated by nothing more than having a caring heart, a stringent moral compass, or something they value as a motivator. I want (perhaps even need) to believe that this is more often the case than the scenario that the cards have given.

DECK USED: REAL TALK TAROT (TRIMMED)

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for March 29th thru 31st

Oz TarotHow can I continue to improve upon receiving and interpreting my intuitive messages?

Page of Swords Rx and The Emperor Rx – Less thinking, less control. Allow your inner knowledge to rise and have a louder voice instead of smothering it with logic.

How have I grown through this intuitive challenge?

Two of Pentacles and Ace of Pentacles – You are discovering and beginning to cement in place a better balance in your life.  You recognize the things that aren’t working and know you have to balance them better with the things that are.  More doing is needed, though.

What have I learned about myself through this challenge?

The Empress and The Chariot – You need to be more proactive in nurturing yourself and providing for your needs. There is no control over your speed and direction without self care.

DECK USED: OZ TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

It was a rough day, but I sank into some time with Gideon and play even though it was late, and it helped untie some of my inner knots.

Larceny in the Soul

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Inkromancy 2 Apocalypse Tarot - TemperanceToday’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of moderation, patience, and finding balance between the spiritual, emotional, and earthly planes.

I love her horns. I think more Temperance cards should have angels with horns in them.  I feel like it shows a whole different aspect of balance and moderation that a lot of people don’t get when confronted with the connected cups that are traditionally present.

The horns in the imagery of this card speaks to me of one’s integrity, and the old adage about having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other.

Today’s card is a reminder that everyone “has a little larceny in their soul”, so to speak.  That is to say, we all have temptations and faults, we all lie in one way or the other, we all do bad things… or things we shouldn’t.  If we didn’t, we wouldn’t learn.  It is in learning from these things that we become better people, so make sure you are accepting the “bad” in yourself along side the good.

DECK USED:  INKROMANCY 2 APOCALYPSE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for March 29th: What do I need to focus on for self-care for the upcoming new moon?

50 Extraordinary Dragons OracleReading Summary: You are still having problems connecting with your motivations and drive right now (Draconic Shadow). Remember to keep trying to find that focus and inspiration (Ruby Coatl), and it will develop into being (Firewing Egg) as the darkness gradually begins to fade into the distance.

Take Away: Motivation is a difficult thing when the depression is riding you. As the depression eases, it’s much like a rebirth in many ways, and your motivation and inspiration is one of those things.  Don’t be impatient with the darkness, as it will lift at its own pace just as an embryo develops within an egg at its own pace and will hatch when it’s ready.

DECK USED:  50 EXTRAORDINARY DRAGONS ORACLE

Mr Lionharts’ #TheMarchTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Questions for March 29th thru 31st

Inkromancy 2 Apocalypse TarotIn what area have I grown throughout the last few weeks?

Knight of Cups and Emperor – You are starting to get back in touch with your emotions and are regaining control. This month has been steeped in the darkness of the depression’s pit, but over the past couple weeks you have begun to claw your way back toward the light. As you move closer and closer to the light, you will gain more control over yourself and your environment, and be able to experience more joy in the journey.

What am I guided to leave behind of part with moving forward?

Two of Wands and Ten of Pentacles – Continue plotting the course forward away from the mentality of “All is lost”, and into one of abundance. There is a need to leave behind that perspective of loss, and a little planning can help you in getting there.  It requires making the choice of looking at things in a more positive perspective.

Where am I to take my journey moving forward?

Knight of Pentacles, Two of Swords atop Five of Swords – Stand up and start moving. Again, we see that this rests upon choices, and not always easy ones. You have to make the choice to defeat the darkness, or buckle under its weight and let it drag you down again.  The progress might be slow, but you are getting there.  Keep fighting.

DECK USED: INKROMANCY 2 APOCALYPSE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

L and I went to Olive Garden on a gift card yesterday and I ate so much I was still full and sporting a food baby two hours later.