#TheOctoberTarot

Grace and Patience

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Untamed Mystery Tarot Noir EditionToday’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of moderation, balance, and patience.

A bleeding rose and an hourglass of skulls stands out in this card, as does the fact that everything in the card (including the crane) is tied together by ribbons of energy that flow throughout the card’s imagery.

There is a certain beauty and grace that comes with moderation. A serenity that I struggle to understand and instill in my life.  And yet, when moderation is not given its due, and we are impatient or over eager, there is a tipping point where things become harmful to us.  A point where the death of moderation breeds damage to our well-being.

Today’s card speaks of the need to look at those places where we struggle with moderation and balance, and acknowledge the damage that allowing ourselves to get “out of hand” can cause.  How can we do better?  What mindfulness tactics are needed to keep things gracefully balanced and flowing smoothly?

DECK USED:  UNTAMED MYSTERY TAROT NOIR EDITION

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Question for October 20th: What self-destructive behaviors do I exhibit?

The Lantern Guide Deck and Trauma OracleBehavior – Emotional Abuse – That inner narrative you have going on is vicious and cruel, and is focused on tearing you down one brick at a time.

How can I help myself turn this around?

Two of Birds (Wands) – Have a plan and stick to it. You know how to shut up that voice and steal its power, so make sure you do these things and have what you need in place to foster healthier practices.

Behavior – Ignored – You neglect yourself, your needs, and your self-care. Everyone needs nurturing and care. You are no exception. By ignoring issues that need tending, you neglect and ignore things you need to tend to in order to stay healthy and well.

How can I help myself turn this around?

The Hanged Man – Take a new perspective with the things you are tempted to ignore. See them as the small things they are rather than the huge things your feelings try to say that they are, for when you ignore them they only grow and fester larger and larger until the become as massive as you thought they were all along.

Behavior – Disesteem – Putting yourself down is something carried over from your past. You took to the task when they were no longer able to do so.

How can I help myself turn this around?

Eight of Lanterns (Cups) – Do not allow your negative inner narrative to take control or have a voice. Instead, turn away from it toward the warmth and understanding that work better for your well-being.

DECK USED: THE TRAUMA ORACLE AND THE LANTERN GUIDE DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for August 20th: Windowsill Candle – Where do you need to lean into the light (positivity/optimism)?

The Untamed Mystery Tarot Noir EditionReading Summary: You have a tendency to fall back into doomsday thinking (The Devil) when confronted with the fickle turns of fate (Wheel of Fortune) instead of leaning into the new path with your emotions that you’ve been walking upon the past few years (Page of Cups).

Take Away: Sometimes, it’s still difficult for you to pull away from the pessimism and see a more positive perspective.  Remember that this is a journey of exploration. Experiment with positivity and optimism to better explore its potential during these times when uncertainty and negativity feels like it’s getting the upper hand.

DECK USED: UNTAMED MYSTERY TAROT NOIR EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

This is another catch-up post, and I didn’t write down my self-kindness at the time, nor can I remember what it might have been.

Standing Up and Standing Out

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Hocus Pocus Tarot - Six of Candles - Six of WandsToday’s draw is the Six of Candles (Wands), which is traditionally a representation of public accolades, people pleasing, putting others opinions of you as a priority, prestige, or peer pressure.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of today’s card is the crooked candle in the center.  All the other candles stand upright, all undisturbed and uniform, but there is one that does not.  One that marches to its own drummer. One that does not conform with the rest. And yet? Its flame still burns brightly, and that angle looks almost jaunty as the flame dances.

The message in today’s card is an encouragement to look at those places in our lives where we conform to the standards and demands of others instead of letting our uniqueness shine, and to examine why, as well as where we might let our unique selves shine more brightly going forward.

DECK USED:  HOCUS POCUS TAROT

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 18th and 19th

Return to Cat Land OracleHow am I playing small in my life due to fear?

Times of uncertainty when your mind is scattered and you’re struggling with clarity (Fog) hold you back from accomplishing the personal growth and financial stability you desire (Luxury atop Growth).

More accidents and mistakes happen in these times when clarity is illusion e. Often, instead of moving forward during these times, you freeze. This moment of stagnancy then becomes a setback.

How is my shadow impeding my current goals?

Instead of viewing times if irritation (Bugged) as a phase in life that will pass and allowing patience to win out (Phases), you often react based on your emotions in the moment (Cat’s expression in the Bugged card).

DECK USED: RETURN TO CAT LAND ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: Is there an afterlife?

Hocus Pocus TarotReading Summary: There are those that stay and refuse to budge (Four of Pumpkins), and those that slip out of life into the beyond filled with the urge to learn and explore the unknown (The High Priestess). Some move on and become something else… something new (Death), while others choose to stay and do their own thing on their own (The Hermit).

Take Away: These cards indicate that there is not just one afterlife, or one answer to this question.  There is no indication here of death “snuffing one out” and there being nothing beyond death… but the cards show here that what lies beyond the crossing point of death is different for everyone.

DECK USED: HOCUS POCUS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch-up post and I’m not entirely sure what my self-kindness might have been for today.

The Sharp Teeth

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Trionfi Della Luna Illustrated Pips EditionToday’s draw is the Judgment card, which is traditionally a representation of judgements, one’s inner calling and chosen life path, and looking back on one’s life to consider how they feel about the path they’ve taken and who they have become.

The imagery in this card makes me think of purgatory. Or, well, my idea of what purgatory is anyway, which is to say a moment (or eternity) of torment as you look over all those things you have done in life and find the results… lacking, or lackluster, or even something we feel that we are deserving of punishment for.

This card, instead of encouraging looking at these things and punishing ourselves for them, instead asks us where are we being too harsh with ourselves? Where are we judging ourselves with sharp teeth and harsh flames, instead of with understanding and care?

DECK USED:  TRIONFI DELLA LUNA ILLUSTRATED PIPS EDITION

Mr Lionhart’s Seasons of the Witch Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 18th thru 20th – The Deities

Light in the Darkness Oracle and Tarot of FearGoddess Circe of sorcery, what transformation would you suggest for me?

Knight of Swords and The Guide Home – Seize upon a direction before you leap. This time of year often involves a lot of anxiety for you. You can circumvent some of that anxiety by taking action and having a plan and direction in place, instead of being impulsive but directionless.

Goddess Hekate, your voice is heard, what in death be given birth?

The Magician and Your Light – You are entering into a time of darkness where the necessity to keep your head down and focus on your goals is key. Keep in mind that you also need to allow yourself a moment to breathe by looking up now and then to make eye contact with the world around you.

Goddess Lilith of liberty, show me where I should be free?

Strength and Sunrise – Your strengths rise to the surface when you give yourself the rest you need to come back renewed and refreshed.

DECK USED: TAROT OF FEAR AND LIGHT IN DARK PLACES ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 18th: Gravestone – What part of yourself that needs to be revisited?

Trionfi Della Luna Illustrated Pips EditionReading Summary: Allowing apathy to take hold (Four of Cups) is the road to disaster (The Tower). Make sure you are keeping your eyes open and staying aware of what’s going on around you (Death’s Sword through the Eye) to preserve your hard earned stability (Four of Coins).

Take Away: When you ignore the world around you and retreat into yourself, you open up a chance for depression to slip in and begin eating away at your insides. You have the ability to slip into depression without any encouragement at all, so don’t give yourself the opportunity to lose yourself in it prematurely or encourage it when you can avoid it creeping in.

DECK USED: TRIONFI DELLA LUNA ILLUSTRATED PIPS EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I used the motorized scooter thing at Walmart today instead of insisting on walking.

A Slow Rake of Claws

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Lost Forest Tarot - Five of Cups - Five of OceansToday’s draw is the Five of Oceans (Cups), which is traditionally a representation of a negative mindset, closed mindedness, pessimism, and “sour grapes”.

The imagery in this card makes me think of drowning. Not the good kind of “drowning” that is actually subspace that I’ve renamed to fit how it feels to me personally, but more the bad emotional type of drowning where you sink and sink and sink… and it feels like there’s no bottom. The kind of drowning that starts by secluding yourself to find a little peace and quiet… and end up pulled down into the depths of a depression.

Today’s card is a reminder not to withdraw down deep into yourself. That’s where the monsters live. They lure you in with the promise of peace and quiet, then sink their claws into you and make you miserable. The temptation is a lie… a promise lain out as a trap.  Don’t allow it to tempt you into waters you can’t swim in or navigate safely or well.

DECK USED:  THE LOST FOREST TAROT 2ND EDITION

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 17th: What irrational fears lurk below the surface?

Spirits & Shadows Oracle and Le Tarot Interdit VampyriaFear –The Path and Le Monde – That you will lose your way along your path and end up on the wrong side of growth. After all, bacteria and infections can also experience growth if allowed to fester in the dark.

What can I do about this fear?

Remembrance and Sept de Miroir – Pick and choose the memories that you carry forward with you. Populate your memories with positive experiences and cherished moments, and let go of those that were painful.

Fear –Exile and l’Étoile Rx – That others will consider you a lost cause and write you off, ostracizing you due to your depression driven pessimistic tendencies.

What can I do about this fear?

Death and Commandant de Pieu – Share with others your passions and those things that light up your spark of inspiration. In doing so, you light a fire within them as well as adding kindling to your own spark.

Fear – Melting and Deux de Pieu – All your plans, strategizing, and good intentions will be for naught.

What can I do about this fear?

Foresight and Neuf de Pieu – Don’t let this fear keep you from looking ahead and working on creating the boundaries needed to protect what is important to you. This fear is merely a perception that grows from your fear, and your efforts are not in vain.

DECK USED: LES TAROT INTERDIT VAMPYRIA AND SPIRITS & SHADOWS ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 17th: Samhain – As the last harvest approaches, what needs to be discarded from your life?

The Lost Forest TarotReading Summary: It’s time to let go of your focus on slow growth (Seven of Earth), and the emotional reassurances that you use to keep yourself moving slowly (Queen of Oceans). Instead, use this time to begin a quick growth spurt (Page of Skies) towards the speed, precision, and alacrity that will be needed in the weeks ahead (Eight of Skies).

Take Away: With the holiday rush just around the corner and only a couple of weeks off, it’s time to start gearing up and getting moving at a quicker pace.  You can return to developing that slower pace once more after the holiday season has drawn to a close, but for now?  Toss it on the back burner and give yourself permission to surge forward instead of moving at an ambling pace.

DECK USED: THE LOST FOREST TAROT 2ND EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I’ve decided to accept Ms B’s help.  She offered to do some of the extra “helper tasks” that are involved in the holiday rush preparations.  I wasn’t sure about accepting, but the cards keep pushing so I’ve packed up a few things for her to see if any of them are something her eyesight will allow her to assist with.

Rallying the Troops

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Today’s meditation was skipped, although I did do a sort-of one while chilling at the hospital this morning.

Mio Im's 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 passions, drive, determination, principles, values, and willpower. The King of Wands often indicates themes that have to do with leadership figures or authority figures with the ability to rally others to their causes and draw them in to their own values, principles, and passions.

In my life, today is the day that I officially go back to work after taking a few days off.  The shops were open during my small vacation, and thus there are orders that need to be caught up on.   The card, therefore, is a reminder that I’m the conductor on this train… the general in this army.  It’s time to rally the troops and get them going on helping in getting things done, on getting orders set on track, and making sure everyone is on board with not just help in this moment… but in the weeks to come as the holiday rush rises up to greet us.

The card today asks us all… what do we need to “rally our troops” to help us with?  Where is it that you cannot accomplish your goals without others?  And in those areas, how can we best inspire others to our cause?

DECK USED:  MIO IM’S TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for October 16th: Do Spread 3

Mio Im's Tarot

Smoky Quartz – How can I best purge negativity from my life and develop greater stability?

Six of Wands – Stop looking to those in your past for approval. They are long gone, and it is only the memory that you seek approval from. You can’t change the past, so look forward instead and, if you feel the need approval from others, seek it from those in your present and future… not your past.

Apple – What insight is needed to improve my physical health at this time?

Knight of Wands Rx – Take care in where you leap forward and act impulsively. A bit of restraint is needed to keep things moving in the right direction.  In other words? Just because your leg is feeling a bit better doesn’t mean the problem is solved.  Take things slow and make sure this issue isn’t something that’s going to reoccur later on.

Chrysanthemum – Where do my defenses and boundaries need some bolstering?

Three of Wands – You’re going to have to be more realistic about your plans and take things at a different pace than usual. A bit of extra care and a bit of extra time is going to be needed. Don’t allow your inner narrative to step in and make things ugly for you just because you have to take things a bit slower.  A slow burn is best, so you don’t set the bridge ablaze and the entire forest along with it.

Aquamarine – In what ways can meditation promote more calm and confidence in my life?

Queen of Swords – Meditation can provide you the balance to foster your own strengths. You don’t have to be ruthless, but sometimes you can feel that urge when you don’t have enough balance in your life.

Meditation gives you that balance that allows you to choose between being your own Queen of Swords… or being the kind of domineering and self-centered Queen that you’ve observed from others with similar qualities used in less kind or generous ways.

Mint – What factor in my relationships need some reevaluation and perhaps adjustment?

Ace of Swords – You have received a lot of advice from the cards lately about turning over a new leaf in your communication with others. Here we see this message again in your relationships. Use your voice to communicate what you need instead of staying silent.

Carnelian – In what ways can including more creativity in my life brighten my daily outlook?

Ten of Swords – Creativity helps you avoid feeling as if everything is lost and nothing is going your way. In participating in creative endeavors, you then shine a touch of light to the darker corners of your life and make everything a bit better.

Pomegranate – What wish of mine is ready to be manifested into reality at this time?

Knight of Hearts (Pentacles) – You want more time to explore a slower pace in your life.  This card indicates that there is boundless potential here, but you’re going to have be patient. The holiday rush is not a time of slowing down and a measured pace.  But, the holiday rush won’t last forever.

DECK USED: MIO IM’S TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’m continuing to work on keeping my foot elevated, and treating things gingerly, even when my patience is stretched a bit thin.

Recuperation is Not Indolence

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Tarot of the Poppet MasterToday’s draw is the Eight of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of withdrawal and abandonment, especially in times of frustration or in an emotional response.

What catches my attention in the imagery of today’s card is that the arms of the puppet are made from fabric depicting little skulls, and the head / hat is made out of a poinsettia. This fits well for me with the key word of “indolence” that is also on the card.

By the time I get to the end of the holiday rush (poinsettia), and it is time to slip back into a slower pace (the skulls for arms), I am at the point where I am ready to walk away from everything. The exhaustion is so great that a change to a quieter time is extremely welcome… and anxiety inducing.

At this time of change, I am plagued with fear that I am becoming lazy, and that I’m not doing enough to help my business thrive and grow. And so, for me today’s card becomes a reminder that the need for rest and recuperation is not indolence.

This card’s appearance asks… What are you viewing as lazy behavior that is really just needed rest? How are you judging yourself too harshly in these times when you need a break? And how can we all do better to see that the need for rest and recuperation is not laziness or indolence, but a basic human necessity?

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE POPPET MASTER

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 14th thru 16th

Santa Muerte Tarot and Konxari CardsWhat pain has been ignored?

Three of Dream Catchers and Window – You only hurt yourself when you refuse help from others. Don’t close the window in opportunities to involve others in the reaching of your goals. The rewards are richer when the journey is shared.

Which wound keeps me trapped in the past?

Eight of Candles – There is a repeating pattern from your past where you were always pushed to move with speed and precision, never allowed to take things slow and savor. You have carried this pattern forward into the present due to it never having acknowledged and dealt with it.

How can I heal my greatest wound to move forward?

The Empress and Honor atop Knight of Wands Rx and Fire – Forsake impulsive behavior driven by a desire to get ahead and those feelings of inadequacy inside you that cause you to always seek more. Instead, respect your need to be nurtured, and give yourself what you need rather than punishing yourself for needing it.

DECK USED: SANTA MUERTE TAROT AND KONXARI CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for October 15th: Write something free form inspired by the card(s).

Tarot of the Poppet MasterThere was once a queen filled with rage that saw all of her subjects as pawns to be used and abused as she pleased (Queen of Wands). She took great joy in carrying out a vast array of different tortures and cruelty upon those within her reign (Seven of Cups atop Nine of Swords).

One day, the subjects of the queen’s realm had had enough. Believing that there had to be a healthier and better place for all of them to settle down and grow roots (The Lovers), they gathered up their things and moved away from the queen’s lands (Eight of Cups) in search of a better future and a better ruler (The Star). And thus, the queen was left all alone to rule her lands empty of any but herself (The Tower).

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE POPPET MASTER

Daily Self Kindness

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