Connections Within Diversity

Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Unfolding Path Tarot - The HierophantToday’s draw is the Hierophant card, which is traditionally a representation of tradition, spiritual guidance, long standing institutions, teachers and guides, and themes that deal with conformity and social norms.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery for today’s card is the scarf that this holy man wears.  It holds symbols not just from one religion, but from a great many of them, and feels like a reminder that there is no “one true way” when it comes to faith, beliefs, and traditions.

We all have our beliefs and those things that are a part of our history and tradition, and there’s a great value in that. Here in today’s card, though, what we see is a reminder that even through our differences we can connect.

DECK USED:  UNFOLDING PATH TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for November 20th
: Do Spread 3

The Forest OracleWhat have I been taking for granted?

Enchantment – The magic of healing and comfort that comes from time spent out in nature among the trees. You haven’t gotten a lot of time out in nature this summer and fall due to circumstances beyond your control, but don’t forget the benefits you get from time in the forest and give yourself permission to seek out that connection, even through the winter months when the green is dormant and the ground is frozen.

What’s been holding me back from seeing my blessings clearly?

Heal – You have to allow yourself what you need to heal.  Time in nature, time to rest, and other self-care that will give you the restorative healing you need. Stop withholding these things from yourself as a form of punishment, and be open and receptive to them instead.

How can I better express my gratitude in the future?

Crossroads – Look at the times you have chosen to go against your nature. To hold grudges, to be unforgiving, to be unpleasant instead of kind. In the future, seek out choosing a better path. A path that is for aligned with your nature. Sometimes it can be difficult to get past those baser instincts, but when you do, you are better able to identify those things to be grateful for.

What do I need to acknowledge gratitude for in my relationships?

Abundance – Just how much you have.  How many friends you have.  How many people there are in your life that love you… that care about you, and are there for you. It is in taking these things for granted that you miss out on all that you have to be grateful for.

What do I need to acknowledge gratitude for in my finances?

Leadership – You are the master of your own castle and all that lies within it. That means you have the ability to make whatever decisions are needed, change things as you wish, and take full control of your finances and resources to move them as needed.

What do I need to acknowledge gratitude for in my work life?

Hibernation – That it’s not this busy all of the time. There are busy times, and then there are quiet times. Although the holiday rush is a crazy time of year and extremely busy, you are also given times in which to breathe, relax, and recover. You can’t sustain the holiday rush year round, so having the lulls that allow you this time for other things is important.

DECK USED: THE FOREST ORACLE

@The.Journey.Well ‘s Friendship & Community Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 19th and 20th

The Unfolding Path TarotHow can solitude empower you?

Two of Cups Rx atop Ace of Cups – Stepping away to have some solitude out of the influence of others gives you the opportunity to see and process your emotions without their bias guiding you. The more you experiment and experience processing emotions in this way, the more confidence in doing so you will build.

What kind of social life empowers you?

Ace of Wands and Ten of Pentacles – You are empowered by relationships that allow your creative juices to flow while supporting you with stability. You need both that freedom for your spark of inspiration, as well as that sense of stability and security.

DECK USED: UNFOLDING PATH TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I watched a movie today.  It sucked, but it helped ease my nerves a bit while I worked. It -did- slow me down a bit in my work, but not enough that I didn’t get done what I needed to for the day.

The Next Adventure

Today’s meditation was skipped.

El Goliath Tarot 2nd EditionToday’s draw is the Eight of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of bailing on a situation out of frustration or disappointment, themes of abandonment or withdrawal, and moving on.

What stands out to me the strongest today in the imagery on this card is that at the very top of that long staircase that the cat has begun to climb… the door is open.  Not wide open, but it is open all the same.

This speaks to me of the promise of opportunity, and curiosity means that there’s a bit of eagerness involved in seeing what’s on the other side.  But in order to head up that big ass flight of stairs?  You’re going to have to leave everything behind. It’s a long climb and carrying extra burdens isn’t going to help.

What I see as the message in this card is that often, when we’re looking at making a change, we forget that we have to leave behind the past in order to move forward. If we focus on our curiosity, eagerness will flourish and that open door at the end of the climb becomes a treat you seek to obtain, your focus on the potential of what’s to come.    Not so, unfortunately, if you try to haul all your past baggage up those stairs with you.   So when looking at new opportunities?  Make sure you’re leaving your baggage behind, and not trying to carry it with you to the next adventure.

DECK USED:  EL GOLIATH TAROT 2ND EDITION

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 19th

Untamed Spirits Animal OracleGreatest StrengthSquirrel – You are resourceful and you find the task of providing for yourself to often be more of a game than a chore. It’s all about testing yourself and predicting what is needed, finding the path forward that will create the greatest amount of success and provide for yourself and others. This makes you better able to do these things without feeling as if you are being taken advantage of or wearing yourself down.

Greatest WeaknessSeahorse – As much as structure and consistency are good for you, they can be hard for you to stick to. And when you aim for them, then something goes awry, you have a habit of coming down on yourself far harder than necessary.  This creates in you a difficult relationship with constancy and consistency, especially in your self care.

Finding BalanceSwan – Be kinder to yourself. It’s okay to slip up, and it’s okay to be carefree now and then and -enjoy- things. There’s nothing wrong with it, even if you were taught otherwise. Don’t allow that negative inner narrative of yours to treat you harshly, and be kind and forgiving with yourself instead.

DECK USED: UNTAMED SPIRIT ANIMAL ORACLE

Mr Lionhart’s The Suits: Revisited #TheNovemberTarot Prompt
Questions for November 19th and 20th

El Goliath Tarot 2nd EditionSuit of Swords – Where, or in what way, is my current energy hindering my growth?

Nine of Swords and Five of Wands – Fear of conflict. Sometimes the negativity that comes with conflict can be extremely overwhelming and the sharp words spoken can hurt. You need to examine where you are avoiding conflict due to the fear of that pain… and decide if this is really something you need to be afraid of, or if you can let go of that fear and act with a bit more freedom as a result.

Suit of Swords – What am I asked to overcome/embrace in support of my best self?

Three of Swords Rx and The Ojibwe Catcher – The dreams you have abandoned have been let go for a reason.  Instead of being down on yourself about the releasing of those dreams, embrace the opportunities that having let go of them provides. It’s okay to mourn the things you didn’t do, but don’t let it eat you up inside, or create a trap that leaves you shoving others away as a way to punish yourself.

DECK USED: EL GOLIATH TAROT 2ND EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I got to spend some time with Gideon playing again tonight and it was really nice.  I needed some “us” time.

Standing Strong

Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Relative Tarot - King of Pentacles - Sitting BullToday’s draw is the King of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s financial security, resources, health, home, labors, manifestations, and other elements of the physical realm. This often translates into leadership that creates a grounded sense of stability for others.

The imagery for this card is an adaptation of a picture of Sitting Bull taken in 1881. The original image has always been one that I’ve somehow connected with and I feel that it fits so very well as the King of Pentacles. He was such a strong leader, seeking stability for his people and providing those people with the sense of strength they needed in a time of trials and strife.  He taught his people independence and fought for the land that was rightfully theirs, lending his strength to not just his own people, but those of other nations that chose to join him.

The message I see in today’s card is about standing one’s ground, and the strength that doing so can create, especially when others decide to stand with you.  Don’t forsake the power that comes from standing strong for your family, your home, and those you value.  Don’t forsake the strength that comes from being rooted, balanced, and grounded in your purpose and goals.  When you are, you don’t just build upon your own strength, but that of all those around you that stand with you as well.

Side Note: I really wish that the guidebook for the deck included information about the figures in the cards themselves, as I’ve noticed a number of famous individuals depicted in the cards, and yet there’s no mention of them in the guide. For example the individual on this card is Sitting Bull.

DECK USED:  THE RELATIVE TAROT

@The.Journey.Well ‘s Friendship & Community Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 17th and 18th

Stay Wild Timing OracleWhat quality in friends can empower you?

Stay Wild – Friends that encourage your individuality instead of expecting you to conform to the standards of others.

Happily Ever After – Those that are in for the long haul, and don’t allow petty squabbles or minor differences to get in the way of long term friendship.

Take Away: You need loyalty, acceptance, and stability to feel empowered within your friendships with others. This sense of security then gives you the ability to ease your defenses, allowing you to become more trusting.

What knowledge could you mentor others in?

Don’t Wait – In following their intuition instead of second guessing that inner knowledge that could flourish into a great strength with a bit of tending.

I Do Yoga – Physiotherapy and body care through yoga, and how to incorporate a spiritual element into that practice.

DECK USED: STAY WILD TIMING ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for November 18th
: Advice I need to hear at this time concerning my family relations.

The Relative TarotReading Summary: You’re going to have to be generous and let go of the past (Six of Pentacles) if you want to create a comfortable and happy atmosphere (Four of Wands ) that’s healthy for you in the present and future (The Lovers).

Take Away: This is about the upcoming Christmas dinner, and the fact that there are going to be a lot of people there that you’ve had negative experiences with in the past. It doesn’t mean you have to become buddy buddy with them or forget the things that have happened in the past, but rather the cards are saying to be nice and not to allow those negative experiences from the past to make you into an asshat in the present or future when gatherings happen. Just be grateful that things are different now.

DECK USED: THE RELATIVE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I spent time playing with Gideon tonight, and it helped a lot in easing some of the tension I had going on in my chest.

All Aboard!

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Tarot Jacques Vieville (Héron Boechat Reproduction)Today’s draw is the Judgement card, which is traditionally a representation of looking back on one’s history and reflecting upon if they are happy with all that they have done and become in life, as well as getting in touch with one’s true calling, and themes to do with forgiveness and absolution.

Gabriel is blowing his horn so hard he looks like he’s going to pass out any minute.Just how long is he going to be blowing that horn before he says “get on the damned bus or be left behind”?

The message in today’s card is a reminder that you have a schedule to keep. Stop allowing others to make you late, as it just ends up with you blaming yourself and is one more bit of negativity dragging you down.

DECK USED:  TAROT JACQUES VIEVILLE (HÉRON BOECHAT REPRODUCTION)

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 17th

Kaevane Tarot de Marseille and Convearth Angel CardsMy DesireRaphael and Valet de Denier – Your physical health and wellness is something that you struggle with a great deal, and that you wish you could get a better handle on. It feels like you are constantly “falling off one wagon or another” when it comes to taking care of yourself, and wish that you could find a better way to be more consistent in your self care.

An Obstacle In My PathCherubim and La Mort – You try too hard to stay on a stagnant and rigid path when the path is actually always changing and shifting. You cannot walk straight on a winding path, but must instead work to follow the road ahead of you.

The SolutionZadkiel and La Roue de Fortune – Be kind to yourself when things go awry. Adapt and keep going, reorient and continue on… but don’t berate yourself or hold these moments against yourself, as they aren’t setbacks or obstacles, but natural curves and turns on the path. Only in resisting these moments do you fall into unhealthy negative criticism of yourself.

DECK USED: CONVEARTH ANGEL CARDS AND KAEVANE TAROT DE MARSEILLE

Mr Lionhart’s The Suits: Revisited #TheNovemberTarot Prompt
Questions for November 17th and 18th

Tarot Jacques Vieville (Héron Boechat Reproduction)Major Arcana – What should I decide on or consider this week?

The World and Two of Coins – No matter how far you go along life’s path, balance is always going to be an endeavor you strive for. Finding a healthy balance isn’t something you obtain and then possess, but rather a constantly shifting goal that you are meant to reach for again and again.

Suit of Swords – Where, or in what way, is my current focus supporting my growth?

Four of Swords and The Hanged – You are beginning to see rest as a natural part of life, necessary and important… instead of as something to be guilty about or ashamed of needing.  This new perspective allows you to more easily get the rest you need when you need it rather than pushing yourself beyond your limits and paying the consequences (that include recovery time you could have avoided if you’d been kinder to yourself and your body’s needs).

DECK USED: TAROT JACQUES VIEVILLE (HÉRON BOECHAT REPRODUCTION)

Daily Self Kindness

I had myself a little bit of a lazy day today. Things are picking up, ramping up a bit at a time in the holiday rush, and soon enough this won’t be an option for me anymore… so I figured I’d take advantage of the opportunity while it was open to me.

Support Through the Holding of Space

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Illusory Dream TarotToday’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 resources, financial stability, health, home, labors, manifestations, or other aspects of the physical realm. This often translates into a supportive or nurturing energy or entity in the areas of one’s health, home, and financial responsibilities.

Sometimes… support comes in simply sharing space with someone. Advice isn’t always what is needed. Nor is a helping hand, or a shoulder, or an ear. Sometimes? Just having someone sit beside you and be there is enough.

This is a unique gift that only certain people are able to provide.  For a lot of people, silence is unnerving and uncomfortable, and so just “sharing space” with someone can become the same.  Today’s card reminds us that those that share space with us are treasured allies. Friends that provide a very special kind of support without expectation, and that those quiet moments we share with them are often all we need… and a treasure to cherish.

DECK USED:  ILLUSORY DREAM TAROT

@The.Journey.Well ‘s Friendship & Community Challenge Prompt
Questions for November 15th and 16th

L'Oracle de la Voix des ÂmesWhat makes you feel free?

Libération and Reproches – Freedom from reproach. Independence both from under the thumb of others as well as your own harsh judgements. In these times when you are able to free yourself from these things, you feel weightless and without limits.

What do you sacrifice for those you love?

Message de Pardon and Le Poids des Larmes – You forgive them their trespasses even when they hurt you. There are a lot of things that someone you love can do that you would forgive, that those you don’t love would never get away with.  That patience and forgiveness of past hurts comes part and parcel with your love.

DECK USED: L’ORACLE DE LA VOIX DES ÂMES

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for November 16th
: Can a person without hope live a full and happy life?

Illusory Dream TarotReading Summary: A person with without hope has no expectations for the future and nothing to protect (Nine of Wands Rx). They work and move forward (Eight of Pentacles) and balance life as best they can (Two of Pentacles) without the expectation of a happily ever after (The Lovers Rx).

Take Away: It does not appear to be that a person can live a full and happy life without hope… at least from what these cards are saying. The best they can obtain is a balance, which does not equate to happiness, nor particularly to fulfillment either.

On a personal note, I agree with what the cards say here.  What is there to work towards or fight for, to cherish or find value in… if there is no hope?   I think hope looks different for different people, but I’m not sure it’s possible to be fulfilled or happy without it in one form or another.

DECK USED: ILLUSORY DREAM TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Today is orders day, and I somehow managed to get done a bit early, which means I get to go to bed a bit early.  And I’m going to do just that.

Leave It Behind

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Everyday Witch TarotToday’s draw is the Six of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of transitions, changes, moving on to better things, and leaving behind problems and baggage.

In the imagery of this card, a group of witches steal away in the dead of night with all that they can carry, following the light of the moon while autumn winds flow around them. One witch looks back, as if one last look is needed.

There’s something to be said for not looking back, and times when that’s essential. Escaping abusive relationships, leaving behind painful or unhealthy patterns, etc.  These things will always have pieces and parts that want to draw us back in.  Good times that are difficult to let go of, because to do so and truly move on means giving up on old hopes.

The thing is, though, that we can’t truly make a new start and begin anew if we don’t leave what’s in the past alone. Listening to that abusive ex’s excuses, or the whispers of temptation on unhealthy patters trying to call us back, will only stick us back where we were… in a broken hope or reaching for an unattainable dream.

Today’s card is a reminder that in order to begin something new, you have to let go of the old.  Let go of those old hopes and dreams that were a part of that untenable situation or behavior…. and instead of recycling them, build new hopes and dreams to replace them.

DECK USED:  EVERYDAY WITCH TAROT

Mr Lionhart’s The Suits: Revisited #TheNovemberTarot Prompt
Questions for November 15th and 16th

Everyday Witch TarotSuit of Cups – Something I am asked to reflect/meditate on right now.

Six of Cups and Strength – Remember how far you have come, and the strength that your past has provided you. Remember that the difficulties and struggles you’ve gone through are what has made you who you are today, given you the strength you carry with you from day to day.

Major Arcana – A lesson I have learned from the Cups suit during this challenge.

The High Priestess and Judgement – Intuition and emotions are connected, and when you judge yourself harshly and your emotions are affected by this… so too is your intuition.  If you, on the other hand, stay open and kind to yourself, allowing positivity to flow, your intuition flows freely as well.

DECK USED: EVERYDAY WITCH TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I un-pledged myself from 16 of the projects I’d previously backed on Kickstarter.