Finding Balance in Stillness

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Ritual Abuse TarotToday’s draw is the Justice card, which is traditionally a representation of cause and effect, repercussions and consequences, fairness, truth, balance. and often the law and legal matters.

What comes around goes around. When I see the image on this card, that’s the phrase that comes to mind. It’s like the figure is leaning in to aggression. The head decapitated in the background, and blood still dropping from the sword.

The thing is? Scales can’t balance in chaos. Scales can’t balance with movement and aggression in the mix.

The message in today’s card is about how we find our balance in life, and how we find our footing on our life’s path.  It’s not through chaos and aggression.  It’s through taking a pause that you can allow for balance as the scales ease their sway.  In the quiet they can slow and still.  The more you fight and lean into the chaos, the more the scales will tip and sway.

DECK USED:  RITUAL ABUSE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 14th
: Poltergeist – What needs to be banished from your life?

To The End Love OracleReading Summary: You need to look at where in your life, either due to loving you (Love) or out of a sense of respect (Honor), your loved ones are enabling you in unhealthy ways (Temptation).

Take Away: It isn’t the love or respect that needs banishing, but rather what they are doing with it that is the problem. This boils down to a form of dishonesty, for they are withholding their true thoughts and feelings “out of respect” for your own choices, not fully realizing that your decision-maker can and is compromised at times by temptation, addictive tendencies, and self destructive urges.

DECK USED: TO THE END ORACLE

Mr Lionhart’s Seasons of the Witch Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 14th thru 17th – The Ritual

Ritual Abuse TarotThe blade it cuts what’s rooted deep, what am I to rod of, what am I to keep?

Seven of Swords – Any thoughts of escaping what is to come need be let go of now. You are too close to the holiday rush for escapism fantasies, and need to instead pivot and fight.

Four of Swords – Make sure you are getting enough rest. You are no longer “of an age” where you have the boundless energy of your youth, and you need to make sure you are refilling your tank in order to make it through the weeks ahead without crashing.

The wand it swings, it works for me, how can I conjure what I may need?

King of Wands – Own your passion and drive, and control it with a tight fist. Delegate and direct so that you are not doing everything yourself.

I let the chalice guide my heart, I drink from it, I embrace this part:

Two of Cups – Those who love you are there to help. Don’t forsake their help and exclude them due to pride or a desire to not burden them. Instead, let them add their strength to yours.

From south, to north, from east to west, what am I to plant or to manifest?

King of Pentacles – Authority and stability need to be your main focus this season. Not independence.

DECK USED: RITUAL ABUSE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I rested a lot today.  Lots of sleep and elevated leg time.

It’s In the Reach

Today’s meditation was skipped.

VooDoo Dolly TarotToday’s draw is the Ace of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, hearth and home, labors, and manifestations.

What stands out to me in the imagery of this card is there’s a crown free-floating out there in the ether. It speaks to me of opportunity and potential. It says you can do much better, reach for the gold and you will achieve your best result.

Today’s card is an encouragement that tells us that it is in reaching for better that we succeed. It’s how we build a life worth living, how we grow and succeed, and how we become our best selves. Life isn’t about failures and misfortunes, but about what we reach for and where that reach can help us grow.

DECK USED:  VOODOO DOLLY TAROT

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 11th and 13th

VooDoo Dolly Tarot and Heart Forward DeckHow are my insecurities projected onto others?

The Stars and Death – You worry too much about what might happen and when, instead of looking to the present ant towards hope and positivity. This creates a more apathetic outlook towards others as your pessimism creates a lackadaisical “everyone dies sometime” attitude that is neither healthy or helpful.

How can I overcome my perceived flaws?

Knight of Swords and Loving – Be proactive about keeping your negative inner narrative in check through loving and caring thoughts, rather than an uncaring attitude. It is in leaning into self-kindness and positivity that you keep your inner critic from eating you alive.

DECK USED: VOODOO DOLLY TAROT AND HEART FORWARD DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 13th: Spirits
: How can you improve your relationship with your ancestors?

VooDoo Dolly TarotReading Summary: Make peace with your ancestors (Queen of Swords) by turning over a new emotional leaf where she is concerned (Page of Cups) and letting her back in and allowed to have an opinion in your life (Seven of Wands).

Take Away: Let go of the history and step into a new beginning concerning those that should have loved you but perhaps did so too harshly.  Listen to these ancestors, even if the history that you have with them is unpleasant.  Regardless of that history, in the present they only have your best interests at heart.

DECK USED: VOODOO DOLLY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I didn’t get fed up with the hospital and leave like I wanted to, but stuck around and waited it out.

Cherishing Good Memories

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Черное ТароToday’s draw is the Six of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of nostalgia, joyful memories, childhood experiences, and revisiting the past in some way.

The imagery in this card looks not like children, but more like adolescents to me.  It appears like date night.  Maybe the very first date night ever.  With the offer of flowers and all the nervousness of those moments.

And yet? We all go through those moments, and in many cases they become a joyful memory to look back on in the future and enjoy.  Those moments of innocence and anticipation become sweet in our memories, and cherished.

Today’s card asks us to look within our memories not just for the trauma and bad experiences, the lessons and pain, but also to make sure we are looking at these beautiful memories.  Take them out of their “box” and enjoy them. Take pleasure in them and allow them to make you smile.

DECK USED:  ЧЕРНОЕ ТАРО

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question
: Can anyone on the other side make contact when the veil is thin?

Anatomical TarotReading Summary: They have to be willing to learn how to make contact (Page of Swords) and then pick and choose who they want to connect with (Two of Swords), because if they are too overeager (Page of Wands), they will overwhelm themselves and end up bogged down (Ten of Wands) instead of succeeding in their goal.

Take Away: So… the answer is yes, and no.  Anyone could, but they have to be motivated to learn, and motivated to understand that there is a price for energy spent, and only so much energy available to spend. Not everyone has the determination, desire, or temperance needed to make this effort and succeed at it.

DECK USED: ANATOMICAL TAROT

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Question for October 12th
: What limitation impacts my self-confidence?

Черное ТароReading Summary: When you feel rushed to act (The Chariot and Two of Pentacles) without getting a chance to think things through and fully consider what the results or repercussions might be (Justice).

Take Away: When you are rushed, you don’t always make the best choices. You go in with single minded focus instead of weighing your options, and this can often result in really unpleasant consequences. Because you are so focused on success and progress? The consequences are usually to your health and self-care.

DECK USED: ЧЕРНОЕ ТАРО

Daily Self Kindness

Before heading north, I spent a good deal of my day hiking and climbing in the forest here and taking pictures.

Changing Realities

Tea Leaf ReadingToday’s meditation was skipped.

I did try something new today that I dabble in off and on.  That is, tasseomancy. I’ve included a picture to the left, where what I see here is a tortoise front and center with a little angel wing above him to the right, and a backwards question mark stretching up to the left.  Far off in the right corner I see a fish skeleton (of the cartoon variety).

Interpretation: Slow and steady is not usually your style when it comes to reaching for and achieving success.  Although you are trying to slow down, during the busy time to come it’s with speed and alacrity that you will find your success. It’s okay to tap back into old habits when needed, but don’t let them re-root into your life full time again.

Cute Ghost TarotToday’s draw is the Hanged Man, which is traditionally a representation of taking a pause, considering new perspectives, and letting go in order to surrender to the moment.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card is that the reflection of the hanged man in the water beneath looks like a second ghost peeking up over the title plaque. For me, this takes the traditional imagery represented in the card to a new level as it gives the viewer the experience of new perspectives just by looking at the card, rather than just depicting the hanged man experiencing new perspective himself. A lot of people struggle with the Hanged Man specifically because they are unable to put themselves in a place to see new perspectives in the imagery, and yet this card offers an opportunity for that experience.

It begs the question… where are you missing the second (or third, or fourth) perspective? Where could you open up your heart and mind to see more? How could life be improved by adding another (possibly more positive, as the ghost is smiling) viewpoint into the mix?

DECK USED:  CUTE GHOST TAROT

Mr Lionhart’s Seasons of the Witch Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 11th thru 13th – The Priestess

Cute Ghost Tarot and Hello Autumn OracleAs within, so without, what should I know without a doubt?

Ace of Cups and No Worries – Emotions aren’t easy, and as you become more aware of yours and bury them less, it can be hard to keep yourself open to them instead of falling back on old habits.

Soft of eye and light of touch, what should I observe or watch?

Page of Cups and Crazy Weird – It’s okay to observe others to learn how to better deal with and experience your emotions. It doesn’t all have to be treading paths never seen or traversed before, but can absolutely be about walking in others’ footsteps instead.

Beyond the shadow of the night, what should see the day of light?

Ten of Coins atop The Star, Being Happy – Lean into optimism and gratitude. Everything looks better when you put in this effort. It might not change reality and your responsibilities remain the same, but they feel lighter, which can help you handle the burden better.

DECK USED: CUTE GHOST TAROT AND HELLO AUTUMN ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 11th
: Treat – What special gift or skill do you have that you take for granted?

Cute Ghost TarotReading Summary: The ability to turn yourself and others towards stability and success (Ten of Coins) using your divination skills (The High Priestess) to tap into the emotions of the querent (Ace of Cups).

Take Away: This is a skill that you use every day through divination and your clairsentience. These skills help you in navigating the world and those around you, and allow you to help others.

This skill is something you take for granted primarily because it’s something that you use on a daily basis, and have throughout your life.  Like many day-to-day things, we forget to recognize and appreciate them over time as they become more of a standard in our lives.

DECK USED: CUTE GHOST TAROT

 

Daily Self Kindness

I spent time outdoors enjoying the beach and being in nature today.

Clean Slates

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Shadowland TarotToday’s draw is the Tower card, which is traditionally a representation of sudden change, chaotic transformation, destruction, and the tearing down of something within one’s life or beliefs that leaves room for something new to take its place.

Sometimes? No matter how much you try to mitigate the damage, the “fall” is unavoidable.  That’s what I see here in the imagery for this card, wth a figure blasted off the tower of the building in the background trying to use an umbrella to slow their plummet to the ground.  An umbrella is not going to cut it, though.

That is because there are always going to be times when only a full and complete destruction will lead us to the new path we are meant to tread. Otherwise?  We cling to the shreds of the old instead of committing ourselves completely to the new.

I am absolutely guilty of this, and got smacked in the face with it earlier when I thought my phone had bit the dust. In the end, it was fixable and I get to cling to my old phone just a little longer…  but at the same time, this experience, and today’s card, make it clear it’s time to look into an upgrade whether I want to or not.

DECK USED:  SHADOWLAND TAROT

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Question for October 10th
: What emotions do I struggle to express?

Golden Age of Horror Comics TarotThe “Fuck It, I Quit” EmotionsEight of Cups and Half Bat Boy – You have a hard time walking away from things, especially those that you’ve put a lot of effort in. You continue trying to “make it work” instead of just letting it go.

Contentment When Things Aren’t “Just Right” Nine of Cups and Bumble Beast – You can’t just say “it’s fine” when something doesn’t fit for you. Neither can you hide that it isnt a good fit.

Hope in Times of StruggleThe Star and Gunbeam Bread – You are far more likely to keep your head down and push onward when hardship hits than express hope and positivity.  It’s just part of who you are to try and work through it and try to ignore the problems rather than approach them from an angle of positivity.

DECK USED: GOLDEN AGE OF HORROR COMICS TAROT AND FEARSOME WEIRDOS CARD COLLECTION

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Shadowland TarotQuestion for October 10th
: Trick – What is fooling you that needs to be seen more clearly?

Reading Summary:  Are you really resting (Four of Swords Rx) when you forsake pleasure and fun (Ten of Cups Rx) for leaning in with determination toward your goals and ambitions (Ace of Wands)?

Take Away: Time off is not time off unless you actually rest, recover, and have a little fun.

This week is supposed to be your time off, and these cards are stating that sitting at home throughout the entire week looking at all the stuff that needs to be done is not healthy for you at this time. Do the thing, step outside your comfort zone, and give yourself what you need to truly rest and recover before it’s too late and there’s no more time for these things until after the New Year.

DECK USED: SHADOWLAND TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took the advice of the cards above and did the spontaneous thing.  Taking advantage of a free night at a hotel, I gave myself an entire day of forest and woods and beach and sea air.  I spent the entire day outside and getting in touch with nature.

Careless Traipsing

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Tarot of Haunted HouseToday’s draw is the Fool card, which is traditionally a representation of innocence, carelessness, carefree enthusiasm, and new beginnings.

The little fool in this card is of the kind you see in horror films.  Beautiful and stupid, she runs blindly in her fear, and is sure to quickly find herself either trapped or stumbling over a rock (or her own feet).

Either way, today’s card is about blind action without thought or planning.  It asks us… where are we not using enough thought or planning in our own lives?  Where are we traipsing through with blind faith (or fear) instead of taking a moment to think things through to make sure things work out in our favor in the end?

DECK USED:  TAROT OF HAUNTED HOUSE

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for October 9th
: Do Spread 2
Question: How can I make the best out of tonight’s “Thanksgiving” activities?

Tarot of Haunted House and Halloween OracleReading Summary: The anchor card itself references you and L, as two figures always together in fun and harmony… or trouble too.

The anchor card is filled with a golden glow that the Knight of Swords lacks completely, indicating that charging forward impulsively (especially in conversation) is a bad idea tonight.

There is a hint of that golden glow in the Queen of Swords, cast upon the books on the shelf, speaking of the path forward being one of study instead of sharing. Be reserved, and watch closely.

In the Nine of Cups this golden hue from the anchor card has become pervasive. It’s all around the figure in the card. This progression from no golden glow to being surrounded by it indicates that here in the Nine of Cups lies your prize.

Take Away: Keep your moth shut tonight and pay attention, and as a reward you both will come out not just unscathed but happy and content with how the evening went.

DECKS USED: HALLOWEEN ORACLE (trimmed naked) AND TAROT OF HAUNTED HOUSE

HealingThruTarot’s October Shadow Work Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 8th and 9th

Halloween OracleWhat am I refusing to feel? Why?

The Hearth – You are not trying hard enough to sink into your comfort of home and hearth, because you are allowing yourself to be too preoccupied with the looming presence of the holiday rush to come. You need to let go of that anticipation and the dread it causes, as that’s the root of your rising anxiety.

What aspect of myself am I repressing?

Maple Moon and Werewolf – Your need to get out in nature is not something you can ignore.

Take time now while the moon is at its strongest to set yourself free among the trees, and you will feel much better for having done so.

DECK USED: HALLOWEEN ORACLE (trimmed naked)

Daily Self Kindness

I spent a good deal of time on my phone tonight, just to have a bit of reprieve from those around me.